Page 36 of The Making of Marnie Jones

Her gaze strayed to look out the window into the darkness. She was quiet.

As the silence spun out, he became disconcerted.Did I stick my foot in my mouth again?He was always on shaky ground with her. Before he was able to form words, her gaze came back to meet his.

“This was inevitable. I couldn't stay like an ostrich with my head in the sand forever. Each time a child goes missing, they approach my father to get him to give an interview. They also try to contact me. Sooner or later, some reporter was bound to find me.”

Her acceptance of the situation intensified his guilt. By begging her to return to Toronto, he was exposing her to possible discovery. She was mistaken that discovery was inevitable. Her father's money had bought her a good new identity. Without Mrs. Grant, he’d still be floundering. He was placing his faith in a woman he didn't know.

Desperate times called for desperate measures.

The flight attendants were strapping in to their jump seats, and the plane had begun its descent.

He looked into her eyes. “A few more minutes and we’ll be through the worst of this. That is a promise I can keep.”

“I believe you.” Her green eyes shone, even in the awful cabin lights of the plane.

Her words felt like a precious gift. She warned him she didn't trust easily, so this might be a small step, but forward motion nonetheless. He’d take anything he could get. Her gaze fastened on his, and a sudden awareness shot through him.

Does she feel this too?

Something between the two of them made his gut clench. Aside from Olivia, Marnie was the bravest woman of his acquaintance—and that said something. But she was more than a means to an end. Funny, he’d never contemplated what happened after she helped turn his niece’s life around. Would she go back to obscurity and hiding, or would she change her life? Would she allow him to stay part of it? Which was crazy, because what could he possibly offer her? She had men in her life—Rusty, Seth, and Colton, to name a few—so why would she need another one? As for anything more than that…impossible to contemplate.

As if reading his mind and disturbed by his intensity, she broke eye contact and turned toward the rain splattering on the window.

The landing was smooth given the horrible weather, and when she finally extricated her hand, he missed the warmth, the assurance. Normally in the habit of jumping up and being the first off, this time he planned on waiting until the others deplaned. He figured she appreciated avoiding the crush of people eager to get off. Plus, they’d probably arrive at the carousel about the same time as their luggage.

By the time the masses departed, she’d packed her knapsack and her reserved, detached demeanor had returned. Reassuring in a way, because it proved she survived her first-ever flight. Her revelation was a shock. He’d assumed she jetted all over the world since she was a billionaire’s daughter. Instead, she filled her days with activities while devoid of genuine friendships. She might resent him for seeing her as a poor little rich girl, but the title fit. She’d hate him for thinking that.

He backed up, giving her plenty of space while trying not to look like he was. Not an easy task. Her posture seemed more relaxed. She wasn't white-knuckled, gripping the straps of her knapsack as she’d been before.

The smile she gave the cabin attendants was genuine, and partway up the ramp, she stopped and waited until he caught up with her. She offered him a slight upward curl of her soft lips when he came alongside.

Chapter fifteen

JakeMcGrathwasagood-looking man.

No two ways about it.

He was kind.

And compassionate.

And patient.

And cute.

He currently lounged against the wall, waiting for the carousel to bring the luggage. He appeared as if he had all the time in the world and was completely carefree.

Marnie, however, felt grungy. She’d made a quick detour to the ladies’ room, but still felt icky. Sweating over the turbulence was the excuse she gave herself, because the truth was harder to accept.

She was nervous about meeting Olivia.

Or not meeting her.

Because suddenly this was less about Marnie and more about Jake. Or, more specifically, her desire to not let him down. He was a good man, and he deserved her help. She was also helping herself, right? Coming to Toronto and facing her fears. She clasped and unclasped her hands as the suitcases started coming down the ramp and onto the carousel. Spotting her bag, she’d barely moved before he scooped it up.

His much-smaller bag soon followed. He placed her suitcase in front of her. “Ready?”

What?“Ready?”

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