Dylan put down his knife and fork. “We’ll do that first thing tomorrow. General Meyer informed CiCi’s parents about this positive news and explained how we had to keep you under wraps right now. Our department did release a statement announcing we’d captured most of the members of the sleeper cell and that we’re doing everything we can to find out who else might be behind this.”
She nodded and watched as the twinkling lights on the buffet sparkled against the chandelier’s hanging crystals. Then they went back to personal talk and soon Abigail had put Omar’s text out of her mind. Dylan told her about his family up in Brooklyn.
“So you’re a native New Yorker?”
“Born and raised there. I try to get back when I can.”
“But this year, you can’t because you’re here protecting me.”
His dark eyes held hers with a determined warmth. “I’ve had worse assignments.”
Ignoring the way those soft-spoken words charmed her, Abigail said, “What has been your worst assignment?”
He took a sip of coffee and pushed away his plate. “Well, I got shot in the shoulder this past summer. Almost got blown up that same night. My buddy John Forrester dragged me away from the explosion. Then he and I were involved in another explosion a week or so ago. House caught on fire but neither of us was injured, thankfully.”
Abigail’s heart seemed to stop beating. “You could have been killed. I might not have ever known you.”
That was almost too much to bear, considering how he’d saved her twice now. “You must promise me you’ll be careful. I couldn’t take it if anything happened to you or anyone on your team.”
“We know the risks,” he said. “Part of the job.”
“I’m not sure I could deal with that kind of risk on a daily basis,” she retorted, grief coloring her words. “How do your loved ones get through each day?”
The crestfallen look on his face caused her to pause. “I’m sorry, Dylan. Right now, I’m overly sensitive to anyone being put in danger.”
“It’s okay,” he said. “Let’s talk about something else.”
But the mood changed after that. Abigail didn’t know what to say or do but she’d obviously hit a nerve with him. Had he lost someone he loved due to his job?
“I have an idea,” she finally said. “Why don’t we let the others come in and eat? I’ll serve dessert.”
He nodded and stood. “Good idea. We don’t want this food to go to waste.”
“No, we don’t.”
Abigail wished she’d been more considerate. Dylan took his work very seriously and he’d probably sacrificed many relationships in order to do his duty.
And he had to avoid having one with her for that very reason. Just as well since they’d only met a few days ago and she had a lot of grief to work through before she even began to think about falling for someone. Not to mention staying alive.
And yet...she watched as he texted his team members, his expression edged with a frown.
“They’ll be in soon,” he said. “But before they come in, I have a surprise for you.”
“You do?”
He came around and took her by the hand. “Let’s go into your mom’s office—where we were earlier.”
“Oh, all right. And after this, I need to tell you something.” She followed him and Tico up the hallway and took the turn toward the back of the house.
“Don’t turn on the lights,” he said.
She noticed the blinds were open. “What’s going on?”
“Wait and see.”
He tugged her inside. “I need you to sit on the floor right next to the couch.”
“I have no idea what you’re doing but I suppose it’s some sort of covert operation.”
“Very covert.”
He helped her down and then he and Tico plopped down with her. “Now,” he said. “Wait for it.”
Again, he texted someone.
And then he took her hand, causing Abigail to yet again be intrigued and baffled.
“Now,” he said, his words a soft whisper.
Abigail watched out the window. And then, a tree out toward the back of the property came to life with all sorts of colorful lights that twinkled and blinked in the night.
“Oh, my.” She gasped and held her hands to her face. “Oh, Dylan. Oh, this is...beautiful.”
“We’re all doing our jobs but we took turns stringing lights to celebrate tonight. That and patrolling the perimeters, of course. We can’t stop that until we have the all clear.”
Abigail had never seen a more beautiful sight. “It’s amazing. So lovely. So thoughtful. I don’t know what to say.”
Before she could change her mind, she leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll never forget this.”
Dylan grabbed her hand and held it for the briefest time, his gaze moving over her face. Then he let her hand go and they sat there for a few minutes.
“Time for dessert,” he said. “But as long as we’re here, I’ll bring you in here every night and make sure you get to see this tree all lit up.”
Abigail went with him back to the dining room, and soon the room was filled with canine officers and their furry companions. They took turns checking on the outer patrols and making sure her property was safe but for a while, they talked and laughed and entertained Abigail until she felt sleepy and content.
Dylan sent Tico into her suite and made sure she was safe. “I’ll be taking couch duty tonight,” he said. “Tico will be with you.”
Abigail nodded and wondered what it would be like if they could have a date that didn’t involve his sweeping the room for intruders. She also wondered what it might be like to give him a real kiss instead of a feathering of her lips against his skin.
But would Dylan ever be willing to consider that?
TEN
“It’s snowing.”
Abigail heard the words from one of the officers and almost rushed outside to see what everyone was talking about. But Dylan’s hand on her arm steered her back down in her chair.
