The Escape (US Marshals #1) - Lisa Harris Page 0,20
he asking her out on a date?
“Just as fellow marshals and colleagues,” he said, seeming to backtrack when he realized the implications of his offer.
“It’s a deal then. Hot dogs and chowder.” She scooted another inch closer to the fire. “And here’s another thing to celebrate. I think I can feel my toes and fingers again.”
“Just glad we’re facing a spring thunderstorm and not a winter snowstorm.” Jonas unzipped the food bag and held it out for her to choose what she wanted. “I bet when you decided to go into law enforcement, you never imagined a situation quite like this.”
“True.” She grabbed one of the granola bars. “You go in hoping to make the world a better place and you end up lost and soaking wet in the middle of the wilderness with airplane peanuts and power bars.”
Jonas laughed. “What does your family think about your career choice?”
“Both my father and grandfather were police officers, and on top of that, I had two uncles in the military and a third who was a firefighter. When my dad ended up having two girls, I don’t think he knew what to do with us, especially when Danielle had no interest in guns and hunting. So it’s always been just mine and his thing.” She stared into the crackling flames as Jonas grabbed another thick branch to toss on top. “It’s been a long time since we’ve gone out together though. His health has been deteriorating over the past year.”
“I’m sorry. I really am. I know how tough that is.”
“He does love that I’m a marshal though.”
“I have to say I was surprised when I found out.”
“Honestly? You’re the one who inspired me to become a marshal.”
“I find that a bit hard to believe. I always thought you didn’t like me.”
She let out a low laugh. “You were tough, but I knew if I wanted to stay alive in this job, I needed to learn everything I could. You were the best instructor I’d ever had.”
“I’m not sure about that. I did notice that I never had to push you. In fact, you were the one pushing the rest of the class to keep up with you.” He picked up the beef jerky, opened the pouch, and offered her a piece. “I’m sure I wasn’t the only reason behind your career change.”
She reached for a piece of the meat, hesitating with her answer. “I was ready for a change, and at the time the Marshals seemed like the perfect challenge. It still is.”
Jonas dropped the pouch into his lap. “I feel as if I owe you an apology.”
“What do you mean?”
“Michaels told me today about the death of your husband. I wish I would have known back then.”
She shook her head. “That training was exactly what I needed. I was pretty much existing on autopilot back then. It gave me a reason to get out of bed. But if I’m being honest, I did almost drop out at one point. In fact, everyone told me I should, but I knew I’d never get back out there again if I did.”
“I still wish I would have known. I pushed you harder than anyone in that class because you had more focus and skill than everyone else. But I was also completely insensitive. You should have said something.”
Madison shivered as the wind howled through the cracks in the cabin walls. Rain pounded against the roof. But except for a couple steady drips on the other side of the room, the inside was still fairly dry and warm.
“That’s one of the reasons why I made sure you didn’t know. I was there to train. I didn’t need you feeling sorry for me and slacking off on my training. I knew if I was going to get everything I wanted out of that experience, I couldn’t have anyone babying me. People die when they aren’t prepared.”
“I wouldn’t have babied you,” he said.
“Really? I find that when I tell people my husband was murdered, it tends to get me a lot of sympathy. They immediately see me as fragile and vulnerable.”
“Trust me, I never saw you fragile or vulnerable.”
She smiled. “Thanks. Sometimes I tend to push myself too hard—at least that’s what my sister says, but it was something I needed to do.”
“Did they find your husband’s killer?” Jonas shook his head. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to talk about it.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s been long enough that I’m okay talking about him, but no. They never