The Hunted Girls by Jenna Kernan (best book club books for discussion txt) 📕

and threw herself against Nadine, sending them back a step. Nadine hugged her as Tina pressed her face into her neck for a moment before drawing back.

Then she clasped her hands and lifted her shoulders. “I’m so happy.”

“Looks like me and Demko are the only ones heading back to Sarasota,” said Juliette.

“It’s only forty-five minutes to Tampa.”

“Without traffic,” they said in unison and then, also in unison, “There’s always traffic!”

Nadine laughed.

“Juliette, are you interested in working for the Bureau? I’m certain you could if you liked.”

“And leave Demko behind?”

Tina glanced over her shoulder and stepped aside. She looked positively gleeful as Clint Demko appeared in the doorway.

“Who’s leaving me behind?”

Clint joined them looking fit and healthy. He’d got rid of the sling and so there was no outward evidence of the injury to his shoulder. He cast them all a winning smile.

“Tina is going to Tampa with Nadine,” said Juliette.

Demko nodded at this and glanced to Nadine’s luggage, all packed.

“You still lugging that brick around?”

“Well, you’ll be the one lugging it, if you’re putting those suitcases in the SUV.”

“Can we see it?” asked Tina.

She lifted the smaller roller bag to the couch and unwound the Bubble Wrap, thinking it ridiculous to protect a brick. Then she held out the mark of achievement, with its brightly painted Yellow Brick Road, the year and her graduating class number in black.

“It’s yellow!” said Tina, looking surprised as she came forward to admire the object marking Nadine’s accomplishment.

“For the Yellow Brick Road,” said Nadine.

“So badass!” Juliette touched the surface with reverence.

Clint took his turn to admire the unwieldy trophy and handed it back. “It’s such an incredible accomplishment.”

Nadine smiled, warm inside and out from the approval of her closest friends. Then she set the trophy in the bag.

Juliette wrapped an arm around Nadine and Tina, dragging them against her as they all admired the yellow brick. Her family, Nadine thought, and sighed, suddenly happier than she’d ever been in her life.

“We’re proud of you,” said Demko.

Nadine choked the words out past the tears. “I love you guys.”

Demko cleared his throat. “Might be getting one myself, next year.”

All three women turned to him. Nadine gaped. “What?”

“I got a nudge from Supervisory Special Agent Carter. She’d like to recommend me.”

“That’s wonderful!” said Juliette, offering Demko a quick hug.

“So cool!” said Tina.

“Another separation,” said Nadine.

“Yeah, but maybe you can arrange additional training. We could share a bunk in the dormitory.”

She laughed. “Yeah, that isn’t a thing.”

“What do you think?” he asked.

She stepped forward and into his arms. “I think it’s marvelous.”

Nadine kissed him, then leaned back, but he kept her locked in his arms.

She heard Tina say, “Dr. Hartfield? Could I speak to you outside?”

That was her signal. Nadine sucked in a breath and tightened up, the nerves engaging, making her muscles go rigid.

Clint released her. His expression showed confusion.

He watched the pair make a hasty exit. “We having a cake or something?”

While it was true they had no time to celebrate her graduation from the FBI National Academy, it was not cake waiting, but champagne, and it would remain in the refrigerator unless Nadine got the answer she sought.

Clint cocked his head, trying to work out what was happening. He turned to Nadine and found her opening her nightstand.

Her throat had gone dry as the Mojave and her hand shook as she withdrew the velvet box he had given her. It now held the ring, thanks to Agent Coleman wrangling it out of evidence.

Clint spotted the box. “Nadine?”

She stepped before him.

Now she understood his tortured, nervous expression when he’d proposed. Sweat trickled down her back.

“Clint, this last case clarified the precious gift of each moment we have together. It helped me realize what I want. Please forgive me for my delay.”

He sank to the couch beside her open suitcase.

“I’m finally getting my answer. Aren’t I?”

Did he think she meant to return his ring?

She needed to make clear what she really intended.

Nadine dropped to the carpet to kneel before him as words tumbled from her. “Yes. That’s the answer. Yes, I want you. Yes, I love you. Yes, please make me your wife. I’m so sorry I let my fears keep us apart. I was wrong. Will you marry me?”

She opened the box and there was her ring.

“Is that…?” He glanced to her. “Your ring?”

She nodded, tipping the box so that the diamond flashed.

He peered at the familiar contents of this special box. “They confiscated the ring.”

She smiled. “Yes. But Layah convinced them to expedite clearing it from evidence.”

“Do you still want that ring?” he asked. They both knew this ring was inextricably tied to this case. But it was also the ring he had chosen for her, to mark their commitment to one another.

“I want it.”

He nodded.

“Is that a yes?”

“Nadine, I haven’t changed my mind.”

She threw her arms around his neck, collapsing on top of him. He held her tight. The kiss they shared heated her inside and out. She wanted to shout and dance and strip him out of his traveling clothing. Instead she drew back. He reverently took the ring and slipped it on her finger.

All worry melted away. He still wanted her. He believed, as did she, in them, their relationship and the life they would share. The warm glow of joy filled her.

“Partners,” she said, beaming up at him. He took her hand, turning it to admire the ring, now seated on her finger.

“It looks just right. Exactly how I imagined it.”

Demko gave her another long kiss. The pressing of their mouths over each other and the warmth of his embrace assured her that she had finally found the home she longed for, here in his arms.

The moment was interrupted by a knock on the open door. Nadine turned, expecting to see Tina carrying champagne and Juliette holding long-stemmed glasses. Instead she spotted the Marion County sheriff standing in the adjoining room.

The smile dropped from Nadine’s face. Both the sheriff’s grim expression and Tina wringing her hands broadcast that this was unwelcome