Chapter Thirty-three
Jack knew Angie loved the changes in the updates for the casita, but when he looked around, he didn’t see Mia. Disappointed, he waited until she finally arrived, hoping to see delight on her face.
Though he’d decided he couldn’t woo her until the danger now stalking him had passed, his stomach still played a rip-roaring game of “make-Jack-throw-up” every time he was near her.
Nerves quaking, he finally saw her enter the bathroom where they were watching Angie’s delight in the new bay window. When she approached him, he didn’t know whether to step back or wait to see what she had to say.
Then, she kept getting closer. Damn she smelled nice, like coconut, or maybe it was vanilla. Whatever perfume she used, on him it reacted like a powerful aphrodisiac. His brain started backfiring, lust and adoration vied for prominence.
Before he could react, she slipped her hand into his and leaned against his arm.
Holy Lord love a duck!
When she came up close to whisper in his ear, he reacted. He stepped away, shocked that she’d made the advance he’d yearned for all along. And heartbroken because it was too late.
Now he couldn’t take chances. Neither with her nor any of the others he loved. Who knew what else that Lowborn bastard had in store for him before the election? He’d come to the conclusion on the drive over that it had to be the answer to why he’d been targeted.
***
“Where did Jack go, Mia? I want to thank him.” Everyone could see that Angie was delighted with the renovations.
Still shaken by the incident that just happened, Mia answered truthfully. “I don’t know. One minute he was beside me, and the next he just left.”
“Did he say anything?”
“Not really. He kind of choked out a ‘you’re welcome’ when I thanked him.”
Maisie ran back to her mom and grabbed for her hand to get noticed. “Mama Mia! Mama! Did you give him heck fow something?” Using her outside voice, Maisie’s eyes shot sparks.
“I most certainly did not, young lady. And watch your tone. All I did was say thanks.”
“That’s strange.” Angie suddenly appeared tired and her earlier glow had disappeared.
“I think all the excitement has been too much for this old gal. I’ve arranged for the decorators to come tomorrow to set up our Christmas arrangements, the three trees and all the lights.
I guess I’d better rest now, so I have enough strength to deal with all that. ”
Mia wrapped an arm around Angie’s waist while Mark held out his arm to steady her. “Not to worry, Angie. Maisie, Mark and I will be here to arrange everything just the way you like it. Let’s get you settled in your room for a nap.”
It wasn’t until after they’d seen Angie sleeping that her and Mark had a chance to catch up after all the excitement.
“Mark, did you see Jack’s truck earlier?”
“No. Things were too busy in the workroom and then with Angie’s arrival, it’s been kind of crazy. Why?”
“The whole driver’s side was dented badly, scraped as if he had multiple run-ins with a black vehicle that left paint samples. His back end was bashed in slightly also.”
“Man, I hope the dude wasn’t driving it at the time. He could have been badly injured.”
“That’s what I was thinking. When I tried to get close enough to open the conversation, he shied away like I had leprosy and left.” She was still miffed at his treatment.
Mark stared her down and his lifted eyebrow spoke volumes. He waited for her to acknowledge his reason for acting like this.
She finally gave in and answered, “I know. I’ve been a bit stand-offish to him after our trip here, but when I saw the close call with the truck, I’d decided that life was too short to play games and intended to show him my interest in a relationship.”
“Yeah? And how did that work for you?”
“Truthfully? It bombed.” She leaned her head on Mark’s shoulder and the self-doubt began creeping in. “Could be, he just isn’t into me.”
“Could be. But then, I never took the dude for being a lunatic.”