A Distant Shore by Karen Kingsbury (books for students to read .txt) 📕

his eyes that he was thinking the same thing. “I have one more year, too.”

“Hmm.” She nodded, but she felt dizzy. From the moment the mission began, she had dreaded the goodbye that was coming. Especially because there was no telling how long before they would see each other again. Or if they would. But now…

Jack smiled. “I’m thinking about a career change. Maybe moving to the South.” His eyes said so much more. “I’ve always wanted to be a professor.”

“Nice.” Her smile came easily. Did he mean it? Was he really thinking of leaving the bureau?

“What about you?” He set his coffee down and reached both hands across the table. “You could do anything, you know.”

“Yes.” A thrill filled her senses. “Well… I might open a house. For girls… girls who have no one.”

“I like it.” He angled his head, clearly proud of her. “The world needs more places like that.”

When dinner was over they found a spot on the sand and kicked off their shoes. They walked until everyone on the beach was too far away to hear them. Then he stopped and faced her. And before she knew what was happening, he dropped to one knee. Right there on the sandy shoreline.

“Eliza, I meant what I said earlier. I wasn’t acting.”

“Jack…” She put her free hand over her mouth. People would think they were playing around, or that this was an engagement trip and not a honeymoon. Eliza didn’t care what they thought.

He pulled something from his pocket. “A ring will have to wait. But I found this while you were in the restroom. A jewelry table was set up right there on the sidewalk.” He handed her the daintiest necklace. Etched into the tiny pendant were the words:

I will wait for you.

Her hand started to tremble. Was this really happening?

“Eliza.” His eyes held hers. “It will be a year before we see each other again. But when we do… whenever we’re together next…” He stood and took a step closer to her. “Will you marry me?”

Her heart felt like it would burst from her chest. She squeezed his hand, so she would know for sure she was really here. And that this moment was actually real. “Yes, Jack.” She still had hold of the necklace as she placed her hands on either side of his face. “Yes, a million times yes.”

“Good.” He kissed her, a kiss that took her breath and made her long for next year. His smile started in his eyes and then filled his face. “I was hoping you’d say yes. Because the next time we’re on a honeymoon… I want to share a room.”

“Yes!” She laughed and handed him the necklace. “Put it on me. Please, Jack. Because I’m never taking it off again.”

She moved her hair to the side, and his fingers on her neck sent shivers down her spine. When the necklace was clasped, he turned her toward him. He chuckled. “I promise… the ring will make up for it. One day.”

“No… I love it. I told you, I’ll wear it every day until I see you again. However long it takes.” She kissed him this time, and she was glad he was holding her. Otherwise she would’ve floated away.

His very presence made her feel alive. When he drew breath, she felt oxygen course through her veins. His laughter made her believe anything was possible. Except one thing. The thing she would have to do in twenty-four hours.

Tell him goodbye.

THEIR LAST PRIVATE moment was on her balcony the next day, five minutes before they had to leave for the airport. They were still employees of the FBI. Once they set foot on American soil, there could be no sign of romance, no relationship waiting in the wings.

So this was it.

He held her in his arms, and Eliza had never felt more safe. More loved. “Another year of missions.” She lifted her face to his. “What if…”

“Shh.” Jack kissed her forehead and then her lips. “Don’t say it, Eliza. God has the number of our days.”

Yes. That’s what she needed to tell herself. She would have to remember that a month from now and three months and six. When she was in danger or his mission took a turn for the worse. God had brought them this far.

His plans were far better than anything she could imagine.

They kissed once more, longer this time. Jack traced her jaw with his thumb. “I love you with all my life, Eliza. When I’m out fighting through a mission, I’ll be fighting for you.”

She nodded. “Me, too.” She touched the pendant on her necklace. “You’ll be with me always.”

Once more they kissed, and then it was time to go. Through customs and airport security, on the flight back to Houston and as the SUV dropped her off at the same hotel where he’d found her four days ago, Eliza knew she wouldn’t have to wait to hear Jack’s voice. His words would be with her, wherever she went. Right there in her heart and hanging from her neck.

I’ll wait for you.

And with everything in her, Eliza would do the same.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul.

—Psalm 23:1–3

Oliver was about to lose his best undercover agent, but he wasn’t upset about the fact. As summer gave way to fall and the holidays faded into winter, Oliver had watched the changes in Jack Ryder. And they didn’t make him want to reprimand the operative.

They made him smile.

As for Jack and Eliza’s mission to Cancún, Oliver had ulterior motives for requesting the two work together. His actual reason had to do with something Jack’s father had told Oliver the month before he and his wife were killed.

His next meeting with Jack was in five minutes. A meeting Jack had requested.

Oliver thought he knew what the young man wanted to talk about. In