Page 25 of A Colby Christmas Rescue

By all accounts, the family was highly respected and more than a little revered in the area.

All the more reason for Jamie to see this through one way or another. Someone had to protect that family during this... Whatever it was. She just hoped she wasn’t going to be caught in a situation where she had to choose between her brother and a member of the doctor’s family.

So far there had been no mention of weapons, but she wasn’t naive enough to believe they were going into this thing unarmed. Particularly considering Case had serious security. There would be weapons, and anytime weapons were involved, trouble was just one tiny mistake away.

That would be the problem. Getting in and out without triggering a gunfight with the doctor’s security team.

As if she’d voiced the issue out loud, Abi joined her on the patio. He surveyed the valley below before turning to her.

“It’s cold out here,” he pointed out.

Her body suddenly realized he was right. She shivered. “I hadn’t noticed.”

He laughed. “I see that.”

She wrapped her arms around herself. “Not that cold. Remember I grew up in Chicago.”

He removed the jacket he was wearing and draped it over her shoulders. “I remember.”

The warmth from his body immediately seeped into hers. “Thanks.” She tugged the coat closer around her.

“Your friend has been pacing the floor for hours.”

Poe had paced the floor down here until only a few minutes ago and then he’d called it a night only to pace the floor in his room.

“He’s restless.”

“He needs to chill.” Abi crossed his arms over his chest, the cold night air obviously getting to him since he’d given his jacket to her.

“Maybe he could if you’d give us some insight into how this is going down.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that. You will know exactly what to do when it’s time to move.”

She heaved a frustrated breath. “That’s no way to run a railroad,” she argued. “Preparation is always key in any operation. Preparation of all players.”

He shot her a grin. “Trust me. I have thoroughly prepared for this. For all of us.”

“Tell me one thing.” She turned to him and fixed her gaze on his.

“One thing,” he agreed.

“Does someone in your family need this doctor’s help?” If this was personal, the situation was all the more dangerous. Personal was never, ever good.

“No one in my family is involved. This is not personal, Jamie. You have my word.”

“Good.” She considered what she should ask next. “How did you learn of this mission?”

“So what you really want is two things,” he said, eyebrows raised.

“The one thing was just me getting started.”

He smiled. “I see that.” He exhaled an audible breath. “I was approached by a representative of my employer.”

He looked directly at her as he spoke. Gaze open. No blink, no flinch. So far he appeared to be telling her the truth.

“Are you completely comfortable with the plan?” She had worked with Abi before. He was good. Damned good.

“The plan is flawless. You do not need to worry about the plan. I have considered every possibility. There are no weaknesses...no holes.”

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