Page 20 of Jael

“It’s good to see you again,” the gardener said, giving him a pat on the back. “Mr. Heber is inside. He’ll be pleased to see you after so many years.”

“I hope so. I’m looking forward to catching up.”

He crossed the familiar driveway, his shoes crunching on the pebbled driveway until he reached the wide stairs to the front door.

He took a breath, then reached for the doorbell, but the door opened before he could push it.

“Oh—” Jael stepped back, startled, but her head cocked to the side. “Danny Fletcher?”

The angles of her features had become more defined since he’d seen her last. The maturity in her face suited her.

“Jael. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

She turned to look back into the house, then focused on him with a smile he knew she put on for those she was wary of but didn’t want to know it.

“How long has it been?” she said.

“Around ten years, I think.” He knew exactly how long it had been since stepping out of the life he’d known here and entering into a contract with the FBI so he wouldn’t go to prison. It wasthe best and the worst thing that had happened to him. “Uh, I hear congratulations are in order.”

Her smile dropped a fraction, and her eyes went cold. “For what?”

He hesitated, reminding himself he couldn’t expect a warm welcome from her. He didn’t deserve one. “Your engagement.”

“You seem to think you know a lot for someone who turned up out of the blue.”

“I was in prison.”

“We figured.”

“It’s good to see you. Your family was always very good to me.”

A cynical laugh popped from her throat. “You did everything my dad wanted, of course he treated you well. Is that why you’re here? Looking for work? My dad’s not into that stuff anymore. He has a heart of gold now. Hadn’t you heard?” Her lips pursed in cynicism.

“I know. I’m not looking for a crime to commit.”

The housekeeper, a short, wide woman with streaks of grey that didn’t used to be there, walked past and peered out the door.

“Sofia,” Jael called to her. “Would you find my father and tell him Danny Fletcher is here to see him?”

“Danny Fletcher?” She stretched her neck to get a better look. “Is it really you?” Her Mexican accent was still strong, even though she’d worked for the family for decades.

Danny waved. “Hey, it’s good to see you again. I still dream about those churros you used to make me.”

Her face lit up. “Stick around, and you may get lucky.”

“Sofia,” Jael said. “If you wouldn’t mind, my father? I need to get going, and I’m sure Danny has other things to do today.”

“Not really.” He tried to remain lighthearted, but she frowned. “You don’t have to wait around,” he said. “If you need to go, I know Sofia will look after me.”

Jael might not have fond memories of him, but he’d make the most of those who did.

“I certainly will,” Sofia said. “If you’ll wait here, I’ll find him right away.” She hurried across the foyer and disappeared faster than it looked like she should be able to move.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Jael said, and Danny moved aside to let her out.

“I hope we’ll have time to catch up later,” he said.

She grimaced. “Maybe.”

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