The encounter with Jana’s ex-husband had left a bad taste in his mouth. The man couldn’t be ruled out as Jana’s attacker. In fact, statistics weighed heavily against Rakel.
One thing that Thaddeus kept up on was crime studies. Apparently, in nearly a third of the violent crimes against women by lone offenders, the perpetrator was a husband or boyfriend. Or, as was relevant in this case, an ex-husband or boyfriend.
Thaddeus didn’t like the setup. From what he’d learned from Jana, it was smart to suspect her ex. He planned to find out more about the man and keep an eye on him. He couldn’t assume Rakel was the source of the trouble, but couldn’t rule him out.
Jana looked over at him. “I’m kind of spooked. It feels like I’m being hunted. I don’t know who it is or why, but it’s unnerving.”
“I can understand that,” Thaddeus said. “Whoever it is will make a mistake, sooner or later.”
“I hope for sooner, because I don’t think my nerves can take much more.”
“If I have my way, you won’t have to.” Thaddeus spotted the house up the road. “Let’s get you inside, where you can relax. I’ll make sure the place is secure.”
Jana ran her hand through her hair. “Even the fact that you have to say that is unsettling.”
Once inside, Thaddeus checked the security of her home, but it looked good. There wasn’t anything to indicate an intruder.
Jana had gone to the kitchen, so he went to check on her. She was busy with food preparation. “I thought we could have a late dinner together. My grandmother is out with friends, so she won’t be cooking. But I can throw something together.”
“You can cook?”
Jana laughed. “Don’t sound so surprised. My grandmother taught me, but I have to admit that I don’t often put in the effort on anything gourmet.”
“Whatever you have will be fine.” Thaddeus watched as Jana moved about the kitchen looking very domestic. “I can help, if you like.”
Jana handed him a knife. “You can slice those tomatoes then shred that chunk of cheese.” She pulled open a drawer to retrieve a cheese grater.
“You got it.” Thaddeus went to work on the tasks but couldn’t take his eyes off Jana. The scene was homey and felt good. It had been a while since he’d spent time with family. And on dates—although he hadn’t had one in a while—he’d taken the woman out.
He hadn’t been with someone he’d cared to spend an intimate evening with. And this dinner shouldn’t qualify as that either. He had to eat, so it made sense to dine together. It was that simple, so he didn’t need to read more into it.
When the food prep appeared to be in hand, Thaddeus said, “While you finish up, I’m going to check in. Maybe I’ll get more information for us.”
Jana was setting the table in the breakfast nook. “Sure, go ahead.” She looked up. “I figured we could eat here, instead of the dining room.”
“Sure, sounds good to me. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Thaddeus went to his suite, which was more spacious than he needed. But he wasn’t about to complain. He was close to Jana, and that was the point. He took a quick shower and saw to his grooming. It wouldn’t do to show up for dinner looking scruffy.
He donned a clean pair of jeans and a sweater, then pulled out his phone to call the boss.
“Hey, Thad.”
“Any updates?”
Travis didn’t miss a beat. “Not really. The official reports on the bomb threat don’t say much. I had Rip tap into his police contacts, but the authorities don’t have any leads.”
“Were there any prints?”
“Only yours and Jana’s.”
“I figured as much.” Thaddeus paced the room. “There was always the chance the car wouldn’t blow and take his prints with it, so he hedged his bets by wearing gloves.”
“What about on your end?”
Thaddeus filled him in about Rakel Eilif. “He’s one to watch.”
“Good to know,” Travis said. “He came up in the background check, but there was no indication of violence.”
“There’s always a first time.”
“I’ll have Coop dig around, see if he can come up with more on the guy,” Travis said.
Thaddeus hung up and went over to the window. He looked out at the mountains, pondering. The enemy would make another move soon, and waiting was disagreeable. But there wasn’t much to be done about that.
