Carried Away by Love

by Vickery, Rebecca J.

  "Haven't known each other long is an understatement," she said, and laughed. "It's been what – four days? Seems like longer." Rena spread out her crumpled paper napkin and smoothed it with her fingers. "But I know what you mean. I don't want to lose touch either. I'd like to get to know more about you – where you grew up, your family – how you became an FBI agent."

  Travis smiled and reached for her hand as her warm gaze met his. He squeezed her fingers gently and brought them to his mouth for a sweet kiss. What he really wanted to do was cut cartwheels across the floor, perform back flips off a diving board, or shout from the rooftops. His girl said she was interested in him too.

  Rena sighed and withdrew her hand to swirl a fry in ketchup and then take a bite. "Looks like we're going to miss the River Cove Fourth of July celebration tomorrow. Guess there's always next year." She picked at the lettuce hanging off the side of the remaining half of her chicken sandwich, then pushed her plate away.

  Travis finished his burger and asked, "Ready to go? We need to see what the plans are for us tonight."

  "I hope it involves a hot shower and a soft bed," Rena said as she shoved in her chair and carried her tray to the disposal area.

  * * * * *

  Two hours later, the helicopter set down on the concrete pad behind the medical clinic in River Cove. Travis helped Rena down to the ground and indicated she should stay low until they were away from the spinning blades.

  Rena giggled and happily followed him. Somehow, Travis arranged their departure from Atlanta, the chopper to River Cove, and secured Sara to be the female agent on the protection detail.

  A local police car and an officer behind the wheel of Katie's SUV waited for them in the parking lot. Sara loaded her bag into the back while Travis helped Rena into the passenger side. He and the officer spoke briefly and then Travis slid behind the wheel. The officer got into the police car waiting for him and they drove off.

  "What was that about?" Rena asked.

  "The locals have BOLOs on the men we're looking for. So far, they haven't been spotted, but the officer wanted me to know that with all the people coming in for the celebration tomorrow they could easily sneak through." Travis adjusted the mirrors and started the engine.

  Rena took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I've put you and Sara in danger by coming here, haven't I?"

  "No one blames you for wanting to come home. And there was nothing more we could do in Atlanta. Sara and I will have to stay on our toes, is all. Just remember, you will have to be with one of us at all times until Windom tells us the danger is over."

  Sara spoke up from the backseat, "This assignment sure beats the one my supervisor had planned for me. I was going to be reviewing old files in the paper morgue before they were archived. You guys saved me from headaches and possible blindness. So I'm just glad to be here."

  "Happy to be of service," Travis laughed as he drove the SUV out of the parking lot. "Rena, you'll have to tell me the best way to get to Katie's house. I know the address, but I'm not familiar with the streets."

  * * * * *

  A dark sedan sat in front of the house when they arrived and lights revealed someone had arrived before them. Travis made a quick call and then pulled up behind the car. "It's okay, they're ours."

  He opened Rena's door and escorted her to the door. As it opened, dual squeals rang out as Katie ran to hug her. They danced around on the porch until firm hands steered them inside.

  "Come on, girls. Inside," Travis insisted.

  Sara scoped out the yard and what she could see of the surrounding woods before entering too and shutting the door. She sat her bag on the foyer floor and greeted the agents who brought Katie home.

  Rena drew back from her third tight hug and said, "Here, let me look at you. I'm so sorry you were dragged into this. I never believed it was Uncle Avery, but you knew..." She held her cousin at arm's length and stared up and down until she was satisfied Katie really was all right. She noted the bruise on her cheek and several on her arms as well as the red marks at her wrists showing she had been restrained.

  "No, I'm sorry about your uncle. And I was told to be careful – but no one ever thinks these things will happen to them. I don't blame you, Rena. It wasn't your fault. I'm okay, really." Then they fell into each other's arms again, sniffling and talking over each other.

  Finally, they realized the agents around them were standing, quietly waiting, until their tearful reunion ended. They drew back and smiled shyly, almost in unison, at the three men and Sara.

