She adjusted the rearview mirror, happy to see hazel eyes gazing back at her. Maybe moving on to a new job was a blessing in disguise. At least she could look like herself, no longer blonde and blue-eyed. And she could interact with her family again, something she’d missed since going undercover.
She smoothed the stray hairs, put the mirror back in place and pulled out of the parking spot, deciding to head to the Coast Guard base first. As she drove, she thought of her husband. She could hear Scott’s voice in her head, as if he were still alive and saying the words to her now.
“I don’t want you taking the job. It’s too dangerous. You’ll be exposing yourself to one scumbag after another.”
“I’m sorry, Scott, but you knew I wasn’t the stay-at-home type when you married me. Anyways, it’s a little hypocritical of you to lecture me on dangerous assignments when you spend your days and nights doing the same thing.”
“I can’t help but worry about you, Kimber. How can I do my job when my mind will be occupied worrying if you’re in danger? How can I do my job, knowing that every time my cell phone rings, it might be someone calling to inform me you’ve been hurt, or worse, that you’re dead?”
“Well, then you’ll know what I have to go through everyday where you’re concerned. Don’t worry about me, Scott, I can take care of myself.”
Despite her husband’s objections, she had accepted the DEA job, and not long after, he was killed during a drug raid.
Sometimes at night, when she lay alone in bed, she wondered if he’d still be alive today if she’d done what he’d asked. Though her conscious mind told her he would’ve been killed whether she’d become a DEA agent or not, her heart felt differently. Perhaps it was his concern for her that had kept him from concentrating on his duty and it really was her fault that he was dead. The guilt was almost too much to bear.
Exposing myself to one scumbag after another. Damn. Her husband was probably rolling over in his grave.
But it was his passing that had made her into the dedicated agent she was today. Cold, distant, hardened. For the last eight years, she had thrown herself into one arduous mission after another, regardless of the danger, because it was easier to live a life that was not hers than to endure her own.
But like the long hours that kept her mind from thinking about her loss, it was the hardened heart that allowed her to do the things she had to do, whatever she had to do, to get her job done and put the bad guy behind bars.
Whenever she looked at her niece Jen, she always saw Scott. They had the same eyes. Jen and her mother, Em, Scott’s sister, were the only family she bothered with, but due to her work schedule, she hadn’t seen them as much as she should lately. Without the relationships she had with her husband’s family, she’d pretty much be alone in the world.
Kimber turned on the music and lost herself in the song’s lyrics, trying to replace all the painful memories that floated through her head. Soon, she would be at the Coast Guard Station and, once again, wrapped up in a case. But until then, she needed something to clear her mind.
Chapter Six
It was a little after five when Lawson made his way out of the reading room in the library. He walked slowly, somewhat dazed, thinking that this is what Rip Van Wrinkle must have felt like after he’d woken from his century-long nap.
Much had happened in the past seventy years. Was he blessed not to have been around for it? Or had he missed out?
Countries had risen and fallen, wars had been won and lost and those who had been enemies were now allies. It was nothing anymore to pick up a telephone and call Japan. There were weapons available that could wipe out whole civilizations with one press of a button, and everyone in the world knew it. Yet, the world was still here.
He passed the area full of what he now knew were computers, much like the one he’d seen Michiel use. In his day, only college mathematicians and government scientists had used computers, and those had taken up a whole room. In this century, computers were available to everyone, even kids, and barely took up space on a small table.
He stopped when he spotted someone who looked very familiar, shoulders hunched over a keyboard, her auburn hair playing with the sunlight coming through the window. It was the girl that had been with Kimber at the sale.
“Hello.”
The girl turned around in her chair. “Oh, hi.”
“Hi,” he repeated. “We met this morning when you found that nifty notebook.”
Her eyes twinkled and her lips went tight as she clearly struggled not to laugh. “Yeah, I got a nifty notebook.” She giggled, attempting to swallow the laughter, but she lost the battle. The girl laughed so hard and loud that Lawson’s stomach clenched with worry. The librarian stared and stood up at her desk.
