Chapter Twenty One
Two Weeks Later
Victoria gifted Caroline an engraved knife with a pink rose.
“Here’s my last gift to you,” Victoria said proudly. “I’ve only given one other woman a set of these. Kassie has become like a daughter to me and can wield these with great precision. You’re as talented as she. Always keep this on you.”
Caroline lifted the shiny steel knife from its sheath. “It’s stunning, Victoria. Thank you.”
“You’ve earned this. Even Ivan can attest to your ability.
Rebecca tells me Cain has given the Feds a bit of trouble.
He will come for you one day. Jameson stole property from him, and Cain won’t allow you to easily slip away despite what the Feds say.
Rebecca knows this, or she’d release the team from watching over you.
Trust your gut. It’ll never lead you astray. ”
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you coming and teaching me. I promise to practice every morning. The sunrise has become my favorite part of the day. May I come visit you someday?”
“You have an open invitation,” Victoria said, hugging her. “Don’t let fear run your life. It’ll drown you quicker than the water in this pool. You’re stronger now, and every day will only get better. As soon as you let those doubts creep in, you’ll miss out on what’s in front of you.”
“I’ll do my best,” she promised before hugging Ivan.
“Best of luck to you,” Ivan whispered. “Earning my wife’s praise can be tough. She’s telling you the truth. You’re powerful now.”
Caroline smiled as she stepped away, watching the two of them leave. She’d miss their training sessions.
“I see your guests said their goodbyes,” Thomas called from the patio doors. “What will you do with all this free time on your hands?”
“I’m leaving tonight for Embers for the baby shower,” she said, walking toward him. “Then, I’m searching for a job.”
“Good for you,” he said, smiling and ushering her inside for breakfast.
“Nancy made scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. I hope you’re hungry.”
“I’m starved,” she admitted, taking the bacon to the table and setting the plates. “Do you have company coming? There’s an extra place setting.”
“I asked Jameson to join us. Since you’re headed to the ranch and he planned to take you later, I wanted to ensure your safety. You know, make the boy pee his pants a little, should anything happen on his watch,” her dad said casually as he helped himself to the eggs.
“Dad, you didn’t,” she exclaimed, taken aback by her father’s invitation slash scare tactic.
The doorbell rang, and Nancy went to answer it.
“This conversation isn’t over, Dad. I can’t believe you’d do such a thing,” she said, shaking her head.
“If you recall, I have always acted over protectively toward you. I’ve grown used to having you here the last few weeks, and it’s filled my heart with joy. I can’t protect you myself, but if he plans to take you, I expect he’s keeping an eye on you,” Thomas said firmly.
Jameson walked in and removed his hat. “Good morning, everyone,” he greeted, taking a seat beside Caroline.
She inhaled his scent of leather, fresh hay, and horses.
“Good morning,” she murmured, sending her father a warning glare. “I didn’t plan on leaving until later this afternoon. I hope you didn’t stop working to sit with me all day.”
“Your father called and asked me to join you because he has some questions about your security. Afterward, I thought we might take a swim in the heated pool. I turned the heat up a couple of days ago.”
Caroline froze. “I don’t swim. I believe I told you.”
Jameson took a couple of pieces of bacon, not bothering to glance at her. “Yes, you did. Victoria called me on the way to her plane to update me on your progress. She gave me a list of things to work with you on, and one of them involved the pool.”
Her stomach twisted into one big knot, and she dropped her fork.
When she rose halfway from her chair, Jameson’s hand caressed the back of her neck.
“Easy, Caroline. I’m a Navy SEAL. I can swim like a fish,” he assured her quietly.
Her gaze met his as she held her breath. His warm hand covered hers, lending her strength.
“Son, what do you have in place for security while she stays there?” Thomas asked, breaking the spell between them.
“We have security cameras and a team which patrols the area around the clock. In addition, she’ll be in the company of a CIA agent, a former FBI agent, a gunner, and two Navy SEALs. Do you think she’ll cause us more trouble? Because I can always call for more backup if needed,” he teased.
Caroline nudged him with her elbow.
Thomas put his hands together, contemplating Jameson’s plan.
“You’ll stay with her the entire time?” he asked.
“I won’t be attending the baby shower. When I’m not with her, one of the team will be there,” Jameson answered his questions patiently.
“Ummm, hello? I’m not invisible, ya know,” she added grumpily. “Victoria has worked with me for two weeks for twelve hours a day, and you act like I’m ten.”