Dressed and as ready as he was going to be, Thaddeus returned to the kitchen. He shifted into professional bodyguard mode, but that faded the instant he saw Jana. She’d also cleaned up and was wearing a fitted sweater, pale green to match her eyes.
It was the white jeans that stunned him. The material was a stretchy kind that showed off her figure to best advantage. Her long legs would be the death of him, if her voluptuous curves didn’t get him first. He was staring. “Uh…I’m back.”
*****
“So I see,” Jana said. She’d been indecisive about what to wear before settling on the jeans and sweater outfit. From the look on Thaddeus’ face, she’d chosen well. “You can sit down. I’ll bring the food over.”
Jana noticed that Thaddeus had showered and changed. He looked delectable, but she tried not to let her reaction show. A meal together didn’t mean it was a date. Why did she have to keep reminding herself of that?
She was glad that Thaddeus was with her. His presence calmed her and made her feel safer, whether she was or not. He was strong and formidable, even in the casual setting. “Maybe we should have eaten at the formal dining table. Shall we move in there?”
Thaddeus shook his head. “No reason for that.”
Jana sat in the chair adjacent to him. “You look cramped, that’s all.”
“I’m tall and broad. I always look cramped.”
Jana laughed. “If you say so.” She motioned toward a bottle of club soda. “I have that or iced tea.”
“The soda will do.”
“You said you don’t drink on the job,” Jana said. “If you change your mind, you can share this wine with me.” She poured red table wine into her glass.
“I’ll stick with the water.”
While the main course was baking, Jana served a salad and a bowl of olives to take the edge off their hunger. It was getting late, and her stomach was growling. Plus, she needed to eat if she planned to drink. “If I’m hungry, you have to be.”
Through a mouthful of salad, Thaddeus said, “I’m hungry.”
Jana marveled on how comfortable it was being with him. Of course, there was no chance of anything happening, so maybe that was part of it. The usual awkwardness of a date was missing. She didn’t have to wonder if he’d kiss her goodnight or call again.
That was too bad, though. Part of her wished it was a date. But just as quickly, she killed that idea. It would lead to trouble. The recent encounter with Rakel should have been enough of a warning. When she picked another partner—if she did—she was going to make sure it was a good match.
How she felt around Thaddeus during a period of stress meant little. It was day to day that mattered. Getting along and having things in common was vital. When it came down to it, she knew hardly anything about Thaddeus.
“I know very little about your history, with competitive sports or anything else,” Thaddeus said, and took a drink.
“Funny, I was just thinking that about you…that I hardly know you.”
“There’s not much you need to know.” Thaddeus took an olive from the bowl. “You’re the one who is important.”
“I’m not sure I agree with that,” Jana said. “I’d like to know you better.”
Thaddeus looked down at the table. “We’ll see.” He twirled his glass. “Anyway…you first. Tell me more about the biathlon and what means so much to you.”
That was a subject that Jana could talk endlessly about, so she had no trouble sharing that part of her life. She gave the highlights of various competitions as she’d grown up, including the tale of not
qualifying for the Olympics. “These days, I don’t compete. But I practice.”
“Is there a club nearby?”
“The local biathlon club is a short drive,” Jana said. “You’ll see it soon. If I don’t drag you there for a workout, you’ll be there when Coley tests my new training tool.”
“That will be soon?”
“Yes, that’s the plan. I want to get this done. It’s taken a long while, as it is. The sooner I have real-life trials, the sooner I can get this thing on the market.”
“Does it have a name?”
Jana smiled. “I’ve been going back and forth. It was difficult. I’d prefer something simple, so I’ve settled on Heart Rate Jewel.”
“That’s clever.”
“Well, it’s a microchip that reminds me of a jewel. It’s so tiny but it sparkles.” Jana refilled her wine glass. “And it is my jewel, so there’s a double meaning. If it works out like I hope, it will be worth as much as any rare jewel.”
