Summer Vows (Arabesque)

by Alers, Rochelle

  Twenty minutes later the aroma of grilling food wafted to her nostrils. Ana turned over and sat up. Jacob had put on another cap, this one newer and bearing a Miami Heat logo. He stood at the gas grill, basting ears of corn. “Do you need help with anything?”

  Jacob’s head popped up. “I’m good here, but I’d appreciate it if you’d set the table.”

  She pushed off the recliner, giving him a warm, friendly smile for the first time. “No problem.”

  It took several trips, but Ana brought out dishes, silver and glassware. The task would’ve been easier or faster if she’d had a serving cart. For someone who lived alone a cart wasn’t a necessity, but necessary when entertaining. Her entertaining extended to having her mother and father over for dinner. She never assumed they were available because their social calendar was filled with an endless list of charitable fundraisers, political luncheons and dinner dances, and traveling abroad at least once a year. They’d talked about retirement for years, and when the opportunity presented itself they fully took advantage of every minute.

  “Do you have a tablecloth?” she asked Jacob. He looked at her as if she’d asked for radioactive material.

  “I hosed down the glass on the table so we don’t need a tablecloth.”

  Ana made a mental note that if she were to go shopping with him she would buy a tablecloth. She’d given Jacob her credit cards, but she still had some cash in her wallet. “What are we drinking?”

  “Mojitos.” He gave her a questioning look. “If you don’t drink, then I’ll make one without the rum.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I think I can handle the rum.”

  Half an hour later Ana sat across the table from Jacob enjoying the grilled, dry-rubbed red snapper stuffed with onion and peppers and topped with mango salsa. The spices lingered on her tongue until washed away with the expertly made mojito. A Greek salad and grilled corn with red chili butter rounded out what had become an incredible meal.

  She raised her glass in a salute. “Hail to the chef.”

  Jacob modestly inclined his head. “I try.”

  “You do more than try,” Ana countered. “Who taught you to cook?”

  “My dad. He didn’t know how to boil water before he married my mother. After a while he was a better cook than she was and she is definitely no slouch in the kitchen.”

  Propping her elbow on the table, Ana cradled her chin on the heel of her hand and closed her eyes. If the reason as to why she was hiding out in the Keys wasn’t so serious, she would’ve believed her teenage dream had become a reality. She’d run away, believing she could spend the rest of her life living in the Keys, and apparently she’d gotten her wish, albeit on a temporary basis. Instead of running away, she’d been spirited away on a private jet. And she wouldn’t spend the rest of her life here, only as long as it took to locate the person or persons who were attempting to eliminate her.

  When her father was the head of the company he hadn’t had to deal with some of the problems she’d faced. During his tenure the label’s artists had problems with drugs and indiscriminate sexual encounters, not the high-profile feuds between artists and competing labels. The musicians during her father’s era who’d died much too young either overdosed on drugs or committed suicide. Those in her generation usually met their end in a hail of bullets. Whatever happened to men settling their beef with fists instead of bullets?

  She opened her eyes, staring at the colorful orchids growing in wild abandon. Palm and mangrove trees, frangipani and a profusion of flowering bushes surrounding the house provided a modicum of privacy from the neighboring houses. Her gaze shifted to Jacob as he stared at her. A hint of a smile tilted the corners of her mouth.

  “It’s really nice here.” The temperature was at least ten degrees cooler than on the mainland.

  Jacob took a long swallow of his drink, staring at Ana over the rim of the glass. “I like it.”

  “How long have you lived here?”

  He set down the glass. “I bought the house about eighteen months ago. It really wasn’t habitable, so I decided to gut it and start again.”

  A slight frown furrowed her smooth forehead. “Wouldn’t it have been easier and less expensive to buy a house in move-in condition?”

  “It’d been abandoned and was in foreclosure. I felt it was as good a time as any to take advantage of my GI bill. I made the bank what I felt was a reasonable offer and they accepted it.”

