Chapter 10
Over the anguished cries of passengers, Eden heard the staccato noise of sputtering engines. The plane plunged several feet, and a tangle of oxygen masks dislodged. The people around her screamed. The woman in front of her sobbed, her gnarled hand struggling to make the sign of the cross. Other passengers remained frozen in position, unwilling or unable to pull the cords, bring oxygen to their noses and mouths. To breathe. They’d given up hope, convinced they were already doomed.
Eden searched the cabin looking for a flight attendant. Wisps of smoke lent a surreal effect to the scene around her. She could smell burnt rubber and God knew what else. Through the haze, she spotted Rod, wearing an oxygen mask and carrying an oversize package. Good, he’d come to save her. As he floated in her direction, panic became a tangible thing. Passengers scrambled upright, fighting one another for the coiled tubing. The yellow oxygen masks seemed to take on lives of their own, and in a bizarre dance, gyrated out of reach, taunting the passengers to come and get them.
Rod’s steps slowed next to her seat. Eden felt an immediate sense of relief. If anyone, he would know what to do about the rapid decompression and the crazy nightmare she’d been thrown into. She waited to hear the calming sound of his voice, see the reassuring smile that made her feel safe. Instead, grim-faced he handed over the package. She accepted silently, looking up, waiting for an explanation. The person bending over her was no longer Rod. The man’s eyes breathed fire. His open mouth was a gruesome abyss. Rod had metamorphosed into Noel.
Heart thudding in her chest, it registered. She was on her own. Noel Robinson didn’t know a thing about airplanes, or so he said. What’s more he didn’t care about any of them, especially her. Eden squeezed her eyes closed and listened as the box she held ticked loudly. Oh God! It was a bomb. A bomb could detonate at any moment. Eden let out a rip-roaring scream.
A shrill sound reverberated in her ears as she forced her eyes open. The dream had been different this time, though exactly why eluded her. Recognizing the jingle of the phone, she groped for the receiver. “Hello.”
Silence.
Jolted into full wakefulness now, she felt the tremors begin. It had been a long time since she’d had a full-blown panic attack, but the memories lingered. Breathe, she admonished herself, sucking in huge mouthfuls of air and eventually steadying her voice enough to repeat, “Hello.”
A rustle of paper and the sound of labored breathing.
“Hello?”
The breathing on the other end quieted. A familiar, warbling voice slurred, “Woman, I’m watching your every move. Better not forget that.” Click, and the sound of a dial tone. Eden dropped the receiver.
Sitting up in bed, she hugged her shaking arms, pulled in huge lungful’s of air, and exhaled slowly. Later today she would have her number changed. It was time. But what to do now? Don’t think. Just move. Keep busy. Make coffee. What time was it anyway? She squinted at the clock on the end table, surprised at the obscene hour. Not yet half past five. Clenching her teeth to stop the chattering, she made a quick decision. She didn’t want to be alone. Not if someone was out there watching her.
Rising abruptly, she threw on the comfortable baggy shorts she’d flung over a chair days ago, then scrambled to find a T-shirt and clean pair of socks. After shoving her feet into an abandoned pair of sneakers left in the middle of the floor, she nuked a cup of water and added instant coffee to it. She drank the contents in three quick gulps. Grabbing a hooded sweatshirt, she raced from the house.
As Noel exited the bathroom, he heard banging at his front door. He hobbled toward the sound, simultaneously stuffing his feet into running sneakers. Someone must want in badly.
“Eden,” he said, throwing the front door wide. “Is everything all right?”
“Fine,” she said, throwing him a wobbly smile. “I’m here to take you up on your offer.” Her hand made a wide arc pointing out his athletic gear. “I thought maybe you’d like company this morning.” He detected the tremor in her voice and wondered why.
“I’m delighted you’d consider joining me,” he said carefully. Then remembering last evening’s smoking ashtray, and the previous disaster, added, “Are you sure you’re up to it?”
Eden placed her hands on her hips, eyeballed him and smiled, though somewhat tightly. “Are you insinuating that I don’t have the stamina?”
