Page 99 of Third Time is the Charm
“We think it’s Caroline. We know she’s coming for me, so we’re going to let her think that that is what she is getting. We’re going to let her think she’s safe to do whatever it was that she had planned, and then when she approaches me and threatens me – or whatever it is that she wants to do – we will have proof of her violating the restraining order and will have her arrested.”
Colin looked almost as displeased as Darcy had at her plan. “Are you sure –”
“Col,” she interrupted. “I’m not going to argue about this for the second time this morning. It’s the only way to end this once and for all. We have a plan. The Ball is going to be super public; it’s going to be fine.” She tried to keep her tone from sounding too exasperated, but she wasn’t sure that she had succeeded.
Col looked like he wanted to say more, but instead just pursed his lips, pulling his gaze from her to survey the group of people approaching the booth to register. “Let me know if you need anything,” was all that he said before the waves of participants began to arrive, effectively distracting them from all further discussion of the evening event, their focus completely pulled onto the immediate tasks at hand.
Beth plastered a smile on her face, one she hoped that would last throughout the rest of the day.
One that she hoped would become real tonight after all of this was over.
Chapter 28
Her legs ached as John and Arnie escorted her back to her hotel room. Aside from the first hour or so this morning sitting at the registration table, she’d been running around the city like a chicken without a head, making sure that each heat of the race was organized and started on time, that the rest stations were restocked throughout the day, and then helping Col congratulate the top placers at the end of each race.
Stepping off of the elevator, her legs felt like jello and she was sure that she must be sleep-walking. Opening the door to the room, she barely crossed the threshold before Darcy was through the bedroom door and lifting her into his arms.
Having the weight removed from her feet felt incredible, but it was a feeling quickly surpassed by the feel of his lips on hers, the door closing softly behind her leaving John and Arnie to their posts directly outside of it.
“You need to be better at answering your fucking phone,” he rasped, kissing along the length of her jaw.
Shit. Her phone.
She’d shoved it in her windbreaker pocket earlier in the morning and then completely forgotten about it; she’d been using walkies to communicate with Colin. She groaned. She knew that John or Arnie must have been in contact with him throughout the day since his tone was more frustrated concern than anger.
And since the SWAT team hadn’t come looking for her…
“I missed you too,” she said, searching for his lips again and the warm peace that they gave her.
“How did it go?” he asked, setting her feet back on the ground to take her bag from her. He then removed her jacket, throwing it over the back of one of the chairs in the living room area.
“Good. Really good,” she replied. “Just a lot of running around. I feel like I ran the length of the course today… twice. I’m so exhausted.”
“Have you eaten?”She should have known that was coming.
“Yes. Colin made sure that I had a sandwich around lunch time – and that I took it with me as I made my rounds.” She saw the flicker of jealousy in his eyes, hearing that Colin had made sure she was taken care of. The flicker was quickly overshadowed with gratefulness.
“Good,” came his gruff response. “What can I do? Do you want to lay down? We have some time before the Ball…”
She wanted to lay down, but they didn’t have that much time and she was covered in sweat.
“No, I think I just need a good shower,” she murmured.
Darcy nodded, walking into the bathroom and turning on the shower for her.
“I’m going to have John go get you some yogurt to eat as a snack. I know you’ve eaten, but you’ve also pushed yourself hard all day. I don’t want your blood sugar crashing, especially if you are still intent on going to the ball tonight.”
“Thank you – if they have vanilla or strawberry, that would be great.” Her answer indicated that she had no intention of backing down and hiding in her room this evening.
He just nodded, his eyes resigned, as she walked past him into the steam-filled bathroom. She glanced over her shoulder to see him walking towards the door to their room, opening it to speak to John. Closing the bathroom door behind her, Beth stripped off all of her sweaty clothes, taking a deep breath of the moist air as she stepped underneath the burning water.
She stood for a few moments letting the water warm through her before quickly washing the exertion of the morning from her. She wanted to stay longer, but the thought of a quick power-nap before tonight was too tempting to resist.
With a towel wrapped around her, she walked into the bedroom to see Darcy sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for her – yogurt and spoon in hand.
“Don’t,” he began, seeing her face, “even think about telling me you are too tired to eat.”
Beth grumbled underneath her breath, taking the carton from him and tearing off the top. He shifted on the bed to sit against the headboard, kicking off his shoes to put his legs up in front of him.
