Page 63 of A Colby Christmas Rescue

She thought about bringing up the morning’s event and then the identity of the patient downstairs, but decided she needed to think on it for a while. There was a lot wrong with how those hours went down, but she couldn’t be certain it had been what she now suspected.

Poe grabbed a couple of carrots and started to chop. He was very skilled.

“You’ve had lessons,” she suggested.

“A class in Paris.” He shrugged. “Another in Rome. I love to cook.”

How had she not known that?

When they had prepped all the veggies and tossed them into a larger bowl, they cleaned up. The mundane work helped with the questions and emotions nudging at her. A little moremundanewould be most welcome.

Poe tossed the hand towel on the counter by the sink. “I’ll see if anyone is hungry.”

“Do you have a cell phone? The guy who drove us to the other location took mine.”

“Sure. Amar gave me another.” Poe passed his cell to her. “I’m glad you’re back, Jamie.”

“Me too.”

“I was worried. Really worried.”

She nodded. “I’ve worried a lot during this thing.”

He held her gaze for a moment longer as if he had more to say, then turned and headed for the great room.

Jamie had a feeling they both had things they needed to say.

She walked to the sink and stared out the window as she entered Victoria’s number. As always, her grandmother answered on the first ring. “It’s me,” Jamie said since the number would not be familiar.

“I’m so grateful to hear your voice. Are you all right, Jamie?”

“I’m fine. Tired, but fine. The surgery is taking place now. Hopefully, Luke will be released soon.”

How was it that saying the words almost made this thing feel like it was a normal mission? This was not normal. It was not even close to normal. They had broken a good number of laws, not to mention they had kidnapped a man and his family from the other thugs who had attempted to kidnap them. Add to that how someone on the opposing team had kidnapped her and the girl and they’d had to escape.

How crazy was that? Worse, she still couldn’t even begin to fathom what the coming ramifications would be.

Mrs. Case and Lillian came into the kitchen with Poe. He served them both as if he’d trained at a five-star restaurant. Even when Lillian insisted there should be meat on a salad, he managed to rummage in the refrigerator and find deli slices of turkey, chopped it and added it to Lillian’s salad.

The man was good. He was kind. Jamie smiled. And handsome.

“I can send the jet for you and Luke when you’re ready,” Victoria insisted, drawing Jamie’s attention back to the call. “I’m anxious to have you both home.”

That was the thing. No matter where Jamie lived and worked, Chicago would always be home.

“Sure.” Whatever Victoria wanted to do would be fine by Jamie. At this point any sort of vacation from her everyday life would be great. “Have you spoken to Mom and Dad today?”

“I did and I’m so happy to say they’ll be coming home tomorrow. They’ve decided that as much as they’ve enjoyed their little getaway, that Christmas is about being at home with family. I didn’t tell them what was happening with Luke. I’m hoping the two of you will be here by the time they arrive and that this whole nightmare will be behind us.”

Jamie hoped so as well. “I’ll call you as soon as I lay eyes on Luke.”

They exchanged goodbyes and Jamie took Poe’s phone back to him. “Thank you.”

“Everything all right with your grandparents?” He heaped salad onto a plate.

“Yes, and she just told me that my parents are coming home tomorrow so it’ll be a good day.” As long as she got Luke back home safely.

He passed her the plate. “Eat.”

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