Jana took his hand then slid off his lap. She pulled on his arm and Thaddeus stood up. “I don’t want to think about it anymore today.” Her tender expression lit him on fire. She pressed against him. “I just want to be with you while I can.” Then she headed for the bedroom.
Chapter 17
Jana woke up to the warmth of Thaddeus. She’d slept in his bed all night. The previous day had taken a turn for the better when she’d seduced him into more romance. He hadn’t resisted, and had been willing to block out the rest of the world to be with her.
Thaddeus was asleep, so she took the opportunity to look at him. His long hair was loose, which she found sexy. His short beard was neatly trimmed, and his chest was dusted with the same sandy-blond hair. She was tempted to reach out and touch his firm jaw or his soft lips.
The sheet covered his lower body, but Jana had the chance to ogle his muscled arms, those of a warrior. He was honed, a well-developed fighter. The virility turned her on, and his masculine visage made her weak. Thaddeus was every bit a Viking, in form, spirit, and loyalty.
He was a family man, one who’d fought for his people. He was suited to his role as protector, proud that he could fight for the safety of others. He’d talked more about his parents and his relatives in Iceland. From the way he spoke, his love of family was clear.
Yet Thaddeus didn’t have a wife or children of his own. Jana stared at him, adoring him, wanting him—wishing she was his wife and that they could have a family together. Yet being good in bed didn’t mean that marriage would work.
For all the reasons Jana already knew, she had to brush aside such thoughts. It was going to be painful to separate, but Thaddeus wasn’t open to a long-term relationship. And Jana had failed at that before. The odds were against them. It was probably better to remember the joy they shared and not ruin it by trying to make it into more than it was.
The curtains were open, and Jana looked out to see that it was snowing. She snuggled closer to Thaddeus, and he opened his eyes. He pulled her into his arms and held her close. Jana shut her eyes, breathing in his masculine scent—pretending the intimacy would last. And she wouldn’t have to leave the strength of his embrace or the heat of his skin.
But she did.
Jana pulled back then kissed Thaddeus on the lips. “You…are wonderful,” she said. “I’d delay in bed with you for a few more hours, but…”
“Time to get up and face the day.” Thaddeus threw back the sheet, exposing all his maleness, and Jana nearly changed her mind. “I’ll shower and meet you in the kitchen.” Before leaving, he put his palms on her cheeks and kissed her tenderly.
When Thaddeus disappeared into the bathroom, Jana went down the hall to her own room. Her gut twisted; she was going to lose the man she loved.
Jana showered and dressed, pondering her situation. Any thoughts of Thaddeus would have to wait. She had to deal with an urgent matter first. She gathered her strength. Whoever was harassing and threatening would not get the best of her.
She was of Icelandic spirit to the core. She couldn’t think of a time when she’d let a bully win, and this wouldn’t be the first. Fun and games was over. When the enemy surfaced, the creep was going down; she’d see to that. It boosted her confidence to know that Thaddeus was with her.
Jana dressed in a wool sweater and pants. By the look of the weather, it was bitterly cold out. She went to the kitchen, but Thaddeus wasn’t there yet. Her grandmother was at the stove, stirring a skillet of eggs. She went over and put her arms around her. “Good morning.”
“Jana dear, you’re up in time for breakfast.” Eva looked fresh and vibrant. Her green eyes were clear, her blond hair styled, and her skin rosy. Jana hoped she’d look that good in her seventies and beyond. “I’ve been really busy lately. I hope you and your bodyguard haven’t starved.”
Jana laughed and made a motion over her toned body. “I seem to be surviving quite well.”
Thaddeus entered the kitchen, which got a grin from Eva. “And good morning to you too. I need another good appetite to help with all this food I’ve made.” She waved a hand toward the table, already laden with plates. There were stacks of pancakes, a row of sausage, and bowls of fruit.
“Trying to make enough to feed the Olympic team?” Thaddeus said, then sat in a chair next to Jana.
