Chapter 27
27
“ P lease, Tessa, consider what I’m asking,” pleaded Ford. The rich scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air. His hands were wrapped around the warm ceramic mug. Outside his cabin, the morning sky was gray, with darker rain clouds threatening to burst.
Tessa took a sip of her coffee and sighed. “I don’t know, Ford,” she said as she set the cup down. “It’s been weeks, and we haven’t heard or seen Damien or Marty. I bet they’ve forgotten about me.”
Ford’s jaw tightened as he sat back in his chair and studied her.
They had been talking about her moving into his cabin while he was away for several days, and Tessa kept pushing back.
He understood she liked her freedom. Although she really wasn’t free since she was usually with Ford or the girls, and if she was at her apartment during the day, Titus was a call away.
“Besides, I’m not helpless,” she replied. “The self-defense classes at the campus with the girls have been helpful, and I’m very aware of my circumstances. I feel safe.”
“Safety is an illusion.” Ford shook his head. “Bad things happen all the time when we least expect it. Do you think I go about my day without being conscious of my surroundings? Plus, I have training and muscles.” He made a fist and flexed his biceps.
Tessa laughed, which he hoped she would do, and it helped defuse the situation. She was getting more and more tense as evidenced by her rubbing her hands on her pants.
“I just … I don’t want to give up what little freedom and privacy I have,” she said in a small voice. “Living here is important to me. I want to make it on my own.”
“Sweetheart.” Ford got up and sat next to her on the sofa. “You are making it on your own; in fact, you’re owning it. You put together two outstanding events. You have people who want to hire you. No one on the campus will bother you, but they will protect you. Please.” He took her hand in his. “Do it for me.”
“Hmmm.” Tessa looked down at their hands. “I’ll think about it.”
Ford arched a brow. “Sweetheart, I leave tomorrow. You need to decide. For my peace of mind.”
He watched as Tessa folded her arms, her expression stubborn. He admired her independence, but it didn’t ease the anxiety in his gut. She just didn’t see the danger the way he and the guys did. Guys like Damien didn’t just disappear.
“Fine,” she huffed. “But I’m not happy.” She gave a little pout before giving him a sweet smile. “It’ll be okay. I know some of the women will come over for company. Oh! I have that meeting with Simone in a couple of days.”
Simone!
Ford mentally rolled his eyes.
Dex had checked her out the other day and found nothing suspicious. In fact, Simone had a spotless reputation, owning several boutiques in Florida and a consultant business. Her social media presence showcased a philanthrope with interests in empowering women. There were lots of pictures of events she had attended and accounts of money raised.
Ford still didn’t like her and couldn’t shake the feeling that something about her wasn’t right. His instincts rarely failed him, but there was nothing that told him Tessa was in danger from her.
However, Dex said if they ever needed more information Tex could help out.
He remembered asking Dex who Tex was.
“Occasionally, when we need to dig deeper, we use an ex-SEAL that a couple of guys served with. John ‘Tex’ Keegan is a computer whiz and can dig up information people thought they buried,” replied Dex.
“Should we ask him now?” asked Ford.
“Nah. Nothing in what I found suggests anything out of the ordinary. We try not to use him unless it’s absolutely necessary. He works with the SEALs, the government and … I think some covert organizations.”
Wow. That was a lot to take in. Although thinking about it, Ford had heard a couple of the guys mention Tex in conversation. It never occurred to him how involved Tex was with his friends.
“Great. Now that we’ve settled that, I have a meeting on campus.” He stood and pulled Tessa into his arms. After several minutes of intense kissing and tongue action, he pulled away. “I could do this all day,” he said. “And more. But I really have to go. Talk to you later?”
She nodded as she licked her lips. Ford followed that sweet pink tongue and had to adjust his pants before he left. “Tease.”
Tessa smirked and gave him a finger wave.
Tessa stretched, her arms reaching toward the ceiling as she gazed out the window. Tree branches swayed in the wind, and the sky was gray again.
She missed Ford, but at least his scent was still on the sheets and pillows comforting her. He’d been gone for two days, and she’d tried to fill her days with activities. Joy and Naomi visited since they lived on campus. Their cheerful conversation was a distraction from the quiet. Today she was meeting Simone to discuss the possibility of being hired to do a couple of events.
Ford said little about Simone. Tessa had a feeling he didn’t care for her. Although she got weird vibes from her, too. How and why Simone found out about the two events Tessa organized remained a mystery. All she knew was that she didn’t have to like Simone; she just needed to do a good job.
