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Chapter Fifty-seven
Sitting, having cocktails in the lounge next to the entrance of the Italian restaurant, Jake and Rylee watched for their subjects to arrive.
Every nearby table was loaded with passengers who’d spent a happy day on the spice island, while many more were taking advantage of the wonderful band playing seventies music down below on the dance floor in the middle of the open area.
Rylee was still in the happy mood. When she’d left the kids not long before Jake came to pick her up, she’d been feeling good… better than good. The babies, delightfully easy to please, had seemed to know her, their arms lifting in the way all babies did when they wanted to be held.
Taking Juan away from Miguel first, she lifted his chubby cheek to her lips and loved the way he giggled when she snuggled in to kiss his neck. He’d wrapped those baby-soft arms around her head and her insides had melted. What a little lover! Flirting at six months old, her adoration blew up, and she couldn’t contain the emotions. Hiding her face, she pretended to be nuzzling, but in her heart of hearts she knew she’d just fallen in love.
Miguel came closer holding Angelina and surprisingly, her body swayed toward Rylee too. Whether it was because she saw her brother or she recognized the woman who’d soothed her earlier, Rylee didn’t know. What became clear to both her and Miguel was that both babies wanted to be in her arms.
Lowering them to the floor on a blanket placed there for just such a reason, she spent the next hour with Miguel while they played with the little ones and enjoyed each other’s company.
When the babysitter came to take the babies for their meal, Miguel approached and shattered her composure. “When I was alone with mi mamá, she said she knew you’d be the perfect mother for Juan and Angelina. I told her how you helped me, and she smiled, Rylee. She blessed you, and said I was to listen to everything you say… and to learn. That you were a smart woman. That Jake would look after us well, but that you would teach us more. I promised her I’d do that, Rylee. That I’d obey you.”
God, really? How could she withstand such pressure?Rylee hardened her heart and spoke the truth.
“Miguel, listen to me. Never blindly obey. If you sincerely agree, fine. If you don’t – say so. Things aren’t always the same for everyone, especially as you get older. Most important, be good to yourself. Give yourself a break when you screw up. And always talk to Jake. He’ll be there for you.”
“I will, Rylee. But I have a feeling you’ll be the one I can come to the most. We’re amigos, no? Friends have each other’s backs. I’ll always have yours.”
What the hell? You’re gonna make this as hard as you can for me, ain’t ya?
God didn’t answer, but she sensed he was smiling.
“Yeah, we’re friends, Miguel. I’ll always be around, kid.”
Thinking back over the way the boy had thrown himself into her arms, she still fought the tears. There was something about a thirteen-year-old male that was so simply rad. Their skin on the verge of a major pimple breakout, their voice swinging from high to low in a short sentence, and their idealistic view of other’s hearts, the world and their own future. A snow globe full of… of rosy.
Jake squeezed the hand he’d been holding. “You’ve been watching the dancers, but I don’t believe you’ve seen anything for the last five minutes. You keep sighing, and the sweet smile you’re wearing makes me want to haul you back to my cabin and keep you there till the ship docks.”
Rylee looked his way and let her eyes rove him. He appeared to be in high spirits, but his face showed clearly the toll these last few days had taken on him. From the beginning of the trip, she’d seen a rather pale man who appeared to need a good vacation. And from what she’d read in his file, it was the reason his partner had set up this cruise, to give him the time in the fresh air so he could get his work done without burning out.
Yet ever since he’d arrived on board the ship, his life had been in turmoil, and a lot of it was because of her. She’d been the one to suggest he keep Miguel with him. Now because of her, his life would be forever changed.
“Jake, I’ve been thinking. You’ve inherited a huge responsibility. Is this what you want? It isn’t just a few weeks out of your life, it’s forever. Those kids will be your concern from now on.”
“I know. I’ll provide for them, that’s the easy part. But I’ll love them ‘cause that’s the fun part, they’re wonderful kids.”
“What’s the hard part?” The way he’d set it up, she knew it was on his mind.
“Doing all that without you.” He lifted her hand and kissed the palm, his eyes watching hers, a question blazing in their depths. “I get it that you need time, but I’ll be coming for you Rylee. I will keep coming until you admit it’s a future you want to be a part of.”
A bright blue dress caught her eye, and she shifted her gaze to see a couple heading their way to go into the restaurant. The man wasn’t as tall as she’d thought from seeing him from above. But the woman was even more stunning. She swayed sexily on her Jimmy Choo’s that matched the dress. And she sported a full chest that men probably did drool over.
As if he’d sensed her wandering attention, Jake murmured, “We’ll get back to this discussion, honey. But for now, I see you’ve caught sight of our couple.”
“Yes. So you won’t be surprised, Carl will be their waiter tonight and he’ll be keeping an eye out for any questionable behavior.”
“Man, Rylee. You two never let up.”
“Our job is to protect you, Jake. So you can get your work done and pass it over. The government needs that app, and they need you kept healthy so you can finish it.”
“Then you’ll be happy to know I did so after you left today. I told you I was close. I sent an encrypted copy to your boss, Harrison, for safe keeping. And my hard drive’s in a safe place where I’ve kept it every minute I’m not in the room.”
“Okay! That’s great, Jake. I wondered why all the big smiles earlier.” Rylee grinned at the man who appeared relieved he’d shaken off a two hundred-pound gorilla.
“I know. It’s been a huge challenge, one I’m glad to have solved. Now let’s go and enjoy a big mess of pasta and garlic toast and check out those two.”
Carl met them at the entrance, winked at Rylee and placed them at the table next to where the other couple sat. He gave them menus and moved on to take the order from the suspect and his wife.
“Jake, Carl’s sure Larry is our man. He just gave me the signal. You want to be careful now. We should leave, maybe go to the other dining room for dinner. No sense in giving him a target he could get close to.”
“Fine. I need to use the men’s room first.” Jake stood and leaned over to kiss her, surprising her from the public display and yet pleasing her with his gentleness. He whispered, “You’re beautiful tonight, and I love your ugliest dress.”
Smiling, she patted the silky frill that flowed down the side of the black dress adorned with tiny white polka-dots and preened inside. She’d taken a long time tonight to look her best. The fact that he’d noticed gave her spirits a lift. Though she’d made up her mind that his future wasn’t hers, that they’d be parting ways once they reached Miami, she couldn’t help wanting to live in the now… until the last minute. And now he loved her, and she couldn’t ignore the fact that she was nuts about him too.
But then real life would kick in, and she’d need to get back to earth – to her world of criminals and mayhem.
The vibration of her phone on the table caught her attention. She answered and her heart lightened. “Hey Mari, we finally connect. Stop with the blubbering – I’m fine.”
