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Chapter

Nineteen

The end of June and the first few days of July were some of the longest days of Alice’s life.

Robbie was on a no-contact op for Aiden Porter.

Being with him for those two weeks then having him yanked away again gouged at her.

Alice had been smart to be wary and only wade into rekindling things with him.

If she had gone in over her head, it would hurt so much worse right now.

She dreamed of being together but didn’t know what that looked like long-term.

There had been nothing new discovered about Big Buddha or any hits on the dark web for Robbie.

Robbie’s work associate, Nick Jacobs, had reached out to her and let her know that Robbie was safe.

Similar to Juneteenth, Big Buddha would have no way of knowing where Robbie was with him deep into a mission.

At least he was safe. Would they be destined to have every holiday be a horror show?

Her mother was livid that she’d gotten back with Robbie. She kept repeating, “The ogre is not worthy of your angelic beauty.”

Alice still tried to visit her every day, but sometimes it was only for a few minutes.

When she’d first returned home, she’d painted word pictures of all the sites she’d visited, showing her photos and videos online since she sadly had none of her own.

Then she’d told her about reconnecting and falling back in love with Robbie.

Her mother had ranted and raved that the ‘behemoth’ was not the right man for her.

So Alice had focused almost exclusively on work.

At least that was going well. The infusion of a million and two hundred thousand dollars in her account astounded her.

Brandon revealed that Robbie had requested that his million be transferred into Alice’s account since they were ‘together’, and he had transferred some of his savings to make up the extra hundred thousand.

It was too much money, over the top really, a gift she’d never thought to receive. She met with a financial advisor for tax purposes and put some money in investments, but her business was soaring with the cash infusion.

Robbie could help her soar, even if he wasn’t here. But nothing was like soaring in Robbie’s arms, his kisses where all worries fled, and the happiness of being together.

Finally, it was the Fourth of July. She’d dreaded this day, but Nick Jacobs let her know that morning that there was no sign of a hit request on the dark web for Robbie.

That was a miracle and a relief. Had Big Buddha given up, or did the murderer know Robbie was out of reach?

He would be safe when he wasn’t with her.

That hurt, but him being alive was more important than her selfish desires to have him close.

If she could only get through today, she’d be able to relax. Until Labor Day. Hopefully she would see Robbie before Labor Day. Being apart was worse than she’d feared, especially because they couldn’t even talk.

Her mother was hosting James, Preston, and Priscilla Lavity for an evening barbecue and fireworks show for the holiday.

Alice had no excuse not to go. She’d been trying to make new friends at church and was really enjoying the new designer, Shelly, that she’d hired, but it took time to develop strong friendships like she’d had with Ruby and Natalie, and she was reluctant to do anything outside of work or church and give Big Buddha another target.

Alice made it through dinner on the back patio with only a few concerned looks from her mother. Preston was flirting nonstop with her, which grated on her nerves. His parents and her mother watched in delight, as if they were a match made in heaven.

Alice had always tried to gently discourage or shift the conversation when he flirted, but this was getting out of hand.

After dinner, she planned to leave. She couldn’t stand the thought of waiting around for fireworks.

Preston would try to sit close and brush against her in the dark, and just the thought made her stomach squirm.

The staff was clearing dessert when the doorbell sounded from inside the house. The patio doors were open, and Alice looked toward the main area but couldn’t see the entryway.

“I’ll get it,” she said, pushing her chair back.

“No, dear.” Her mother yanked on her hand. “Jeremy will take care of whoever it is. I haven’t invited anyone else to my home.”

Her mother gave her a significant look. What did that mean?

Alice wanted to run for the front door on the off chance it was Robbie coming for her.

She didn’t know how it could be. If he came, he’d go to her condo where he’d dropped her off two and a half weeks ago.

Her stomach flipped over at the fear of him showing up on the holiday.

He knew better than to do that. Right? Big Buddha would somehow find out and hit men would descend on Robbie and kill him.

Yanking her hand from her mother’s grip, Alice put a hand to her heart to calm it.

“Are you all right, sweetheart?” Priscilla asked.

“Yes, thank you. Just a little tired. I’ve been working a lot of hours. I’m going to head home and rest.”