She got up from the bed and glanced at her phone. She smiled when she saw a message from Ford light up the screen and hit the call button.
“Good morning, sunshine, how’d you sleep?” His deep voice sent a shiver down her spine. Just hearing his voice made her miss him more.
“I slept fine,” she said. “But I miss having you in bed with me.”
Ford chuckled. “I’ll be home soon enough. I miss you too.”
Tessa heard the murmur of men’s voices in the background. “Uh-oh. I have to go. Duty calls. Love you!”
He hung up quickly.
Tessa stared at the phone, her heart racing. Did she hear him right?
Love you.
He never said that before. She wondered if he was using it as an expression or if he meant it. Theirs had been a fast relationship. Had it been too fast? Nah.
She always believed when you knew, you knew—and she knew.
Two hours later, Tessa was in her car on the way to meet Simone at the bakery. After parking, she checked into her apartment, making sure all was okay before walking downstairs to grab a table. Tessa darted to a window seat after greeting a server. She sat and stared out the window, watching passersby.
The scent of cinnamon and vanilla tickled her nose. The server set a cup of coffee in front of her and asked if she wanted anything else.
“No, but thank you,” she replied. “Maybe a little later.”
Tessa wrapped her hands around the warm cup and sniffed. There was nothing like the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. She sipped, enjoying the warmth, then cradled the cup.
“She doesn’t suspect a thing.”
A man’s voice carried over from a phone conversation a couple of tables over. Tessa’s heart raced. Was it Marty? Damien? She snuck a peek and noticed it was Evan, the bakery owner’s nephew, hunched over his phone.
Tessa froze. Was he talking about her? Was he connected to Malina somehow? She’d seen him a couple of times, and he always looked suspicious, whispering into the phone, glancing around, narrowing his eyes when he saw Tessa looking at him. Was she in danger?
“Good morning.” A woman’s voice disrupted Tessa’s thoughts. She looked up and saw Simone standing over the table, looking sophisticated and pulled-together in a gray tailored pantsuit with a black top. She had pulled her hair back into a chignon.
“Oh!” Tessa gave a quick smile. “You startled me. I was lost in my thoughts.”
Simone sat across from her. “I hope they were thoughts of my event,” she said. “I’m looking forward to working with you.”
A server approached Simone and asked if she wanted to order.
“Tea, please.”
Tessa asked for a refill on her coffee. After the server walked away, she glanced at Simone. “So, why don’t you tell me what kind of event this is, where it’s going to be held and how I can help.”
“It’s a fundraiser for the local animal shelter,” said Simone. “I have two locations I’m interested in. One is a barn outside of town that is perfect for the occasion. The other is a converted warehouse, also perfect.”
“What a wonderful idea. What’s your vision for this?”
Simone tapped her fingers on the table. “I’d like to do a silent auction and have people pledge donations for specific needs, food for the animals, medical care, and shelter repairs.”
So many ideas raced through Tessa’s brain. Silent auctions were always a good idea, and people loved helping animals. Plus, the newspapers loved a feel-good story.
“Maybe have a pledge level to attend with perks,” Tessa suggested. “For example, general admission gets a thank-you with a photo of a shelter animal; next level, your name on a sponsor wall or a tote bag with a picture of a dog or cat, or … with a premium level, you get a tour of the shelter with naming rights to an animal and recognition of a plaque displayed at the shelter.”
“I love those ideas. We can refine them later, but that’s a great starting point.” Simone pulled out her phone. “I’m going to assume you’re interested. Let’s schedule a barn tour for you.” She shrugged. “Maybe next week, one day?”
Tessa smiled. “I’m definitely interested. Next week will be perfect. It’ll give me time to come up with more ideas.”
“Great.” Simone took another sip of her tea and looked at her watch. “I have to run. I’ll send you directions.”
She raised a finger, signaling for the check. When the server came over, she handed her the money and a tip. Tessa tried to protest, but Simone reminded her that she’d suggested the meeting.
Simone stood by the table, gathering her phone and purse. Tessa got up to hug her.
“This will be a great experience for both of us,” said Simone. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
Tessa remained at the table with thoughts jumbling in her mind. Success as an event planner in Haywood Lake was within her grasp. She glanced around the bakery and noticed Evan had left. Which left her wondering who he was talking to and if it was about her. She’d keep her ears and eyes open. If he had ties to Damien, well, Ford and the Brotherhood would have to get involved.