Page 57 of Special Agent Anastacia

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It was Nash’s kiss on her forehead that forced her to let the memories slide away and bring her back to him in the darkened room. “I’m sorry to be such a baby.”

“Don’t be. I’ve had my own moments through this ordeal.”

He let her cry for a while, and when he sensed her slowing, he whispered, “Is it the first time?”

“What?”

“The first time you ever killed anyone?”

“No. Not really. Well, the first time shooting another while being so close… where I had to choose his life over hers. Christ, what if I’d missed or killed her? I’ve never been so scared in my life.”

“It sure didn’t show. You’re one of the strongest women I know, Ana. And I have no doubt, you wouldn’t have taken that shot if you weren’t absolutely certain you had it.”

Nodding, she admitted, “You’re right. We train for times like this.”

He kissed her then, and it seemed to soothe her enough for her to continue. “When I think back, it makes me feel sick. Hanna was so scared.”

“I would’ve been too. Imagine that same monster hurting her like in her nightmares.”

“When she admitted them to Dave earlier – the nightmares I mean – I’d hate to have to tell you about the number of times either Mom or I had to comfort her at home.”

“Hey, I knew why you were holding it together. But don’t try to tell me it wasn’t hard.”

Ana scoffed but agreed. “Yeah. You’re right. But imagine if I fell apart too? Hell I had to keep my hands hidden so she wouldn’t see how much they shook. Thank goodness for Dave’s sweetener.”

Nash chuckled. “No kidding. We’ll have to buy him a new bottle.”

Chapter Forty-one

The next day, they visited Beth, bringing her backpack along to watch her rifle through it, desperately searching where she’d hidden her precious necklace. When she found it exactly where she’d left it, she broke down. “Thank you for returning this. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost the only keepsake I have of my mom. After my dad was killed, fighting on the front lines, she was all I had. Then when she died in a fire after the Russians bombed our building, I was devastated. I guess that’s why I took up with Boris. He showed me kindness… well, at first. Then his brother joined us, and things changed for the worse.”

A noise at the door brought everyone around to see Carly and Hattie coming into the room, both rushing toward Beth in the excitement of seeing her looking so much better.

Nash and Ana stepped back and watched their reunion, smiling at each other when Carly laid down next to Beth and took her hand in affection. “Mom and Dad want you to come and live with us for as long as you want to. Please say you will.”

Beth glanced at Anna and Nash, the joy on her face obvious. Then she faced Hattie, her hand reaching. When Hattie held it and placed a kiss on the top before folding it into her own hands, Beth appeared stunned but blessed. “Are you sure? After all, I brought you nothing but trouble from the first day I knocked on your door.”

Hattie’s voice was soft with emotion. “We’ve never beenmoresure of anything before. And you should understand this, Beth. That trouble was on it’s way to us no matter if you had been there or not. I think God sent you along to save us from the worst.”

Beth, her face glowing through her tears, radiated with happiness interspersed with relief but still showing a slight bit of trepidation.

As if Hattie understood her fear, she added, “Sam and Justin will be here to visit soon, but trust me, after I explained what happened, they are both thrilled for you to join our family. We only hope you will agree. You need a home, and we need to know you’re okay. So what do you say?”

“Yes. A thousand times yes. Thank you so much.”

Ana and Nash left the three females then, happy to see them in an embrace with excitement spilling out of Carly as she tried to tell Beth about their home in the city.

Ana swung their linked hands, saying, “That was so sweet. I’m thrilled that they’ll take care of Beth. The poor girl’s barely out of her teens and needs a family.”

Nash still looked a little stunned but obviously happy to have witnessed the moment. “To tell the truth, I can’t think of a better ending to this whole shitshow. Oh wait, I can. I meant to tell you about the text I got from a friend who flies helicopters. He says your log cabin is still standing. There’s some damage, but those ole logs can take a lot of punishment. Says he figures it’s salvageable.”

Ana spun into his arms, hugging him with glee. “Oh, God, I love you. That’s the best news you could have given me. Let’s go and tell Hanna.”

When she spun away, pulling him along, all he heard were her words she’d spoken in a moment of excitement. While she tugged at his hand, he pulled her into a quiet corner and questioned her. “Did you mean that?”

“Mean what?”

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