Connections of the Mind (13 page)

“Oh, come on. Look outside. It’s a beautiful morning. You aren’t going to waste it sleeping all day, are you?”

It’d be a beautiful day, even if it was pouring. After last night, a snowstorm couldn’t ruin her good mood.

“Okay, okay. Give me about twenty minutes? Where are you?”

“Sitting in the lobby. Can I come up?”

“No!” That’s the last thing she needed right now. Not that she wouldn’t love to crawl back into bed with him. But if she knew Lester, he’d be banging on her door any minute now.

“Wait there for me.”

“Are you sure?” Jeremy chuckled. “I could wash your back or something.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. Not that I’d mind you washing my back, believe me. But Lester should be here any minute now and... Well, need I say more?”

“Okay, twenty minutes. Not a minute longer.”

Rebecca could almost hear him grin over the phone. “Promise.”

“Hey.”

“What?” Rebecca swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up.

“I love you.”

Rebecca sat back down. She loved hearing those words. “I love you, too.” She felt like singing.

She hung up and went to shower. Twenty minutes didn’t give her much time. She glanced in the mirror. Hair didn’t look too bad, no need to wash it. That’d save her a good fifteen minutes. Okay, this is doable. She turned on the water, adjusted the temperature, and stepped inside. Her body tingled with the thought of Jeremy washing her back.

How was she going to live with his mother? Just the thought of it made her cringe. Besides, she hadn’t lived with anyone for a long time and certainly didn’t need a stranger watching her every move.

Nope, she wouldn’t do it. Jeremy was going to have to get used to the idea. Certainly, she’d be safe here. There wasn’t even a door leading outside like in the motel. Everyone had to come through the lobby or one of the doors to the hall. And the window didn’t open. Surely with the double lock, no one could get in. If it made him feel better, she’d move to a room closer to the lobby. As far as going to and from her car, she wouldn’t be any safer at his mother’s. She had to go outside for that no matter what. And what about school, she’d be a target there, too. Part of her wished Jeremy could stay with her. The nights would be heaven.

Rebecca snapped off the water, stepped out of the shower and dried off. Besides that, she grinned—at least they had privacy here.

Tomorrow she’d register for school, and Jeremy would have to live with her decision. That settled, she hung the towel on the rack and opened the door to let some steam out, then put on her makeup, fluffed her hair, and went to dress.

Strange, Lester hadn’t been here yet. Not like him. She smoothed her shirt, looked in the mirror and glanced at the clock. Not too bad and in less than twenty minutes. That’s pretty good. Time to meet Jeremy. Maybe she’d stop at Lester’s room to let him know they were going for breakfast.

She opened the door to see Jeremy, hand raised, ready to knock.

“Wow, right on time. I’m impressed. I like a girl who’s prompt.” He leaned down and kissed her nose. “Yum, you smell good.”

Rebecca pulled the door closed behind her. Desire filled his eyes. She’d love to go back in and have a repeat performance of last night. But...

“Hey you two, save it for later.” Lester’s voice came from down the hall.

Rebecca jumped at the sound. That couldn’t be Lester,
teasing
? How unlike him. It had been ages since he teased her about anything. And especially not about a guy. She looked from him to Allie. If that grin got any bigger, Allie’s face would crack.
Wonder what was going on with them
. She chuckled to herself. Like she didn’t know. It was written all over Allie’s face. Lester’s too, for that matter.

Wonder whose room they used. Not that it was any of her business. Besides, she was happy for them. And she liked the new Lester. A much happier Lester. More like the brother she remembered before their parents died. He deserved to be happy. He put his life on hold far too long.

“You ready for breakfast?” Jeremy’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

“That’s where we’re headed. Thought we’d see if Rebecca wanted to join us. Uh, you, too, since you’re here,” Lester said.

He sounded flustered. Of course, he wasn’t used to seeing his little sister with a man, especially first thing in the morning. Oh Lord, he probably thought Jeremy spent the night. Not that it should matter, she was over twenty-one. But still. Funny, a minute ago, he had teased them. Guess there was still a little of the old Lester left.