“Preston can see you home,” her mother said, a gleam in her dark eyes.

Alice whirled on her. What was this—the dark ages?

Did her mother think she could matchmake her with the man she wanted?

Alice looked to Preston, who seemed hopeful.

His father looked expectant and his mother looked sweet and encouraging, nodding to her.

Her mother, on the other hand, looked downright demanding.

“No, thank you,” Alice said. “I have my own car.”

She stood, bent, and kissed her mother on the cheek.

“Don’t you miss out on Preston for that ogre,” her mother begged. “You’re stop-dead gorgeous and Preston is perfect for you. ”

Straightening, Alice glared down at her mother.

How awkward she’d say that with the Lavitys right here.

A commotion sounded from the front of the house, but she ignored it.

She had to be brave and get the words out, put an end to her mother and Priscilla’s meddling and Preston’s hopes of them ever dating.

She looked around the table. “In case my mother hasn’t told you, I am officially dating Robbie Perrine. I love Robbie, and I don’t appreciate any of you trying to matchmake Preston and me.”

Preston’s jaw dropped, obviously shocked she’d choose anyone over him. “Robbie Perrine? The guy you dated in high school? Surely you’re outgrown your silly obsession with a military man who doesn’t have any money.”

“That’s what I said,” her mother threw in.

James and Priscilla simply gave her beseeching looks. As if she’d change her mind and love Preston as they’d always schemed.

“It really doesn’t matter what any of you think,” Alice said, tempted to tell them Robbie had plenty of money, but that was hardly the point. “I love Robbie, and he is my choice.”

She turned to walk away as a large form hurtled over the privacy fence and landed in her mother’s hydrangeas.

The man straightened and turned to face them. His button-down shirt and slacks were disheveled, his dark hair shaggy on top, and he had a full beard coming in. He also looked like he’d been in a brawl.

No man had ever looked so good to her.

“Robbie!”

Alice dashed down the patio steps and across the lawn. Robbie grinned and ran to her. As he reached her, he swept her off her feet and swung her around, his grin widening.

“You came,” she whispered.

“Always.”

He lowered her enough to capture her mouth with his own, still holding her off her feet. The kiss was deep and powerful and binding. His beard was soft, and she liked kissing him with it. He was a man. All man. Her man. Robbie was here. Nothing could go wrong now.

Setting her on her feet, he looked her over. “You look absolutely gorgeous. I can’t even tell you how much I’ve missed you. ”

“I missed you too,” she exclaimed. “But you look horrible.”

He chuckled at that. “Sorry. I came straight from Panama. I tried to clean up on the airplane and put on nicer clothes, but I didn’t have a razor.

Then the butler and guards wouldn’t let me in, so I had to incapacitate a couple security guards and come through the back door.

” He gestured to the hydrangeas. “Not the best way to start winning over my future mother-in-law.”

Alice laughed. Her mother would be livid about her flower bed, but she’d be more upset about Robbie’s presence on her property.

All that mattered was Robbie was here. They were together. She didn’t know for how long, but he’d proven he’d come back for her. She loved him and trusted him.

Robbie framed her face with his hands. “I love you,” he whispered, then bent and kissed her again.

A throat clearing from far too close yanked her out of the bliss of Robbie’s kiss.

Her mother. And the Lavitys. She groaned. They’d have to face them.

“How dare you break into my home?” her mother snarled at him.

Robbie lifted his eyebrows, but he was still smiling, his blue gaze confident and focused on her and her alone. “Please trust me, Alice. There’s a plan, and it’s going to work out.”

She was confused. A plan to win her mother over?

“Good luck,” she murmured.

It would be great if he could win her mother over, but Robbie was her choice. In the end, her mother would have to figure out how to deal with that.

Robbie released her from the hug, turning to face the foursome.

He took Alice’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

It strengthened her. She knew her mom loved her, and it would be sticky to navigate their relationship, but Robbie staying by her side wasn’t negotiable.

Not to her. Not anymore. He’d come for her, and she was almost giddy with happiness.

“Happy Fourth of July,” he said. “I thought it imperative that I get to Alice on this most important of days.”

The four people staring at them didn’t move .

“No,” Alice cried out suddenly. Her stomach clenched and all the good feelings disappeared.