Nerds in Force

by D. R. Grady

  He took a sip of coffee. “I do. It relaxes me.”

  “Of course it does.” She’d met other weird people like this.

  “You get all tense and uptight when you drive.” He nonchalantly took another sip.

  Eh, not true. “I don’t enjoy driving but I am good at it.” She took a seat at the counter.

  “Your girl Verity is about the best driver I’ve ever ridden with.” Keith mentioned this as the couple entered the kitchen.

  Verity laughed softly.

  “I love driving.” She held up a hand. “I enjoy driving manual shift cars. Automatic ones are boring.”

  Harlow tilted her head to the side as she thought about that. “Hmm, I do enjoy driving manual ones more than automatic.” Her totaled car had been an automatic sedan.. Maybe why she’d been bored by it.

  Cian looked at Keith in warning. “Do not let Slick here drive a sports car. You’ll never get to drive it again.”

  “Duly noted. We’ll take my big SUV.” He patted the key fob in his front pocket.

  Harlow was more interested in Verity’s ability to drive a sports car. “The boys have a few sports cars here.” She wiggled her brows at Verity.

  “We’ll take them all for a spin.” Verity offered this promise with all the confidence in the world.

  “I’ll look forward to it. I’ve never driven these roads with a race car driver.”

  Verity’s throaty laugh made her grin. “I’ve always wanted to do that. Somehow I ended up working for my prince.”

  “You’ve got other priorities, slick.” Cian handed Verity a mug of coffee. He made a second one. “Keith, is your mom going to cook breakfast?”

  “Eric took her to a doctor’s appointment this morning.” Harlow hooked a thumb over her shoulder to indicate the massive garage. She’d passed the pair on her way to her workout this morning.

  “Oh no. One of us will have to cook.” Verity didn’t sound in favor of this.

  “I’ll do it.” Keith headed to the fridge.

  “You can actually cook? Not just chop and stir things?” Cian sounded slightly amused but interested.

  “You have met my mama, right?”

  “Right.” Cian settled into a chair one down from her at the bar. Verity chose the one next to her.

  Harlow sipped coffee and watched Keith with interest. She admitted to also being curious about Keith’s skills in the kitchen. That didn’t consist of him helping his mother.

  He cracked eggs and sliced bread and poured various ingredients with all the ease of someone who knew his way around food prep. In fact, the man made it look easy.

  The range griddle sizzled when he flicked water on it and soon he had the dripping bread ready to lay on the hot surface. The scent of French toast soon filtered through the air and her stomach rumbled. The breakfast bar long forgotten in the wake of this fare.

  He also had some sort of meat going in a different pan but that scent didn’t much interest her. “I have a plant based alternative, do you want that?” He asked her directly.

  She nodded. “Please.”

  “I’ll join her,” Verity said. “Molly and Savannah do both eat meat but I think they prefer this other stuff too.”

  “I’ll eat what ever you put in front of me.” Cian sipped coffee as the rest of them laughed.

  “That’s how I feel.” Keith flipped the toast and the meat and meat substitutes without one showing of angst. This is where she usually got tripped up in cooking. Trying to coordinate everything and pull the meal together without burning one of the components, keeping everything the same temperature, and the right level of done.

  Keith showed no angst and overcame this problem area because before long, he set plates in front of them and settled on her other side. He’d tucked the remainder of the food in the long warming drawer for anyone else who wandered in for breakfast. They said thanks then dug in and at her first bite, Harlow exclaimed.

  In chorus with her companions.

  She turned to look at him. “I never notice what I’m eating, yet this is amazing.” She indicated the French toast. “I’ve also never tasted plant based sausage this tasty either.”

  “Neither have I. Where did you get this?” Verity polished off hers.

  “I made the meat alternative. I’ve been researching it over the years because I find it interesting.”

  “Wait, you eat this way?” Keith was this impressive?

  “I alternate between meat and meat alternatives. Family history of heart disease, so figured I’d better work to combat that now.” He ate with the gusto of a man in his prime.

  Harlow marveled at the food on her plate. She’d never understood the notion of people enjoying a meal. It had never happened for her.

  Until now.

  What other firsts would she experience with this man?

  §

  It had been validating to watch Harlow consume her breakfast with more gusto than he’d witnessed thus far. Before she had eaten until full and stopped. Never once had she appeared to savor the food or take another bite just because it tasted good.

  Until today. She had savored the food he prepared. Better not get a big head over this…

  He enjoyed cooking, but usually left the task to his mother as he enjoyed her efforts more than his own. In light of Harlow’s obvious enjoyment of a meal he might reconsider.

  She did prove to be a valuable help in the kitchen. The woman tackled the dishes with verve and soon had them done. He had only finished cleaning the range when she shut the dishwasher and washed the large skillet he’d used in addition to the griddle.

  In less time than he thought possible they climbed into his SUV and headed into town. “Where do you want to go first?”

  By her answer, he easily judged that she had lived here as she knew some of the local places to shop, not the tourist traps that lined the more well used streets. She also knew about the electronics shop set in a back street that the locals and those living on the bases used for their technological needs.

