FBI Agent's Reluctant Lover (4 page)

Brianna and Chelsea shared a look that only women could while Seth watched. “So, Trent went home to catch some sleep?”

Brianna shook her head, “No. He went home to make sure everything’s ready for our homecoming. They’re going to let us out of here this afternoon.”

Chelsea looked concerned, “Are you sure you’re ready to go home? You have to be really careful of your stitches…” Realizing that she was probably interfering in business that didn’t concern her, she trailed off.

Brianna was so touched by her concern, “Chelsea, I feel fine. Really. The doctor was here just a few minutes ago and said everything looks great. I’ll have to be careful about lifting anything for a few weeks, but I really want to go home.”

Chelsea nodded, “Sorry. I guess I tend to get carried away sometimes.”

“No worries.” Brianna turned to Seth, “We’re having a homecoming party next week and I would love it if you would both join us. Your brother, too.”

Seth nodded, “We wouldn’t miss it!”

Chelsea handed the baby back, “She’s absolutely perfect!” She realized she was jealous of this woman she had just recently met. That was unacceptable and she lectured herself mentally for allowing negative thoughts like that to surface. Seeing Seth watching her with a calculating look in his eyes, she blushed and thanked Brianna for allowing them to visit.

Heading out the doorway, she waited for Seth to join her, anxious now to get home and snuggle the two babies awaiting her at home.

      
      
      
      
      
*****

Chance had too much energy after leaving Rachel’s home so he headed to the office. Shawn was already there when he arrived and they spent several minutes discussing the finer details of yesterday’s retrieval.

“So, what’s being done about Marco?” Chance asked.

“Not much right now. He’s out of the country for another three weeks according to our information.”

“What happens when he returns?”

“That’s up to Trent and Brianna. Brianna wants me to set up a meeting between Trent and Marco so that they can get everything out in the open. She thinks Marco needs to hear the truth and be forced to accept it.”

“About his daughter?”

Shawn nodded, “Yeah. For some reason he blames Trent for her suicide. All of the evidence suggests otherwise, but he’s pretty stubborn.”

“Maybe he won’t come back when he gets word that the baby has been returned?”

“That’s a possibility, but not likely. He’s got too many business interests in the states right now. He’ll be back. I’ve got my sources out there and the minute he crosses customs, I’ll know.”

“Good. So, did Seth tell you he plans on disappearing with Chelsea for a week?”

Shawn grinned, “I always warned him that when he fell, it would be fast and furious. I love it when I’m right.”

Chance scoffed, “He just met her, though. I really don’t want to see either one of them set the other up for a fall.”

Shawn didn’t say anything for a minute and then asked, “So, tell me about the sister.”

Chance shrugged his shoulders, not wanting to give Shawn any ammunition to work with since he seemed to be relishing matchmaking today. “She’s got her hands full with those two little ones.”

“You stay the night and help out?”

Chance nodded, “She was completely exhausted. Someone had to step in and help her out.”

“And the babies?”

“Those two little men are going to be a handful…” Chance launched into a detailed explanation of both boy’s attributes, stopping when he saw the huge grin on Shawn’s face. He knew he had just given himself away. Now Shawn would be taking every opportunity to push him!

“So when are you seeing her again?” Shawn asked, not willing to let the other Jacobsen brother off the hook when it came to the romance department. He knew from experience that the love of a good woman had saved him and now that both Seth and Chance seemed to be on the precipice of finding someone to share their lives with, he was going to sit back and enjoy the show.

“Don’t know that I will. She’s got two babies to care for and her husband’s only been dead for a few months.”

“But you like her?” Shawn asked, changing the question to a statement when he saw the truth written across Chance’s face, “You like her a lot. How’s the chemistry?”

“Geez, what are we, in high school? I’m not having a locker room discussion with you,” Chance said with laughter in his voice.

“Oh, well. It was worth a try,” Shawn said before slapping him on the back and heading for his own office, “I’ll let you know when Marco shows back up on the radar. We might need to have a little conversation with our Italian friend. Make sure he knows our position in case he gets any more bright ideas.”

