Freezing Point (19 page)

“I need to contact Eddie to see if he'll have me back. I don't suppose he's happy that my stalker story went to the
Orange Crossings Times.
”

“Or the ice company–crime ring story.”

Casey detected the pain in her aunt's voice. Though Uncle John hadn't been involved, the news had devastated their
business for the time being. Her uncle had felt betrayed by the activities that had taken place at his company, right under his nose, as it were.

Aunt Leann set her teacup on the table next to the sofa. “You know, you don't have to go back to Oregon. You could stay here with us.”

With Tannin gone, Casey was free to return to her life—to her apartment and friends, and maybe even her job if her previous editor would have her back.

Casey huffed, hating her indecision. It was difficult not to consider it her old life now.

“I think I could convince Danny to keep me here full-time.”

“No doubt there. You've shown him you know how to get a good story.” Aunt Leann traced the rim of her teacup with a shiny red nail.

“What I've shown him is my ability to stumble into trouble,” Casey said, and laughed.

Her aunt joined her. She laid a hand over Casey's. “Still, getting into trouble is dangerous. You shouldn't make it a habit.”

A habit. The word reminded her of how often she'd ended up in Jesse's arms due to her troubles. They had agreed it was becoming a habit. She'd decided he'd become an addiction.

And right now, she was having withdrawal.

The doorbell rang. “I'll get that,” her aunt said, then headed to the door.

He'd been swamped after the bust this week, and she'd barely gotten to see him. She'd been subjected to endless questions regarding Will Tannin, which was ironic, considering she'd left Oregon to be free from him. Now it seemed she'd need to leave Southern California for the same reason.

“Come in,” Aunt Leann was saying.

Casey focused on the person in the doorway. She recog
nized the masculine silhouette instantly. Rising from the sofa, she crossed the living room to greet him.

He nodded and glanced at her aunt, who cleared her throat. “I'll leave you two alone,” she said.

“No, I didn't mean to interrupt. Maybe Casey could walk with me on the beach.” His gaze was forceful, passionate.

What had he come to say? Casey's insides trembled. “Where's Simon?” Along with his master, she'd missed the loving dog.

“I wanted us to have some privacy.”

“Oh, so it's going to be like that, is it?” Casey smiled and led the way to the deck outside. “You're afraid Simon would overhear and tell someone.”

“I'm afraid so,” he said.

The deep timbre of his voice sent longing through Casey. A breeze had kicked up during the day. Jesse strolled next to her as they walked on the hard, water-drenched sand, avoiding the waves.

When Jesse said nothing, Casey's curiosity began to burn. “How's Miguel?”

Jesse stopped at her words and turned to face the ocean. “I told you that Miguel would be fine. He's recovering in the hospital, and he's cooperating with the authorities.”

“Jesse, I couldn't think what else to say. Isn't it all right to ask? He was a friend to you.”

“Did you bring him up to remind me of my betrayal?”

Oh, no. This wasn't going at all like she thought. “No.”

Now, Jesse faced her. “Good. I was afraid you still held that against me. That you thought I had used you.”

What could she say to that? How could he not have used her, given her proximity to the events? And, hadn't she used him, after a fashion? She'd wanted him near for protection. “You were doing your job. I don't blame you for that.”

How could she make him understand how much he meant to her?

He grinned. “Come here.” He tugged her to him, the way she'd grown to love. He cupped her face then pressed his lips against hers.

Fire stirred in her heart all the way to her belly. She slipped her arms up and slid them around his neck. “Oh, Jesse…” she murmured, her breath hot against his lips.

Jesse intensified the kiss, seeming to draw life from her even as he poured it back in.

How could she live without this man to hold her, kiss her and protect her? His kiss took her far from the beach and left her floating on his passion.

Too soon, he eased back from the intensity, and his lips were soft against hers, once more. In his lingering, she breathed deeply of him, wanting to be carried away again.

Finally, he pressed his forehead against hers, holding her hands in one of his, and the other against the back of her head.

“I love you and never meant to use you. Do you believe that?”

Looking into his eyes, she nodded. “Yes.”

“I need to know how you feel.”

Didn't he already know? Casey regretted that she'd treated his love so poorly. “I love you,” she finally said, the words a breathy whisper. “Oh, Jesse, how I love you.”

Her emotions too intense, Casey squeezed her eyes shut.

“Then you belong with me forever, Casey Wilkes. Will you marry me?”

Tears spilled from the corners of her eyes. “Yes, Jesse. Yes!”

He wrapped his arms around her and swung her in circles while she laughed with joy. They fell to the sand, and Jesse planted kisses all over her face.

“You've made me the happiest man on earth.”

Suddenly, a morbid thought slammed into Casey's joy.

“What's the matter?” Jesse asked.

She could hardly stand to hear the fear in his voice. “Will you keep working as an undercover agent?” Casey pushed up on her elbow. “Jesse, how can we make this work?”

He rubbed his thumb down her cheek. “Don't worry. I'm transferring out. That was always the plan. Still, I'm not too sure about having a career in law enforcement if you're an investigative reporter.”

She played with the sand. “There would be conflict between us.”

He rolled her on top of him and planted another kiss on her. “I'm willing to take the risk if it means we're together. How about you?”

