He’d left nothing to chance. At least he hoped he hadn’t. And he was good at planning, so this was sure to go off without a hitch. Ever since Tara had cajoled them all into taking part in her current festival of the week, St. Valentine’s Day.

Come on, it will be fun,” she had encouraged her dubious team.

“Look, we’re used to you playing around with Christmas, and I don’t even mind the bunnies and chicks at Easter, though the live ducklings were a bit much last year. But Valentine’s Day, Tara? Is nothing sacred to you?” he had been the first to protest, but as usual to no avail.

Tara had compromised. “Okay, we won’t do everything I planned, but we will do…this one. Yes, this looks like fun!” She had grinned up at them all from her perch at the computer with such enthusiasm that no one had the heart to discourage her. “This is an ancient Valentine’s Day custom. And it’s easy to do. You have to claim the first person of the opposite sex that you see on Valentine’s Day for your Valentine.”

“And that would entail?”

“Oh, I don’t know, taking him, or her, out to lunch, doing absolutely everything together all day and then something special in the evening. Come on, this should be lots of fun.”

“I’ve never wished you were in a committed relationship more than I do right now.” He forgot who said that, but it was the general consensus of the day.

Of course they had all grumbled and flatly refused to participate…which is why he was perched out here in the freezing cold before the sun had even risen waiting to for the first glimpse of…the sign indicating he should begin his portion of the assignment that just might ruin any chance of reconciliation with the ebony beauty in the apartment four stories above the street.

Myles groaned as he once again wondered how Jack and Sue had suckered him into this mess. Oh yeah, he thought as he pushed his fingers further into his black leather driving gloves by pressing the spaces between his fingers against the steering wheel. They played on my guilt for interrupting them in the hall after Sue turned down the New York job. Jack loved ribbing him about how they would be married and expecting their first baby now if it hadn’t been for his untimely intrusion.

Of course, Jack was probably pushing the whole married with a baby on the way thing since it had been less than three months since that little incident. But then again, Turtle Jack must have been on speed since he promptly proposed to the lovely Miss Thomas the following week. He had been taken into their confidence when he had once again interrupted a little interlude in the conference room, noting the dazzling diamond Sue had forgotten to remove from the ring finger of her left hand.

The planets must be in anyone else’s house but mine, he groaned as he leaned his head back against the leather headrest, debating whether to crank the car and warm the interior or allow the chill of the February morning to add to his penance. Somehow, Jack and Sue had convinced him and Bobby to use Tara’s little Valentine’s festivities to throw the girls off the scent of how the evening would truly end. He hoped losing Lucy’s friendship would more than make up for the hallway fiasco. And if not, he could always use their guilt to obtain their help in winning her back.

A small smile crossed his lips as the sunnier side of his disposition cultivated since Sue joined the team took hold. Maybe Lucy wouldn’t be upset with him for his role in this little diversion. Maybe she would be so excited with the outcome that he would worm his way further into his good graces. Maybe…Oh who am I kidding, he groaned as the shadows of the dominating gloomy side of his disposition descended. She’s going to be madder than a wet hen at all of us. But especially me.

“Myles.” Jack’s voice in his earpiece stirred him from his thoughts. “Get ready. Sue and I are on our way out of the building.”

“I’m on it,” he replied as he opened his car door and stepped out into the chilly air. Here goes nothing, he groaned as he hurried across the street, catching the door as Jack and Sue exited and mounting the stairs two at a time to intercept the noisy matchmaker wannabe that shared the apartment with Sue.

More later
Kim

Kim, I'm so excited! What a great start! I can see the endless possiblities already.

Very happy to see this, Kim, though I have no idea how you so many different stories at once!!! You're amazing!

Isn't Myles just the most fun to write? He's so uptight, and yet uses such great vocabulary! I'm enjoying your story already! It's fun to read someone using the same prompt, yet from a totally different angle!!

WOW!!

Play matchmaking to the professional!!! Perfect!



Again I admire you!!

Tere

Another story by Kim!

And a Myles one at that! Now, I'm totally confused on how this is going to play out, but I just know it's going to be great! Thanks for taking on this challenge!

