Out on the slopes, Jana was an expert. She glided hard and fast, in control of her skis and the mountaintop. Her agility and fitness were admirable. She was the kind of woman he’d want, if that was in the cards for him. But he was only dreaming.
“That was a good workout,” Jana said. “I’m really hungry. How about you?”
Thaddeus could think of a couple of things he was hungry for, and food was one of them. He lifted his menu to study the list. “I worked up a healthy appetite, that’s for sure.”
Jana took a swig of beer. “Mmm, I’m going to have the chili. The chef makes it the way it should be, with just the right spices.”
“I’ll go for the Mountain Burger.” Thaddeus scanned the description. “It comes with bacon, cheddar cheese, red onion, and all the extras.” That should put a dent in his ravenous hunger.
Jana lifted the menu to signal the waiter, then said to Thaddeus, “We’ll order a basket of fries and share.”
The server came by and took the orders. Jana leaned back in the chair, sipping beer. “It’s so lovely up here. I can’t get enough of it.”
Thaddeus couldn’t either. Although it was Jana that made it so inviting. He liked being with her and felt comfortable sharing a meal. It occurred to him that she hadn’t bickered with him all day. Maybe things were looking up.
*****
Jana was invigorated; hours of skiing had that effect. The beauty of the mountain carried her away from any worries. When she was out on the slopes, it was like she had no cares in the world. Her only challenge was conquering the mountain.
Thaddeus was competent at cross-country and had easily kept up with her. Jana suspected he could have passed her, if he’d wanted to. He was strong and muscular, with long legs. He was even sexier when skiing than he usually was.
There was no use denying the attraction. It didn’t mean that she was going to act on it. She could enjoy being with him while he was available. He certainly was eye candy. And he was good to be around. He was handy with defense, athletic, caring…
But it wasn’t going to work. Thaddeus was about as different from Jana as was possible. He was the quiet type, and she would bet he preferred to keep to himself. He was a protector; she was wild and uncontrollable.
Their personalities were opposites, like fire and water. A relationship would be a mess. Jana liked to go out; he’d want to stay in. She’d want to talk; he’d prefer silence. The list could go on. Thaddeus wasn’t meant for her, no matter what she felt.
A one-night stand was out of the question. She’d only known him a short time, but she respected him too much for that. Normally, it was the man saying that. But she supposed it could work both ways. If anything did happen between them—which it wasn’t going to—it would have to mean something.
Jana had been staring into her beer glass. She looked up to see Thaddeus watching her. There was an awkward pause, then the food arrived. It smelled amazing, and she dipped into the steaming bowl of chili. She wondered if Thaddeus had any idea what she’d been thinking.
He seemed very intuitive for a guy who was so quiet. But that was taking it a bit far. Of course, he hadn’t known what was going through her mind. That was why he’d been watching, like he was trying to figure her out.
For once, silence was agreeable. Jana ate her chili then grabbed a few fries. Thaddeus was focused on his burger, eating like a starving man. Why was everything he did sexy?
When he did look up, he leaned back and dabbed his mouth with the napkin. “This was a good idea you had,” he said. “You’re safe up here.”
Jana hid a smile. She understood what he meant, but she wasn’t so sure they were safe from each other. Some things were better left unsaid.
“I’m interested in your work,” Thaddeus said. “Eva described an invention you’re working on. I’d like to hear more about it.”
Jana had tried to discreetly develop the tool, but she was willing to share the details with Thaddeus. He was on her side. He’d proven that he could be trusted, so she took time to enlighten him on the nature of her invention.
Thaddeus listened without interrupting. When Jana was done, he asked a couple of questions. He’d understood the concept well. He finished his beer, then rubbed the back of his neck.
“What are you thinking?” Jana said.
“Just that what you’ve come up with is…valuable.” Thaddeus pushed his plate aside, looking thoughtful. “Greed can be a motive for murder. And the item you intend to patent will bring in good profits.”
“Very good.”
