The atmosphere in the small storefront was so fraught she jumped the instant the man moved. Still tending to drips of ice cream, he used his free hand to pull a cell phone out of his pocket and raised it to study the screen. At least that’s what she thought he was doing until Daniel stood, loudly ordered, “Don’t,” and she realized the stranger had been aiming it at them.

  Pivoting, he dropped his cone into the trash receptacle by the exit, straight-armed the glass door and began to flee.

  Daniel followed him as far as the door. Jack, with Beau at heel, dashed past on foot to pursuit. Aurora couldn’t see how far they went but it couldn’t have been far because Jack was back in seconds and conferring privately with his boss.

  Nodding to Jack, Daniel turned to face the group. “Everybody. Finish your ice cream right away or bring it with you. We need to leave. Now.”

  Because Catherine didn’t seem as befuddled as she was, Aurora asked, “What just happened? I didn’t see a gun or anything.”

  “Not a gun. Worse, in our case,” the older woman answered. “When he held up his phone I think he was taking our picture.”

  “And there would be no reason for that unless he was up to no good, right?”

  “Right.”

  Gathering up Joy’s ice-cream cup and a fistful of napkins, Aurora let the child down carefully and stood. “Okay, Princess. Time to go. I’d take my treat to share with Dakota but dogs can’t have chocolate or they get sick.”

  “Get her some like Beau got.”

  “Another time,” Aurora promised. “Right now we have to go.”

  “’Cause Daddy says?”

  At first she thought Joy had said Danny. Then she realized the toddler was referring to her uncle as her dad, which he would be once the adoption was finalized. Touched and thrilled for Daniel, she looked to see if he’d overheard.

  No doubt he had. He was standing there, frozen in place, with his slack jaw showing astonishment. She’d never heard him ask Joy to call him daddy but there it was. Loud and clear. And the effect it had on stolid, all-business ATF Agent Daniel Slater was profound.

  Aurora broke the silence by speaking to him. “Can you carry her? I’ll bring the ice cream and napkins.”

  Crouching slightly, Daniel opened his arms to the little girl who would soon be his daughter and she responded in kind.

  “Watch for sticky fingers,” Aurora warned. “I haven’t had a chance to wipe her hands very well.”

  “Doesn’t matter,” Daniel said, starting toward the exit where Jack and Lorelei waited, flanking the door so they could cover the street in both directions.

  One word, Aurora mused. One word from the innocent, loving little girl and the mountain had moved. Daniel Slater had accepted his new title with an open heart and was looking at Joy in a different way. The change was subtle yet telling. His daughter had become acceptable in any and all situations, even when she might not be perfect or have clean hands. Personal convenience had given way to the kind of love that erased flaws, that ironed out figurative wrinkles in relationships.

  Blinking back tears, she carried Joy’s cup and enough napkins to take care of any future spills and followed the others to their cars.

  Catherine deferred to Aurora as Daniel fastened the toddler in a safety seat. “You can finish helping our princess,” she said. “You’re already sticky. I’ll sit up front for a change if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course not.” She managed to get in, but found it difficult balancing the cup with the plastic spoon while trying to fasten her own seat belt, so Daniel circled the sedan and leaned in.

  “Let me do that for you.”

  Embarrassed, awed by the closeness and keyed up by their flight from the seemingly safe ice-cream parlor, Aurora chuckled and raised the ice cream out of his way. “I’d argue with you if I had any other choice.”

  “Of course you would.”

  She could tell by the tone of his voice that he’d cracked a smile. The belt clicked. Daniel turned his face. They were so close she felt his warm breath on her cheeks. Time stopped for Aurora. Was he thinking what she was? Would he lean just those few inches closer and kiss her again? Is that what she wanted? Did she dare dream that someone like this would care about her in a personal way, accept her into his circle of special friends or more?

  Joy’s shrill demand broke the mood. “Ice cream!”

  Recovering as Daniel backed out of the car, Aurora said, “Please. We say may I please have my ice cream.”