Laughing, she kissed him back, then said, “Mrs. Jesse Mitchell. I've wanted to say that out loud for a long time.”

Dear Reader,

Often we find ourselves in a difficult situation and we wonder why. Many times, the answer to that is a simple one—our own choices have taken us on the course to unhappy circumstances. That's exactly what happened to both Casey Wilkes and Jesse Mitchell in
Freezing Point.
Although their choices and the resulting circumstances are different, their paths cross, and they are each given an opportunity to do something different this time, to make better choices.

Casey realizes that digging too deep for a story sent her into hiding. Jesse knows he can't stand by again and watch others be hurt because he's working undercover. We can't change the past, but we can always make different choices for the future.

Thank goodness our God is a God of second chances, or we'd all be in trouble. I love writing stories about characters who learn from their mistakes and grow. After all, if we're not learning and growing, then we're not living. I pray that you look to God to direct your path in all your ways.

I enjoy hearing from my readers. You can contact me through my website at www.ElizabethGoddard.com and sign up for my newsletter to receive updates.

Elizabeth Goddard

1. Because her life is threatened, Casey travels nearly a thousand miles away, hoping to hide. In a way, she's starting over someplace new. Have you ever wanted to go somewhere far away and start a new life? Or are you happy with the life you're living? Why or why not?
   
2. Upon arriving in Southern California, Casey makes it a priority to get a job. She needs the money, and she needs to occupy her thoughts to keep herself from obsessing over the man who is after her. Has there been a time in your life when you turned to work to keep you from your thoughts?
   
3. Casey stays at her aunt and uncle's home on the beach while they're traveling. Other than the people she meets in her job, she doesn't know anyone in town. Do you think in that situation that finding Christian relationships is a first priority? What would you do instead?
   
4. Jesse is a man of many talents and, as a result, his undercover position as an ice sculptor almost overwhelms him. After being reprimanded on his last assignment, he wants to do the best job he can on this one, so that he can transfer to another agency with his good reputation intact. Have you ever felt like you failed at something? How did you handle that? Do you think it's important to make amends or to succeed again to restore your image? Why or why not?
   
5. Since Casey's life was disrupted and she's hiding, she wants to trust God, but isn't sure she can. If God was
   watching out for her, why is she now on the run? When Jesse enters her life, Casey considers that God might have sent him to protect her. Have you ever doubted that God was there with you? How did you overcome the doubt? Did you eventually see that God is there for you all the time?
   
6. Casey doesn't tell Jesse about Will Tannin at first. She hasn't been able to prove that Will has done anything, so isn't sure who she can trust. She fears Jesse won't believe her, or worse, that he will think she brought things on herself by digging for a story. Can you relate to her fears? If so, how? Do you think she should have told him sooner? Why or why not?
   
7. Working as an undercover agent, Jesse struggles with doing his job and leading a Christian life. Let's face it—working undercover is living a lie. Add to that, Jesse has to walk and talk like a criminal—not exactly a Christian example. How do you feel about this? Do you believe a person can be a Christian and work undercover? Did you empathize with Jesse's ongoing moral dilemma? Do you think he made the right decision to transfer out of undercover work?
   
8. In her job as an investigative reporter, Casey works to expose wrongdoing, but sometimes that leads to danger, and other times it can lead to hurting others. How do you feel about Casey's career and digging for the truth? What about digging for dirt, or rather, gossip?
   
9. In working undercover, agents often have to integrate themselves into the lives of criminals, including getting to know their families and children, and even coming to
   love them, or consider them as close friends. This happened to Jesse with Miguel and his family. How do you feel about this? Do you think Jesse handled the situation appropriately? Were you surprised at Miguel's loyalty?
   
10. Both Jesse and Casey live life on the edge. In the story, Casey has come close to death several times. In his line of work, Jesse's chances of being injured or killed are very high. They fall in love with each other quickly in the book. Do you think this is because they each realize life is too short to waste? Given their conflicting careers, do you believe they will have problems? If you could give advice to either of them on the day before the wedding, what would you say?
    
11. Casey keeps a diary that she believes gives her the ability to process her thoughts and feelings, helping her to keep her priorities in focus. Do you, or have you ever, kept a diary? In what way do you think it helped you the most?
    
12. When Will threatens to kill Casey, she makes the decision to flee town. If you had to leave your home quickly, what items would you grab? Are these items most important to your survival? Or are they important to your happiness? Why or why not?
    
13. Miguel was betrayed by someone he considered a brother, yet he continued to be loyal to Jesse. Were you surprised at Miguel's loyalty? Have you ever felt betrayed? How did you react? Do you see things differently now? Would you change your reaction?
    
14. Jesse's dilemma with his past and the deeds he has committed in keeping with his job have kept him away from
    God. He believes that he isn't good enough to talk to God, even though his job ultimately leads to good when criminals are arrested. Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt uncomfortable talking to God, as if you weren't good enough? How did you handle this?
    
15. Most of the story centers on Jesse's need to complete his assignment while protecting Casey, and yet protecting her could be the very thing that blows his cover and gets them hurt. Still, he can't stand by and watch her get hurt. Have you ever been in a situation where helping someone or doing the right thing could cost you everything? What did you do?