Above and Beyond (To Serve and Protect Book 1) by Kathryn Shay

Author:Kathryn Shay [Shay, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ocean View Books
Published: 2017-06-12T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 9

* * *

Nick drove the Secret Service vehicle up to his family home, and Isabelle stared at the big old colonial, trying to imagine the stoic man beside her growing up in a house like this. She’d pegged him as the owner of a Spartan condo in D.C. But this place was the opposite of stark and functional. Shrubs and trees grew everywhere. Lush flowers overflowed in pots on the huge, spindled porch. More blooms lined the path to the front. She could smell their sweet scent from here. “Your home is beautiful.”

He sat in the car, staring at the edifice. “I wasn’t in any hurry to leave here, I’ll tell you.”

“Why did you?”

“Big dreams.”

“Which you’ve accomplished.”

“I guess.” He turned to her and removed his ever-present sunglasses. He’d gotten some tan since his time at the lake, and it looked good on him. “What about you, Isabelle? Did you have big dreams?”

“No, I left those to Jimmy. I got everything I wanted in life, though.”

His eyes darkened. “I’m sorry you lost your husband.” He’d never mentioned Michael before, hadn’t spoken much in that personal tone.

“I am, too. But as I said before, it’s time to move on.”

“With the teacher?”

“Hmm. I don’t know.”

“Whitney says Olsen’s got a thing for you, too.”

She didn’t reply.

“You know that, like you knew Hanover does.”

“I might be introverted, but I’m not naïve, Nick. I’ve seen interest from both of them.”

He turned his head away. “When this is all over, and I go back to D.C. you’ll have plenty of time for courting.”

She waited a beat, then said, “I’ll miss you, you know.”

A rap on the window made them both jump. Then Nick buzzed the glass down. “Hello, Mama.”

His mother leaned in, cradled his face and kissed his cheeks. “It’s wonderful to see you, Nicky.”

“Let us get out and I’ll introduce you.” He gave her a sideways glance. “Remember, no questions.”

“Yes, son.”

Nick exited the car, and as always, he came around to her side and opened the door. His close proximity was a must for precaution, he’d said, and to expect him to be near physically. Isabelle got out and they circled the hood. “Hello, Mrs. Marino. I’m Isabelle Barton.”

Nick’s mother was a sturdy woman, and even at sixty-eight, she seemed fit. Her silver, bobbed hair shown in the sun. She wore simple navy shorts, a light blue T-shirt and canvas sneakers. “Hello, Mrs. Barton. I’m to ask no questions about your circumstances, but I do know who you are.” She smiled. “Please, call me Deidre.”

“And Isabelle for me.”

“Thanks for letting us come, Mama. And don’t worry, you’re not in any danger. An advance team has surveilled the area, and there’s no unusual activity. Besides, the personal details of agents are buried deep.”

“I know. And I have the best protector in the world in you.” Again, she cupped his cheeks. “A mhic ó .”

“Don’t let Gabe hear that I’m your favorite.”

Deidre Marino’s eyes clouded. “I wish he could have come with you.”

“He’s tracking down a lead for us.

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