Page 109 of Bad Seed

“Stay with me, please.”

It was those eyes of hers, locking into his gaze. He was never going to be able to tell her no. So, he sat, put his arm around her shoulders, and pulled her close.

She leaned her head against his chest. “Sorry for treating you like my security blanket, but I love you for tolerating it.”

“You’re fine, Sunshine. Make the call.”

“Fine, but I’m putting it on speaker,” she said, then pulled up her contact list. A couple of clicks later, the call began to ring, and ring, and ring, until finally Judith answered in a sleepy, frustrated tone.

“Harley Jo? Do you know what time it is here?”

“Sorry, Mom. It’s just that I have good news. All of the threats to me are over. The FBI has everyone under arrest, and I’m out of the hotel and recuperating at home with Brendan.”

Judith sat up in bed and turned on the lamp. “Darling! That’s wonderful! Just wonderful! So, I can come see you now?”

“Yes, the danger to anyone connected to me is also over. You can tell Dad, but I’m not having another conversation with him until he apologizes to me, and you can tell him I said so. You can make reservations at eitherthe Serenity Inn or the Hotel Devon, and the closest airport is in Bowling Green, Kentucky. You can rent a car to get the rest of the way here or charter a helicopter and fly in. Both hotels have landing pads.”

“We can’t stay with you?” Judith asked.

“No room. Take it or leave it,” she said.

Judith sighed. “I’ll call Jason and let you know what he says.”

“I don’t need to know what he says. He’ll either come or he won’t. All I need is the day and time of your arrival. And neither Brendan nor I will be available for lengthy visits. As soon as the doctor releases me, I’m going back to work.”

“Harley! After all you’ve been through, you’re going back to that?”

“Yes and no. Same kind of job. Different location. I’m going to work as the global financial advisor for the new owner of the Serenity Inn, so Brendan and I will be working in the same hotel.”

“Global finance? My God, who’s your new boss? Wolfgang Outen?” And then she laughed aloud at the joke she’d just made.

“Yes,” Harley said.

Judith choked in midlaugh. “What? What are you saying?”

“Yes, Wolfgang Outen just bought the Serenity Inn. He’s moving his headquarters there because his daughter lives in Jubilee and he wants to be close to family. Don’t worry. You’ll meet them all. Brendan’s brother Sean is married to Mr. Outen’s daughter.”

“Oh my freaking word!”

“And you don’t need to tell all your friends just for bragging rights that you’re going to meet him.”

“No, no, of course not,” Judith said. “Anyway, I can’t wait to get there and meet your Brendan in person. My love to both of you. I’ll see you soon.”

The call ended.

Harley looked up at Brendan.

“See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” he said.

She rolled her eyes. “Let’s you and I be honest here. Your connections to one of the richest men on the planet have shifted her opinion of you, me, and Jubilee. That’s why it wasn’t so bad.”

He’d already figured that out, but it was enlightening to see how fast Harley had seen through it. “This is why you’re such a good investigator. You know how to find the truth, no matter how deeply it’s been buried in bullshit.”

She blinked. “And this is why I love you to forever and back. Because it’s me you love. Not my mother’s fame or my father’s scientific renown. Me. Number cruncher…heat-packing…hardheaded female.”

“Ah, darlin’, when I look at you, all I see is sunshine, sea-blue eyes, and beautiful, soft black curls that wrap around my fingers as readily as you have wrapped around my heart. Come to bed with me, love. I have this constant and abiding need of you.”

So, she did.

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