by Lynsay Sands
Jane sighed as those words sounded at her back. How the hell did the man manage to make two puny, insignificant words sound so damn sexy?
"Oh, Dirk." Judging by the breathiness of her voice, Leigh Senchall wasn't immune to the man either. "How sweet of you."
"That's my brother. Sweet, sweet, sweet," Lydia commented, continuing up the stairs past Jane and Leigh as well. "I need a drink."
Exchanging a glance with her hostess, Jane continued up the stairs, afraid that if she didn't, Dirk would just continue to stand behind her, breathing on her and sending shivers down her back. Leigh led them into her house and a living room almost as big as the great room in the Goodinov mansion. There were more than twenty people here and every single one of the dozen or so females were wearing yellow evening dresses. The men, however, had bypassed their Hawaiian shirts--in favor of yellow dress shirts. Their ties were loud and almost Hawaiian, though, Jane noted as her gaze slid over the small groups sipping drinks and quietly talking.
She turned away from the crowd as Leigh stopped. They'd reached Gran and Abel. Maggie Spyrus sat in a straight-backed chair with Abel at her side.
"Here we are," Leigh said brightly. Dirk set the wheelchair down. He did so with an easy grace that belied the weight of the thing.
"Thank you for helping with it," Jane murmured.
"That's what neighbors are for," the man said smoothly, opening the wheelchair.
Abel bent and gently relocated Maggie.
"There," Leigh said, seeming relieved. "Everything's all right now."
A murmur of agreement went around, then Leigh turned to Dirk. "I should introduce you. Dirk, this is Abel and Maggie Goodinov. And of course you've met Jane."
"Yes." He gave her another megawatt smile.
Introductions done, Leigh asked Dirk, "Where's your father? I thought Lydia said he might be coming."
"He didn't make it back as expected," Dirk answered. "There was a delay at work. He should show up soon, though."
Jane and Gran exchanged a glance. Y had said that the senior Ensecksi had slipped the agents set on him and was probably on his way to Sonora. They would have to let her know she'd been right.
"Oh, good. He'll be here in time for Thanksgiving then," Leigh was saying. "You'll like Robert Ensecksi," she added.
Jane glanced over to see the woman smiling at her. Then Leigh looked as if a thought had struck her and she turned to Dirk to ask, "Did Jane tell you she's a writer?"
"No, she didn't," Dirk said with interest.
Jane barely noticed as she turned in shock on her grandmother.
"I know you don't like me bragging, Janie, dear. But we were talking and Leigh asked what we all did," Gran explained with a shrug. "Well, I just had to tell her about your writing crime novels. You know how proud I am."
"Yes," Jane mummured, realizing that it was as good a cover as any. It would explain how she could drop everything to house-sit with Gran.
"Crime novels?" Dirk's sexy smile widened. "That sounds exciting."
He was as warm as a sunbaked stone where his arm brushed hers, and Jane had to physically control her reaction. She turned a slightly confused gaze to Abel, wondering why he didn't have this effect on her. She liked him, and there was no doubt in her mind she was attracted to him, but she didn't experience this confusing rush that left her feeling vulnerable.
"Yes, it does sound exciting," Leigh enthused. "You know we have another writer here in the community. Melanie Johnson. She's a sweetie. You two should get on famously." She turned to glance over the people in the room. "She and Brian arrived just ahead of you. Now where is she? Brian works in Silicon Valley," she added, then smiled brightly. "Ah. There she is. Come on, I'll introduce you two. I know you're going to love her."
Jane cast one helpless glance Gran's way, then found herself led off to meet the Johnsons. She knew Leigh thought she was doing a good deed, but Jane had been right where she needed to be. Unfortunately, she could hardly tell Leigh that.
Across the room, Melanie and Brian Johnson stood talking with an older couple--the Wares, Jane learned when Leigh made introductions. The older couple moved off shortly thereafter, then Leigh excused herself to return to her hostess duties.
"Well, thank you for saving us," Brian Johnson said.
Jane turned back from watching Leigh urge Gran and Abel into some group she presumably felt they would fit. "For saving you?"
"From the Wares," he explained, a twinkle in his eyes. "They were inviting us to dinner and we were trying to politely decline."
Jane raised an eyebrow. "You don't like the Wares?"
"Oh, I like them fine," he assured her. "At a distance. And clothed."
