“You’ve been gone for months. We must get caught up and we won’t take no for an answer.”
Savannah managed a weak smile.
“Of course. Maybe just one.”
“At least,” Frank said.
This made Savannah chuckle for real. Nadine and Frank were such good people. She couldn’t ask for better neighbors. Sure, they were older and both retired, but they weren’t too old to keep an eye on her place while she was gone.
“My treat,” Savannah said as they settled on their barstools. “I want to pay you back for watching my place while I was on assignment.”
“Our pleasure,” Nadine said. “And now that you’re home, can you tell us where the assignment was?”
Savannah smiled at her.
“It was actually all over the world. I traveled everywhere from the Caribbean to China, from South Africa to Portugal. And various other places. I really got around.”
“I hit some of those spots when I was in the Air Force,” Frank said. “I bet you had more fun.”
Fun? Is that what she’d call it? It had been hard work. Except for the time with Kit. Her lower lip trembled, and she took a deep breath. Not trusting her voice, she simply nodded.
“Are you okay, dear?” Nadine patted Savannah’s hand.
Savannah nodded again. She took a calming sip of her wine.
“I’ll be fine.”
“Let me guess,” Frank said. “You left a girl in one of those stops?”
“Something like that.”
“Don’t think about her,” Nadine said. “Tell us what kind of assignment took you to all those fabulous places?”
“I was after an international jewel thief.”
“Did you catch him?” Frank said.
“No.” She could have elaborated but didn’t feel like it.
“That’s okay, dear. I’m sure you did everything you could.”
Savannah took another sip of wine and looked at Nadine.
“That’s not what the director thinks. Which is why I’m home for a couple of weeks.”
“A rest will do you good,” Frank said.
“I hope so. I really do. I just hope that wasn’t my last assignment.”
“You mean it could be?” Nadine looked concerned.
“Indeed, it could.”
“Then what would you do?”
Savannah thought of Kit and how wonderful it would be to spend the rest of her life with her.
“I don’t know, Nadine,” she said. “I honestly have no idea.”
* * *
Kit zipped up her wetsuit and braced herself for the chilled morning air. She loaded her surfboard into her truck and waited for Carlos. He came out a few minutes later and they headed down 101 to Pismo.
Kit wasn’t feeling too hot. She and Carlos had spent most of the previous day drinking beer and followed up with tequila at night. The combination of too much alcohol and not enough Savannah made for a lousy night’s sleep. But the idea of surfing brightened her significantly. She loved catching waves. It soothed her soul. It made her feel at one with nature. It would surely be the cure for what ailed her.
The sun was just cresting as she parked her truck. They carried their surfboards down the rocks until they were at the beach.
“You ready for some fun?” Carlos said.
“You know it.”
They paddled out in the cold water to join the few other surfers who had braved the cold morning. Kit straddled her board and looked out to sea, hoping to see some swells approaching. There were none. She cursed herself for not checking the surf site online. But sunrise was always a good time to surf.
A few small waves rolled in and she missed most of them. Disgusted and still hungover, she motioned to Carlos to head to shore. They’d been out three hours and it had been a bust. Just like everything in Kit’s life. She needed to catch a break. God knew she deserved it.
Feeling defeated and sorry for herself, Kit slipped out of her wetsuit and dried off. She dressed in gray sweats and a Cal Poly hoodie for warmth. Carlos dressed similarly.
“What’s the plan now, Kit?”
“Breakfast. I need something to absorb the rest of the alcohol.”
Carlos laughed.
“And a little hair of the dog?”
“I don’t know about that. We’ll see.”
He laughed again, patted her on the back, and climbed into the truck. Kit was grateful for Carlos. They’d been buddies for years and she knew she could trust him with her life. He was a stay-at-home husband. His husband, Reynaldo, had a great job as an architect, and while he was always talking about designing the perfect house for them, he hadn’t yet, so they remained living in Kit’s three-thousand-square-foot guesthouse. It worked for all involved. Especially Kit, who didn’t know what she’d do without Carlos right then.
