“But it won’t,” Lynda interrupted gently. “You have to believe that.”
The morning quietness of the bookstore enveloped them as they sipped their coffee, each lost in thought.
“Whatever happens,” Kathleen said finally, breaking the silence, “you’re not alone, Izzy. If Frank and Tommy return tomorrow or in six months, we’ll be here. And if you need to go to them instead, we’ll watch over the bookstore.”
Tears welled in Isabel’s eyes. “Thank you. Just you both being here means so much to me.”
Lynda wrapped her in a fierce hug. “That’s what friends are for.”
Isabel closed her eyes and thought of Frank’s promise:I’ll come back to you.The only thing she could do now was hope and pray that he did return.
CHAPTER 34
Frank sat on the edge of the bed in the safe house, the first rays of dawn filtering through the blinds. He hadn’t slept much—every creak and distant car engine had him on alert, his body refusing to relax despite the FBI agents posted outside. Tommy, thankfully, had fallen asleep quickly, exhaustion overriding his natural curiosity about their new surroundings.
The house was a small ranch-style property on the outskirts of Kalispell, remote enough for privacy but close enough to the FBI field office for rapid response if needed. It was clean, functional, and entirely impersonal—a stark contrast to the home they’d created in Sapphire Bay.
Frank ran a hand over his face, feeling the stubble that had formed overnight. A cell phone, specially secured by William’s tech team, was on the nightstand beside him. The number was new and untraceable to his real identity.
He picked it up, turning it over as he debated whether it was too early to call Isabel. Their kiss was a bright point in the chaos of the previous night. He hadn’t planned it—hadn’t planned any of the feelings that had developed between them. But he’dneeded her to know how he felt about her and about the future they could have together.
A soft knock at the bedroom door pulled him from his thoughts.
“Grandpa?” Tommy’s voice was muffled through the wood. “Are you awake?”
“Come in, buddy,” Frank called, setting the phone aside.
Tommy pushed the door open. His hair was sticking out in all directions, and Fido, his cuddly toy dog, was tucked under his arm. “The lady agent is making coffee in the kitchen, and there’s a man outside in a car watching the house.”
Despite everything, Frank smiled. “You did well to see them all. Are you hungry?”
Tommy nodded, climbing onto the bed next to Frank. They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of what had happened settling between them.
“Are the bad people going to find us here?” Tommy asked finally, his voice small but steady.
Frank put his arm around his grandson’s shoulders. “I don’t think so. William and his team are very good at keeping people safe. That’s why we’re here.”
“How long do we have to stay?”
That was the question Frank had been dreading. “I’m not sure, buddy. It could be a few weeks.”
Tommy frowned. “What about school? I have to go back soon. And my books are at home. And what about Isabel? She’s going to make us dinner.”
The mention of Isabel made Frank’s chest tighten. “I’ll talk to William about getting your schoolwork sent here. And we can ask the agents to pick up some of your books from home.” He hesitated. “But we’ll have to wait a little while before we see her again.”
“But you promised her you’d come back.”
“And I will,” Frank assured him. “We both will. It just might take some time.”
Tommy sighed. “Can we call her? So she knows we’re okay?”
Frank glanced at the phone on the nightstand. “I think we can manage that. After breakfast.”
Tommy grinned. “I want to tell her about the FBI lady who has a turtle tattoo on her arm. Isabel will think that’s cool.”
“I’m sure she will,” Frank agreed, ruffling Tommy’s hair. “Go get dressed, and we’ll see what’s for breakfast.”
After Tommy left, Frank sat quietly on the bed. The weight of everything that had happened pressed heavily on his shoulders. But there was something else, too. A flickering light of possibility that hadn’t been there before Isabel entered their lives.