“Only because you’re precious to me,” Thomas took in stride her testiness. “I’m confident Jameson will ensure your safety.”
“Yes, sir,” he said, digging into his eggs.
Caroline glanced at Nancy helplessly, who smiled and winked before turning her attention to her breakfast. When they finished, Jameson placed them in the dishwasher while Caroline wiped down the table.
“All right, slugger. Let’s see what you can do in the pool,” Jameson said, guiding her outside.
The pool seemed to take on a personality of its own, and she recalled thrashing under the water while Cain held her down.
“Hey,” Jameson said, snapping her out of her memory. “I won’t let go of you. We’ll start in the shallow end.”
“It’s what I’m afraid of,” she mumbled as she went inside in search of a swimsuit. It crossed her mind to tell him she didn’t have one.
“Victoria bought you several suits. She said they’re on your bed,” Jameson called. “I’ll meet you out here.”
Damn it. Sighing, she walked into her room to find several bathing suits already washed and ready. Her mouth dropped open when she viewed the skimpy suits, and the only one-piece suit contained a sheer panel under her boobs, displaying her midsection.
Fuming, she went into the closet and pulled out a T-shirt to wear over the garments. Slipping out of her clothes, she put on the one-piece and the tee before heading outside.
Jameson pulled his arms over his head and removed his shirt, and Caroline stared at the wall of bulging muscles on his arms and chest. His stomach seemed made of steel.
Placing the towels on the pool chairs, Jameson walked into the shallow end and held out his hand. Caroline gripped the edges of her shirt and stood on the edge.
“Come on, Honeybee,” he said, using her dad’s nickname for her. “You can do this.”
Caroline’s chin rose higher, and she steeled herself as she put her foot in the water.
“How long do we have to stay in here?” she asked as she gripped the railing for dear life.
“We don’t have a time limit. It can be five minutes or four hours. Whatever you’re comfortable with,” he assured her.
“Then, can we abandon this idea now?” she said, biting her lip.
“I’ll stay right with you. But you do have to get into the water. You’re not a duck and can’t swim with only your feet,” he said, trying to make light of the situation.
“How do I know you can really swim?” she challenged. “Maybe you’re a recreational swimmer.”
Jameson narrowed his eyes and swam backward, dove underwater, and swam up to the steps.
“Do you feel better?” he asked, moving closer.
“Not really,” she said uneasily.
“I have you, Caroline. I didn’t let you down when I said I’d find you. I won’t let anything happen to you now,” he assured her, standing and walking closer to her. “We’ll start slow and go at your pace.”
“All right,” she said, resigned, twisting the edge of her tee.
Jameson took her hand and led her off the stairs.
“Relax,” he soothed. “It’s a beautiful day, and we’re enjoying the waves in the pool.”
Copying his movements, she bent her knees and bobbed in the water.
“I’m moving behind you to hold you,” he instructed. “I want you to relax against me and let the water carry you.”
Caroline waited stiffly as he wrapped his arms around her. The safe, familiar feeling of lying in his arms floated over her as she rested against his chest.
“Let your limbs turn into noodles,” he instructed. “I’m walking you along the edge of the pool. I won’t let go, but I want you to close your eyes.”
“Why?” she asked, panicking.
“Because I want you to feel the personality. If you become one with it, the water can act like a lover’s arms, lulling you to sleep, safe in its arms. If you fight it, it can become aggressive and pull you under. If you move with the waves, it can dance with you,” he said softly into her ear.
“Did they teach you this at SEAL school? I can imagine you in Garrett’s arms while the water lulls you to sleep,” she said sarcastically.
Jameson nipped her ear, causing her to squeal and giggle.
“Okay, Miss Smarty Pants. I’m working here,” he said, chastising her between his laughter.
“You call this work? I thought Navy SEALs were tough, badass men. I didn’t know they struggled to pull a girl through water in the shallow end and called it a day.”
“You’re baiting me, Caroline. It’s not working. By the time we finish, you’ll be splashing around like a fish in the shallow end,” he promised.
“Do the fish on the deeper end swim differently?” she asked innocently.
Jameson tickled her, making her squirm while she held onto his arms. “Are you about done?” he asked. “Who are you and what did you do with my Caroline?”
“Stop tickling me,” she begged. “I’ll be good.”
“Somehow, I doubt it,” he muttered as he settled her against his chest once more. “Close your eyes.”
“You won’t let me go?” she asked timidly.
“Never,” he promised.
She snuggled into his shoulder and let her body relax. The waves from his movements gently rocked her.