Love Inspired Suspense April 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Laura Scott (free e reader .TXT) 📕

She followed his gaze to her well-worn high-tops in hot pink, her favorite color. Right now, she could have used a pair of hiking boots, but the sneakers would have to do. “I never saw the point of wearing shoes that you can’t walk in.”

With that, she took point and prayed her sense of direction wouldn’t lead them wrong.

So many things could have happened in the last few minutes. She and Liam could have been killed as they jumped from the car. They could have been seriously injured. Other motorists could have been killed as the car careened down the highway.

But none of that had happened.

Thanks to the Lord. She recognized His hand in saving them. She said a silent prayer in her heart, knowing that the Lord heard every prayer, however it was uttered.

She slanted a glance Liam’s way. She longed to urge him to give thanks for their safety, but she didn’t.

He would undoubtedly take it as preaching, and that was the last thing she wanted to do. To her mind, preaching defeated the purpose of bearing testimony of the Lord’s love, so she remained silent.

Gratitude to the Lord couldn’t be forced. It had to be freely given, as was His love. She wished she could convince Liam of that and that she could share with him the healing balm of His care.

Liam’s gaze rested on her. “Your eyes reveal your every feeling.”

His words startled her from her musings.

“What do you mean?”

“Right now, you were giving thanks to the Savior that we came through this with our skins intact. You’re also wondering why I don’t feel the same.”

“None of my business.”

His short nod of acknowledgment confirmed her suspicions about his feelings if she were to share her faith in the Lord right now. “Thank you for not preaching to me.”

“That’s not my job. Besides, preaching doesn’t work.”

“No. It doesn’t.” He let the subject go. “You’re very transparent. How did you ever make it in the DEA? Isn’t there a lot of undercover work?”

She ignored the last question and focused on the first. “How did you—” She stopped. Of course he would know what she’d done before joining S&J. He’d mentioned that he’d followed her career. In addition, her background was posted on the company’s website.

If he’d done more digging, he would have learned that her fiancé had died on her last operation with the ATF. And that it had been her fault. A picture of Ethan Stockton, his body bloodied and broken, flashed in her mind. With the resolve of long practice, she willed it away.

But there was no censure in Liam’s expression. Only sincere interest. She didn’t pursue the opening he’d inadvertently provided about not being a believer. She had too many secrets of her own to pry into those of others.

Liam wasn’t surprised that Paige had been praying. Nor did he begrudge her faith. He only wished he still believed. As a child, he’d gone to church every week with his parents. While they had listened to the preacher’s message, he’d attended Sunday school. He’d continued attending church until the day that everything had changed forever.

He could no longer believe in a God who had allowed five young people to die so senselessly. The feeling was only confirmed when he’d observed what he had in Afghanistan. Brutality, on both sides, didn’t begin to describe the horrific acts he’d witnessed.

Whatever remained of his faith had vanished.

Paige had handled herself like a pro on the cliff side. She’d been scared—who wouldn’t be—but she’d done what was necessary.

He wasn’t sure what to make of her. She was beautiful, smart and courageous, but there was a shadow in her eyes that spoke of pain. Was she still grieving for her brother? It was possible, but he sensed it was something more.

Now wasn’t the time to probe. Nor were the shadows in her eyes any of his business. Once this was over, they’d go their own ways, she back to S&J and he...well...he might be taking a different path from running the software company. Taking a job with the US Marshals was looking more and more appealing. He wanted to make a difference in the world. Maybe serving with the Marshals was the way to do it.

He checked his phone and found that he had reception. “We’re in range.”

“I’ll call S&J. They’ll bring us wheels.”

Within twenty minutes, two burly SUVs appeared. A giant of a man stepped out of one. Liam gaped, recognizing the man at once.

Raphael Zuniga, known as Rafe the Strafe to those in the special ops community, reached out to clasp Liam’s hand. “I heard you were a client.”

Liam did his best not to wince when Rafe shook his hand. Though Liam was in no way small, his hand was dwarfed by the larger man’s. The two had served together in Afghanistan years earlier. A mutual respect had developed, along with a healthy appreciation for each other’s abilities, but Liam readily admitted that he was outclassed by Rafe, who stood six feet five inches and came in at a hefty 250.

Rafe had a reputation for having a soft heart when it came to kids and animals. Otherwise, watch out. He was a force to be reckoned with, and his reputation among the spec ops community and the enemy had grown until it had taken on legend status. A modest man, he’d been largely unaware of it, making him all the more likable.

Paige stepped forward. “Thanks, Rafe.” She nodded to a second man, who climbed out of the other vehicle. “And the big man himself. Jake Rabb, meet Liam McKenzie.”

Liam studied the cofounder of S&J with interest. Shelley Rabb Judd and Jake Rabb had built the firm from a modest two-person operation to one that was now internationally recognized with offices all over the Southeast and in a couple of other countries. “Thanks for helping us out,” he said, his nod including both men.

“No problem.” Jake tossed a set