Page 48 of Special Agent Rylee


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Chapter Thirty-seven

That night and the next day, Rylee laid low and kept Jake from leaving the ship to visit Bonaire. Pretending a stomach reaction to food they’d eaten off the ship in Aruba, she rented side-by-side cabanas in the Sanctuary, a fabulous place on the upper deck where one could relax in the sun or shade all day and be served like royalty.

The pool was a few steps away and the bar not that much further. Between playing games, swimming and snoozing, they had fun and it was safe. Miguel, totally relaxed, using Jake’s iPad to fill in time and control his boundless energy, could be heard chortling away at his games.

When they’d first arrived, Rylee had taken time to email Mari, this time a longer message than just the few words on the texts she sent every day.

“Rylee, you look happy. Is this a message to someone close to you?” Miguel sat close and leaned on her, his head on her shoulder. The boy was much more affectionate than Rylee had ever been, and she secretly loved his ways, loved that he felt easy enough with her that he trusted she’d never push him away.

“It’s to my sister, Mari. She’s a drill sergeant, always wants to know I’m safe, and I better send a text every day or she’s hounding the boss about where I am.”

“Where do you work?” Miguel’s interest showed in his eyes and the way he watched her face.

Suddenly uncomfortable, knowing Jake was listening, though his eyes were on his book, she slipped back into her cover story. “I’m not working now, Miguel. I’m on vacation. Okay, Miss Grand Poohbah has been contacted. Now we can play some games.”

Lying on side-by-side deck beds later in the day, Jake reached for her hand, an occurrence that she’d gotten used to recently.

He gently rubbed her fingers with his thumb and spoke low. They both watched the boy, Rylee with sadness spiking inside her body, making it hard to speak. “Tomorrow we take Miguel back to his mother. I’ve rented a car and driver so there should be no problem.” Jake sounded as sad as she felt.

“I’m going to miss the kid.” Rylee controlled her voice so as not to give away just how much she’d be worrying about him in the future. “You know he’s going to be devastated to leave Boo.”

Jake sighed, a grimace showing before he looked away. “I suppose we could bring the kitten too and maybe his mother would let him keep her.”

She pulled her hand away and bit her lip. She’d gotten attached to the little monster baby who purred her satisfaction every time Rylee held her close. In the back of her mind, she’d thought to ask Jake to let her give the kitten a home. After all, the furry princess might be the only token she’d have for some of the most beautiful moments of her life.

“What? What’s wrong?” He knew her too well. He sat up and swung in her direction.

“Nothing. You’re right. Maybe it’s best if he takes her.”

“You’re upset.”

“Upset? God, Jake, I’m not upset. What a corny word. I’m fine.”

He leaned in close. “Nope. Not fine. You’re close to crying.”

“Crissakes, I don’t cry. So just back off. I said I was fine.” She flung herself from the chair and headed to the pool where she dove in off the deep end, a dive that captured most eyes, especially if they were male.

Jake followed and caught up with her in the water. He trapped her in the corner and blocked her way. “Yep. Crying.”

“Am not.”

“What can I do?” He spoke with such caring that she couldn’t take offense. Instead, she leaned her head on his chest and let the pain loose for a few seconds before ducking back under the water and swimming for the steps.

He caught up with her just as she’d fetched her towel and was wiping down. “Baby, trust me. I won’t leave the family hurting for money. I promise I’ll look after them.”

She turned to him. “You’re a good man, Jake Andrews. I’ll be fine once I meet his mother and see how he lives. If I know he’s happy and safe, it will go a long way to softening the blow.”

Revealing his own sadness, his eyes warm and full of caring, he took her hand and agreed. “So, we’re on the same page. We’ll make sure they’re looked after and do whatever it takes. And if they might want to come to Miami one day for a holiday, we can work that out, too.”

Heart lightened, the heavy load easing, Rylee stared at the man who’d had her best interests at heart from the moment they met. It astounded her how her insides housed two different people. The person she might have become if the incident had never happened, and the cold, uncaring, FBI agent who took pride in doing a job many others couldn’t stomach.

One day, she’d have to go back to her shrink and watch the woman’s face fill with shock at the new details she had to share.

And Mari didn’t think Rylee had a soft side. Who knew it was buried so deep only a determined man with brilliant green eyes could entice it to appear?

“Look, how’s your stomach now?”

Looking everywhere but in his eyes, she muttered, “Better.”

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