.
else to indicate a struggle. We shouldn’t assume she’s dead.”
Sassa eased back in her seat with a shudder. “The Black Knights have no reason to keep her alive if they have the formula and Sam is dead.”
Miles and miles passed in silence. At last, Jared said, “You’re the closest person to Sam’s work. Now that it’s in the hands of those maniacs, you’re the only link we have to recreate it. You have to try.”
He glanced over and met her wide, blue-eyed gaze. “Sam had faith in you. So do I.”
Her lips parted in surprise. He kind of liked the look...a lot. The last thing he needed right now was to be distracted by pretty lips. He steeled his resolve and focused on the road ahead.
What he needed was to find a way to convince her he was right. To get her to agree—and that meant bridging the gap between them...the one he’d created.
They traveled the last few miles in silence before the Kingsburg water tower, quaintly formed in the shape of an antique Swedish coffee pot, came into view. It reminded him of Kingsburg’s heritage...and Sassa’s name.
“Your name...is it Swedish?”
She nodded but her voice was pitched low. “My family comes from a long line of Swedish settlers here in the valley.”
“Sassa... It’s very different. What does it mean?”
“It’s a nickname really...for Astrid. But my mom likes it just the way it is.”
“So do I. It suits you.”
She made no response.
Well, that went well.
Ignoring the small frown that wreathed her features, he pulled off the freeway. They passed through the small town. The main street boasted a ton of Swedish motifs. Peaked roofs. Signs with Swedish names in curly, blue, geometric patterns. Bakeries offering delectable, unpronounceable delights. They drove past houses and stores into a predominantly agricultural area. Miles and miles of vineyards were broken only by orchards of pale peaches, plump apricots and bright oranges, leftovers from the summer season. Just enough fruit left from the harvest made the colors stand out against the dark bark and green leaves. A beautiful sight—and a stark reminder of what would be lost if the formula was developed.
They drove for miles out of town before Jared pulled into a large horseshoe driveway in front of a sprawling ranch-style house. Even before he shut down the engine, a couple exited the front door. Jared had called ahead to let the Nilssons know he was bringing their daughter home.
Sassa leaped out of the car. Jared followed as she ran to her mother, who carried an infant. The instant Sassa took the child into her arms, all the tightness and hard edges eased from her features. She smiled and Jared almost stumbled. Her brilliant, beautiful smile transformed her. Golden sunshine slid out from behind a cloud and turned the somewhat dowdy, bedraggled creature into a glowing one. She exuded happiness and was more lovely than Jared had imagined she could ever be. He’d always heard motherhood did things to women, but he’d never witnessed it. Now that he had, he’d never forget it.
As he approached, the most beautiful small creature he had ever seen turned to look at him. Little blond curls nestled on top of her head. The biggest, bluest eyes peered at him with the kind of open curiosity only the very young can portray. He noted the pretty, pouty pink lips just like her mother’s...then she smiled at him with the sweetest, most innocent look.
Precious Keri. That’s what Sam had called her and now Jared understood why.
“Thank you for bringing her home to us.” Sassa’s father, Paul Nilsson, held out his hand.
Jared jumped to respond, trying desperately to shake off little Keri’s charming ways. “You’re welcome. It was the least I could do.”
The FBI agents parked Sassa’s car behind Jared’s SUV and the other government vehicle pulled up behind it. One agent exited her vehicle and carried Sassa’s luggage to where they all stood. Paul accepted the bag, stuffed the keys into his pocket, and thanked him. The man gave a terse nod then turned and headed back to the SUV. That was Jared’s hint to move on.
“We need to go.” He shook Paul’s hand once again and turned to Sylvie Nilsson. She looked much like her daughter except that her blond hair was pulled into a tight bun at the back of her head. She’d kept one hand on her daughter from the moment Sassa was close enough to touch.
That’s where Sassa gets her mothering instincts...from a woman who loves her unconditionally. A pang of something like envy swept through him.
Sylvie caught him staring and murmured her thanks.
Jared nodded and met Sassa’s gaze. “The agents in that SUV will be keeping an eye on things around here. You’ll be safe. I’ll be in touch.”
Understanding sparked between them. She nodded her head. “I’ll be ready.”
Relief swept through Jared and he dipped his head in recognition. Sassa was on board. Now they could get to work. He turned and walked back to his vehicle, but as he climbed in, he couldn’t get the image of the three females—mother, daughter and baby—out of his mind. What would it be like to grow up in a loving family like this one? How would it feel to have such a rich heritage? He had no idea. But he knew one thing.
That kind of goodness needed preserving and he’d do everything in his power to make sure it happened.
“Mom, you absolutely have to go.”
Her mother tugged on Keri’s foot as the baby rested in Sassa’s arms. “I feel like I’m abandoning you two in your greatest need.”
Sassa felt the same way but she wouldn’t openly admit it. After returning to her parents’ home yesterday, she’d slept for a full twenty-four hours, waking just in time to pack and leave this morning. Her mother and father were flying to Florida for the birth of her brother’s first child. They had driven into town in Sassa’s car and were waiting for their Uber ride to pick them up.
This trip had been planned for ages and Sassa absolutely refused to be responsible for changing it now. She was one-hundred-percent certain her brother had taken the job across the country to get away from her ongoing issues. Not that he didn’t love Sassa. He did. But he had a life of his own and her constant “crisis mode” life consumed everyone.
Lars and his wife, Sherry, deserved her parents’ undivided attention for this big event. And besides, the farther they were away, the safer they’d be. If she could find an excuse, she’d send Keri with them. But if she did that, her mother would suspect things weren’t as safe as Sassa had claimed.
Still, they needed to go now, before she broke down and sobbed out the truth.
She sent her dad a pleading glance. Even though her mother seemed oblivious, Dad understood her need. Putting his arm around his wife, he gently pulled her away. “We will miss our plane if we don’t get moving. The Uber we ordered is here.”
Shifting Keri, Sassa wrapped an arm around her dad’s waist. “Thanks.”
He kissed the top of her head and murmured, “I’ve got your back, Sass, always.”
Her mother threw her arms around both her and Keri for one huge hug. “Watch that tooth in the front. I think it’s ready to break through. She’s been chewing on her fist like crazy. Be careful...and listen to Agent De Luca. I think he really cares. I’ll be praying for you.”
Sassa tried to get Keri to wave to Grandma as she hurried to the waiting car. The baby turned big blue eyes toward her as if to ask “what’s going on?” but she refused to wave.
“Mommy and Grandma are trying not to cry. Someday you’ll understand.” She waved one last time