Danger In The Shadows

by Dee Henderson

  Sara looked over the selections, grateful for Adam’s consideration. She took a long shower and let the hot water free her from the remains of a restless night’s sleep.

  She had told him about Kim. In the light of day, she could not believe she had done that.

  How was Adam handling it today? Last night he had listened, comforted her, but said very little. But now? After he had a night to think about what she had said? It was hard to know what to expect. Would he say nothing? a lot? She was afraid of the questions he would want to have answered.

  She had told him about her past and about Kim, and to tell him the rest would be hard but possible. He would be able to cope with it.

  She could never live with the risk that one of her own children would go through what she had endured. Her wealth was so much greater than her father’s, and Adam’s wealth was equal to if not beyond her own. Add the factor he was a public figure, and the risk to any child would be enormous. She would never take that risk.

  Sara forced herself to step from the shower. She brushed her wet hair, her hands rough when they encountered tangles.

  She knew she was on borrowed time. But she didn’t want to lose the friendship.

  She brushed out the wrinkles in her clothes as best she could. The jeans were fine, but the soft sweater was a little more rumpled.

  There was no avoiding the inevitable. She walked down the hall, the smell of coffee drawing her toward the kitchen.

  “Hello, Sara.”

  The voice came from behind her. She spun around on bare feet. “Adam. Hello.”

  He stared at her for a moment, then smiled. “Relax. It’s hard to be formal in bare feet.”

  She hated the fact he could make her blush so easily.

  “Did you sleep well?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  He was looking for something else in her answer, but she was not sure what it was. He didn’t enlighten her.

  “Would you like some breakfast? tea? coffee? I can make an omelet and there are fresh muffins.”

  “I am hungry,” she admitted.

  “Then let’s eat. I waited for you.”

  “Where’s Dave?” she asked gingerly, never having been in this position before, not sure if she should say thank-you for Adam’s hospitality or be upset that he had somehow convinced her brother to leave her with him for the night.

  “In the living room. He showed up around six this morning, and it was obvious he doesn’t get told to go home very often.”

  Adam’s humor caused her to relax. “Oh m y, I’m sure there were words.”

  His mouth curved into a devastating smile. “Actually, he brought the muffins. And a change of clothes for you.”

  “Why didn’t you send me home?”

  “I liked having you here,” Adam brushed his hand down her cheek, “and you desperately needed the sleep.”

  Sara had the awful suspicion she was being treated like a kid sister again. She had to take it from Dave; Adam was a very different matter. “Feed me, Adam. Then I’ll get out of your way and go home.” She started walking toward the kitchen.

  “Hey, what did I say?”

  “Nothing.”

  “She’s a bear before she’s had a cup of coffee.” Dave told Adam, handing Sara the coffee he had just poured.

  “Start telling stories, Dave, and you’ll be fixing your own dinners for weeks.” Sara stirred her coffee with a cinnamon stick. “Did you make this?” she asked her brother, suspicious of how strong it looked.

  Dave smiled. “Yes. Live with it.”

  She grimaced and found the cream. She selected one of the blueberry muffins and her hand covered a yawn. She never felt awake until mid-afternoon.

  She ate, watching Adam fix himself an omelet. She was glad she had passed on his fixing her one. Everything was going into that omelet, including what looked to be very hot red peppers.

  Adam looked good first thing in the morning. He was dressed casually in jeans and a soft chocolate sports shirt. His dark wavy hair ended just above the collar.

  Dave was watching her. Sara shifted away from the counter.

  She refilled her coffee mug and carried it into the living room, settling into a comfortable chair.

  King Henry came to join her, the dog choosing to sit by her feet. Sara idly rubbed his coat with a bare foot. The dog flopped down on the floor and rolled over. Sara laughed and rubbed his belly.

  She felt a lingering headache from last night. Her sleep had been peaceful, but the memories were still near the surface. Thank goodness the memories had not invaded her dreams last night.