“Let me know. I’m there.” Chance grabbed his gym bag and headed out the door. He felt a need to expend some energy and pounding on a 100-lb. bag was definitely in his future.

Chelsea was silent on the drive back to her sister’s house until Seth pushed her to talk to him.

“So, what’s bothering you?”

Chelsea glanced at him before she turned her attention back to the side window, “Nothing, really. I just realized in the hospital that I want more from my life.”

“Like what?” Seth had seen the longing on her face as she held baby Faith and was hoping to use that to his advantage.

“I don’t know. A house. A family. What every girl wants, I guess.”

“And you didn’t know you wanted those things until today?”

Chelsea sighed before answering, “Maybe I did, but it was really easy to just go with what was currently happening around me and not wish for anything different.” Glancing at him, “Does that make sense?”

Seth nodded, “Yeah. It’s hard to get your heartbroken if you never allow it to dream.”

Chelsea nodded and looked back out the window. “I want to have kids someday. I love babies, but when I was holding baby Faith, I had this overwhelming urge to hold my own.”

The wistfulness in her voice got to him, reaching over, he grabbed her hand, threading her fingers with his own. “I want kids one day, too.”

“Really? But you seem so dedicated to your career…”

“Things can change. I do a lot of the fieldwork right now because I choose to. We have several other men working for us that could do those jobs just as well.”

Chelsea’s thoughts were halted as he drew his thumb across the inside of her palm. Shivers raced across her spine and heat pooled between her legs. He had been almost brotherly this morning when she’d awakened, and she had feared that last night had been a onetime thing. Now, she wasn’t so sure.

Seth watched her from the corner of his eye, noticing when her pulse kicked up and her breathing hitched. He dragged his thumb across her palm one again, before lifting her fist to his lips and placing a kiss on the back of her knuckles. “You okay after last night?”

Chelsea blushed bright red before answering, “I’m fine.”

“Huh…you sure?”

Chelsea nodded, “I’m sure.”

“Good.”

There was so much promise in his voice, Chelsea turned to stare at him, mesmerized as he kissed the back of her hand again, letting his tongue sneak out to taste her skin. The act was so sensual; she melted into the seat, wishing they weren’t in his car so she could press her body up against his. She had never felt this way about a man before, but wasn’t willing to waste time trying to understand it.

Meeting her eyes for a smoldering glance, he told her, “Think you can pack and get things squared away with your sister in an hour?”

Chelsea nodded her head. “Good. I think we’ll fly to Aspen, instead of drive. I’ll call ahead and have the jet readied.” Giving her hand one more kiss, he placed it back in her lap as he pulled the car into the driveway of the house.

Chelsea blinked out the window, amazed that she hadn’t even known they were here. Shaking her head, she exited the car and headed up the sidewalk.

Rachel saw the car pull into the driveway and put on her best game face. It was only 11 o’clock in the morning and she was already exhausted, but she was determined that Chelsea not find that out. Her sister deserved to be happy and if this man did it for her, more power to her!

“Hey, Chels. Welcome back.” Rachel gave her a hug and then stood back to admire the gorgeous man entering behind her.

“Rachel, this is Seth Jacobsen. Seth, this is my sister, Rachel.”

Seth shook her hand, “It’s nice to meet you. Chelsea’s told me all about you. I understand you have a pair of youngster around here?”

Rachel nodded, “Yeah. They’re in the playpen. I was just getting ready to feed them some lunch.”

“Oh, let me help…” Chelsea began.

“No. I’ve got it. Chance said you two were going to take a little vacation.” Turning to meet her sister’s eyes, she smiled warmly, “I’m really happy for you, sis. Can I do anything to help you pack?”

“Trying to get rid of me?” Chelsea asked, marveling at how together her sister seemed.

“No way. But, you deserve a vacation and I hear Aspen is really nice this time of year.”

Seth had wandered over to the playpen and immediately saw why Chance had been drawn back to this house. The little guys were amazing and already showed signs of mischief.