“Jen,” the other woman said, walking around a counter and coming to stand beside the girl, placing a hand on her shaking shoulder. “Quiet down. This is a library.”
“Sorry, ma’am. It’s just so funny.”
“What’s so funny?”
“Saying nifty with a straight face.” Jen clasped a palm over her mouth, secured her other hand over it, then bent to bury her face in her knees. “I’ll—I—”
The librarian narrowed her gaze on Lawson. “Is he a stranger?”
Jen waved her hand in the air, still laughing.
“Are you sure he’s not bothering you?”
The girl gulped some air and puffed out her cheeks. “Nah, he’s good. My aunt knows him. She was speaking with him earlier.”
“Fine.” The librarian squeezed Jen’s shoulder again. “I’ll be at my desk if you need me.” She threw Lawson a warning look and turned on her cork sandals, squared her shoulders and walked across the small room.
“Nice hat,” the kid said, still smiling.
“Thank you, miss. My name is Lawson Grey.” He offered his hand.
“Hey. I’m Jen. Jenifer Mitchell.” She quickly shook his hand, then turned back to the computer and began typing again.
He glanced at the screen with its picture of navy ships, then Jen clicked a small device and black and white pictures of airplanes appeared.
“Legends of the Bermuda Triangle,” Lawson read aloud.
“It’s exciting,” Jen responded. “Do you know how many planes and ships disappeared in there? Do you know that the US government refuses to publicly acknowledge the strange occurrences that happen in the triangle? It’s all over the Internet, but the US won’t make it official.”
Lawson had read about the Internet, and still didn’t understand it. It seemed that any and all information could be found on it, if you knew where and how to look.
“How did you learn to use a computer so efficiently?”
Jen looked over her shoulder and smiled. “I don’t know. I just use it.”
“Can you teach me?”
“Seriously?”
“Yes,” he replied, not too proud to ask a young girl for help. He’d spent the last couple of hours scouring periodicals and large textbooks, trying to absorb as much as possible, but he couldn’t avoid Internet references. If he learned how to work the darn thing, it would make his research much easier. “I’d like to read about what’s happened over the past few decades.”
Her gaze flitted to the librarian, then returned to him with dark intensity. “Did you just get out of jail?”
“No.” It was Lawson’s turn to laugh, but he brought it to a quick end. “No. I’m not a convict, and I promise that I don’t have any criminal intentions. I just like studying about history, and I’m sort of old-fashioned when it comes to technology—”
“And the way you talk,” Jen interrupted.
“Very true. My speech is old-fashioned, as well.” Lawson pulled out the chair next to her, but didn’t sit until the girl motioned for him to do so. “Thank you. I’m rather intimidated by computers.”
“So is my Pops,” she replied, relaxing in her seat and fitting a small hand over the contraption she had maneuvered earlier. “It’s ea
sy. The mouse controls where you go on the screen…
Thirty minutes later, the young Jen stood, declared that the lesson was done and walked over to a shelf of yellow books. She pulled one down and returned to their station by the computer. “Pops is picking me up in a few. You seem kind of smart. Use this until the next time I see you.”
“Thank you.” Lawson took the book that Jen handed him. “Internet For Dummies?”
“Yup. It’s good.” She bent and placed a quick kiss on his cheek. “Good luck, Lawson. See you around.”
He smiled at the sweetness of the young girl and knew that humanity hadn’t been lost through time.
“I could use a cup of coffee.” Lawson laid the book back on the table and pulled the map from his pocket. He scanned the restaurant and café listings. What was the name of the woman Jack was following?
Wasn’t it Em? Yeah, that sounded right. And she worked at a restaurant in walking distance. What were the odds that ‘Emy’s’ was her place?
“Time to check it out,” he thought. “I think my lady is supposed to show up there later. And who knows, maybe I’ll catch up with Jack.”
