Page 35 of Rescuing Riley
Chapter Thirteen
Riley jogged backto the inn, her heart racing, her body sweating, and her mind sifting through all the scenarios of why the FBI was looking for Liza. There was no doubt Liza was in danger. Riley could feel that in her bones.
Regardless, she was fighting with one thing at the moment, and she wanted to laugh at herself. She was so out of shape. She wasn’t fat, but she wasn’t thin either. She was extremely critical of her body. If there were one physical attribute Riley could’ve changed about herself, it would’ve been her stomach. She was always envious of Liza, who could eat anything and have a flat stomach. But if Riley even looked at chocolate, her stomach seemed to grow. Despite her hang-ups, she was thankful she was wearing flats and not heels.
When Riley, Josh, and Charlie reached the parking lot of the inn, Riley bent over to catch her breath. Josh and Charlie didn’t even seem to be panting. She made a mental note to start back on her treadmill when she returned home to get her heart in shape if nothing else.
Maybe she could start walking in the mornings while she was in California. Josh’s dad had mentioned something about a cliff walk not too far from town that had awesome views of the Pacific along with beautiful homes. Riley was more interested in taking a hike through the redwoods, but she hadn’t brought her hiking boots or sneakers with her.
There’s a sports store in town. Just buy a pair. You make good money.
On her last intake of crisp air, Josh laid a hand on Riley’s back and rubbed. Immediately, her body rioted with tingles. “Are you all right?”
Keep rubbing, and I will be.“It seems I need to get back on my workout schedule.” She straightened, and then his touch was gone. She almost pouted.
“Stay with me long enough, and I’ll get you in shape. Not that you’re out of shape,” he was quick to add as he combed rugged fingers through his thick hair.
Riley wanted to run her fingers through that hair.
Stop torturing yourself and do something. You’re two consenting adults.
She let out a flirty laugh at her inner thoughts as she admired how boyish he appeared when he corrected himself. Then, as quickly as he’d flashed those forest-green eyes, he schooled his features and became Josh, the Navy SEAL, scanning the lot and looking at every car as though he sensed an immediate threat. “I don’t see any black SUV.”
Riley redid her messy bun. “Did Taylor say the FBI was driving a black SUV?”
He shook his head. “Come to think of it, no.”
A blue four-door sedan wheeled into the lot and stopped underneath the portico that led to the main entrance.
Riley pointed to the car. “Maybe they’re the FBI?”
A tall man and a short man got out of the car, wearing business suits, which didn’t scream tourist. A valet greeted the tall man, who was the driver.
Josh grasped Riley’s sweaty hand. “Let’s find out.”
Holding hands was becoming the norm for them, and Riley wasn’t complaining. She loved that they had fallen into a somewhat comfortable friendship. Maybe by the time she left California, they would be more than friends.
Kiss Josh again and you might find out.
Actually, his dad was hoping for the same. “Josh is a good man who needs a good woman like you,” his dad had blatantly said.
Riley had had no comeback for that except to agree with the Josh lookalike.
They walked into the Redwood Cove Inn behind the two suits, who stopped to talk to Drake at the front desk.
Drake, who Riley was finding adored Liza, had his cell phone to his ear until he saw Josh. Then he shifted his dark gaze between the men and Josh, trying to tell him the men were there to see him.
Subtlety wasn’t Drake’s strong suit. The men caught on quickly, as they both turned.
The tall man, who had chestnut-colored eyes, pulled out a wallet from the inside of his suit jacket. “Josh Bandon? I’m Special Agent Wallace with the FBI.” He flashed his credentials then stabbed a thumb at his partner. “This is Special Agent Dennison. Can we talk?”
Soft music played overhead in the lobby. A boy who looked to be about three whined to his mom as they came toward Josh.
Josh angled his right side at Wallace. “I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name. I’m hearing impaired.”
Wallace glanced down at Charlie, who was staring up at the men. “Oh. Wallace and Dennison,” Wallace practically shouted.
Riley would imagine Josh would’ve heard them fine if it weren’t for the cranky boy and other noises in the lobby. He’d also said he was good at reading lips, but the mom and boy had cut a path in between the four of us, apologizing for the intrusion as she and her boy left the inn.
