up?”
“Just got a call from Captain Ben Fritz with the Texas Rangers.”
“Let me guess. He wanted to know about our security plans for the 175th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo celebration.” A soft sound carried through the cavernous room. Rustling papers? Fabric brushing against stone? Susannah cocked her head, listening, but heard nothing but her rapid heartbeat.
“Partially. He also wanted to let me know he’s sending a man out to the compound. They want to do a security sweep. See where our areas of weakness are.”
“They’re assuming we have them.”
“Aside from Fort Knox, I doubt there’s a place that doesn’t. With the 175th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo coming up, we can’t afford to be too careful. The opening ceremony has to go off without a hitch.”
“I know.” There were more than a few high-level politicians scheduled to speak at a ceremony that would be hosted by the Alamo Planning Committee, and protecting them was the first priority of the Alamo Rangers.
“So you won’t mind staying at the compound a little late tonight? You are head of the security team for the event, after all.”
“You don’t need to convince me, Chad. I’m happy to do it.” Though staying alone at the compound after dark had become one of her least favorite things to do.
“Good. Good. Captain Fritz said his man should be there within the hour. I can come and help with the briefing if you want me to, or we can touch base tomorrow before we open.”
“No need for you to come. I’ll handle things.”
“You’re sure?” That he would ask made Susannah’s cheeks heat.
“It’s my job, Chad. If I can’t do it, I shouldn’t be working here.” Something she’d reminded herself of one too many times during the past few months.
“I wasn’t implying that you couldn’t handle it, Susannah. Just giving you an opportunity to ask for backup if you need it. This event is a big deal. We can’t afford to have anything go wrong.”
“Nothing will.”
She hoped.
She prayed.
But things went wrong all the time.
Good days turned bad in a blink of an eye.
“All right. I’ll leave it in your hands, then, and I’ll want a full report tomorrow.”
“No problem.” She slid the phone back in her pocket, did a full sweep of the chapel and of the office area beyond. Nothing, of course. There was never anything. She should be relieved, but all she felt was disgust at herself and her fear.
She ran a hand over her hair and tapped her Stetson against her thigh. What she needed was a little fresh air. A few minutes outside of the compound listening to the sound of people and the action drifting up from the River Walk and she’d feel more like herself.
“Sure you will,” she muttered as she opened the chapel door and stepped straight into a broad, muscular chest.
Someone grabbed her upper arms, holding her in place when she would have fallen.
And she was back in time, hands wrapped around her throat, cutting off air, fetid breath washing over her face. Alcohol and evil and every nightmare come to life.
She gagged, shoving forward into her attacker, pushing her weight into a solid wall of strength as she tried to un-balance him.
“Hey. Calm down. I was just trying to keep you from falling.” The soothing tone washed over her, the words rumbling near her ear as the man released his hold and stepped back.
Broad-shouldered.
A wide-brimmed cowboy hat hiding his eyes.
Not Aaron.
Of course, not Aaron.
“Sorry about that. I wasn’t expecting anyone to be standing near the door. We’re closed for the day, but we’ll be open again at seven tomorrow morning.” She cleared her throat, wiped a sweaty palm against her khaki slacks.
“No need to apologize. I should have knocked as soon as I got here. I’m Ranger Levi McDonall. My captain said he was going to call and let you know I was on the way.”
“Levi McDonall?” Her childhood hero? Her best guy friend? Her first teenage crush?
No way could they be the same.
“That’s right. You were told that I’d be coming, weren’t you?”
“Just a few minutes ago. Come on in.” She hurried into the chapel, trying to pull herself together. This was the Texas Ranger she’d be working with for the next nine days, and she couldn’t afford to look like she didn’t have things under control.
Didn’t have herself under control.
She flipped on a light, turned to face McDonall.
He’d pulled off his hat, and his strong, handsome face was exactly the one she hadn’t believed it could be.
Levi McDonall.
Her Levi McDonall.
At least, that’s how she’d once thought of him.
He met her gaze, his eyes a richer brown than she’d remembered, his lashes long and thick. He’d changed. Filled out. Gone from brash teenager to confident man.
“Susannah Jorgenson?” He took a step toward her, his eyes reflecting her surprise, his full lips curving into a smile.
“That’s right.”
“Of course it is. I’d know you anywhere.”
“I guess so. I spent the better part of nine years annoying you.”
“Annoying? I wouldn’t exactly say that.” He smiled again, flashing dimples that would have melted the hardest of hearts.
“I’m sure you would if you weren’t afraid of sounding rude.”
“When have you ever known me to be afraid of that?”
“I haven’t known you for years. As a matter of fact, the last time I saw you, you were a teenager with big dreams.”
“And the last time I saw you, you had pigtails and braces.” He grinned, moving farther into the room, light reflecting off his black hair and simmering in his eyes.
“I never had braces,” she responded, not resisting as he pulled her into a bear hug, bracing for what she knew she would feel. Trapped. Panicked.
But the feelings didn’t come, and she let herself relax into his embrace, let his warmth seep into her and chase away the chill that
