1st Street Church_Love's Leading Read online

  Mackenzie’s lower lip began to quiver. “But it is your home, Thea. I want it to be your home, too. I want you to stay. Please, Daddy, please ask her to stay.” She raced around the kitchen island to hug Thea.

  It quickly became apparent that this was about much more than a puppy, or even Thea’s role as nanny, and Thea looked to Thor for some help.

  “Zee, come here, sweetheart. Let’s talk about this.” He reached out to draw Mackenzie to him, but she backed up.

  “No! I don’t want to talk about this, and I don’t want a cuddle.” The quivering lip quickly turned into a frown. “I want Thea to stay here forever with you and me, Daddy—and I want a puppy.”

  The silence stretched for two, three, four seconds, then the doorbell rang. Thor looked at Athena, but she shook her head.

  “We’ll table this conversation for later, Zee. I need to see who’s at the door.”

  6

  SIX

  “Talk about saved by the bell.”

  He chuckled. “You’re not kidding. Remind me to thank Mrs. Epps for her timely interruption and invitation to take Mackenzie to the playground with them.”

  Thea smiled. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think it was Divine intervention.”

  He looked at her thoughtfully. “Maybe it was, but that doesn’t change the fact that Mackenzie is struggling right now. I thought having a live-in nanny would be good for her but—”

  “I hear you. I’ve been concerned that she’s taken to me so quickly and so completely.”

  He pinned her with his eyes.

  “Please don’t take that the wrong way, Thor. Of course I wanted to connect with her and for her to like me—but I have to tell you that the ease with which we’ve fallen into a comfortable routine has surprised me, too.” She paused a half-second, “it’s honestly almost uncanny how quickly it has happened. Part of me feels like it’s a God-thing, and I’m trying to just roll with it and be grateful for both of us. Yet part of me is concerned for Zee…because we both know this won’t last forever.”

  His jaw tightened. and the color drained from his face.

  “I’m sorry, Thor—I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “I know, Thea. It’s been well over a year now, but the pain and loss feels much more fresh, as though she’s been gone only weeks.”

  “That’s because you loved her, and she clearly loved you and Zee. I suppose a love like that, as wonderful and rare as it is, takes longer to heal. They say that time heals, but what they don’t tell you is how long the healing will take.”

  He cocked his head, and Thea could feel the questions before he asked them. They were questions she wasn’t ready to answer, but she felt powerless to deflect him. She rubbed the back of her neck, and suddenly felt exhausted. “Listen, I realize we need to talk, but honestly, I’m exhausted and would like to take off for a few hours.”

  “We do need to talk.” He leaned forward in his chair and closed the distance between them.

  She felt heat pool in her stomach and cursed the fact that she was so vulnerable to his intensity—and turned on by it. His eyebrow raised almost imperceptivity and she pushed back in her chair, but there was nowhere to go. She licked her lips, bit her lower lip, and exhaled a long, slow breath. She was giving far too much away, and she was quite certain he would zero in on her vulnerability and take advantage of it if she didn’t do something quickly.

  “I’m not sure I can do this, Thor.”

  Surprise scrolled across his face.

  “I—I came here to nanny a five-year-old girl, and use my time off to accomplish some things that are important to me. I realize I’ve only been here a week and a half—but honestly—during this time I’ve grown incredibly fond of your daughter, and she of me. Now she wants me to stay here forever. That’s not going to happen, and I don’t know how to deal with hurting her. I’m quite certain you don’t want her to be hurt, and that leaves us—where exactly?”

  She watched his eyes, tried to read them, but it was impossible. It was as though he had an impenetrable veil across them that came down very rarely—and when it did it was only for the briefest nanosecond. She found herself second-guessing if she were reading into what she saw there, or if it was real. Maybe he really was a robot, and she was projecting humanness onto him. Her mouth twitched at the thought, and she watched as his jaw set and his expression change to one of determination. He leaned forward, and she wanted nothing more than to run—and run far.

  “There is an alternative, Thea,” he said softly.

  Why did she not want to hear what he was going to say?

  He leaned forward farther and took both of her hands in his, his touch sending shivers through her bod. His skin blazed against hers, and her breath caught in her throat. He pulled her chair forward so all four legs rested on the ground. Their faces were mere inches apart, and their eyes locked. She couldn’t breathe—and then for the first time the veil lifted. She saw desire ever so briefly before hard, cold determination set back in. She should run, really she should.

  “I’m—I’m not sure I want to hear it. I must be going.” It sounded weak, even to her.

  “Hear me out.” His thumbs caressed the skin between her thumb and forefinger. Heat zinged through her, and she pulled her hands away to fold her arms across her chest, far away from his hands.

  His eyes narrowed, then he rested his palms on his knees. He was so good at this, and she felt completely out of her element. “What if you did stay longer than we planned…”

  Her heart was pounding in her chest. Could he hear it?

  His eyes went to the base of her neck where her pulse was throbbing—surely he couldn’t see it—could he?

  “What if you did stay forever?”

