Page 21 of An Unexpected Match
As if she wouldn’t recognize his voice instantly.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
He sounded tired. Was he taking care of himself there?
For heaven’s sake, he was a grown man. He’d managed without her his entire life.
“More than all right. We got them all out safely.”
“That’s wonderful. You did it, didn’t you? You talked the man into releasing them. Wow, you must be feeling on top of the world. I’m so glad everything turned out right.”
“Yeah, I feel pretty good about it myself.”
“I want to hear every detail. What finally caused him to surrender?”
“I can’t talk for long. I have to go in just a minute, but I wanted to check in. I’ll tell you more when I get home.”
“I’m glad you called. When you get home, we’ll celebrate. I’ll have champagne on ice. And the girls and I will fix your favorite dinner. What do you like best?”
There was silence on the other end for a moment.
“You don’t have to do that,” he said slowly.
“The girls will love throwing a party. Or don’t you normally celebrate major successes like this?”
“I never have.”
“Then this can be the first. What’s your favorite meal?”
“Steak and baked potatoes.”
“Gee, that’s original.”
He laughed. “We are tied up now in debriefings and in making plans to insure the safety of the family in the future. But I wanted to call you. I knew–”
There was a little static on the line, but not enough to cut him off. Had he stopped talking?
“Knew what?” Arden asked.
“Never mind. I have to go now. I’ll be home in the next day or two.”
“You don’t know when?”
“No. I’ll check in and let you know as soon as I do.”
“We’ll plan the party for Saturday. You’ll be back by then, won’t you?”
“For sure, by Saturday. Take care of yourself. I’ve got to go.”
Arden replaced the receiver. He hadn’t asked about the girls. Of course, it had been a hurried conversation.
Still, despite being caught up in the debriefing and the certain excitement of succeeding, he’d taken time to call her. Smiling, she headed for her room and the assignment that waited.
He’d done it. Because of his skills, a family was free tonight, safe and sound. Her heart pounded as she sat at her table.
Pulling her sketch pad close, she drew furiously broad sweeping strokes to capture Brendan as an intrepid explorer hacking through the thick underbrush of the jungle. It seemed appropriate given where he was, and his cutting through the hostage situation. She could only imagine what he’d look like as a jungle explorer, but she’d always had a great imagination.
It was his face that gave her the most trouble. She couldn’t quite capture his expression to her satisfaction. Couldn’t seem to put down on paper that air of sadness that appeared at odd instances. But she could draw his virility and energy. And the sex appeal that slowly tantalized her until she wondered if she could ever see him as an employer, as her boss, and nothing more.
