“I’ll wait outside until morning,” he said when he’d finished, not looking at her directly. Cassi had the distinct feeling that he was embarrassed.
“What if they come back and jump you again?”
He opened his jacket to reveal a handgun in a holster under his arm. Cassi gaped, but he only shrugged. “I’ve got a license for it. I’m armed so I can take care of the art items I buy.”
“My brother’s a police officer, and he made sure I know how to shoot,” Cassi said, “but I don’t like guns. I usually send the things I buy with a security company. They guarantee delivery.”
“I’ve never had any problem until now, and the extra pay is usually worth the effort.” He sighed and began to walk stiffly toward the door.
“Uh, you could stay here and sleep on the couch.” Cassi could hardly believe her own words.
He shook his head. “I want to be awake if they come back.”
“We can push the couch in front of the door, and they’ll wake you up if they try to get in.”
Jared shook his head again, but Cassi was already picking up baby Sandy and carrying her to a bed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Jared. If they do come back and find you guarding my door, they’re going to assume I’ve got the Buddha, and then I’ll really be in danger.”
He sighed and nodded wearily. “Okay, thanks.” After helping her push the couch lengthwise in front of the door, the only way it would fit into the entryway, he immediately sank onto it, grimacing as he moved.
“Does it hurt?” she asked unnecessarily.
“Yes,” he said with a groan.
“I have a first-aid kit.” Cassi went to the dresser, opened the bottom drawer, and pulled out a small backpack. She brought it to the couch, where Jared’s lanky form spread out submissively. “Good, I still have some butterfly bandages.”
Gently, she washed and bandaged his face. Some of the wounds looked pretty deep, particularly the inch-long horizontal cut above his eye, but the special bandages should close the wound efficiently. His lip was also swollen and the left eye was going black, but there was nothing she could do for either, or for the bruises she knew must cover the rest of his body.
“I guess the note really was a warning,” she said lightly.
Jared grabbed her arm and held it in a viselike grip. “What note?”
Cassi hurriedly explained. “Sam Boader got one, too.”
“I wonder if those men sent them,” Jared said.
Cassi wasn’t about to admit that she’d suspected him. “It doesn’t matter now. You’re safe. That’s the main thing. Just hold still. I’m almost finished.”
As she repacked her supplies, Cassi saw Jared’s eyes droop. She smiled faintly, no longer feeling any fear about him. Whatever Jared was, he wasn’t a danger to her or the children.
She stood up and went to the lights, but only dimmed them. If something happened during the night, the lights could come in handy.
Before climbing into bed with Sandy, she went around to the children, making sure each was covered with a thin blanket.
“Cassi?” Jared’s voice came hesitantly in the silence.
“Yes?”
“You look really beautiful. I just wanted you to know.”
Cassi was flabbergasted at the unexpected compliment. She didn’t know what to say.
“Thanks,” she said finally. A comfortable silence filled the room as sleep overcame them.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The next morning, Jared awoke to the sound of giggling. For a brief moment he didn’t remember where he was, but the laughter of children reminded him of home. A smile stretched his sore lips, the pain rousing him completely as the laughter had failed to do. He sat up, his head pounding and remembering vividly the events of the night before.
Scotty, Andrea, and Janet were on the floor in front of the TV, laughing at the cartoon animals that filled the screen. Janet saw him and came toward the couch.
“See, Jared? See that rabbit? He’s sooo funny.”
Jared watched for a moment. “He sure is, honey.”
Janet stared at him with the curiosity of a child. “What happened to your face?”
“I ran into some men in the hall,” Jared said, not wanting to lie, but not wanting to tell her about the fight.
“You should watch where you’re going.” Her eyes wandered back to the TV.
“That I should,” Jared agreed. He was grateful at least that he had come across the men in the hall instead of in his room, where they could have beaten him without interruption.
“How come you and Cassi don’t sleep together?” Janet asked suddenly. Once again her innocent face was turned toward him. “Are you in a fight?”
Jared shook his head. “No, Janet. Cassi and I aren’t married.”
“Oh, yeah. But when you get married and have a baby, can I come sleep over at your house, like today? This is real fun.”
“I . . . uh . . . well, yes.” Jared took the easy way out. The relationship developing between him and Cassi was hard enough for him to understand. He wasn’t about to try to explain it to a four-year-old.
“Jared, I’m hungry and Cassi’s still sleeping.”
“Okay, you go watch TV while I use the bathroom. Then I’ll get you something.”
Jared settled Janet at the TV with her siblings and went to the bathroom. His body felt even more sore than the night before, but at least nothing was broken. Sandy’s clothing hung over the shower rod, now clean and dry, and Cassi’s dress was folded on the counter. He touched the mauve cloth briefly before turning his attention to his face in the mirror, wincing at his appearance. At least Cassi had done a good job with bandaging the deepest wounds.
As he washed his hands, his eyes searched almost idly for the secret gel that made Cassi’s ringlets. He found nothing. With wet fingers he rubbed his undamaged eye, and immediately felt more awake and ready to face the unexplained problem concerning the Buddha.