  They went there first. He admitted to being impressed by how quickly she expressed her needs to the man behind the counter. He had most of what she needed in stock and she soon bundled those items into a bag while the man rang her up, paid, and they left for the next store.

  She didn’t linger in any of the clothing stores. The woman shopped with the focus of a man. Then again, perhaps she did so because she didn’t want to hold him up. Or maybe this had never meant to be an enjoyable trip to the stores. She needed some necessities and stayed focused on those.

  “You don’t enjoy shopping?” Couldn’t leave it alone, could you?

  “I do if I don’t need specific things.” She wiped a hand across the back of her neck. “Today I need a bunch of basic items so I never expected to enjoy this. It’s more of a strategic strike.”

  “That’s how I shop.” He barely managed to keep from shuddering.

  “I’m sure.” She paused before entering the next shop. “You know, I can do this on my own. If you want to pick up those supplies, you have time. I’m going to need to try on these items.” She gestured to the clothing store in question. “Women’s clothing sizes are not the same, so you have to try the items on.”

  He considered her proposal. “You’ll be here for a while?”

  “Yes. Again, everything I need I have to try on. I’m guessing you’ll have plenty of time to purchase the supplies. If I finish here, I’ll head next door. You can meet me there.” She pointed to the shoe store next to this clothing shop.

  “That should work.” Yet he hesitated.

  “I’m fine here by myself. No one is going to jump me in a public place.” She shrugged. “And if they do I’m armed and considered dangerous.”

  All systems shut down for a few seconds. The idea of this woman armed—and he knew from their time on the beach that she didn’t miss when she aimed—sent frissons of awareness through him. “Right. I’ll come back for you when I finish my shopping.”

 
; “I’ll text you if I finish here before I figure I will.” He caught that she wasn’t looking forward to this endeavor.

  “Sounds good.” He reluctantly left. Not that he wanted to watch her try on clothes. Well, maybe he did. But he understood that if they didn’t want to be here all day, he needed to finish what he needed to do. Harlow probably wasn’t interested in watching him grab the supplies they needed.

  He’d called ahead for most of the items but always liked to do a quick run through before he paid. That way he could snag new items or fresh ingredients he hadn’t thought to add to the list.

  Keith stepped into the SUV and pointed it to the supermarket he preferred. Harlow remained behind in the clothing store yet she somehow still managed to accompany him to the grocer because he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

  §

  Harlow watched Keith drive away with what might be a heavy heart but she shook her head in denial before she stalked into the store. I don’t have time for …for these feelings, and she shoved them into a little used, dark corner in her mind.

  The sales woman who stepped forward with a smile on her face and a greeting on her lips took a hasty step back.

  Harlow castigated herself as she smiled at the woman and explained what she needed. She vaguely recognized the woman and didn’t need to start rounds of speculation about herself or her family. Her grandfather had touted plenty of times that they served the community and needed to uplift, not drag down. She took that to heart long ago.

  The sales lady’s bubbliness returned as she eagerly pointed to several great options. While Harlow needed this clothing, there was no reason why she couldn’t enjoy the trip. She soon lost herself in the clothes and chatted with her helper as she secured her new wardrobe.

  She stepped out onto the sidewalk again forty-five minutes later, phone in hand to text Keith that she was moving on to the shoe store when she spotted him expertly park the big vehicle across the street. Of course he made the entire maneuver look easy. She knew from previous experience that parallel parking took constant doing to make it so effortless.

  He exited the vehicle and strode across the street to greet her.

  “I won’t be long.” She pointed to the shoe shop, aware that he likely had perishables in the back.

  “I packed everything that could spoil in coolers. We’ve got time.” Keith didn’t make the mistake of taking her elbow or steering her or any such thing. It might be fine if they were together… the weird flip her heart performed at that random thought seemed unnecessary.

  Harlow took a deep breath and entered the store, aware of Keith behind her. He headed to the men’s section which enabled her the chance to peruse the women’s. She had visited this store not so long ago but had refrained because she didn’t need the pair she had admired.

  From that previous excursion, she also happened to know those fit. These she pointed out to the sales clerk, who found the shoes she wanted in her size. She tried them on again. And since she was here, browsed the sports shoes. Hers had all burned, so she needed to replace them.

  Twenty minutes after entering the store she headed to the checkout.

  Keith leaned against the counter laughing with the young woman behind the register. Her sparkling laughter and glowing eyes made Harlow think thoughts she’d never thought before and she took several deep breaths to force herself to remember she was a representative of her family.

  She could hear her grandfather barking at her to behave. And if he didn’t, then the Rembrandts, pains that they were, would gladly take up the chorus.

  The woman who had helped her bagged her purchases and Harlow used her phone to pay. Her wallet hadn’t made it, as her purse had been downstairs so she couldn’t grab it on the way out the window. She had spent yesterday on the phone to replace all of the cards, including her license. Oh yes, she needed to head to the motor vehicle place next.

  “I need to replace my license.” She mentioned this to Keith as she signed the sales slip.

  “Did you print out the form?” He focused on her.

