had a wonderful man waiting at the church. She banished her idiotic imagination and determinedly marched through the boutique door.
Twenty minutes later, she strode up the sidewalk wearing the gold sheath, accessorized by brown Florentine leather pumps and a matching purse. Brand-new topaz earrings set in lacy gold filigree dangled from her ears.
Gabe smiled. "Did I mention that you look fantastic?"
She felt wonderful, too. To be perfectly honest, in the few weeks since Gabe had burst into her life, she'd had more fun than in her entire steady, well-planned existence. An answering smile lifted her lips. "Merely six times. But thank you. Again."
"No sweat. My pleasure. Now the only thing that will make me happier is chow. My stomach thinks my throat's been cut."
Luckily, the deli wasn't busy, and within fifteen minutes they arrived at Laurelwood Park with sandwiches, coffee and chocolate éclairs tucked in a white paper bag.
Tessa chose a table near the pond, and Gabe slid onto the bench across from her. She handed him his coffee and sandwich.
He bit a giant chunk out of the sub, and his face lit up. "Mmm, you're right, these are great."
"I told you." A smile tugged at her lips as she pointed at a gaggle of squawking ducks charging across the pond. "Let's save our crusts for those guys. They look hungrier than you."
One corner of his mouth quirked. "Okay, but they're not getting my éclair. It looks melt-on-your-tongue soft and sweet." His eyes sparkled with a familiar roguish glint for the first time in far too long. "Exactly the way I like it."
Warmth tingled over her. One look from him and she nearly incinerated. Dale had never affected her that way. Guilty heat flooded her cheeks. Dale had stood by her for two years. Soon, Gabe would be nothing but a memory. "You must be recovered from shopping. You're back to your normal obnoxious self."
Gabe wiggled his eyebrows. In the midst of the teasing action, he tensed, and his alert gaze darted over her shoulder.
His unexpected, taut wariness jolted her. "What?" She whirled, looking behind her.
"It's okay. Eat."
Just like at the ATM, a creepy feeling put her on edge. She tried to shake it off. Gabe's watchdog attitude must be getting to her. Either that, or these odd pre-wedding jitters.
When they'd finished their meal, she stood. A walk in the brisk autumn air might help. "Let's walk around the pond."
They strolled the path, stopping to toss their crusts into the water and laugh at the ducks who rushed to squabble over the crumbs. As they rounded the trail at the far end, Tessa noticed Gabe sneak a glance over her shoulder. Again. Sudden chills wracked her with a shiver. "Maybe we better head for St. Michael's."
Without any warning, he grasped her arm and steered her toward an oak tree. He pushed her against the broad trunk. Planting both hands on either side of her head, he leaned down. "Shh." He bent closer. "Look at me and smile, like we're having a cozy chat. Don't look to either side."
She went ice-cold. Her heart kicked into high gear. "What's happening?"
"Maintenance shed twenty feet to your left. There's a guy behind the corner, watching you. I think he's been following us." His gaze held hers and she stared into the cool, alert depths. He was about to conduct business again.
She started to shake.
"The tree is between you and him. Stay put. Unless bullets start flying. In that case, hit the ground."
"Bullets?" She grasped his arm. "Gabe, no!"
"This is my job, honey." His warm fingers tenderly brushed her cheek. "On three. One. Two." His body tensed.
"Maybe you should find a new line of work," she quavered.
The megawatt grin she hadn't seen for days gleamed. "Ah, but the fringe benefits can't be beat. Three!" He pushed off the tree trunk and exploded into action.
She couldn't help it; she had to watch. The rough bark dug into her palms as she peered from behind the trunk.
He sprinted around the building. A yelp and a thud rang out. Gabe grunted, and then reappeared carrying a man by the lapels of his denim jacket. Gabe slammed him against the wall and pressed his forearm across the other man's throat. "FBI. Who are you?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
The mute captive stared at him with terror-widened eyes.
"I asked you a question," Gabe growled. "Don't make me ask again." He raised his hand threateningly.