Breathing in the fresh scent of autumn, Whitney smiled. It was a refreshing break to be outside with nature. Memories resurfaced – those she couldn’t control. After her mother divorced Joe, Whitney had tried to forget her love for painting and for riding horses. She tried to lock away the past because it hurt too much to remember. But being on the ranch had opened her heart and mind. And now she didn’t want to leave.

The chirping of her cell phone snapped her to reality. Grumbling, she jumped off the tire swing. She fished the phone out of her pocket and glanced at caller ID. Inwardly, she groaned. What was Captain Bott calling to chew her out about this time?

“Agent Lawson,” she replied automatically, and then cringed, remember what he’d said the last time she called herself an agent.

“Can I assume,” he began in a strong voice, “that you and the billionaire are in hiding now?”

“Yes, captain. We are.”

“Good, because the senator is going to be extra upset now.”

She held her breath, wondering what had happened that she didn’t know about.

“We just got word,” her boss continued, “that the senator’s attempt to push the trial back was denied. Trial will be in two weeks.”

Relief swept over her, knowing that she only had two more weeks to be in hiding, and yet she knew as well as any agent, that the senator’s henchmen would be diligently searching for Zack now.

Not good.

“I’ll be extra cautious, sir,” she said.

“You’d better. I don’t want one of my agents dead. And I definitely don’t want the prosecution’s only witness dead, as well.”

“Agreed, sir.”

“Where did you finally end up hiding?”

“A ranch in Maine. I know the owner.” She didn’t want to give too much information away, only because the captain would find another reason to snap at her. “And I made Greyson change his appearance. Looking at him now, you wouldn’t know immediately that he was the billionaire.”

“Good job, Lawson. Now, as long as the two of you can stay low for two more weeks, we’ll be able to keep him safe from the senator’s long criminal reach. I swear, that crooked politician has spies all over.”

“I’ll do all I can to keep Zack Greyson safe, sir.”

“I’ll call you the closer we get to the trial to give you more details.”

“Thanks. I’ll await your call.”

She hung up and slid the phone back in her pocket. With a prayer in her heart, she hoped the senator’s reach didn’t come all the way to Greenston, Maine.

Leaning against the tree, she closed her eyes and sighed. Mixed emotions rushed through her. Part of her was excited that she only had to wait two more weeks, and the other part of her didn’t want this glorious vacation to end. Zack was a different person out here. Either that, or she was the different person. It didn’t matter because whatever was going on, her heart was light, and she felt happy – an emotion she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Suddenly, an eerie feeling came over her, stirring the hairs on the back of her neck. She reached for her Glock... only to remember she’d left it in her room. Her heartbeat quickened as her mind whirled with how she would be able to handle things without her gun if the situation became dangerous. She focused on the sounds around her. Deep breaths were coming toward her. Quickly.

Inhaling for courage, she swung around, ready to meet the intruder. Zack laughed and grabbed her around the waist. He lifted her up. Caught off guard, she gripped his strong shoulders. Her heart rate was a little more difficult to lower, especially now that she was in his arms.

“I wanted to surprise you,” he said.

“You did... and you nearly scared the crap out of me, too.”

“I’m sorry, love. I guess sneaking up on an FBI agent is a bad thing to do.”

“It is.” She laughed lightly. “If I had had my gun, you’d be staring down the barrel of my Glock.”

His gaze narrowed, and he arched an eyebrow. “You don’t have your gun?” He tsked, shaking his head. “That’s not a good thing.”

“I know.” She relaxed, still in his arms. She liked that he hadn’t broken the contact. “But being out here on the ranch, I’ve felt secure. It’s hard to remember to wear my gun when I feel this way.”

“I agree. The ranch is definitely a different environment, and it’s really nice and relaxing. I don’t find myself looking over my shoulder any longer. It’s been a long two months. But being out here, I could go for a whole year and not worry about the real world.”

Her heart flipped. It was nice to know he felt the same as she had. “A whole year? What would the world think about their missing billionaire?”

“The world wouldn’t have a second thought about me. The paparazzi, however... yeah, they might wonder what happened to the billionaire they enjoyed bothering. But you know what?” He gathered her closer. “I don’t care what they think.”

The tenderness in his soft chocolate eyes was melting her fast. As long as he kept his arms around her, she’d be sure not to drop to the ground. “Do you mean you don’t have any fans out there?”

He shrugged. “If I do, I haven’t noticed. Mostly, people let me live my life without any major interruptions.”

“And then came that life-altering day when you overheard things that could get you killed.”

His smile disappeared, and he nodded. “It was shocking to hear that someone I’d become good friends with over the years could live a double life. When I’d heard Senator Sterling talking with one of his hitmen in that restaurant, I honestly didn’t know what to do. I mean, he’d been a friend. I didn’t know whether to turn him in or pretend he was joking.”

She stroked his arm. “You made the right choice.”

His laugh sounded tight. “Only because he tried to kill me after that.”

“I’m glad he missed,” she confessed softly.

He stared at her for a few silent seconds. The only sound was that of his breathing. Or was it her breaths that had accelerated?

