AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Of course. I want to show Kendra how the systems are networked and take her through everything we’re working on right now. But I should be done by, let’s say . . . one?”
“That would be perfect. Pick a place.”
“Oh, you know me, wherever’s fine.”
“Then I’ll think of someplace special and make a reservation. Come on, Sam. Let’s leave them to it,” Remi said, and they made their way back up to the living area.
“She seems awfully young, doesn’t she?” Remi whispered as the door closed behind them.
“We were all young once, remember? As I recall, I was pretty good at what I was doing at that age.”
“Poor Selma. She looks so down. I mean, she’s putting a brave face on it, but she’s got to be in a lot of pain. I know her too well. You can see it in her eyes.”
“I know. Thank goodness she’s getting top-notch care.”
“Still, it’s . . . I mean, we just take for granted that she’ll always be here helping us. And then something like this happens . . .”
“See what you can glean at lunch. And stay positive. Attitude’s important. Oh, and of course tell her that whatever she needs, no matter what, she’s got it. Any treatment, any physical therapist, wherever in the world . . . whatever. All she has to do is say the word.”
“I will. Knowing Selma, the biggest hurdle will be keeping her from coming back to work too early. You know how she loves it.”
“I do, but Pete and Wendy are no slouches. Between them all, things will be fine. Plus, it’s not like we’re going to need tremendous support charting glacier shrinkage. It’ll be about as exciting as . . . well, watching ice melt.”
Remi walked to the open sliding glass doors and paused at the threshold, a light ocean breeze caressing her hair. “What’s with the tattoos?”
Sam shrugged. “It’s the thing these days. Seems like everyone’s got them.”
“I just hope she’s . . . stable.”
Sam joined her and put his arms around her, hugging her from behind. “Maybe that was her act of rebellion in college. We all had our share. Remember?”
“Speak for yourself. I was a good girl.”
“You still are. The best. You just don’t have particularly good taste in men.”
“I’m willing to overlook your faults. Besides, you smell good.”
“You got me this cologne for my birthday.”
She turned and sniffed his chest, and then gave him a long kiss, before pulling back and looking deeply into his eyes. “Score one for the lady.”
That night, Remi and Sam enjoyed dinner at the Valencia Hotel, just down from their house, the appetizer of fresh calamari and an entrée of blackened bluefin tuna as good as any they’d tasted. Sam ordered a bottle of 2010 Cobos Reserve Malbec, which was the perfect accompaniment for the fish, complementing its powerful spice-and-pepper seasoning with rich currant and chocolate notes. Conversation revolved around Selma, her upcoming operation, and their misgivings about having to leave on Tuesday morning after only two full days at home.
“Remind me not to pack our schedule this densely next time around,” Sam said as they watched the surf break on the beach before pulling at its sand in a never-ending rinse-and-repeat cycle.
“It’s not all your fault. I agreed, remember?”
“So it’s your fault! After all, you’re supposed to be the brains of the outfit.”
“I must have missed that memo, Mr. Cal Tech Inventor Guy.”
“Hey, we all get lucky once in a while.”
After Sam paid the check, they meandered through the hotel lobby’s oversize mission-style doorway and up the street to the path that cut across the lawn to their house. On the road in front, a figure in a dark sedan focused a telephoto lens and took a series of photos of the couple, their silhouettes framed against the night sky, illuminated by a full moon.
Sam slowed for a moment and leaned into Remi as his eyes roamed over the street to their right. “Don’t be alarmed but I think we’re being watched.”
“From where?” Remi asked, her voice low as she continued to match Sam’s pace.
