Protection by Linda Rettstatt

Author:Linda Rettstatt
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, suspense, priest, witness protection, snoqualmie
Publisher: Linda Rettstatt

Chapter Twenty

Jake looked around at the feminine touches Shannon had added to the apartment—a few ruffled toss pillows on the sofa, flowers on the dinette table, varying colored scatter rugs on the newly polished hardwood floors. It felt homey and comfortable. How had she accomplished that in such little time—turned this place into a home?

He lifted Bailey onto his shoulder and patted her back. She rewarded him with a resounding burp. “Nice one.” He laid her on his thighs so she could lookup at him. Her feet kicked at his stomach and she gave him a wet grin. The tiniest nub of a tooth showed on her gums. “Look at you growing teeth. You’ll be demanding steak in no time.”

Shannon came in the door, laughing. “And you’ll buy it for her. Otherwise she’ll have to be content with chicken.”

“How are Abe and Helen?”

“Good. Abe was happy to not have to cook dinner. I think my job description just might be expanded.” She went into the kitchen and grabbed two brownies, then came back to where he sat. “Appetizer?”

“Isn’t that dessert?”

She blushed, something that endeared her even more to him. “I don’t have cheese and crackers.”

He took the brownie and bit into it, careful not to drop crumbs on the baby in his lap. “Delicious.”

“Thanks.” She sat on the sofa. “I always add a little extra chocolate fudge sauce.” She gazed at the baby. “She’s very content there.”

“If she falls asleep, I may be spending the night in this chair.”

“Do you mind if I check my email?” she asked, nodding to the laptop on a folding TV tray beside him. “But don’t get up. She’s been fussy lately. It’s good to see her quiet.” She opened her email and squatted down beside the rocker. “Nothing new.”

“Do you have a photo of Mark Hastings, so I’d know him to see him if he came around?”

She shook her head. “I don’t. Oh, wait.” She pulled up a website for the Governor of Missouri then clicked on one of the links. Photographs popped up of the people dressed in formal attire. Shannon pointed to a photo of the Governor and a tall, handsome man standing beside her, smiling. “That’s Mark. And this…” She pointed. “…is the great Governor Corinne Baker Hastings at a fundraising ball for Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. If people only knew the truth.” She clicked in the upper corner and the web page disappeared.

Bailey gurgled and kicked and he bent to smile down at her. When Shannon turned her head to look at the baby, their faces were just inches apart. She blinked, her eyes the deepest shade of turquoise he’d ever seen. His heart stuttered.

He wasn’t sure if he moved closer, if she did, or it was both of them but, before their lips could meet, Bailey let out a wail that startled them both.

Shannon pulled back so abruptly she lost her balance and landed on her backside at his feet.

Jake laughed. Then lifting the baby onto his shoulder, he stood and offered Shannon a hand.

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