Jana cleared the bowls and got the dinner from the oven. “I hope you’re going to like this.”
“It smells delicious.”
Jana put the platter on a cooling rack. “It’s meatball pizza.” She looked at the meatballs. “It’s my grandmother’s recipe. She keeps premade meatballs in the freezer, so we can pull some out anytime we need them.”
Thaddeus cut the pizza and put a slice on Jana’s plate, then took a couple of pieces. He bit into one, sucking in air to keep from burning his mouth. Then he chomped on it. “This is really good. You must have some special ingredients.”
Jana chewed on a bite of hers. “It’s in the meatballs. That’s the secret.” She took another bite. “It’s your turn. Tell me something about you, or your family.”
Thaddeus reached for another slice of pizza at the same time Jana did, and her fingers touched his. But neither pulled back. The awkward pause made Jana’s skin warm. Then she took her pizza, trying to pretend nothing had happened.
“Do you have relatives in Iceland?” Jana took a sip of wine as a distraction. She needed to be occupied, so she wouldn’t ogle Thaddeus.
“I have uncles, aunts, nieces, and nephews,” Thaddeus said. “I don’t visit as often as I’d like, but I have been there since I got out of the service.”
Thaddeus was talking to her. Jana considered that was progress. He spoke about his parents, who lived in New Jersey, and his two younger brothers. One was an attorney and the other was a high school teacher. “We’re about as different from each other as you get.”
“Sounds like it.” Jana finished her food then picked up her wine glass. “Maybe after all of this is over, we can share a bottle of wine.”
Thaddeus didn’t respond right away. It had been the wrong thing to say, too forward. What had Jana been thinking? And why was she saying stuff like that?
Then Thaddeus smiled. Previously, he’d been so quiet, and his expressions had been serious. But right then, his blue eyes gleamed and his smile lit up the room.
“I’d like that,” Thaddeus said in a low voice.
Jana’s heart skipped a beat. But before she could get too excited, Thaddeus was once again the ultimate professional. “I’ll help you clean up in here,” he said, without a hint of the smile from a moment before.
He cleared the table, then dried dishes while Jana washed. It was quite domestic, and standing next to him was a thrill, for some indefinable reason. He stood close, but not too close. Yet his warmth radiated, and Jana wanted to touch him, to feel his bare skin.
The wine was affecting her. That had to be it.
Jana couldn’t have imagined that doing dishes could be sexy, but it was. She watched as he dried each dish, drawn to his hands and imagining them on her. He was precise in his motions, probably how he did most things. And his biceps flexed under the sweater as he lifted items into the cupboard.
After dinner, Jana turned on music in the other room and served ice cream. “I don’t want to be alone just yet. You don’t mind, do you?”
Thaddeus accepted the vanilla ice cream drenched in chocolate syrup. “Not as long as dessert is involved.”
Jana thought she saw him smile; his eyes gleamed, anyway. She was enthralled. What was it about him?
She kicked off her fur-lined ankle boots then dug her toes into the thick carpet. Watching the fire roar in the fireplace gave her a place to focus. Meanwhile, she felt eyes on her. She turned to see that Thaddeus had finished his dessert and had set the bowl on the table.
She held her bowl in both hands and looked over. Her gaze locked with his and her body heated. Music played in the background, but neither said a word. Jana tried to read his expression, but she didn’t really need to. He must feel what she did.
Thaddeus didn’t look away and Jana didn’t move. The music seemed softer, the fire warmer. She put her bowl down, feeling a little flustered.
Then Eva walked in. “There you two are. You didn’t hear me come in?” She walked over to the fire. “This feels good. It’s cold out there.” Then she looked at the bowls. “Looks like you found something to eat.”
“There’s some pizza left, if you want to warm it up,” Jana said, a bit flustered.
“Oh, no, I’m stuffed. I ate already…too much, I might add.” Eva looked at Thaddeus, and Jana shifted in her seat like a teenager caught making out with her boyfriend. “Is there anything new?”