Exiting the library, Lawson spotted the orange vehicle that was first in line at a stoplight, about two blocks from where he stood. He’d recognize that car anywhere. It was Kimber.
The light turned green, and she headed in his direction. In a couple of seconds, she’d pass him. He stepped over the white line and waved to get Kimber’s attention.
When she pulled to the side of the road, leaned over and rolled down the passenger window, his dick stood up to salute. Fuck, she was beautiful. She was flushed, and little drops of perspiration dotted her nose, but even hot like that, she was gorgeous.
“I don’t know if you remember me from the sale this morning. Name’s Lawson. You gave me directions to the Flaming Flamingo.”
Kimber nodded, her tongue darting out between her lips. He smiled, knowing she had no idea of where that tongue had been a few hours earlier, but he did, and he liked it.
“Sorry to bother you again, but I recognized your vehicle. I was wondering if you could tell me how to get to Emy’s?”
She eyed him skeptically, then looked past him to the green mile marker sign. “Up the road, about half a mile. Just like it says on your map.”
“Okay, you got me.” He flipped the folded paper in his hand. “But can you fault a man for doing whatever it takes to get a beautiful woman to notice him?”
Kimber burst into laughter. “You’ve got to be shitting me.”
“What about a ride?”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine. You look harmless enough. But I’m warning you, I’m not victim material. So if you’re a serial killer or rapist, don’t get in this car, because I’ll have no problem killing you, and I have the means to do so. Understand?”
She was a woman after his heart. As brave as she was beautiful. “No, no, I’ll behave. Promise.”
Biting her bottom lip, Kimber shook her head. “Get in then.”
“Thanks.” He climbed into the front seat and shut the door.
A few silent seconds passed, and Kimber didn’t move her vehicle. He looked at her expectantly.
She raised her eyebrows. “Seatbelt?”
“Oh. Sorry.”
Lawson just wanted to kiss that sarcastic pout right off her lips. She was so cold, so distant, so petulant, and for some reason, that made him hot. Was it just because she was a challenge? The first woman who didn’t fall for his charm?
When he tugged the belt across his chest, more like a harness, and clicked it into place, Kimber put the car into drive and pulled away from the curb. “So, why you looking for Emy’s?”
“Well, I was doing some research at the library and decided to get something to eat. I overheard some people talking about this diner called ‘Emy’s’, and thought I’d try it.” There. Good. No lie.
“Really.” She gave him a suspicious sideways glance. “I like your hat, it’s very, how should I say… I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Thanks.”
Was that a compliment she’d given him? He wasn’t sure, but he didn’t think so.
“So where’s your SUV?” she asked.
“I’m sorry?”
“Your SUV. The one you drove to the garage sale?”
“My friend, Jack, has it. He had to run some errands.”
“Where you from?”
“Ohio,” he lied. Not so good after all.
Kimber looked into the rearview mirror, and her brow crinkled as if she knew he was lying. Lawson decided to reverse the line of questioning before she delved too deeply into his life. He and Jack hadn’t agreed on a story to tell other people.
“So, what did you buy at the sale?”
She hesitated, as if considering her answer carefully. Perhaps she thought his question a personal one.
“Just some WWII memorabilia.”
This was his chance. If he could get his hands on the envelope, he could lift the key without her noticing.
“I love WWII memorabilia. Can I see it? Do you have it here?”
She never answered. Instead, she turned into Emy’s lot and pulled into an empty space up front. “Here you go.”
Lawson opened the door and got out. He put his arm on the roof and leaned down, giving Kimber a look that had never failed him with the ladies before. “Why don’t you join me for a cup of coffee? Or better yet, let’s grab a bite to eat. My treat.”
Kimber glanced at her watch and sighed heavily, as if annoyed by his invitation. “I guess I can give you an hour.”
It wasn’t the answer he was hoping for, but he’d take it.
He closed his door and made it to the driver’s side before Kimber finished unbuckling her seatbelt and gathering her purse. He opened the car door for her.
