Jeannie squinted at the bright sunlight. Her head pounded like a toddler with a set of pots. She rubbed her eyes, hoping to ease the pain from the onslaught of light but only succeeded in making them water. The events of last night floated through her mind as if a dream. The Death by Chocolate martini…how many had she drunk? With this headache, several. Maybe the bar should put a warning on the drink. With the way Jeannie felt, death might be a blessing.
She rolled over in bed and stretched her legs out, reaching for the floor. Her stomach rebelled, and she jumped out of bed and dashed to the bathroom with her hand over her mouth. As if my fingers would stop it! In the bathroom, Jeannie hung her head over the toilet as the remains of her liquid dinner came back up. When her stomach calmed, she laid her head against the wall and wiped at her mouth with a piece of toilet paper.
“Oh, sugar.” Cherri stood in the doorway wearing a pair of jeans and a light-green sweater. She held a steaming cup of coffee. “Are you going to be okay? Can I get you something? Maybe a little hair of the dog that bit you? I’ve heard a drink in the morning will help with a hangover.”
Jeannie growled at her happy friend. “How are you so perky this morning? Didn’t you have as much to drink as I did?” Jeannie scooted away from the toilet and laid her head against the cool tiled wall.
Cherri shrugged. “I guess I can handle the booze better.” She passed the cup to Jeannie. “If you can manage the coffee, I made oatmeal, too. I thought it’d calm your stomach.”
Bent over the cup, Jeannie inhaled the heavenly aroma. Cautious, she took a sip, hoping it would stay down. She sighed. “Thank you. My stomach seems to be under control, but I’ll feel better if I get a shower and clean up. How about if I meet you in the kitchen in a few?”
Cherri nodded. “While you are showering, I’ll set the foldout bed to rights. Thanks for letting me crash, by the way. I always enjoy hanging out with you.”
Jeannie chuckled. “I don’t remember much of last night, let alone coming home. So, thanks for making sure we were safe.”
“I felt like it was my fault after springing the Draikoh San invite on you. After you read it, your drinking sped up, and we never got around to eating anything. All the martinis on an empty stomach left you trashed.”
Jeannie ducked her head, trying to hide her flushed face. “The letter did surprise me. I never would have considered a blind hookup. But the stories you tell of him…” The cup shook in her grip. Jeannie raised her chin. “Frankly, I’m not sure I can go through with it.”
“Hop in the shower and we’ll talk over oatmeal.” Cherri grabbed the mug and shooed her friend toward the tub. “Maybe you won’t need a hookup. Two-dozen red lilies were dropped off this morning. I placed the flowers in a vase on your kitchen table.”
Jeannie paused and stared at Cherri’s retreating back. Flowers? She shrugged. She must have heard her wrong. Turning the dial on the shower, she started the water, making it as hot as she could stand. Stripping off her clothes, she climbed into the stall and let the spray wash away her worries.
***
Hank had hardly slept a wink. The email from last night along with his growing fear for Jeannie preoccupied him. How could this Draikoh San person know about the threat on her life, and what would the matchmaker gain by setting Hank up to protect her. Did she really need it, or was the whole thing another scheme? More importantly, could he take the chance the threat wasn’t real?
Hank paced his kitchen with a mug of coffee in hand. Since he had a shift today, he needed to get his butt in gear, but he’d rather spend his time keeping watch over Jeannie. He doubted the person who set the fire would try something again so soon, but he couldn’t be sure, and the fear she’d somehow be hurt ate at him.
When had he developed feelings for her? When had she become more than just another suspect? Hank recalled her spit and vinegar the night he’d picked her up. Her eyes sparkled when she was pissed. He wondered what her gaze would be like when she was being pleasured. Would she give as good as she got? Kissing and nibbling, demanding her own fair share, or a timid, passive lover? He’d bet money on the first.
He longed to taste her lips. Glancing down, he noticed the tent in his cotton boxers then tried to think about anything but Jeannie. In the past two months, a hard-on had become a routine problem for him each time he thought of Jeannie. He swore he walked funny from the constant tightness in his pants. He’d considered taking care of his needs with another woman, but only Jeannie could make his cock stand at attention. How had she wormed her way into his heart? If he was only thinking of her and not interested in any other woman, he knew he had it bad.
His phone beeped. Grabbing it off the counter, he saw another email from the mysterious Draikoh San.