Slowly, he pulled away, but held her hand and entwined their fingers. As they walked, she noticed the stiff way he stepped. She was sure he’d still be sore today. His nose and ears were still beet red from the sunburn, though.

“Whitney?

“Hmm?”

“Do you like being an FBI agent?”

“Yes. Why do you ask?”

He shrugged. “Don’t get upset at me for saying this, but you’re different out here in the country. When we first met at the airport, you were uptight and... mean.”

She chuckled lightly. “Mean? Well, you were mean, too.”

“Okay, maybe mean isn’t the word. Maybe stubborn is a better word.”

“Now that, I can believe.” She grinned.

“But since we’ve been here, you’re a different person. You’re not trying to act all tough and dress like a guy.” She arched an eyebrow, but he held up his hand to keep her from saying anything. “You have to admit, you tried to dress like one of the male agents, instead of the female agents.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Then why do you dress that way?”

“What way is that?”

He sighed. “Plain, and not feminine at all.” He stopped, pulling her in front of him as he cupped the side of her face. “You’re a very beautiful woman. I just wondered why you didn’t want your co-workers to know that.”

Embarrassment made her face hot. “Zack, you can stop flirting. I know I’m not a pretty woman, and I’m all right with that. I’d rather have people like me for the kind of person I am, not for my looks.”

“Are you stubborn and crabby with your co-workers like you were with me when we first met?”

She shrugged. “Sometimes.”

“Oh, yeah. They’re really going to love the real you now.”

She scowled. She didn’t know what he was getting at. Why was he telling her this, anyway? Stepping back, she yanked her hand from his. “What are you saying?”

“I guess what I’m trying to say is that you’re happier here at the ranch than you are at the FBI office. You’re more comfortable with your beauty here on the ranch, and you can be yourself. When you’re at work, you’re showing them a Whitney Lawson that doesn’t exist.”

Her heart twisted when the truth hit her full force. Zack was right. She’d wanted so badly to make her mother proud of her for being someone important – like an FBI agent – that she didn’t realize it had taken away her true identity.

She blinked back the tears burning in her eyes. “Oh, Zack,” she whispered brokenly. “I can’t believe you noticed.” She tried pulling away, but he wrapped her in his arms, keeping her close.

“Gladys tells me you’re painting again,” he said.

She nodded.

“What made you stop?”

Sad memories flooded her mind, bringing with it more tears. “I was never good enough for my mother. She’d told me once that my paintings looked like a preschooler had colored them.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “She’d told me I should dress like a guy since my thin body resembled one anyway. She told me I would never amount to anything.”

His jaw hardened, and his nostrils flared. “She was so wrong, Whitney. If only you could see yourself like I see you, and like Joe and Gladys see you.” He expelled a breath. “You are a very pretty woman. You are a wonderful person, and you can excel at anything you put your mind to.”

Where had Zack been all of her life? Why couldn’t she have had this support before now? “You commented before about my lack of knowledge as an agent.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen better. However, I know the reason why you’re not that good.”

She chuckled. “I’m trying to feel offended.”

“I’m not trying to be rude. But think about it. You can be anything you want if you put your heart into it. Tell me, Whitney, do you put your whole heart into your job? Are you loving life because you’re in your dream job? Or are you living day to day to see how many people you can make happy – like your mother and your boss?”

Tears slid down her cheeks. “You’re right. I have never put my heart into this job.”

“What job have you put your whole heart in to?”

“Nothing.”

“Why?”

“Because... I didn’t think I deserved it.”

“Oh, my darling Whitney,” he whispered, pulling her against him as he kissed her forehead. “You deserve the best. You always have, and you always will.”

“It’s so hard to think that way,” she closed her eyes, enjoying his attention, and hoping his kisses would move down to her mouth, “when I’ve been told differently for so long.”

He withdrew, staring deeply into her eyes. “Do you remember the fairytale story of Snow White?”

Whitney nodded.

“The Evil Queen didn’t want anyone in the kingdom as beautiful as her, which is why she wanted Snow White killed.” He paused for only a second. “Your mother is the Evil Queen, and you are Snow White.”

She chuckled tightly. “Snow White ended up getting her fairytale romance and happily ever after.”

“And you will, too, because I think you’re the fairest one of all.”

“Oh, Zack.” She wanted to laugh again, but he was being serious. “What does that make you? The Magic Mirror, or... Prince Charming?”

He laughed out loud. “Can I be both?”

She liked the way his brown eyes danced with kindness. “No. One or the other.”

He pulled her closer and bent his head inches away from hers. “Then I want to be your Prince Charming.”

Whitney’s heart burst with happiness, lunging her forward to place her lips on his. The kiss was tender, but urgent. His mouth slanted over hers, and she clung to him like she never wanted to let go. The truth was, at this moment, she never wanted to leave her fairytale with Zack and this ranch. If only they could be together forever and ever...

The pop of gunfire rang through the stillness of the morning. She jerked away from Zack and pulled him down. Another shot whizzed by them. The bullet connected with the tree trunk not far from where they were.

Panic filled her, and she couldn’t breathe. She didn’t have her gun to protect them. Because of her forgetfulness, they were both in danger of being killed. Right here. Right now.