Lynn

Great start and I already have a lot of questions...diversionary tactics? Hmmmm. But I like that Myles and Lucy are obviously going to be stuck together for the day. This should be interesting.

kav

Kim, you never cease to amaze me. I am loving the start you have made here and am excited to see how this develops. Lead on.

fantastic start Kim cant wait for more
Lin

oh i'm so curious what is going to happen

Kim, I'm so glad to see you in the challenge, and you certainly have my curiosity peaked!! I wonder why we need a diversion???

Poor Myles - not thinking he has a chance with Lucy!! You're a different man today, Myles, you said so yourself!!!

Joy

ooh i can't wait to see what happens. What plans do they have have.
OMG. i can't wait!!!
UPDATE SOON.

Thanks guys! Myles is fun to write. Although writing him does stretch my vocabulary to the breaking point sometimes. Good thing I keep my thesauras close by!

Taking Levi’s leash from Sue, Jack opened the passenger door, brushing his lips against her cheek as she slid into the car. Twinkling hazel eyes and a soft smile answered his grin as she swung her legs into the car. He shut the door then watched her through the window for a moment as she reached into her purse and withdrew the sparkling diamond he’d given her ten weeks ago. She gently pushed it on the ring finger of her left hand, turning once more to offer him an adoring smile. He chuckled softly as he reached and opened the back passenger door, tugging gently on Levi’s leash. “Come on, buddy. Let’s get going, huh.”

Once Levi was comfortably settled in the back and the door shut, Jack danced a little jig around the back of the car on the way to the driver’s seat. He was completely over the moon. He and Sue had planned everything down to the very last detail. Today would be absolutely perfect. Even if everything didn’t go off without a hitch, it would still be perfect. This day would end with all his dreams coming true. He tugged open the door and slid in behind the steering wheel. After closing the door, he reached over and fastened his seatbelt. He touched her hand to get her attention. “You ready?” he asked when her eyes swung in his direction.

“Uh hum,” she smiled, nodding for emphasis.

His heart tumbled a few inches when he saw a shadow of sadness creep into her shimmering eyes. He took her hand in his, squeezing it gently as he slowly ran his thumb back and forth over the solitaire on her finger. Was she backing out? Did she have cold feet? Did she not want this as much as he did? Had he pushed for something she wasn’t ready for? Did she really not love him as much as he thought she did? As much as he loved her? He honestly thought they had talked it all out. They’d talked about shared dreams and an entwined future. But what if…

“Jack, it’s not what you think.” Sue read the fear that crept into the chocolate depths of his eyes. She silently berated herself for causing him to doubt the love she had for him; for causing the rising alarm she saw in his slight frown and troubled eyes. “This is what I want. I want it as much as you do if not more. It’s just that…” She turned to glance up at the window of the apartment four stories above the sidewalk.

His hand gently squeezed hers, bringing attention back to the face softened by relief and glowing with the joy that matched that radiating from her very soul. “You wish she didn’t have to be kept in the dark?”

“Yeah,” she sighed. She wondered if the ability to read minds went along with being the soul mates she knew they were. They both seemed to have the uncanny ability to know what the other was thinking almost before the thought ever truly formed. Her free hand drifted up to gently stroke the smoothness of his freshly shaved cheek and chin. The light tough sent a trembling thrill from her fingertips straight to her heart. “I know this is right, Jack. This is what I’ve dreamed of since,” she dropped her gaze as her cheeks heated. “Since longer than I’m willing to admit.” His eyes were gently caressing her as she lifted her eyes to his once more. “Still, knowing how hurt and disappointed Lucy might be…”

He tugged her hand to his lips, tenderly kissing the knuckles while his gaze remained firmly locked with hers. “Sweetheart, if you want to wait. If you want to cancel the plans and postpone this for a few weeks so Lucy and Tara can share in the preparations…”

“No.” She hoped the word didn’t come out as harshly as it felt like they had. “No,” she repeated, softening it with a smile. Knowing that Jack was willing to put aside all the plans they had made and worked so diligently to make happen touched her deeply. And despite the fact that her best friend might be disappointed at being left out until the last minute, she wasn’t about to throw this away.

