In the last chapter: Michael fould that real helen die and another woman is using her name as he goes back to Jamie. 1
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Jamie and Thomas strolled by the river; she tucked her arm around his. The lampposts spread out and made the water sparkle as the evening bugs' song filled the cool night air. 3
Jamie looked at Thomas, who almost six feet tall. His navy blue blazer showed off his tight muscles. He wore a tan shirt with a pair of blue jeans. His sandy color hair reflected the street's lamp light, which made him glow under the night sky.4
They appeared as if they were alone, in a way they were, except Thomas's bodyguards kept their distance. He heard her leather boot high-heels clicking as they strolled down the sidewalk. Her long black leather skirt flowed with grace with each step she took. Her soft purple sweater touched against his skin.5
She looked closely at him; he seemed to be in his late thirties, but his knowledge gave away his true age.6
Thomas stopped for a moment and looked at her. “I’m truly sorry about the argument we had this morning over Michael.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it.7
She smiled. “That was a wonderful meal and letting me talk about my horses let me relax.”8
He stared into her green eyes. “Am I back in your grace?”9
“You are,” Jamie said.10
They continued their stroll by the river.11
They stopped again and watched the calm river. Thomas turned to look at her. “Does it bother you on a date with someone over forty?” he asked.12
Jamie gazed into his dark brown eyes. “Does it bother you I look like I'm in my early twenties?”13
“No.” His hand touched her soft face. “You’re an excellent date to have for an evening.”14
Her hand touched his hand. “I assume this was a meeting.” She gave him a wink.15
He removed his hand from her face. “Yes. I was only trying to fool myself.”16
She grabbed his hand before he put it in his pocket. “So was I, and sometimes, we need a break from work.”17
Thomas put his free arm around her waist as he pulled her closer to him. “Speaking of work, I'll recommend your plan to the independent commission.”18
Her fingers rubbed the back of his strong hand. “Will they go for it?”19
He gazed into her eyes, grabbed her smooth gentle hand and held it. “They would be a fool if they don't approve it.”20
Her heart pounding in her chest as his hand was on her lower back. “I worked very hard on it. I believe in the project so much.”21
“You're like your uncle in so many ways. I see a lot of Wilton in you.” He gripped her hand a bit tighter.22
“Thank you.” Her tiny hairs on the back of her neck tingled. 23
His hand climbed up her back, on the outside of her sweater. Jamie took one huge step away from him. He tried to put his arms around her waist as she took another step backwards, while Michael watched in the distance.24
Jamie stood under the lamppost and tried to collect her thoughts. Thomas walked over to her.25
He placed his hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry. Things are moving to fast for you.” He stood there.26
She let out a sigh. “Too fast and I’m not that kind of a girl. I’m a lady.” She stared into his eyes.27
He removed his hand from her shoulder. “I know.” He grabbed her hand. “Do I have a chance with you?”28
Her eyebrow went up as she looked into those deep brown eyes of his. “Why would you ask that?”29
He took a step closer to her. “I see how Michael looks at you.”30
Jamie watched the river and fought her emotions to stay in control.31
He stroked her hand. “Please don't be mad at me, Jamie. At the last Foundation's party, I saw Michael watching you and a man knows that look.”32
She turned her head to gaze into his eyes. “Michael and I are close friends. All you have to do is ask.”33
He put his hand on her face. “I’ve seen the way you look at him.”34
Jamie put her hand on top of his hand. “He’s a handsome man with a kind soul. Don't count yourself short.”35
“Then I do have a chance.”36
“All you got to do is ask.”37
He bent down to kiss her as he pulled her closer to him. Michael left his hiding place as his gut warned him that Thomas could not be trusted. Or was it that Jamie wanted to be with another man. His pace quicken, as Thomas was just about to kiss her. The bodyguard jumped out of the dark bushes.38
