Chapter 34

The day had been a good day, Robyn decided as she drew the covers up over her shoulder and snuggled down into the pillow. Sam and Beth had taken care of cooking dinner, refusing to allow Robyn to assist in any way, so she'd sat and watched and teased them throughout the process.

Mark had dropped by with desert, as had Geoff with the box of items that Sam had gotten from Sauderbrandt. Nothing had been found among the books, toys and dolls. But Beth had been content to go through every item with Mark and Sam, while Robyn and her father had spoken softly in the kitchen.

Geoff had started in gently, asking about how she felt meeting Sam's ex-wife the next day, then added, “I noticed how close the two of you have become, and I'm sure it won't be difficult for her to recognize it either.”

Robyn had shot a quick glance toward the den, soaking up the laughing banter that escaped from the room, before turned back to her father. “Are we that obvious?”

Geoff's only response had been a pointed look and a smile before adding a glass to the dishwasher.

“Okay, we probably are,” Robyn confessed, taking care of the last bit of silverware. Then, “Am I crazy here, Dad?” She waved vaguely to encompass the entire situation. “This isn't like me. I've melded so completely in this man's life is so short a time, I don't know if I'll be able to handle it if it all falls apart after this assignment is over.”

“Honey, I'm confident that you'll be able to handle whatever comes. Perhaps what you need to do is think about what the two of you have that is outside of this assignment.”

At his words, Robyn's gaze was drawn back to the den and the area of the floor where the group of three sat talking and teasing. Sam picked up a book and made some comment to Beth before glancing upward to meet Robyn's eyes. A small furrow worked its way across his brow.

Robyn realized that she'd been frowning and gifted Sam with a smile. He returned it before responding to something from Beth.

“There it is.” Geoff's voice reached her, pulling her away from the tiny group in the next room, or more precisely, the dark-haired man at its center. She couldn't pretend to not know his meaning.

“Sometimes the speed isn't up to us. We're just along for the ride.” Geoff closed the door to the dishwasher, and began a search for the on button.

Robyn pointed toward the button he needed, her curiosity piqued. “You sound like you're speaking from experience. Is that the way it was with you and Mom?” 

“That's a story for another time.” Geoff looked up and beyond her, smiling at something behind her.  

Robyn turned in response and was met with Sam’s questioning gaze. It pleased her to note that he was much more at ease than he’d been in the earliest days of their acquaintance; he had accepted her into the small group that he trusted with the things he loved.

“What’s a story for another time?” he asked, amusement tinting his words as he looked between Robyn and her father.

Geoff chuckled and waved the question off. “That entire conversation is for another time. I’m sure we’ll be visiting it again.” He shot a subtle, yet potent look in Robyn’s direction. She got the point. “But, in the meantime, I’ve another appointment. You can reach me on my cell phone if you need me.”

Her father had then said his goodbyes, and Robyn and Sam had gone back to the den with Mark and Beth and continued to go through the books. Eventually Beth had gone to bed, after reading one of the stories for the adults and Mark had eventually peeled off and headed home. But, though it all, Robyn had watched Sam and carefully weighed both their responses, seeking to do as her father had suggested. What she learned was a basis for an answer. It was enough to give her a warm feeling in her heart, as she reviewed the evening.

Sleep’s haze was descending as Sam’s goodnight kiss floated through her mind. No less potent that the ones that they’d shared in his office earlier, it filled her with longing. There was such a vulnerability and gentleness of spirit beneath his remote façade, it made her want to dig deeper, to immerse herself in the knowledge of this man.

They had lingered there outside of the door to the guestroom for long minutes, neither seeming to want to end the day. In a similar way, Robyn didn’t want to release the memory. She wanted to hold off on sleep a moment more, content to relive the experience. But sleep was inevitable and gently it took her under.

A shrill ringing split the air. Her eyes flew open and automatically she reached for the bedside table where her cell phone sat. The jarring tone was a special alarm ring which meant she was being emergency paged. There were five letters on the small LCD screen: PRWLR. They mobilized her into action.

She tossed back the covers and moved gracefully out of bed while simultaneously hitting the response button on the phone.  It identified her and acknowledged that she’d received the message, and also silenced the ringing.

While she waited for the response, she strained her ears to catch any unusual sounds in the house. The quiet had descended like a blanket. Neither Sam nor Beth it seemed had been awakened by her alarm.

Moving carefully, she stepped toward the window and peered out through the side of the curtain. Cars were parked neatly in their driveways and homes were darkened. A few porch lights shone like homey beacons in the night. But Robyn could detect no movement other than the occasional gentle flutter of leaves on the trees.

The phone vibrated in her hand and she hit the talk button and answered. “What’s the situation?”

“I think he’s gone,” a masculine voice sounded back across the line. He was way out in front of me. I heard him go through a neighboring yard and then I heard a car starting and a door opening and closing on a side street. He was gone before I could see more than that he was driving something expensive. No color. No plate. Sorry Rob.”

“It’s okay, Vic,” Robyn assured him, having recognized his voice. “You prevented him from penetrating the house, and that’s –

A soft knock sounded at the door. “Robyn?” Sam’s voice.

“-that’s what’s important.” Robyn moved toward the door to allow Sam entry. She missed whatever Vic’s response was as her brain was sidetracked by the fact that Sam wore only a pair of dark blue shorts.

“Rob?” Vic’s voice sounded again. “You need me to come in there?”

“No, no, Vic. It’s okay. I’ll take care of it.”

“All right. Out here if you need. Night.”

“Night, Vic.”

“What’s going on?” Sam asked. “Something woke me up, and then, I thought I heard you talking.” Uncertainty was written plainly across his face.

Cognizant of the fact that they were both dressed in sleeping attire, she made a decision. “Vic is our man outside,” she said as she slipped into a soft knit robe that she’d brought from home. “If you want to grab something warmer, I’ll meet you downstairs so we can talk.”

Sam held her gaze for a long moment and then nodded. “Okay.”

She’d seen the storms building right in front of her. The tenseness was clearly evident in the set of his broad shoulders. She hadn’t realized how strongly he’d believed that things that were happening were all a coincidence. The second prowler in a week’s time was no doubt straining his ability to deny. He had so much more to worry about now.

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