Jared left the bathroom feeling better than when he’d entered. He nearly whistled as he made his way to the refrigerator. From there he could see across the room where Cassi and Sandy were sleeping together on one of the double beds. The covers were kicked partially on the floor, and Jared could see that Cassi still wore her robe over her nightgown. She looked like a sleeping angel. The Mother and Baby statue that Cassi had purchased flashed through his mind.
Amazingly, her hair looked the same as it had when she had gone to bed.
A feeling of tenderness swept through him, its intensity taking him by surprise. Could a woman like her be what Trudy Martin had in mind when she told him to open his heart? Jared didn’t know if he was able.
Cassi stretched, coming awake, and Jared quickly averted his eyes, busying himself with the food he found in the refrigerator. Only when he sensed her stand up and walk around did he dare look over at her.
“Good morning. Care for something to eat?” he asked.
She smiled. “I think I do. I was going to shower first, but all of a sudden I’m really hungry.”
“Me too!” said a chorus of voices. The children suddenly appeared around the table where he’d spread the food.
Jared whistled. “Amazing, the gravitational pull of food.” The kids giggled and Cassi shook her head.
“You’re funny,” she said with a smile, “but you look like something the cat dragged in.”
The children laughed even harder, and Jared chuckled ruefully. “I do, don’t I? I feel like it, too.”
As if on cue, both Cassi and Jared stopped smiling. His eyes met hers, and in them he could see the remembrance of what had happened to make him look the way he did.
The children gobbled up their breakfast as fast as they could and sprawled in front of the TV again. Jared shook his head in amazement. “Was that only four point six seconds?” he asked Cassi. “I swear they never even chewed!”
“It’s yogurt, you don’t have to chew,” Scotty said, tearing his gaze away from the cartoons long enough to defe
nd himself.
“He’s certainly got a point.” Cassi said, winking at Jared. Then she turned back to the children. “You guys had better change into your clothes. Your parents will be here to get you soon. You get to take your new brother home today.”
“Goodie!” they shouted.
Cassi’s smile returned. “That reminds me, I have to pack Renae’s things. But first I’ll take a shower. Last night I had time for spot cleaning, but today I need to wash my hair.” Jared watched as Cassi hesitated, looking over to where little Sandy was still sleeping. “She’s so precious,” she murmured.
“Wet underwear and all?” Jared asked.
She focused her dark eyes on his. “That dress needed dry-cleaning anyway.”
Jared laughed, genuinely amused. “For someone without much experience with kids, you’re doing pretty well.”
“I’m a quick learner.” She was about to say more when a knock sounded at the door.
“It must be Daddy,” Scotty said. He and the girls ran to the door, still blocked by the couch.
Jared bounded after them, one hand already on his hidden gun. “Wait!” he ordered. Cassi pulled the children back and hovered behind him, her eyes large and scared. The children’s stares showed their confusion, aware of the adults’ concern but not understanding the cause.
“Who is it?” Cassi called.
There was a slight paused. “Uh, I’m looking for Cassi Mason? Is this her room?”
“It’s Trent,” Cassi said to Jared. She raised her voice. “Just a minute, Trent.”
Jared motioned for the children to help him move the couch. Janet complicated things by sitting on it. “I want a ride,” she said. “Whee!”
Cassi was already opening the door a crack to make sure Trent was alone. Jared noticed her caution and silently applauded her for it.
“I read spy novels,” she whispered, bringing a grin to his face. She always seemed to affect him that way.
“Is everything okay?” Trent asked as his children enveloped him with hugs and kisses. His eyes took in Jared’s face and Cassi’s robe, his eyebrows arched questioningly.
Cassi grimaced. “There was a problem. Not with the children, though. Someone wanted something from Jared, and they jumped him. He was worried they might have seen him with me and the children, so he came to make sure we were safe.”
“Did you call the police?” Trent asked.
Jared shook his head. “Just hotel security. The men who did this were professionals. They wanted something I bought at the auction.”
“Do you think they’ll be back?”
“Yes, but I’ll be prepared this time.” Jared knew his words sounded brave, contrasting sharply with the growing fear in his gut.
Trent turned to Cassi. “Would you like us to wait for you and take you to the airport? Renae and the baby are in the car, but they could come up and wait for you to get ready.”
“Oh, no. I’ll be fine. Please don’t worry about me. And I’ll call when I get home, just to tell you I’m safe. Come in a minute while I get Renae’s things.”
Jared and Trent played with the children while Cassi packed. Little Sandy woke up and ran at once to her daddy’s arms, smiling shyly at Jared. By the time Trent had taken her to the bathroom and dressed her, Cassi had everything ready.
“Tell Renae we’ll get together again, but not when she’s pregnant,” she said. “I don’t know if I can handle the excitement.” The men laughed as she bent down and hugged each of the children. “When you come visit me in San Diego, we’ll have even more fun,” she promised. “I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
“When you and Jared have a baby, I want to tend it,” said Janet. “I’m going to get a lot of practice, you know.”
