LITMIR.BIZ

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were usually right, but with Julie as a major suspect, could he trust the gut intuition he had honed over the past few years?

      “Free as a bird, huh?” His life and the lives of other agents depended on his skills. He wouldn’t let them down. “Okay, we’ll make a day of it. Everything’s on me tomorrow. We’ll leave early, about six.”

      “Six! In the morning?” She laughed lightly.

      “Sure. We’ll stop somewhere for a picnic.” His gaze met hers and for a moment, Julie’s blue eyes softened.

      Did she remember their last picnic up on Hurricane Ridge?

      Zach’s eyes searched hers. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and avoided his gaze. He always could read the expressions on her face. He gave a slow grin.

      She remembered, all right.

      How could she forget the magic of that one night they had spent together with friends at Olympic National Park? The fun evening they’d shared had been more than memorable. Much more. Zach wondered if he could find that secluded spot in the park again after all these years.

      Knock it off, Marshall.

      No more dwelling in the past. What he needed was hope for the future. He’d let the real Zach slip away as he pursued his career with the Bureau. Hard work had been a lifesaver from drowning in the pain and guilt he felt.

      Once he solved this case, if he lived through it, he would spend more time at home. That meant Montana. A life back on the ranch was what he really wanted. He’d known that for the past couple of years. That was why he’d built the huge log house on the ten thousand acre spread. His folks had sold him the property he wanted so he could start a new life. Someday.

      Zach straightened in his chair. He’d only spent a month at home over the past year, and had hired a housekeeper to keep things in order. He’d probably live out the rest of his life alone in that big empty house.

      That was fine with him. A family was the last thing he wanted. Or needed. What he needed was to end this terrorist investigation. There was no room for faith or a family in those plans.

      “Come on, Julie,” he coaxed, giving her his best smile. “What do you say?”

      “Well, okay. Just don’t forget your promise. You’ll tell me what you’ve been doing all this time.”

      “Right.” In reality, she’d be the one spilling her guts. “Pack an overnight bag just in case. You never know what the weather will be like up there this time of year. If there are heavy rains, we might have to spend the night.”

      “Oh, Zach, I—I don’t know—”

      “It might take a while to tell you everything.” He raised an eyebrow. Would she take the bait?

      She sighed in determined resignation. “I’ll be ready.”

      “Good. It’ll be an adventure.” Zach grinned and leaned forward in his seat.

      “A little trip to the park is all I’m interested in. Just a relaxing little drive and finding out about your life for the past eight years. No adventures.” She laughed lightly and sampled a small mouthful of the chocolate mousse the waiter had just brought to their table. “Mmm. This is so good.”

      “That was one of the finest meals I’ve ever had,” Zach agreed. “Your chef is great.” He chuckled lightly, enjoying a sip of coffee before leaning back comfortably in his chair. “You mentioned he was new?”

      “Yes. I just hired him.” Julie took another small mouthful of the chocolate dessert. “After a meal like this, I think it’s safe to say I chose the right man for the job.”

      “You can say that again.” If Julie only knew how right she was. Agent Castlerock had expressed an interest in gourmet foods, but a chef? That was, obviously, the new circumstance John had mentioned on the phone. The Senior Agent in Charge had established his cover as master chef at the inn. Good. It made sense. But he wanted answers, no more surprises from the SAC.

      Zach took in the welcoming sight of Julie sitting across from him. Could she really be the missing link in this case? The evidence connected her directly to one of America’s most wanted terrorists. He’d seen with his own eyes the incriminating surveillance photos of Julie with prime suspect Viktor Ivanov. How intimately did Julie know him? Inwardly he cursed.

      Time to make a move. “How about going for a walk around the lake?”

      “Sure, it’s on my way home.” Julie smiled. “I have a little cottage overlooking the water.”

      I know. Zach knew more about Julie than she could ever imagine. But the information he’d received from the Bureau had nothing to do with her as a woman.

      That’s what really interested him.

      For the investigation, of course.

      Would she moan softly, like she used to…when he kissed her again?

      The reflection of the moon lit the lake with an eerie, iridescent glow. Shadows from innumerable, two-hundred-foot-tall evergreen trees cast a disturbing darkness along the misty perimeter of the lake. Julie shook off the sudden chill that crept along her spine. The recent murder was making her imagination work overtime. She had never feared the lakeside before.

      “How long have you owned this place?” Zach bent to pick up a pebble along the rain-soaked, gray slate path. Tossing the small stone into the lake, he watched it bounce several times, sending wave after wave of ripples across the water’s smooth surface.

      “When we first bought the inn, we lived in the main building.” She glanced at the everlasting display of tall trees standing regally across the large lake. Julie loved the lush green scenery, the dampness of the earth, the way the air filled with the pleasant scent of cedar. “About a year later, we decided to move into one of the inn’s private homes.” She lifted her gaze to meet his. “I’ve lived here for about six years, I guess.” It didn’t seem possible it had been that long. At a bend in the path, the house came into view. “There it is.” Her cottage home reminded him of a popular artist’s painting. Cozy and simple. Warm and inviting.

      “Your lights are on,” Zach observed.

      “I had timers installed so when I got home, the place wouldn’t be in total darkness.” But no one was there to greet her, lights or not.

      “Do you always work late, Julie? Is it this dark every night when you walk home?” He turned to her, a hint of concern in his eyes.

      “No, not always.” It had been a long time since a man had been concerned about her well-being. The knowledge that someone cared touched her. But there was Nick, of course. He’d helped her out several times with repairs on the inn. “There’s nothing to worry about out here in the country…even in the dark,” she said, lowering her gaze and thinking about the brutal killing of the dear old man.

      Julie couldn’t bring herself to discuss the unsolved murder of the employee who had taken such good care of the grounds around the lodge the past five years. The sadness she carried over his untimely and gruesome death remained buried deep inside and she found it impossible to discuss without breaking into tears. It had only been a couple of weeks since his body had been discovered.

      There was so much grief in the world, in her life. Now an innocent man, a friend, was dead. The overwhelming mourning she felt threatened to creep up to the surface. She sighed and cleared her mind. Alone in her house at night, she could let herself give in to sorrow. But never in front of anyone. She had to be strong for everyone at the inn and especially for Emmie.

      Before she realized it, they were at her front door. Zach’s ruggedly handsome features, illuminated by the soft glow of the light from her front porch, caused Julie’s heart to skip a beat. She drew in a quick breath. She was starting to remember the depth of the feelings she felt for Zach. She couldn’t allow that to happen. She retrieved the key from her coat pocket. It didn’t make sense that her hands trembled

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