“I never said that.”
“The implication was clear.”
He bent over, tied the laces of his sneakers, and looked her dead in the eye. “Mind telling me what’s really going on? You were pretty angry when I left last evening.”
Eden squirmed uncomfortably. He kept his eyes trained on her face.
“I’ve gotten over my annoyance with you,” she mumbled, not sounding as if she did. “How about a little wager?”
The desperation he sensed tugged at his heart. Noel smiled back, letting her off the hook. His gut told him that despite her bravado, something was obviously wrong. She wouldn’t have forgiven him that easily. He pretended to think for a moment. “How about—if you don’t complete the entire mile, you get to spend the day with me.”
“And if I do, what’s in it for me?” Her tone held an edge to it. Underneath the surface cool was last night’s angry woman.
Even as Noel’s smile widened and he threw both hands in the air, he was determined to find out what had really brought her here. “I’m at your mercy then,” he said evenly. “You get to call the shots all day.”
A calculating look crossed her face. She tossed him another gut-wrenching smile. There would be hell to pay if she won the bet.
That smile almost brought him to his knees. He turned away to gather a towel and his composure. Eden Sommers this early in the morning had an unsettling effect on his libido. The woman oozed vulnerability. He sensed she was scared. One look into that heart-shaped face, those frightened cognac eyes, and he’d known something was wrong. Every male bone in his body longed to comfort her, draw her into his arms, and kiss away the terror registered on her face.
“Ready?” Noel eyed her shapely legs in the baggy black shorts. Men had been known to slay dragons for less appealing packages.
“Ready.”
They started off slowly and quickly picked up the pace. Eden hung in there beside him. Over the sound of sneakers slapping pavement he heard her labored breathing.
“You need me to slow down?” He tossed the question over his shoulder. “Want to take a break?”
“W–why? Do–you?” she puffed.
Noel shook his head. She’d begun to tire, but he was pretty sure she’d make it back. “We’re almost there. Let’s keep going.”
He rounded the home stretch, Eden at his heels. He could tell she was making a valiant effort to keep up and slowed his strides. Behind him he heard the sound of a vehicle accelerating. Instinctively he turned in time to see a white car barreling in their direction.
“Eden, look out,” he shouted. He got a quick glance at the first three letters on the license plate, then dove, pushing her out of the way.
Like human cannonballs, they rolled down the hilly embankment and landed in a muddy puddle. The car zoomed away leaving the occupant’s raucous laughter in its wake. Rank water filled Noel’s mouth and ears. Cursing softly, he spat out bilge water, and with some effort helped Eden to her feet. They’d come full stop in a gully. He wiped a smudge of mud from her nose and plucked at the twigs entangled in her hair. Despite her disheveled appearance, she had never looked more beautiful. At that moment he knew he would do anything to protect her. Even give her his heart and soul.
Rigid with anger, Noel hugged Eden to him. She was visibly shaken. “You okay, sweetheart?” He kissed the top of her head.
“M–my ank–le,” she stuttered, holding on to him.
For the first time he realized her gait was unsteady. He, in fact, supported most of her body weight.
“Let’s get you home then.” He settled her against his body.
&n
bsp; She wrapped her arms around his waist, admitting, “Noel, I’m scared.”
“Nothing to be scared about, baby.” He drew her even closer, swearing softly. “One way or the other, I’m going to get that sucker. And when I do, he’ll be sorry he’s alive.”
Later that day, Eden lay on the couch, foot propped up on the same pillow Kahlua had claimed. Her ankle wasn’t broken, thank God. Just a nasty twist. She put aside the pile of magazines Noel had bought her, and rubbed weary eyes. She didn’t know what to think anymore. Noel had been gentle and thoughtful when he’d brought her home. He’d held her ankle in his hand, gently prodding, ascertaining that bones weren’t broken. He’d practically spoon-fed her breakfast, lunch, too, as a matter of fact. Then he’d raced to the store, returning with Epsom salts for the swollen ankle, a pile of magazines, and a large bottle of ibuprofen. After making sure she was comfortable, he’d left, citing business, promising to return later that evening.
