AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Are you stationed in Virginia?” Jake tore off one last strip of tape and placed the roll back in the first aid kit. “I noticed a car in the parking lot with Virginia plates,” he said when she threw him a questioning look.
“Norfolk. At least for now.”
Jake leaned back in his chair oddly pleased that the cold tone she'd used with him earlier in the day seemed to be thawing out a little. “I'm in Alexandria. Are they planning to transfer you to another base?”
Charlie studied him without saying a word. For a moment it appeared as if she was going to tell him it was none of his business.
“My time is up soon. I don't know if I 'm going to re-up or not.”
“Tough one.” Jake hoped he sounded sincere. If he was in her shoes he'd re-up in a heartbeat.
She didn't answer but rather shrugged as she washed her hands in the kitchen sink. “Try to keep that clean and dry. I'll check it tomorrow. Supper is being served in the dining room whenever you're ready.” With her final statement she dried her hands and disappeare
d through the swinging door.
Jake stayed seated for several minutes. The picture of her tall lithe body was branded on his mind. She didn't seem to know the kind of effect she had on men. Under different circumstances he would pursue her with no questions asked, but now wasn't the time or place. Not to mention the fact that she seemed to be indifferent to him.
When his stomach growled in protest, Jake stood and pushed his thoughts of Charlotte out of his mind. He hadn't eaten anything other than energy bars since breakfast and the freshly baked biscuits he smelled were calling his name.
***
When Jake's alarm went off the next morning at the crack of dawn, his initial instinct was to hit the snooze button, roll over and go back to sleep. Mornings were not his best time of day, especially this early in the morning, but when he glimpsed the ruffled canopy over his head he remembered where he was and more importantly why he was there.
Grabbing some jeans out of his duffel bag, he pulled them on before searching for a clean t-shirt. Since he'd showered just before hitting the sack the night before, it seemed unnecessary to take another one now. Besides, after the day he expected to have, he knew he would need one later anyway.
Downstairs he followed the voices to the dining room where Maureen O'Brien had set out cereal, muffins and bagels for breakfast. Jake skipped both and zoned in on the coffee where Charlie stood pouring herself a large mug.
“You're up early. I took you as more of a night person,” she said sparing him a quick glance.
Jake watched as she poured cream into her coffee. “I'm meeting with the town administrator in about thirty minutes to assess the damage down by the river. And the first shipment of supplies from the foundation is arriving later.”
Charlie didn't reply. Rather she studied him over the rim of her coffee mug. “Do you always go where the foundation gives out aid?”
Jake nodded. “There have been a few times that I haven't, but I try to get there.”
She made a surprised sound in the back of her throat but didn't comment.
He didn't know why she was surprised by his answer. She probably knew that he was in charge of the Falmouth Foundation. It wasn’t a secret. “You seemed surprised?”
Stepping away from the coffee so someone else could get some, she took a sip before answering. “I assumed you were more of a poster boy for the foundation. I didn't picture you as the hands-on type.”
Annoyance swept through his body. She didn't see him as the hands-on type after all the work he'd already done. “And how do you see me?”
Perhaps hearing the anger in his voice, Charlie's eyes narrowed and her back became ramrod straight. “You’re not exactly described as the hardest working man alive in the media,” she answered matter-of-factly. “According to them you're out with a different woman every night driving around in expensive cars. I assumed someone like that wouldn't be interested in physical labor.” Her tone wasn't rude. Rather she sounded as if she was reciting facts from a book.
The media was great at portraying people in a way that was best for their ratings. Very rarely did they get the truth right. This wasn't the first time someone had assumed he was nothing more than a spoiled rich playboy and he was confident it wouldn't be the last. Normally, he would shrug it off. If someone wanted to believe the media's image of him he wouldn't bother with them. However, this time it troubled him. For some reason, he wanted to prove the doctor wrong. He wanted to show her the real Jake Sherbrooke.
“I'm not going to lie. I like fast cars, but a different woman every night isn't my thing. You can't always believe what you read.” Jake clenched his teeth to keep his anger from creeping into his voice. “Why don't you spend the day with me? See what I really do.” He expected her to say no.
Tilting her head to the side she studied his face. “When do we leave?”
Jake forced himself not to smile. “Meet me by my truck in ten minutes.”
Once again Charlie nodded and then headed in the direction of the kitchen. Jake couldn't help but watch and admire her retreating form. There was no mistaking her confident no-nonsense step. By inviting her along he knew he'd made his day more difficult, but he didn't regret his invitation. Not one bit. Only an insane man would regret having a beautiful woman by his side all day.
After unwrapping the blueberry muffin he'd grabbed before coming outside, he raised it to his mouth. It was still warm from the oven and his mouth watered just looking at it. He bit into it just as his phone rang. With his free hand he pulled the smart phone from his pocket and checked the number.
Blair again. She'd called earlier that week and he thought he'd made it clear that he wasn't interested in getting back together. Part of him wanted to ignore the call and let it go straight to voice mail. If he answered all he'd get was a repeat of their past conversation. If he ignored the call though, she'd only call again. Swallowing his mouthful of muffin, he answered the phone. Better to get the conversation over with now. “I don't have a lot of time Blair. I have an important meeting soon. What's up?”