They had returned to the dining room and since it was in the middle of the house away from windows, it had been deemed the best place for Abigail to visit with everyone.
“I’ll take you to our secret place again to see it,” he said, his husky words fluttering against her hair.
She nodded and thanked God again for all of these amazing officers and their K-9 partners. When this was over she fully intended to give a big donation to the Capitol K-9 Unit.
“The Apple Brown Betty was so good,” Dylan said, trying to cheer her up. “I’ll have to sweet-talk Mrs. Sutton into giving me that recipe so my mom can make it.”
“Poppy guards her recipes with an ironfisted spoon,” Abigail replied with a laugh. “But I’ll see what I can do to put in a good word for you. She’s hard to impress but I’m thinking she’ll like you a lot.”
Dylan grinned at that. From outside they heard laughter and dogs barking. “The kids are having fun out there,” he said, referring to the team.
“Snowball fights,” she said, wishing she could have some fresh air. “They’ve worked hard so I think they’ve earned a good time.”
Dylan must have sensed her restlessness. “Let’s go get you a coat,” he said. Then he pulled her up and together they hurried to her suite.
Abigail came running out into the hallway, Tico on her heels. She’d grabbed a huge brown parka with a hood. “Is this okay?”
Dylan nodded. “We’ll only be out there for a couple of minutes. I’ve got guards posted but I can’t promise you that something won’t happen.”
“I’ll be careful,” she said, glee filling her heart.
He took her to the back door where everyone stood watching the snow. “It’s comi
ng down pretty hard.”
“I can’t wait to feel it on my face,” she replied, her heart lifting for the first time in days.
He turned to adjust her hood, his eyes meeting hers, his face inches from her. “Abigail...”
“I know,” she said. “I know and I understand. You have to remain impassive and professional. And you don’t want to fall for anyone like me again, right?”
He leaned so close, she thought he might kiss her. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later.”
Then he pulled her out into the night air and her breath caught while she lifted her head to the sparkling white flakes falling from the sky.
* * *
Dylan did a visual of the nearby woods and held Abigail close to the shrubbery, hoping he’d obscured her from any rifle scopes but he also felt a sense of relief that this might be over soon. The others did the same while they pretended to be playing in the snow.
John Forrester came up beside Dylan and Abigail. “We all need to get back to work so enjoy a couple more minutes.”
Dylan lifted his chin in acknowledgment. “Understood. I appreciate the effort.”
John grinned. “Are you kidding? We needed a break, too. No offense, Miss Wheaton.”
Abigail turned in her fur-trimmed hoodie. “This is so wonderful and I’m so thankful. But I don’t want to put any of you in harm’s way if it’s still not safe. I can go back inside.”
John shook his head. “We’ve done a search throughout the woods on all sides of your property. Nothing for now. Not even a lone orange-vested hunter.”
Dylan didn’t want to complain but he glanced out into the shadows beyond the yard. “It’s been quiet today. Almost too quiet. Word must be out so they’re scurrying away.”
“Don’t jinx it,” John replied. “I’ve got to get the others back on task.” He glanced from Dylan to Abigail and back to Dylan, then nodded, and again, Dylan knew his friend understood that something special was developing between him and his subject. Things had worked out well for John and Virginia, but still, Dylan had a job to do. He had to stay professional until he was absolutely sure of things.
In a matter of minutes, the other officers were gone, dispersed to make rounds, two to a team, around the house and grounds. Which left Dylan standing here behind the shrubbery, watching the snow gather on the grass, with a woman who smelled like spring.
He wanted to take Abigail into his arms so he could pull his hands through all that dark red hair and kiss her right here in the snow. But he couldn’t do that.
She turned, her hood falling away, snowflakes melting against her bangs. “Dylan, you went to a lot of trouble to make me feel better tonight.” She lifted one hand in the air. “Even bringing in snow.”
He chuckled. “I think a higher power covered that but it does add to the festive mood of the night.”
Her eyes brightened, a rich green that looked like a lost forest against the dark sky. Then she reached up her hand and touched his jaw, her fingers whispering over his skin like a promised kiss.
Dylan didn’t think. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, his fingers crushed against the silky threads of her hair. She put her arms on his shoulders and leaned into the kiss while he shielded her from the darkness of the woods.
For those few moments, the world was safe and warm and full of the peace of Christmas.
And then a gunshot pierced through the woods and echoed out over the fallen snow.
* * *
Dylan lifted Abigail and pushed her back toward the door behind them, Tico barking at his heels. Once they were inside, he hurried her away from the door and windows.
“Stay here,” he told her before ordering Tico to stay with her. Then he rushed back toward where they’d come from, shouting into his earwig.
Abigail should be used to this by now, but how could anyone get used to being under siege day and night? She’d been in Dylan’s arms, kissing him! What if he’d taken a bullet for her?
