Tested by Fire. Kathryn Springer

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СКАЧАТЬ wasn’t surprised. Gritty determination was evident in every line on the man’s face.

      They both heard a sharp bark, and Anne looked out the kitchen window. “They’re back.”

      Finn’s insides fluttered crazily again. She wondered if he was still angry with her. For some reason, honesty won out when she was with John Gabriel. She couldn’t help it that she didn’t notice the scar on his face when she looked at him.

      He hasn’t let You heal the things in his past yet, has he, God? Or let them be used for Your purposes? Do whatever it takes to help him open the door to Your love.

      Chapter Six

      When John walked into the kitchen, both the women looked guilty. Finn’s cheeks flushed two shades lighter than her hair and Anne started scooping up bowls of salad. They had been talking about him.

      “Thank you for taking Colin out,” Finn said, an odd formality in her tone.

      John was frustrated. If he was ever going to find out what was going on—if there was something going on—then he couldn’t let his personal feelings show. Normally, that wasn’t a problem, but something about Finn unsettled him. Now, she looked skittish, and uncomfortable, no doubt remembering the conversation they’d had at the fire scene.

      “Have some lunch, John.” Anne pushed a bowl of chicken salad toward him. “Seamus is resting and then we’re going out for the afternoon.”

      “It’s eleven o’clock, Gran,” Finn said suspiciously. “Why is Chief resting? Isn’t he feeling well?”

      “Oh, he’s just a little tired today.” Anne smiled, and John thought it looked forced.

      “Are you sure?” Concern for her grandfather drained the little bit of color from Finn’s face, and there were dark smudges under her eyes from lack of sleep.

      “Don’t worry, sweetheart.” Anne patted her arm comfortingly. “I better wake him up if I’m going to make my hair appointment on time. You two enjoy the pool.”

      She left the kitchen, and Finn stared after her worriedly.

      “Finn?”

      “Hmm?”

      “Look at me.”

      She did.

      “Get some rest.”

      Her smooth brow furrowed. “I’m fine.”

      “Douse yourself with sunscreen, grab one of those chairs by the pool and nap for an hour.”

      Some spark of life came back into her eyes. “Giving orders, Agent Gabriel? I wasn’t aware that I was under your supervision.”

      He hid a smile. She had a way of getting to him, all right. “Technically, I’m a lieutenant, so I outrank you.”

      “Yes, sir.” She gave him a saucy salute before she turned toward the door.

      Finn’s afternoon rest was cut short by a bank of clouds that moved in, drawing a dark curtain between her and the sun. A cool breeze swept across her, prickling her skin. She grabbed her beach towel and pulled it around her shoulders just as thunder growled in the distance. A quick glance at her watch revealed she had been dozing for about an hour.

      There was no sign of John, who hadn’t come outside even after her grandparents left earlier. Colin was sleeping under one of the deck chairs.

      “Colin, come.”

      The dog sprang to his feet and followed her back home.

      By the time she changed her clothes, the sky was so dark it looked like it was dusk instead of the middle of the afternoon. She lit a few candles and decided to make lasagna for supper. She enjoyed cooking and never minded making extra to take over to her grandparents.

      There was a knock on the door and Finn’s heart lifted. There was only one person it could be. The one who’d been in her thoughts all afternoon.

      “Anne asked me to give you your mail when you woke up.” John stood just outside, a thin stack of envelopes in his hand.

      “My mail comes to them. Technically, this house is part of the same address.” Finn wondered if she was rambling, but she was glad to see him. She couldn’t deny it.

      “Do you…” Her voice was suddenly drowned out as the heavens opened and it started to pour.

      Laughing, she pulled John into the house. “Bad timing, John, it looks like you’re stuck here for a while.”

      “Oh, I don’t know,” he said slowly. “Maybe I planned it this way.”

      Suddenly Finn stopped laughing. Every breath that she took for granted was suddenly struggling to get out.

      “Why would you do that?” she asked. “Do you like spending time with me?”

      There it was again. Her honesty pushing him into a corner and making him aware of things he thought he had buried. Things like feelings. And needs.

      A crooked spike of lightning made the lights flicker and distracted Finn for a moment. John took the opportunity to escape. He wandered into the kitchen and saw the beginnings of an Italian dinner. Coward, he told himself.

      “Lasagna,” she said behind him. “You’re welcome to stay.”

      For how long? He shook the thought away even as it surfaced. “Where’s your television?”

      She studied him. “You don’t watch television, do you?”

      “Never.”

      “Quit trying to get out of kitchen duty.” Finn rummaged through a drawer by the stove. Out came a square of sunny yellow cloth. Before he could react, he was wearing an apron emblazoned with the words “For This I Went to College?”

      He looked at her. “Cute.”

      “It was a gift from my cousin last Christmas, but I think it looks better on you.” Finn flounced away and started to rip up a head of lettuce.

      He sighed. “I’ll set the table.”

      “Great.” With that simple word, she accepted his presence in the kitchen.

      John watched her for a moment.

      “Agent Gabriel, it’s not polite to stare.”

      He set the table.

      The storm didn’t subside. Outside, the wind lashed at the trees and blew rain like shot against the windows. At seven o’clock the telephone rang.

      “Hi, Chief…I was thinking about that, too. No, it’s fine. John had supper with me. Yes, he’s still here. I’ll see you in the morning, then.” Finn hung up the phone. “They ended up at the Silvermans’ after dinner to play cards and they decided to wait out the storm there.”

      “That’s СКАЧАТЬ