  "You must think I'm a terrible hostess," Katie said with a little laugh. "Let's get everyone sorted out. Sara, your room is upstairs, second door on the left, beside my room. Travis, your room is the second door on the right, which puts you beside Rena, who is also at the end of the hall. Agents Gilmore and Patrick are sharing the downstairs bedroom. Is that okay?"

  "Sounds good to me, for now. We can shift around later if it becomes necessary," Travis agreed.

  "I'll take my bag up and get settled," Sara said, and glanced to Travis for his approval. At his nod, she went up the stairs.

  "Help yourself to whatever is in the kitchen, please don't smoke in the house, and make yourselves at home otherwise," Katie added.

  "Have you eaten? Can I get you something?" Rena asked as she slid an arm around Katie's shoulders. Her cousin looked tired.

  "I ate earlier. Can we go to my room and talk? You've got to tell me everything."

  Rena also looked to Travis for his input.

  "Have the windows in Katie's room been checked out?"

  Agent Gilmore answered, "All secure, Travis. No easy access from the ground either. They should be safe enough."

  "Thanks, Ron. Okay then, why don't you two take it easy and catch up while we arrange the watch schedule and check out everything?" As senior agent, security and assignments fell on his shoulders.

  After grabbing a couple of their favorite sodas, bottled water, and some pretzels, Rena and Katie disappeared upstairs.

  * * * * *

  Rena quietly closed the bedroom door and leaned her forehead against it. She and Katie had showered and donned the tee shirts and shorts they decided on as sleeping apparel with men in the house. Then they talked for hours, sharing all the details of their respective adventures, until Katie drifted off to sleep.

  "You okay?" a low male voice asked.

  Startled, Rena turned to see Travis sitting in the hall floor, his legs stretched out in front of him and crossed at the ankles. He'd obviously been waiting for her.

  "Just tired," she whispered. "Katie's asleep, finally. She was so lucky. They could have killed her."

  Travis pushed to his feet and stepped forward to hold Rena, if only for a few minutes. He relaxed when she slid into his arms as if she were meant to be there. "But they didn't, and the two of you are all right."

  They heard movement and voices from downstairs. Then Sara called goodnight to the men and light footsteps sounded on the stairs. Rena drew back and grabbed Travis' hand, leading him across the hall and into her room.

  As soon as the bedroom door closed, Travis drew her into his arms once more and lowered his mouth to hers.

  Rena welcomed the kiss, encircling his neck with her arms and playing with the close-cut hair on the back of his neck and head. She opened for him and thrilled to the slide of his tongue against hers. A moan escaped her throat as he pulled her even closer and his hands roamed her back.

  Travis drew back, nibbled her mouth, then spread kisses around her jaw-line to her ears, and then down one side of her neck, and back up the other to retake her mouth. And even though she never wanted him to stop, Rena caught hold of his hands as they slid up under her tee shirt.

  "I can't..." she whispered.

  Travis leaned his forehead to hers. "I know. I'm sorry – wrong place, wrong time. But I really want you to know—"

  Rena put her fingers over his mouth to hush him. "Still wrong place and wrong time. Please, save it until—"

&nb
sp; This time he interrupted her, "Until this is over. Goodnight, Rena. Sweet dreams." He placed a slow, lingering kiss on her lips, then stepped back and opened the door. "I'll be right next door until four. After that, it's my watch downstairs."

  Rena touched her still tingling lips and fell across the bed. "Girl, have you lost your mind? Sending away the one man who definitely flips your switch..." She got up and twirled to the bathroom to brush her teeth, a wide smile and rosy cheeks greeting her when she looked in the mirror.

  Chapter Eleven

  Rena and Katie danced around the kitchen to the oldies from the radio as they cooked a huge breakfast for everyone. A good night of sleep worked wonders.

  "I talked to Steve and Tim and both said the float looks great and the store did a booming business yesterday, even without me. Much as I hate being missed, I'm so glad to know I can take a day or two off, even inadvertently, without everything falling apart." Katie carried a platter of sausage and bacon to the table.

