The living room held a white sofa with calm teal pillows that invited a guy to flop down and take a nap. The home was feminine and kind of sweet, attributes the impressive doctor hid a little bit. Could somebody like her ever be interested in a guy like him? If he cleaned up his act, lost some weight, and stood taller again?

He’d gotten divorced a while back and hadn’t recovered. He was punishing himself still. He missed her.

Enough of that crap. He glanced at his trusted watch. “We need to get a move on, Doctor.” His gun felt heavy in his shoulder holster. They’d leave the subdivision and he’d impress her with his counter-surveillance maneuvers. Sure, the experts in Seattle would do the same thing, but it didn’t hurt to cut the tail from her now, if the guy was watching.

Christine emerged from the bedroom dressed in jeans and a copper-colored sweater that matched her eyes. She’d placed a bulging laptop bag on top of a suitcase she rolled toward him, efficient and brisk.

Man, she was pretty. He wanted to ask her age but didn’t want to be unprofessional. He was probably only five to eight years older than her. Some smart women liked cops.

Did she?

He straightened his shoulders and reached for the rolling suitcase. “I’ve got this.”

“Thank you.” She moved to the kitchen counter for her purse, which she tugged over one shoulder. “I just need my winter coat from the closet, and we can go. I think I’ve taken care of everything.” She looked around, for the first time appearing lost. Scared. Vulnerable.

“You have,” he assured her. “If not, you give me a call, and I’ll come take care of it for you.” There were no pets or plants, so he was safe.

Her smile made him feel ten years younger. “That’s kind of you, Agent Smudgeon.” She’d remembered his name.

His chest expanded two sizes. “You bet. Do you have any lights on timers we should start?”

“No.” She moved gracefully to a lamp near the kitchen. “When I’m out of town, I just keep this on. You can’t really tell where it’s located from outside, and this subdivision is pretty safe and gated, anyway.” Then she moved toward him.

He smiled and the movement felt rare. When was the last time he’d truly been happy? “I think you’re being very brave.”

She paused and a light flush covered her cheekbones. “I’m scared, to be honest.” Then she glanced at the very full laptop bag. “At least now I can finally get some of that paperwork done. Sometimes I can’t remember why I fought so hard for this promotion.” Her smile now was rueful and yet still beautiful.