Navy SEAL Surrender by Angi Morgan Page B

blanche over my life. I appreciate everything. Just remember that it’s my little girl who’s missing. I’m a little bit anxious, especially since the police think I’m responsible somehow.”
    She hadn’t intended to huff when she crossed her arms. But she had. She wanted to sound slightly indignant and was afraid she’d sounded spoiled instead.
    “I apologize. I’m not used to people questioning my orders.”
    “This is a joint effort,” she reminded him.
    “Right.” He placed the binoculars to his eyes, letting the one word sound like three or four syllables as it slipped through his lips.
    It was far from being a joint effort. She didn’t miss the sarcasm.
    “There’s only one person moving around. A young woman. Got any idea who she is?”
    She adjusted the binoculars and saw a short blonde wearing jeans and a T-shirt. “That’s probably Andra’s Angels. I recognize the swirly A s on her shirt. It’s a cleaning service.”
    “It looks like she’s packing up. We’ll wait down by the gulch.”
    With each ray of sun poking through the cooler shade, she could feel her skin baking and her temper boiling. She wanted to do something. Be proactive. Not sit around and wait at a dried-up creek bed.
    “While we’re waiting, you can explain more about your plan and why it’s so dang important to hide.”
    “All right. Here are the facts. You’re being framed—along with Brian—for the kidnapping of your daughter. Once they take you to jail, they’ll probably insist you go to Denton County, where you’ll be involved in a fatal fight or feel such remorse you’ll commit suicide.”
    Totally deflated, she plopped on the hard ground next to him. He sounded so matter-of-fact recounting his supposition. He’d clearly thought through the options and jumped to a dismal end. “And with me gone, they get control over Lauren’s trust. To get Lauren back, I’d sign over the trust fund this minute and walk away forever. Don’t they know that?”
    “They don’t. Whoever they are, they don’t think that way. They believe everyone desires money as much as they do. Just remember, we’re assuming it’s Shauna and Patrick, but right now, everyone’s a suspect.”
    “How do you plan on finding my daughter?”
    “There are a lot of variables they need to control. Since the police have been watching them, other people must be involved and doing the dirty work. There must be details somewhere. We’ll find their trail, but we have to keep you alive along the way.” He set the binoculars to his side and patted her knee. “Don’t worry, I’m actually good at this.”
    He looked concerned, but didn’t smile to reassure her. Not a grin noting confidence that he knew all the answers, not even a slow tilt of his lips showing comfort. Come to think about it, he hadn’t grinned since they’d been in the driveway together that first day and he’d seen her. Had she? She couldn’t smile with Lauren gone.
    “What happened to you, Johnny?”
    “It’s been twelve years, Alicia.”
    “You’ve changed. You’re so serious and realistic. You’re certainly not pulling any punches.”
    “Do you want me to sugarcoat the reality of the situation?”
    “No. I... I’ve been sugarcoating much too much of my life as it is. I want Lauren back and I’m willing to do anything and every—”
    “Shh.” His finger went unerringly to her lips as his eyes searched behind her. “Someone’s coming.”
    “What do we do?” she asked in a panicked whisper.
    His strong arm dropped around her shoulders and in an instant her back was on the ground. Her head was in the bend of John’s arm, bringing his body on top of her. For a split second she thought he was just protecting her, but then he grinned. A teasing gleam from their teenage years reached his eyes as his lips captured hers.
    “Stop being shocked and pretend to kiss me,” he whispered against her lips. He slid a knee between her legs, supporting himself so she could