Eden massaged her pounding temples, refusing to give in to the headache that had surfaced. Noel, Noah, whatever his name was, gave off such confusing signals. She wanted to hate him, but couldn’t. He’d come through for her when she needed him. What could he hope to gain from being so attentive, other than a good story? Mulling his motives over in her mind, she closed her eyes and eventually gave in to tiredness.
The jingling phone caused her to bolt upright again. It was a shrill reminder that she hadn’t gotten around to changing her number. The foot still throbbed. She glanced at her watch, amazed she’d slept more than two hours, and with bated breath waited for the answering machine to pick up. Kahlua had disappeared.
A chirpy female voice announced, “Eden, if you’re screening your calls, it’s only me.”
Forgetting about her headache and throbbing ankle, she grabbed the receiver. “Lori, how are you?”
“Wonderful. Can’t say the same about you, though. What’s going on?”
They knew each other too well. She would never be able to fool Lori Goldmuntz. Eden told her about the last few days, omitting nothing and ending with her twisted ankle.
“You poor baby. Why would someone want to run you off the road?”
“I’m still trying to figure that out. Unless…”
“Yes?”
Unless someone wanted a reporter out of the way. Eden twisted the phone cord around her wrist. “Unless they’re after Noel.”
“Or both of you. Are you planning on calling the police?”
Eden shivered. She hadn’t given that much thought. She’d discuss it with Noel later. “Noel feels the crash might be linked to the flight delay,” she said, avoiding Lori’s question. “Do you remember that carton the pilots were told to hold for?” Fragments of the dream niggled at the back of her mind.
“Vaguely.”
“Noel thinks the two are in some way connected. Any way to find out what hospital in Houston the cooler was to be delivered to?”
When Lori didn’t answer right off, Eden wondered what she was processing. Her friend eventually said, “I’ll check the briefing notes, talk to Michael and get back to you. Tell me something though, it’s been Noel this and Noel that. What’s going on between you two?”
Eden’s ankle pulsed. She squirmed uncomfortably. “Absolutely nothing. Our relationship’s strictly business.”
“And I’m Hillary Clinton.”
Eden’s voice rose a pained octave. “The man has no interest in me, Lori, nor me in him.”
“If you say so.” With that Lori disconnected the call.
“How about over there?” Noel pointed to a redwood chair facing Lake Washington. “We’ll use one of those tables as a footstool.” He lowered Eden onto the seat and moved the table closer.
Eden sank onto comfortable cushions. She winced as he gently eased her foot into position. They’d just enjoyed a simple dinner and were planning to have coffee on her back deck. Noel had put up a pot, and the smell of vanilla and hickory wafted its way outside.
“Isn’t the sunset lovely?” Eden chattered as he eased into the adjoining chair. His closeness made her shift uncomfortably.
“Umm hmm.”
“Sometimes I wish I were an artist so I could capture those lovely pinks and mauves on canvas,” Eden babbled.
No answer. A scrape of his chair and he’d moved closer. Taking her hand, he searched her eyes. “Eden, I think it’s important we talk.” She looked at him, waiting for him to continue. “About the other night…” He swallowed hard.
Holding her hand up like a traffic cop, she quickly interjected. “No need to say more. It should never have happened.”
Noel linked his finger through hers. “But I wanted it to happen. It’s all I’ve been thinking of since I met you.”
What audacity, to actually admit that he’d planned on sleeping with her. She was tongue-tied.
“What I didn’t plan on was for something else to happen,” Noel continued.
“Okay, spit it out. We’re both adults. Why don’t we admit it was a horrible mistake and move on?”
He released her hand and took her chin in his palm, forcing her to look at him. “Is that what you really believe?”
For a second, their eyes held. That couldn’t be real emotion she saw there. He was master of the con. She wouldn’t let him get to her. She lowered her lids quickly, ignored the fluttering in her stomach and nodded. If only he wouldn’t touch her.
