His plans were far better than anything she could imagine.
They kissed once more, longer this time. Jack traced her jaw with his thumb. “I love you with all my life, Eliza. When I’m out fighting through a mission, I’ll be fighting for you.”
She nodded. “Me, too.” She touched the pendant on her necklace. “You’ll be with me always.”
Once more they kissed, and then it was time to go. Through customs and airport security, on the flight back to Houston and as the SUV dropped her off at the same hotel where he’d found her four days ago, Eliza knew she wouldn’t have to wait to hear Jack’s voice. His words would be with her, wherever she went. Right there in her heart and hanging from her neck.
I’ll wait for you.
And with everything in her, Eliza would do the same.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul.
—Psalm 23:1–3
Oliver was about to lose his best undercover agent, but he wasn’t upset about the fact. As summer gave way to fall and the holidays faded into winter, Oliver had watched the changes in Jack Ryder. And they didn’t make him want to reprimand the operative.
They made him smile.
As for Jack and Eliza’s mission to Cancún, Oliver had ulterior motives for requesting the two work together. His actual reason had to do with something Jack’s father had told Oliver the month before he and his wife were killed.
His next meeting with Jack was in five minutes. A meeting Jack had requested.
Oliver thought he knew what the young man wanted to talk about. In the meantime, Oliver allowed himself to go back to that dinner, the last time he was with Jack’s father. The man had been pensive over the meal. Missing his son, Shane, and longing for more time with Jack. Then the man had said something Oliver remembered still.
Something he wanted to share with Jack today.
There was a knock at his door, and as it opened, Jack entered. “Sir?”
“Come in, Jack.” Oliver stood and the two shook hands. “Have a seat.”
Jack did, but before he could say what was on his mind, Oliver took hold of the moment. “Did you know I had dinner with your father, a month before he died?”
It took Jack a moment. “No… No, sir, I didn’t. I knew… you two were friends.”
Oliver hadn’t brought this up before, because he was afraid it would make Jack doubt his work with the FBI. And that would not have been good for Jack. Because when Oliver found the boy back at Navy SEAL training, his commander had told Oliver one thing.
“That one pushes beyond the limits.” He had shaken his head. “I’m not sure he’ll make it out alive.”
Oliver agreed. And so with the consent of the Navy, Oliver had approached his friend’s son knowing one thing for certain.
Jack Ryder needed the bureau. Needed the work as an FBI agent so he’d have a reason to keep going.
But now… now, Oliver was fairly sure Jack had a different reason to live. Which was why he wanted to tell him this story. He leaned forward. “Your father and I, we talked a great deal that day.” Oliver narrowed his eyes. “He said something I thought you should know.”
The look in Jack’s eyes was that of a much younger boy. Looking for any information he could get about the father he had lost. “What did he say?”
“He was missing Shane. Missing the times when your family was together.” Oliver allowed a sad smile. “He said he wished he’d been more present. Thrown a ball with the two of you.”
Jack worked the muscles in his jaw and he nodded. “My father… he was busy. But he was a good man.”
“He was that.” Oliver breathed in deep. “At the end of the meal, he told me he was worried about you, Jack.”
“Me?”
“Yes.” Oliver looked straight at the young man. “He didn’t want you to work in politics or law or the military.” Maybe Oliver should’ve said this sooner. But there was no time for doubt now. “Your dad wanted you to have a different life, Jack. He wanted you to marry and have children and be present in their lives. Coach their Little League teams and play with them on the beach.” Oliver hesitated. “The way he wished he had done with you.”