SEAL's RESOLVE - Rebecca Deel Page 0,53
set up cameras outside your home. I need your password to access the system and see what, if anything, the cameras picked up on your visitor.”
Kristi gave him the information he needed. “Will we see the shooter’s face?”
“Maybe. I’d be happy with a look at his vehicle and license plate.”
“What are the chances that will happen?”
“Not good.”
Eli headed to the door as Jackson zipped his mike bag and stood. “Jon and I will check the security feed. Cal and Jackson are on duty for the next few hours.” The three operatives left the room.
“I’m sorry, Rafe,” Kristi murmured.
He frowned. “For what?”
“Dragging you into this mess.”
Rafe kissed the side of her neck. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Ready to stand now?” When she nodded, Rafe got to his feet and lifted her, holding her steady.
She looked at the broken window. “I need to clean up the broken glass. Do you have mad carpentry skills as well as awesome kissing skills?”
He chuckled. “I get by in home repairs. I’ll ask Brent to send someone to take care of the window.”
“He’d do that?”
“We have an army of system installers. Some of them worked in home construction, and Brent has contacts everywhere. Trust me, it won’t be a problem to fix your window.”
“One less thing for me to worry about today.”
Rafe wrapped his arms around Kristi, his hold gentle. “Focus on your work. We’ll take care of the rest. What can I do to help?”
“I need to sweep up the glass. I don’t want to track shards through the house, especially to the fitting room. Sometimes, my brides-to-be are barefooted when they try on dresses.”
“I’ll take care of the glass before I call Brent. Where is the broom or vacuum?”
“The closet off the kitchen on this floor.”
“You promised me a look at Maggie’s dress options. Why don’t you get those together while I take care of the glass?”
Rafe retrieved the vacuum cleaner, droppped the large pieces of glass in a nearby trashcan, then vacuumed the remaining slivers and shards. He put away the appliance and returned to Kristi. “Show me what you have.”
“You don’t have to look at the designs. You won’t hurt my feelings.”
He was curious about Kristi’s work. Callie had mentioned Kristi’s amazing designs, hinting more than once that she planned to ask her friend to design a wedding dress when she married Rafe.
For the first time since Callie’s death, pain didn’t lance Rafe’s heart as he thought about the wedding that never happened. Perhaps he was healing. He studied Kristi’s face. Maybe solving Callie’s murder and connecting with this beautiful, courageous woman helped. Rafe had been in encased in ice for three years, but the ice melted when he rescued Kristi.
She led Rafe to the table in the center of the room and nudged a three-ring binder toward him. “Based on what she described as her dream dress, I created four designs. Then I designed one that I think is perfect for her.”
Inside the binder, each dress was shown from several angles with a computer generated model who looked remarkably real. Rafe wasn’t an expert on dresses, but Kristi’s designs were beautiful. Some designs were classic, others contemporary. The last dress, though, was stunning. The top part was fitted, decorated with lace and pearls in an intricate design. The bottom part hugged the hips, then flared out in a waterfall of fabric. The whole thing reminded him of a vintage dress. The design was a work of art.
He tapped the last dress. “If Maggie doesn’t fall in love with this dress, I’ll be surprised. They’re all beautiful, but this one is breathtaking.”
Kristi beamed. “Thanks. I think her groom will be speechless no matter which dress she chooses. I feel good about that particular dress, though.”
“The design looks complicated and time-consuming. You said Maggie and the Marine are on a short time clock. Will you have time to finish the work?”
“I’ll have to work late several nights if Jill, my assistant, can’t give me extra time, but I’ll get the work done no matter what. This is important to me. He’ll deploy to a hotspot while she waits for him to come home to her. Creating a dress Maggie will remember for the rest of her life is the least I can do to support them both.”
“I can’t imagine another dress designer going to this much trouble for a rushed wedding.”
“They’re both sacrificing for our country. What’s losing a little sleep compared to that?”
A little sleep and a lot of