Page 4 of The Bombshell and the Bodyguard
I thanked him and dialed Gordon, the security guard assigned to my property. After apologizing profusely—for what I wasn’t sure—he told me he hadn’t seen or heard anything unusual before the alarm went off and reiterated what the police officer had said.
“I don’t think this was the same as that situation in California, Miss Bailey. It might have been a bat or a bird that flew into one of the windowpanes—or like the police said, the wind. There’s a storm system off the coast tonight, so it’s higher than usual.”
“Okay. That’s good.” The tension drained from my shoulders. “As long as no one got in.”
“No. No ma’am, there are no signs of that. There are some curiosity seekers who come by the property and peek through the gates, but I always keep them well off the grounds.”
“Okay well, I feel better. Thanks, Gordon. I’m spending the night at my brother’s house, but I’ll be home in the morning.”
When I ended the call, Hap was staring at me, and he didn’t look pleased. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I want my guy to check the place out before you go home.”
His face was painted with concern, but I was no longer worried. “Everything’s fine. The police and the security guard think it was most likely the wind that set off the alarm. There weren’t any signs of forced entry or even someone on the grounds. Anyway, we can talk about it tomorrow. I’m so tired I can hardly think.”
Rachel took over, coming to wrap an arm around me and guide me toward the staircase. Her touch and tone were comforting, almost motherly.
“Of course you are. You don’t need to think about anything tonight except getting a good night’s sleep. I’ve got a guest room ready for you. There are towels and shampoo and soap and everything in the adjoining bath. Want anything to eat before you go to bed?”
“No. I’m too tired to eat, too.”
“Okay, well I’ll make you anything you want for breakfast and plenty of it,” she promised.
In spite of what I’d just said, my stomach released a low growl. Rachel was a professional chef. Anything she made was bound to be delicious.
Realizing I hadn’t said goodnight to my brother, I stopped at the foot of the stairs and turned back toward him. “Thanks for everything—for coming to get me, for giving me a place to stay...”
Hap’s mood hadn’t improved in the past minute. The pensive look was still on his face. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m just glad you’re here—and that you’re safe. Goodnight Jess.”
“Goodnight Hap.”
As I trudged up the stairs beside his wife, I had little doubt that the minute we were out of earshot, my brother would pull out his phone again and dial his friend at the security firm.
Honestly, I was too tired to worry about it. And what did I care which company handled my home security?
One was probably as good as the next, and in any case, I’d deal with it tomorrow.
Chapter Two
Teaser
Jessica
The first thing I did upon waking the next morning was go to the bedroom’s wall of windows and open the heavy drapes.
Sunlight streamed in, and a smile settled across my lips. I sighed with pleasure. There it was—the gorgeous deep blue of the Atlantic.
I’d traveled all over the world, butthisview... this was the one I loved most.
It was the main reason I’d bought my own home not far from here. Unlike Hap’s house, it wasn’t on prestigious Oceanview Avenue but on Atlantic Avenue and was situated directly on the open ocean with breathtaking views from every room.
Majestic but also comforting, the ocean was part of my earliest memories, of running across damp sand with bare feet, gathering shells and rocks and hermit crabs in a bucket, of bracing cold water contrasting with the hot summer sun.
And the fresh briny smell was all things good—sailing, swimming, walks along the shoreline dreaming of what my future might hold.
I opened a window to let in a breeze then shivered, remembering it was only Spring here—international travel tended to mess up not only my internal clock and sleep schedule but also made it hard to keep track of the seasons. I’d performed in Australia and New Zealand before flying back to the U.S. for my shows in New York and Boston.
Shutting the window again, I showered and dressed then went downstairs where I was met with a surprise. The kitchen’s breakfast nook was filled with men.
They weren’t strangers. I’d known all of them since I was a girl, though I hadn’t seen them since my brother’s wedding.