  “You were in the military?” Jacob nodded. “Army?” she asked, continuing her questioning. He gave her a look that raised the hair on the back of her neck. “Did I say something wrong?”

  “Wrong branch.”

  The seconds ticked as Ana mentally went through the different branches of the armed forces. “If it’s not the army, then it would have to be the marines.”

  “You’ve got it.”

  “I should’ve known. Every marine I’ve met is beyond arrogant. The exception is my brother-in-law.”

  “Merrick Grayslake is corps to the marrow of his bones. The difference is he’s low-key about it.”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “You know Merrick?” Her sister Alexandra had married the ex-marine sniper who’d been recruited by the CIA as a field operative. He retired after a life-threatening injury; years later he reapplied, this time teaching courses in intelligence training.

  Jacob winked at her. “Why do you keep forgetting that I’m family?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m your cousin S.J.’s godfather. And that makes me family.” Diego and Vivienne had shorted Samuel Jacob’s name to S.J. to differentiate between him and Tyler’s son who was also named Samuel.

  “If you’re family, then why haven’t you come to West Palm between Christmas and New Year’s when everyone gets together?”

  “I’d just gotten a promotion and unfortunately I couldn’t get away. Diego and I always joke about living in the same state, yet we don’t get to see each other as often as we’d like.”

  Ana ran her forefinger around the rim of her glass. “I always try and make time for my friends. We try and get together every other month for a girls’ night out.”

  “Girls’ night out or girls gone wild?” he teased.

  She wrinkled her nose. “Very funny.”

  “I heard you mention Jack and Coke to your friend.”

  “What you shouldn’t do is listen in on my telephone conversation.”

  “I told you before. My house, my phone and my rules.”

  Ana knew arguing with Jacob would prove fruitless and she chided herself for even attempting to engage him in conversation, because invariably he would pull rank and remind her that he controlled her life.

  “Thank you for reminding me,” she said facetiously. Pushing to her feet, she picked up her plate, then Jacob’s. “You cooked so I’ll clean up the kitchen.”

  Jacob stood up, gathering flatware and serving dishes. “I thought you told me you didn’t know how to clean.”

  “I don’t do housework and laundry, but I do clean up after myself whenever I cook.”

  “You can help clear the table, but I’ll put everything else away.”

  Together they made short work of bringing in everything off the deck. Jacob rinsed and stacked dishes in the dishwasher while Ana went back outside. Sitting in front of the crate, she stared the large dog that lay with his muzzle between his paws.

  “Hey there, big boy.” The shepherd’s erect ears moved in response. “I know you don’t want to be in there, but it’s not going to take too long before we become good friends.” She continued to talk to the dog, unaware that Jacob was watching the interchange when he stood peering through the screened-in door.

  He went completely still when she stuck her finger through the grating to touch Baron’s paw.
The canine responded by licking her finger. Jacob couldn’t believe the dog hadn’t growled or bitten Ana. Either she was a dog whisperer or Baron had sensed she didn’t pose a threat to him. The large powerful dog belonged to a security expert hired by wealthy businessmen to safeguard their families when traveling on vacation. Brian had taken a week off to go on a fishing expedition and had asked Jacob if he would take care of Baron.

  “He likes you.”

  Ana’s head popped up, she staring at Jacob watching her. “He’s magnificent.”

  Jacob nodded and smiled. “That he is.” He slid back the door, stepped out and closed it behind him. “You like dogs.” The question was a statement.

  “I love them. I grew up with dogs, cat, birds, fish, guinea pigs and a few lizards and turtles. The only things my parents wouldn’t let us have was snakes.”

  His smile grew wider. “It sounds as if you had a menagerie.”

  “It was more like a zoo.”

  Jacob thought about his own childhood growing up in Miami. He’d always wanted a dog, but because of his mother’s allergies that wasn’t possible. “I’m going to take Baron for a walk. Would you like to come with me?”

