Page 45 of Savannah Heat
“Whatever the reason, let’s go upstairs.”
After the minimum of effort of doing the nightly rituals, they both fell into bed and slept until Dan’s pinging text alert woke them at nearly ten o’clock the next morning.
Jenna, used to her early morning routine, jumped out of bed, put on her running clothes, and was out the door.
Dan was busy returning his text messages and making calls.
By the time she got back, she saw a freshly showered Dan was in the kitchen making omelets.
“Come on and get it, a good, healthy omelet here, high protein, and some fruit.”
“Give me five.” Jenna ran upstairs and did a fast rinse in the shower.
Dan was texting again when she got back to the kitchen, but stopped to say her omelet was keeping warm in the oven.
Jenna dug into the omelet and let Dan finish texting before she asked the burning question, “Well?”
“Well, I’ve done all I can. I have talked to the senator again about the risk of holding another public event in his house today, and I talked to his head of security. He has made this decision, and now we all must go with it. He confirmed he expects about fifty people at the party if everyone shows up. Luc is still doing his thing, and the FBI has been alerted about our Miss Harper-Diane. Gail Wells is still a loose cannon, as is Sal Amato. So, a fun night ahead for all.” Dan stood so he could bring the coffee carafe to the table.
“Well, like you said, nothing to do but go for it, and try to stop it if it happens. Gail Wells is making me nervous, though. Especially with Amato hanging on. I’m still confused about how the three of them might fit together. Are they an actual team?”
“I suppose all of the answers and everything else will become clear tonight. I know what you will say, but I must ask you anyway—do you want to stay here out of it all and let me do this?”
Jenna looked at him, fork halfway to her mouth. “Seriously?”
“Had to put it out there. We have a little over seven hours before we must leave for the party. What can we do to kill time until then?” He lifted his eyebrows, making Jenna laugh.
Later as they lay wrapped around each other in the huge bed, Jenna felt a cold chill of fear wash over her body. What if something went terribly wrong and something happened to Dan, and just when they found each other again? Could fate be so cruel? She struggled to imagine it could after all they had been through—that they would have no chance to try again for a life together. But she knew the reality was they were not special or immune to bad things happening. She hugged Dan tighter.
Jenna kept her thoughts to herself and grudgingly got out of the bed and into the shower, because she knew if she didn’t, she’d tell Dan what bothered her. He had enough to worry about without her worries piling on. Besides, she knew he must be having the same concerns. They needed a break, not only with this situation, but in their lives in general. “If we can get through this night,” she whispered, as she stepped out of the shower and toweled herself off.
She found Dan downstairs on the phone as usual. Neither of them wanted to talk anymore about what the night might bring. Dan amused her with tales from Paris and his cooking lessons, and she talked about her plans for the articles about the senator she planned for her magazine.
They enjoyed a light lunch, and Dan went into the shower with orders from Jenna to please make sure his clothes were ready and didn’t need pressing.
Jenna used the time picturing herself the owner of the house as she looked around again, taking in more of the details. The house was being well maintained, but she saw a few things she would like to change as she took inventory. She’d change the colors for one thing and go back to the more traditional colors of early Savannah townhouses. But yes, she could see herself in the house—and she could see Dan there, as well. But she wondered if he would be happy here with her, settling into a more traditional life. Could he do it? Could she?
Dan came down the stairs in his robe and joined her on the sofa. “Okay, I’m clean, and I found my missing black socks after dumping everything from both bags. And yes, I made sure my shirt and suit weren’t wrinkled. The car will be here at six. Leftovers are in the fridge. Remember this is not a dinner, so let’s not go over on an empty stomach. Cocktail party snacks are not my idea of real food.”
Jenna looked at her phone. “Maybe I’ll make some toast and tea. We have two hours before the car comes so I’ll be going back up to get ready soon. Do you want to go over our plan, such as it is while I eat my toast?”
“No need because we know it’s a waiting game. We can’t do much more than react to the circumstances. I’m still hoping Luc will call with more information before we go. Since it will take me fifteen minutes to get dressed, give me a yell when you are at the finish line up there.” Dan gazed at his phone. “Come on, Luc. I need another clue.”
Jenna finished her toast and rose to go upstairs. “I think we need to realize we’re on our own here. The police aren’t being especially cooperative, the security team will be there, but I’m more concerned about the senator than the necklace. The senator’s inner circle all have been briefed, but even so, gives me little reassurance.”
Dan stood and ran his hands through his hair. “I hate this part of things—the waiting around for the action. Maybe I should go run, too.”
“It’s too late for that. You’d have to shower again. Find a ballgame on television or something to distract you. I’m going up and doing a fast check-in with my office before I get dressed. As I start the countdown, I’ll give you a shout.”
“Yes, captain.” Dan sat again on the sofa and found the remote. “Ballgame,” he mumbled, as he started to go through the channels.
Jenna made the necessary calls to her office and jotted down a few notes for her articles before she forgot. She sent her assistant a rough draft of one article she had finished, and asked her to do some editing. She glanced at the time and hoped Dan was successful in finding something on television to distract himself, as well. They both needed to arrive at the senator’s house calm and ready for anything.
Hearing nothing from downstairs since she was on the third floor and Dan was on the first floor, she could only hope Luc called him, and they would have something more to go on. Jenna put her hair up out of the way as she got set to tackle her makeup. She looked in the mirror and was suddenly overcome with an odd feeling. Somehow, she knew she would sit at this vanity in this space many more times. She could almost see herself aging in the mirror. Yes, she could love living in this house. Pleased with her makeup and how her hair looked, she sent Dan a text to come upstairs.
“Ah, so you have finished the grand illusion process.” Dan came into the master bedroom. “The one that turns you from a natural beauty to a supernatural beauty.”
“So, you think my beauty is just an illusion?”