Dark Tide

by Susan Sleeman

  Derrick hoped when the day came to have children with Gina that his kids would be as supportive of each other as Riley and Brianna were. As the trio reached the front pew, Sophia caught sight of Derrick and broke free.

  She toddled toward him and said, “Up.”

  Derrick scooped her into his arms. “Hi, Bug.”

  She planted her chubby hands on his cheeks and rubbed his nose with hers as she’d come to do in the past month. He heard sighs from the guests, and he knew this would be a memory he’d cherish forever.

  The music changed into a fanfare, and a thrill of anticipation ran over him. “It’s time, Bug.” He turned her so she could see Gina walk down the aisle.

  Derrick watched over Sophia’s bouncy curls as his bride rounded the corner. Derrick took in her strapless gown with a million sparkling beads on the bodice and skirt. She’d chosen not to wear a veil, and her hair was pulled up, accentuating her long neck and regal posture.

  Her gaze met his, and he didn’t care if anyone else remained in the room. He was marrying the woman of his dreams while holding the precious child who would soon be his daughter, and he was the happiest man on the planet.

  * * *

  As Val adjusted Gina’s train, she scanned the front of the church. The women looked radiant in their gowns while Brianna and Riley looked adorable.

  Wait. Where was Sophia? She had to be there.

  Gina’s focus slid over the handsome men, then zeroed in on Derrick. A sigh of contentment slipped out when she saw him holding Sophia. The dark suit highlighted his blond hair and the white shirt brought out his skin bronzed by the summer sun, but when she met his gaze, she couldn’t look away.

  For years, she’d wondered what it would’ve been like if they hadn’t broken up. Never had she imagined her heart would swell with such happiness.

  “Your flowers.” Val handed Gina her bouquet with dark red and white roses.

  “Thank you for all of your help.”

  “Jon would’ve loved this day.” Tears filled Val’s eyes. “I’m sure he’s with us in spirit.”

  “I agree.” Gina gave Val a hug. “Now go join Quentin and your kids.”

  Gina released Val before she started crying, too.

  “Ready?” her father asked as he smiled at her.

  Thrilled that he was finally present for an important event in her life, she nodded and slipped her arm into his. The quartet began playing the traditional wedding march, and Gina headed down the aisle. She wanted to look around, to take in all of the people who’d come to wish them well, but she couldn’t pull her eyes from Sophia and Derrick.

  Anticipation for when they’d officially become a family sent goose bumps down her arms. After much deliberation and consultation with professionals, they’d decided to raise Sophia as their own child. When she was old enough to understand, they’d tell her about her birth parents and make sure she knew how much they’d loved her, but for now, she was fully Gina and Derrick’s daughter.

  When they reached the front, her father escorted her up the stairs.

  “Mama,” Sophia called out and reached for Gina.

  Gina passed her flowers to Jennie and took Sophia as Derrick moved into place next to them. He circled his arm around her back and pulled her closer. Her father began, and despite Sophia’s occasional squirmy behavior, the ceremony went off without a hitch.

  “May I present,” her father announced as Derrick and Gina turned to face their guests, “Mr. and Mrs. Derrick Justice and Sophia, their precious child I’m proud to call my granddaughter.”

  The guests erupted in applause and Sophia clapped with them, sending broad smiles across the room.

  “Ready for our first act as a married couple?” Derrick asked.

  “Ready.”

  Derrick took Sophia and joined hands with Gina. They strolled down the aisle hand in hand and were still clinging to each other when everyone reassembled thirty minutes later for the photos.

  The photographer personally selected by Jennie clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention. “Since the kids are getting antsy, we’ll start with photos of the whole clan first.”

  He arranged the entire family, including spouses and children, and even Mitch’s sister, Angie, and Luke’s sister, Natalie. Next, he added Gina’s parents, who took Sophia. Tears Gina had kept at bay started flowing.

  “Hey,” Derrick said. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Then why the tears?”

  “Look at all of them.” She shook her head as she counted everyone. “What have I done to deserve such a big, wonderful family?”

  “We’re the ones who have to work to deserve you, Mrs. Justice.” Derrick thumbed her tears away and kissed her soundly amidst the hoots and whistles of his—their—family.

  Breathless, Gina pulled back and peered into her husband’s eyes.

  “Are you still sure you want to be part of this family of hooligans?” he asked with that lopsided grin that sent her heart beating faster.

  “Absolutely.” She twined her arms around his neck. “As long as they don’t come along on the honeymoon.”

  Derrick roared with laughter then lifted Gina, slowly spinning her until her train twined around their legs. She laid her head on his shoulder and knew without any doubt that their life as a family would be as blessed as this moment.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from DEADLY SAFARI by Linda Harris.

  Dear Reader,

  Wow! I can’t believe the Justice Agency series has come to an end. When I started the series five books ago, I didn’t imagine the day that I’d have to say goodbye to this family that has touched my heart. And I have to admit, I’m feeling very sad at the farewell and yet honored to have been able to share their stories with you.