Dear Mr. Walker,
We are all set for this coming weekend at the Chancellor Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio. I’ve arranged for your time off work and have Ms. Hall’s and your suite reserved. I’ve attached the confirmation number for your reservation. I’ll contact you again when I learn more about the attack on Ms. Hall.
Sincerely,
Master Draikoh San
“I wish the department had as much intel as this guy does. He seems to know everything.” He slapped his hand on the table. “We could stop crime in its tracks. Maybe even bring about world peace.”
Hank glanced at the time on his phone. “Better get moving. I want to drive by Jeannie’s business, just to check in.” He emptied his coffee cup in the sink and placed it into the dishwasher before heading toward his bedroom.
He froze suddenly, as the thought crossed his mind. He’d have Jeannie all to himself this weekend. Only a few short days away. He needed to convince her he wanted more than to keep her safe.
***
Jeannie quickly dressed in her jeans and favorite college team sweatshirt. She’d recovered some from her morning porcelain praying but still longed for comfort over style. Throwing her hair up in a clip, she forewent any makeup as well. Nothing could hide the bags under her eyes from lack of sleep and overindulgence. While showering, she had tried to jog her fuzzy memory of the events after opening the envelope, however chunks were still missing. Kerrville was a small town. She hoped she hadn’t done anything to warrant unwanted gossip. She’d had enough drama lately.
As she strolled into the kitchen, the smell of oatmeal and brown sugar hit her nose. She laid a hand over her grumbling abdomen. “Thanks for the breakfast, chica. My stomach is growling, which I’ll take as a sign that the food will stay down.”
Jeannie slid into a chair at her tile-topped dining table. A beautiful arrangement of dark-red lilies and baby’s breath stood in the center.
Cherri ambled over with two bowls. “I thought the flowers looked amazing here. So, spill. You told me you weren’t dating anyone. These say otherwise.” She pointed at the flowers with one of the bowls then placed it down in front of her friend before settling into her own seat.
Jeannie inhaled the aroma floating from the bowl. Unable to wait, she shoved her spoon in and gobbled up a couple of bites before studying the flowers. “Who sent them? I’m not dating or seeing anyone.”
“They were on the porch this morning when I went to grab my bag from the car. They smell heavenly. I couldn’t resist.” A pink blush stained Cherri’s cheeks. “I might have spent a few moments indulging in their scent and digging for a name.”
“No card? No return address?”
Cherri pulled a card from the flowers. “It says…Can’t wait to see you again.” She tossed the note toward Jeannie. “Not signed, but it sounds sexy.”
Jeannie shrugged then returned her attention to her breakfast. “Must be someone from the insurance agency or maybe one of the other business owners trying to brighten my day after the fire.”
As she gobbled up the food, she couldn’t help but wonder who might have sent the flowers. The card indicated she’d seen someone recently. Her face warmed as she recalled her “almost” kiss with Deputy Dan. Could he have sent the flowers? It seemed like something he would do, especially since he’d been so worried about her eating he’d bought her some food.
She lightly touched a single soft petal. Did he buy these, thinking about my lips? Jeannie noticed Cherri staring at her and snatched her hand back.
“You’re blushing. Why? Who do you think they are from?” Cherri fidgeted.
“Well…” Jeannie stood and carried her bowl to the sink. “The deputy who arrested me the night of my wedding fiasco came into the store yesterday.” She rinsed her bowl and put it in the dishwasher.
“Uh-huh. What did he want?”
“He felt bad about the mix-up and wanted to assure me he was still searching for who really set me up.”
Cherri strolled over to the sink and handed her bowl over. “Sounds like a gentleman. Was he hawt?”
Jeannie’s face heated again as she rinsed the second dish. “I guess you might say he’s handsome. Certainly was nice enough to bring me a sandwich when I missed lunch and was there when the firemen arrived.” She turned and faced her friend. “But he’s also pushy and opinionated. His conscience needed soothing for what he did. He’s only doing it to make himself feel better. Not because he has any feelings for me. So let’s not assume they are from him.”
“You sound disappointed. Why? Do you have feelings for him?”
She paused, her thoughts a jumble as she considered what Cherri said. Do I? Oh no… Jeannie stomped her foot. “I’m done talking about him. He makes my blood boil. Tell me more about how Draikoh San is going to find me a perfect date.”
Cherri slipped her arm into hers and tugged her toward the couch. “Did I tell you he recently found the perfect match for the Romanian Prince? Master Draikoh has a way even when you don’t expect it.”