Rank: Lighthouse Security Investigations Series

by Maryann Jordan

  “Is this okay for their litter box and food?” he asked.

  She peeked inside, and exclaimed, “Oh my, yes! This will be perfect.”

  Rank left the room to go back to the SUV to get the rest of the supplies. Stepping back into the small bedroom, he saw that Helena already had the litter box out and the cats’ food and water dishes filled. Oscar and Grover’s carrier was open and the two cats were already sniffing about the room. Helena was kneeling in the floor at Prairie’s carrier, gently coaxing her to come out.

  It did not take long for Prairie’s curiosity to get the best of her and she peeked out, tentatively exploring her surroundings. Taking the top off the carrier, Helena fluffed the towel inside, making sure to give Prairie a comfortable place to lay if she wanted.

  Standing, she turned toward him and confirmed, “They’re fine. Thank you so much.”

  Shaking his head, he said, “You don’t have to thank me, Helena. I wish the accommodations were nicer.”

  She walked directly to him and slid her hands up over his chest to around his neck. “Why do you think I need anything nicer? I just want to be safe.”

  His arms encircled her waist and he peered down into her green eyes staring up at him. “Is that all you want?”

  She moved her head slowly back and forth. “No. I just want to be safe, with you.”

  He bent and took her lips in a kiss, this one soft and gentle. Leaning up, he said, “Let’s go look at the rest of the place.” Linking fingers with her, he led her out of the small room. He showed her the larger of the two bedrooms, this one with a queen-size bed covered in a similar handmade quilt. A chair by the window and a dresser against the wall completed its furnishings. It not only had a closet, but another door led to a fully appointed bathroom.

  “This is perfect, Rank,” she said, spying the tub in the corner.

  “There’s also a bath at the end of this hall that has a shower in it.”

  She nodded silently and then followed him as they went back out to the living area and around the counter into the kitchen. The kitchen was small, U-shaped, but with a refrigerator, stove, microwave, coffee pot, and toaster. It pretty much had all the basics.

  She bit her lip, staring around, her mind focused on something other than the room. He contemplated her for a moment, but was unable to discern where her head was at.

  “Tell me what you’re thinking,” he asked, stepping close again.

  She jerked her eyes up toward his, and answered, “I’m still stunned, Rank. It’s finally hitting me that I left my home and have driven into the night to a safe house. I can’t wrap my head around everything that’s going on, but I can’t possibly stay hidden out here for very long. I’ve got a business…I’ve got my family…I’ve got a cat that’s going to have kittens…”

  Her last words eased his tension and he chuckled. “We’ll talk to my boss tomorrow when you meet him. We’ll figure out what to tell your co-workers and your family.”

  She nodded, then cocked her head to the side. “What about Prairie?”

  He thought for a moment. “One of my co-workers was born and raised on a ranch in the Midwest. I can’t know for sure, but I would guess that Tate has seen plenty of animals born.”

  Breathing a sigh of relief, she said, “Okay, that works for me.” Stifling a yawn, she looked toward the kitchen, and asked, “Do you think there’s any food?”

  He grinned and walked toward the refrigerator, pulling the door open and exposing its contents. “I had no doubt that as soon the others knew you were going to be coming here, they took care of everything. You can meet the caretakers tomorrow, but Marge will make sure that you’re well-stocked.”

  “I think I’d like a bowl of cereal, and then I just want to fall in the bed.”

  Kissing the top of her head, he leaned around her and pulled down two bowls. “That, babe, we can do.”

  Thirty minutes later, cereal consumed and cats checked on, he and Helena snuggled together underneath the handmade quilt in the queen-size bed. Both exhausted, sleep came quickly even as the sun began to rise.

  Rank had the door open before the visitors had a chance to knock, already hearing them as they came up the drive. He welcomed them, then put his finger to his lips, indicating that they needed to stay quiet. Sylvie and Marge entered the small cabin, concern on both of their faces.

