Undercover Engagement by Lucy McConnell Read Free Book Online Page A

Sweets.” He winked as he shut the door behind him. I let out a sigh of relief. Sitting up I ran my hand through my hair. That was close. I was beginning to hate spy feet.
     Church went as smoothly as could be expected. I had multiple ex-youth leaders checking for a ring. There were only a few awkward moments, but overall, I couldn’t complain.
    Matt and his family came over that afternoon for a late lunch. He and Jason hit it off. “You should bring this guy back for Thanksgiving – your team could use a little muscle.” Matt teased. It didn’t matter what team I played for in our annual sibling football game, my side always lost.
    I flashed a warning look at Jason. “ If he comes back, I’m invoking the substitution rule.”
    “You’ll have to marry him first – it only applies to spouses.”
    Insert awkward pause.
    Thanks, Matt.
    Jason jumped up off the couch, commanding attention. “I guess that’s as good of an opening as any.”
    I looked frantically around the room. Mom and Dad were in the kitchen. Matt and Susan’s kids played in the front yard. Susan sat forward on the couch. I cringed. This was not part of Plan B.
    “Jason.” My voice was full of a warning he didn’t take.
    He took my hand. I heard Susan gasp. “Alyssa Eastman.” My heart stopped. He was not supposed to do this now! I’d kill him later, when there weren’t any witnesses. “Will you get me some more soda?”
    Relief. Relax. Rebuttal.
    “Jason Butler?” I batted my eyelashes. “Get it yourself.”
    Matt cracked up and Susan hit him in the shoulder. “Hey, what’d I do?” he asked.
    She glared. “Men.”
    Jason tickled my ribs all the way into the kitchen. We burst through the door laughing and obviously interrupting a private conversation between my parents.    
    “Hey,” I said.
    Dad cleared his throat. Jason smiled. “We need to be getting back to the valley.”
    “So soon?” Mom said. Her tone made me wonder if she was really sorry we were going. I gave her a what’s-your-problem look.
    “I’m going to make sure I got everything out of my room,” I said.
    “I’ll be just a minute.” Jason leaned against the counter. He had that T.C.S. look again. Whatever . After his almost proposal in the front room, I figured there wasn’t much more he could pull before we left the house.
    Straightening the bed covers, I did a mental list : clothes, check; shoes, check; make-up bag, check; ring...uh...ring ? I patted my empty pocket, sure I’d put it in there when I changed after church. I checked the make-up bag, the bathroom counter, the nightstand, and the desk.
    No ring.
    Panicked, I dropped to the floor, systematically running my hands across the shag carpet.
    No ring.
    Jason was going to kill me. I was going to kill me. That ring cost a fortune. Not to mention it was a symbol of Jason's love for me. Why, oh why, hadn't I kept better track of it?
    The nightstand!
    I pulled the whole thing away from the wall. No ring. I threw my suitcase on the bed. Pulling things out one at a time, I shook each item, then when the ring didn’t fall out, I threw it behind me.
    “That’s the strangest way to pack I’ve ever seen,” Jason said from the doorway.
    I slumped onto the bed and put my face in my hands. I had to tell him. If I didn’t tell him now, he’d find out sooner or later. Sooner was definitely better.
    “I can’t find my ring.” I looked up into his crystal eyes and started to cry. “I’ve looked everywhere and I can’t find it. I’m so sorry, Jason. I didn’t mean to lose it.” I gulped in air.
    Jason’s smile faded. He knelt in front of me, wiping my tears away with his thumb. “It’s okay, Sweets. I’ve got the ring right here.” He pulled the ring from his pocket.
    Taking the ring, I sniffed. “But ... how did you get it?”
    “I lifted it from your pocket on the way to the kitchen.” He was full of chagrin.
    “Why?” I demanded. Now that my sadness washed away with relief, I was a