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He drank most of her cappuccino before he gave her a blank stare. “What are you really doing here, Josie?”
Josie let out an exasperated sigh and reached a hand up to touch his face. “Trying to tell you that I love you,” she finally said.
Connor’s hand covered hers and drew it away from his face. “Are you sure? Because you sure didn’t seem convinced about me, even after I told you I didn’t know that Armond was my father.”
“More than sure.” She clutched her fingers against his. “Positively beyond-a-shadow-of-doubt sure.”
He pulled away and gave her one of his blue-eyed gazes. “I had to get away to make positively sure I could handle things.”
“Your father wants to see you.”
He nodded. “I know. I’m still trying to work my way toward that meeting. Deidre prays for me on a daily basis.”
“So do I,” Josie replied.
Connor shot her a look of gratitude. “No wonder I feel so much better about things now.”
“He’s in prison,” she said. “But he’s resigned himself to that, I think. Someone once told me he had a heart underneath all that criminal activity.”
“And maybe he does. He did give up a lot to come clean.” Connor shrugged. “I’ll go see him one day.” He nudged her. “Hey, maybe we could swing by and visit your daddy, too.”
“Touché,” she said. “And for now?”
“I’m an almost millionaire,” he quipped. “I didn’t take any of the dirty money he wanted me to have. And I won’t after he’s gone, either.” Then he grinned. “But I did keep the Camaro.”
Josie thanked God for his new attitude. “Noble of you to let go of the fortune.”
“It was the right thing to do.” Looking away, he added, “I’ve been doing some consulting work and I’m actually getting paid.” He turned back and stared over at her, a slow, soft smile cresting on his full lips. “So, former agent Josie Gilbert, what do you plan to do next?”
“Handcuff you and take you hostage,” she retorted.
“No need for that,” he replied. Then he lifted her out of her chair and danced her around the table. “Why don’t we start with me showing you London and see how we do from there?”
Josie nodded. “I’d like that.”
He tugged her close. “Now, repeat what you said earlier, please.”
“Which part?”
“The part about you loving me.”
“I love you,” she said, her hand moving down his face.
Connor leaned down and kissed her. Then he whispered in her ear, “I love you, too. Even without the handcuffs.”
Josie smiled into the kiss and thanked God for frequent-flyer points and...for allowing her to finally find the real Connor Randall.
* * * * *
Keep reading for a n excerpt from COLLATERAL DAMAGE by Hannah Alexander.
Dear Reader,
Do you remember the movie Catch Me if You Can? It starred Leonardo DiCaprio as a con man who’d fooled a lot of people before turning to help the FBI. I’ve always been fascinated with that movie. So when Connor Randall—a reformed con artist—stepped onto the pages of In Pursuit of a Princess, I knew I’d have to write his story.
It was a tricky balance of showing his shady past while pushing him toward a complete redemption. Connor loves his baby sister, Deidre (who was also in my princess book), so he wants to redeem himself in her eyes. Deidre’s strong faith has left a lasting impression on Connor, too. When he meets Special Agent Josie Gilbert and realizes she’s the real deal, he also wants to show Josie that he’s changed. But Josie has her own reasons for not trusting anyone, so she can’t be conned or won over so easily.
I enjoyed this adventure with Connor and Josie and I hope you did, too. I believe there is good in all of us, so I’m glad Connor found his true calling and that he fell in love. I hope you will remember that no matter what you have in your past, God is always there ready to listen and stand by you.
Until next time, may the angels watch over you. Always.
Questions for Discussion
Connor Randall is a different kind of inspirational hero. Was it easy for you to accept him or did you have doubts about him?
