Page 29 of Deadly Peril

Thaddeus filled him in about Rakel Eilif. “He’s one to watch.”

“Good to know,” Travis said. “He came up in the background check, but there was no indication of violence.”

“There’s always a first time.”

“I’ll have Coop dig around, see if he can come up with more on the guy,” Travis said.

Thaddeus hung up and went over to the window. He looked out at the mountains, pondering. The enemy would make another move soon, and waiting was disagreeable. But there wasn’t much to be done about that.

Dressed and as ready as he was going to be, Thaddeus returned to the kitchen. He shifted into professional bodyguard mode, but that faded the instant he saw Jana. She’d also cleaned up and was wearing a fitted sweater, pale green to match her eyes.

It was the white jeans that stunned him. The material was a stretchy kind that showed off her figure to best advantage. Her long legs would be the death of him, if her voluptuous curves didn’t get him first. He was staring. “Uh…I’m back.”

*****

“So I see,” Jana said. She’d been indecisive about what to wear before settling on the jeans and sweater outfit. From the look on Thaddeus’ face, she’d chosen well. “You can sit down. I’ll bring the food over.”

Jana noticed that Thaddeus had showered and changed. He looked delectable, but she tried not to let her reaction show. A meal together didn’t mean it was a date. Why did she have to keep reminding herself of that?

She was glad that Thaddeus was with her. His presence calmed her and made her feel safer, whether she was or not. He was strong and formidable, even in the casual setting. “Maybe we should have eaten at the formal dining table. Shall we move in there?”

Thaddeus shook his head. “No reason for that.”

Jana sat in the chair adjacent to him. “You look cramped, that’s all.”

“I’m tall and broad. I always look cramped.”

Jana laughed. “If you say so.” She motioned toward a bottle of club soda. “I have that or iced tea.”

“The soda will do.”

“You said you don’t drink on the job,” Jana said. “If you change your mind, you can share this wine with me.” She poured red table wine into her glass.

“I’ll stick with the water.”

While the main course was baking, Jana served a salad and a bowl of olives to take the edge off their hunger. It was getting late, and her stomach was growling. Plus, she needed to eat if she planned to drink. “If I’m hungry, you have to be.”

Through a mouthful of salad, Thaddeus said, “I’m hungry.”

Jana marveled on how comfortable it was being with him. Of course, there was no chance of anything happening, so maybe that was part of it. The usual awkwardness of a date was missing. She didn’t have to wonder if he’d kiss her goodnight or call again.

That was too bad, though. Part of her wished it was a date. But just as quickly, she killed that idea. It would lead to trouble. The recent encounter with Rakel should have been enough of a warning. When she picked another partner—if she did—she was going to make sure it was a good match.

How she felt around Thaddeus during a period of stress meant little. It was day to day that mattered. Getting along and having things in common was vital. When it came down to it, she knew hardly anything about Thaddeus.

“I know very little about your history, with competitive sports or anything else,” Thaddeus said, and took a drink.

“Funny, I was just thinking that about you…that I hardly know you.”

“There’s not much you need to know.” Thaddeus took an olive from the bowl. “You’re the one who is important.”

“I’m not sure I agree with that,” Jana said. “I’d like to know you better.”

Thaddeus looked down at the table. “We’ll see.” He twirled his glass. “Anyway…you first. Tell me more about the biathlon and what means so much to you.”

That was a subject that Jana could talk endlessly about, so she had no trouble sharing that part of her life. She gave the highlights of various competitions as she’d grown up, including the tale of not qualifying for the Olympics. “These days, I don’t compete. But I practice.”

“Is there a club nearby?”

---