Page 22 of Nicole's Shelter

“Which begs the question about why federal agents are the first on scene.”

And again with the diving emotions and disappointment. She should just throw her arms in the air and scream like she was riding Space Mountain in Disneyland. Instead, she swiveled in her seat. “How do you do that? How do you turn it off and on like a light switch?”

“What?”

“One minute you’re kissing me senseless and the next you’re completely analytic.”

Minutes, three long minutes according to the clock, went by with no answer. She should apologize for being emotional, for not understanding the game, but she couldn’t squeeze the words past the hard lump in her throat.

“I’m sorry.” Rick’s voice echoed the phrase circling through her mind. “Playing the happy couple seemed the safest bet.” His voice was cool, clinical. “I used—”

“I get it,” she interrupted. She’d scream if she had to listen to an explanation of how he used her obvious attraction to him. “I get it,” she repeated, quieter. “The circumstances and situation are just crazy. I’m sorry I snapped at you.”

“It’s understandable.”

She didn’t want his understanding. Irked with this new, contrary side of herself, she got them back on topic. “Since I’m out of near to town options, what’s your plan?”

“A cut-rate motel with outside entrances is our best bet. If I check in alone, there’s a chance we can get through the night.”

“That sounds safer and warmer than sleeping in the car.”

He slanted a look at her.

“What?”

“There is one place they’d never look. No cameras, complete privacy. We would definitely not be disturbed.”

“That sounds better. What’s the catch?”

“Do you have anything against cemeteries?”

Of all the things he might have said, that was completely unexpected. “You’re kidding.”

“No. There’s a chapel at one nearby that’s always unlocked.”

“You know this how?”

“I had family in this area.”

Had? He looked relaxed, but his voice was tight with emotion. Questions raced through her head. “Will you be okay if we stay there?”

“Honestly, I’d feel better than getting stuck in a more public area.”

“You’re the expert. Let’s do it your way.”

With a nod, it was settled and they were on their way.

Chapter 5

Rick couldn’t believe he was doing this, but they needed a few hours undisturbed. He needed to put these pieces together. Not just the case he’d been sent to work out, but what the woman was doing to his senses.

He could have coached her into that scene at the garage, he didn’t have to ‘kiss her senseless’ as she’d put it. She’d been so worried, so tense, and he’d given in to the temptation. Along with a curiosity about her that had plagued him since he’d started tailing her.

She was brave and stronger than she thought and she’d held steady during tonight’s traumatic events despite her fear. As he turned into the cemetery where his wife was buried, he was about to find out just how much bravery he had left inside.

He drove down the road, his headlights cutting a narrow path through the heavy darkness. Tall trees along the lane made a canopy above them, blotting out any light from the moon. He turned at the sign, though he didn’t need the direction. This was a route he knew by heart, having walked it every time he was home on leave since getting word his wife had died in a car accident.

He parked to the side of the chapel building and doused the headlights. “Give me a second to get the flashlight out of the trunk.” And change the license plate, but she didn’t need to know that. Every Cypress Security car had a kit for times like this. He pulled back the lining and withdrew the optional plate. It wouldn’t hold up for long if they got stopped, but he felt it was necessary in case the current plate had been noted at the airport.

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