CALLEY (RIBUS 7 Book 3) (28 page)

Chelan felt her heart take off. “You think she would?”

“I can always try.”

Chelan nodded an emphatic yes.

Jason smiled. “Well, I have to get to work and pick up those papers. Can I walk you home?”

“Oh, no, thank you. I’m fine. But I would like to pay the bill.”

Jason shook his head. “You’re welcome to pay for yourself if you wish, but I’ll pay for myself. I’m a little more gainfully employed than you, I think.”

Chelan smiled. “Sounds good.” And they went their separate ways.

The rest of the week went quickly for Chelan as she spent her time preparing for the trip while hoping with all her heart that Jason had managed to procure a passport for her. She was so excited to see just what Earth had for remote sensing technology nowadays, she was beside herself with anticipation.

To keep herself partially occupied, she bought herself some more clothes—casual ones as per her tastes. She had already decided to take nothing that Jim had given her, if for no other reason than to make a point. Plus, she honestly did not know if she was coming back. Even though she really had no place else to stay while William was in town, she felt more at home in the Western part of the continent. That was where she had first been introduced to the Empire. That was where she had been dropped off by her gentle warrior, and that was where she would return to his loving arms.

Her cellphone startled her from her thoughts. She looked at the number and then answered. “Will!”

“Hey, baby sister. What’s up?”

“Lots, but I didn’t want to call you until you and Marion were all settled in.”

“Well, we are, and all is well. I took today off so we could go out and snag a few things for the apartment, but now we’re just relaxing.”

“How is Marion feeling?”

“She’s doing well as long as she gets plenty of sleep, which she has been. Anyway, I was wondering if you had given any more thought to your situation. You want to try meeting Marion, or would you rather not chance it?”

Chelan felt herself stiffen. “You know, maybe with my hair up and the weight loss… But if we were to meet, I don’t know… It would put you on the hot seat as far as conversation goes. I would have to act like a colleague, and that would get me into trouble. I don’t know much about law.”

“You’re right. Hey, I have an idea, though, just to get you out and about at some point. How about we plan for a night out—a play or a concert. You can accompany us as Jim’s date.”

Chelan smiled. “That would work, but we’ll have to wait a bit. Jim is out of town this week, and this Sunday, if all goes well, I’m heading to Canada.”

“Canada?”

“Jim introduced me to a friend of his, and of all things, his specialty is software design applied to remote sensing.”

“Wow! That’s right up your alley! What’s the guy’s name? I’ve met a few of Jim’s friends over the years.”

“He’s an independent contractor with his own company. I just know him as Jason.”

“Oh hell, yes. I know Jason. Jason Evans. Big guy. I met him almost two years ago when he landed his first contract in Chicago. Heck of a nice guy.”

“That’s great to hear!”

“I actually forget how we first met, but it wasn’t through Jim, although I ended up knowing they were connected. He came to me and we discussed some commercial law issues pertaining to his company. The guy is brilliant, yet very down to earth.”

“Well, anyway, he invited me along on some contract work he is doing for a Canadian company. If I’m able to help, he’ll even pay me. And with your endorsement of his character, this should be a good experience all around.”

“It all sounds like a fantastic opportunity. You’ll enjoy his company immensely. Oh, but how are you going to get into Canada?”

Chelan cringed. “You don’t want to know.”

Will chuckled. “I have no doubt that Jason is a resourceful man. He has a lot of contacts. Well, talk about an opportunity falling in your lap!”

“Oh, Will, I’m so excited! And look, as soon as I’m back, we’ll arrange a night out.”

“That sounds great, Chel. You behave while you’re away.”

Chelan laughed. “No problem there. Still little Miss Low Key here.”

Will laughed heartily. “Yes, the low-key Galactic Empress.”

Chelan burst out laughing. “Yes, well, what can I say? Another opportunity that just fell into my lap.” Then, suddenly, her exuberance faded. “Oh hell.”

“What?”

“Jason. If he knows you, what does he know about me?”

William hesitated, searching his memory. “I’m pretty sure we never spoke of anything personal. It was all law-based. In fact, I’m not even sure how I made his connection with Jim. That could have come later, via Jim himself. Jason came to me for legal advice only, and that’s what we focused on.”

Chelan felt her stomach knot. “Maybe I should stay home.”

“I think if he had made any sort of a connection between you and me he would have said something by now. After all, Chelan is not a common name. Had I mentioned that I had a sister by that name, I’m certain he would have said something to you.”

Chelan took a deep breath. “Okay. Maybe I’ll just keep the topic of family on the back burner.”

“It won’t be a problem, sis. I’m sure I never mentioned you to him, and I certainly never said I had lost a sister. And Jim is keeping up his end of the bargain by being quiet. I’m sure everything will be okay. Besides, for the most part you’ll be discussing business.”

“True.” She sighed. “Man, things can get complicated fast.”

“Well, you’re a bright woman. I’m positive you can deal with whatever may crop up—not that I suspect anything will. Even as far as Jim is concerned, I doubt he gets together with his male colleagues and discusses the family relations of his other friends.”

Chelan laughed. “I know you’re right. Anyway, I’ll just focus on the trip for now.”

Will smiled. “Have a great time. Talk soon, sis.”

“Bye, big brother.”

*****

Finally, Sunday arrived, and Chelan was a bundle of nerves. She had not talked to Jason since their lunch, for despite the fact he had invited her, she had not wanted to put him under any undue pressure to take her. Though she desperately wanted to go, she would leave the final decision up to him. And so far, he had not called.

Morning turned into early afternoon and Chelan was getting depressed. She picked the phone up several times but then thought better of it. The fact that Jason might not show was almost as disconcerting as the thought of Jim’s return. Then came a knock on the door and Chelan nearly collapsed. She ran to the entrance and looked through the peephole. Then she opened the door and peered up into Jason’s smiling face.

