Cold Shot (35 page)

Marley’s personal items, which Geller feared losing if he gave up the storage facility’s location, would be returned to her father. Geller had been sitting on the evidence of Marley’s killer all along but didn’t even know it. He’d been convinced Perera had killed her, so he hadn’t even bothered looking at anything that didn’t pertain directly to him.

Finley wished Paul would be charged for stealing Marley’s possessions and hoarding them away in some sick attempt to
“stay connected to the love of my life,”
as he put it. But at least upon learning the truth, GJM quickly fired him, which brought some small measure of justice.

The ride to Chesapeake Harbor was relatively traffic-free for Thanksgiving, and they arrived within a half hour. Griffin’s family home was a breathtaking two-story shore house, complete with old-fashioned wooden shingles and edged by Chesapeake Bay.

Parker, Avery, and Tanner were on the lawn with a parcel of people playing touch football, but Finley didn’t see Kate among them. “Kate coming later?” she asked.

Griffin shrugged. “I guess so. I don’t see her car in the drive. She may still be over at her folks’. People file in throughout the day.”

Her heart went out for Kate. It couldn’t be easy loving a man whose fate she may never know.

“Took you guys long enough,” Declan said, rising from his perch on the porch as they climbed from Griffin’s truck.

“Perhaps they made a pit stop.” Parker smirked.

“Actually, we did,” Finley said, just for the joy of messing with him.

Parker nearly choked. “Is that right?”

“To get gas,” Griffin said, deflating his bubble.

“Should have known better.” Parker winked. “Now, you two lovebirds go get changed and join the game.”

“Parker needs all the help he can get.” Avery chucked the ball at him.

“Tate’s a tad on the competitive side,” he said.

“It is a
game,
after all.” Avery pushed up her sleeves.

“Parker Mitchell, stop sassing the girls.” Griffin’s mom, Kay, walked down the front steps. Brown hair and bright blue eyes, just like Griffin. “They just got here.”

“Hi, Mom.” Griffin pressed a kiss to her cheek.

“Hi, Finley,” his mother said. “So good to see you under better circumstances.”

“Thank you for your hospitality. I brought some cookies.” She handed her the tin, praying they were more edible than her baking history would suggest.

“Isn’t that just the sweetest.” Kay wrapped her in a warm embrace, the aroma of stuffing and turkey swirling about her. She rubbed Finley’s arm. “We’re so glad you could join us.”

“Kay, leave the poor girl be.” Griffin’s dad stood on the deck. Give Griffin twenty years and it’d be him.

“Thanks, Dad.” Griffin waved.

“Oh, you both hush,” Kay said. “Finley and I are just fine.”

Griffin’s dad rocked back on his heels. “I see you all wasted no time in tossing the old pigskin around.”

Parker held the football aloft. “You want to join us, sir?”

“I’m afraid my football days are past. Besides, somebody’s got to keep an eye on Kay and that turkey of hers.” He winked at his wife.

“Yes,” Parker said. “We don’t want a repeat of last year.”

“Or the year before.” Griffin chuckled.

Declan smirked. “Or—”

“Declan Joseph Grey. Don’t make me swat you.”

Declan’s grin turned sheepish. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Ha. You got all three names.” Parker jabbed Declan.

“Parker Mitchell, what did I just say about sassing? I
do
know your middle name.”

Some of Parker’s bravado momentarily eased. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Now, you all go back to your game, while Finley and I get to know each other better.” She wrapped an arm around Finley’s shoulder and steered her toward the door. “Griff, get her bag, for goodness’ sake.”

Now she felt bad. Griffin had tried taking her bag, but she’d insisted on carrying it, wanting something to clutch in her nervousness.

“Yes, ma’am.” He took it from Finley with a smile and followed her into the house, along with the rest of the gang.

Parker set the football on the table and pulled out a chair.

“Parker Mitchell, you did not just put that thing on my table.”

He quickly removed it and rested it on his lap. “Sorry, ma’am.”

Declan sniffed. “Are those yams I smell?”

Kay chuckled. “Declan, I swear you have a bottomless stomach.”

“When it comes to your cooking, you know it.”

“Come on. I’ll get you a sample plate made up.”

“Me too,” Parker said.

Avery and Tanner waited politely at the edge of the room.

Kay shook her head with a touch of mirth, and then waved her arm, beckoning them. “Come on, the lot of you, but only a taster plate. Declan and Parker, your folks won’t be here for an hour and I don’t want your supper ruined.”

Kate entered through the back door, her blond hair pulled up in a ponytail, her makeup light and natural.

“Katie, there you are.” Kay greeted her with a warm hug. “I was starting to worry.”

“I’m sorry. I was busy with something. My folks will be over soon.”

Parker stood behind her and swiped her ponytail. “Apparently Katie doesn’t understand the beauty of taking a day off.”

“Ha.” Avery laughed.

Parker’s brows arched.

“That’s rich coming from
workaholic Sam
.”

His lips twitched in amusement, but he simply took a seat at the table, lounging back with his hands linked behind his head. “Do you see me working now, love?”

“Not on the football field—that’s for sure.” She smirked.

“Really?” He cocked his head with an even wider smirk. “Repeat, then.” He snagged the ball and headed straight for her.

“Bring it on.” She turned and moved for the back door.

“What’s up with those two?” Declan asked between bites of queso dip and tortilla chips.

