Living the Legacy
Genie Gabriel
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An early childhood of dodging fists and
anger has left sniper Collin O'Shea always vigilant for danger. So he is
totally unprepared for how quickly the innocent sweetness of Beth Boulanger
claims his heart. Their whirlwind marriage is shaken when the harsh reality of
Collin's job collides with Beth's sheltered upbringing. Will they survive the
unknown dangers that stalk them and threaten their unborn child?
EXCERPT
When
the day of their symphony outing arrived, Beth's nerves were stretched as taut
as the strings on her cello. She fussed over her hair and wished she had
learned more tricks for applying make-up. Unfortunately, it was too late now to
learn what most females learned as teenagers.
At
least she still had the subtly flattering formal dress she had worn when
performing with the college symphony. It fit as easily as the memories that
swept over her when she stepped into the auditorium where the symphony was
performing.
She
breathed in the smell of wood and resin, barely noticeable to a casual
concert-goer. However, the memory of the slightly sticky feel of the resin she
sparingly swept down the strings of her cello bow when she played tingled in
her fingertips.
In
the years she had been pursuing a business that could support the need for a
house and healthy food in her refrigerator, Beth's time with her cello
dwindled. Now she only occasionally brushed the dust gently from its strings
and sat down with her once-constant companion.
This
night unleashed the emotions making music once roused in her.
At
a time when Beth desperately wanted to impress her handsome escort with her
sophistication, she often found tears welling in her eyes as the orchestra
played pieces she remembered well.
Rather
than seem embarrassed by her behavior, Collin simply smiled and covered her
hand with his.
After
the performance, Collin cupped her elbow and steered her backstage to meet the
members of the orchestra. Delighted, Beth was soon caught up in the world she
had reveled in during her high school and college years.
When
the principle cellist invited them to celebrate the performance with coffee and
dessert at a local restaurant, Beth couldn't think of a more fitting highlight
to their evening. With Collin as her escort, the evening had been perfect.
...
Collin
watched the glow in Beth's eyes as she talked to members of the orchestra. The
delicate lavender color of her formal gown and the diamond clips in the upswept
curls of her hair enhanced her physical beauty. However, it was the love of
music sparkling in her conversation that really captured Collin's attention.
Why
had she neglected music? he wondered. Surely she could carve out time for
something she so clearly loved in addition to running a restaurant.
Well,
he would make sure their time together included the orchestra she enjoyed so
much. And he did intend to spend time with Beth, Collin realized. Though this
was their first actual date, it seemed he had known her forever.
Inwardly,
Collin took a step back. Such fanciful thoughts for a man whose life was
devoted to a job requiring deadly focus and split second decision-making.
The
vibration of the cell phone in his pocket clearly reminded Collin of that job.
Caller ID showed this interruption was a serious one.
He
excused himself and went to the lobby to take the call. His team leader offered
few details but to report ASAP.
Collin
returned to the table and apologized to Beth. "Something's come up and I
need to go."
He
paused and frowned, irritated a call-out was pulling him away from the most
pleasant evening he had enjoyed in recent memory. "I'm so sorry."
The
sparkle in Beth's eyes turned to worry. "Is everything alright?"
If
everything was alright, the SWAT team wouldn't be activated. But Collin
couldn't say that. He couldn't destroy Beth's innocent concern. "One of
the drawbacks of my job is being on call 24/7."
"Oh."
Beth rose to her feet.
The
scent of her flowery shampoo filled Collin's senses and sizzled through his
body. She stood close enough he would only have to take a step forward to fold
her in his arms. To protect her from the angry and distraught and plainly
malevolent people he met every day on his job.
"Do
you mind driving my truck back to Halo after I stop at the station? I won't
have time to make the trip"
Doubtful
hesitation crinkled across Beth's face. "If you don't mind."
"I
mind leaving you without a proper escort home."
Collin
drove quickly to the station and pulled into a parking spot. Then he cupped
Beth's face between his hands and kissed her gently. As the seconds ticked
away, his cell phone vibrated again.
He
had to leave. He allowed one more moment of regret, then said goodnight, and
strode inside to confront whatever emergency was once again claiming his life.
Irritation
swirled through Collin as he entered the station. Beth was the first woman who
had captured his attention for a very long time, and he had to cut short their
date for a call-out. This had better be good.
A
mass of organized chaos greeted Collin.
"About
time you showed up, O'Shea." His team leader frowned. "We've got a
town blowing up. We're sending all the manpower we can spare."
"What
town?" Collin shrugged into his camouflage jacket.
"Halo."
Collin
froze as a crystal clear image of Beth lodged in his mind. She was driving
straight into a disaster.
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