Although he kept his eyes on the road, she could tell he agreed when he said, “Maybe that’s why Serena wanted you to come with me again.”

  “She did?”

  “Yes. Nana was very clear about her wishes the last time we spoke. I didn’t quite understand then but I think I do now. Serena felt the same connection you just described.”

  “Probably. It’s pretty undeniable when it happens. Lots of people don’t believe it because they haven’t had the experience.”

  “Well, real or not, if it makes Serena happy in her last hours, it’s fine with me.”

  Blinking, thinking, wondering, Aurora held her tongue. She wanted to ask him if he’d rather have left her behind, if he’d only included her for his sister’s sake, but she bit back the words. What she, personally, felt at a time like this was of little importance. A young woman was nearing the end of her life and wanted to bid her family, her little girl especially, a loving farewell. The rest of the adults were there as mere observers. And for prayers, Aurora added. Especially for prayers.

  FOURTEEN

  Daniel slowly approached the safe house on Lowell where Catherine and Joy had been placed, cruising past the first time.

  “Is it that one?” Aurora asked, pointing. “I think I saw the curtains move.”

  “Yes. I’m going to turn around and wait for a few minutes to be sure we weren’t followed.”

  “Why would we be? Nobody knows what you’re driving and I’m supposed to be out of danger.”

  “Except for your association with me and my team,” Daniel reminded her. “There’s still that.”

  “Maybe you’re imagining more threat than there really is. I mean, Hal Murray is dead and you’ve got a couple of gang members in jail already. Why would they bother trying to harm DGTF members when that would call more attention to them? Aren’t they mostly interested in smuggling illegal guns?”

  “If Brandon wasn’t a hothead, they probably would be,” Daniel replied. “The thing is, we’ve had multiple reports of a vendetta. I’m not imagining the importance of the threat, Aurora. Look at the men we already caught trying to get into my place. They weren’t there to sell cookies or magazine subscriptions.”

  “Okay, okay. I get it.”

  Keying his cell phone, Daniel contacted his grandmother. “We’re here, Nana. Dark blue unmarked car. Can you see us?”

  Catherine’s answer was almost a screech. “That’s you? Why didn’t you say so sooner? I was about to call my handler and hide in a closet.”

  “Sorry. I needed repairs to my car and extra seating for you and Joy so I borrowed different wheels. Bring her car seat out with you. I’ll meet you in the driveway.”

  “Do you want me to move to the back?” Aurora asked as he negotiated the turn and brought the car to a smooth stop.

  “No. Stay where you are. Nana can ride in back with Joy and keep her occupied.” Pausing, he smiled over at his passenger. “You can tell her more princess stories another time.”

  “It will be my pleasure,” Aurora said, choking up.

  Daniel felt a lump in his throat and his vision misted in response to her tender, heartfelt words. Their eyes met. “Thanks for coming with me, with us, today. If I had realized the similarity with your loss of your mother, I wouldn’t have asked you.”

  “I’m glad you did,” she replied, sniffling. “I think we go through trials in life for several reasons, one of them being the need to relate to others, later, and help them cope.”

  “Still, if you find it too difficult to stay in the room and deal with something that’s too painful, please promise me you’ll step out.”

  Her “I will,” didn’t sound very convincing but he let it go. What any of them did or didn’t do when they were with Serena would just happen. All the planning and rehearsing in the world was not enough to carry the traumatic event they were likely to experience. He’d seen comrades fall and pass away in the line of duty but he’d never been involved in anything like Serena’s lingering illness. Thinking back to what Aurora had said about shared experiences, he wondered if she believed that was why she’d become involved. It was a possibility that deserved consideration.

  The way Daniel saw Serena’s situation, he could either accept it or fight against it, and given his sister’s obvious suffering and her unquestionable readiness to find eternal rest, it felt wrong to argue. The Bible said there was a time for everything. If this was the end of Serena’s time, he’d be doing her a disservice if he railed against God for giving her peace at the end of her life.

