Marine's Mission - Rebecca Deel Page 0,1

smile curved her friend’s mouth. “You’re a little biased.”

Gigi’s face flamed. “Maybe.”

That brought a genuine laugh from Toni. “Definitely. Has he asked you out yet?”

“He’s been tied up with work.” Both of his jobs, one as a deputy sheriff and one as a new operative for Fortress Security. He was due to return to Maple Valley tonight following eight weeks of training with his brothers at Personal Security International in Otter Creek. Gigi had missed him so much.

“You’re crazy about that Marine.”

Gigi had been half in love with him since she met him after a high school football game. But Owen had already signed up to join the Marines and refused to start a new relationship when he’d leave for boot camp after graduation. Since he’d separated from the military and joined the Sheriff’s Department, though, Owen stopped by the B & B for coffee and conversation during his shift, sometimes twice if the shift was slow.

Owen passed plenty of other places open for coffee during his shifts, but he consistently came to the B & B. Gigi prayed that was a sign of his renewed interest in her. She looked forward to each visit and longed for the day when he broke down the barrier keeping him from asking her out.

The waitress returned with their drinks and meals, then hurried off again.

“Stop waiting for Owen Montgomery, and say yes to one of the men who has been asking you out.”

No way. “Don’t turn this around on me. This is about you and Ellis. If you’re right about his disappearance and being followed, you’re not safe. Will you talk to Owen?”

She nodded. “I have to protect my baby.”

Relief swept through Gigi. She didn’t want to add to her friend’s worry when she was stressed and, holy smokes, pregnant, but Gigi was concerned. The sooner Toni talked to Owen, the better. “Let’s eat and leave. We’ll call Owen from the B & B.” After they were locked inside. “I bought a new box of your favorite herbal tea today at the grocery store. Would you like a mug of hot tea?”

“That sounds wonderful. Please tell me you have blueberry or chocolate chip muffins to go with the tea.”

“You’re in luck. I made both kinds this afternoon. I have a room open tonight if you want to stay with me.” Gigi really didn’t want Toni to stay alone. What if the person who trashed Ellis’s apartment came to Toni’s place while she was sleeping?

“I’d like that. You’re a good friend, Gigi.”

“I’m also an honorary aunt. I plan to spoil my niece or nephew and claim the title of favorite aunt.”

Toni smiled. “I can’t wait to return the favor when you have children of your own.”

The way things stood, Toni might be waiting a long time. Gigi encouraged her friend to eat and kept the conversation light by talking about her guests and her parents’ adventures in Florida. Time enough for more serious discussions when they talked to Owen.

As soon as she and Toni finished their meals and paid the bill, they left the restaurant. “Where are you parked?” Gigi asked as they walked in the rain toward the parking lot.

“Beside you.”

When they neared their vehicles, Gigi frowned. Toni’s car was leaning, but the parking lot was level. A flash of lightning lit the night long enough for Gigi to get a good look at Toni’s car. Both driver’s side tires were flat. Goosebumps surged up her spine. She had to get Toni out of here.

“Oh, no,” Toni moaned. “I must have screws or nails in my tires. Getting someone out here to fix them at this time of night will take hours.”

Based on what she’d seen, those tires would need more than a patch job. Someone had slashed them.

Gigi unlocked her SUV, and glanced around the parking lot. A wasted effort since the rain was falling so hard she couldn’t see anything. “Come on. We need that hot tea.” And Owen Montgomery.

After she opened the passenger door for Toni and nudged her inside, Gigi climbed behind the steering wheel, cranked the engine, and drove toward Archer. The sooner they were behind locked doors at the B & B, the better.

Toni sighed. “I didn’t think this day could get any worse. Turns out I was dead wrong.”

Gigi flinched at Toni’s word choice. “Everything will be fine. We’ll worry about the tires tomorrow and turn Owen loose on tracking down Ellis.”

When her friend remained silent, Gigi didn’t press her to talk. If Owen had