  “How is she?” Sylvie asked.

  Before he had a chance to answer, Marge exclaimed softly, “Cats! She’s got cats.”

  Looking down, he grinned, seeing the three felines stroll into the room as though they had always owned the place. They made a beeline straight toward Marge, who was already kneeling with her hands outstretched.

  He turned toward Sylvie, and said, “She’s still sleeping. I sent Mace a note, but we didn’t get here until about five o’clock this morning. I got a couple of hours of sleep, but she was exhausted by all the events.” Sylvie lifted her brows in question, clearly amused, but he ignored it.

  A sound in the hall drew all their attention in that direction as Helena stepped tentatively into the room. She had donned yoga pants and a slouchy sweatshirt. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a sloppy bun and her makeup-free face was pale with slight smudges underneath her eyes.

  Unheeding of what Sylvie or Marge might think, he moved around the kitchen counter and straight toward her. Offering a hug and kissing the top of her head, he asked, “How are you? I thought you’d sleep longer.”

  “I’m fine, really. I did sleep well, but I wanted to get up to make sure the cats were taken care of.”

  He grinned and said, “I got it figured out. Can of cat food, shared amongst their three bowls, all done.”

  Narrowing her eyes, she said, “Well, aren’t you just the smart one this morning!”

  A bark of laughter met their ears and they turned toward the others. Marge looked toward Sylvie, and said, “I like her. She doesn’t put up with his shit.”

  Sylvie laughed and stepped forward, her hand outstretched. “Helena, I’m sorry for the circumstances but it’s nice to have you here. My name is Sylvie. Sylvie Hanover. And this delightful lady with me is Marge Tiddle.”

  Shaking both of their hands, smiling at their warm greeting, she turned her gaze back up to Rank.

  He completed the introductions, by saying, “Sylvie is married to my boss, Mace. And Marge and her husband are the caretakers of the area, including all of us.”

  Smiling, Helena said to them, “Thank you for your hospitality. I hope that I won’t be here long.” At those words her smile dropped slightly, uncertainty filling her face.

  “You’re welcome here as long as this place is needed,” Sylvie said. “I understand what it’s like to need a safe place. That’s actually how Mace and I met, when he stepped in to help my son and me. We just wanted to check this morning to make sure you had everything you needed. Once you’re a little more awake and feel like it, Rank can bring you by so that you won’t feel quite so alone out here.”

  Marge and Sylvie left and Helena looked toward him, confused. “Sylvie had to have a safe place, too?”

  Nodding, he replied, “Yes. That’s a story I’ll let her tell you. For now, I’ll rustle up some breakfast and, afterwards, I’d like to take you to meet my boss.”

  Helena nodded and turned to walk back into the bedroom. Hearing Rank in the kitchen as he pulled out a frying pan, she was torn between loving that he was in the kitchen after having slept with her the night before and hating the circumstances under which she was going to be introduced to more of his co-workers.

  22

  Eyes wide, Helena stared out of the windshield as Rank drove them down the lane and out of the woods, to where she could see a long expanse of green grass and a lighthouse in the distance. At the base of the white lighthouse stood a large house, also whitewashed, sporting a red, metal roof.

  She was surprised when he turned toward the lighthouse and parked just outside one of the doors. Looking over at him, she asked, �
�We’re going in there?”

  He laughed, and said, “Yeah. This is the place. There’s more than meets the eye, trust me. Anyway, Marge will have lunch fixed for everybody and, after we eat, you can have a chance to look at a hundred and fifty-year-old lighthouse.”

  Grinning at the possibility, she took his hand as they alighted from the vehicle. Stepping through the door, she found herself in a large, sunny kitchen. She recognized Marge standing over the stove with a huge pot in front of her.

