“We came from a day out together with our niece. We ran into a colleague of Jena’s,” Chase explained.
“Unpleasant?” the detective asked.
“You could say that, and I made it even more unpleasant,” he admitted. “Weird thing, he came all the way from Ohio to check up on her. Said some very nasty things to her, and that’s when I made it more unpleasant.”
“Physical altercation?”
“If dangling him off the ground against a wall counts, then yeah, I guess.”
Jena saw the detective smirk. “Little lady, have you had trouble with this co-worker before?”
“No, um, we were friends, I thought,” she answered quietly.
“He appeared to think it was more,” Chase added.
Jena reddened with embarrassment, but made no comment.
“What’s his name?” the detective looked to Jena.
“Todd… Todd Richards.” Giving the detective Todd’s name made her nervous. What if he had nothing to do with this and she pointed the finger at him?
“Do you know where he’s staying?”
Jena shook her head. “He doesn’t smoke,” she blurted.
“You didn’t think he was an ass either,” Chase countered.
Jena fought back tears at his comment. Could she feel any more stupid?
The detective continued to scribble in his notebook before directing his comment to Jena. “People sometimes let you see what they want you to see. We’ll call around to the local motels and see if there’s a name that matches.” He pulled out a portable radio from his jacket. “Dispatch?”
“Go ahead,” the dispatcher responded.
“I’m through here. Bump up the patrol through this neighborhood for a few nights.”
“10-4.”
“Jena, maybe you should tell the detective about the phone calls,” Chase pushed.
Detective Burrows turned down the volume on the radio. “Phone calls?”
“It was nothing, really.”
“You should let me be the judge of that, little lady. Did you know the caller?”
“No. The voice sounded male, but…” She rubbed her face attempting to hold back the panic. Todd wouldn’t make childish phone calls. Would he?
“Go on,” Detective Burrows urged.
“He whispered.” A chill ran through her body as she thought back. “He said he was watching me. The second call was later that evening. I was getting ready for dinner with Chase, and he knew that, like he was watching through the window.”
He turned to her, his face drawn. “You never told me that.”
“I didn’t want you to worry.”
“I’m worrying now,” he said. His words held an edge of tightly suppressed anger.
Jena shrugged. What could she say? At the time it was unnerving, but it didn’t seem more than a prank, but now…
Detective Burrows wrote the information into his book. “Okay, folks, that’s it for now. Keep the doors and windows locked and your eyes open. It might just be a pervert,” he stated evenly as he glanced in Chase’s direction. “Might not hurt if you stuck around.”
“I plan to,” Chase said with authority.
“If it turns out the co-worker’s a stalker he might up the ante after seeing you together. Don’t be afraid to call the station if you get spooked.”
“I really doubt this had anything to do with Todd. I can’t imagine him hiding in bushes.” She would never have imagined him calling her names and making a scene either.
The detective tucked his glasses back in his pocket and shook their hands. “Don’t assume anything. Assumptions can be dangerous. You have a nice evening. I’ll be in touch.”
“Thanks for coming out.” Chase followed him to the door.
Jena’s thoughts jumped from one scenario to another. She couldn’t believe Todd would lower himself to spying outside a window. But then, she reminded herself of an earlier thought…he didn’t like to lose.
She grabbed the teapot from the stove and filled it with water. The kitchen blind was open and she jumped at her own reflection. Disgusted with herself, she lowered the blind and took a deep breath. The kitchen door swung open and she jumped again.
“You okay?” Chase frowned.
“I’m a little nervous,” she admitted.
He took her arm and pulled her toward him, holding her close. Her body relaxed in his embrace. Chase broke the silence first. “You’d better get some sleep. It’s getting late.”
“Chase?” she stopped him.
“Yeah?”
She sighed loudly. “Nothing.” She was a coward.
“You sure?”
“I can’t believe I’m going to ask you this. Will you check my room? Forget I asked that.” She rolled her eyes and placed a hand to her forehead. “I’m not usually this…this…weak.”
“Anyone would be spooked, Jen. It’s me, remember? Hey, I’ll even tuck you in,” he grinned scooping her in his arms and carrying her upstairs.
“Chase Reiss, you put me down,” she ordered.
“You sure that’s what you want?”
“Yes,” she breathed not taking her eyes from his.
