"The shooter might be after your daughter personally." His gaze went toward Alice who took a deep breath. "This is bigger than hating me."
"We'll keep her safe."
"She's safest with me until we locate the shooter."
Alice went to her room. This time her mother didn't stand in the way. Instead Ellie came toward him, and her hand went to her hip once again. "How? My husband was in the Marines and my son is fresh out. We can handle things just fine without a Morgan as our overlord and master."
At her door, Alice called out behind her, "Mom. Dad has a heart condition, and you are so out of line."
She half-turned around, but then John said, "Mrs. Collins, I intend to marry Alice."
"What?" both women said in unison. Alice came out of her room as her mother's eyebrows lifted.
The words flew out of his mouth, unplanned, but he recognized the truth. Alice would be his forever. John pressed his lips together, nodded, and stared into Mrs. Collins' brown eyes.
He'd marry Alice. It had more appeal than years in the FBI. Alice's blue eyes misted. Her mother's brown eyes held streaks of fire in them. "Alice Collins will make a beautiful bride."
Her mother shouted, "She's not a toy you just pick up and then toss away when you're done. Her life is valuable and far more than you deserve."
Dramatic and powerful. He'd have paid to see Mrs. Collins tell off his father years ago. If he had known she existed, he might not have joined the FBI. He swallowed. "I agree."
Then her mother stared back and forth between them. She sniffed the air as if smelling for the truth. "My daughter doesn't have a ring on her finger."
Alice took a step closer. "Stop, Mom."
John breathed deep and nodded. "She hasn't said yes, yet."
This all had to be a cruel joke. Her insides quaked that he might hurt her mother with this wordplay. Alice shouted at him, "John, I told you not to tell her."
Her mother spun to greet her with her arms crossed. "You knew he intended to marry you."
Alice threw her hands in the air, but her eyes still held shock and disbelief. "Be right back. I'm getting my bag."
Alice stormed off. Her mother stayed right on her heels into her bedroom. "I'll help you." She shut the door.
John realized that his heart wasn't racing. If he married Alice, then he'd have what he always wanted, a place where he belonged with someone who made him feel warm as he started his own business.
Alice would make a perfect wife.