  Still, he didn’t have to like it. All he had to do, really, was make things easier for little Joy so her last memories of her mother were good ones.

  Having the opportunity to do that, or at least try, was God’s gift to him, Daniel realized belatedly, partnered with Aurora’s presence. That thought, that truth, settled in his heart and cloaked the rock of sorrow, padding its rough edges enough to allow him to function as necessary. The grief was real. So was the deep sense of comfort.

  * * *

  The four of them proceeded toward the hospital in silence. Aurora had greeted Catherine and Joy, continuing to smile as the other adults secured the toddler in her safety seat, but beyond that she didn’t know what to say. Apparently, no one else did either. Even the usually loquacious child was quiet.

  That silence continued as everyone piled out and waited inside the hospital lobby while Daniel parked. He was fisting the keys as he jogged up to join them.

  They all turned toward the elevators. Aurora wondered if any of the others were noticing the antiseptic smell and the murmur of muted voices. This was not only a sad day for the Slater family, it was the same for many others and she imagined a sense of dread hanging over the whole building and making the air barely breathable. This was the adverse reaction Daniel had anticipated, she knew, yet she was determined to be strong for Joy. Perhaps that was why Serena had requested that she come too, she mused. Maybe the patient had sensed an inner strength that came from the Lord they both served. Aurora prayed it was so. She didn’t want to color what might be Joy’s last visit with her mama.

  A large arrangement of real flowers sat on the tray table next to Serena’s bed. Aurora hung back while Catherine carried Joy closer and Daniel backed them up, leaning in to pat his sister’s shoulder affectionately. Everyone was smiling. Joy clapped her hands, no longer acting cowed by the hospital atmosphere. Catherine lowered her slowly to sit next to her frail mother just as Aurora had done on their previous visit.

  Unwanted tears gathered in Aurora’s eyes. Seeing this much love made her ache inside and want to experience the same thing; to go back in time and bask in the love her own mother had shared so openly, so beautifully.

  The urge to leave the room and bury her personal feelings was strong. Her sense of duty and purpose was stronger and she was glad she was still there when Serena called her to come closer. Smiling, she sniffled, hoping nobody would notice how emotional she was becoming.

  Serena’s smile held love and promise as she reached for Aurora’s hand. “I’m so glad you came again.”

  It seemed wrong to say it was a pleasure so she merely smiled back.

  Serena’s formerly pale cheeks seemed to blossom as she glanced aside at her child. “I want you to promise you’ll be Joy’s friend forever.”

  How could anyone refuse? “Of course. She’s a very special girl.”

  The child seated on the bed looked back and forth between the two young women. “I’m a princess.”

  They both laughed through tears. “Of course you are,” Serena said. “And all princesses have special helpers. Did you know that?”

  “Uh-uh.”

  “Well, they do. And Aurora is going to be yours.”

  “Okay. When?”

  “When I go to be with Jesus in Heaven,” Serena said.

  Aurora could tell what a struggle it was for the younger woman to contain her weeping and she was proud of the intense effort. She was proud of Serena, period. Not everyone approached the end of life on earth with such grace and assurance. Perhaps having had a year or better in which to come to terms with it had helped. And of course so had her Christianity. A believer didn’t have to understand all the details to rely on God. That kind of universal wisdom wasn’t accessible to mankind. But love and trust were. That was the truth cited in Scripture, the path that led to following Jesus.

  Instead of the denial Aurora had expected, little Joy simply said, “Okay. I love you, Mama,” and leaned to kiss her mother’s tear-damp cheek.

  It was an image Aurora knew she would carry with her and cherish for the rest of her life. A simple, pure love untainted by adult influence or doubt. She’d come to the hospital in order to give solace and had instead received a precious gift herself. No wonder Jesus had opened his arms to little children. They were the only ones capable of that kind of unrestricted love.

  “I love you too, Princess Joy,” Serena said. “And now I’m really tired. Will you go and let me take a nap?”

  “Uh-huh. Night, Mommy.”

  “Good night, sweetheart.”

