by C. R. Daems
I had a conference call with Witton the next day, which pretty much confirmed what Al that told me-he hadn't called Clare, I had the Company plane when I was fit to travel, and I had as much time off as I needed. Al kept me company for the next six days, although I said he didn't need to if he left me a gun. Secretly I was glad he stayed. He helped make the days go faster and his experiences were interesting and good information for future clients.
***
"Good morning, Kazak Al, Lynn. The pilot informs me we are cleared for takeoff in ten minutes. Can I get you anything while we wait?" Katherine said in her normally cheerful voice.
"Good morning, Katherine. You look beautiful as usual," Al replied. "I'd like a glass of Bordeaux if you have it; otherwise, any red wine will do."
"Coffee and dessert. Anything sweet," I added. It seemed I felt constantly hungry. My body's desperate plea for calories to repair the damage I had caused it. And the pain to remind me it was unhappy.
"One super sweet dessert coming right up," she said as she headed up front.
"Are you staying overnight in Denver or are you continuing on today?" I asked. Al was going to California to escort some VIP to and from Mexico.
"No, I'm continuing on today. My VIP leaves tomorrow. I'm hoping associating with you will attract an Assassin or two. Of course, you seem to have hit a dry spell. I don't think you've shot an Assassin or even got a complaint on your last couple of assignments."
"They probably don't know who to send it to."
Katherine returned with a Dark Chocolate Cheesecake. I had two slices before we were airborne. I slept most of the time when I wasn't worrying about meeting Clare. She was far too quiet when I called her yesterday saying I was coming today.
It was late afternoon by the time I departed the plane. Clare stood waiting just past the security checkpoint. She looked pale. I hoped it was my imagination but knew it wasn't. I knew it wasn't my fault I had been shot, but I felt guilty anyway because I knew how much it hurt her. Conversely, she was angry with me for being shot although she knew I couldn't leave when the shooting started, but she was worried sick and had to release the frustration on someone. Love's wonderful but can be stressful.
"Can I kiss you without breaking something?" she asked as she cupped my face in her hands. That look hurt worse than my injuries. I leaned forward and gave her a long tender kiss. "Don't worry, love. I called Witton this morning and screamed at him so I'm mostly over my rage. I've actually become fond of the man. He's willing to listen and understands my need to blame someone other than you."
"Yes, I like him too. He's been there himself and takes the time to understand his people and their mates. He's not only a good boss but a friend." It was true. Witton did make an effort to understand me and extremely supportive of me, my Rules, and Clare.
A relaxed silence existed on the drive back to the Condo. I was home with my love again-an alternative universe for me. One I couldn't stay in permanently, but one I loved with all my heart. Back at the Condo I lay on the couch in Clare's arm listening to her tell me about her life over the past months. Neither of us wanted to talk about my work for now. That would be a story for later.
In bed that night, Clare examined every scar, stitch, and bruise, gently touching and kissing each one. By the time we fell asleep, I felt healed.
***
I mostly stayed home over the next week except for two visits to the local hospital to have the stitches removed and x-rays. One night we went to a show and had dinner out.
"Well, I have everything cleaned up and have a week or so off. Do you have something planned or do I get to pick?" Clare asked while kissing my neck.
"How am I supposed to concentrate when you're doing that?" Her hot breath sent goose bumps down my whole body. "Don't stop kissing. Just stop asking trick questions."
"I thought maybe we could go to this little cozy lodge...in New Zealand," Clare paused for only a second to look at my face before rushing on. "The Kazaks are probably paying for it and if not you have plenty of money. I always wanted to see New Zealand."
"We have plenty of money. A six star lodge?"
"I would've but five is the top. You've spoiled me-private planes, suites at five star hotels and resorts, expensive restaurants, and...well you get the idea."
I picked up my iphone and dialed Ann Marie.
"Ann Marie's travel agency," she answered. "How can I help you, Lynn?"
"Clare has decided my recent injuries entitle her to a vacation in New Zealand."
"Tell her I agree."
"Me too. She's decided she'd like a suite at the Matakauri Lodge and a private plane if that's possible; otherwise, first class will do in a pinch," I couldn't help but laugh at the foster care child booking five star hotels and flying on private planes.
