Free Pieces of the Past (Witness Security Book 1) by Jamie Hill

tantalizing scent distracted her for a moment, until she shook her head to clear it.
    “ I told you I’d always be straight with you, Christi. I’m doing everything in my power to keep you and those kids safe. We’re going to be in close quarters and it won’t be a cakewalk. But if everyone cooperates, things will be just fine.”
    She struggled to pull her gaze away from his dark eyes. When her sights settled on his lips, she knew she was in trouble. Desperate for something to lighten the mood, she said, “If you keep using words like ‘hardtack’ and ‘cakewalk’, Ethan will never leave you alone. He’s like a little sponge, soaking up everything around him. When he hears something new, he doesn’t simply let it go. He asks questions.”
    His gaze darted from her eyes down to her mouth, then back up again.
    She sensed he felt the same heat between them that she did. Is he going to kiss me? Part of her wished he would, while the other part prayed he wouldn’t. She needed to remain focused, and not on his oh-so-kissable lips.
    Doug smiled. “How am I supposed to know which words Ethan understands and which are new to him? I guess he’s just going to have to ask away.”
    “ I guess,” she agreed, her heart beating louder than ever.
    “ I’ll, uh, give you some privacy.” He took a step backwards.
    Stay. She didn’t dare say it, but thought it anyway. She felt much more at ease with Doug in the room. “Thanks,” she finally mustered.
    He backed out and Christine turned away. What is wrong with me? They were in the worst situation of their lives, and suddenly all she could think about was kissing their Witsec marshal. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
    She unpacked her toothbrush and a few toiletries, then sat down on the side of the bed and let the tears flow.
    When she ’d pulled herself together, she checked on each of the kids. Ethan was playing his handheld video game and Peyton thumbed through a magazine. Neither had taken time to unpack, which, in this case, was fine. “I’ll be out here in the living room if you need me,” she told each of them.
    “ With Doug?” Ethan piped up.
    “ For a while, yes.” It was early for bed, but Christine wondered if that might not be the safest choice for tonight. She’d check out the rest of the house and then turn in.
    She found Doug in the front room nosing around. “Nice enough place,” she offered.
    “ Not bad. There’s cable.” He tossed the remote control to the TV on the sofa, then went on opening and closing closet doors.
    “ Looking for anything special?”
    “ Just looking.” He finished his examination then went into the kitchen, returning with a can of Mountain Dew. “There’s snacks in here, and pop. Get you anything?”
    “ Something diet?”
    H e made an ‘uh oh’ face, but went back into the kitchen. “Not sure if we have any—yes! Diet Coke. Thank you, Ben.” He brought back a second can and handed it over.
    Christine chuckled, chose one of the two easy chairs and sat, accepting the drink. “Thanks. Who’s Ben?”
    “ One of the marshals I work with. He did the shopping. Said if you want anything special to make a list, and he’ll get it next time.”
    “ Oh.” Her mind raced. “We shouldn’t be here that long, should we?”
    “ Too soon to tell.” He grabbed the remote off the sofa and sat in the other overstuffed chair. “We’ve got lots of people working on this case, so please don’t think just because I’m sitting here doing nothing, that nothing’s happening.” He turned on the TV and began surfing channels.
    “ I don’t think that,” she said truthfully. “You’re doing something very important.”
    He glanced at her. “Looking for Honey Boo Boo?”
    Christine bit her lip. “You’re protecting us.”
    He smiled. “Damn straight.”
    She raised a brow. “But if you’re seriously going to watch that show, I might as well turn in right now.”
    Laughing, Doug raised his hands in surrender. “Kidding, I was