Holiday Defenders: Mission: Christmas Rescue / Special Ops Christmas / Homefront Holiday Hero. Debby Giusti

did little to ease the nervous anxiety she felt each time she thought of Zack. Did he have food and shelter and something warm to wrap his hands around?

      “Oh, please, God,” she whispered, surprised when Nick looked up.

      “I know you’re worried.” His gaze was filled with concern.

      She nodded. “I was thinking about Zack.”

      “I tried to call him this morning but didn’t get a response.”

      “Do they have him?” she asked, almost afraid to hear Nick’s answer.

      “He’s okay.”

      “How can you be sure?”

      “I know Zack.”

      “You knew him years ago, before he lost his wife and became so reckless, despite his two children, who should make him be more cautious.”

      “Zack was born to be an investigator, Lizzie. His work gives meaning to his life.”

      “His children should come first,” she insisted.

      “And they do, but he has a job to do. For me, that’s the military. For him, it’s exposing corruption and righting wrongs.”

      “You mentioned the military.” She pulled in a ragged breath. “Aren’t you afraid when you go into combat?”

      “Of course I worry about what could happen. Everyone does. Anyone who says otherwise isn’t being truthful. My mission is to defend my country. To fight for what’s right, for freedom, for truth. I wouldn’t be able to look myself in the eye if I didn’t do my job.”

      Nick was telling her that he lived with danger and always would. Was this the way life would be if she were with Nick? Always afraid? Always looking over her shoulder?

      Lizzie shook her head ever so slightly. Why was she even thinking about a future with Nick? He’d just told her how important the military was to him. He had a job to do that didn’t include her. Was that why he’d left her behind all those years ago—because he’d known that he wanted to go serve his country, and that that would mean letting her go so his mission could come first?

      Mary Grace stirred. Her eyes blinked open, and concern momentarily clouded her face. She dug her hand into the sleeping bag, pulled her Nativity set free of the bedding and smiled at Lizzie.

      “Morning, Sunshine. We’re having a campout and a special breakfast.” Lizzie kept her voice light. “How about something warm to eat?”

      “My tummy’s hungry.”

      “I’m sure it is. Get up quietly so you don’t wake Joey.”

      Mary Grace climbed from the sleeping bag and gave Liz a hug. “When will Daddy come to get us?”

      “Soon, honey. I hope very, very soon.”

      If only Zack would think of the children and stop placing himself in danger.

      She glanced at Nick. He wouldn’t change, either, and she could never ask him to be anything other than the brave man he was. Nick was good and strong and determined to make a difference.

      She had to stop blaming him for hurting her in the past. He’d chosen a path that didn’t include her, but it was a noble and honorable path. She shouldn’t blame him for choosing it over her. As soon as the danger had ended, he’d return to Fort Rickman and the military. Future deployments and assignments around the world would take him far from Lassiter and far from Lizzie. That was the reality she needed to accept. No matter how much she wished their reunion could grow into a relationship, her time with Nick would be short-lived.

      She needed to steel her heart. Nick Fontaine would walk out of her life again.

       TEN

      Nick enjoyed watching Mary Grace eat breakfast. She followed the oatmeal with dried fruit and laughed when it stuck to her teeth.

      “I need to brush,” she said after swallowing the last bit of dried banana.

      “My mistake,” Nick said with a chuckle. “I forgot to include toothbrushes or toothpaste in with the supplies.”

      “Daddy says I need to set a good example for Joey.”

      As if hearing his name, the little guy opened his eyes. He looked as confused as Mary Grace had been when she’d first awakened.

      Lizzie moved closer and smiled down at him. “Morning, Joey. We’re camping out—it’s an adventure! Would you like some breakfast?”

      He nodded his head, sat up and smiled at Nick.

      “Hey, Sport. Did you sleep well?”

      Again the nod. He stretched his arms above his head and then reached for Lamb, still buried within the sleeping bag.