Chapter 25
"Maybe you should wait." Nash prayed his voice didn't sound overprotective or commanding. He was just worried. And across town. In Houston traffic, that meant he was over an hour away from her office. If anything went wrong . . .
"This is the best chance I'll have this week. Dad is out, meeting with his lawyers, and my uncle is leaving early to play golf."
He gripped his cell phone, thankful she couldn't see his face.
While he was glad, proud, and relieved that she'd decided to look for the evidence the FBI needed, he worried about her safety.
He didn't want to point it out, but she'd already underestimated her father once.
Nash feared what Charles Ashworth might do—to his own daughter—in order to cover his crimes.
"Lena, you've made the right decision. I support that completely. I just wish you'd wait until I can be there, in case—"
"I would. I'm not trying to push you out of this.
But Dad called me this morning. He set up meetings around town to keep me out of the office for the next few days.
That's not a coincidence. I think he suspects I'll start looking into the business.
I think he realizes I'm not buying his innocent act anymore.
I have to look through his files while I have the chance.
The FBI still doesn't have enough for a warrant.
If I don't find anything today, any evidence of crimes my dad and uncle have committed will likely disappear. "
She was right. But he wasn't ready to say it.
"You still there?" she asked.
"Yeah, sorry." He drew a deep breath. "It's dangerous, Lena. If anything happens—"
"Nash . . . I learned something last week, back in the Caribbean."
"Oh? What's that?"
"You can protect me better than any person on earth. But God is even more capable. I need to take advantage of this opportunity before it's too late. But I'm not alone. I know that now. I don't know how well it's all going to turn out, but God knows what he's doing."
The truth in her words rang loud and clear. And healed something deep in his core. "Well said." He swallowed, hoping she didn't hear the emotion in his voice. "But be careful. Call me when you're leaving the building. Go straight to the FBI office. I'll meet you there. Good luck."
"Thank you, Nash. Really . . . thank you. I'll see you soon."
Four months later.
Tayla, looking every bit a fairy-tale princess in her wedding dress, actually winked at Lena before she tossed the bouquet.
So subtle.
The bouquet aimed straight for her, leaving Lena two options: duck or catch.
She caught it, eliciting squeals of joy from Tayla and Allie.
Catching a beautiful bouquet of roses at Jason and Tayla's beach wedding didn't guarantee Lena's future with Nash, but it didn't hurt her chances. She'd become fast friends with Allie and Tayla over the past few months, and both women hoped Nash would propose soon.
But Lena understood their eagerness was partly due to the "wedding fever" in the air. Allie and Knox had gotten engaged one month before Jason and Tayla's wedding, so naturally, weddings were a popular topic for her new best friends lately.
She didn't want Nash to feel any pressure, though. They needed to navigate their relationship at their own pace.
Because life had been crazy the past few months.
Her father met with lawyers constantly, fighting charges about the jewelry theft. And so much more.
Lena's afternoon investigation four months ago had produced more evidence than she'd expected. The proof she'd handed to the FBI was overwhelming.
Extortion. Bribery. Falsifying documents. Mail fraud.
The list was long. Exhausting. And painful.
Charges were filed. Court dates set. Then more court dates were set.
Her family's lawyers were earning every penny of their steep rates.
Nash had been an encouraging friend, a rock to lean on, and a blissful distraction throughout her family's drama. He prayed with her and didn't let her forget that she wasn't alone.
He was an answer to a prayer she hadn't had the courage to voice. And she was so grateful to God for him. Every single day.
Looking back on their harrowing few days on Isadora Island, she was surprised how much she missed Nutmeg.
She'd stayed on the island another day to look after Nutmeg after her father returned to Houston.
Victoria Van Horn returned from Paris early after learning about Emil's death, but when she arrived, she acted more concerned about Nutmeg than about the death of her nephew.
Emil had been very far from perfect, but his aunt's apparent apathy saddened Lena.
Then again, everyone mourns differently. So, for Victoria Van Horn, maybe fussing over little Nutmeg was a healthy way to cope with the sudden loss.
Lena wished she could cuddle with sweet Nutmeg when family and work stressed her out.