  She snapped out of whatever had her in a trance. “Umm. Yea—no. No. Nope, no, absolutely no. What are you thinking? We don’t even know each other, and I signed a contract to be a nanny—not a—” She didn’t dare to say it, and what if that wasn’t what he was thinking to begin with? Darn, she should have just stayed quiet.

  “I know, and I’m not asking you to give me an answer today. I just want you to consider it. Would it be so terrible? You love Zee already, and it’s obvious she loves you. You said it yourself, Thea. It’s as though it is Divine Intervention, and if so, why would God orchestrate this if He didn’t want us to stay…together?”

  What he said resonated in her heart, but her head was not going for it. “Umm. I think this is kind of—ridiculous and—well, am I dreaming right now?”

  He put his hand on her knee, and she jerked it away. “Does it feel like you’re dreaming?” he asked. And suddenly she felt that she was being manipulated by a master, by a man who knew human behavior better than most, and was clearly very good at prevailing over emotions.

  Well he wasn’t going to prevail over hers. Anger replaced desire, and she moved from her chair in one fluid movement, walked toward the door of his office, and spun around right before reaching it. “I don’t appreciate the manipulation, doctor, and this conversation is over. I’m going to the library and I’m not sure when I’ll be back. Please don’t wait up.”

  “Why do you go to the library, Athena?” he asked without missing a beat.

  Her brow wrinkled in confusion for the briefest second before she planted her hands on her hips. “I don’t have to answer to you for what I do in my free time.” With that she turned and strode through the doorway, closing the door firmly behind her.

  Was that a chuckle she heard? The gall of him! It took a lot more than physical attraction to make a relationship work, and it took more than mutual love for a little girl. The last thing Zee needed was to lose someone else in her life, but Thea felt like it was already too late to save her from that. Wouldn’t it be better for her to leave now before she became even more attached?

  She walked through her bedroom door and locked it behind her. Thea sat on the edge of the bed, and rubbed her hands against her temples, willing the headache threatening to er
upt, to recede. Strangely enough—she felt like it was already too late. Lying back on her bed, she closed her eyes and appealed to God. Why, why God did you bring me here and complicate life like this? Why would you bring me into Zee’s life, only to take me away again?

  She felt His still, small voice whispering to her heart, but she wasn’t ready to hear it, and she was so exhausted…

  7

  SEVEN

  After putting Zee to bed, Thor stood outside Thea’s door and listened. She’d said she was going to the library, but he hadn’t seen her leave, and the security system was still on. Was that snoring he heard? He turned the handle of her door, but it was locked. He debated. Reaching above the door, he snagged the hidden door pin from above the frame and quietly clicked the lock open.

  Thea was lying halfway on the bed, two legs dangling over the end, sound asleep, her mouth slightly parted with a light snore escaping. Her brown hair glistened with highlights from the light on her nightstand. It hung down below her shoulders and framed her head. She looked healthy, naturally outdoorsy and fit, still fully dressed in what she’d been wearing that day. Desire flickered to life—it was something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

  He walked over to the bed and picked up the bottle lying next to her body, glancing at the label—an over-the-counter migraine medicine. That was interesting, and not something that was mentioned in the medical file he’d had his FBI colleagues pull. Her breathing was steady, and her face relaxed. Whatever headache she’d had, the pain had abated.

  He studied her—she looked young for her twenty-three-years—it was probably the freckles that dotted her face. She was an interesting mix of independence, strength, intelligence, and genuine kindness. Mackenzie had seen it, too, and it was no doubt why she had trusted her implicitly almost from the moment she’d met her. He could never have anticipated the bond that would grow between them so quickly.

  He’d intended this as a temporary solution that would allow him to begin working cases again while knowing Mackenzie was being cared for. But instead he was facing a choice that could leave his daughter hurt, and feeling the abandonment of her mother’s death all over again.

  He’d surprised even himself when he suggested Thea stay permanently. He never made snap decisions—that was how mistakes were made, but he did trust his gut, and in this case the idea formulated in a way that seemed natural. He didn’t believe in love at first sight; he’d seen relationships and marriages that were born from choice stand the test of time and difficulties, far better than those born from chemistry or emotion.

  He also knew a lot about her, far more than she would ever guess, thanks to his contacts at the Agency. She’d be furious if she guessed at half of what he knew—but he realized this was probably what led to his invitation for her to stay and be part of their lives. Before hiring her, he’d scoured the reports on her life, academic performance, friends, volunteer work, and he’d read her papers—she was a gifted writer and deeply in touch with her emotions and beliefs. She’d been in therapy, and although those notes had not been available to him, the duration of her visits seemed to suggest a healthy resolution to whatever prompted her to begin.

  She’d dated, but nothing significant that he could tell. That had given him pause and still bothered him at times. She was beautiful, spirited, kind, and had an incredible smile—her tongue pushed against her teeth when she did—and he had to admit it had a powerful impact on him. How could she not have had significant dating relationships? That was something he would have to explore carefully—she was skittish about his questions and resistant to his probes. Normally, that would send up warning flags, but he had a sense it had more to do with her independent streak and desire to level the playing field between them than anything to hide. He admired her spirit.