“That’s my point.” Thaddeus frowned. “You’ve been careful about who you’ve told, but these things have a way of getting out. When money is involved, a project doesn’t stay secret for long.”
That was disheartening. If that was true, then someone had leaked her secret. Even more appalling, some unnamed enemy was willing to kill her in order to market the item and reap the rewards. “Do you really think my life is in jeopardy because of the money?”
Thaddeus looked at her. “I think that’s part of it. But murder is a serious crime, motivated by deep-seated emotion. If it was only the invention, why not just steal it?”
“I agree.” Jana wasn’t sure she knew any more than before. Inside, a voice nagged at her. Was there anyone she’d forgotten? Could it be that she’d stirred vengeance in another? She must have done something very bad to create that. But she couldn’t fathom what that could have been.
Chapter 7
On the trip home, Thaddeus tried not to think about Jana—about the skiing, the lunch, or the way she’d looked at him. But he was doing a lousy job of putting it out of his mind, especially with her right beside him gazing at the snowy landscape. His skill at blocking emotion seemed to be crumbling.
He could be himself around Jana. She didn’t seem to expect him to charm her. He shouldn’t anyway, since he was with her in a professional role. He sensed that she accepted him for himself, although he couldn’t have explained what that was.
Jana was emotionally strong, so Thaddeus didn’t need to be so careful around her. In the past, he’d been trepidatious when on a date. What he’d faced in the service and what he knew of life was some intense stuff.
He’d always wondered on a date if his dark side would leak out and ruin everything. He’d taken great effort to be social, behavior that was painful for him. With Jana, he relaxed for no apparent reason. He had a hunch that she wouldn’t require him to change to suit her.
Thaddeus supposed that his ability to perceive emotions made him aware of things that he’d rather not know about. In this case, he understood Jana on a visceral level. And that could be a dangerous thing. He found himself enjoying her company—more than he should have.
He desired her touch, welcomed perceived affection. Even though she hadn’t done anything to give him the idea that she wanted a relationship. It was crazy. There was something special about her. No other woman had made him feel the way she did.
Jana was honest about her feelings. She didn’t try to hide them, to be nice when she was angry or act composed when she was anxious. That was something Thaddeus appreciated. He’d found that, despite his intuitiveness, what went on in a woman’s mind was often difficult to figure out.
That was one of the reasons Thaddeus had been compelled to let go of the idea of marriage. It occurred to him that he’d envisioned getting married at some period in his past. But it had been so long ago that he’d forgotten. Jana had renewed his interest, ignited a spark of hope. She was an alluring woman…sexy, strong, and resilient.
Thaddeus had been convinced that a woman fell in love faster than a man. Yet that theory might not hold up. He’d known Jana for a brief period but couldn’t deny that he felt something for her. Falling in love might be a bit strong, but it was more than friendship.
He would have said that his perfect woman was quiet and undemanding, which would suit him because he was a private type of guy. Yet Jana’s outgoing, vibrant approach to life dre
w him to her. He’d been fairly quiet around her, since that was his inclination.
Yet her verve and knack for talking had put a chink in his armor. If he didn’t watch it, he’d be in big trouble. Jana wasn’t a woman to hang with for a night or two. She was the real deal. It would be a stupid move to let her know how he felt.
Hell, he didn’t even know how he felt. He’d better back it off, and fast. He knew better. It wouldn’t pay to lose his concentration, not now. It could get someone killed. His top priority was to keep Jana safe. Then he would move on and the infatuation would fade.
Jana turned to look at him. “You’re awfully quiet…more than usual. What are you thinking about?”
“Stuff…I mean, nothing in particular.” Thaddeus cranked up the radio a notch, hoping to forgo the need to talk.
“It’s too bad we couldn’t stay longer,” Jana said. “But I have to get back. I have a company to manage.” She sighed. “I can’t run away from my life.”
“Is that what you’d like to do?”
“Not really.” Jana looked at the road ahead. “I just want all of this…weirdness to be over.”
