Page 43 of Eight Years Gone

“I’ve spent a lot of time in Africa and the Middle East. I do a lot of reconnaissance work.”

She slowed for the stoplight as they entered Preston Valley’s downtown. “You’ll have to explain again.”

“Basically, it’s research. I accept a contract. Then I go to the areas where my clients will do their business. I plan routes and find things that could potentially pose a danger. Then I get the people who pay me in and out of the location before we get ourselves kidnapped or killed.”

She swallowed, hating the idea of his work. “So, it’s always dangerous, then?”

He nodded. “The people who hire me do so because of my training and skill sets. The odds are better that I’ll be able to get them out.”

She took a left onto Todd’s road, spotting Jagger’s car parked on the street. “And you’ll keep doing that when you go back?”

He shook his head. “I’m not going back.”

She pulled up in front of Todd’s driveway, refusing to believe him. “This looks like your stop.”

He didn’t move to take off his seat belt, holding her gaze. “I’m not going back, Grace.”

“Don’t forget that Aunt Maggie and Asa are picking up that large order at the warehouse Friday morning. I’ll be there early to help with the processing.”

“Grace—”

“She’s stressed out about this wedding,” she rushed on, refusing to start the conversation Jagger wanted to have.

He sighed as he unfastened his belt. “I’ll be there to help.” Opening the door, he got out. “Thanks for the ride.”

“You’re welcome.”

He shut the door and then hurried toward the apartment steps in the steady rain.

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to relax her fingers on the steering wheel as she accelerated. “Work,” she whispered. That’s all she planned to focus on for the next several hours.

* * *

Four and a half hours later, the sun shined again as Jagger walked down Main Street. He had dinner on his mind and Grace—always Grace.

He slowed when he spotted her Sorento parked in front of Simplicity. For a second, he contemplated grabbing both of their favorite sandwiches and knocking on the door, but she needed space.

He winced as he thought of their drive back from the lake. They’d had some semblance of a conversation, but Grace had shut things down when he tried to talk about anything but his job.

“Slow and steady,” he reminded himself, forever remembering that he and Grace were starting from scratch. She was different—so was he. But so many things were the same.

She still listened to her music—the nineties stuff she played whenever she was in a funk. He knew the moment she remembered their very sexy afternoon that had started with a searing kiss while The Sundays played in the background.

Eventually, they would talk. At some point, he would say all of the things that he needed to say. But for now, he would eat.

Pulling open the door at Tony’s, he walked inside, sending Christy a polite nod as she glanced his way while she paid for her sub sandwiches.

Grabbing her bag, she moved in his direction. “Jagger, it’s nice to see you around here again.”

“It’s nice to be back.”

“From what I hear, you’re creating quite the buzz at the elementary school.”

He frowned. “I am?”

Christy nodded. “The kids love your classes. Brennan’s bugging Mike and me to sign him up for taekwondo.”

He loved that the kids were having fun and learning. He’d always wanted to do for others what Master Isaac had done for him.

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