Read Online WOULD-BE CHRISTMAS WEDDING by Debra Webb - Free Book Online Page A

I can point to any one thing and say it’s out of place, but I just feel like a few things have been searched. I sent Mom a text, but she hasn’t replied yet.”
    His jaw clenched. Being kidnapped had a tendency to interfere with messaging capabilities. “Did you check the safe?”
    “Yes. It’s fine. I’m thinking we got home before they found it.”
    “Was anything missing or...” He didn’t know quite how to finish the question. Security clearances for the job were one thing, but no matter how much field experience an agent had, investigating family was different.
    “Everything looked the same to me. Well, almost the same.”
    Thomas thought he recognized the problem. “Was her wedding ring in there?”
    “Yeah,” Casey replied softly.
    He had noticed Cecelia wasn’t wearing the ring. Obviously Casey hadn’t. That was going to be hard for her even though she would want her mother to be happy and to move one with her life. “You okay?”
    “Sure.” She sniffled. “It’s just weird she’s moving on.”
    “Only she can know when it’s time.”
    “Oh, please. Don’t try and go all wise on me. I know it bugs you, too.”
    “A little,” he admitted. William had been like a brother, but he was gone now. Cecelia deserved to live the rest of her life. Just not like this.
    Mostly because it was Holt. That wasn’t entirely true. Up until a few weeks ago, Holt had his utmost respect. Now, as Thomas peeled back the layers on cases going back to June, he was starting to get a picture of a very different man. A man who was in bed with a very dangerous enemy.
    Isely had every reason to hate Thomas, and it appeared he had bottomless resources to fund the revenge he’d promised years ago. The financial picture was still coming in, but it was clear Isely’s deals since taking over the family business had been savvy, private and lucrative.
    “Your mom’s smart. She’ll find her way. The best thing we can do is keep supporting her.” He hoped he hadn’t already let her down.
    “Right. You’ve got her covered tonight?”
    “Sure thing,” he lied. How in the hell was he going to fix this?
    “I’m meeting her late tomorrow morning. We have a mini spa thing at the Plaza.”
    “Sounds good. Can Levi stay at the house? Keep it covered in case whoever planted those bugs comes back?”
    “We already decided that was best.”
    “Great minds,” Thomas said. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
    “We will. See you tomorrow night, Uncle Thomas.”
    “Can’t wait.”
    Thomas stared at the phone when the call ended. He should get out to Alexandria, but something—that gut instinct he’d learned to trust—told him to wait.
    Instead, he called in a favor with the local police. They could check on any cars that didn’t belong in Cecelia’s neighborhood. Then he picked up his cell phone and called his wife to give her an update on the degrading situation.
    Hearing her voice would be the only thing good about this night.

Chapter Seven
    The marina? It was just one more question on the list spinning through Cecelia’s mind, none of which she wanted him to answer here in the cab.
    She didn’t need the echoes of her brother’s warning to reach the obvious conclusion that Emmett Holt wasn’t some average guy with a private security firm, as he’d posted in his online profile. The surprise attack and resulting tension between them made it clear they both knew there was more going on here.
    “Are you hurt?”
    He didn’t reply, just sat beside her, his body rigid, his hands on his knees. His eyes, she knew, were scouring the street, looking for any sign they were being followed.
    Adjusting her purse, she reached over and laced her fingers through his. He startled, then stared. First at their joined hands, then slowly he lifted his glacier gaze to meet hers.
    “I’m a good listener,” she said, low enough that the cab driver wouldn’t overhear. She told herself that this was part of what a good field agent