“Is that what you call an attempt on your life?”
“What would you call it…normal?”
For Thaddeus, there had been times when it had been normal. But that was in the past. He was a civilian now, and those kinds of things weren’t supposed to happen. “It’s not normal at all,” he said.
Near home, Jana said, “I want to stop for coffee. I’ll show you my favorite shop. The barista makes good cappuccino with lots of foam.”
Thaddeus followed her directions and found the shop. Maggie’s Espresso was just around a bend off the main road. The lot was mostly empty, so it was no problem finding a place to park. It was late afternoon, so coffee drinks didn’t appear to be in demand. That was just as well, since it made it easier to protect Jana.
*****
Coffee sounded good, and it would delay Jana’s return, if only by an hour. It was worth it. The pastries and cappuccino at Maggie’s were delicious. She frequented the café a couple of times a week and had done so for years.
Thaddeus opened the Jeep’s door, and Jana hopped out. She could get used to such chivalry. Her ex-husband could have learned a thing or two. Speaking of whom…she couldn’t believe her eyes.
“Oh God…let me handle this,” Jana said, after spotting Rakel standing by his car closer to the entrance. Her ex was the last person she expected to see.
Thaddeus stuck close. He glanced at Rakel once he noticed that he was staring at Jana. “Who the hell is he?”
Jana waved a hand. “My ex-husband, of all people. How totally inappropriate. He’s waiting for me.”
Rakel had thick brown hair, a scruff of a beard, and hazel eyes. Jana tried to remember how she’d fallen for him. She felt empty when she looked at him. And she might have harbored some feeling of friendship, had it not been for his intrusion into her day.
Jana stopped in front of him. “What are you doing here, Rakel?”
“Can’t a man have a cup of coffee?”
That was one thing that had annoyed Jana about him. He couldn’t answer a question without giving her a hard time. “What do you want?”
Rakel’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t appreciate your tone.”
“I don’t care what you appreciate,” Jana said. “We aren’t married anymore, in case you forgot.” She’d thought she’d been on friendly terms with him, but he’d picked a bad time for macho posturing.
“I tried to call, but only got your voicemail.”
“Not that it’s your business, but I went skiing and left my phone at home,” Jana said. “A woman has a right to have some time away.”
Thaddeus moved an inch closer, nearer than Jana was. He was prepared for trouble.
Rakel glanced up. “Who is this behemoth by your side? I wasn’t aware you liked the Viking type.”
“Whatever you want from me, you’re going about it the wrong way,” Jana said. “I shouldn’t have to tell you a damn thing.” She waved a hand. “This is my bodyguard.”
Rakel laughed, in the grating way that only he could. “You’re sure he’s not more than that?” he smirked. “There had to be some reason you left me.”
“Whatever you’re implying,” Jana said, “you are way off course. But then, you knew that. The reason I left you is because you were impossible to get along with.” She should have told him that he was an ass, but she didn’t want to stand outside the shop any longer.
Rakel lifted his phone. “I was trying to find you because I was worried. But you weren’t at home and Eva didn’t know where you’d gone. At the ski shop, Alton said the same. You’d called to say you wouldn’t be in, but he had no idea why.”
“You’re starting to sound like a stalker,” Jana said. “It’s creepy for you to snoop into my activities.”
“Maybe so,” Rakel said, “but have you seen this?” He handed the phone to her. Thaddeus looked too. The report was all over social media. The car bomb was big news.
“That’s why I have a bodyguard,” Jana said. “Now…if you’ll excuse me.” She started to walk past Rakel.
“I’m not done with you yet.” Rakel glanced at Thaddeus as if to make sure he wouldn’t intercede.
“I’m done with you.” Jana turned away, then Rakel grabbed her arm.
In a deep, even tone, Thaddeus said, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
Jana shrugged free. “I don’t know what your problem is. I thought you wanted to remain friends. This is not how friends behave.”