Neither Carlos nor Reynaldo knew of Kit’s thievery. And if she had her way, they’d never find out. How would they? Besides, those days were long over. Right?
Kit drew herself back to the present as she parked at the restaurant. It was mostly empty, so she and Carlos took a booth and perused the menu. Pancakes. That’s what Kit wanted. Big, fluffy, buttermilk pancakes to absorb the tequila. Perfect.
“So what are you going to do?” Carlos said.
“About?” In her drunken stupor the previous night, Kit had told Carlos about Savannah. Everything except the jewel thefts and Savannah’s FBI affiliation.
“You know what. Her. The love of your life. How are you going to get her back?”
Kit shook her head.
“I can’t. She won’t text me back. I’m floundering here. But let’s not talk about her. Let’s talk about something else.”
Carlos shook his head.
“I don’t think it’s healthy for you. You need to go get her.”
“How?”
“Go to her house in Maine? Where was it again?”
“Maryland. And I don’t know where in Maryland.”
“Google her.”
“I don’t know her last name. Now, please drop it. I say we finish breakfast then go for a ride.”
“Yeah? Where to?”
“Oceano.”
“That’s not much of a ride,” Carlos said.
“No, but they have horses. And that’s the kind of ride I want to go on.”
“Whoa there, Kit. I don’t mind caring for the horses you own, but I don’t know about riding any on the beach.”
“That’s right. You’re not crazy about horses, are you? I’ll drop you back at the house and I’ll go by myself.”
“You’re talking crazy. I’m not going to let you be alone right now. I’ll buck up and ride the damned horse on the beach.”
The ride was beautiful. Kit loved horseback riding and loved the ocean. So riding horses along the beach was just the therapy she needed. She stayed focused on the horse under her, not allowing her mind to wander to Savannah too many times. When the ride was over, she was sore but rejuvenated. She felt like a new woman. She was ready to make decisions about what to do with her life. She was also ready for a shower.
Kit dried off after her shower and slipped into cotton shorts and an old Pink Floyd T-shirt. She went to the kitchen to get some iced tea and found Carlos with a pitcher of margaritas.
“You’re shitting me,” Kit said.
“I shit you not. Here. Have a glass.”
He poured her a glass of the frozen concoction. She took a sip. It was delicious.
“Yum. But only one, Carlos. I don’t need to get drunk.”
“Why not?” Carlos said. “You got plans?”
“You know I don’t. But I wanted to spend some time, sober time, trying to figure out what I’m going to do next with my life.”
“Funny you should mention that. I have just the idea.”
Kit was almost afraid to ask.
“Oh, you do? And what, pray tell, might that be?”
“Take one of those lesbian cruises. You’d have your pick of w
omen. Hell, you could sleep your way right through the whole passenger list.”
The thought of being on a ship made Kit feel claustrophobic. And bumping into women after she’d seduced them didn’t sound very appealing either.
“Nice thought,” she said. “But that’s not really for me.”
“Okay. Well, the only thing I know for sure is that we’ve got to get you laid.”
Kit’s mind went immediately to Savannah. She’d been with a woman she truly cared about. She didn’t want random sex. Those days were over. All she wanted was Savannah.
“I don’t know about that, Carlos.”
“What’s not to know? You’re infamous for your seductions.”
“It wouldn’t feel right.” Nothing felt right. She was tossing along on the waves of life with no direction.
“Damn. You’ve really got it bad.”
“That I do, Carlos. That I do.”
Chapter Twenty-seven
Savannah still had a week to go on her hiatus. There had been radio silence from headquarters. Nothing. Zilch. Nada. She couldn’t help but fear this was a bad sign. Or was it? Outside of missing Kit like crazy, time away from a job had been rather nice. If only Kit was with her.