Jane was blinking in confusion over this announcement when Melanie elbowed her husband. With a laugh she explained, "They're swingers. Brian and I don't swing."
"Oh," Jane said blankly. Her gaze moved over the author. Melanie Johnson was a delicate-looking woman. A good foot shorter than her husband, she was slender with fine strawberry-blond hair and wide beautiful eyes. She was also wearing a dress that was white--though it had gold trim. It made Jane wonder if this was a sign of resistance to the microwave mind control. Perhaps it didn't work on everyone. Leigh and Melanie seemed to be fighting it with their cream colors rather than going full yellow.
"No. We don't swing," Brian agreed. Then he asked straight-faced, "Do you?"
"Brian!" Melanie elbowed him in the stomach again, laughing despite herself.
Jane decided she liked this couple. "Only if I don't wear a bra," she answered equally straight-faced.
The Johnsons gaped at her briefly; then both burst out laughing. His was a deep, rich, full-bodied laugh, while hers was a higher tinkling. Both sounds bespoke real, unself-conscious amusement, and Jane decided that yes, she definitely liked this couple.
That liking helped her decide she was probably better to stay and talk to them than to manufacture an excuse to return to Dirk. Mr. Manetrue had said Dirk was a ladies man. Which suggested he liked the chase. Thus, she reasoned, she really shouldn't be chasing him. It was probably better to let him come to her.
Of course, if he didn't do so, she'd eventually have to make her way to his side. However, it wouldn't hurt to have him think he wasn't the center of the universe.
------
Jane learned a lot in the half hour she spent with the Johnsons. The three of them were somewhat separate from the rest of the room, so when Jane showed a real curiosity about the people at the party, the twosome was happy to help. A painfully honest rundown filled with dry wit had them all bursting into repeated gales of laughter. There were the usual she-cat out looking for amusement while her dentist husband was busy drilling his patients; a brilliant researcher wife with her bought-and-paid-for beach-bum, boy-toy hubby. There were the Ensecksis, whom Melanie liked to call the Toosexys and--
"And that's Daniel and Luellen..." Melanie peered up at her husband. "What is their last name again?"
"Brownstone," Brian said.
Jane's gaze moved curiously to the couple. A strong, solid blond man and a pretty redhead: she caught both staring at her. The pair smiled and nodded, then turned casually away. And that's when Jane realized that they too weren't under the "yellow" spell. The wife wore red; the husband a normal tie and white shirt.
"Braunstein," Melanie corrected, apparently remembering better. "I don't know much about them. They're new. They just moved in today, too. But they bought a house here," Melanie added. "So I guess they're permanent. Or at least semipermanent."
"Unlike us who are quite temporary," Jane commented.
"Yes. Which is a shame. I think I like you."
Jane smiled, then stilled as her eyes landed on a male guest just entering the house.
"How do you like Sonora so far?" Brian asked.
"Oh, it seems lovely," she answered, her gaze still on the newcomer. "It's very picturesque."
"Yes, it has quite a history," Melanie began, then asked, "Do you know Colin?"
; "Colin?" Jane repeated the name, but it didn't ring any bells.
"Yes. Colin Alkars. He's--"
"Oh!" Jane gave a laugh as she recognized the last name. "Officer Alkars. I thought he looked familiar. Does he live here, too?"
"Not in the community," Melanie answered. "But he's Leigh's brother and the local sheriff so he gets invited. How on earth did you already meet him? I thought Leigh said you've only been here since this morning?"
"Yes. We arrived this morning. I met him when...Well, Tinkle attacked him," Jane admitted, then told the tale, managing to make it sound funnier than it had really been. The three of them ended up laughing again.
"This seems to be the fun group. Mind if I join? Your laughter is irresistible."
Jane's laughter died in her throat as she turned to find herself staring into Dirk's deep dark eyes. They were hypnotizing.
"Everyone!" Leigh's voice saved Jane from drowning in those eyes, and she turned with relief to where their hostess stood by the door. "Everyone seems to be here and the meal is ready, so I guess we can eat. It's buffet style and set up in the next room. Feel free to make as many trips as you want. I'd appreciate not having any food left."
