Graham hung up, made reservations to Orlando, Florida, and packed his bag. Dirk called as he was finishing.
“Mom said you’re going somewhere. She thought you might need a ride to the airport.”
“You volunteering?”
“I might.”
“Can you come pick me up now? My flight’s in two hours. I was going to leave my truck in the parking lot.”
“I’ll take you, and you can call when you’re headed back.”
“Thanks, I’m ready.”
Dirk laughed. “I’ll be right there.”
On the way to the airport, Dirk regaled Graham with stories about his twins. Graham had to admit he’d grown attached to his nephew and niece. He’d always liked children although he didn’t think about marriage and having a family for himself. He’d live vicariously through his brothers and sister.
“You’re real talkative today,” Dirk said, a smirk on his face.
“Very funny. I should tell you there’ll be two of us to pick up on return. I’m doing a favor for a friend.”
“Good to know. I’ll bring the SUV.” He pulled into the airport lane for departures. “Any idea how long you’ll be gone?”
“Maybe a day, maybe a few.” Graham swung out of the truck when Dirk stopped. “I’ll call.” He grabbed his bag, waved, and went into the airport.
* * * *
Regina Piercy stared at the e-mail her sister or one of her cohorts had sent,
time for vacation.
This meant her sister was in trouble and she herself possibly in danger. But it all seemed melodramatic, like a thriller movie. Although she never had understood exactly what Sylvia did, she had suspected it was dangerous. Whereas Regina preferred the quiet comfort of normality, Sylvia had always loved the excitement of the unexpected.
What was she going to do? She’d promised to go with some male friend of Sylvia’s named Graham and stay in the middle of nowhere until word came Sylvia was safe. Regina didn’t know the man or where he would be taking her. She smiled to herself. Maybe he’d be her knight in shining armor.
Glancing around the library, she saw people reading or looking for books. A few stood at the desk just like any normal day, but not for her. She had to go to her boss and tell her there was a family emergency, which wasn’t completely a lie, and then wait for
him.
She deleted the e-mail and went down the hall to her supervisor’s office. An unsettled feeling made her stomach ache. Regina didn’t like disturbances in her life.
Her boss, Mrs. Grimshaw, raised her head when Regina knocked on her partially open door.
“Good morning, Regina. Come in and have a seat.”
Regina took the chair in front of her and clasped her hands tight. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but I just got an e-mail, and there’s a family emergency. I need to ask for a leave of absence.”
“I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Nothing except grant my leave.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“I’m not sure. I need to leave the return date open ended. I can use my vacation first if you’d prefer.”
Mrs. Grimshaw sat back in her chair and studied Regina. Regina knew she was taken by surprise as Regina was one of her most dependable employees. Her heart beat rapidly. She didn’t want to lose her job.
“Yes, take your three weeks’ vacation and then the ninety-day leave. I’m sure you know if you have to be gone longer, you must resign.”
“I know the policy. I’ll try my best to be back before that happens.”
“Good. I’d hate to lose you.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Grimshaw. I’ll finish out today or most of it. A friend is flying in to get me.” Regina hurried out before Mrs. Grimshaw could ask about the friend. Regina wasn’t sure if the man would come to the library or to her apartment. She hoped here. If she felt uncomfortable she’d refuse to go with him and find a place to hide on her own.
* * * *
Graham glanced at his watch. By the time he picked up the car at the rental place it would be close to five. He hoped the library would still be open.
Thankfully the sports car he’d ordered was ready to go. He’d already checked on the directions to the downtown library. He drove fast, but not fast enough to get a ticket, which would only delay him. He paid to park in the garage across the street and took long strides across and into the main lobby. He’d called ahead and knew which floor Regina worked on. When he stepped off the elevator he looked around for the main desk.
But he spotted her almost straight in front of him. She was helping an elderly man find a book.
Soft auburn curls framed her pretty face, and her long hair hung in loose waves halfway down her back. The picture hadn’t done her justice. Her figure was slim, but she had curves in all the right places, and when she looked directly at him, he saw her eyes were more golden than brown. For a second, he couldn’t move. He just stared. Her face flushed a rosy red across her cheeks, and she bit the side of her bottom lip. Unexpected desire shot straight through him.
She blinked and turned away to walk toward the desk at the end of the room. Graham’s long steps caught her halfway there.
“I think you need a vacation,” he whispered.
Her head jerked around, and her soft floral scent of jasmine and lilies filled his head. Up close, her cupid-bow lips shimmered in a golden color that almost matched her eyes. He wanted to pick her up and carry her off.
“Come with me,” she said.
“Gladly.” He walked beside her past the desk and into an empty hallway.
“I want to see some identification.”
“Did your sister tell you my name?” he asked as he was taking out his wallet.
“Your first name.” She looked at his driver’s license. His hand covered his address.
“We’re going…”
“I’m keeping it a secret. We don’t know who might be listening.”
It hadn’t really hit her until now that she was truly in danger. A shiver ran down her spine.
“Are you ready to go?”
“I’ll get my purse and clock out.”
He nodded and went to sit at a table near the elevator where he could see her. She spoke to several people briefly and then came walking toward him. He pushed the button on the elevator. It dinged as the door opened. She speeded up her steps.
“Good timing,” she said.
“I’ll follow you home. You can leave your car and pack quickly.”
“I’ve had my bags packed most of the winter. I’d considered unpacking them this weekend.”