  I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing these five brave family members work through issues in their lives to find their happily ever after with equally strong spouses. I’ve enjoyed every minute of writing about them and hope their faith struggles have lifted you up and encouraged you in your walk with God.

  I love to hear from readers, and you can reach me through my website, www.susansleeman.com, or in care of Love Inspired Books at 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279.

  Susan Sleeman

  Questions for Discussion

  Gina lived most of her life through the lens of her father’s rejection. Is there something in your life that colors how you look at things?

  Gina was able to let go of the hurt and pain her father brought to her life. Do you think she should’ve reconciled with him and given him another chance? If not, how would you have handled it?

  Gina suffered so many losses in a short time and came out the other side strong and whole. Have you ever suffered tremendous loss, and how did you cope?

  Gina’s past experiences have led her to believe she can’t trust men. Has anything in your life made you less trustful of others? If so, how has it changed your life?

  When Gina’s father continually rejected her, she blamed God and walked away from Him. Have you let anything come between you and God, and if so what did you do about it?

  Derrick makes sure he keeps a tight schedule to prevent bad things from happening in his life. Though time management is a positive trait, he’s taken it to the extreme. Is there something you’re doing to prevent a reoccurrence of a bad situation, and should you be letting it control your life?

  Derrick blames himself for the loss of his parents. Is there anything in your life that you’re taking blame for that you should let go?

  Gina and Derrick decide to raise Sophia as their own child, waiting to tell her about her birth parents when she’s old enough to understand. Do you think they made
the right decision? Why or why not?

  Which character in the story do you relate most to and why?

  What about the whole Justice Agency series? Is there a particular character you really connected with and why?

  Which book in the Justice Agency series did you like the most and why?

  Through the Justice Agency series, Kat has been a defender of her siblings, watching to make sure they don’t get hurt. Dani is the cheerleader, pointing out the positive. Cole gives wise advice. Ethan leads the group and keeps them focused. Derrick keeps them on schedule. Do you see the people in your family playing similar roles? How does this dynamic make your family a cohesive group?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

  You enjoy a dash of danger. Love Inspired Suspense stories feature strong heroes and heroines whose faith is central in solving mysteries and saving lives.

  Enjoy four new stories from Love Inspired Suspense every month!

  Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!

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  ONE

  Meghan Jordan lay on her stomach against the thick African grass, steadying the video camera between both hands. This morning, Kibibi, with her sandy-brown coat, had ventured briefly from her den only to disappear again. With her four lion cubs already over a month old, it wouldn’t be much longer until she introduced them to the pride. All they had to do now was wait.

  Her second camera operator and editor, Kate, handed her a bottle of water from the Jeep’s cooler before crouching back down beside her. “What do you think?”

  Meghan mulled over the question. “I think that creating a documentary is far less glamorous than I once thought.”

  “Yeah, well, I figured that one out after the first week.”

  Meghan smiled as she unscrewed the top of the water bottle, her eyes still on the entrance of the den where Kibibi had moved her cubs six days ago. Unglamorous, maybe, but completely worth it. Eight months as a part of the reserve’s conservation program had given them full access to the pride, including the recent birth of Kibibi’s four cubs. Statistics showed that 80 percent of all lion cubs died within the first two years, but so far, all of Kibibi’s cubs were thriving. They’d already been waiting five weeks to get footage of the lioness finally introducing her cubs to their father. She’d wait another five weeks if she had to.

  “Samuel’s in the Jeep, keeping his eye on a female black rhino that just wandered into the area.”

  Meghan frowned. “If she scares away Kibibi, that rhino and I are going to have words.”

  “I’m more worried about the rhino’s bad temper and what it might think about us edging in on its territory.”

  “Don’t worry. Their eyesight is worse than their temper.”

  “So what does that mean exactly?” Kate asked. “That I hope it won’t be able to see me when I have to start running for the nearest tree?”

  “As long as you’re actually able to scale one of these trees, you’ll be fine.”

  “Right.” Kate eyed the nearest Jackalberry tree shooting fifty feet into the air, then shook her head. “I’m not sure which would be worse. Tangling with a rhino or being forced to scale that.”

  Movement from the tall yellow grass drew Meghan’s attention back to the den. Kibibi emerged cautiously with one of the cubs in her mouth.

  Bingo. “We’ve got them.”

  Meghan lifted up her camera. Samuel was going to have to worry about the rhino for them. She had to focus on getting the last of the footage she needed.

  Kibibi took a guarded step forward.

  They were either moving on to another den or, as Meghan hoped, finally joining up with the rest of the pride. She held the camera steady, her adrenaline rushing again, while Kate snapped still footage. She could try to script the document down to the smallest detail, but in the end, the wildlife—especially the predators she was documenting—always had the final say. What happened next was up to Kibibi.