  Should he cover her with a blanket, or lift her onto the bed where she could sleep more restfully? She’d be angry if she woke up and he was in her room, but he decided to risk it, she would sleep better if she were fully on the bed and covered. She murmured as he gently lifted her into his arms—she felt light for her five-foot-nine frame. He was surprised by the protectiveness that coursed through him as he held her close, inhaling deeply, appreciating the way she always smelled like fresh air. Was he ready for this, or was he crazy for even asking her to consider staying with them permanently?

  He laid her head on the pillow, gently pulled his hand from underneath her, and grabbed a throw from the reading chair in the corner, covering her gently. Her hair splayed out on the pillow, and her beauty took his breath away. Even in sleep she looked peaceful and kind.

  His eyebrows were knitted in thought as he turned to leave her room.

  “Thor?” she whispered.

  He turned back. “Yes, Thea?”

  “Thank you,” she murmured.

  “You’re welcome.” Longing whispered through him as he left her room and quietly closed the door.

  * * *

  “You’re certain about this?” Thor asked into the receiver of the phone, worry wrinkling his brow. He pushed back from his desk and began pacing, then moved to a panel behind his desk, and pressed a small hidden panel to the side. Then silently, his bookcase began moving to the side, revealing a high-tech security camera system with live feeds. He scrutinized them.

  John Hopkins, CEO of BRG Security, a private security firm and close friend of Thor’s replied, “Unfortunately, yes. The men have seen other activity that looks like Mackenzie and Thea are being tailed. It isn’t one of ours. We ran the license plate through the database, and it belongs to Zicor Corporation, which is a shell—essentially a dead-end. The darkened windows prevented us from doing any facial recognition, but we’re still chasing the shell corp.”

  “I have to leave for D.C. tomorrow,” worry etched his voice. “Tucker needs my help with a case we’ve been working. Can we contain this quickly?”

  “I don’t know yet, Thor. We need to figure out who it is first, but one thing I’m certain of, we’ll be able to protect Mackenzie if there is any threat to her.” The silence on the other end of the line spoke volumes. “You know as well I do, some of the cases you’ve worked on have been high profile, and you’ve helped to put some extremely dangerous and sick criminals away for a very long time.”

  “But how could they trace me here? I just moved, and I came to Sweet Grove because it is a small town, and not a place that would stand out to anyone who was looking for retribution.”

  “What are the possibilities that it could be one of your employers, Thor? Could they be running reconnaissance on you, or a protection detail you’re not aware of?”

  “It’s not likely, especially considering the circumstances with Alexandra and her death. They’d know better than to do anything that would cause concern or give me a sense that my family was being stalked—or I would hope so, anyway.”

  “Well, it may be worth reaching out to Tucker to see if he knows anything. Just make sure he keeps it under wraps because if it’s not them, we don’t need them getting involved at this point and muddying the waters.”

  Thor’s sigh was audible.

  “We’ve got this, Thor. We’re the best there is, and I have both Wren and Cox on their way to you as we speak. They should arrive in Austin on the 11:00 p.m. flight. I’ve booked a hotel as close to Sweet Grove as possible, but far enough out that it won’t be obvious they’re on the ground.”

  “Thanks, John. I’m grateful you’ve got my back. How is Wren? I’d heard she’d been hurt in one of your ops back in Burnt River.”

  “She was, and it was touch-and-go for a bit. We weren’t sure she’d return, but she’s one determined and strong woman, and packs a powerful punch for her size. As you know she was mostly intelligence and communications, but she decided to focus on tactical during her recovery, and we may be using her in the field more often in the future. She’ll fit perfectly into Sweet Grove without drawing attention, and she’s our best bet to uncover what’s going on without raising suspicion. Cox
on the other hand, he stands out more, and most people would see he was ex-military a mile away. So he’ll be in the background in the event we need him—for other purposes. Keep in mind this could be all for naught.”

  “Let’s hope so, but it’s a relief to know your team will be here—and John,” he paused a half a beat. “Thank you for initiating all of this even before we had the chance to discuss it.”

  “It’s what I would do if I were in your shoes, and I know you’d do the same for me. We’re all so sorry about what happened to Alexandra, Thor, and although none of us could have anticipated it, we can damn well make sure it doesn’t happen again. It’s what we do.”

  8

  EIGHT

  Thea felt him before she heard him. Without turning around, she asked, “Did they train you to sneak up on people in medical school—or was it your current employer?” And then she flipped the pancakes she was making, one after the other.

  Hm. She’s was starting the day in her feisty mode, and that was fine with him. They had some important things to discuss before he left, and he’d rather she be engaged versus shutdown. “I’d like to think it has more to do with my natural athletic prowess rather than my attempt to sneak up on you.”

  She chuckled. “And humble, too.”

  He laughed. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Like a rock.”

  He wanted to ask about her headaches, but knew that would put her on the defensive and he wanted her as open as possible for this conversation. If he played it right, she’d be here for a long time to come, and he’d have plenty of time to learn all about her. His heart skipped a beat at the thought.

  He’d spent all night thinking about her—about the way her eyes lit up when she smiled, the kindness and care she showed toward his daughter, her spunk and independence. He also couldn’t deny—her drop-dead gorgeous body seemed to draw him like a magnet.