“I think that something is up with you,” Rakel said. “If you’re dealing with bombs and need a bodyguard, there has to be a reason.” He paused. “And whatever you have up your sleeve, I want a part of it.”
Jana was stunned. “What in the world are you talking about?”
“What is it…that someone is after?” Rakel said. “As I recall, you planned to use your engineering skill for profit. I don’t know what you’ve been working on, but whatever it is…I want some.”
Jana’s jaw dropped. “You have a lot of nerve.”
“No, you do.” Rakel leaned closer. “You’d take it all for yourself, wouldn’t you? You forget that I put you through engineering school.”
“You did no such thing. My grandfather helped with that.” Jana was livid.
“Yeah, but I was married to you. I had to put up with the long nights of studying. I was the one who was neglected while you pursued your degree.”
“You have no right to anything I have,” Jana said. “We. Are. Divorced.” She moved toward the café, but Rakel reached for her.
Thaddeus put his hand on Rakel’s chest. “This conversation is over.” Then he followed Jana inside.
When the door shut, Jana expelled a breath. “Sorry about that. He hasn’t bothered me in a while.” She found a table and took a seat, feeling rattled.
“I don’t like the guy.”
Jana laughed, feeling a bit crazy. “Yeah, well, you’re a good judge of men.”
“I’ll get the coffees.” Thaddeus took her request then went to the counter.
Jana took a minute to settle down. Her privacy had been violated and she didn’t like it one bit. When the hot drink was placed on the table, she lifted it to smell the aroma. She had to calm down. It wouldn’t do to let Rakel get to her.
Thaddeus sat across from her, sipping black coffee. “It seems that asshole thinks that you’re expecting a windfall and he wants part of it.”
“He has a lot of gall.”
“How did he get that idea?”
Jana bit into a pastry. “I suppose he put two and two together. He doesn’t know anything for certain; he can’t. No one close to me trusts him enough to reveal what I’m working on.” She lifted her cup. “He’s guessing.”
Thaddeus seemed to think that over. “I don’t like this. The man knows too much about you. He’s been to your home, your work, and wherever else he thought yo
u’d be hanging out.”
“He hadn’t forgotten that this is my favorite coffee place,” Jana said. “He lucked out and found me here.”
“I don’t like this at all.”
“And you think I do?”
Jana drank her cappuccino, letting the warm drink soothe her nerves. She finished her pastry then looked at Thaddeus. “Is there something you want to say?”
“Did he ever harm you?”
“That is a good question. It’s interesting, because I think he has the urge,” Jana said. “I’m not a pushover, and he must have known better. Or maybe I was just fortunate. In any case, our marriage started out fine, sort of.”
Jana smiled. “We argued, but then, I argue with everyone.” She sighed. “Anyway, we didn’t get along. It didn’t work out. That’s all.” She looked at Thaddeus. “But he didn’t lay a hand on me, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Good to know.”
It didn’t take a genius to figure out what Thaddeus was thinking. “You consider Rakel a threat, don’t you?”
“Don’t you?”
“I’m not sure. I suppose it’s possible.” Jana huffed. “Geez, I was married to the guy. I find it difficult to believe that he’d actually want to harm me.”
“Greed makes a man do strange things.”
“But that?”
“Let me ask you this,” Thaddeus said. “And take a minute to consider it.” He hesitated. “Would Rakel hurt you? Would he threaten your life?”
Jana scooped the last of the foam out of her cup and licked it off the spoon. She tried to keep an open mind. When she looked at Thaddeus, she said, “We fought…a lot. But it was verbal, not physical.”
Some maniac was after her, threatening her, and Rakel was ticked off. “If he thinks I’m withholding money that he should get a share of?” She pondered that for a second. “Honestly…I’m not sure.”
Chapter 8
After coffee, Thaddeus drove Jana directly home, to make sure that she was safe. During the drive, he didn’t inquire any more about Jana’s broken marriage. He knew enough for the moment. And Jana seemed thoughtful. If she remembered something that might be helpful, he assumed she’d let him know.
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