Thaddeus shook his head. “I’m afraid not. I spoke to my boss, but there aren’t any leads.”
Eva frowned.
“But there hasn’t been another incident,” Jana said. “It’s possible there won’t be.”
“Ah, the eternal optimist,” Eva said. “Of course there will be. It worries me.” She looked at Thaddeus. “I’m holding you responsible if anything happens to my granddaughter.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Thaddeus said without flinching.
“All right, then.” Eva walked toward the door. “I’m going to bed.”
After her grandmother left, Jana stood up. “I better go, too.”
Thaddeus stood and handed her his bowl. “Thank you for dinner.”
Jana smiled before disappearing into the kitchen. She didn’t see more of Thaddeus that evening, after he disappeared into his guest quarters. It was just as well.
What had Jana been thinking?
She went to her room and nestled into a padded chair, staring out at the night sky. But all she saw was Thaddeus—his broad shoulders, his long hair, his stunning blue eyes. He’d gotten to her, and there wasn’t a thing she could do about it.
She was attracted to him. And to make it worse, she hadn’t argued with him all evening. The meal together had felt intimate, more than it should have. But she was making too much out of it.
Then she recalled the look Thaddeus had given her, just before Eva had interrupted the quiet moment. In the depths of his eyes, Jana had sensed emotion that she hadn’t known he was capable of. Either that or the wine had affected her more than she’d thought.
She’d better get it together, before she made a fool of herself. There was no disputing that Thaddeus was a hunk. But he wasn’t hers. It was hands off, for a long list of reasons.
She’d recently been through an unhappy marriage. Falling into the arms of a man who was totally wrong for her was ill-advised. Besides, he hadn’t asked her to, and hadn’t done anything to indicate he’d be willing. But what if he did?
Jana sighed. That would be tough to refuse…but he wouldn’t. She knew him that well, at least. He put duty first, so his focus was to keep her safe. He was the kind of guy who would brush his own desires aside, which was unfortunate. Jana closed her eyes and daydreamed about falling into his arms, painfully aware that it was out of the question.
Chapter 9
The next morning, Jana meandered around the library with rays of sun lighting the windows. Her bare feet sank into the thick carpet. She adored the room with its polished wood shelves and plush furniture. It was a cozy space where she could hide and think.
/>
She wrapped her hands around her cup of tea and gazed at the books. She’d read many of them, even reread some. The smell and feel of books was a passion of hers. When it snowed outside, and she huddled indoors, it was a welcome respite to get lost in a book.
Along the surface of a low table were framed pictures. She ran her fingertip along the edge of the wood, taking time to study each photo. There were some of her as a youth with her grandparents and several of them together.
The love between her grandparents was reflected in the photos. Jana had adored her grandfather. He’d taught her so much, and he’d loved her dearly. She missed him so much, and wished he was with her during this stressful time. He’d know what to do, as he had so many times before.
A few of the pictures were of her parents. She’d been so young when they died that she didn’t remember them. Although she loved them and wished they’d had more years together, her grandparents had been more like parents to her.
Her life had been filled with challenges, most of them athletic. There had been the personal trials of her marriage and volatile relationships between competitors in sports. But she couldn’t think of who might harbor hatred toward her. Who would want her dead?
Then her grandmother came in, dressed for the day and looking attractive. She looked that way whether she was going out or not. It was just her style. “Good morning,” Eva said. “Am I interrupting you?”
“Not really. I was just thinking.”
“Care to share?”
Jana sat in an armchair, and her grandmother took the sofa. “Oh, I just can’t conceive of who is doing this to me.”
“I can’t either, dear.” Eva folded her hands in her lap. “Anyone who knows you loves you.”
Jana smiled. “You’re biased. I can tell you that’s not true.”
“Name one person who doesn’t.”
“My ex…Rakel. He’s one,” Jana said.
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