  To kill time and to keep from thinking about Adam, Sara picked up the book on the end table. She rarely read science fiction, but she opened the novel to the marked page and glanced at the text. There was a major interplanetary war going on. Having felt like she had lived through a few of them herself, Sara settled back to enjoy the story. It was interesting reading.

  She heard her brother return to the living room, and a few minutes later Adam came to lounge against the doorpost.

  “You need to eat more than a muffin, Sara. What else appeals? Fruit? A bagel?”

  “I’m fine.”

  She knew he was coming across the room without having to lift her eyes from the book. Two hands settled on the arms of the chair. She glanced up with a smile into eyes that were inches from hers. Today his eyes looked like those of a wolf, a silver wolf who had his prey caught. The idea had Sara fighting a desire to laugh.

  This man she knew, and she was not above flirting with him, even if her brother was present. Times with Adam were going to be few and far between. She planned to store as many memories of their time together as she could.

  One of her hands moved to press against the center of his chest; her fingers curled. “I like being a skinny rabbit. It keeps me fast on my feet.”

  Adam’s eyes lit with laughter, and his gaze moved down to look her over. “You’re a pretty thin rabbit. Would you like apples or oranges?”

  “You don’t give up, do you?”

  “Not when it’s for your own good. I’m an athlete; I know nutrition.”

  She wanted to laugh at his expression because he was flirting back with her, but she knew her limits. “May I have a glass of orange juice then?”

  “You may.” His right hand lifted to the side of her face and fingered the drying curls. “You look quite beautiful this morning, in case I haven’t mentioned that fact already.”

  Sara felt her face grow warm. “Thank you.”

  “Now don’t go all formal on me; I think the curls are delightful.”

  Her hand still rested against his chest; she gave him a slight push back. “My orange juice, Adam.”

  She thought for an instant he was going to kiss her, but he hesitated and backed off. Sara sent a glare to her brother who looked back innocently from across the room.

  “So what would you like to do today, now that you’ve managed to sleep through church?”

  “You do realize you’ve managed to cost me my attendance sticker for this month.”

  “Blame Dave. I wasn’t the only one who let you sleep in. So what do you want to do today?”

  Sara had no idea how she was supposed to answer that. She looked back at him, raising one eyebrow.

  “My nephew has a Little League game at three o’clock. Want to come and have hot dogs and peanuts and meet my sister?” Adam offered. “It will be fun.”

  Going to a Little League game fit what she already knew about him. She would dearly love to meet his sister. “Dave?”

  “As long as we’re not tailed to the park and there’s not a journalist covering the game, security won’t be a major problem.”

  “I would love to go,” Sara decided, and the agenda was set for the day.

  “Here, you’ll need this.” Sara accepted one of the lawn chairs Adam handed her from the trunk of his car. He carried two more and a cooler of sodas.

  Sara had dressed for the ball game, choos
ing her casual attire with care: white shorts and an emerald top, her hair pulled back away from her face in a gold clip. She was meeting Adam’s family after all.

  “There’s Mary Beth.”

  Sara saw a mom and two girls unpacking a sack of food on a picnic table. “How many from your family are coming?”

  “Hard to tell. We’ve got three cousins, and a couple of them sometimes come around to see Peter’s games. There’s Peter out in left field practicing. The girls are Rachel and Bethany.”

  Sara felt the flutters begin inside. What if Mary Beth didn’t like her?

  Dave was walking two yards to the east of her. Behind his dark sunglasses she knew he was scanning the crowds. Dave didn’t like her to be in public places. She understood it and could certainly empathize. The scar from the bullet he had taken in New York was always a reminder when he dressed each morning of the dangers that followed her. The FBI agent Dave had recruited for the day was already mingling with the growing crowd.

  Mary Beth looked up as they approached. “Adam, I was wondering if you were going to make it. When you missed church this morning, I wasn’t sure what to think.”

