Page 12
Story: Road Trip with Her Bodyguard
She’s mine. I feel it in my bones.
My father might freak out when he discovers I’m falling for his old friend’s daughter. Not to mention what her dad is going to think. But I don’t care.
My fingers tighten on the steering wheel as I glance to my right. Jorie is cheerfully setting up the burner phone I bought her so she can pick coffee shops and restaurants along the way. I wonder if she’s as wound up as I am by those amazing good night kisses last night.
“Where are we headed today?” she asks.
“Basic Plaines, Kansas.”
Jorie bursts out laughing. “Mom is horrified by the thought of anything basic. Nobody would ever look for me there.”
I chuckle with her, then look over when she grows quiet. “What is it?”
She sighs. “Did Dad give any details about who might be after me?”
Dammit. I need to phrase this carefully. I don’t want to frighten her.
“I got the information from my father, after his phone call with your dad. Basically, a certain deal is not going well. The last time the other corporation had someone messing with them, they –allegedly –kidnapped the daughter of the CEO to make him play ball.”
I reach out to squeeze her knee. “But that was a week into negotiations. Your Dad got you off the grid immediately.”
“Yeah.” Her eyes roll. “Except he wanted me to go to a hotel that everyone knows Mom loves. It would be an obvious place to look for me.” This time her sigh has a slight growl. “Is it disrespectful to think your parents might not be very bright?”
“Hey, my lips are sealed. Everyone thinksmyDad is an idiot because he’s so anti-technology. I dare anyone to grill him on classic books, state history, or plumbing and electrical knowledge, though. He’s got a mind like a steel trap.”
“A steel trap that stays offline.”
“Exactly.”
The next time I glance over, Jorie is staring down at her hands. “Your father would probably think I’m a total flake. Not that I’ll ever meet him or anything, just…you know.”
I hate how uncomfortable she looks. “Gorgeous, it’s fine that you use social media. Please don’t think I’m anti-technology because my dad is. I’m just extremely careful with it in situations like this.”
When I reach for her hand, she grips mine tightly. “I keep thinking you’ll see me as…I don’t know. Some vain idiot who posted too many photos and put herself in danger as a result.”
“I just want you to be yourself, Jorie.” I squeeze her fingers again, then pat her knee as I place my hand back on the wheel. “Sorry. Big curve at the bottom of this hill. How about you choose a spot for breakfast?”
“Sure.”
One thing I’m discovering I really like about Jorie is the way she is so completely open to trying new things. Honestly, the girl is ready for anything.
She selects Kathy’s Diner, a place I’ve been to a few times which always makes me feel like I’ve time traveled thanks to the waitresses’ pink outfits and white aprons. It’s been around forever and is always busy enough that we won’t be noticeable.
We play up the couple angle when we arrive, me keeping my arm around her and nuzzling her neck as we find a booth near the back.
Jorie grins as she takes it all in. “I love seeing more of the world than an overly air conditioned five-star hotel.” Her gaze shifts to the servers dashing around behind the counter. “There are some hard-working women here who definitely need a massage.”
A woman bounces over, coffee pot in hand. “Mornin’, darlin’,” she says to Jorie, filling her cup. “How’s life treating you, sugar?” she asks me as she pours mine.
“Right now, everything is amazing,” I smile back.
“What brings you two to Heartstone today?” she asks.
“We’re just passing through,” I reply easily.
“Oh! Well if you’re on a road trip, you’ll want the Hearty Breakfast for Two. It’s a bit of everything. Fuel you right up.”
“I’m feeling hearty,” Jorie laughs, handing her back the menu. “Let’s do it.”
My father might freak out when he discovers I’m falling for his old friend’s daughter. Not to mention what her dad is going to think. But I don’t care.
My fingers tighten on the steering wheel as I glance to my right. Jorie is cheerfully setting up the burner phone I bought her so she can pick coffee shops and restaurants along the way. I wonder if she’s as wound up as I am by those amazing good night kisses last night.
“Where are we headed today?” she asks.
“Basic Plaines, Kansas.”
Jorie bursts out laughing. “Mom is horrified by the thought of anything basic. Nobody would ever look for me there.”
I chuckle with her, then look over when she grows quiet. “What is it?”
She sighs. “Did Dad give any details about who might be after me?”
Dammit. I need to phrase this carefully. I don’t want to frighten her.
“I got the information from my father, after his phone call with your dad. Basically, a certain deal is not going well. The last time the other corporation had someone messing with them, they –allegedly –kidnapped the daughter of the CEO to make him play ball.”
I reach out to squeeze her knee. “But that was a week into negotiations. Your Dad got you off the grid immediately.”
“Yeah.” Her eyes roll. “Except he wanted me to go to a hotel that everyone knows Mom loves. It would be an obvious place to look for me.” This time her sigh has a slight growl. “Is it disrespectful to think your parents might not be very bright?”
“Hey, my lips are sealed. Everyone thinksmyDad is an idiot because he’s so anti-technology. I dare anyone to grill him on classic books, state history, or plumbing and electrical knowledge, though. He’s got a mind like a steel trap.”
“A steel trap that stays offline.”
“Exactly.”
The next time I glance over, Jorie is staring down at her hands. “Your father would probably think I’m a total flake. Not that I’ll ever meet him or anything, just…you know.”
I hate how uncomfortable she looks. “Gorgeous, it’s fine that you use social media. Please don’t think I’m anti-technology because my dad is. I’m just extremely careful with it in situations like this.”
When I reach for her hand, she grips mine tightly. “I keep thinking you’ll see me as…I don’t know. Some vain idiot who posted too many photos and put herself in danger as a result.”
“I just want you to be yourself, Jorie.” I squeeze her fingers again, then pat her knee as I place my hand back on the wheel. “Sorry. Big curve at the bottom of this hill. How about you choose a spot for breakfast?”
“Sure.”
One thing I’m discovering I really like about Jorie is the way she is so completely open to trying new things. Honestly, the girl is ready for anything.
She selects Kathy’s Diner, a place I’ve been to a few times which always makes me feel like I’ve time traveled thanks to the waitresses’ pink outfits and white aprons. It’s been around forever and is always busy enough that we won’t be noticeable.
We play up the couple angle when we arrive, me keeping my arm around her and nuzzling her neck as we find a booth near the back.
Jorie grins as she takes it all in. “I love seeing more of the world than an overly air conditioned five-star hotel.” Her gaze shifts to the servers dashing around behind the counter. “There are some hard-working women here who definitely need a massage.”
A woman bounces over, coffee pot in hand. “Mornin’, darlin’,” she says to Jorie, filling her cup. “How’s life treating you, sugar?” she asks me as she pours mine.
“Right now, everything is amazing,” I smile back.
“What brings you two to Heartstone today?” she asks.
“We’re just passing through,” I reply easily.
“Oh! Well if you’re on a road trip, you’ll want the Hearty Breakfast for Two. It’s a bit of everything. Fuel you right up.”
“I’m feeling hearty,” Jorie laughs, handing her back the menu. “Let’s do it.”