“Carson?”
Hiding his mental wanderings, he looked up toward Bennett. “Sorry?”
“I wondered if you had a plan for the diversion needed to get our eyes and ears inside that warehouse.”
Nodding, he said, “As you know, several days ago, I talked to Jeannie about being an asset, which she was eager to do. I haven’t wanted to do anything until she had a chance to get in and report, not wanting too many things happening all at once that would possibly get eyes on her. She’s visited Maggie for the past couple of days. Let me talk to her today just to make sure there are no changes to report, and we’ll plan for tomorrow night.”
Bennett nodded, and Hop asked, “How’s it going for her?”
“So far, she has nothing to report. I’m meeting with her this afternoon to show her how to spot hidden cameras and bugs. She said that she and Maggie just keep conversations light, but it’s obvious that Penny, the housekeeper, doesn’t like her visiting.”
“Is she one of Garza's regular housekeepers? If so, then who does she report to?” Leo asked.
Brows raised, Carson responded, “I just thought she was, but she’s definitely worth looking into. Jeb, your hands are full of monitoring the estate and winery. Rick, can you dig into her?”
“Absolutely, boss.”
Finishing their agenda, several Keepers left for training with Teddy and others turned back to their computers. Glancing at the time, anxious to get to Jeannie, he threw his hand up in goodbye. As he passed by Leo’s chair, he caught Leo’s familiar growl, “Stop fuckin’ around. You want a chance at happiness, fuckin’ claim it.”
A chuckle erupted as a reply from him. “Relationship Building 101.”
On the drive to her apartment, he’d given up on trying to keep his mind off her. For days, he’d attempted to convince himself that his interest in her was superficial, based on their shared five-minute experience years ago, or that she was simply involved with one of his missions. But if there was one thing he prided himself on, it was personal honesty, and he was lying to himself when he tried to deny that he was interested in everything about her. She made him wish for things he’d been uncertain he could have.
The minutes ticked by as he sped down the highway, only feeling relief when he pulled into her parking lot. Glancing toward the window he now knew was her living room, he grinned, seeing her standing there, waving at him with a smile on her face. Bounding out of his SUV, he hurried to her door, finding it thrown open before he had a chance to knock.
“Hi!” she greeted, her exuberance written on her face and sounding in her voice.
“Hey, yourself.” His gaze drank her in, as always starting with her expressive eyes before taking in the rest of her. Her hair was pulled up haphazardly, wispy tendrils framing her face. A slouchy T-shirt hung off one shoulder, exposing the soft skin of her neck, and the enticing strap of her bra held his attention before continuing down to her black yoga pants and bare feet with pink-painted toenails.
She stepped back, and he entered her small apartment. The delicious scent of tomato sauce and garlic immediately hit him, and a glance toward her kitchen counter gave evidence to a large pan filled with lasagna sitting next to a platter of toasted garlic bread and a bowl of salad. Brows lifted, he asked, “Expecting company?”
“I figured since you were driving all the way down to see me, the least I can do is fix lunch.”
He couldn’t remember the last time a woman had cooked for him besides his mom or Rachel when she brought in something for the crew. It was a simple gesture, and he warned himself not to read more into it than it was. He nodded, turning his attention back toward her. “Thanks, Jeannie. I really appreciate this.”
She shrugged, her smile warm. “Well, I appreciate everything you’re doing to help Maggie and not freezing me out of the investigation. I’m interested to see what you can teach me today.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, her eyes widened slightly and her pupils dilated. His brain had already jumped from what he’d teach her about security and surveillance to what their two bodies could teach each other. And, from her reaction, he felt certain her mind went down the same path. Hoping the interest he felt was not one-sided, he stepped closer, lifting his hand to tuck a wisp of hair behind her ear, allowing his forefinger to circle her ear lobe before dropping back to his side. “I’m interested, too.” His fingertip tingled from the touch, and the small gasp she emitted let him know she felt it, too. “So, what should we do first?”
“Uh… do? First?”
At the sight of the confident Jeannie suddenly faltering, he grinned. Inclining his head toward the kitchen, he said, “Since it looks like the food is ready, why don’t we eat first?”
Her body jerked, and a blush tinged her cheeks. “Eat. Right. We’ll eat first. Yeah, that’ll be good.”
She whirled and headed to the kitchen as he followed, chuckling. Soon, they were sitting at her small table, devouring the delicious food she’d prepared. Between bites and sips of wine, they relaxed, the conversation once again flowing freely.
Her tongue darted out to lick a tiny dab of tomato sauce on her lip, and he swallowed, nearly choking on his bite, wishing it had been his tongue on her lips. Clearing his throat, he threw out a question, knowing the facts about her life but not knowing what really made her tick. “What did your mom think about your decision to join the Army?”
She hesitated, and he wondered if the subject was an emotional landmine. Just when he was about to apologize for the intrusive question, she propped her chin on her hand with her elbow next to her plate and held his gaze. Once again, he was mesmerized by the beautiful eyes peering at him, the soulful shadow still present.
“The answer to that is… well, rather involved. Kind of a long tale.”
He leaned closer, centering his entire focus on her. “I’ve got time. I’d like to hear it if you want to share.”
Her gaze never left his face, her eyes searching as though evaluating the veracity of his statement. He held his breath, strangely nervous that she wouldn’t share, discovering he wanted her trust as well as to understand everything he could about her. Her lips curved slightly at the corners, and his chest squeezed.
“My dad died when I was in high school, and Mom was never quite the same. At least, not for a long time. I don’t blame her for sort of checking out because if you’d ever seen them together, you’d know that they were so into each other, it was like two parts of a whole. Dad worked in car sales, but he was nothing like the stereotypical salesman. He was a calm, almost quiet man. He didn’t believe in a family spending more on a car than they should and would always give them the best deal he could. The funny thing was he was continually the dealer’s best salesman because all his customers loved him, told other people about him, so he was sought out.”
Her gaze shifted to the side, and learning to read her, Carson could tell her mind was in the past.
“He was just as kind and generous as a dad. He loved my brother and me and didn’t mind showing it. My childhood was happy, but I took it for granted. I suppose I thought everyone had a family as loving as mine. And even though he showed my brother and me that he loved us every day, it was my mother who was the center of his world. And for Mom, he was the center of hers.