VANISHED, A Romantic Suspense Novel (Edgars Family Novel) by Suzanne Ferrell Page B

charm-boy act, which both thrilled and scared the crap out of him. The youngest of three brothers and only older than their sister by a year, he’d always been able to sweet-talk his way out of any situation. Not even his family saw the real him as well as Abby did.
    His clothes selections made, he moved away from the changing room and stood in a corner, watching everyone milling about in the store. No one seemed to be paying him any unwarranted attention or looking for Abby. Perhaps their presence on the case was still unknown to the people responsible for her friend’s disappearance.
    Then he remembered his dream and a cold chill ran through him.
    He hadn’t had it since he’d been with Abby on that disastrous night of FLETC graduation—not until last night. If he could just ship her back to Washington, maybe the dream would go away. But she was right. Her friend had called for her help. Either Abby subconsciously knew something or had the ability with that magnificent brain of hers to find her friend and unravel this mystery. Which meant until they found her friend or solved the problem, Abby was in danger and his to protect.
    Thank God with all her wallflower tendencies, she flew under the radar of most men. He didn’t need that complication.
    “What do you think? Will I do now?”
    He turned at her voice and stared.
    Oh hell! Things just got very complicated.
    His wonderfully geeky Abby had transformed into a supermodel.
    Starting at her feet, where her red-tipped toes peeked out of a pair of open-toed sandals, he let his gaze travel north. Her trim ankles showed just below the hem of the jeans that hugged every inch of her long, slender legs—legs that seemed to go on forever—and accented the curves of her thighs and hips. The baggy jersey should’ve hidden her curves, but the way the team’s name clung to the tops of her perky breasts made his mouth go dry. As much as the bun she’d had her hair in said, I’m all business , the ponytail she now wore announced, I’m young and fun .
    This was not good. Not at all .
    “What’s wrong? Did I forget something?”
    Yes. You forgot to be Abby .
    He swallowed his irritation. “No. You look fine.”
    She stepped back into the changing room to retrieve her old clothes and the other items he’d sent in to her, including a pair of running shoes the sales girl must’ve gotten her, too. “This is going to cost a bit more than I meant to spend.”
    “Don’t worry about it. We’ll put it on my credit card and the government can pay for it.” He grabbed her elbow to steer her toward the front of the store. We just need to get moving.”
    “I can walk by myself,” she said, jerking her arm from his grasp. “Besides, if we’re late, it’s your fault, not mine. You insisted we go shopping.”
    Following her to the checkout, he cursed his own suggestion. The whole idea had been not to draw attention to them. Now every man in the pub would have to be blind or stupid not to notice Abby. If anything happened to her now, as she’d just said, it was his own damn fault.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Luke parked around the corner from Flannery’s Pub. They locked her laptop and their other purchases in the trunk. He insisted Abigail put her hand through his crooked elbow so they’d look like a couple as they walked up the street. She’d never admit it to him, but she was thankful he was there to steady her as they walked. Unused to even the small heels of the sandals she’d bought at the store, she’d wobble more if it weren’t for the support of his strong arm.
    The pub sat on the corner of the street in the lower part of a refurbished building that looked like it dated from the turn of the previous century. They strolled past the outdoor patio with umbrella-topped tables and flowerboxes full of spring flowers. It was still a little too chilly for diners outside yet, but Abigail imagined what a lovely spot it would be in summer for lunch al fresco.
    “After you,” Luke