  Rena stirred a splash of cream and salt and pepper into the eggs then tipped them into a hot skillet coated with butter. "Now you can come visit me in New York once in a while. Though...I'm seriously thinking about relocating. This time off reminded me of why I'm so tired of big city life."

  "Duh, I wouldn't last twenty-four hours in New York City, or even Atlanta. I've been telling you, you should move back here – share the house – and there's plenty of work at the store to keep both of us busy." Katie grabbed the oven mitts and saved the biscuits from burning.

  Rena continued to stir the eggs in the skillet. "Well... I've been thinking about that too. Since I've been away from it, I can see what a drain my job is on me. Even though I feel like I'm helping, I'm sort of disenchanted with the way some things are going. I hate never meeting the people we help. I'll have to think about it."

  They dished up the rest of the food and carried it into the dining area. Katie went to the bottom of the steps and yelled up, "Chow's ready for anyone who wants it!"

  * * * * *

  By eight-thirty, they were on their way to Outfitter Dreams. Katie and Sara went over the schedule for the day once again as Travis drove. The store would only be open until three p.m. The Fourth of July picnic would be held at the River Cove Park, where Main Street ended near the river, from four 'til six. Then there would be the parade on Main Street at seven, leading into the dance at eight, and finally, fireworks at ten.

  Agents Gilmore and Patrick followed in the dark sedan and would take up positions at the front and back entrances to Outfitter Dreams. In casual clothes, they would watch for suspicious persons or faces which matched the FBI suspects' descriptions.

  "Whew, it's going to be a hot one," Rena said as they stepped out of the air-conditioned vehicle.

  "High's supposed to be in the upper nineties by one o'clock, and I don't even want to talk about the humidity," Katie agreed. She accepted their bag containing extra clothing from Sara and started to the back door to unlock.

  Travis and Ron Gilmore watched the alley and street as Phil Patrick and Sara walked with Katie and Rena. The two women had been told to stay within sight of an agent at all times, but to go about their business.

  Just as Katie was about to put her key in the lock, Sara grabbed her hand. "Wait, let me. I need to check it first. Please step back." She took the keys, then carefully inspected the door all the way around and peeked through the glass. At last, she put the key in the lock and slowly turned it. Sara let out a breath and opened the door for them. "Go on in, it's safe."

  * * * * *

  The morning passed quickly and without incident. Sara was assigned to Katie and they were getting along well. Travis watched Rena interact with the customers, noting how kind and patient she was with the elderly and children. Small American flags or flag-colored balloons were being given to the children and Happy 4th flag buttons were pinned on the adults. He lost count of how many people, young and old, planted a smooch on Rena's cheek or gave her a hug. At this moment, he envied each and every one of them.

  For lunch, the deli down the street brought in sandwiches and chips, which Ron and Phil ate at their posts. Rena and Katie invited Travis and Sara to eat in the office while Steve and Tim provided help to the customers.

  "Well, have you thought any more about it?" Katie asked Rena.

  Rena gave her a big smile. "You know I have. I've loved working with the customers today."

  Travis took a long drink of water and glanced from Rena to Katie. "The customers certainly love you too. Want to share what's going on?"

  "Rena is considering moving back here and helping me with the store," Katie blurted out before Rena had a chance to say anything.

  "I'm glad you're not in charge of state secrets," Rena teased and laughed, then turned to look at Travis. "I've realized how much I dislike living in the city. I think it may be time to try something else for a while. My job in New York seems pretty dull to me now."

  While eating his food, Travis wondered if having Rena move to River Cove would make it harder or easier for him to see her. He would just have to wait and see what happened.

  * * * * *

  At three, they put the day's take in the safe and locked the store. Katie and Rena took turns changing into shorts and tank tops before they headed to the park for the picnic.

  "Ladies, I failed to see a picnic basket anywhere among us," Travis told them as he rolled down all the windows and switched on the AC to vent the over-hot air trapped inside.

  Rena laughed. "This picnic is a little different. You'll see."

