Page 40 of Her Last Promise

Rachel laughed, then grew serious."You did amazing work today, Novak.And I don't just mean taking a bullet."

"What, that's not enough?"He waggled his eyebrows."Tough crowd."

"I mean it," she pressed on."You kept your cool through all of it...even when you were shot.That's not just good agent work, that'sexceptionalagent work."

Novak's jovial expression softened."Coming from you, that means a lot."He shifted slightly, wincing."You know, when they first partnered me with the famous Rachel Gift, I was terrified I wouldn't measure up.You're kind of a legend at the Bureau."

She hated hearing such things but had essentially gotten used to it."And now?"

"Now?"He pretended to think about it."Now I'm only mostly terrified."

She threw a wadded-up tissue at him, which he dodged with a laugh that turned into a groan."Ow.No making the gunshot victim laugh."

"Sorry," she said, not sorry at all."But seriously, Novak...Ethan.I'm proud to have you as my partner."

Novak nodded, and she could tell he was wrestling with emotion.He then made a shooing motion."Go home, Gift.Your family's waiting, and my incredibly overprotective wife is on her way to smother me with attention."

"You sure?"

"Positive.Sarah's sister lives ten minutes away—she'll be here any minute to take over the hovering duties."He settled back against his pillows."Besides, somebody's got to be fresh tomorrow to start processing all the evidence from Mitchell's murder basement…and start the report.Given that I'm going to be riding a desk for at least a week, that somebody is you."

Rachel stood, touched his good shoulder lightly."Get some rest, partner.I'll check on you tomorrow."

"Bring coffee when you do!"he called after her as she left.

The hospital corridors were quiet, the late-night lull settling in.Rachel made her way through the maze of hallways, her footsteps echoing on the polished floors.In the lobby, a massive Christmas tree stretched toward the ceiling, its white lights casting a soft glow over the night security guard at his desk.

Outside, a fine drizzle of sleet had begun to fall, tiny ice crystals catching the light from the lampposts.The hospital's exterior was festooned with elegant strands of white lights and simple evergreen wreaths.Rachel paused, watching her breath steam in the cold air.

A week and a half until Christmas.The Mitchell case was solved, Novak would recover, and two innocent people would live to see the holidays with their families.Maybe, she thought, this holiday season would bring some peace after all.She pulled her coat tighter and headed for her car, eager to get home to Jack and Paige.

As she drove away, the hospital's Christmas lights twinkled in her rearview mirror like earthbound stars, a reminder that even in the darkest times, light found a way to shine through.

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

A warm and familiar voice settled in like a blanket over Rachel’s sleep.For just a moment, she wondered if she was dreaming."Mom?"

She didn't want to open her eyes.Her body felt heavy, weighted down by exhaustion that seemed to seep into her bones.Last night had been a whirlwind.The memories were there, lurking just beneath the surface of her drowsy mind.

"Mom?"Paige's voice came again, closer this time."I know you're awake.I can see your eyes moving under your lids."

Rachel couldn't help but smile, even as she kept her eyes closed."Since when did you become such an expert in sleep patterns?"

"I’m a master at faking sleep.Want to hear how many times I faked it only to get back to reading after you checked on me?"

“I’d rather not, thanks,” Rachel said in a groggy voice.

Finally opening her eyes, Rachel found her daughter sitting there in her winter coat, backpack slung over one shoulder.The sight brought back a flood of memories from the night before – getting home at 11:45, exhausted beyond words.She'd barely managed to shower before collapsing into bed.Jack had been awake enough to kiss her cheek when she'd crawled in beside him, but that was all she remembered before sleep claimed her.

"I told Jack we shouldn't wake you," Paige said, fidgeting with the zipper of her coat."But he insisted I say goodbye before we leave.He also said to tell you there are some pancakes left in the microwave for you."

Rachel pushed herself up to sitting position, noting the gray light filtering through the curtains."What time is it?"

"Seven-thirty."Paige's expression brightened."Did you hear the sleet last night?I was hoping they'd cancel school, but apparently a little ice isn't enough to shut down the district anymore."

"You only have three more school days until Christmas break," Rachel reminded her, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind Paige's ear.Her daughter didn't pull away from the touch like she might have a few weeks ago, and Rachel's heart warmed at the small victory.And she reminded herself that Paige was nearly a teenager now.The attitude shifts were not only normal, but they’d probably get worse.

"Three days too many," Paige groaned, but there was a hint of a smile playing at her lips.

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