It seemed everyone was hungry. A good number of the twenty or so guests headed into the next room in almost a stampede. Jane noticed Abel, Lydia, and Gran moving that way in a trio, and watched them closely. Abel was smiling and nodding at something Dirk's sister was saying, but there was that telltale pulse. She was oddly relieved to see it. He hadn't fallen under the woman's spell and forgotten that she had his sister.
"Let's go."
Jane turned back at Brian Johnson's eager suggestion. His wife was wrinkling her nose.
"Let's wait for the worst of the rush to end," Melanie suggested, but her husband stared at her as if she were speaking Dutch.
"But you were complaining on the way here that you were hungry," he said.
"I am. But I hate crowds."
"Ah, yes. Well, never fear, my lady. I shall brave the madding throng and fetch ye back some vittles." He quit hamming long enough to add to Jane, "My wife writes romance novels."
"I don't do medieval," Melanie said with a disdainful sniff, but her eyes were twinkling.
"Was that medieval?" Brian asked.
"Mostly. But I think 'vittles' is more Hatfield and McCoy than medieval," she said. Then she gave him a nudge. "Go find me some food. And take Dirk with you."
"Okay," Brian agreed. "Come on, Dirk. Methinks the women want to yammer about us."
Dirk turned to Jane, eyebrows raised. "Should I fix you a plate?"
"Yes, please," Jane answered. She was rather hungry; she hadn't had anything since that slice of cinnamon coffee cake with Leigh.
"What do you like?"
"Oh. Ah..." Jane shrugged. "Anything. I'm easy."
Dirk's eyebrows shot up, and Jane felt herself flush. Oozing slinky, she thought in a panic as she felt herself begin to flounder. The maneuver had an immediate calming effect on her, and she managed a slow wink before turning back to Melanie.
"Dirk's very handsome," the author said as soon as the men were out of earshot.
"Yes," Jane agreed with a frown. Melanie opened her mouth to say something else, but paused and smiled at someone behind Jane instead.
"Hi, Colin."
"Hello, Melanie," a friendly voice said. The sheriff glanced at Jane as she turned to face him, then did a double take and grinned. "And hello, 'Janie, dear,' " he teased. "Fancy meeting you here."
"I was just thinking the same thing, 'nice policeman.' " She laughed, knowing she needn't explain to Melanie. She had already told the tale.
"Call me Colin," he suggested. Smiling at her, he shifted his gaze back to Melanie. "Where's Brian?"
"Fetching food," she answered.
The author's eyes held real liking. It was only then that Jane realized Melanie's smiles had dimmed some when Dirk joined their group. It seemed she disliked Dirk. She seemed to have good instincts.
"I guess I have my answer."
Jane glanced at Colin blankly. "About what?"
"When we were in the restaurant, I asked if you'd moved here or were just vacationing. Your food arrived and you left. I never got the answer."
"I'm--"
"The Goodinovs' niece," Colin finished. "Leigh pointed you out when I arrived. I just didn't realize it was you. You were indulging in the natural and wholesome look this morning."
"He means weary and haggard," Jane told Melanie with a laugh. "I was wearing faded jeans and a T-shirt."
"No," Colin said firmly. "I mean wholesome and naturally pretty."
"Here we are!" Brian announced jovially as he returned bearing two plates. "For you, my love." He handed one to his wife, then smiled easily at Colin. "Hey there. The line is finally dwindling, but so is the food. You might want to grab some before it's gone."
"There'll be more in the kitchen. Leigh always has more in the kitchen." Colin laughed; then his gaze settled on Dirk, who had moved to Jane's side to offer her a heavily laden plate. The sheriff's gaze cooled as it fell on the man, and he seemed to grow a touch stiff. Then he said, "But perhaps I should hit the buffet just in case. Ladies." He nodded and turned away.
Jane watched him go, then turned her attention to the food Dirk had brought. He had chosen a nice variety--stuffed mushrooms, dill potatoes, turkey, cranberries, stuffing, and several other things. Jane took the fork on the plate and started to scoop up some of the dill potatoes, then suddenly recalled her knockout lipstick. If the clear base coat was an antidote, she shouldn't have a problem. But what if it was just a protective barrier? She couldn't eat without getting lipstick on her fork, possibly on the food. Then, if she swallowed it...
She had a brief vision of falling to the ground unconscious, cranberries and stuffing landing all over her pretty dress. That was enough to make her put the fork down. Relieved to see the others busy examining their plates, she quickly wiped her lips with the napkin Dirk had provided.