He released her chin and turned away, pacing the deck for what seemed an eternity. Eventually he returned to her side, and in a deceptively calm voice said, “Would you say it was a mistake to have fallen in love with you?”
Forgetting the damaged ankle, she was up in a flash.
She swayed, wincing at the pain. “Coffee’s ready.”
Noel reached out, capturing her shoulders, easing her back into a seated position. “Coffee can wait.”
“No it can’t.”
“Stop avoiding the issue, Eden. Whether you want to admit it or not, our lovemaking wasn’t merely two animals mating. There were some real feelings there. Passionate feelings.”
“Gee, and I thought we were just two healthy, red-blooded humans going at it,” she mumbled, cutting him off.
Noel crouched beside her chair. He reached over and took her face in his hands. “Ugliness doesn’t become you, Eden.” Before she could say another word he’d covered her lips with his, his tongue intruding where her mouth formed an O. She was tempted to bite that tongue, but her treacherous heart overruled her head, and she found herself responding.
One kiss led to another and another. When they finally surfaced for air, darkness had descended.
“Tell me again about the two red-blooded humans going at it,” Noel rasped, kissing the corner of her mouth.
“We’re only…”
He cut her off with another earth-shattering kiss. Afterward he folded her into his arms and whispered, “So is it safe to say that you love me as much as I love you?”
She didn’t dare answer. It was much too soon after Rod.
Chapter 11
“I didn’t get all of the license plate, just the first three letters, CZY,” Noel said to the man across from him.
“And the make?”
“Late-model white Buick.”
The man scribbled the information, eventually looking up. “I think we’ve got enough to run a check.”
That’s what Noel had been hoping. He rotated his shoulder blades, willing the tension to ease. The men seated around his kitchen table would do their best to find the Buick, of that he was sure. They were old friends and had gone through a lot together.
“So how you holding up, buddy?” the freckled man next to him asked.
Noel turned his attention to Jay. “About as well as can be expected.”
Jay brushed a wisp of shocking red hair off his face and threw him a skeptical look. “I’d say you’re a little ragged around the edges. Tell me, now that your cover is blown, will you be hanging around long?”
; Noel’s arms reached overhead in an exaggerated stretch. The last thing he needed was the third degree. He yawned, hoping everyone would get the message and leave. “Depends.”
Ignoring Noel’s signals, Carl, across from him, continued to scribble. “Does that rather vague answer have anything to do with Eden Sommers?”
Noel was careful not to visibly react. He wasn’t in the mood for taunting, and that’s exactly what would happen if he so much as blinked an eye. “Now where would you get that idea?” he drawled.
“Well she’s not exactly a double bagger. You could do far worse.”
“Double bagger? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Requires two paper bags over the head before you take her to bed.”
Noel threw him a withering look as everyone laughed raucously.
A day later, Eden slammed down the receiver and glared at Noel. “Why wouldn’t you let me call the police?”
Noel stroked Kahlua’s fuzzy head before setting the cat down. “Because it’s not necessary. I’ve got it under control.”
Frustrated, Eden hobbled across the room. The swelling around her ankle had gone down, but her foot was still sore. She stopped short, almost tripping over Kahlua, and placed her hands on her hips. “What’s wrong with you? A person rams into your bumper and you’re perfectly content to let it go. Later, the same person tries to run us down and, despite your threats, you haven’t done a thing about it. Why aren’t you doing something about finding these people?”
“Where did you get the idea I’m being complacent?” Noel asked, coming up behind her and kissing the nape of her neck.
Despite the fact that Eden’s hormones were in overdrive, she spun around to face him. “Well, aren’t you?”
He grabbed her by the shoulders, planted another wet kiss on her neck and growled, “I’m a reporter, Eden. I don’t necessarily have to get the police involved to feel safe.”
Good point. Still, she would feel more secure if the authorities were informed. “Explain yourself.”
“I have people looking into the matter.”
Eden's Dream Page 11