He kissed her softly on the lips and placed her feet on the ground. She was lightheaded with the anticipation of his next move. She placed a hand on the wall for balance and watched him walk into her room. The thought of him near her bed sent tiny shivers to all the right places. Her mind wandered.
“All clear,” he said to her standing in the doorway.
“What?” She shook her head to clear the thoughts she shouldn’t be having.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” His concern was evident in his voice.
“Chase, I’d like…” she stopped mid-sentence.
“Tell me,” he coaxed.
She nodded with a forced smile. “Just…you know, thanks.”
He winked. “I told you—I’ll always come to your rescue. Goodnight, Jena.”
Her eyes followed him down the stairs. “Goodnight, Chase,” she said to the empty hallway. She closed the bedroom door behind her with regret.
Chapter Nineteen
Jena placed the plate of toast on the table when Chase entered, talking on his cell phone. She could get used to seeing him first thing in the morning. She smiled in his direction as she filled the glasses with orange juice. This was the first morning she awoke without second guessing her decisions.
“Okay, Roger, I understand it’s important. Book the flight. I’ll be there. Yeah, talk to you later,” he paused while he ended the call. “Damn!”
Jena turned from the stove, “What’s wrong?”
“I have to go to L.A. with the band and meet with the management. Our contract is almost up.” He pulled the chair out from the table and proclaimed, “I’m not going.”
“Why not? It’s the first time, besides the concert, I’ve heard you mention any band business. I was beginning to think you were making the entire thing up.”
The comment didn’t lighten his mood. He rested his elbows on the table and ran his hands up and down his face. “I’m not leaving you and Andrea with all that’s been going on. I won’t. You two are first in my life. They’ll have to understand.”
“You don’t have to choose. You have a job. I understand that…really. Besides, last night was probably nothing,” she said bringing the eggs to the table.
“Yeah, well, maybe once was nothing, but twice? And the phone calls? Come with me,” he suddenly announced. “You could be my lawyer.”
She shook her head. “No…I can’t leave Andrea. Anyway, that’s not my field of expertise.”
“Wow, this looks good.” He smiled at her while heaping his plate. “You’re a corporate lawyer—this is business. We can bring her with us.”
“I can’t leave, Chase.” Jena sighed as she sat across from him. “I have some pressing issues to handle here.”
His eyes narrowed. “Such as?”
Jena didn’t want to tell him, but he had a right to know. He was part of this. Jasmine drew him in when she put his name on the papers. “Foreclosure papers.”
His fork stopped midway to his mouth. “Foreclosure papers?” On your house?”
“This one. I got the letter the other day. I was shocked, too. I don’t understand how this could have happened. I could have helped her.”
“How much to get it caught up?”
“I don’t know. That’s what I need to handle. Chase, I can’t have Andrea losing her home, too. I have to stay,” she replied softly.
“Andrea’s not going to lose her home. I promise you that.”
The kitchen door flew open. “I’m hungry,” Andrea announced.
“Aunt Jen’s made a great breakfast. Sit.”
Andrea wrinkled her nose. “I don’t like eggs. Can I have cereal?” she asked hopefully sliding onto a chair.
“You’re crazy, kid. More for me,” he announced taking a large bite of his toast. “Hey, Jen, forgot to tell you…Mrs. R. called and asked if she could take today off. Her sister still isn’t feeling well. I told her you wouldn’t mind.”
“I hope it’s nothing serious.” She placed a bowl in front of Andrea. “Here you go, sweetie, one helping of nasty tasting cereal.”
Jena settled herself back at the table and was surprised by the emotion that overcame her. They were having breakfast together like a family. How long had it been since she sat to eat like this? She was usually running to her car with a cup of coffee and a bagel. The last time she could remember a family meal was…before her parents died.
“You’re quiet,” Chase said breaking into her memories. “What are you thinking about?”
Jena could feel Andrea’s eyes on her. She swallowed back any chance for tears. “I was thinking how nice it is to be having breakfast with two of my favorite people.”
“I was thinking we could take this family get together to the beach today,” Chase announced hopefully.
Jena was sure he was expecting an argument, but he wasn’t going to get one. No, she was happy to spend the time with them. “That sounds like a great idea. I have a new book I haven’t even opened yet.”
