close to see what I could find out. I had no idea she was using an alias of Carson Wright, a person the FBI has been looking for. Until your father mentioned your clinic’s financial difficulties, I started to put it all together.”
“So, you knew Carmen could be a threat to Josie but let it ride out anyway?” Cobb said, his barely-controlled rage returning.
“Babe… I’m safe. Let the dragon rest.”
He jerked his gaze back down to Josie, his brow knit until he saw her twinkling eyes staring up at him, an exhausted smile playing about her lips. Bending, he kissed her lightly, and with the touch of her lips, he calmed.
Ignoring Tahoma, Cobb offered chin-lift thanks to the others and escorted Josie to Floyd’s extra-long SUV. Climbing inside, he guided her to the middle seat and wrapped his arm around her, loving the feel of her head on his shoulder. Drew rode shotgun next to Floyd while Bray and Tate filled the back seat.
Closing his eyes, Cobb breathed a sigh of relief. Years of missions, some more successful than others. But there was nothing quite like the feeling of heading home after one where the objective had been met. But now, he knew there was no comparison to the feeling of the woman he loved being in his arms, safe and secure.
28
Josie and the Keepers had made it back to her house by dawn, where Jorge fed Melon as she took a quick shower and fell into bed with him joining her shortly thereafter. Hours later, they woke, and with whispered words of affection, made love.
Tate, Bray, and Drew checked out of the hotel in Las Cruces and came by her house to say goodbye before they flew back to Maine. She stood back and watched the true affection as they shook hands and back-slapped Jorge.
Drew was the first to approach, lifting her off her feet with his hug. “You gotta come to Maine, darlin’. My Babs would love to meet you. Especially after I tell her how you belted Carmen right in the face.” She blushed, but he was laughing so she figured his woman had probably belted someone, too.
Tate’s hug was more gentle, his words whispered for only her to hear. “Remember, you two are good for each other. In this life, that’s not easy to find.” Tears pricked her eyes, but she nodded and offered a smile.
Last, Bray offered a tentative hug then pulled back and held her gaze, his eyes searching. She wondered if it was his medic background that always had him checking to see if someone was all right. But he surprised her when he said, “I agree with Drew. You need to come to visit us in Maine. You never know… it might just feel like home.”
Jorge stepped in, pulling her body close to his as they stood in her doorway and waved goodbye. He turned, his gaze as penetrating as his friends’ had been. “Are you okay? I never meant for them to put you on the spot about Maine. It’s no secret I hope you’ll come, but—”
With her arms wrapped around his waist, she tilted her head back to stare into his gorgeous, dark eyes. “Is that an invitation to visit?”
He grinned and nodded. “Absolutely.” He leaned down and kissed her lightly before pulling back, his hands cupping her cheeks. “I’ve been trying to figure out how to bring this up, but now is as good a time as any. I’m crazy about you, Josephine Rector. And I don’t want to walk away at the end of this mission and have us be done. I don’t have all the answers as to how we’ll work things out, but I definitely want you to come to Maine. I’ll take whatever time you can give me, but I hope you plan for a long enough visit to get a feel for the place.”
The smile on her face could barely match the lightness in her heart. “I can’t think of anything I’d rather do more.”
“Well, all right, babe. Now… we’ve got to get to Albuquerque and see our families before they descend to make sure you’re okay.”
A few hours later, Josie wasn’t sure she could handle another tear-filled hug from her parents, but catching a glimpse of Jorge’s smile and wink from across the room made it easier. They were in his parents’ home, the room filled to the brim with her parents, his parents, and all four of his grandparents. Bert had made