Thinking about what he’d told her—that he’d been shot this past summer—she closed her eyes and wished she hadn’t been so impulsive. She’d wanted him to kiss her and he had, because she’d pulled him close, giving him an open invitation.
Because she had thought they were finally safe.
But whoever was out there watching took that distraction as a perfect time to try to kill her. If they ventured out beyond those tall shrubs...
Then she remembered the text. She’d kept stalling on telling Dylan about it. Now she’d have to let him know about Omar’s plea.
She couldn’t think of that now. She had to catch her breath and try to gather herself. She wouldn’t cave in to the fears clawing at her soul. She wouldn’t cower in fear. Dylan’s strength gave her a new kind of courage.
The kind that came forth when you realized you’d fight to the end to save the ones you loved.
* * *
At two in the morning, everyone gathered in the less formal dining room to assess what had happened.
“We followed the scent up to the main road,” Elizabeth said, her dark gamine bangs spiked against her forehead like twigs of broken wood. “Vehicle tracks off the shoulder, lots of mud and shoe prints but nothing we can use. The snow covered a lot of it.”
“We’ll go back over it in the morning,” John suggested. “And we’ll search for shell casings near that stand of tree to the west.”
Dylan nodded and glanced around at the now somber group. “I’m sorry I brought her out of the house.”
“We went over everything and agreed,” John reminded him. “You kept her in the shadows, Dylan.” He shifted on his seat and took a long swig of coffee. “Look, these people are pretty good at evading us and we thought we had them—or at least that capturing the others would send them into a retreat. They seem to know the layout of this place and they’re obviously watching every move we make. You’re doing the best you can, considering.”
Considering that he’d breached protocol and kissed the woman he was supposed to be protecting. No one said that but Dylan could almost feel the condemnation in the air.
“It won’t happen again,” he said. “We have to get her out of here and I think the best thing we can do at this point is take her back to the city and let her attend that gala. We might stir something up and finally be able to figure out who’s coming after her.” He studied his notes. “I’ll call the captain and go back over this with him. Meantime, he might have more information on the people they brought in today.”
“And we’ve still got Fiona and her crew searching for anyone else flagged from the blog comments,” Elizabeth reminded him.
Dylan nodded. “How can these people be so relentless without us nabbing at least one of them?”
“They walk around among us,” John replied. “You know how that works. My brother worked hard to track this kind of group and got himself killed.”
“Well, don’t let that happen to you,” Elizabeth said to him. “Virginia wouldn’t like that.”
John smiled at her words. Dylan was glad his friend had found someone to spend his life with and Virginia Johnson was a quirky, nice, loving woman. He’d regret it the rest of his life if something happened to John.
Or any of them, for that matter.
“I’m changing my tactics,” he said. “Gotta get my head back in the game. I won’t let any of you down.”
“We know that,” Elizabeth said, giving him a high five. “But you might want to convey it to...her.”
They all looked toward the hallway leading to Abigail’s room.
“I think she already knows,” Dylan replied.
ELEVEN
Abigail woke to waves of sunshine breaking through the closed drapery in her bedroom. She rolled over and saw Tico lying by her bed. The big dog gave her a doleful s
tare but didn’t make a move.
He wouldn’t until she stood, she knew.
They’d placed an armed guard by her door now, too.
And Dylan and Elizabeth had taken turns on the couch in the other room.
She closed her eyes and remembered that kiss. A moment of pure bliss in the middle of so much darkness. A warmth that flowed like a glowing light right through her heart.
And then, that shattering that brought night birds out of the trees and scared the forest animals.
Someone was still out there trying to kill again.
She got up and rubbed Tico’s fur; then she took a quick shower and put on warm sweatpants and a matching hoodie, all done in a deep gray to match her mood.
When a knock sounded on the door, she expected to find Dylan standing there. But it was Poppy.
“Poppy, come in,” Abigail said, surprised since Poppy Sutton rarely left her room by the kitchen. “I see you brought coffee.”
“And toast,” Poppy said, her almost white hair clipped and pressed to her head as if she’d ironed it. “You need to eat better, Abigail. You’re way too thin.”
“I’m fine,” Abigail said, motioning to the table in the sitting room. “Please, sit and tell me how you’re holding up with all this excitement around here. I hope you’re planning on going to visit your family for Christmas.”
Poppy wore a white sweater and a black skirt, her sensible loafers polished and shining. Her wide glasses gave her the look of a wise owl. “It’s horrible. We’re all afraid for our lives so yes, I fully intend to head to Richmond next week—if that’s okay with you.”
“I’m so sorry,” Abigail said, getting up to roam around the room. “I’m planning to send you all away. It’s too dangerous.”
The older woman looked affronted. “We won’t leave you here by yourself but we do all have plans. You need to find better people to protect you. What do these city people know of our backwoods? People can hide in these hills for months on end.”
Capitol K-9 Unit Christmas Page 15