  Marge looked over her shoulder and smiled her welcome. “Chili will be ready soon,” she called out. A man with gray hair, cut in a military fashion, walked in behind her, kicking the moisture off his boots and pulling off his work gloves. His eyes twinkled as he took Helena’s hand in his own, giving it a shake. “You must be Helena. I’m Horace Tiddle and I know you’ve already met my better half, Marge.”

  Before she had a chance to reply, a beautiful young woman walked through the door, her dark hair hanging in a bob just above her shoulders, the tips tinted brilliant blue. She watched as the woman winked at Rank, surprised when a bolt of jealousy moved through her. The young woman walked straight to her, with her hand held out as well. Taking it tentatively, she was surprised by the strong, sure handshake.

  “Helena, it’s nice to meet you in person. I’ve heard a lot about you,” she said, shooting a side smirk toward Rank. Bringing her gaze back to her, she said, “I’m Barbara. But everybody around here calls me Babs.” She leaned in closer, and added, “I’ve been hoping the big guy here would take a fall. Nice to see he’s fallen for someone like you.”

  She opened and closed her mouth a couple of times, completely baffled at what she should say. She was safe from any response as Rank growled, “Babs, shut it.”

  Stunned at his rude comment, she watched as Babs threw her head back and laughed heartily. She was taken in by Babs’ southern accent and friendly demeanor, quickly understanding that they were co-workers and nothing more.

  Babs moved into the kitchen and told Marge, “I’ve let the others know it’s time to come up.”

  Watching Marge ladle large bowls of chili and set them on the counter, Rank put his arm around Helena and she turned to look at him. Grinning, he said, “Let’s grab some now, before everyone else gets here.”

  He picked up two bowls and, with a head jerk, indicated that she should follow him. She was led into an adjoining room, which turned out to be a dining room with a massive table in the middle, easily sitting at least sixteen people. Hoping that the table was not going to be filled with so many people, she also noted that there were platters of enough rolls to feed an army piled onto the table, as well as glasses of ice water. Hearing a great number of footsteps in the kitchen, she looked up as Babs entered the room carrying her bowl, followed by a large group of men.

  Stunned at the visual smorgasbord of masculinity walking into the room, she dumbly watched as tall, muscular, handsome men nodded at her as they took their seats. Some nodded and smiled, while others offered a chin lift in greeting.

  Rank grinned at her dumbstruck expression, and said, “You might want to close your mouth, babe. I think you’re drooling.”

  She jerked her head around and glared at him, seeing his mirth. Unable to think of anything to say in front of everybody she snapped her mouth closed and sat down politely.

  Sylvie entered last, accompanied by a huge, black-haired man with heavy, dark stubble covering his jaw. Instinctively, she knew that he was the boss and her palms began to sweat in anticipation of meeting him. It was obvious to her that Rank had a great deal of respect for him, and she wanted to make a good impression.

  As soon as the gathering was settled, Rank made the introductions. She quickly lost track of everyone’s names, considering there were eleven men and three women at the table. She remembered Drew and Walker, because she had met them before, but other than she was uncertain. He saved his boss for last, introducing, “And this is the owner of Lighthouse Security, Mace Hanover.”

  She felt her cheeks tremble as she forced a smile to her face. “Thank you for your protection—”

  He cut her off gently with a slight wave of his hand, and said, “You don’t have to thank us. We consider it our honor to protect you.” Mace held her gaze, his eyes warm. “I’m sure that Rank has told you that one of the services we provide is protection and security. And, of course, we are investigators. We have various safe houses that we use, but Rank requested that you be close by.”

  Uncertain what his co-workers might know about their relationship, she startled as she felt Rank’s arm slide across the back of her chair, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. Realizing that was a public show of claim, her eyes darted to the side, seeing him grinning at her, and she calmed.

  Nodding, her gaze drifted around the table before landing back on Mace. “I don’t want to seem like I am not appreciative, but I do have a business to run.”

  Rank pulled her slightly closer. “You’re not held against your will, Helena. But, it’s the weekend. Your employees won’t even know that you’re not in town. This gives us a chance to double check the security on your place both at home and at work.”