  “Yes!”

  Reaching down, he cupped her elbow, assisting her to stand. “You’re going to have to wear a hat and sunglasses and hopefully no one will recognize you.”

  Tilting her chin, Ana met his eyes. “I can think of a better disguise.”

  “What’s that?”

  “A wig.”

  Crossing his arms over his chest, Jacob angled his head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t happen to have any hairpieces lying around,” he teased.

  Ana assumed a similar stance, bringing his gaze to linger on her chest. “There has to be a beauty supply or wig shop somewhere around here.”

  “I’m certain there is. But where, is the question.”

  “Do you have a computer?” Jacob nodded. “There’s your answer. You can go online and search on Google to find shops in the Keys that sell wigs and costumes.”

  “I’m certain we’ll find a few in Key West.”

  Ana’s eyes lit up like a child’s on Christmas morning. “When do we leave?” she asked. Her voice was filled with a lightness that hadn’t been there in days. And despite her always wanting to visit Key West she couldn’t forget the events that had brought her to this moment.

  Smiling, Jacob shook his head. Her dimpled smile took his breath away. “Do you really want to visit Key West that much?”

  “Some people want to climb Everest. Others want to see the pyramids, while I want to hang out in Key West.”

  “Why didn’t you come down once you were emancipated?”

  Ana lifted her shoulders. “After a while I shrugged it off as some form of childish rebellion. Maybe I’d wanted to prove to my parents I could make it on my own.”

  “Even if you’d managed to live on five thousand dollars for nine years what do you think was going to happen after the money ran out?”

  “I would’ve come into my trust fund at twenty-five.”

  Jacob’s expressive eyebrows lifted a fraction. “Your life would’ve been quite different from what it is now.”

  “I know that,” Ana said wistfully. “I doubt whether I would’ve become involved with the record company. But now that I am I’ll never forgive myself if Tyler doesn’t make a full recovery.” Closing her eyes, she combed her fingers through her short hair. “Basil Irvine lied through his teeth when he said there was no bad blood between his company and Serenity. If I’d been interviewed I would’ve let the world know exactly what went down between us.”

  Reaching out, Jacob held her shoulders firmly. “Stop beating up on yourself. There was no way you could know or stop what happened. Just be grateful that your cousin wasn’t killed. Judging from what I know about your family, I’m certain they’ll use every resource they have to uncover who’s behind the shooting. But if I had to play devil’s advocate, then I’d say it could’ve been a random incident where someone decided to use that parking lot for target practice. After all, there are a lot of crazies roaming the streets.”

  Ana’s eyes met his. “If you find out anything about the sniper will you tell me?”

  “I will tell you whatever Diego wants you to know.”

  “You didn’t answer my question, Jacob. I’m asking whether you intend to withhold information from me.”

  “And I repeat—I will tell you whatever Diego tells me to tell you.” When she tried extricating herself from his loose grip his fingers tightened. “Have you thought maybe you don’t need to know everything that may take place?”

  Her brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

  He didn’t want to tell her that her family had hired men who were trained to extract information from the most recalcitrant captive before turning them over to the proper law enforcement agency. His hands moved from her shoulders to her waist, slightly taken aback at her body’s fragility. Lowering his head, Jacob rested his chin on her head. The floral fragrance clinging to her hair wafted in his nostrils.

  All of his protective instincts surfaced when he said softly, “I don’t want you to worry about anything. Let the professionals do what they do best. What you and I are going to do is have some fun. We’ll drive down to Key West on Friday and spend the weekend.”

  Easing back, Ana flashed a bright smile. “Can we take Baron with us?”

  “Sorry, Princess. Baron’s going home Thursday night.”

  Her smile vanished quickly. “But that’s tomorrow.”

  Jacob’s arms fell away. “Then you’ll have to make the most of your time together. Are you ready to take him for a walk?”