“Are we still on?” he asked jubilantly.

Chelan smiled. “I guess. I hadn’t heard from you, so I wasn’t sure.”

Jason nodded contritely. “I know, Chelan. I’m sorry. It was terribly irresponsible of me. I should have at least called. Some important equipment hadn’t arrived, so rather than taking a chance, I flew out of the country just after we had had lunch to pick it up myself. I just arrived back this morning, and even then I still wasn’t sure if we were going. But everything is straightened out now, so if you’re still willing…”

Chelan was beside herself with excitement, but she kept her enthusiasm corralled. “Did you get my passport?”

“Oh, yes. Sorry, here you go.” And he reached into an inside pocket.

Chelan took the document and opened it up. Her eyebrows rose. “Holy cow! You weren’t kidding when you said I looked like her.”

Jason laughed. “Just remember who you are when we reach the airport.”

Chelan’s face lit. “Do we leave now?”

“The sooner the better.”

Chelan sprang into motion. She ran for her pack and then threw on her coat and runners. “I’m ready.”

Jason ushered her into the elevator. “I took the liberty of booking the flights as well as the hotel. If anything is not to your liking, just let me know.”

“I’m sure you’re quite proficient at this.”

“Well, I am for myself, but in the presence of one so lovely, I may have blundered somewhere along the way.”

Chelan laughed. “I doubt it.”

They started outside. “Did you leave a note for Jim?”

“No. I thought it would be best if I talked to him on the phone tonight.”

Jason touched her shoulder briefly. “How about
I
call him tonight?”

“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll deal with him.”

“You sure? I’m rather used to bearing the brunt of his explosions.”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll manage. Besides, the explosions you endure are from a professional aspect. This conversation will have a more personal lean to it.”

Jason nodded. “You have a point. But if things get nasty, I have your back.”

*****

Chelan and Jason got comfortable on board the rather crowded plane, both thankful for the business-class seats. Chelan did up her seatbelt and then looked up just in time to see a sight that froze her to her spot. A man walked down the aisle toward them, a bag slung over his shoulder. He glanced at his boarding pass as he scanned the seat numbers along the way.

Jason startled her as he touched her hand. “Something wrong?”

Her eyes skated to him and then back to the man as he passed by without so much as a glance. “Ah, no… Everything is fine.”

Jason looked behind them and watched as the man took a seat several rows back. Then he studied Chelan; her features were a little on the pasty side. “You know that guy?”

Chelan shook her head. “No, but he does look familiar.”

Jason glanced back again at the man and then returned his attention to her. He frowned. “You okay? You look like you just saw a ghost.”

“No, believe me, I’m fine. Just a little nervous about flying, I guess.”

Jason nodded. “You’ll be okay.”

Chelan smiled, but a knot had formed in her stomach. The man who had walked by was massive. His dark hair just brushed his shoulders, and his eyes were a dusty blue. Was she being tracked, and if so, by whom? Was she being watched this closely? Memories of the shadow in the stairwell intruded once again.

The flight attendant began to speak, but the safety instructions were lost on Chelan. She stole a glance over her shoulder; the man was sitting, staring at his phone. She looked at the flight attendant and tried to clear her worries. All was well, she assured herself. All was well.

*****

They arrived at Vancouver International in the evening without any trouble. Upon disembarking, Chelan took another peek at the mystery passenger, but he never looked in her direction. As Jason escorted her out of the plane, it seemed the man was content to stay seated until everyone around him had left.

While waiting for their baggage, Jason excused himself momentarily, and Chelan used the time to seek out the eerily familiar person, but he was nowhere to be seen. In the Customs lineup, Chelan peered about for the passenger, but she never spotted him again—another strange oddity. It seemed she was not going to be able to solve the mystery one way or another, at least not without drawing Jason into her concerns, and so she finally let the whole thing go.

Luckily for Chelan, no problems occurred at Customs. With all her training in the Empire, keeping herself calm and cool in front of the agent was a cakewalk, at least this time.

Jason rented a car and soon they were at the Radisson, where he signed in. As they walked down the hallway toward their room, Chelan could see why he played football. He was
huge
. That observation spawned her next thought: their sleeping arrangements. If there was only one bed, he would definitely have to take it, as there was no way he was going to fit on either a couch or a pullout. And even if there were two beds, things could be a little awkward. In retrospect, she should have asked more questions. She knew the plane had been paid for by Jason’s contract, and she supposed the room was too. She should have requested her own and reimbursed him immediately. But it was too late to quibble now.

Jason stopped in front of the door. He opened it and then passed her the card. He smiled. “I believe this is yours.”

Chelan took the card from him and then watched as he started down the hall.

“And I’ll be right next door,” he told her over his shoulder. When he reached his room he turned and looked at her. “Ahh… Is there a problem?”

“You paid for two rooms?”

Jason nodded and approached her slowly. “Well, MDA paid for one, and I paid for the other. If you want to stay with me, I won’t complain. I just assumed that you would want to be on your own.”

Chelan smiled. “It’s just… I… I didn’t know what to expect.”

Jason smiled. “I know what you expected, Chelan. And I know what most men would expect from you in return. But I pride myself on not being most men.” He winked at her and then walked back down the hall.

Chelan continued to stare at him, her fondness for the gentle man increasing by leaps and bounds. “I would like to pay for it, though,” she called after him.

Jason shoved his door open. “Nope—my private consulting company expense,” he said, and he disappeared inside.

Chelan was motionless for a long time before blinking back to reality. Finally, she stepped into her room and let the door close. She felt all warm and mellow. She liked Jason, very much. In fact, for knowing him for such a brief period of time, she liked him a little
too
much. After all, in the not too distant future, Fremma would be coming.