Read Online The Colonel's Daughter by Lili Tufel - Free Book Online

for was the image that took him by assault, Abby exiting the building in a mini sundress and swaying her hips as she put one foot in front of the other, and headed right to him. Dallas stared at her shapely legs.
    “Good morning.” She shielded her eyes from the glare of the late morning sun.
    “Mornin’…”
    “I thought I’d come out here and thank you.”
    He chose to remain silent. He knew that her coming out in the open like this was a bad idea, but he was in turmoil inside. She was so beautiful and his heart leaped with joy as she thanked him.
    “I was really freaked out last night over what happened at Fisher Island. Every time I looked out my window and I would see your truck, I felt protected. Most people would probably think you’re a stalker…but not me.”
    He crossed his arms. “What do you think?”
    “I think you’re more like my guardian angel.”
    He held his breath. Her words sent electricity throughout his flesh. His body tightened but he was able to hide it. “I’m no angel.” He smirked.
    Abby put a hand on the driver window and peeked inside. “So this is where you spent the night?”
    “I didn’t get much sleep.”
    “Were you planning on following me again today?” She examined the inside of his truck.
    “Look, I don’t want anything to happen to you. After what happened yesterday—”
    “What is that?” A child’s size silver chain caught Abby’s eye as it glistened on the unused ashtray of his truck. The simple necklace held a small pearl. She studied it in amazement.
    Dallas took a step closer, placed his hand on the handle, and opened the door.
    “I had a necklace with a pearl just like that one when I was a kid. I gave it to my dad years ago. He kept it in his uniform pocket, closest to his heart. He used to say that I was his pearl.”
    “That’s your necklace. Your daddy gave it to me. I was waiting for the right time.” Dallas took the delicate piece into his calloused hand. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a car with two men speeding towards them. He lifted Abby by the waist and tossed her into his truck. Using the door as a shield, he drew his weapon.
    “Stay down, Abby!”
    The men began shooting at the pickup truck but Dallas waited for their car to pass while pointing his gun through a small opening on the door. As soon as he spotted the tires, he shot a bull’s eye, which sent their car spinning. He immediately stomped down on the clutch, put the truck in gear and sped away.
    “What do those men want?” Abby looked back at the collision the spinning car had caused.
    “Don’t you know?” Dallas concentrated on the road while weaving through traffic.
    “NO I DON’T!” Abby yelled. “It’s bad enough they have my father, why are they after us?”
    “They’re coming after you, not your mom. Here take my cell phone and tell your mother to go someplace else.”
    Abby called her mom and tried to explain how Maurice’s men were trying to kill them. After frustrating deliberation, she managed to convince Susan that Maurice and his men were after them.
    “She didn’t believe you?” Dallas asked.
    “She just didn’t believe that Maurice had anything to do with it.” Then imitating her mother’s gestures and voice said, “But he’s so charming.” She rolled her eyes.
    “Charming?” He laughed. “Your boyfriend’s reckless behavior almost got him killed yesterday…and he could’ve taken others with him.”
    “Boyfriend,” Abby squealed. “Not even close.”
    Dallas slowly opened his hand that still held her necklace. After trying it on, she lowered the visor mirror and marveled at the pearl. He gave her a few glances and remembered how throughout his trip—from the desert to a hotel in Spain and then to the US—he had imagined what it would be like to give the Colonel’s daughter her necklace and what she would look like wearing it. She’s more beautiful than anything my imagination could ever come up with , he