  “Okay. Peas.”

  “That will do for now,” Aurora managed, still breathless from being so close to leaning forward mere inches and kissing Daniel whether he liked it or not.

  For a moment, she forgot all about the danger and the man with the camera as an image of a smile formed in her heart and mind and with it came the conclusion that he would probably have liked it. She knew she would have.

  * * *

  By prior arrangement, they drove their cars out of the parking lot at intervals. Daniel and his party led while the others spaced themselves out in traffic behind him, ready to catch up and intervene if trouble arose. Every other car and truck was suspicious until proven otherwise. Every driver looked sinister, even the apparently blameless soccer moms and matrons out for a day of casual shopping.

  He kept one eye on his driving while checking the rearview mirrors as often as was safe and met Aurora’s gaze in the center mirror when he looked behind them. “Everything okay back there?”

  “Yup. Almost done eating and not out of napkins yet. Life is good.”

  Although he assumed Aurora was merely filling the silence with conversation as a means to alleviate her nervousness, he had to agree with her in principle. Life, in general, was good. The problem was the unforeseen obstacles he kept encountering. Like becoming responsible for a toddler when he’d been solo for so long. In retrospect, he could see some things that had changed him for the better. Others seemed to point out how off-kilter he had been before.

  He drove for a bit, noting that his grandmother and Joy were both dozing. Finally, he spoke to her. “I want your life to be good, Aurora. If it was in my power, I’d make everybody’s easy and peaceful. Only I don’t have that ability.”

  “You’re trying. I know that. It’s just…”

  “Just what?” Once again, he met her gaze in the mirror and saw that she was moved almost to tears. “I guess I’m expecting too much from some of the people in my life.”

  “Like your father?”

  She nodded and sighed. “Yes. I wish I understood how he can behave the way he is when my mother’s passing was so recent.”

  “People grieve different ways. You throw yourself into your work when you need distraction. I’m the same.” He paused to glance at his grandmother. “Catherine and I will soon have a loss to process and it will be our job to keep that loss from coloring the life of a certain P-R-I-N-C-E-S-S.”

  “I wouldn’t worry too much. Children react differently than adults. You saw that already.”

  “I did. If she needs counseling later, we’ll be sure she gets it.” Hesitating before asking a question that had been nagging at him, he finally said, “What did you and Serena talk about when she sent the rest of us away?”

  Even in the reflection, Daniel could see Aurora’s cheeks growing pinker. “Maybe later,” she said as she cocked her head toward the little girl.

  “Okay. I get it. When you’re ready, we can talk. I want to follow my sister’s wishes as closely as possible, including adopting Joy. Serena deserves far more than she’s ever gotten from my side of the family.”

  “I’m thankful she had the courage to reach out to you. You’re going to be a great father.”

  Daniel didn’t know what to say so he stayed silent. In his recent prayers, that was a paramount topic. The parenting example he had to follow was far less than ideal, so he’d made up his mind to reinvent the concept of fatherhood and family, giving it the same kind of dedication he gave his job.

  Now that it was certain he would be adopting and raising his niece, he also knew how important it was that he not be taken from her the way her mother was about to be. Joy deserved a stable home, a place where she could blossom and grow to be a woman her mother would be proud of.

  The muted ringing of his grandmother’s cell phone drew him from his reverie. Trembling, she answered. Daniel’s hands fisted on the steering wheel when he saw her expression changing. Bad news had brought tears to her eyes and her lower lip was quivering.

  Before he could ask, Aurora did. “Serena?”

  Catherine nodded sadly. “Yes. It’s over.”

  “Is there anything I can do?” Aurora’s voice was soft, tender.

  “Yes,” Daniel replied, again looking back at her reflection. “You can explain again and make sure our favorite member of royalty is okay.”

  “She will be,” Aurora assured him. “It’s the adults who will have trouble accepting anything other than healing. They always do.”

