69

SHELBY

Sunday morning while Marissa slept, I slipped a note under her bedroom door and found Eli on the balcony. “I’m walking to the coffee shop and taking a little time in the park area. I have my phone.”

“The coffee here beats any spot I know.”

“True, but I need a change of scenery.”

“Why?”

“Look, Eli, I’m a smart woman, and I know my relationship with Marissa is currently in a trial period. Only an idiot would mess up the relationship. You’ll find me at the coffee shop or in the park. I’ve been cooped up too long. Call me if Marissa has plans.” The same details I’d written on Marissa’s note. “In fact, come along if you like. Caffeine and nature are a good mix.”

He waved me away and scowled. “Too hot.”

“Suit yourself.” I left the condo. Never thought once I left prison I’d have to fight so hard to survive. Although I didn’t see either of the two bodyguards, for certain one of them followed me.

Miami’s heat and humidity mirrored many of my days in Texas, but this early morning brought a balmy breeze. I strolled to the coffee shop, taking in the sweet scent of tropical flowers, lovely songbirds, and the quiet hum of the morning beneath a blue cloudless sky. Inside the café, an old Bee Gees tune of “Stayin’ Alive” met my ears. I casually observed every person. One could be the FBI agent assigned to me, and I selected a likely candidate. I examined the bags of whole bean coffee, bought a book about their coffee beans, and left for the park.

A few joggers and walkers wove around a paved path. Willing my body to relax, I kept my sights on a bench next to a cypress tree near a gazebo. Once there, I opened the book where I could enjoy my latte and contact Denton. I slipped my phone inside the pages of the book and lifted the book to cover my mouth. He answered on the second ring.

“Hey,” I said. “Good morning from Miami.”

“Miss me so badly you had to sneak away to call?”

“You wish.” The sound of his voice spread warmth through me. “Denton, remember when you told me that you were falling in love with me?”

“Nothing’s changed there.”

I smiled and prayed for much-needed courage. “I . . . I’m falling in love with you too.”

He chuckled. “We are a pair.”

“What was God thinking?”

“My mamaw always said, ‘God’s up to somethin’ good.’” He paused and perhaps like me, he wished he saw the future. “Are you safe?”

“For the moment. I’m in a park a few blocks from Marissa’s condo. I’m sure Eli had me followed. I’ll make this short. I shared lunch with Marissa and an interesting man, a business and personal friend. They are involved, and he wants to marry her. Supposedly he’s in the restaurant business. I was denied his last name, but she called him Feng. There’s a meetup in San Francisco with the two of them and another man by the name of John. He’s offered them a business deal that she’s hesitant to accept. She told Feng she’s afraid.”