develop another game plan.”
Eli pulled Ben away from the group into the periphery just beyond the reach of the rescue lights. He didn’t want Julia to hear what he was going to say. He needed Julia to trust him, and so far he hadn’t done much to instill that trust in her. Protecting her from the threat on her life was his primary goal, and separating himself from her would only weaken his position of trust in her mind. “I don’t want an argument with you. Right now the only one I fully trust is myself—”
“And evidently Will,” Ben said.
“I’ve worked with him longer. This isn’t a judgment against you or the job I think you can do. After all, you rescued us. Ultimately, she’s my responsibility.”
“Eli, you keep convincing yourself you’re being professional, but you’re not. It’s obvious this case is too personal for you and it’s affecting your judgment. This is the perfect example.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because you’re physically wasted, and you still think you can perform your duties. This choice is putting her at risk.”
“It is the best course of action to take.”
Ben pressed his lips together and nodded. “Fine. We’ll see if she’s still alive by morning.” He turned on his heel and paced back to the group.
Eli crushed the flimsy water bottle in his fist and threw it to the ground. If Ben was proven right, that Julia died because Eli couldn’t defend her in his weakened state, he didn’t know if he could ever forgive himself. He needed space and time to think.
Hopefully, this remote location wasn’t exactly what the hit man was hoping for.
NINE
W hile waiting for a response to their knock at the door, Julia could hear a trickle of water moving over smooth river stones at the small creek that wound its way around the fairy tale log cabin. If only that had been the body of water she’d been thrust into.
Laura Solan, Dr. James Solan’s wife, opened the door and immediately gathered Julia into a warm hug and in that moment, Julia broke down. Laura squeezed her tighter, smoothing her hand over her dry, crusted hair in an effort to ease her sobs. In that hold was everything that Julia missed from her mother. The sweet, tangy smell of perfume. The quiet, calming, swooshing of Laura’s heartbeat in her ear.
“Sweet Julia. What a day you’ve had.” Laura eased Julia back and placed a lightly fisted hand under her chin to lift it up. “You’re safe here. We’re going to take good care of you.”
Laura’s tender light green eyes offered the dose of compassion that Julia needed. Laura brushed her reddish brown bangs from her eyes and offered an open hand to Julia. “Come in. James, they’re here!”
Julia felt Eli’s hand rest in the middle of her back and edge her into the foyer. His touch lingered far beyond the steps she needed to take, and when he withdrew it, it felt as if a small hole opened in her chest.
“I can’t thank you enough for taking us in,” Julia said.
“If I can say anything, it’s that this tragedy happened at a good time. I’m off for several days and there’s nothing I’d like to do more than to take care of you and your friends.”
The three of them were standing in the magnificent entryway when Dr. James Solan walked toward them. Julia’s eyes were drawn to the three-level open foyer with windows that held a magnificent view of the mountains. The Solans’ home was situated in a valley surrounded by the tall granite peaks Colorado was known for.
“Julia, I’m happy to see you again so soon, but not under these circumstances.” He reached his hand out and shook Eli’s hand. “Why don’t you and I—”
Eli coughed into his hand, and Julia’s nursing intuition threw up a red flag.
“This is Agent Will Sullivan,” Eli said.
James shook his hand, as well. “Will, it doesn’t look like you need to freshen up, so I’ll put you in the kitchen with some fresh coffee.”
“Is there a couch I could crash on for
Eli pulled Ben away from the group into the periphery just beyond the reach of the rescue lights. He didn’t want Julia to hear what he was going to say. He needed Julia to trust him, and so far he hadn’t done much to instill that trust in her. Protecting her from the threat on her life was his primary goal, and separating himself from her would only weaken his position of trust in her mind. “I don’t want an argument with you. Right now the only one I fully trust is myself—”
“And evidently Will,” Ben said.
“I’ve worked with him longer. This isn’t a judgment against you or the job I think you can do. After all, you rescued us. Ultimately, she’s my responsibility.”
“Eli, you keep convincing yourself you’re being professional, but you’re not. It’s obvious this case is too personal for you and it’s affecting your judgment. This is the perfect example.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because you’re physically wasted, and you still think you can perform your duties. This choice is putting her at risk.”
“It is the best course of action to take.”
Ben pressed his lips together and nodded. “Fine. We’ll see if she’s still alive by morning.” He turned on his heel and paced back to the group.
Eli crushed the flimsy water bottle in his fist and threw it to the ground. If Ben was proven right, that Julia died because Eli couldn’t defend her in his weakened state, he didn’t know if he could ever forgive himself. He needed space and time to think.
Hopefully, this remote location wasn’t exactly what the hit man was hoping for.
NINE
W hile waiting for a response to their knock at the door, Julia could hear a trickle of water moving over smooth river stones at the small creek that wound its way around the fairy tale log cabin. If only that had been the body of water she’d been thrust into.
Laura Solan, Dr. James Solan’s wife, opened the door and immediately gathered Julia into a warm hug and in that moment, Julia broke down. Laura squeezed her tighter, smoothing her hand over her dry, crusted hair in an effort to ease her sobs. In that hold was everything that Julia missed from her mother. The sweet, tangy smell of perfume. The quiet, calming, swooshing of Laura’s heartbeat in her ear.
“Sweet Julia. What a day you’ve had.” Laura eased Julia back and placed a lightly fisted hand under her chin to lift it up. “You’re safe here. We’re going to take good care of you.”
Laura’s tender light green eyes offered the dose of compassion that Julia needed. Laura brushed her reddish brown bangs from her eyes and offered an open hand to Julia. “Come in. James, they’re here!”
Julia felt Eli’s hand rest in the middle of her back and edge her into the foyer. His touch lingered far beyond the steps she needed to take, and when he withdrew it, it felt as if a small hole opened in her chest.
“I can’t thank you enough for taking us in,” Julia said.
“If I can say anything, it’s that this tragedy happened at a good time. I’m off for several days and there’s nothing I’d like to do more than to take care of you and your friends.”
The three of them were standing in the magnificent entryway when Dr. James Solan walked toward them. Julia’s eyes were drawn to the three-level open foyer with windows that held a magnificent view of the mountains. The Solans’ home was situated in a valley surrounded by the tall granite peaks Colorado was known for.
“Julia, I’m happy to see you again so soon, but not under these circumstances.” He reached his hand out and shook Eli’s hand. “Why don’t you and I—”
Eli coughed into his hand, and Julia’s nursing intuition threw up a red flag.
“This is Agent Will Sullivan,” Eli said.
James shook his hand, as well. “Will, it doesn’t look like you need to freshen up, so I’ll put you in the kitchen with some fresh coffee.”
“Is there a couch I could crash on for
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