Eva dished the eggs into a ceramic bowl and put them on the table. “There’s not enough for that,” she said. “But I can try to fill you up.”
Thaddeus slid some pancakes onto Jana’s plate, then his own. “I’ll do my best to do justice to this delicious meal.”
Eva’s eyes sparkled. “So polite.” She winked at Jana.
“Mmm, you make the best eggs,” Jana said, trying not to look at Thaddeus. With him so near, it was difficult to hide her feelings. And she likely wasn’t doing a great job of faking it.
Eva sipped her tea. She glanced at Thaddeus and back at Jana, then suppressed a tiny smile. That was one thing about Jana’s grandmother: she didn’t miss much. And no doubt the electricity radiating between her granddaughter and her bodyguard hadn’t gone unnoticed.
“Are you two getting along okay?” Eva said.
“Yes, fine,” Jana said. For the past few days, she hadn’t bickered or argued with Thaddeus.
Then Thaddeus spoke up. He’d discussed it with Jana and had offered to be the one to tell Eva the recent news. He assumed it would be less distressing than hearing it from her granddaughter. “There was an incident yesterday, Eva.”
“What happened?”
Thaddeus told her about the deal with Jana’s skis. He spoke in an unemotional tone, relaying only the key facts. That did little to mitigate Eva’s reaction.
“I am very disheartened to hear that.” Eva shook her head. “I just don’t know why such things are happening.”
“We don’t either,” Jana said. “But Thaddeus is with me every second. I didn’t want to upset you.”
Eva looked at Thaddeus and narrowed her eyes. “You were hired to protect my granddaughter.”
Thaddeus looked back. “And you can count on me to do that.”
Eva stared at him for a long moment, then nodded and got up to clear the dishes. Jana and Thaddeus finished eating then helped her clean up the kitchen. No more was spoken about the incident, but a shadow had settled over an otherwise pleasant breakfast.
*****
The roads had been cleared but the snow had piled up along the sides. Heavy drifts had fallen late the night before, buffeted by high-speed winds. The sky was dark, and the weather report predicted more heavy snow.
Jana was used to snow, plus the truck had snow tires and chains. Wind whipped through the trees as Thaddeus navigated the way to the ski shop. He focused on the traffic ahead. “I checked in with the office while you were getting ready this morning.”
“Anything helpful?”
Thaddeus shook his head. “There is no new information that’s turned up. If I didn’t know better, I’d think that your safety was assured. There are no indications that you’d be under threat.”
“Yet I am.”
“Digging into the background and activities of those who know you is limited. It can be fruitful, but in your case, it’s been a dead end.”
“If someone I know is after me, they haven’t left a trail. Is that what you’re saying?”
“You could put it that way.”
The rest of the way, Jana tried not to think about it. She was going to drive herself crazy. There weren’t many cars in the lot at the ski shop. The locals would venture out later, used to the inclement weather. But tourists tended to stay in when bad weather conditions loomed.
Thaddeus parked and followed her inside. Two clerks were on shift, rearranging the ski gear and clothes to prepare for business. Jana greeted her staff. “Is Alton in yet?”
“He’s going to be late,” a clerk said.
Jana motioned for Thaddeus to follow her. “It would be a little silly, at this point, for you to linger at
the door. You can come to my office with me.” She walked through the back and unlocked her door. “I want to show you something, anyway.”
Thaddeus sat across from the desk, while Jana booted up her computer. “Come around here. I’d like for you to see this.” It was confirmation of the patent.
“That is a big deal,” Thaddeus said.
“You got that right. I’m nearly home free. After Coley’s rave about the device, I can smell success.”
Thaddeus rubbed his palm over her shoulder, then sat across from her, apparently content to watch her work for a bit. It wasn’t long before Alton arrived. The noise from the other office alerted Jana to his presence.
“I suppose it’s time to have that confrontation,” Jana said, wishing she didn’t have to.
“You’ve delayed it, but I don’t think you should just forget about it.”
