Free Seeing Love: Saints Protection & Investigations by Maryann Jordan Page B

out?”
    Starting to lie and deny it, he clamped his lips shut instead. The conversation died at that point, each retreating to their own mental corners. Bart flipped on the radio and, finding a country music station, turned the sound up secretly hoping she hated country music.
    Faith leaned back in her seat once more, closing her eyes to the world. Choking back a smile, she began to relax. She loved country music.
    *
    Bart looked over at Faith, sleeping next to him, angry at his desire to know her more warring with the desire to prove her false. It’s true, she never claimed to be a psychic. But images? Impressions? What is she trying to gain from this if Krustas isn’t paying her?
    He thought back to the meeting with Miguel. Why did she ask how he felt when he heard a child had been kidnapped? She kept focusing on Miguel’s feelings when I wanted to know the facts.
    Rubbing his hand over his face, he turned his gaze back to the road. They entered the Norfolk area and he knew there was nothing else they could do this evening.
    Time was of the essence with Erik still missing. Mitch had set up a meeting for them tomorrow morning with the Volkov head and then in the afternoon with the Maldoni family. He was surprised the groups had agreed to meet but, Mitch had been persuasive.
    She stirred in the seat next to him, stretching her legs and arms out in front of her. “Where are we?”
    “You were out for about an hour. We’re in the Hampton Roads area now.”
    “Where are we going to spend the night?” she asked. “I know your grandmother and parents live here, so you can just drop me off at a hotel if you want.”
    He chuckled and said, “Love my grandmother, but I won’t stay there tonight.” Seeing her curious expression out of the corner of his eyes, he continued, “Nonnie loves to talk and well…I’d like to process the case tonight instead of answering her million questions about how Jude and Sabrina are settling in, how my job is going, and when I’m going to bring home a nice young lady of my own.”
    Smiling, she commented, “She sounds delightful.”
    “Oh, don’t get me wrong. She’s really a darling.”
    Sighing, she admitted, “I miss having a grandmother.”
    “I’m sorry, Faith. I…” Feeling like an ass, his voice trailed off, unsure what else to say.
    “It’s okay. I was luckier than most to have had her for so long.” Not wanting to devolve into silence again, she said, “So what are we doing tonight?”
    Uncharacteristically, Bart hesitated. “I…well, there’s a nice Bed & Breakfast Inn on the cape in Virginia Beach, not too far from where I was stationed as a SEAL. I thought we could stay there tonight unless you want something else.”
    “No, no, that’s fine,” she admitted. “The sea air and a walk on the beach might be just the thing for me.”
    “The weather’s chilly tonight.”
    Smiling at him, she said, “No worries. I’ll be fine.” She recognized he had a natural protectiveness, regardless of what he may have thought about her.
    They drove the last few miles, finally in a peaceful silence, each to their own thoughts but no longer filling the truck cab with animosity. Pulling into the driveway of the B&B, Faith peered out of the window at the charming three-story Cape Cod style house. Checking in, the grey-haired owner smiled at the two, greeting them warmly. Her twinkling eyes moved between them when he asked for two rooms, but her friendly smile never wavered. The comfortable home was decorated with every Christmas ornament imaginable. A nativity set was placed on the sideboard near the door. The front porch was covered with evergreens. A tree stood tall and proud in the living room. Little Christmas knick-knacks perched on shelves, tabletops, and cabinets with lights hung around each window.
    Bart noticed Faith’s eyes jumped around to all of the decorations, her face glowing with childlike enthusiasm.
    Walking to the top of the stairs, the owner opened a