Карен Кингсбери - A Distant Shore [calibre]

Otherwise, even a less dangerous mission, like this, could get them killed.

THEY HAD THEIR hotel keys and they were walking down the hall of the eighteenth floor to the end suite. The setup was similar to the one in the Bahamas. A single door leading to a pair of separate doors. Other honeymooners might rent the full suite simply for privacy. But the situation here was the same as before. Eliza had her room and Jack had his.

They spent an hour apart and then headed for the beach.

Surveillance from a few weeks ago on this part of the beach told Jack the operatives in a local trafficking ring were probably somewhere on the shore. Maybe working at the hotel, or serving piña coladas to the tourists.

He wore a hundred-dollar black T-shirt and white shorts. She looked stunning in a breezy blue strapless dress. Her pale blond hair was longer now, spilling halfway down her back. He took her hand and tried not to stare.

How am I supposed to do this, God? I should never have taken this mission.

With every step at her side, Jack realized how much trouble he was in. The idea of being Eliza Lawrence’s friend was dying faster than daylight. Taking this mission was the worst decision of his career.

Jack looked at her again. Or was it the best?

When they were a few yards down the beach, he turned and took her other hand, too. There weren’t words to describe the way he was drawn to her. “I can’t believe you’re here.” No one could hear their conversation, not when they were so close to the surf.

“Where did you think I’d be?” She smiled, teasing him. “This is our honeymoon.”

If only it were true. Jack eased her into his arms and held her body against his. The surf washed over their feet and he wanted to stay like that forever.

You have a job to do, Ryder. He stepped away from her and they kept walking. But a hundred yards down the beach he stopped again. He couldn’t help himself. Again he took her in his arms and this time he searched her eyes. “Can we sit on your balcony, Eliza? I’ve wanted to be with you every day since we said goodbye.”

“Yes.” She lay her head against his chest. “I’d like that very much.”

A pair of men were walking their way, paying special attention to Eliza. As if they somehow knew she was an informant. One of the men said something to the other, and they slowed their pace.

Without giving his actions a second thought, Jack took her face in his hands. “Don’t look at them, Eliza.” Then, with a barely constrained passion, slow and tender he kissed her. The way he’d wanted to kiss her since that time in the waves in Nassau. Jack had no idea if the men were informants or spies or part of a ring.

Protocol said to kiss her in this situation. So no one would doubt they were a married couple. She kissed him next, and the hunger was there for both of them. Whatever happened after this mission, one thing was certain. The kiss had proven it. They weren’t acting.

And Eliza Lawrence could never be just his friend.

THE FBI DIDN’T forbid Jack to cross the threshold into Eliza’s room. But the decision had to be mutually agreed upon. And they could only meet in a gathering room or on a balcony. Never in the bedroom.

That wouldn’t be a problem. Jack had no intention of doing anything that would compromise Eliza. Not with her past, and not with the way he was better understanding God’s will for his life. Not with his commitment to the FBI. No, he would cherish her, that alone. Friend or more. God had told him to love her, and on this trip he would show her the meaning of the word.

They sat on her balcony in two chairs, side by side, their arms touching. For a long time they said nothing. Eliza spoke first. “I’ve been reading the Bible.”

“You have?” Jack had no idea. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I feel funny. Sharing my feelings in an email half the bureau will read.” She raised one shoulder. “It’s weird, right?”

He considered that for a moment. His emails had been just as shallow as hers. “It is.” He sighed. “I hate that it’s been our only way of communicating.”

“Me, too.” She tilted her face to the sun. “But since I couldn’t call you whenever I wanted, I bought a used Bible at a secondhand store.” She smiled at him. “I can’t stop reading it.”

He’d been doing the same. “I’m loving the Psalms. David was always in danger.”

“Mmm. Just like us.” There was an easiness about their conversation, like they’d never been apart at all. “There’s something I want to do while I’m here. If you could help me.”

“What is it?” He found his best Jimmy Stewart voice. “You want me to lasso the moon for you, Eliza. Huh, is that what you want?”

“What?” She laughed out loud. “You sound just like him.”

“Sure. Okay.” Jack grinned as he studied her eyes, her face. “You wrote that you’d seen the movie, so… I’ll have to believe you.” Her quiet laughter was better than anything he had ever heard. Because the sound meant she was healing. Even while working one dangerous operation after another, she was moving on from her past.

Her eyes sparkled as she pointed at him. “You don’t think I saw it.”

“No, no.” He loved playing with her like this. Everything between them had always been so serious. He chuckled. “Just making sure not everything in those emails was a lie.”

“It wasn’t!” She was still laughing. “We turned on the TV over Christmas break and there it was. It’s a Wonderful Life. I asked if you’d heard of it.” Her joy faded a little. “Because… I never watched an hour of TV… back when…”

A sinking feeling hit him. Of course she had been telling the truth. Where would she have seen a Christmas classic before? “Eliza…” Don’t let her close off, God. Please. “I was just teasing.” He uttered a quiet chuckle, trying to salvage the moment. “Sometimes it felt like you were just filling space with what you wrote.”

Her smile remained. “I know.” She tilted her head. Her beauty took his breath. “But I would never really lie to you.” She grew more serious. “Except once.”

“Okay. You don’t have to tell me about that.” This wasn’t the time to ask her. She would tell him when she wanted to… if she wanted to. He stared at the distant water for a few minutes. “So… what is it you want to do while you’re here?”

She didn’t hesitate. “I want you to baptize me.” A light filled her eyes and their eyes met. “In the ocean.”

Again his heart soared. God had heard his prayers. During the dangerous missions and months apart, her faith had changed her. “Baptizing you…” His soul was almost too full for him to speak. “That would be an honor, Eliza.”

“Thank you.” She turned to him. “Were you baptized?”

“I was. At our family’s church when I was twelve.” He could picture the moment. Shane and him choosing to get baptized that day. “My brother and I had been studying what the Bible teaches about baptism.” He smiled at the memory. “Finally we couldn’t wait another week.”

She nodded. “That’s how I feel. I want to bury my old life… in the waters of the sea. Leave it behind me for good.” She breathed in, her face toward the sky. “When I come up out of that water, everything will be new.”

“Yes.” He blinked back tears. He hadn’t dreamed they would have this conversation their first day together. “When do you want to do it?”

Her smile gave him the answer even before she did. “Now.”

THE SUN HUNG just above the horizon as they reached the water. They held hands and faced the waves, their feet in the gentle surf. Jack pictured Eliza’s life, the loneliness and loss.