  Harlow didn’t miss the nasty look the woman he’d been conversing with shot her. She shrugged internally.

  “Yes, I just have to take it in, wait in line, and get the picture, then the man I spoke with said they’ll be able to make me a new license.”

  “We’ll go there next if you’re finished here?”

  “I am.” She smiled at the woman who had helped her. “Thank you.”

  They left and Keith pointed the SUV to the final place. “Do you need to go anywhere else after this?”

  “No. I think I’m done after this.” At least she sincerely hoped so.

  §

  Keith took the next corner with the same ease he’d always done. He had learned to drive on these roads, so the high cliff that ended in a plunge into the sea didn’t bother him. Through the years, people had plunged off this road at this very spot into the turbulent waves below.

  Everyone from Toliliel knew this section was dangerous and no one sped here. He slowed before he went into the corner. The vehicle behind him, another large SUV, either didn’t know about this curve or tended toward daredevil tendencies.

  He stepped on the brakes to caution them about the next section. This one wasn’t as bad as the first, but the smooth pavement didn’t aid the incautious. The vehicle gained on them.

  Beside him, Harlow stiffened and turned to peer behind them. “Idiot.” She didn’t have to say more. “It looks like he’s trying to pass.”

  Keith hit the brakes, stomping on them this time at the same time a tractor trailer lumbered over the crest on the other side. The SUV beside them frantically darted in front of them.

  The tractor trailer’s brakes screeched as it started on the descent and the shriek reminded him of metal on metal in a collision.

  His heart pounded at the near accident as he watched the SUV ahead skid, then fishtail as it disappeared around the next curve. Sirens up ahead made his heart jolt but Harlow made an exclamation of what sounded like amusement.

  “Serves the idiot right for trying to kill us.”

  Ah not so much amusement but the special forces/operatives way of wicking emotions…

  “I would count that as the third failed attempt on your life.”

  The noise Harlow made in the back of her throat indicated agreement. He appreciated that she trusted him and his skills to keep her safe.

  They came out of the curve. The large SUV sat on the side of the road with a police cruiser right behind it. The cruiser’s lights flashed. Not that the driver would ever admit why they’d been speeding on the most dangerous part of the road.

  Keith made a mental note of the license number, probably in unison with Harlow.

  “It’s a rental, of course.” She said this with a small air of resignation. That indicated this could have been a tourist, but Keith didn’t believe in coincidences after two other attempts on her life.

  “Think it’s actually a tourist?” He knew better than to discount Harlow’s skills.

  “I don’t know.” She paused and he gave her time. “No, I think this was someone savvy enough to know to cover their tracks.”

  “My exact same take.” He agreed as he drove them the rest of the way home. All of his nerves front and center, instincts alert, vigilance at an all time high.

  When he pulled into the garage he didn’t use the same amount of finesse he normally employed as he backed his vehicle into the slot near the kitchen door. Harlow slid out and silently began helping him unload the supplies. He hefted the large coolers while she selected two brimming sacks.

  They carried in the first load and when several of Savannah’s bodyguards noted their activity, left the table and their coffee mugs to help. With the extra hands it didn’t take long to empty the vehicle.

  Harlow stopped in front of him, burdened with her purchases. “Thank you for taking me into town.”

  “You’re welcome.” They stared at each other for longer than necess
ary yet he couldn’t seem to look away.

  One of the guards dropped a large canned good and it shattered the intimate moment.

  She headed upstairs while he unpacked the bags with the help of his mama who must have been in the pantry. “I was just thinking we needed to lay in some supplies.” His mother inspected everything with approval as she sorted through the various items.

  “I found some fresh ingredients too.” This was met with hearty happiness as she planned their next few meals around the ingredients he’d selected.

  He almost dropped a large container of rice when Harlow breezed back into the kitchen. She carried a basket of clothes. Ah, laundry. It made sense.

  She disappeared into the laundry room and soon the sound of water flowing into a washing machine reached his ears. Harlow returned to the kitchen and unpacked one of the last bags.

  “How did your doctor’s appointment go?” She asked his mama. Oops, he’d forgotten to ask her that.

  “A routine check up, so it was fine.” His mother brushed if off but smiled at Harlow.

  She returned the sentiment, a genuine smile, and continued unpacking the bag. Soon they had all of them unloaded and his mama made short work of putting the rest of the groceries away. Harlow neatly folded all of the bags and handed them to him.

  He enjoyed standing close enough to catch her fresh rain scent. No other woman had ever smelled like this. No other had ever made him think the things he’d been thinking lately.

  While he was fairly certain he could trust her, since the Rembrandts clearly did, caution still rose on occasion. He didn’t lie to himself and therefore thought about that more in depth. He had seen three attempts on her life in the past five days. No question that someone wanted her very much dead.

  Most likely that same someone wanted his new sister, maybe Eric, and Beau DuBois dead. That same someone hadn’t tried for Brett Bentwater, yet. But it might only be a matter of time. Bentwater was a former special ops Marine. The man knew his way around the clandestine world and he lived in Morrison territory. He’d be a problem to whoever was behind the murders.