  When they parked, Travis saw what she meant. Down one side of the park near the picnic shelters were grills, deep fryers, large crock-pots and stainless steel pots, and open fires with Dutch ovens hanging over them on tripods. Chests, tubs, and barrels full of ice held canned sodas, bottled water, and homemade jugs of tea, lemonade, and punch. There was even a makeshift display case full of pies and cakes. Lines were forming already as townsfolk and tourists prepared to take part in the feast.

  Katie explained, "All of us – business owners, city officials, and our police and fire departments – hold fund-raisers or contribute from their profits to buy the food. Then some of our great cooks have a competition to see who can serve the best tasting dish. The winner gets a basket of goodies and coupons from several contributing businesses. It's a win-win as we don't have to cook and everyone gets free food. Of course, there are tip jars around for those who want to contribute toward the next year's food."

  Rena stepped ahead of them and turned to walk backward as she grabbed Travis' hand. "Let's go watch the kids. They should be starting the games. Unless you're hungry?"

  "Okay, games first. But stay back here beside me," he insisted and tugged her to his side. He knew she didn't realize he couldn't watch for bad guys if she was out in front like that.

  With Ron, Phil, Sara, and Travis practically surrounding them, Rena and Katie cheered for the kids as they watched the three-legged race, the egg roll, the sack race, the wheelbarrow race, and finally, the ring toss and the block-stacking contest for the smaller tots. Once the awards were presented, they walked back to get in the food line.

  Suddenly Travis saw a face he recognized from a flyer. Cautiously, he moved nearer Sara and warned her, asking her to pass it on to the other two agents with them. Then he stepped close to Rena and took her hand. He squeezed hard.

  "Ouch...what?" From the look on his face, she knew something had changed.

  "How about you and Katie excuse yourselves and head to the restrooms? Take Sara with you, and act natural. But be careful and listen for me, in case I shout out if there's trouble."

  "Be careful," she whispered and stood on tiptoe to drop a quick kiss on his jaw. A bit louder, she said, "Katie, Sara, I need to visit the lady-loo. How about we all go at once? The guys can keep our place in line."

  "Sounds good. Which way?" Sara agreed.

  When Rena pointed to a log building off to the left of the first picnic shelter, they
began walking in that direction. Then she kept up a run of small talk about whether or not she should give up her job and move in with Katie.

  They successfully reached the building housing the restrooms, where they had to wait in line to enter. Rena strained her ears, listening for Travis. Once inside they hurriedly took turns at one stall, then waited again to get to the sinks. In a corner near the exit, Rena whispered to Sara and Katie, "It must be clear to go back. Travis said he would shout if there was trouble."

  "What's going on? Did they see something suspicious?" Katie whispered too, even though she didn't know what was happening.

  Sara answered, "Travis thought he saw someone in the crowd we are supposed to lookout for. But it could easily have been a false alarm. We need to act natural and not show that we suspect anything." At Katie's look of fear, Sara laid a hand on her arm. "Travis, Ron, and Phil will take steps to see if the guy is dangerous. We just have to do what they say, okay?"

  Katie glanced at Rena, who nodded her agreement. "All right, I'll try. Pinch me if I look like I'm going to faint. Sheesh, will this never be over?"

  Together they walked from the building, chatting like friends would and mingling with other ladies headed in the same direction. A shot rang out followed by a shout, "Get down! Down now!"

  Sara reacted quickest, shoving Katie and Rena to the ground and covering them with her body. Then she began shouting at the people around her as she drew her weapon. "Police, get down! Gun! Get down!"

  "It's just firecrackers—" another voice argued. Then two more shots filled the air, one whistling by his ear. He dove for cover behind a tree.

  Sirens heralded the arrival of the three police cars belonging to the town. Rena strained to see from her position lying prone on the ground with Sara's weight across her back. She watched five officers run toward the building, but she could see no sign of Travis or his agents.

  Please, God, take care of Travis. Don't let him be hurt... Maybe it was a selfish prayer, but she felt selfish right now. Nothing like danger to make a girl realize how much she needed love in her life.