She’d tried to keep busy, but there was only so much to do in Hampstead. She’d rearranged her house, painted the shutters, and worked in the yard. But she was lonely. So very lonely. The Goldens had had her over for dinner and tried to lift her spirits, but between not knowing about her job and missing Kit, her spirits didn’t seem to want to be lifted.
To cheer herself up, she took a day and went into Baltimore. She took in some museums and shopped for clothes and had lunch. Normally, she didn’t mind doing things by herself, but that day she felt alone. More so than ever in her life. She longed to have someone to share her life with. She’d honestly thought that person would be Kit. But she’d given Kit her walking papers and was sure Kit didn’t even remember her as anything more than a pleasant fling. If that. Sure, she’d texted once, but Savannah hadn’t heard from her since then. She was sure she’d moved on and was tripping the light fantastic with any woman she could find. The thought made Savannah ill. She fought tears as she drove back to her house.
When she arrived at her house, Savannah poured herself a glass of wine and decided a soak in the tub would be just what she needed. She filled the tub with hot lavender scented water and climbed in. She sipped her wine and tried to relax, but her mind kept drifting to her nights at the casinos of the world. She retraced every step she took and played over every interview she’d given. What had she missed? Had her affair with Kit disrupted her investigating abilities? No. She couldn’t believe that. And, once she’d slept with Kit and Kit hadn’t stolen from her, should she have moved on?
But Savannah knew that wouldn’t have been possible. Kit had meant something to her. She’d fallen hard for Kit and didn’t regret it. She only regretted that things had had to end.
The water was tepid when she finally got out of the bath. She dried off, slid into her nightie, and climbed into bed. But sleep escaped her. As was the norm, she couldn’t turn her brain off. Thoughts tumbled over each other in her head leaving her confused and awake. She finally sat up and grabbed her phone. She’d read for a while. That would help.
But she couldn’t concentrate on the words before her. She started reading a romance, but that was too painful. So she switched to a mystery. But a whodunit only reminded her of her failings as an agent. So she settled on a sci-fi book and that’s when she gave up. She couldn’t read. It was no use.
She flipped over to the messages on her phone. She read the last text from Kit. Did she still miss her? Did she ever think about her? Before she could talk herself out of it, she sent Kit a text.
Where are you? Are you winning big?
Her heart thudded heavily in her chest. Would Kit respond? She stared at the phone, chest heaving, waiting for a response. None came. She didn’t know where Kit was, what casino she was playing in. It might be the middle of the night where she was. She might be sound asleep. Or she might be in bed with a woman. Savannah threw her phone across the room, snuggled under the cover, and cried herself to sleep.
It was ten o’clock in the morning when Savannah woke. She heard the vacuum and knew Mrs. Dennis was there. She smiled. At least she wouldn’t be alone. For a few hours anyway. She got up and put on a robe. She waved to Mrs. Dennis who turned off the vacuum and followed Savannah to the kitchen.
“You’re up late again,” Mrs. Dennis said. “Trouble sleeping?”
Savannah felt the tears roll down her cheeks. She didn’t try to stop them. She nodded and poured herself a cup of coffee.
“Oh. Sit down, sweetheart. I’ll fix your coffee for you.”
Savannah sat and gratefully took the cup Mrs. Dennis handed her.
“Are you ready to talk about her yet? I’ve been patiently waiting, but it’s eating you up inside. Obviously. I think it’s time you tell me all about her.”
Savannah sobbed as she shared her story of her time with Kit. She didn’t leave anything out, including the fact that Kit was one of the main suspects in the jewel thefts.
“So that’s what’s on my mind.” She took a deep breath. “That’s why I’m so miserable.”
“And have you reached out to this Kit woman? Since you’ve been home?”
“I texted her last night. She didn’t answer.”
Mrs. Dennis placed her weathered hand over Savannah’s.
“You should call her.”
“I can’t. If she still cared, she’d text back. I don’t know what time zone she’s in or what she’s doing. I can’t call her. It could be the middle of the night where she is. Or she could be with someone.” She started sobbing again.
