Page 63 of The Angel and the Agent

“Amelia?” Maggie said.

“How did you know?” Amelia asked.

“I don’t get as many calls from Africa as you might expect,” Maggie said, and it sounded as if she was crying.

“I’m fine,” Amelia assured her. “Perfect in every way, except some minor sun damage on my face. If I get wrinkles, I’m definitely suing the blood diamond people.”

Maggie laughed and sniffled. “It’s so, so good to hear your voice. How’s Ethan?”

“Equally perfect,” Amelia said. She turned her back to him, afraid her tone might reveal something to the sister who knew her too well.

“Uh-oh,” Maggie said, reading between the lines anyway.

“No, it’s fine. We’re friendly.”

Behind her, Ethan snickered. She put her hand in his face and pushed. Ignoring her, he brushed aside her hair and began kissing her neck. She closed her eyes, trying hard to maintain the thread of the conversation with her sister. “How’s the dog?”

“The best little baby ever.” There was a commotion in the background. “Every time I call him our baby, Ridge feels the need to remind me he’s not. But he loves his daddy so much. Every new baby brings adjustments.”

“Soon your baby is going to be a hundred pounds,” Amelia reminded her.

“More of him to love,” Maggie said. “Although we may need a tad of obedience school because he destroyed one of Daddy’sleather loafers and left a rather unpleasant present in the other. Hey, I almost forgot to ask. When are you coming home? Did you get a flight out tomorrow?”

“We’re coming home the day after tomorrow. Ethan has some business to attend to first,” Amelia said.

“I’ll say I do,” Ethan whispered.

“Have you talked to Piedmont?” Maggie asked. “He’s been a mess since you went away.”

Amelia tensed, and Ethan stopped kissing her. “Not yet.”

“Call him soon, the poor guy,” Maggie urged.

“Yes, okay. Hey, I have a couple of questions for you. Blue made me a passport and put all these obscure countries on it. Any idea why?”

“Knowing him it’s for some reason that makes sense only in his twisted mind,” Maggie said.

“Why didn’t you tell Mom and Dad the truth?” Amelia asked. “That I’d been kidnapped.”

“That was my first go-to panic reaction, but Cam rightly pointed out there was no need to alarm them unnecessarily when the probability Ethan would successfully retrieve you was so high. You’re in good hands there.”

I’ll say I am,Amelia thought. Her eyes landed on Ethan’s strong, capable hands, and she picked one up, bringing it to her lips.

“Send us a message when you know your travel arrangements, and we’ll meet you at the airport,” Maggie said.

“Will do. Before I forget, how was France? What did you guys do there?”

“I couldn’t begin to tell you,” Maggie said, her words weighted with meaning.

“I want a rundown of the food in person,” Amelia said.

“That I can do,” Maggie promised. They said their goodbyes. Amelia hung up the phone and sat staring at it a moment.

“Is there anyone else you’d like me to dial?” Ethan asked. His hand was still in hers, his finger sliding gently over her palm.

“Yes, okay, I supposed I’d better,” she said dully.

“Can I give you a piece of advice, man to woman?”

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