Glancing around as she picked up her plate again, Jane noticed Abel and Lydia were sitting on the couch. Gran's wheelchair was pulled up close. The icy blonde was ignoring Gran completely and chattering away as she busily pawed Abel's arm and chest. He was just trying to eat.
Slut, Jane thought with irritation. Next she'd be crawling into his lap right in front of everyone. It was a good thing Abel knew she was an evil villain, or Jane might have felt moved to go over and save him. Purely for his own good, she assured herself.
"Dirk." Leigh Senchall approached them, a worried expression on her face. "There's a man here. He says he needs to speak to you, and that it's urgent. About your father."
"Ah." Dirk set his plate on an end table, and took Leigh's hand reassuringly. "Don't worry. It's probably just an update on his travel plans. Is he at the door?"
"No. I put him in Will's office," Leigh explained as they moved away.
"Will?" Jane asked, turning curiously to the Johnsons.
"Leigh's husband," Melanie said. "He's around here somewhere. He's a computer geek too."
"Isn't everybody?" Brian asked lightly, then added, "And it's 'computer guru,' my dear wife. We are computer gurus."
Melanie rolled her eyes with a laugh. Glancing around, she frowned with frustration. "I don't see him, or I'd point Will out to you."
"He's manning the turkey tray," Brian said. "He's directing the caterers and slicing up meat. Like a manly man should."
"Will's nice," Melanie added. "He and Brian are good friends."
"Ah," Jane answered with distraction, busy watching the door to the hall. When she saw Leigh return, she turned back to the Johnsons and managed a smile. She set her plate down next to Dirk's. "Excuse me, I think I have to go to the bathroom."
"You think?" Brian raised one eyebrow and smiled.
Flushing, Jane merely shrugged and hurried away.
Stepping into the entry, she glanced around. The front door was on her right, but she'd seen Leigh and Dirk turn lef
t and recalled their hostess saying she'd left the man in Will's office. Jane turned left and eyed the long hallway, trying to decide which of the doors might be to an office. They were all closed and all looked the same to her. After a hesitation, she started listening at each door. She was halfway along when the sound of high-heeled shoes on the hardwood hall made her glance back. It was the redhead, Luellen Braunstein. Jane straightened and managed an embarrassed smile as the woman approached.
She was just trying to think of an excuse to give for getting caught listening at doors, when one opened behind her and men's voices drifted out:
"Tell him we shouldn't be too late. It's the usual lame crowd, though there is one interesting newcomer."
Jane recognized Dirk's voice and grimaced. She was about to be caught loitering in the hallway like a lost puppy.
Luellen Braunstein wasn't. The redhead slipped through the nearest door and out of sight. She did, however, leave the door open a crack. Jane noted that and suspected the woman was peering through as she herself turned back to brave the situation out.
Her gaze fell first on the blond with Dirk. He was shorter and had a barrel-shaped body and a pockmarked face. The blond was the first to spot her and his eyes narrowed. Fortunately, Dirk didn't look at her in the same way. He beamed instead.
"Jane, were you looking for me?" Stopping at her side, he waved the other man on.
"No. I was hot and thought I'd step out for some air," she lied with a singular lack of credibility. Even she wouldn't have believed herself--and as Lizzy liked to tell her, she was terribly gullible.
"What a good idea." His smile was wolfish as he took her arm and led her down the hall.
"Where are we going?" she asked nervously. Glancing over her shoulder, she almost hoped that Luellen Braunstein would make her presence known and rescue her. The door the redhead had slid through stayed mostly closed, however, and the man Dirk had spoken to, while still lingering there in the hall despite being dismissed, didn't look likely to offer any aid. In fact, he was eyeing her rather suspiciously.
"Out for some air," Dirk answered. That drew her gaze back around as he walked her into the office he'd just left. "Because you're hot."
That double entendre singed her, and Jane began to think perhaps her oozing slinky act had worked too well.
Chapter Twelve
"Jane's gone," Abel said suddenly with alarm. He'd been busy trying to keep Lydia Ensecksi from diving down his pants right there in the middle of Leigh Senchall's living room. The woman had finally excused herself to "visit the ladies' room," and he'd immediately looked around, intent on finding Jane to see how she was doing with Dirk Juan. But Jane wasn't in the room.