“Sh now. You mustn’t think that way. I understand your reasons for not calling. I get that you’re afraid. But I think that’s your best bet.”
Savannah took a shaky breath and nodded.
“Maybe I’ll do that. I’ll think about it anyway. Thanks for listening.”
She poured another cup of coffee and went upstairs to get dressed. She went to check her phone, but it wasn’t on the nightstand. That’s right. She’d thrown it across the room. She found it behind the wastebasket. Her hands shook when she saw she had a message. It was from Kit.
I gave up globetrotting. I’m in California. Are you still in Maryland? Is everything okay?
Savannah couldn’t have wiped the smile off her face for a million dollars. Sure, it was one text, but at least Kit was still speaking to her. Life was looking up.
* * *
Kit woke early and reached for her phone. There was another text from Savannah. She couldn’t stop smiling.
I’m okay. Still dealing with some stuff. Why did you go back to California?
What kind of stuff could she be dealing with? And why didn’t she let Kit share the load? Kit had to offer.
Kit: Can I help? I’m still here for you. No matter what.
Savannah: Aw. You’re still so sweet. But I have to deal with this on my own.
Kit: If you insist. Want to talk about it?
Savannah: No thanks. I want to know why you’re in California.
Kit: Traveling wasn’t the same without you, Savannah.
Savannah: I’m sorry. For everything.
Kit: Can we give it another try?
Several minutes passed with no response. Kit was afraid she’d blown it.
Savannah: Maybe. I don’t know. I should have answers in a week or so.
Kit: So maybe in a week I can come see you?
Savannah: Maybe. I don’t know.
Kit: Can I call you, Savannah? I’d love to hear your voice.
Savannah: Not yet. Give me a week, okay?
Kit: As long as you don’t shut me out again.
Savannah: I don’t want to, Kit. God, I miss you.
Kit: So after a week you may tell me to hit the road again?
Savannah: I’ll know more how we
can proceed. I need you in my life.
Kit: I need to be in your life. So that’s a good thing.
Savannah: I need to go now, Kit. Text me later?
Kit: Count on it.
Kit stared at her phone, but the connection, tenuous though it was, was broken. What the hell was Savannah going through? Did it have to do with work? Was she going to get another assignment? If so, would she leave Kit in the dust again? Kit wondered if she should tell Savannah she knew she was an FBI agent. Maybe that would make her open up to Kit. But no. That needed to come from Savannah. She needed to be honest with Kit. About everything. Even though Kit would take her own secret to the grave.
With a spring in her step, Kit walked to the kitchen to make breakfast. She was hungry. Carlos was at the kitchen table drinking coffee.
“What’s with the big smile, my friend? Did you get lucky last night?”
Kit laughed.
“Not exactly. I just finished texting with Savannah.”
“What? Really? That’s great. How did that happen? Are you back together? Are you flying to Maine?”
“Maryland. It’s Maryland. And she texted me last night. I responded and then she texted me back this morning. So we had an actual conversation. Something’s up. I don’t know what. But I guess we’ll have answers in a week or so.”
“So you’re going to get back together?”
“It’s too soon to tell, but God, I hope so.”
“That’s awesome, Kit. I’m really happy for you.”
“Thanks. Let’s go to the beach and get some breakfast. Or have you eaten?”
“I have not. Get dressed. Let’s go.”
They drove to Avila Beach and had Bloody Marys with breakfast. They walked along the beach after and Kit took her shoes off and walked in the cool water. It was already warm out which was unusual for the Central Coast. It promised to be a hot one. Kit had work to do around the ranch, but she wanted to stay inside and text Savannah again. But no, she’d brave the heat and take care of business. Just knowing Savannah was somewhat back in her life made life worth living again.
Kit finished her chores and took a cool shower. She grabbed a beer and texted Savannah.
Thief of the Heart Page 19