  Aurora watched Catherine start to lift Joy before Daniel stepped in and scooped her up, swinging her around as if playing a fun game and heading out the door. Catherine bent to kiss her granddaughter’s pale cheek before gesturing to Aurora that it was her turn. A turn she didn’t want, yet had to take.

  Gently grasping the younger woman’s thin hand, Aurora said, “I promise to do the best I can to help Joy.”

  “And you have no idea how you’ll stay in touch, right?”

  That surprised Aurora. “Well, I…”

  “Don’t worry about it. I have a feeling you and my brother will work something out. I can tell you have feelings for him.”

  “We just work together.”

  “Have it your way. I won’t be here to play matchmaker but I want you to think of me every time you and Daniel meet, at least for a little while.”

  Aurora wanted to fully explain the connection between her and Daniel Slater and she would have if she hadn’t been concerned about causing worry for Serena.

  Leaning down, Aurora placed a kiss on Serena’s forehead, noting that her skin felt cool and her eyes were now closed. The electronic monitors beside the bed continued to beep regularly, recording heartbeats and respirations, so Aurora knew Serena was still there. How long she would linger was a question no one could answer.

  She straightened, looking to the nearest nurse. “Should we go or stick around, do you think?”

  “Since she asked her daughter to go and let her rest, I think you should all do the same.”

  “But, what if…?”

  “Sometimes patients wait for family to leave before they finally let go. Give her the peace she’s asked for.”

  With that, Aurora turned and followed the others out the door, nodding at the officer guarding the door as she passed despite blinking back tears. Peace? Oh, yes. That would be a wonderful gift for all of them.

  * * *

  Daniel waited in the security of the hospice lobby with his grandmother and Joy. Even the usually chatty toddler was subdued, obviously picking up on adult moods, which was one reason why he’d avoided having in-depth conversations with his sister about her illness in front of the impressionable child. The only thing he could think to do at the moment was offer distraction, so he asked, “How about going for ice cream on the way home?”

  Joy clapped her pudgy hands. “Yay! Ice cream.”

  “That’s one vote in favor,” he said, smiling at Catherine. “How about you? My treat.”

  “I’m really not hungry.”

  “What does that have to do with it?” Daniel teased. It took effort to properly deliver a quip but he managed, or so he hoped.

  Seeing Aurora getting off the elevator, he whispered to Joy, then set her on the ground and let go. She headed for her storyteller friend at top speed for those short little legs and landed with a hug around Aurora’s knees.

  “Well, hello there.” She grinned down. “Sorry to keep everybody waiting.”

  “We gonna get ice cream!” Joy announced.

  “That sounds wonderful.” Grasping one little hand, Aurora led the toddler back to Daniel and his grandmother as she asked, “What kind do you like?”

  “Stachoo,” Joy said loudly.

  Watching the exchange, Daniel half expected Aurora to say, “Bless you,” as if Joy had sneezed. Instead, she paused for a moment, then guessed, “The green one?”

  Fine golden curls bobbed. “Uh-huh. Stachoo.”

  “Pistachio. I love that flavor.

  Sighing, he added, “Yeah, me too.”

  “I’m glad you’re loosening up a little,” Aurora told him, smiling slightly. “You have so much on your mind besides work-related problems it’s time you took a little time to relax.” She paused, thoughtful. “Are you sure it’s safe, I mean with everything else that’s been going on?”

  “I’ll have a couple of my team members meet us there, just in case. We can’t stop living just because we have enemies.”

  “So, does this mean you’ll be letting me resume regular life soon?”

  Daniel nodded, sobering and leading the way to the unmarked police car he’d borrowed. He was walking a fine line here and he knew it. It was impossible to provide the kind of total protection he needed for his loved ones without scaring them to death and perhaps mentally scarring Joy for life, as if she wasn’t already going to be struggling to cope after Serena died.

  Daniel shivered. Losing Serena was inevitable. He knew that. What he refused to even consider was the possibility of losing anyone else he held dear.

