Page 6 of Special Agent Isabella

ChapterFour

Governor Stacy Bolden stood at her large office window in the Arizona State building and thought back in time. How those defining moments in her youth had created the smart, good-looking woman she’d become today.

How as a young and up-and-coming US Senator she’d been forced into a role she wasn’t sure she could handle… yet had no choice. All the obstructions between her and this job had faded away because of a series of deaths and criminal behavior of the people she worked with. After these unexpected incidents, she’d been faced with a responsibility she couldn’t refuse.

Only thirty-five, terrified, but loyal, what could she do when Arizona needed her to be strong. After all, hadn’t she learned the hard way to overcome adversity?

Thinking back to the many nights as a panicky teen at the hands of boys who got off on teasing and terrifying younger timid girls, she did what she’d always done. Forced the memory behind the steel walls in her mind that usually were able to keep them from escaping.

Only on days when the stress of her job got to her, and her tired brain returned to the past did those moments resurface. They still had the influence to render her powerless, to bring her to her knees when she allowed them to reign.

She’d been such a wimp. Her young body had blossomed earlier than most her age, and she’d had no idea how to deal with that problem. Her mass of dark hair had always been unmanageable and was often tied back in a knot or a ponytail. Keeping to herself, she’d downplayed her looks as much as possible.

Getting through her earlier years with a single mom, always exhausted from working two jobs, she’d tried to cope on her own. Most times she managed. A few times she hadn’t, and those memories stung. Drove her crazy with guilt and panic.

Of course, when she first met handsome Hank Bolden, her late husband, she’d thought her world had finally become the fairy tale of her dreams. They had such wonderful times in those early years. When she’d become pregnant, they’d been filled with so many plans… their happiness overwhelming.

The only darkness in her colorful world had been that Hank most often got deployed, and their communications held online. But still she planned and fantasized of the time he’d be with them again. Who knew that those wonderful dreams would soon turn into nightmares?

Before she could wipe the tears from her cheeks, a knock sounded at her office door forcing her to control her emotions. Quickly seizing a tissue from her drawer, she blew her nose and tried to appear normal.

“Come in.”

Her assistant led her next appointment into the large modern office and Stacy stepped into the powerful hug of a man she’d trust with her life. In fact, it was exactly what she intended to do as long as Agent Tanner Coleman would go along with her plans.

He’d been her strength years earlier when she’d entered Quantico, thinking to train as an FBI agent. When he’d first stepped up to get her out of a situation she still hadn’t learned how to deal with… a horny male thinking he could manipulate her into doing his bidding… Tanner had set him straight. Got him to apologize and then leave.

She’d been amazed by the generosity of the man who’d never judged. Not that he was overly large or overly domineering. Just the opposite. His average height and slimness hadn’t inspired the confidence she felt in him. It was his magnetism, the power of his personality that had woven a web around her, so she felt instantly safe. “Thank you for interrupting that nonsense. I don’t know why these creeps always hit on me.”

He’d grinned then. “Have you looked in the mirror lately?”

“Does that give them the right to get into my space. To ignore my words when I say I’m not interested? Jesus. I’m sick to death of being a victim.”

“Then stop. Is that why you joined the Bureau? To learn to fight back?”

“Not really. You’ll think I’m silly.”

“I promise I won’t.”

“Well… actually, I wanted to help people. It’s been my wish since I was… ahh, a young girl. I hoped men would see past my looks and take me seriously.”

“I have another friend who feels the same way. She dresses down like an old woman and walks bent over like a beaten puppy. I’ve tried to get her to take pride in herself, but she’s been downtrodden for years. We grew up in the foster system together. I guess not having a family stripped away her self-confidence. Don’t let that same thing happen to you.”

“Your friend, she’s lucky to have you.”

He’d held out his hand then. “Tanner Coleman. Best friend around.”

She’d taken his hand and never looked back. He’d been there for her until she’d opted out of the academy… deciding that this end of law enforcement couldn’t be her path. The physical portion would never work for her, she just didn’t have the grit or the fighting spirit. Instead, she’d found her niche in politics.

As Tanner approached and interrupted her trip to the past, she forced herself back in the moment. His graceful stroll-like walk never ceased to curb her appreciation of the man’s control – like pure energy encased in a handsome package.

“Hi Pretty. How’s things?”

Stacy grinned at the use of his childish label. “You’re the only person in my life who ever called me that.”

“Back in the day when it started, you deserved the nickname. I can still see you after the first time you got drunk, holding the skirts of your long dress, swirling, and prancing in a dance, singing…I am pretty. I am so pretty.”

“You laughed. I remember that.”

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