  “Yes, but I’m going to have to borrow a hat from you.”

  “Come with me.” Reaching for her hand, he led her into the house, up the staircase and into his bedroom. He opened the top drawer in a chest of drawers and took out a brand-new cap with a Miami Dolphins logo. He placed the cap on Ana’s head, adjusting it low on her forehead, and peered under the bill. “Perfect.”

  Tilting her chin, Ana smiled up at him. “I have to get my sunglasses and change into a pair of running shoes, and then I’ll meet you downstairs.”

  Ana suggesting a wig was a stroke of genius. A different hair color and/or length would work well in temporarily altering her appearance. Jacob knew staying inside the house would eventually grate on both their nerves. He would take her to Key West as promised and spend a couple of days in Old Town as their home base. Although it was mid-June and tourist season, he knew he would be able to secure lodgings with his aunt and uncle.

  Anyone looking at them would’ve thought Ana and Jacob were out for an early-evening walk with their dog, but looks were definitely deceiving. She’d become a prisoner, exiled from her home and family. Baron was a highly trained dog that would attack on command, and Jacob a federal police officer trained to protect witnesses and prisoners. She’d exchanged her shorts and flip-flops for cropped jeans and running shoes, while Jacob had put on a loose-fitting shirt over his tee to conceal the holstered handgun at the small of his back.

  “Have you made reservations?” she asked Jacob.

  “Reservations for what?” he asked, answering her question with a question.

  Ana gave him a sidelong glance. Walking alongside him made her aware of the differences in their height. She was five-four and he had to be several inches above the six-foot mark because her head only came to his shoulder. “You said we’re going to spend the weekend in Key West.”

  “My aunt and uncle have a house in Old Town and they’ll put us up.”

  She hesitated, almost tripping, but Jacob reached out, caught her arm and steadied her before she fell. Her heart was beating so fast Ana felt suddenly lightheaded. “Thank you.” The two words were a breathless whisper.r />
  “We’re not going to share a bed, Ana. Not only are there enough bedrooms in the main house, but there’s also a guesthouse on the property.”

  Ana was certain he could hear her sigh of relief. Her life was complicated enough without her having to share a bed with a man she hadn’t known twenty-four hours. And even if she were forced to live with Jacob for more than a week or two, sleeping with him was not an option.

  “How are you going to introduce me?”

  Jacob stopped when the muzzled shepherd slowed to sniff tufts of grass growing between cracks in the sidewalk. “I’m going to tell them the truth.” He held up a hand when Ana’s jaw dropped. “My uncle is a retired undercover DEA special agent, so your true identity will not be compromised.”

  “How many family members or friends do you have in law enforcement?”

  He thought about her question. “My father was a Miami-Dade cop and—”

  “Was?” Ana asked, interrupting him.

  “Dad was killed in the line of duty when he’d attempted to arrest a carjacker. What he didn’t know was that the man’s accomplice had come up behind him and shot him point-blank in the head.”

  Ana gasped, her eyes wide behind the lenses of her sunglasses. “What happened to the men responsible for his death?”

  “Both were executed last year after they’d run out of appeals. And before you ask me, no, I didn’t witness their execution. I’m not a proponent of the death penalty because it’s not a deterrent. I believe life without the possibility of parole is much more profound psychologically than putting someone to death.”

  Again she wondered if he were a mind reader, because that was what she intended to ask him. “How’s your mother?”

  A wry smile twisted Jacob’s mouth. “She remarried a widower with four young sons. I tried to tell her Henry was looking for a mother for his kids, but she wouldn’t listen to me. His boys have been nothing but trouble for her, but my mother is one of the most soft-hearted people I’ve ever known. Dad used to tease her about feeding the neighbor’s kids. They would come to the house because they liked Miss Gloria’s cookies. It’d begun with cookies, and then graduated to sandwiches, and there were times when it wasn’t unusual to find some of them sitting down with us at Sunday dinner.”