“Well, let’s go then.” Allison broke the tension. “I’m starved. Did you just get here, Jeremy?”

“A few minutes ago.” Jeremy took his jacket off and hung it in the lobby before they went into the restaurant.

Maybe that would convince Lester he didn’t spend the night. If it didn’t, oh well.

“So, what time are you guys leaving?” Rebecca asked.

She caught the look that passed between Allison and Lester.

“Well…” Lester set his napkin on the table and took Allison’s hand, “we decided we both need a vacation. We’re going to stay for another week.”

“Really?” A vacation? Lester? He hadn’t taken a vacation in—she couldn’t remember when. Good for him. “That’s great. Are you going to have any trouble getting time off, Al? I mean with me already gone?”

“Nah, I don’t think so. Leah and Joyce can cover both of us. Besides, I haven’t taken a day off in two years.”

“Great. So what do you plan to do?”

“Actually, we’re thinking about renting a cabin up at Lake Morris. Maybe do some short hikes,” Lester said. “I know, I know. I shouldn’t be hiking with this boot. But I walk just as well with it as I do without it.”

“Yeah, but we’re going to have to buy some clothes,” Allie said. “Any shopping malls around here?”

“Down in Lofton. It’s only about fifteen, twenty miles down the road,” Jeremy said.

“Good, what kind of stores do they have?” Allison asked.

“There’s a Sears, Walmart, and JCPenney. I don’t know. I don’t go down that way too often. You can go up to Rochester, but that’s a little farther.” Jeremy shrugged. “Darned if I can remember what stores are there. I don’t shop that often.”

“So when are you going to rent the cabin?” The idea fascinated Rebecca.

“We’re going up there this afternoon.”

Jeremy leaned back in his chair. “Don’t bother. No one’s there on Sundays. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”

“Then, I guess we better reserve a room here for one more night,” Lester said.

Rebecca caught the quick glance Lester threw her way. Oh yeah, she caught the singular room. So Lester and Allison were sleeping together. Oh well, it wasn’t up to her to judge. She almost giggled at the uncomfortable look on Lester’s face but let the comment slide.

“So besides hiking, what else do you plan to do? I mean it’s not like there’s a lot to see around here.”

Lester leaned forward and looked at her. “Actually, we’re going to kick back, relax, and just enjoy doing nothing. We’ll probably hardly ever leave our cabin.”

His shit-eating grin cracked her up. Rebecca lifted her hand to high-five him. “Good for you. It’s about time.”

She looked at Allison. “So how’d you manage to finally corral my brother?”

Allison blushed. Rebecca giggled. Allison never blushed.
Well, well, she does have a conscious. Good to see someone besides me blushing,
Rebecca thought.

“Truth be told, I corralled her, if that’s what you want to call it.” Lester covered Allison’s hand with his own. “The ride down gave us time to discuss some things, and we’ve been getting to know each other.”

“Uh huh. Well good for both of you.”

Jeremy sat back and watched the teasing between Rebecca and her brother. He envied that. How often had he wished he had a brother or sister? He wondered if he’d ever establish a relationship with Lester, or become friendly enough to tease that way. Obviously Allison and Rebecca were good friends and teased each other the same way. Looked like a good relationship all around.

Too bad they were renting a cabin. At least with them in the same hotel, he’d feel safer with Becca staying there.

Something told him, she wasn’t going to agree to stay with his mother. Wouldn’t matter what he said. Maybe Chief would assign him to guard her. Give him an excuse to spend the night with her. Not a bad idea. It would serve two purposes. If the chief assigned him, she couldn’t argue. Not that she would. After last night, he had a feeling she’d welcome the idea. His mother, on the other hand, might not like it at all. He’d have to talk to Dan about it. See what his thoughts were.

“So what’s on your agenda for the rest of the day?” Jeremy asked.

“If you guys are going shopping, I’d like to tag along if you don’t mind?” Rebecca said.

“Why don’t you both come? We’ll make a day of it, stop for lunch, maybe even dinner.”

