Page 56 of Provocation (Temptation 3)

I gave her a smile, trying to find some sort of reassurance in her words. But as I turned my attention forward once more, seeing Lachlan joking and laughing with the kids, I couldn’t help but think I was depriving him of something he deserved.

A chime from my phone cut through my thoughts, followed by the distant sound of the doorbell echoing from within the house.

I grabbed my cell off the table and opened the doorbell app. When I checked the camera feed, a small ball of apprehension formed in my stomach at the image of Agent Curran standing on my doorstep.

On a Sunday.

“Are you expecting anyone?” Wes shouted as he tossed a bean bag toward the cornhole board. When I didn’t immediately respond, he paused, looking my way, Lachlan doing the same.

“It’s John Curran.”

“The FBI agent?” Londyn asked shakily, eyes wide, breathing increasing.

Wes looked between Imogene and Eli. “You two play by yourselves for a minute.” Then he and Lachlan jogged toward us.

“It’s nothing you need to concern yourself with,” Wes attempted to reassure his wife.

I hated keeping her in the dark. But Wes didn’t want to do anything to cause her undue stress, especially this late in her pregnancy. And this most certainly would cause her stress.

A lot of stress.

“He’s been looking into who could be sending me that jewelry,” I told her, doing my best to keep my voice light, as if it weren’t a big deal. “I’m sure that’s all he’s here to discuss. Do you mind keeping an eye on Imogene for a few minutes?”

She looked from me to Wes, then Lachlan, obviously suspicious that we weren’t giving her the full story. It wasn’t a complete lie, though. Agent Curran had been looking into the jewelry. She didn’t need to know the jewelry I’d received once belonged to over a dozen women who were now dead.

“Of course,” she finally responded, still uneasy.

I gave her an encouraging smile, hiding my own trepidation.

I feared whatever the reason for Agent Curran’s visit was about to change everything.