“What do you think, Andy? Are you in?” Chase winked at his niece.
“Can I take my shovels and bucket?”
“Oh, yeah. Bring two buckets. I’m going to build a bigger castle than yours,” he teased tapping her nose.
“No, you’re not. I’m the best sandcastle builder! Can I be excused, Aunt Jen?”
Her niece could hardly contain her excitement. It warmed Jena to see her so happy. “Your swimsuit is in your top drawer. Yell if you need me.”
She was off the chair and halfway through the living room when Jena heard her yell, “Okay!”
“I’m used to you saying no.”
“I have a different outlook,” she said as she rose from the table and took her dish to the sink.
He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Oh, yeah?”
She smiled and wiggled free. She still wasn’t comfortable with Andrea seeing them together like this. “I made the decision to give us another try and that’s what I’m doing.”
“I think we’re going to be…great together.” He took her hands in his and brought them to his lips. “I can’t wait to see you in a bikini.”
“Well, you’re going to have to dream on, Mr. Reiss, ’cause I didn’t pack one.”
His forehead wrinkled with question. “You came to a beach town without a bikini?”
“I came to a beach town without a bathing suit,” she replied dryly. “I didn’t plan on being here so long, remember?”
He folded his arms across his chest and shook his head. “Well, that won’t do.” He pulled her close to him and nibbled on her neck.
“Chase, quit that.” She attempted to squirm out of his hold with no luck.
“I don’t remember promising no neck nibbling,” he chuckled in her ear.
“Andrea could come through that door any second,” she chastised.
“So? Would it be so bad for her to know we’re in love?” he asked before kissing her tenderly where he had been nibbling.
She stepped around him and picked up more dishes. “Yes, I think it would be a bad idea. At least, until we know if we’re right for each other. I don’t want her to have false hope.”
Her heart skipped a beat as she saw him lean casually against the counter. No man should be allowed to look so good. She quickly distracted herself with clearing the table.
“Well, I know.”
She glanced at him. “Know what?”
“We’re perfect for each other and I’m not going to pretend we’re buddies.”
“Please don’t push me faster than I’m ready,” she pleaded.
“If I wait for you to keep us rolling along, we’ll be married when we get our AARP cards.”
She stopped loading the dishwasher to give him a dirty look.
“Okay, sorry. Go get your purse. We’re going to go get you an itsy bitsy bikini. My treat.” He whistled, “And I can see it now.”
She blushed. “That won’t be necessary. I’m sure there’s something I can wear in Jasmine’s things.”
“Hmmm. I’m sure that won’t be as much fun,” he teased as he reached for her.
Jena laughed while holding her arms out to buffer the space between them. She knew Andrea could be down any second. “I’ll be right back.
You
stay down here.” She waited a moment for him to agree and was flashed a grin instead. “Chase? Promise.”
He rolled his eyes. “All right, I promise. I’ll fill up a cooler and load the truck. You know, Jen, we’re really going to have to work on your spontaneity.”
“I can be spontaneous, but you’ll have to wait for that phase of the relationship.” He started toward her with a sexy smile that almost erased all of her brain cells. “Back off, Chase,” she warned, “we’re going to the beach, remember?”
“I remember,” he said smoothly. “There’s a great deal of possibilities there.”
She backed out the kitchen door, not taking her eyes off of him. “We’ll be chaperoned and you
will
behave.” Jena could hear his laughter follow her to the steps. She smiled. Taking the chance with Chase was right. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt…giddy.
Running up the steps, she stopped at Jasmine’s bedroom door. Apprehension filled her. She reached for the doorknob, but fell short of touching it. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the knob, slowly twisted, and shoved the door open. Jena stood at the threshold a moment, gazing inside.
She had a sudden understanding, an acceptance. Jasmine was gone. She was never coming home. Her things and their memories were the only proof of her existence. Overwhelming sadness stabbed her like a knife.
She walked over to Jasmine’s bed and ran a finger mindlessly over the comforter. She turned toward the dresser and saw a childhood picture of the two of them. Jena smiled as she picked it up and was transported back in time. There was a ten-year age difference, but her sister always made time for her and made sure she was happy. She had nagged Jena since the break-up to give Chase another chance. She hoped Jasmine could see her trying. She sighed wistfully.