Reunion Mission. Virginia Vaughan
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Название: Reunion Mission
Автор: Virginia Vaughan
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Короткие любовные романы
Серия: Mills & Boon Love Inspired Suspense
isbn: 9781474049795
isbn:
“I’ll be fine. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. No one is after me.”
“We don’t know that, Claire. You could still be in danger.”
She glanced up at him, curiosity pooling in her eyes. “Why? What did you find?”
“Luke didn’t send you that text asking you to come to the school. He couldn’t have. He was already dead by the time that text was sent.”
“But it came from his phone. How can you possibly know that with any certainty?”
“I saw enough dead bodies during my time with the rangers and I’m telling you Luke has been dead for hours, which means someone else used his phone to send you that text message. Whoever it was lured you here and was waiting for you, Claire.”
He saw her mind racing. “Who would do that? Who would want to hurt me?”
“That’s a good question, and one we need to figure out.”
“I’m sure the text thing was just a fluke. Sometimes text messages get hung up in cyberspace.”
He shook his head. He’d meant it when he’d said he wasn’t leaving until he knew Claire was safe...and that was looking less and less likely. There was no way he was going to let her go home alone. She would be a sitting target. “Why don’t you go and stay with your folks for a few days? Just until we have time to sort all of this out?”
“My parents are on a cruise.”
“What about friends? I would feel better if you weren’t alone.”
“Matt, I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. I’m sure you’re worried about nothing. Like you said, I don’t know anything, so there’s no reason to believe my life is in danger.”
Her stubborn streak hadn’t changed, and past experience told him that once she’d made up her mind, it was no use arguing. All he could do was try to figure out who killed Luke as quickly as possible. “Fine, but I’m driving you home.”
“That’s not necessary. I have my car.”
“I know, but I would feel better if you’d let me drive you.” Drive her home. Make sure she’s safely inside. Then back to his life and let Detective Preston Ware step into the role of good guy. It no longer fit him.
She chewed on her bottom lip, a clear indication she was nervous about being alone with him. At least that hadn’t changed. Finally, she gave a resigned sigh and agreed to let him drive her.
* * *
What on earth had she been thinking?
Allowing Matt to drive her home had been a phenomenal mistake.
She nearly burst out laughing as he climbed into her Volkswagen Bug, his long legs claiming the front seat and his knees nearly in his chest. He pushed back the seat to its farthest position, then started the engine.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked him. “How will you get back to your vehicle?”
“It’s only a couple of miles back to the school. I’ve hiked farther than that with a loaded pack in the pouring down rain. A clear spring night with a slight breeze will make it a piece of cake.”
She’d imagined him before doing his army training, and now she had an image of him carrying a heavy pack in the rain.
One more image of Matt Ross to file away.
He looked so different and yet so much like the Matt she remembered. He was taller and broader, a man instead of the boy she’d known. But his hazel eyes were still intense and his gaze on her still held the power to make her toes tingle. She turned to stare out the window as she felt her face flush with embarrassment.
She pointed the way and he turned into her driveway and stopped the car. He got out and walked her to her door.
“Thank you for bringing me home, Matt.”
“You’re welcome. It’s the least I could do for you, Claire.”
She shuddered as he placed his hand on her arm and walked with her toward the door. The air was chilly, but it wasn’t as much from the cold that she shivered. This reminded her that she was wearing his jacket.
“I should give this back now,” she said, slipping out of his coat and handing it to him. “It was good to see you again, Matt.” She didn’t think she could stand another ending with Matt Ross, but at least this time she could have a goodbye.
She turned to say it and spotted a car slowing down as it approached her house.
“Claire, get down!” Matt shouted, grabbing her and throwing her to the ground as a slew of gunfire lit up the night and rained down on her house.
The car roared away, tires screeching, and the gunfire stopped. Fear ripped through her as she realized the gunfire was aimed at her.
Someone was really trying to kill her!
“Claire, are you okay? Are you hurt?”
She shook her head, unable to find her voice. Two violent attempts in one day. She wasn’t sure she was made for this type of action.
Matt reached for her face and turned it so he could look at her. His eyes were ablaze with anger and fear and she could feel his heart racing even with the distance between them.
And suddenly the dam broke inside of her. This was just too much for her to take. The death of a student, a drive-by shooting and Matt Ross returning to her life all in one day? She fell into his arms, not even caring what he must think of her. She was afraid, and she was thankful Matt was here to protect her.
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