  Adam set down the items he carried.

  “Hi, Mary Beth.” Adam gave her a hug that lifted her off her feet. “I got held up this morning,” he replied. “How are my two favorite girls?” He swung up Rachel and Bethany, getting giggles from them.

  Sara saw Mary Beth’s eyes shift and take in her closeness to Adam, taking in with some alarm the presence of Dave. It was too warm a day for a jacket. Dave had chosen to make his presence as security known up front. He was an intimidating figure in the dark glasses, stiff posture, and visible weapon.

  Adam reached over and caught Sara’s hand. “Mary Beth, this is Sara. I believe Jordan has mentioned her on occasion.”

  Sara wasn’t prepared for the sudden smile.

  “He has told me only enough to ensure I just had to meet her. Sara, this is a pleasure.”

  Sara found herself in a hug that surprised her and startled Dave.

  “Umm…what exactly has Jordan told you?”

  Mary Beth smiled warmly. “That you told my brother no repeatedly when he originally asked you out. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to find out Adam has finally met his match.”

  Sara found herself pulled toward the table and kids and away from Adam. She sent a helpless look back at him and he just grinned.

  “She’s harmless, Sara; I promise.”

  Mary Beth laughed. “I’ve also been waiting to put you to work, Adam. Chet needs an assistant coach for the game. Lisa went into labor this morning, so you’re up next as his replacement.”

  Adam hesitated a moment beside Sara, gently squeezing her shoulders. “You’ll be okay here? I could ask a favor and have Frank take my place.”

  “I’ll be fine. I’ll enjoy watching you be a coach.” Sara leaned her head back against his shoulder.

  Adam kissed her. It was a quick kiss, one Sara didn’t expect; then he was gone. She blinked her eyes, then realized if she wasn’t careful she would be looking right into the sun.

  He had kissed her.

  She wished she were anywhere but here. Mary Beth had seen it. Her kids had seen it. Sara had to pretend it was nothing, when it was exactly the opposite. Big time. Adam had known exactly what he was doing staking that claim in front of his family, his friends. He was issuing her a challenge.

  Sara wanted to accept. She would give her fortune, her name, her heart to accept, to kiss him back and match him in a dance toward making this friendship become a relationship.

  But she couldn’t do it. Just watching Adam as the boys gathered around him told her how much children meant to him. To deny him part of who he was would be to leave a lasting wound in his heart. She was too close to falling in love, and love required what was best for the other person.

  Mary Beth kept her girls busy laying out a picnic lunch and introduced Sara to several families who came by to say hello. It was obvious the Little League games were family events. Rachel and Bethany were soon off playing with friends their own ages.

  Sara took a long drink from the cold soda she held. She and Mary Beth had settled into lawn chairs to watch the game begin. Dave was standing nearby, resting his weight against the bulk of a massive oak tree, taking advantage of the shade and the view of the entire area. Sara was beginning to relax. Mary Beth had the ability to put someone at ease, and she was going out of her way to do that with her.

  “Peter plays left field because he can’t catch very well. He’s been working so hard at it too, both with Jordan and with Adam.”

  “Where is your husband, if you don’t mind my asking?”

  Mary Beth looked around, then pointed him out. “Looks like he’s going to be the home plate umpire this game. Normally he’s the official scorekeeper.”

  “Were you as active in sports when you were in school as Adam was?”

  Mary Beth smiled. “Lettered in track and basketball.”

  Sara shaded her eyes and wished she had brought her sunglasses. “Adam doesn’t seem to attract undue attention here.”

  “He doesn’t. He’s a known quantity. Besides, he’s autographed just about everything any of these kids own, from their shoes to their hats.”

  Sara looked around at the families watching their children as the first team came up to bat.

  “If you don’t mind my asking, why exactly did Adam miss church this morning?”

  Sara winced. “He had a houseguest who overslept.” She expected to see some censure in Mary Beth’s eyes, but her look was too complex for that.

