Love Inspired Suspense April 2015 #1 by Terri Reed, Becky Avella, Dana R. Lynn

interact with them.
    Looked like she was going to have a crash course in how to relate to children. Probably a good thing if she hoped to become a mother to her nephew. She threw a panicked glance to Adam. Why did the amused approval in his gaze make her want to succeed?
    * * *
    Adam couldn’t believe the change in Lana as she and the twins decorated cookies. She glowed. Her dark eyes gleamed from within and the easy laughs and giggles were nothing like the stoic and aloof person he’d met last month.
    â€œShe’s good with the kids,” Ruth commented.
    â€œYeah, she is.”
    â€œYou sound surprised.”
    He turned to his sister-in-law. “I am. She said she hasn’t been around children.”
    â€œWell, she’s doing fine.” Ruth grabbed the handle of one of the rolling suitcases. “Let’s put these in the guest room.”
    Tugging the other case and Lana’s large bag, he followed Ruth upstairs to the room he’d used when he’d landed here after his FBI career died a flaming death. The room looked the same. A full-size bed, dresser, TV, nightstand and chair in the corner. The blinds were open, letting the sunlight splash across the flowery bedspread. Too frilly for his taste but comfortable.
    Ruth leaned against the doorjamb. “So spill. What’s going on? Why is she in hiding?”
    Adam explained the situation.
    Ruth whistled. “That stinks. I like her.”
    â€œYou just met her.”
    With a shrug and grin, Ruth countered, “I have good people instincts. If you recall I warned you that Shelia wasn’t a good fit for you.”
    He did remember. Ruth had tried to tell him Shelia wasn’t the right woman for him. But he’d had to discover that his college sweetheart hadn’t wanted to be the wife of an FBI agent. She’d broken off their relationship when he was accepted into the academy. He decided then not to get involved again until he was ready to settle down. So far he’d kept that vow and intended to until he returned to Colorado.
    â€œLana is a nice woman.” Though he hadn’t thought that at first. A good lesson in not judging a person on first impressions.
    â€œShe’s pretty, too.” Ruth’s eyes gleamed.
    â€œAnd she lives here. You know I’ve put in for a transfer back home.”
    Ruth sighed. “I know. I’m not happy about it.” She pushed away from the door. “I hope you find the arrow and nail the jerk to the wall for hurting Lana.”
    â€œThat’s the plan.”
    They headed downstairs. Lana stood at the back patio door watching the twins playing with Ace and Tink. She turned as they approached. The softness in her gaze and the tender smile on her lovely face smacked Adam in the chest like the business end of the expandable baton hanging from his utility belt.
    Silhouetted by the sun, her long dark hair shone and her curvy figure made his mouth go dry. She was beautiful. He wished he could snap a photo of her. But using the camera on his phone probably wasn’t a good idea. Not only would it be creepy, but would wipe away her smile in a heartbeat.
    â€œThey are so cute,” Lana said, turning back to watch the girls chasing the dogs.
    â€œAdam tells me you’re taking some vacation time from your job,” Ruth said.
    Lana nodded but didn’t turn around. No doubt the subject hurt. Adam could see her smile fading and he hoped she didn’t withdraw into herself.
    Ruth gestured to Lana and then to herself and mouthed, “We’ll be fine.”
    He hoped so. He didn’t analyze why he was so worried about Lana’s emotional health. He didn’t normally go in for mushy stuff. He touched Lana’s shoulder. “I’m going to head out. I have a meeting at headquarters. Do you have my card?”
    She faced him. “Yes, I do.” For a moment a flare of panic glittered bright in her eyes before cooling. “Thank