With her father and uncle busy with their lawyers, the bulk of the day-to-day business fell to her.
And she didn't enjoy a minute of it. Her only goal was to get the business sorted and handed over to her cousin Michael as soon as possible.
Then she'd quit.
She wasn't exactly sure what she'd do next, but anything had to be better than her family's business. She might even stay in real estate but get a fresh start somewhere else. Or work with therapy animals.
She hadn't decided yet.
Nash was supportive of all her considered options. And she loved him for it.
Her thoughts refocused on the present when Knox gave her a handful of sparklers.
"For their send-off," he said.
"I need this many?"
Knox grinned. "Why not? I gave Nash a dozen. It'll look amazing in the pictures. Come on, they're about to leave."
Lena couldn't help but laugh out loud. Knox and Nash enjoyed the sparkling send-off almost as much as Jason and Tayla.
A few minutes later Nash opened the passenger door of his truck for her, and she climbed inside, happy and exhausted. He walked around to the driver's side, slid into his seat, and turned to her with a huge smile. "That was fun."
Lena mirrored his smile. "We're just lucky you and Knox didn't set anything on fire."
"I'll have you know, Knox and I are proficient in pyrotechnics." The mock seriousness on his face triggered an embarrassing giggle she couldn't hope to contain.
"That may be true, but you both were making Tayla's uncle Leland pretty nervous."
Nash waved a hand in the air. "Leland's worked for WhiteRock longer than any of us. He knows us."
"That's probably why he was nervous."
Nash's deep chuckle soothed something inside her. For the hundredth time.
She prayed she could enjoy that rich laugh for a very long time.
The short drive back to Houston was full of laughter and easy conversation. When they neared the exit for her apartment, he glanced at her. "Do you need to go straight home? I wanted to show you something at my condo, if you have time."
"Sure. What's up?"
"Well, I found out today I have to leave tomorrow.
For work." He slid his right hand into hers.
"Sorry. I found out a few hours before the wedding.
WhiteRock is providing security for a summit in France, and one of the guys scheduled to go broke his leg today.
It'll only be for ten days." He squeezed her hand.
"I understand. I'll miss you, but I told you, Nash, I understand your job. It's okay."
He lifted her hand to his lips with a gentle kiss. "Thanks."
"So, why do we need to stop at your condo?"
"I'd like you to take care of something for me while I'm gone. If you want to. It will be easier to explain when we get there."
"You're not usually mysterious, Mr. Stone. My curiosity is piqued."
"Don't get too excited. You might not like it."
Lena didn't have to wait long. Two seconds after Nash opened the front door of his condo, an adorable white and brown puppy dashed toward them, yipping and jumping on Nash.
"You got a dog? Oh, my goodness! You really got a dog?"
"He's not a Maltipoo, but—"
"Nash, he's adorable! He's the cutest thing I've ever seen! I can't believe you got a dog." She scooped up the puppy, who promptly rewarded her with puppy kisses on her chin.
"Lena . . ." The huskiness in his voice swiveled her attention back to him. "I got us a dog."
She froze. "Us?"
That's when she noticed the ring in his hand—the shock almost made her drop the puppy. Almost.
"Nash . . . I . . ." Her hands were shaking. And her voice wasn't working.
He rubbed the back of his head. "If it's too soon, I can wait. I'm sure about us, but if you need more—"
She set the dog on Nash's sofa, fearing her trembling hands might fail her. "Are you going to ask me?"
Something ignited in his gaze. She thought she'd seen him happy before, but she hadn't seen this. A raw, unfiltered joy exploded on his face. "Miss Lena Ashworth, will you marry me?"
Happy tears stung her eyes. "Yes. Absolutely. No doubts. Yes."
He slipped the solitaire diamond ring onto her finger.
She barely glanced at it. She could stare at the ring later. Right now, she was only interested in the incredible man standing in front of her, wanting to spend the rest of his life with her. "Nash, I love you."
He wove his fingers into her hair. "You know I love you." He lowered his lips to hers and lit up her whole world with a fireworks kiss that rivaled New Year's Eve.