Jared clamped his lips together to stop the laughter at Cassi’s startled expression.
“I’m sure you will, Janet,” Trent said, with an embarrassed smile. “Your new brother is going to love having you tend him. Come on now, Mom’s waiting.” He waved a hand in farewell, and the children skipped after him down the hall.
Cassi sighed. “It’s going to be quiet without them,” she said. Jared nodded and followed her back into the room.
“Well, now what?” she asked.
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“Well, I want to clean up and then get the Buddha. There’s something strange about it, and I want to know what it is.”
Cassi’s eyes locked onto his. “Won’t the owner of your gallery deal with that?”
He nodded. “Yes, and she did ask me to wait, but since I’m going to be in town until tomorrow, I might as well satisfy my own curiosity.”
“It would be nice to know.” She paused, knitting her thick eyebrows in concentration. “May I look at the Buddha?” Jared had hoped that talking about the statue would spark her interest, but now that it had, he worried about putting her at risk.
“It might be dangerous.”
She nodded, her face grave. “At least we’d know why you had to sleep on my couch with a gun.”
A heavy silence filled the room before she continued. “How are you going to find out about the Buddha? Just from looking at it, I can’t confirm our suspicions.”
Jared smiled. “You’re not the only one who knows someone important in the art world. When I lived here I met a guy who’s an expert at dating paint and materials.”
“He can do it without harming the Buddha, right? It wouldn’t do to scrape off some paint if it were authentic.”
“Of course. My friend Carl has lights that he shines onto the surface of whatever object he’s trying to date. Depending on what the composition is, a certain spectrum of light will be emitted. He detects that light with special equipment—you can’t see it with the unaided eye. He also uses sound waves and other such technical mumbo-jumbo to determine density.”
“It sounds fascinating. Can I come along?”
“What about your plane back to San Diego?”
“I don’t leave until this afternoon. I could pack and take back my rental car. Then you could drive me to the airport after we see your friend.” She bit her lip. “I mean . . . that is . . .”
“I’d appreciate the company,” Jared said quickly. “But afterwards, it’s straight to the airport. I’d feel bad if anything happened to you.”
Cassi nodded, but a smile came to her lips and she began to chuckle.
“What’s so funny?” Jared asked.
“Before I came to the auction, the owner of my gallery told me if I didn’t get the Buddha, to stay away from whoever did. Last night when I called, he said the same thing. He knows something about it but won’t tell me what. He just wants me to stay away from you. And here I am doing exactly what he told me not to do.”
Now Jared understood the wall that had come between them the previous night. She’d been afraid of him because of the Buddha. Even so, she had let him in when she had seen his bruised face. That had to mean something.
Jared looked into Cassi’s eyes, those deep brown pools that seemed to pull him in. “I swear to you, I don’t know what’s going on with the Buddha, and I would never do anything to hurt you.” Jared awaited Cassi’s reply.
“I do believe you,” she said softly.
Jared smiled. Now if only he could get her to the airport in one piece.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Cassi showered hurriedly while Jared waited outside. She washed her hair and blow-dried it as best she could. The thick curls were still damp, but if she dried them all the way, her hair would be frizzy. As she pulled on a light green, semi-casual dress with a crinkled broomstick skirt, she thought about Jared and what had brought them together. Her fear of his hurting her physically had vanished along with her idea of him as an arrogant pig. While she had despised him before, she now felt admiration.
“You really take the cake,” she whispered aloud to herself as she dabbed on a bit of makeup. “One minute you hate the very sight of him, and the next you�
��re begging to go with him.” She gave her hair a last pat and said to the mirror, “Not that this is anything other than a professional relationship, of course. It’s not like he’s asked you out or anything.” Sighing, she turned and opened the door.
“What?” Jared was lying on the couch with a look of surprise on his face. He glanced at the time on his phone and back to Cassi. “Fifteen minutes?”
“I’m sorry I took so long. I hurried.”
“No, it’s not that. I expected longer.” He shook his head. “Wow, that must be some gel.”
“What?”
Jared stood up. “Never mind. You look really great. But who were you talking to in there?”
When she didn't reply, Jared smiled. “Don’t worry. I do that too—talk to myself, that is.”
Cassi bit her lip. “Did you hear what I said?”
“Every word.” But Jared’s expression told her that he hadn’t.
Stifling a sigh of relief, she walked to the door where her single suitcase and dress bag were waiting. Jared picked up the suitcase and opened the door for her.
“I hear,” she said, scooping the dress bag up in her arms and tossing her purse onto her shoulder, “that the most intelligent people talk to themselves.”
“Like us?”
“Exactly.”
* * * * *
An hour later found Cassi and Jared in his rental car. She had waited in Jared’s room while he had showered, holding the gun he’d insisted she keep while he was in the bathroom. She was glad her brother had made her practice enough that she didn’t feel like she might shoot someone by accident, but was happy when Jared took it back from her. Then they ate a hurried breakfast before picking up their purchases from the auction.
A Bid for Love Page 9