  The lioness stopped a few feet from the den, her body alert to the scene around her. Something familiar stirred within Meghan. There was nothing like being out in the bush. The never-ending velds bordered by thick forests had become her second home. Here was the one place she’d found that made the stress of the real world disappear—like her other role as the daughter of a diplomat who had recently been appointed ambassador.

  The subtle scent of cigarette smoke jerked her attention away from her work.

  She nudged Kate with her elbow, her gaze still on Kibibi, who stood still at the top of the ridge outside the den. “Do you smell that?”

  “Yeah. All we need now is a fire to set this grass ablaze.”

  The roar of a second vehicle to their east broke through the stillness of the bush, followed by a deep snort behind her. The rhino. Meghan jerked her head around and peered into the thick brush. That rhino would stomp right over them if they weren’t careful. Twenty feet away, Samuel, their driver, sat alert in the Jeep with a safari hat perched on his head and a rifle in his hand.

  Meghan glanced back toward Kibibi’s den, but she’d already missed her chance for any new footage. The lioness had vanished.

  Frustrated, she scanned the thick brush, scattered with spiny tree trunks and limbs covered in green leaves, and spotted the second vehicle as it bridged the gap between them. Her stomach twisted as the second Jeep moved in between the female rhino and her baby, pushing the mother toward them.

  “We need to move now,” Kate shouted.

  Meghan shoved her camera into the bag and snapped the flap shut. What in the world was the driver doing? Samuel’s gun fired behind them in an attempt to scare the rhino back into the thick brush as Kate ran ahead of her for Samuel and the Jeep.

  But Meghan’s route was cut off as the rhino gave another warning snort, signaling it was about to charge. Meghan’s heart pounded. Two tons of rhino wasn’t something to tangle with. She weighed her options. Behind her the bush was too thick to negotiate. The only open routes were either toward the baby rhino or up a tree a dozen feet to her right.

  As she started to run toward the tree, the second Jeep accelerated past the mother rhino, slowing down briefly beside her. The driver shouted at her to get in. Meghan didn’t have time to think. Grabbing the strap of the camera case tightly between her fingers, she swung up onto the passenger side of the vehicle as the rhino charged.

  The driver pushed on the accelerator. “How fast can they run?”

  “I’d suggest we don’t stick around to find out.”

  Meghan ducked as the tall grass whipped against her face and arms from the sides of the open Jeep. Branches snapped beneath them, but they were beginning to lengthen the distance from the rhino. A second later, her driver hightailed it through a wide opening in the bush to safety.

  He glanced at the rearview mirror. “I think we lost her.”

  As the Jeep came to a stop, Meghan fought to catch her breath. Chest still heaving, she glanced at the stranger beside her wearing a black Stetson, Spanish-style boots, a Western shirt and a belt buckle the size of Texas.

  She blinked twice. Who was this guy? “Do you realize how close we both just came to getting killed? If she’d gotten close enough, that rhino could have flipped this Jeep.”

  He shot her a weak smile. “And I thought I just saved your life.”

  “You think you saved my life?” Seriously? Meghan’s fingers gripped the side of the Jeep. “You’re the one who got between that mama and her baby and caused this whole fiasco. You can’t just drive where you please—not in a wildlife reserve. In case you hadn’t realized it, you’re not in T
exas anymore.”

  “Thanks for the tip, but I figured that out a few hours ago. We don’t exactly have giraffes and baboons in my part of the world.”

  “Just longhorns and tumbleweeds?” she countered.

  “I suppose we’ve got a few of those back on the ranch.” He pulled off his hat, revealing a pair of striking blue eyes that managed to cut through a layer of her frustration. “But I really am sorry.”

  He might be good-looking, but she wasn’t willing to be charmed. Even saying sorry in that thick Southern drawl of his wouldn’t bring Kibibi out of her den today or return the wasted hours they’d spent waiting for the lioness’s appearance.

  “I guess I should introduce myself. I’m Alex Markham.”

  “My new assistant?” Meghan swallowed hard. Mr. Cowboy wasn’t at all what she’d expected. “You were supposed to arrive yesterday.”

  “I apologize. I missed my flight out of Amsterdam.”

  “My boss assured me you could handle the work. What do you know about filming wildlife and making documentaries?”

  “Apparently enough for your boss to give me this job.”

  She frowned, still unimpressed. If he had any real credentials, he’d have mentioned them. The way he was dodging the question seemed to indicate that he had no direct experience at all. Surely he wasn’t serious. She’d asked for a film student, not some Texas ranch hand.

  She let out a sharp humph. The last thing she needed right now was an unqualified assistant. She’d come a long way from her days as school-newspaper editor at her high school. Since then, she’d moved on to producing short films and online promotional pieces for businesses. The opportunity to make this wildlife documentary held with it the power to propel her further into the world of film, but she needed this footage—and a qualified replacement assistant—to pull it all together.

  A twig snapped in the distance. She stared out into the bush, looking for movement. She’d have to deal with Mr. Lone Star later, because something wasn’t right. Someone else was out here.