Love Inspired Suspense October 2015 #1 by Lenora Worth, Hope White, Diane Burke Page B

was asking more along the lines of what about how you
feel
about Rikki?”
    Blain lowered his gaze and studied the plastic cup in his hand. “I don’t know about that, either. She’s a complicated subject.”
    Rory grinned. “A dangerous subject. You might need to walk away once you’re done with this case.”
    â€œWorried about me, Preacher?”
    â€œNope.” Rory found a piece of cold pizza. “Just...bemused. I haven’t seen you so besotted before.”
    â€œWho says I’m besotted?”
    Alec laughed. “Rikki is a beautiful woman. Mysterious and under pressure right now. You’re one of the good guys.”
    â€œYour point?”
    â€œIt all adds up to trouble,” Alec finished. “She’ll turn to you and you’ll do the right thing. Just be careful.”
    â€œI thought you had already vouched for her,” Blain said.
    â€œI did on a professional basis. And I like Rikki. But you’ve always avoided getting tangled in a relationship so it’s different seeing you so tangled up in this one.”
    Blain got up and tossed his cup in the trash. “I kind of miss Hunter. The Okie doesn’t badger me the way you two do.” He shrugged. “He must be deep undercover. He’s not returning my calls.”
    â€œHunter
is
on assignment,” Rory replied. “I guess I’d better throw in a prayer for him, too. Being a private eye is a whole new set of concerns.” He chuckled. “Especially when Hunter’s idea of finding answers is to inflict physical pain.”
    â€œSeveral concerns,” Alec retorted. “But he was special ops. He does that thing—”
    â€œSlips around without a sound?” Rory asked, grinning.
    Alec glanced back over his shoulder. “Yeah, that thing.”
    â€œHe’ll show up, hopefully for your wedding,” Rory said, glancing at Alec.
    â€œI hope my best man shows up, too,” Alec quipped, grinning at Blain.
    â€œI’ll be there, okay.” Blain decided he’d had enough. “I’m beat. Think I’ll head home.”
    Rory lifted his hand. “Hey, we didn’t mean to get too personal.”
    Alec chimed in. “It’s your business, buddy. I should know to trust you since you’re good at your job.”
    Blain nodded. “I know you mean well. But you both need to remember something about me. I may be a bit besotted, but I’m not stupid.”
    Rory bobbed his head. “And stay not stupid, okay?”
    â€œAlways.”
    He waved to them and headed down to the open garage underneath the house on stilts. He wasn’t stupid but he had to make sure Rikki was all right. Did that make him crazy?
    Probably.
    He got his phone out and hit her number. He didn’t like the way they’d left things. They’d been through a lot together since the night he’d seen her on the boardwalk.
    And she had to still be reeling from what had happened this morning. He told himself checking on her was the right thing to do.
    Just in case she needed someone to talk to tonight.
    * * *
    Rikki wished she had someone to talk to. She’d been so tired by the day’s events she’d come to her room right after dinner, taken a hot shower and was now trying to read. Pebble lay spread out in a long cat stretch by her feet. Rikki had tried telling her tale to the cat, but Pebble had become so bored he’d taken to licking his paws and grooming himself.
    A sure sign of total disregard.
    Her mother, always her first source and the best confidante a girl could have, was sleeping. And even if she were awake, Rikki couldn’t bother her mother when she was so sick. If Sonia knew what was going on, she’s worry even more.
    But then, Sonia Alvanetti never seemed to worry about anything. Her faith held tight against so many things.
    Rikki thought of Tessa. Her best friend. Gone. They’d never get to stay up late