“Fine by me,” Jeremy said. He liked the idea of spending time with Rebecca, with or without her brother. Besides, this would give him a chance to get to know them better. Let Lester know things were serious between him and Becca. “Let me just call and let the chief know where I am.”

“I thought you were on sick leave?” Lester turned his attention to Jeremy.

“I was, but there have been a couple of recent burglaries, and Chief wants me in on them.”

“I see.” Lester didn’t look convinced.

Jeremy didn’t want to tell him the rest. Didn’t want him to know Rebecca was in danger. Hell, he had a right to know, but how could he tell him?

He stood up, unhooked his cellphone from its clip and flipped it open. He walked a short distance away from the table. No need for them to hear the conversation especially the part about guarding Rebecca.

Jeremy joined them as they came out of the restaurant. The silly grin told Rebecca he had something up his sleeve. Now what was he planning? She shrugged. She was pretty sure she’d find out sooner rather than later.

“Let’s take my car,” Lester said. “I figure out where I’m going better by driving than being a passenger.”

“I’m the same way,” Jeremy said. “Probably because as passengers we don’t pay attention.”

They got into Lester’s car, and Jeremy pulled Rebecca close to him, put his arm around her, and gave her a quick kiss. “Been wanting to do that all morning,” he whispered. “Been wanting to do a lot more than that, but it will have to wait until later.”

Lester turned out of the parking lot and drove down to the center of town. “Which way, boss?”

“Turn left onto Route 23, that’ll take us right into Lofton,” Jeremy said.

Rebecca liked the easy manner Lester had of talking to him. She leaned back and snuggled against Jeremy. She liked it here. They fit. Lester threw her a look in the rearview mirror, and she couldn’t help but giggle at his silly grin.

Chapter Eighteen

Lester pulled into a strip mall with a JC Penney’s. “Well let’s see what we can find. Do you girls want to go off by yourselves for a while?” Lester coughed. “Pick up any personal items Allie needs.”

Rebecca burst out laughing. “You mean like bras and panties and lingerie?”

Lester’s face turned bright red. Rebecca cracked up. Her brother never did venture into those parts of the stores. She remembered shopping with him after their parents died. He’d hand her the credit card, mutter something about ‘get what you need,’ and slink off to other parts of the mall.

“Good idea.” Allie grabbed Rebecca’s arm. “It’ll be fun. We’ll meet you guys in, say an hour?”

“Great, that’ll give Jeremy and me a chance to get to know each other.” He kissed Allie’s cheek. “Buy something pretty and sexy,” he said under his breath. Rebecca just barely caught the words and turned away to cover a giggle. Oh, her brother had it bad all right.

“Okay, see you guys in an hour.” Allie pulled Rebecca toward the lingerie aisle. “So, what’s going on with you and Jeremy? Tell me all of it. Don’t leave a thing out, including how you really broke your ankle.”

“I’m not sure an hour is long enough. And what’s going on with you and Lester? Not that I mind. He’s a changed man.”

“Oh no, I asked you first. I’m dying to know.”

“Okay, the long and short of it. I’m in love with him. I broke my ankle when someone attacked me. The same person who’s after him. Jeremy had a vision, too. I heard him yell. If I hadn’t turned around, I’m not sure what would have happened.” Rebecca stopped for a breath. “He clipped me in the eye, which is the reason I have a black eye. I went down and twisted my ankle in the process. Thanks for helping me out, by the way.”

“Wow, no wonder you didn’t want to tell Lester. Are you sure you’re going to be okay here? I mean if anything happened to you, Lester would die.” Allison stopped in the middle of the store. “I mean it, Beck. He’d literally die. You have no idea how responsible he feels for you.”

“I know, Al, but heck, would I be any safer at home? If this guy is after me now, who’s to say he won’t follow me? And I’d still have those visions.” Rebecca started walking again. “Let’s not talk about this now, okay. We’re here to have fun. It’s been ages since we shopped together.” Rebecca let out a low chuckle. “Besides, you have to get something pretty and sexy for Lester.”