  “Are you okay?”

  Sara wasn’t sure how to answer.

  Mary Beth nodded to her left. “I know you travel with security. I also know Adam made rather a mess of it when he tried to see you. Did something happen yesterday?”

  In that instant Sara understood. Adam didn’t have ladies overnight at his place, and if asked, would more than likely admit that he never had before. Mary Beth knew that, so for Sara to have spent the night at Adam’s condo meant some reason other than the obvious one. “We were talking quite late and I fell asleep.”

  “He’s a good man to talk to. He isn’t quick to offer a solution until he’s heard the full story.”

  “I noticed that,” Sara agreed.

  “Please, tell me you passed on his offer of an omelet this morning. He likes to add a few green chilis to his.”

  “They were red this morning. My brother brought over muffins from the local bakery.”

  “Your brother?”

  Sara nodded back toward Dave, surprised Mary Beth didn’t know.

  “Oh. I had no idea your brother was part of your security detail.”

  “He’s been with the FBI for a long time now. I have to admit I’m grateful. On the occasions a silent alarm trips and I get hurtled to the floor, it’s not quite so bad when it’s your brother doing the tackling.”

  “Does he like working for the FBI?”

  “Let’s just say they like the fact he works for them.” Her brother had received so many offers both from other agencies and individuals that his personnel jacket was flagged red during every review. He was one of the best, and it was a well-known fact among his peers. Dave stayed only as long as he remained head of her security detail, as long as she was in danger.

  Sara wished she could release Dave from the burden he carried, the awful feeling that it had been his fault he had been unable to stop the men. As it was, they had shoved him away so forcefully he had broken his wrist in the fall.

  “All right, Peter! That’s the way to hit the ball!” Mary Beth’s son had just knocked a single down toward third base. Given the throwing and catching skills the boys were still learning to develop, Peter made it to first base safely.

  Sara grinned as she realized Adam was also on his feet, calling encouragement from the dugout. Peter was leaning over listening to the first-base coach, his face showing his thrill at having gotten on b
ase.

  It was a lively and enjoyable game. As kids struck out, they were consoled by teammates; as good hits were made, everyone called their congratulations. She added her voice, longing for someday to be at a game where it was her own son or daughter on the field.

  Sara loved watching Adam. He was in the middle of things, often handing out gloves and bats, adjusting caps, earnestly listening.

  Mary Beth’s girls came to join Sara, shy but wanting to get her attention. She shifted her attention to them, hoping to form a friendship. They were beautiful girls, one six, the other nine. Sara made up stories for the dolls they had brought.

  When the game was over and Peter’s team had won by managing to hold on to a one-run lead, Adam came over to where the women sat, carrying an equipment bag. He stopped behind Sara as she sat at the picnic table sharing a sandwich with his sister.

  He rested one hand on the table beside her. “How are you doing?”

  He was grinning and could tell she wanted to grin back, but she kept looking around, too conscious of the eyes watching them. “I liked the game.”

  “That’s good. It’s a requirement of my dates that they like sports.”

  “It’s a requirement of mine that they not embarrass me.”

  “That would clearly not be to my benefit.” He slid his hands across her shoulders, gently ruffling the back of her hair. Sara had managed to do it again, look casually elegant. With her chestnut hair and deep blue eyes, emerald was a perfect color for her. She looked vibrantly alive.

  Adam had watched her today as she sat talking with Mary Beth. If the laughter was any indication, they were forming a friendship. He was glad. He needed Sara to fit in with his family. He didn’t let himself question why it was so important to him this early in their relationship. It mattered.

  Sara eased her head back against his arms to look up at him. “Adam?”

  He smiled down at her, wondering if he could steal another kiss. “Hmm?”

  “I hear there is a tradition of taking the team out for ice cream after the game.”

  “There is.”

  “I want a double-decker chocolate-and-pecan crunch on a waffle cone.”