  “I know. And I agree. It seems so unfair.”

  “To us, it does. How does that Bible verse go? For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. I think it’s in Isaiah.”

  Daniel took a few moments to sort his own thoughts before he replied. “Something just occurred to me. I’m glad you’re here right now. You’ve brought what we need, what Joy needs, at exactly the right time.” He coughed to cover his emotion. “Thank you.”

  He wasn’t sure whether or not Aurora replied because there was a sudden whoop from a siren behind them. The radio sounded off. It was Jack. “Watch your flank. A speeder just passed me over a double line. Black pickup. Dakota plates. He’s heading straight for you.”

  Random thoughts and musings were instantly erased from Daniel’s mind and he was totally task-focused. His grip on the wheel tightened. His jaw clenched. He shouted, “Hang on!”

  Milliseconds later, the sedan was hit on the rear fender and nearly shoved off the road. Skillful driving was all that kept them from hitting parked cars.

  Accelerating out of danger gained Daniel very little time in which to maneuver. He could see flashing lights and hear sirens behind them. Backup was coming. Would it arrive soon enough?

  To the women’s credit, neither of them screamed. Catherine hunkered down in her seat. Aurora? She had thrown herself across the little girl next to her and was using her own body to shield the child.

  Daniel tensed for a second hit. “Hang on. Here he comes again!”

  This time, he was braced for the collision but that didn’t change the way the SUV behaved in a skid. He alternated between brakes and accelerator to help even out their ride and pulled ahead. Seconds more. That was all he needed. Just a few more moments upright and intact before the patrol cars and some of his team caught up and took out their adversary.

  Lights flashed behind and approached on his left. He slowed for safety and to give the officers time to maneuver around their pursuer. Instead, the truck sailed on past with two police cars in pursuit as Jack and Lorelei also gave chase.

  Traffic had parted and thinned, giving him room to pull over when he was certain the last of the danger had passed.

  Once he had radioed a report of their status, he relaxed enough to turn and look directly at Aurora. She was still leaning over Joy so he told her, “It’s okay. We’re in the clear now.”

  Long hair masked her cheek as she peered at him. “Promise?”

  “Promise,” he said. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

  As she straightened and pushed back her hair, she paused to look at her fingers, then smiled slightly. “You can start by taking me home so I can wash my hair. There’s green ice cream in it.”

  “Bravery in battle has its costs,” Daniel quipped. He was so relieved that they were all okay he was almost giddy.

  Turning back to drive, he paused to key the mic when dispatch reported that the suspected hit-and-run driver had escaped. That settled it. He was not taking Joy and his grandmother back to the safe house. Not when his substitute ride had been identified already.

  “Change of plans,” he announced flatly. “We’re all going back to my house.”

  To his surprise he heard cheers from both the front and rear seats.

  SIXTEEN

  Aurora and Catherine took Joy upstairs with them. The older woman bathed the toddler while Aurora rinsed stickiness out of her hair. She was combing through tangles when Joy appeared, fresh faced and dressed in clean jammies, and climbed onto her lap.

  Catherine lingered in the doorway. “Do you have everything you need?”

  “I’m making do. It will be nice to go home again.” She smiled over at her hostess. “No offense meant. I just like my cozy little apartment.”

  “This place can grow on you,” Catherine said. “It has me. I told Daniel that as long as he hires help for cleaning, I’ll be happy.”

  Smiling down at the little girl who was gently stroking her damp hair, she realized how much it must remind her of Se­rena’s. That led to memories of the news she’d been asked to break. Her gaze locked on Catherine’s and unspoken understanding passed between them.

  Aurora faced the vanity mirror and saw their two faces reflected, one above the other, as if posing for a family portrait. She leaned closer to kiss the top of Joy’s head.

  “Remember how I told you about your mama going to Heaven?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Well, after we saw her the last time, she went.”

  “Oh.” The little blue eyes widened. “I can’t go see her anymore?”

  “No, honey. I’m sorry. We can’t.”

