AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He hesitated for a moment and then sighed. “You win. I suppose you’ll be safe enough here. You can watch my back, but nothing else. If you see anyone coming, you’re to warn me and stay put. I don’t want a repeat of your boathouse caper.”
She smiled and gave him a sharp salute. “Yes, sir. I can obey orders. You wait and see.”
He scowled at her attempt at humor and turned to Tad. “You and Kathy had better get going. We’ve got an hour until the appointed meeting. We’ll give him ample time to show, and we’ll meet back here to plot out our plan of attack.”
Samantha stood, walked around the table, and into his arms. “You will be careful, won’t you?”
Jake smiled as he embraced her. “Don’t worry, Sunshine. I won’t take any chances.” He leaned down to brush a scorching kiss across her lips. Drawing back, he whispered, “I want to stay healthy to teach you love lesson number three. It’s a pure delight.”
Her cheeks heated as she watched him walk away.
Tad and Kathy were staring at her. Kathy had a big grin on her face, and Tad looked stunned.
She shrugged. They were a couple now. Soon everyone would know.
Kathy stood. “Okay, Tad, how about you and I get this show on the road.”
“Be right with you.” Tad hesitated a moment. “Be careful, sis.”
He was referring to more than this evening’s adventure. “Don’t worry about me, Tad. I’m in excellent hands.”
Kathy flashed a mischievous grin. “We saw.”
Tad shook his head. “I can’t get over it. You and the goon.”
“Please don’t call him that. He happens to be a very nice man.”
“Yeah. When it suits him to act that way.” Tad turned and walked away.
Samantha ignored the statement and grabbed a thermos off the counter. She had a job, so she might as well get to it. She headed for the loft ladder, taking a moment to make sure to keep panic at bay, and then began to climb.
She took her place by the bedroom window and got ready for a long, slow night. She peered through the telescope. Nothing moved except the inky ripples of waves on the lake. It was a chilly evening. Shivering, she pulled her sweater tighter.
Something in the room wentsnap.
Startled, she looked around. She was the only one in the room.
She heard the sound again, and realized it was coming from the two-way radio Jake had left on the nightstand. It made a crackling noise.
She reached for it, pushing the button. “Jake, is that you?”
“Who else?”
She smiled at his reply. “I don’t see a soul moving out there.”
“It’s a bit early yet. Sit back, relax, and keep watch. Let me know if you see anyone approach. It’s probably a wild goose chase, but if he does show, I expect him to come by boat.”
“Okay.” She sighed.
It was going to be a long, boring night. Extended cloak-and-dagger work like this was far from her comfort zone. On the bright side, once they solved this mystery, she looked forward to building a relationship with Jake. She opened the thermos and poured herself a cup of the steaming brew. The coffee’s aroma helped to fortify her spirits.
As she lifted the cup to her lips, she heard the distant hum of an outboard motor.
Good grief, someone was coming. She spun toward the window, splashing her hand with hot coffee. Wincing at the stinging burn, she set down the cup and turned to peer out the telescope. A distant motorboat slowly made its way toward the boathouse. It was running without lights, and in the dark, it almost blended in with the water.
She reached for the radio, excitement and dread warring within her. “Jake, I see them coming.”
No answer.