Finley shook her head. When it came to reading women, Declan really was clueless.

An hour and a half later, Declan sat back, patting his belly. “That was delicious, Mrs. M.”

“Thank you. And thank you, Finley, for the lovely cookies.”

Parker tried biting into one. Tried valiantly, but after a moment set it back on his plate.

“Sorry.” She bit her lip. “They’re a bit hard.”

“A bit?” Parker rubbed his jaw. “Nearly broke a tooth.”

Declan elbowed him with his good arm.

“What?” Parker grunted, rubbing his side.

“No.” Griffin chomped down with a hard crunch. “They’re delicious.” There was no way he was saying otherwise.

Finley erupted in laughter, and everyone else followed.

“Let’s take coffee in the front room,” Kay said, and everyone moved en mass, but Kate hung back, signaling the gang to do so too.

“What’s up?” Declan asked.

She looked to make sure all the parents and siblings were occupied with coffee and the Ravens game before turning back to the group.

“What’s up?” Griffin frowned.

“What I was working on before I got here.”

“Yeah?” Parker asked.

“I think I just found evidence Luke is still alive.”

Griffin saw Finley to his family’s guest room, thankful she was spending the night and glad she’d be able to sleep in a real bed rather than on his couch, but he’d miss watching her sleep. Miss falling asleep to the sight of her across the room. He just prayed she had no nightmares. Prayed she never had them again, or if she did, she came to him for comfort. He wanted to be there for her in every sense of the word. His love for her was so strong he didn’t know how long he could be a gentleman and court her without proposing.
A month, perhaps.

She smiled as they paused in the open doorway to what would be her room for the night, and looked up at him with those gorgeous blue eyes he’d happily drown in.

A week?

“I can’t believe what Kate found,” she said.

“
Thinks
she found,” he corrected. “It’ll take more time and a lot more digging before we know if it’s a solid lead.”

“Well, it’s got to feel like a sudden beam of hope after all these years.”

“I agree.” Hope was fighting to settle inside of him too. “I just don’t want to see her disappointed.” They’d all lost Luke once. He couldn’t go through that again.

“But she can’t give up hope. She needs to keep fighting. I can see the determination in her eyes.”

“I see that same determination in yours. You’re going to beat this fear Brent Howard filled you with. You are far stronger than he is.”

“God is stronger. I’ve finally come to see that. I’ve been beating myself up for being weak when I should have simply been depending more and more on my Savior. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

He had relied on the promise of Philippians 4:13 many a time. Through Christ’s strength he’d found a place of healing, and he had no doubt Finley would too.

“I should let you get some sleep.” It’d been a crazy few weeks.

She grabbed hold of his shirt. “Not without a good-night kiss.”

His mouth went dry as she brought his lips to hers.

He kissed her with all the love and passion brimming inside, but after a moment restrained himself and pulled back ever so slightly.

“Good night,” she whispered, her breath tickling his cheek.

“Night.”

Stepping back, she waggled two fingers and shut the door.

He rested his forehead against it, every nerve ending in his
body aflame. A week seemed a perfectly decent amount of time to pass before proposing. He could make it a week, right?

He turned to find his mom smirking at him from the end of the hall.

“Whoa. Mom. Didn’t see you there. You’re like a ninja.”

“I haven’t seen you smile like that in years,” she said as he pressed a kiss to her cheek.

It was wiser not to comment.
Just let it slide.

“Night, Mom.”

“Night, Griff,” she said, merriment dancing in her voice.

His heart swelled at hearing the happiness in his mom’s voice. Finley had ushered in God’s healing in a way he never could have anticipated, and he had no doubt God would work through her to bring a measure of healing to his family too. Finley brought light wherever she went.

Despite the darkness she’d witnessed and suffered, she shined. Just as Marley Trent had in her short life.

Thank you, Father, for bringing me the one person who could reach my heart. Thank you for creating her for me.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To God—for loving me, carrying me, and blessing me with the joy of getting to share stories. Thank you, Father. May every word glorify You.

To Mike, Ty, and Kay—for your constant support through every crazy stage of the writing process. You guys are the best. I couldn’t do this without you. Love you guys!

To Calvin—for brimming my life over with joy.

To Becky—for your friendship, support, and most especially, your prayers. So blessed God brought us together. It’s an honor to walk this journey with you, and a whole lot of fun.

To Dave and Karen—for your great guidance and input. I couldn’t have been blessed with two finer editors. It’s a joy working with you. Thank you both for your patience. I know I require a lot ;).

To everyone at BHP and Baker—for all you do and all your support!

To Janet Grant—for being such an awesome source of support, wisdom, and friendship.

To Dee—for your constant friendship, feedback, encouragement, and prayers. I’m so thankful for you.

To Dr. Megan K. Moore, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Eastern Michigan University—for sharing your vast expertise in skeletal biology and forensic anthropology. I deeply appreciate all the time you spent with me and the wealth of knowledge you shared. Any errors are fully mine.

To Phil Muskett—for the amazing Gettysburg tour. I learned so much, and we had such a wonderful time.

To Kelli—for your amazing creativity, brilliance, phenomenal work ethic, friendship, and most of all, for helping keep my schedule sane. I appreciate you!

To everyone at the International Justice Mission—for all your help and insight. You were all so very gracious with your time. Thank you for all you do in God’s name to help the suffering around the world. You are an inspiration.