“You’re not supposed to see my dress before the wedding!” Jordan protested, as Ben strolled into the hotel room and swung her around in a circle. He was wearing his tux and looked simply magnificent. The suit accented his broad shoulders, and the happiness in his face made him look more handsome than she’d ever seen him before. She laughed in delight and fell against him as the dizziness hit. “Now you have to pretend to be surprised when I walk down the aisle.”
He laughed, his brown eyes twinkling. Frank walked up behind him, also in a tux but carrying a small red rosebud and a long stickpin. “I told this guy to wait, but does he listen to me, his best man? Nope, not at all. He never learns.” He took the flower and pinned it to Ben’s lapel as the two separated. “There you go. Now that you’re properly dressed, you can rush off and see your fiancée and tell her the news.”
Jordan laughed. She knew Frank was a fastidious dresser and took great care in his appearance. He could rarely be seen without a jacket and tie, unless he was headed to play softball on the sheriff’s team or to see his alma mater, Florida State University, competing in a sporting event. As usual, his suit was immaculate, and he had the look of a man who had gone to great pains to make sure his appearance was crisp and formal. He was apparently trying to make sure Ben was also at the top of his game as well, but something had distracted Ben and brought him to her door. Jordan was amused at her fiancé’s exuberance.
“We just discovered some news about the case, and I didn’t want to wait to tell you,” Ben said as he played with a curl that hung by her face. He wrapped her hair around his finger, then leaned in and gave her a kiss before releasing it. “Sam Delvers, the CEO of Southeastern, just confessed that he has ties to the marshal’s office. Remember how we couldn’t figure out why they did such a poor job of protecting you? Usually the marshals are a top-notch group. Well the marshal assigned to your case is Delvers’s second cousin. They grew up together, and even used to stay at each other’s houses during the summers when they were in high school.”
Jordan shook her head. “That explains so much!” she said emphatically. “Of course, the marshal wasn’t concerned when I reported that man following me, or when he tried to kill me. Tammington and Delvers probably organized the hit and sent the mercenary up there, then told the marshal to look the other way. The marshal probably even gave him my address at the safe house.”
“Well, the marshal was just arrested and charged, so you no longer have to worry about him.” He smiled. “And, another connection was just revealed. Tammington also had ties to the prosecuting attorney. Apparently, Tammington had represented his parents in a big case down in Miami. Eddy discovered the conflict and reported it. Before the case, both attorneys should have reported the conflict themselves, but neither one did. Apparently, the investigators have even uncovered proof that the two colluded to throw the case. You never really had a chance to stop Southeastern in court. Not a fair chance, anyway.” He paused. “The prosecutor just lost his job, and is getting disbarred. He won’t be stepping anywhere near a courtroom for the rest of his career.”
Ben kissed her again. “I guess I could have waited to tell you all of this, but I wanted you to know so we could put it all behind us before you walked down the aisle. I know you were wondering about the marshal and all, so now we have answers.”
Jordan smiled and bit her bottom lip. “I’m glad you did. I have to admit, it puts my mind at ease. And today, I want all of my focus to be where it should be—on my handsome groom!” She ran her fingers over his lips and reveled at the softness. Could this big wonderful man really be about to become her husband? God had truly blessed her beyond measure. “I love you, Benjamin Graham. I want to be with you forever. God has given us this second chance, and I’m not going to waste it.”
Ben smiled, his eyes dancing. “I love you, too, Jordan. No matter what the future brings, I can face it head-on, as long as I have you by my side.”
Don’t miss Kathleen Tailer’s next thrilling novel, available September 2020 wherever Love Inspired Suspense books and ebooks are sold.
Keep reading for an excerpt from Border Breach by Darlene L. Turner.