Thaddeus was right. Days before, Jana had been alarmed over the financial condition of the shop. She’d trusted her partner to run operations, and it seemed right to expect that he’d keep her advised about the situation.
“You should go with me,” Jana said. “I’d like your feedback on how it goes.”
Thaddeus followed her to Alton’s office. The door was open, but she knocked anyway. “Good morning.”
“Ah, Jana…Thad…sorry I was late. I had to make a call to the doctor.” Alton leaned back in his chair. “Did you wish to talk about something?”
Jana sat in a chair across the desk, and Thaddeus took the one next to her. “How is your wife doing?” she said, then glanced at Thaddeus. “It’s all right to talk in front of my bodyguard. I don’t have secrets from him.”
Alton sighed. “It’s rough, you know. It breaks my heart to see her so weakened.” He clasped his hands together. “But the doctors have agreed on some new medications. The prescriptions are expensive, but if they help…”
“That’s one thing I wanted to speak to you about,” Jana said. “I am deeply sorry that your wife is having such a tough time. I truly am.”
“I know you are.”
“I had a meeting with our accountant the other day.”
Alton furrowed his brow. “Is there something you’re concerned about?”
Jana proceeded to detail the facts as she knew them. Per the accountant, the business wasn’t on firm ground. Expenses were high, and sales had been down. “I wish that you had kept me apprised while I’ve been immersed in my new project.”
The look on Alton’s face made Jana wish she hadn’t brought it up. “We’ve had meetings on that topic before. The competition is stiff. Wholesale prices have risen sharply. More shops have opened in the resort areas, so our share of the market is less.”
Jana took a breath. “I don’t know how else to ask this, other than to spit it out.” She paused. “I know you need money, with your wife’s medical costs and all.” She dared not look at Thaddeus. “You’re aware that I have a bodyguard because my life has been threatened.”
Alton stared at her.
“If anything happens to me…this business, including any windfall from my new invention, goes to you.” Jana waited for a reaction.
Alton shook his head. “I can’t believe what you’re implying. You think that I have something to do with…” He rubbed a hand over his eyes, then looked at Jana. “I worked with your grandfather, for too many years to count. I knew you as a little girl. I’m nearly part of the family. And you mistrust me? You actually believe that I could harm you?”
Jana was crushed that she’d conceived of the idea. “I don’t really. But…all those medical bills?”
“I’ll take care of things. I always do.” Alton looked sad. “If I needed money, I certainly wouldn’t go about getting it in such a criminal manner.”
Jana stood up and went around the desk. She hugged Alton. “I know that. I really do. It’s just been a really stressful period for me.” She stood and took his hand. “I’m sorry. There have been more incidents and I’m just at a loss…”
Alton patted her hand. “I understand. I hope something breaks on the situation soon. I hate seeing you like this.”
“And if you need money, I want you to ask,” Jana said. “I’d figure out a way to help you.” She planned to share profits once her invention was marketed, but she didn’t want to mention that until it was certain.
Jana left the office feeling like a heel. She turned to Thaddeus. “I can’t believe I ever thought such things. Alton has been like a father to me. I swear…I’m losing it.”
“You were right to check it out,” Thaddeus said. “It’s your life at stake here.”
“I know that, but still. Being suspicious of those close to me is wrong.” Jana expelled a breath. “I’ve had enough of work. I’m going skiing to blow off some steam.” She headed for the door. “Are you coming?”
*****
The closest skiing was at the biathlon club. Jana opted for going there. On the ride over, snow continued to fall, but she barely noticed. She was frustrated to the max and couldn’t wait to hit the slopes for a hard workout.
On the way over, Thaddeus seemed edgy. He perceived that someone was following. Traffic was slow due to the weather, and with the snow, it was difficult to see. He took some evasive actions then went to the club via a circuitous route. When he pulled into the parking lot, he checked the cars. “I don’t see any sign that we’ve been followed. It should be okay.”
Thaddeus came around and opened her door. “Do you still want to ski?”