"I'll call you back with the details."
We were midway through breakfast the next morning when Ann Marie called. I put the phone on speaker.
"Good choice, Clare. I've got booked you for ten nights, Gendel is sending his plane, which will wait there for your return, and I got Witton to pay for the lodge, since Lynn's not using the company plane and has her own private nurse and shrink."
"We owe you, Ann Marie," Clare said. "Tell Witton I take back some of the bad things I said to him and I'll return her in...fighting condition."
***
"Welcome aboard, Miss Lynn, Miss Frazer. It's nice to see you two again," Susan, Gendel's stewardess said as we entered plane. "I hope you fly with us more often, you pick some nice places to go and we get to wait for you. Would you ladies like something to drink before we takeoff?"
"I'll have some red wine and something non-alcoholic for Lynn. She's trouble enough when she's sober." Clare giggled like a little girl. We walked by and settled for a chair with a table between them. "I wonder what's for dinner?" She giggled again. "Damn, this giggling has got to stop but I can't help it. I've got my love home with me and we're flying in a private jet to a five star resort in New Zealand where we have suites. The Queen of England couldn't do any better. Oh, and I have a private Kazak bodyguard."
"Yes, my love. There is no one in the world I'd trade places with right now. My life is perfect since I met you."
***
It was a fourteen-hour flight to New Zealand, so we had a layover in Hawaii. We ate dinner in the hotel and went to bed early in anticipation of an early departure the next day.
We landed at the Queenstown Airport where a limo waited. The driver, a broad man of Maori decent pointed out the local attractions as we drove through Queenstown to the Lodge. The Matakauri sat on a hillside overlooking Lake Wakatipu and a looked out over the Cecil and Walter Peak mountain ranges.
Unlike a stateside lodge, there were no log beams and dark wood. In contrast, the walls and wood were white, the ceiling high, and the rooms modern looking. Each room had floor to ceiling glass windows with a spectacular view of the lake and mountains.
"Lynn, look at the view. With all this glass, it looks like we're outside, and look, a terrace. It's beautiful, even better than the pictures on the Internet." Clare wandered into each room and onto the terrace talking nonstop. I don't know what Witton was paying, but I would have paid triple to see her so happy.
The ten days flew by. We took a hot air balloon ride, a helicopter flight over the Southern Lakes and the South Island, a hair-raising Jet Boat Ride through the incredible Shotover River Canyons, took in a live performance by Queenstown's leading Kapa Haka group, explored Queenstown, and visited the spa several times. And fell in love again and again. Being with Clare was like drinking from the fountain of youth.
But like all fairy-tale vacations, midnight comes and the coach turns back into a pumpkin and life returns to normal. Fortunately, my normal life held everything I could wish for.
***
I was surprised when Witton called shortly after we returned from New Zealand, since it had only been three weeks and he usually waits for me to call him.
"Lynn,
how are you feeling?" he asked. A strange question.
"I'm healed enough to take an assignment." Mentally I felt well thanks to Clare, but physically minimally functional. Clare stood shaking her head and looking ready to scream. I put my finger to my lips. This wasn't like Witton.
"Tell Clare to relax. It's not for four more weeks," he said. I could almost see him smiling.
"You almost gave me a heart attack," Clare shouted.
"Megan and Jody will graduate four weeks from now. You are going to be their mentor. Something we normally do with new Kazaks but never did with you. Somehow, you didn't seem to need or want one. The question is whether Megan or Jody is like you and can handle assignments without backup or need a partner. One of them will take responsibility for the next batch of women candidates. You will mentor the other one. They will be arriving here twenty-five days from today. I want you here when they arrive."
"That's not four weeks," Clare shouted but she was smiling.
"Enjoy the extra time." The phone went dead.
Yes, I appreciated the extra time. I had entered a new chapter in my life quietly without realizing it. I had found a home and a life-partner that I cherished. I felt complete. I didn't know what tomorrow would bring but it didn't matter. Today was perfect, and I needed to enjoy every second.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Kazak Guardians
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
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