“Good girl. I’ll call and get two seats for us on the next plane out to my home.”
Graham was relieved to see she actually lived in a townhouse complex close to the airport. While she parked her car in her garage, he made the reservations. They just had time to get there and get cleared to fly. She hurried into her apartment and came out carrying two bags. He took them from her.
“This is it?”
“Yes.” She looked up at him. She was a tiny woman when they were standing side by side.
“Did you pack warm clothes? We have cold nights most of the summer and some days where we’re headed.”
“My sister warned me to bring all types of clothing. If I need more, I’ll buy the clothes there. They do have a clothing store in your town, don’t they?”
He grabbed her cases and grinned. “A small one.” He put the cases in the trunk. She had already gotten into her seat before he could open the door for her. Again he drove fast and soon had them at the rental drop-off area. Within an hour and a half they were in the air.
“You don’t think anyone followed us?” Regina asked.
Graham shook his head no. “I watched for anyone suspicious the whole time. But just in case, we’re headed in the opposite direction from my place. We have reservations to North Carolina. From there we’ll fly somewhere else, and then we’ll drive part of the way before finally taking our final flight home.”
“That sounds convoluted. Is it really necessary?”
“I think so.” She nodded and put her seat back and closed her eyes.
Sylvia was right. Her sister wasn’t like her at all.
On the second plane ride they flew to Texas. Regina leaned close and whispered to Graham, “Do you think my sister has been captured by the bad men?”
“I don’t know, but I suspect she has.”
Regina looked down. She didn’t want him to see her tears and think she was weak. But she was frightened. She and Sylvia had always been close. When they didn’t see each other, mostly because of Sylvia’s job, she still kept in touch with Regina. Sylvia’s last call had been a month ago. She always used disposable phones so no one would find Regina’s number.
She tried to study the man beside her without being too obvious. To her, he was huge, tall, with broad shoulders and dark-brown hair that brushed his shoulders. His scent was all male, a combination of woods and a hint of musk and leather, an intoxicating mixture. But it was his eyes that made her heart trip faster. They were a deep, dark blue like the ocean toward sunset. He wore jeans and a gray shirt, and he was tanned like he spent time outdoors.
“Well, what do you think?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
His sexy mouth curved up into a half smile. “Sure you do. You’ve been giving me the once-over.”
She hated that she blushed easily. She felt the heat in her face.
“If you’re going to blush, sweetheart, you might as well have a reason.” He bent across and brushed his firm lips over hers.
She jerked back and faced the front of the plane. “People will see us.”
“I hope so. If anyone is wondering about us they’ll think we’re lovers on vacation.”
Lovers, just hearing the word come out of his mouth had her heart pounding and her lower body aching. What was wrong with her? Regina Piercy was known for her cool head. She did not fall over herself for any man.
No man has excited me this much, ever. I’m afraid he may be as dangerous for my heart as the others hunting me are for my life.
Regina heard his soft chuckle. He knew the effect he had on her. She was in way over her head with him. No doubt he had a lot more experience than she’d ever dreamed of. Well, she might have dreamed of meeting such a man, but those types of dreams didn’t usually come true. The seat-belt light came on. They were landing. Next came the car ride. How many hours would she be alone with him, breathing in his intoxicating scent, and aware of his sexy body so close?
Graham led her to the car rental kiosk at the airport. This time he’d rented a luxury car, with soft seats, music, and all the other accompanying gadgets. He drove slowly out of the airport.
“Help me watch. If you see the same car behind us for any length of time or see anything out of the ordinary, let me know.”
“All right.” At least it would give her something to do besides think about him.
“Set the music on whatever kind you like,” he added.
“What do you like?”
“Almost any kind, except hard rock. Guess I’m showing my age.” There went that half smile again.
She watched out the window while he found his way to the interstate. Then for miles there were few cars on the road. None of them seemed interested in them. They either passed or fell way behind and out of sight.
For something to do, she fiddled with the controls to the radio and found one that played classical music.
“Is this too highbrow for you?” she asked and smiled.
“Did my jeans give me away?” Then when she started to change the station, he reached across and moved her hand off the radio controls. “I like classical music. It’s one of my favorites. I’m not so hot for opera though.”
“A cowboy who likes classical music. None of my cowboy heroes in the novels I read would admit to such a thing.”
“You’re assuming I’m a cowboy. I’m definitely not a hero in a book, as you’ll find out after being around me a few days.”
“You are a cowboy. It’s written all over you. If not, you have a great disguise.”
“Darn, I should have worn my businessman suit.” He grinned, but he didn’t give away any information. She noticed they were riding straight northward.
They stopped late that night at a motel off the highway and in a small town. Graham got them adjoining rooms. When he unlocked the first door, he waited for her to enter. He took one of her bags and his small one in with them. The desk clerk had given them the key to unlock the door to the other room. Graham put down the bags and opened the entry to the next bedroom.
“Have your pick. But this door stays open.”
“I’ll take this one. If anyone saw us they might figure I’d go in the next room.”
“True. I thought you’d choose it.” He carried his bag in and left the entrance wide open. “I’m going to shower and change. Then we’ll look for a place to eat.”
Regina opened her case and took out clean clothes. They’d traveled so many hours she felt dirty, tired, and hungry. It didn’t take her long to shower, wash her hair, and change into jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, and her old running shoes. This was much more comfortable than her working clothes she’d worn for two days. Her energy peaked a little from the cool shower.