Mission: Marriage: Bulletproof Marriage. Lyn Stone

at the alcohol, Natalie nearly turned around and ran, but she trusted Auggie. If he wanted his friend the doctor here, then she would rely on his reasoning.

      She continued forward, pasting a phony smile on her face while her stomach churned.

      Standing as she approached, Dennie crushed her in a bear hug. “Ach, it’s so good to see you, lass.”

      Natalie didn’t waste time on pleasantries. “Where’s Auggie?”

      “He wasn’t feeling well.” He flashed a brilliant smile. “Must be a touch of the flu. He didn’t want to stand you up, so he asked me to meet you, instead.”

      That didn’t sound like the Auggie she’d talked to on the telephone a few hours ago. He hadn’t been sick then. Nor had he acted as though he’d entrust whatever information he had to anyone else.

      Something was up.

      Yet Dennie was on their side.

      Wasn’t he?

      Realizing he’d asked her a question, Natalie nodded. She’d always liked the handsome doctor and he’d made no secret of his attraction to her. Once, she’d found this flattering. Now, with her father in harm’s way and the clock ticking, it was merely annoying.

      “I don’t have a lot of time,” she warned, shifting from foot to foot, unable to hide her unease.