Seth hoped that something between his brother and Rachel might work out. Chance had been the victim of a childhood illness, which had rendered him sterile. More than one of his past girlfriends had been
turned off by the knowledge that he could never father his own children. Chance had come to terms with it years ago, and had learned to be happy with what he did have in his life, not what he was missing.

But Seth knew the truth. His brother loved children, and hoped one day to find a woman who would be content with adopting children into their home. Their parents had left them both small fortunes, and Seth looked forward to the day when he could spoil some well-deserving kids.

Finding a woman who already had kids, and babies at that, would be icing on the cake. It would be the closest thing to having his own kids his brother might ever have. If Rachel was anything like Chelsea, she had probably already rocked his brother’s world.

“Chels, get a move on. The plane leaves in an hour and we still have quite a drive ahead of us.”

Chelsea and Rachel had been quietly talking, but she answered, “Okay. Give me fifteen minutes and I should be ready.” She disappeared down the hallway, leaving Rachel alone with Seth and the babies.

“So, you and my sister seem to have hit it off.”

Seth looked at her, applauding the mama bear syndrome that had her checking out his intentions, “That’s right. She’s the one I’ve been searching for my entire adult life.” Seeing her expression, he continued, “I know it sounds corny. Believe me, I am the last person who would have ever admitted that love at first sight might actually exist. But, there’s something about her. She’s really special.”

Rachel tried to hide her tears. She could hear the sincerity in his voice and she truly believed that he felt her sister was the one for him. “Just, don’t hurt her. She doesn’t deserve to be hurt.”

“I’d die for her. You don’t have to worry about that. My sole purpose in life right now is to see to her happiness.”

Rachel nodded, too choked up to speak. She was happy for Chelsea and mentally girded herself to stand on her own two feet. If Chelsea thought for one minute that Rachel was floundering, she would drop everything and come running to the rescue. Rachel wasn’t about to let that happen.

Chelsea returned moments later with a duffle bag in one hand and a suitcase in the other. “Okay. I’m ready.” Walking over, she picked each of her nephews up, bussing their cheeks and giving them loving hugs before she turned and hugged her sister. “Are you sure you can manage without me around?”

Rachel grinned at her, “I’m sure. Have fun and I’ll see you when you get back.”

Chelsea looked like she wanted to argue but Seth took over and pulled her along after him back to the car. Rachel stood in the doorway and waved until they were out of sight. Chelsea was getting her life back. Rachel was going to start living hers as well.

Rachel sat down on the couch in defeat. It was only day three of her solo motherhood journey and she was exhausted beyond belief. She had put coffee in the bottles earlier and luckily caught the mistake before giving it to her sons.

She hadn’t showered in two days, she was barely keeping up with the laundry – who knew babies could go through so many clothes, and she hadn’t eaten a decent meal since she couldn’t even remember.

The babies had finally fallen asleep after two hours of rocking, and walking, and singing, and cajoling. They were teething, their little gums all swollen and sore, and only seemed to be content if she were holding them. She could only hold one at a time comfortably or safely, and that meant having to hear the other baby cry and fuss.

Dropping her head into her hands, she heard the phone ring again. It had been ringing at least once every hour all afternoon but she couldn’t even remember where she had set the cordless handset. She could hear it ringing somewhere in the living room, but didn’t have the energy to go searching for it. Besides, with Chelsea out of town, there was no one else around who would call her.

Leaning her head back against the couch, she closed her eyes for a moment – she just needed a moment and then she would change the laundry out and pick up the kitchen.

      
      
      
      
      
*****

Chance had been dialing Rachel’s number all afternoon with no answer. He had left a message each time, and she hadn’t returned his calls. Seth had called earlier in the day asking if he would check on her. Chelsea was concerned about her sister’s ability to handle both babies and Chance had promised to ensure everything was going okay, and if not, to fix the situation however was required.

Pulling his car into the driveway, he noticed that the papers were piling up in front of the mailbox. Retrieving them, he also noticed that several days’ worth of mail hadn’t been retrieved. Gathering it all together, he walked up the sidewalk, glancing in the front window before knocking on the door.