“Damn right,” Jana said. “I won’t hide. I refuse to be cowed.” She looked up at him. “Besides…you’re with me.”
Jana’s skis and boots had been trashed by the aerobatic performance the day before. So she rented some gear, and Thaddeus did too. The mountains were thick with snow, a beautiful sight. It was going to be a good run; the conditions were prime.
She anticipated getting out in the snow without incident. But she wasn’t that lucky. It seemed that she couldn’t catch a break. On the way out of the lodge, Rakel approached. She’d hoped he wasn’t working that day.
Jana stopped when he blocked her path. She expected his tone to be belligerent, as was his recent norm. But he spoke in a friendly tone. “What happened yesterday, Jana?”
“Rakel, I don’t know what to say. You know my feelings on the matter.”
Thaddeus stood close, but Rakel didn’t seem to notice. “Look…I know you were upset. I get that,” he said. “But you implied that I had something to do with it.”
“Didn’t you?”
“You probably think I’m an ass sometimes,” Rakel said. “And I can’t say that I blame you.” He hesitated. “But you can’t really believe that I would try to kill you.”
Jana stared at her ex-husband. She didn’t know what she believed.
“I wouldn’t endanger your life,” Rakel said. “Hell…I was married to you.” He raked his hand through his hair. “I care about you. Even if you don’t believe that.”
“You do have an unusual way of showing it.”
“You know me,” Rakel said. “But in your heart of hearts, you don’t really think that I’d mess with your skis, do you?”
Jana hesitated. It was good to hear that he cared, and it would be some relief to know that he wasn’t the one after her. At least she wouldn’t have to deal with having married a man capable of murder. She’d made some bad choices, but still.
“I believe you, Rakel. It’s a bit surreal to have my life threatened. I live in a neighborly ski town, and I associate with people I’ve known for years.” She raised her hands. “How am I supposed to deal with someone trying to harm me?”
Rakel gave her a friendly hug. “It sucks. I understand. If I can do anything, you give me a shout.” He started to walk away. “Meanwhile, don’t be accusing a person until you know for sure.” He glanced back. “I’m on your side.” Then he disappeared into his workshop.
Chapter 18
Thaddeus checked Jana’s skis and boots for safety. He d
idn’t want any mishaps that day. Jana seemed frustrated with how the morning had progressed, and anxious to get out on the slopes. The club offered various trails to choose from.
Jana was drawn to the back-country trails, so picked one that she assumed would be fairly deserted. Skiing in the wilderness, away from others, had advantages. Thaddeus didn’t mind, as he’d have fewer people to keep his eye on.
The weather had been harsh, so much so that the season had been referred to as winter on steroids. It had intermittently rained, plus there had been an abundance of snow. Over five feet had recently fallen, so had significantly increased the snowpack.
That season the Sierras were covered with about thirty-five feet of snow, and the fresh snow made the mountain somewhat unstable. But thick snow with several feet of powder was what back-country skiers lived for. The excitement of the run superseded any considerations about danger.
Yet the risk was very real. In the span of a day, it had rained then snowed. The mountains that were already laden with snow had been doused with rain, making the slopes more treacherous. Heavy, wet snow was more dangerous than commonly known.
Jana didn’t appear dissuaded by the conditions. Of course, she’d skied in the area for years and the slopes seemed welcoming to her. But Thaddeus assessed the situation. It had rained not long before, which would have warmed and weakened the snowpack.
The water could penetrate deeply, making the snowpack heavier with the added weight trapped inside. Thaddeus had seen that many times when he’d skied in Iceland. It was no different in any other ski area. Weaker layers could fail under the weight of the upper layers—until below-zero temperatures caused a refreeze, making the layers stable again.
Rain could increase the chance of an avalanche, but the resort areas hadn’t posted warnings that day. Barring any unforeseen incident, the skiing should be safe. But Thaddeus intended to stay alert, ready for any shift in conditions, and prepared to take action.
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