  “Mommy was real sick. She said.”

  “Yes, she was. And now she won’t hurt or be sick anymore.”

  Joy’s lips pursed and she looked at Aurora in the mirror. “That’s good, huh?”

  “Yes. Very good.”

  “Don’t be sad.” Wiggling around, the toddler reached for Aurora’s cheek and wiped away a tear. “It’s okay.”

  Pulling her into a full embrace and holding her close, Aurora said, “Yes, Princess. It’s very okay.”

  * * *

  Daniel was in the lower level conducting a video conference when he heard Joy’s laughter with overtones of Aurora’s sweet voice in the background. He felt his pulse jump. There was no denying that telling reaction. It was pure emotion and unfortunately quite unsettling, particularly since he’d heard Aurora say more than once that she was anti-marriage. For that matter, he’d done the same and just because he was mellowing, it didn’t mean she was. After all, they would only be keeping company for a few more weeks at the most.

  That conclusion helped him focus on the video conference he’d called, admitting the last participants with a click of his computer mouse.

  “Can you hear me okay?” he asked to the group.

  Heads bobbed. “All right,” Daniel began. “I have an announcement to make.”

  “Condolences,” Jack said.

  “Thank you but this is not about my sister.” His grandmother would be handling the funeral arrangements and he’d be sure to let his team know. “We need to wrap our heads around this upcoming operation. It’s going to take coordination between the ATF, our team, local officers and the FBI.” He singled out one participant. “Lorelei, you will be in charge of notifying the Marshal’s office and making sure all our witnesses are safe and secure.”

  Lorelai nodded. “I understand you have CSI Martin and your family with you. Will that arrangement continue?”

  “I expect it to, at least until we’re ready to make our big move on the Murrays.” He changed focus. “Jack, has there been any additional info? We need more details about the next shipment and who’s on the receiving end.”

  “Copy, Daniel. My CI tells me he’s sure this is going to be the biggest transfer yet. Maybe all of the remaining stock. He says he’s been hired to drive one of the trucks and knows there are at least two more involved.”

  “How big are we talking here?”

  “Not semis,” Jack said. “Think box trucks. Like the kind people rent to move furniture.”

  “Got it. Did he say where they were staging?”

  “Yes, and no. The one he’s supposed to drive is already in Plains City. Others are due to arrive, empty, from Fargo and Rapid City. Once they’re all in place and loaded, a convoy will start north.”

  “Destination?”

  “Unknown,” Jack said, sounding disgusted.

  “All right. We’ll go with what we have. Lucy, check with any informants you have in Fargo and see if you can get a line on the incoming trucks.”

  “Copy,” Lucy said, looking happy to have a specific task.

  Daniel went on. “You and Kenyon will stand by with your K-9s and wait for further orders.”

  He concentrated on the sheriff’s deputy from Keystone, Zach Kelcey and Detective West Cole from Plains City PD. “Zach and West, you two worked together at Mount Rushmore so you’ll partner for this operation too. I want you to stage with me when the time comes. Liam will be in reserve and I hope we won’t need Guthrie for victim searches. Jenna, your home turf is Fargo too. If the convoy heads there, I’ll want you to liaise with Lucy and their local PD. Otherwise, you’ll be with me too. Any questions?”

  “I’m good,” Zach replied. “Just say when.”

  “Me too,” Liam said. “As much as I like working Guthrie, I hope we don’t have to search for more bodies this time.”

  “Affirmative,” Daniel said formally.

  Jack Donadio piped up. “What about me and Beau?”

  Making a decision that he knew was colored by personal preference, Daniel hoped it wouldn’t come back to bite him. “I’d like you and your K-9 to stay at my place until we’re sure this operation is a go. After that, I’ll revisit your placement.”

  It almost sounded as if Jack had moaned but if he did, he covered it well, although Daniel did see his shoulders shrug. “Okay. In the meantime, do you want me inside your house or out on patrol?”