Michael turned his head. The bodyguard built like a linebacker and dressed in a dark suit stood there with a gun. He raised his hands in the air.39
“Who are you and what are you doing here?” the bodyguard asked.40
Michael lowered his arms. “I’m taking a walk,” he snapped.41
Jamie turned her head. “Michael?” She broke away from Thomas and walked over to him.42
The steam rose out of Thomas’ body as he tugged on his jacket. He marched over to them. 43
“Ma’am, do you know this punk?” the bodyguard asked.44
She put her hands on her hips. “Yes. He works for FLAG. Will you put that gun away?”45
Thomas stopped and waved his hand to the bodyguard.46
“He’s been hiding in the park.” The guard took a stepped back and put his weapon back in its holster.47
Michael looked into Thomas’ eyes, as they were full of anger.48
“Is this how a FLAG’s employee does his job!” Thomas snapped.49
“I was told this was a meeting and I came to pick up Jamie,” Michael said.50
“It was a relaxing meeting.” Thomas smiled.51
Michael put his hands in his jeans pockets. “It looked like more of a date.”52
Jamie raised her hands in the air. “Enough!” 53
The bodyguard leaned over to Thomas.54
“I'm sorry, sir. You've an important message, and you're needed back at the hotel,” the bodyguard said.55
Thomas tapped her on her shoulder as she turned around. “Jamie, I must be going now. If you like I can take you back to your hotel.”56
Michael stood there and waited for Jamie’s answer.57
“That’s all right. I’ll ride with Michael back to the hotel.”58
“As you wish.” Thomas stared at Michael. “I will be reporting this to Devon.”59
“It’s a free country.” Michael smiled.60
Jamie turned around and walked past Michael. He turned and caught up with her. He tried to put his hand on her shoulder as she yanked her arm away from him.61
“You want to hit me?” he asked.62
She turned to face him. “That’s not my style!”63
He grabbed her arm. “What’s your style? You pull the plug on our relationship, so you can go out with that guy!”64
Jamie looked straight into his eyes. “That’s was four months ago and we talked it about this afternoon!”65
He let go of her. Jamie walked over to the bench and sat down. Michael followed her and sat next her. He put his hand on her arm.66
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me.” Michael looked at her.67
“The green eye monster,” she said.68
He brushed some of her hair back. “Yeah, but there’s something about that guy too.”69
She took hold of his hand. “I think…”70
Michael’s comlink started to beep. He brought it to his mouth. “What’s up KITT?”71
“Michael, there’s a gunman with a rifle…”72
He pulled Jamie off of the bench. They slammed on the ground as shots rang out. She screamed, Michael shielded her from the bullets.
“KITT, micro-jam rifle,” he yelled.73
Jamie buried her face in his chest as his arms wrapped around her. The gunfire stopped, they lay in the damp grass and waited. The comlink beeped again.74
“Michael, the gunman has stopped firing,” KITT said.75
He rolled to his side and brought the comlink to his mouth. “Where’s the shooter?”76
“In the Grand Blue Hotel across the river, but, I’m going to need time to look over the data,” KITT said.77
“Get on it.” Michael stood up and offered his hand to Jamie.78
She grabbed it and looked around. She wiped off the grass from her clothes.79
“Are you all right?” he asked.80
She looked at him. “Why would someone be shooting at us!” 81
He put his hand on her face. “It was me, they were shooting at.” 82
“Are you sure about that?” She sat down on the bench.83
He bent his knees, put his hand under her chin, and lifted up her head. “Is there something I should know?”84
She wiped away her tears and stared at the ground. “There are some dangerous people who don’t want this aid to go through. Someone has just raised the stakes.” Jamie looked into his blue eyes.85
He grabbed her hand and held it. “I promise you that I’ll find out who did this tonight.”86
“All right, can we get out of here?” she asked.87
“Come on, I’ll take you back to your hotel.”88
They rose at the same time; Michael still held her hand as they walked back to KITT.89
Adding your comment:
high-heels clicking as they strolled down the sidewalk. Her long black leather skirt flowed with grace with each step she took. Her soft purple sweater touched against his skin.5. (A long black leather skirt flowed with grace with each step she took while, her soft purple sweater touched his skin.5)