  FIFTEEN

  Aurora recognized several of the unmarked vehicles in the parking lot next to the ice-cream shop. Moreover, Beau was standing out front beside Jack and she thought she saw US Marshal Lorelei Danvers approaching the two with a big smile of greeting.

  “This kind of spoils our being incognito but I’m glad to see backup.”

  “Better too many cops than too few,” Daniel was quick to say.

  “Can’t argue with that.” Feeling more at ease with at least two others and Beau on their side, Aurora led the way to the glass door into the shop while Daniel followed with Joy and Catherine brought up the rear.

  Lastly, Jack held the door for Lorelei. Beau was at a tight heel. “Are we here to eat too,” he asked Daniel, “or is this a work assignment?”

  “You’re all welcome to order whatever you like, even Beau, as long as he doesn’t rat us out to Dakota the next time he sees her. She loves ice cream, especially in the summer.”

  “Is that why you picked this place now?” Aurora asked. “Because it’s not as busy when the outside temps are the same as the freezers in here?”

  “It’s not that cold,” Daniel countered. “Besides, they serve hot chocolate if you’d rather.”

  “I might.”

  “What about you, Princess?” He was holding her at an angle over the glass counter so she could look down on the tubs of ice cream. “There’s your Pistachio. Would you like a scoop of that in a dish?”

  She was nodding vigorously. “Yeah!”

  Daniel placed their orders, then stood back and gave the others room while Aurora tended to Joy. After everyone was served and seated, he handed over his credit card.

  Their party was the only group in the small ice-cream parlor and they took up two of the small round wrought iron tables. Aurora pulled Joy onto her lap so she could reach the table and feed herself.

  Daniel joined them. “I can do that. You’ll get all sticky.”

  “I don’t mind.” And she meant it. The sense of family she was feeling by letting the toddler sit in her lap was not only surprising, it was pleasing.

  “Will you help her eat? She’s not the best with a spoon.”

  “How will she improve if we keep insisting on doing things for her?” Aurora hadn’t meant to be critical, but judging by the scowl on Daniel’s face, he hadn’t taken her comment well. Not that she intended to make any excuses. After all, she was right. Children, like everyone else, learned by doing. By observing. By hands-on experiences. She’d seen it happen time after time when she’d assisted in her mother’s small day care as a teen.

  “I think she’s doing fine,” Catherine added, smiling at the toddler as well as at Aurora. “We all are, considering the way our lives have gone lately.”

  At a different table, Lorelei put her spoon down. “So right, Mrs. Slater. I hope you’re enjoying your stay at the new place.”

  Catherine smiled. “About the time I figure out where everything is stored we’ll probably be on our way home but I’m not complaining. The important thing is keeping our special girl safe.”

  Joy beamed, slopping melting ice cream on the front of her jacket. “Oops.”

  Aurora wiped it off. “It’s okay. I’ve got it.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement. Jack, still seated with the marshal, had pivoted to face the door. Lying on the floor under the table, Beau shifted his attention too.

  Seeing Daniel also adjust his chair, Aurora reacted in like manner. Soon, everyone except the toddler was staring across the room where a lone customer stood at the counter, apparently ordering. There was nothing notable about the man in the dark parka since that was pretty much the standard color for winter in Plains City. Only ski buffs wore bright clothing and it was too early in the season for many of those to have arrived.

  As soon as the nearby hills had accumulated a good snow pack, little Plains City would be entertaining a quadrupled population until well after the first of the year. There had been some ski seasons, Aurora recalled, that had lasted well into spring. Everything depended on favorable weather, which in this case meant below freezing. Despite all the advantages to town prosperity, she was always glad when snowmelt filled the rivers and their influx of winter guests began to wane.

  The man at the counter paid, took his cone in hand and paused to look around while he licked it. As his gaze passed over her closely grouped party, it didn’t slow, yet she couldn’t help shivering. The stranger hadn’t said or done a single thing wrong so why was she suddenly feeling nervous? Moreover, why was almost everyone else sitting there motionless?