“How chivalrous of you,” she remarked in an off-handed manner. Without a glance his way, she walked straight into the restaurant’s entrance.
“My mother raised me to be a gentleman,” he replied tersely as he closed the driver’s door. He wondered if Kimber’s mother ever taught her the words “thank you”. Didn’t women love to have men open car doors for them?
Emy’s was crowded, but they managed to find an empty table near the large front window. As they headed that way, Kimber waved to the auburn-haired woman, Em, who was scuttling around taking orders. Em waved back, then looked at him, rewarding them with a dazzling smile.
“Looks like we’re in the right place,” Lawson said as he pulled a chair out for Kimber.
She glanced at the seat and rolled her eyes again. Then she opened her mouth to say something, but a ringing filled the air. Digging into her purse, she pulled out what he’d learned wasn’t a simple radio, but a cellular phone, and gazed at it with interest.
“I have to take this call. Just order me a coffee. I had a late lunch.”
Though she walked outside the café, he could see her through the window as she paced the pavement. She was wearing a jacket over that pink shirt of hers. Too bad. He really liked her tight sleeveless top. It showed the outline of her breasts and the shadow of her tight nipples, just the right size to fill his hands and mouth. And her ass. Her ass was…
He had lost his mind. He didn’t know the woman, and he already took her mouth and had her undressed and beneath him. Fine. That was all in his mind, but from the way his groin ached, it may as well be real. He adjusted himself and turned to study the specials’ board.
“Holy Mother of God.”
Across the dining room was Captain Jack Carter, wearing an apron and collecting dirty dishes off empty tables. Well, at least that took care of the groin issue.
Lawson chuckled and shook his head. Jack really threw himself into his missions. “One day, he's a captain flying the most advanced plane of his time, ready to save the world from a tyrant, the next he's scrubbing food of dishes to recover a journal and a watch.”
Jack never glanced his way. The captain was too preoccupi
ed staring at Em. Lawson knew that what Jack was doing had nothing to do with their mission. True, the captain wanted his stuff back, but that’s not why he was working there.
Jack’s gaze followed that woman around like it was glued to her backside. Lawson had no doubt that the captain had taken the job because of her—to have a reason to be near her.
The front door opened, and Kimber strolled back inside. She reached the table and cocked her head with a fake expression of regret. “Sorry, I have to run.”
“But you just got here,” Em said, coming up beside her.
“I have an appointment. I have to show some property down by the Bearded Cockle.”
Concern and disapproval floated across Em’s features. “Why there? Couldn’t you meet somewhere else? It’s not a good place for…” Her eyes roamed over Lawson, and she must have realized that he was listening. For some reason, Em didn’t think he needed to know the details. “Just be careful,” she muttered.
Kimber tugged on Em’s arm and hugged her. “Don’t worry about me. It’s the middle of the afternoon. Anyways, I’ll have Bertha with me.”
Em gave her a relieved smile and a nod as she walked off. “Okay. Don’t forget to call me tonight,” she added over her shoulder.
Kimber fished her keys from her bag. “All right, I’m out of here. Nice seeing you again.”
“Wait,” Lawson demanded. “What do you do?”
Kimber gave him a look that cautioned him to mind his business, then blew out a heavy breath. “I work in real estate, hence the reason I’m showing property.”
“What’s the Bearded Cockle?”
“A bar. Now if you’ll excuse me.” She moved to leave.
“Wait.”
She stopped and stared him down. Lawson knew he was pushing it, but he had an overwhelming urge to go with her. It was obvious that she was placing herself in danger. It had been written all over Em’s face.
“Do you want me to go with you? I know you’re bringing a friend, but perhaps you should have a man come along if the area is disreputable.”
He must have said the wrong thing. Her cheeks turned crimson, and she squinted. “Fuck you very much for the offer, but I’ll pass.” She abruptly spun and stormed out the door.
Bought His Life Page 5