  One of the men, whose name she had already forgotten, spoke up. “Me and Blake went down this morning to check things over. Your place is secure. We double checked the cameras.”

  The other man indicated, obviously Blake, added, “Same with your office. It’s secure as well.”

  Smiling slightly, she said, “So what you’re telling me is to relax and enjoy the weekend in the country, by the seaside.”

  Laughing, Rank agreed, his fingers squeezing her shoulder. “That’s exactly what I’m telling you to do.”

  Her smile widened and she nodded to the others at the table. “Then thank you once more. I’m very pleased to be here.”

  “Eat before it gets cold,” Marge called out, and everyone’s spoons immediately started hitting their bowls. Clearly, they followed her orders exactly.

  She smiled at the sight of such strong people listening to a kind, older woman as she dug into her chili as well.

  After lunch, Rank and Helena walked along the coast. He held her hand as they made their way over the rocks toward the shore. He had thought she was beautiful from the first moment he laid eyes on her, Evening dress, heels, hair fixed, makeup on. But seeing her standing on the shore, with the waves crashing nearby, the wind blowing the tendrils that had escaped her ponytail, and her cheeks blushed with excitement…he could not remember having ever seen someone so gorgeous. She ran ahead, throwing her arms out and spinning around in a circle, her laughter carried off with the breeze. His chest twitched and he lifted his hand, gently rubbing over his heart.

  His grandparents had been together until death finally separated them. His parents were still together as well. Long, happy marriages were what he was accustomed to seeing and, while he had not been looking for that himself, he had always known that, one day, marriage was what he wanted as well.

  Is this it? Is this what love feels like? All he knew was that he had never felt this way about any other woman he had met.

  Jogging over, he scooped her into his arms, loving the laughter that spilled from her lips. He walked next to the water and pretended to throw her in and she squealed, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, tucking her face underneath his chin. That spot, deep inside near his heart, winced again as his body was filled with warmth. Grinning, he stepped back and slowly lowered her feet to the rocky shore, keeping her in his arms. Bending, he took her lips, feeling the soft, but cold flesh underneath his. Determined to kiss her until her lips were infused with warmth, he continued to hold her tightly.

  A call from the grassy knoll nearby caused them to separate and they both turned to see who was yelling. Walker was waving his arms, and calling out, “Gotta game going. Come on.”

  Looking back down at her, he observed her quizzical expression as she cocked her head to the side, her brow scrunched. “Sometimes, on the w
eekends, we cut loose. Looks like we’ve got a game going. Come on, you can watch.” He linked fingers with her and assisted her over the rocks near the lighthouse.

  Once they walked back out onto the wide, grassy acres between the lighthouse and where her cabin was snuggled into the forest, he saw that the other men were already taking formation in the middle of the field. Bending, he kissed her again lightly and, with a jerk of his head, indicated the camp chairs set up at the side, where Babs, Marge, and Horace were already sitting.

  “Cheer for me?”

  She tapped her chin, pretending to think, and he grabbed her around the waist and began to twirl her around. “Stop! You’ll get me dizzy and I’ll throw up my chili!”

  “I can do this all day long, babe. I’ll stop when you promise to cheer for me.”

  “I promise, I promise!” she laughed.

  He settled her feet onto the grass and kissed her once more. Cupping her cheeks with his hands, his face sobered and he held her gaze, saying softly, “Thank you for being here with me.”

  Her smile settled on her face as she stared into his blue eyes. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than with you.” As the words left her mouth, he prayed that she continued to feel that way when all of this was over and she had the choice to walk away.

  With a kiss to the top of her head, Rank jogged over to the others in the middle of the field and Helena walked to the camp chairs, taking a seat in one between Marge and Babs. They greeted her and she turned her attention to the field as the rugby game began. She had watched rugby before, but had never known anyone who played and as the game progressed, she winced continually at the hits they were giving and receiving.