She’d prayed for this day her whole life. She’d prayed for the man sitting beside her for almost as long, although it was just in the past three years or so that she had a face to go along with that prayer. She’d asked for a man who was kind and loving, who accepted her for the person she was not the disability she had, who would cherish her and only her for the rest of his life. She’d asked for a man that she could love beyond all others, a man that she could be herself with and open her world to, a man she would cherish for a lifetime. And she’d been given that man. In what seemed like a whirlwind of events that could only be heaven sent, she’d been given the opportunity to join her life with his while maintaining the jobs that had brought them together in the first place. The price paid was a narrow opening of time and the need to keep everything as hush-hush as possible. If Randall Pitts or anyone in the higher offices of the Bureau got wind of this, they could rush paperwork through and that narrow opening of time could disappear completely. Hopefully when she explained that to Lucy, her friend would understand.

His hand was warm against her cheek, gently interrupting her thoughts as she focused on the man who owned her heart. “Okay. If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure,” she smiled, leaning over to brush a gentle kiss against the velvet softness of his full lips. “Now let’s get going before Mother and Deanne send a search party out after us.”

More later
Kim

Wow Kim, as usual I am amazed.
Your writing flows and the way you describe Myles...perfect ;0)
OK, now I understand Sue...but I am pretty sure Lucy won't be that mad...maybe disappointed at first but happy for friend most of all!!
Josy

WOW! I can't wait for the next post!!

Tere

Kim, this is starting to come together a little in my mind, and to say I'm excited is an understatement!!!

Joy

At the end, as long as Sue is happy, her friends will be as well.

I love how this is coming together. Your writing does flow with incredible ease.

thats wonderful and I hope its leading to where I think
and if sues truely happy so will the team or more important the girls
cant wait for the next post Kim
Lin

Okay -- so if this is leading to where I think it is, why can't Tara and Lucy know and participate? Why did Sue have to hide her ring from her roommate (bullpen I can see but...) Sigh, so many questions and patience isn't one of my many virtues.

kav

This must be a very narrow window to have to accomplish everything in just one day. Although, I am puzzled as to why Lucy and Tara have to be left out of the loop and preparations, I know this will make for an interesting story. Now, all Myles has to do is keep Lucy occupied and we all know he can be quite good at it when he wants to be.

Poor Lucy. But she'll get over it, Myles. Maybe.

Jill

I'm loving that "Mother" (assuming it's Sue's mom) and Deanne are in on it!! And I agree that your writing seems so effortless. Waiting for more!

I wonder if the fact that the name of Randy Pitts was brought up has anything to do with why Jack and Sue have had to keep their engagement a secret from Tara and Lucy.

I can't wait to see what has been planned.

I'm wondering that as well... maybe, because they are sort of breaking regulations and the team might get into trouble if they were involved...?

Definitely with you on the last bit, Kav!

Looking forward to more!

Am I thinking like you are thinking or am I just thinking what I'm thinking because you're making me think it? (I can't think like this for long - it hurts my brain.)

So when you gonna post again? Huh? Huh? Huh?

I wonder how she manged to keep it from lucy. haha. i can't wait to see.
UPDATE SOON.

You guys are wonderful!

Myles had just made the second floor landing when he collided with Lucy Dotson intent on a mission. He stumbled backwards, thudding hard into the wall as he caught her by the arms to keep her from tossing headlong down the stairs just to his left. “Whoa there, Lucy,” he chuckled as he steadied her. “Where’s the fire?”

Her dark eyes were wide in surprise when they met his gaze. “Myles! What are you doing here? Never mind. I don’t have time to listen to why you’re here.” She tried to shove him away and continue her race down the stairs but he held tightly to her arms. “Myles! Let go!”

“Not until you tell me where you’re off to this fine Valentine’s morning,” he frowned. He loosened his grip on her arms as she relaxed a little.

“I’m trying to follow Sue. She’s been acting strange for weeks and I’m sure it has something to do with Jack. But I can’t seem to catch them together. She and Levi have just left and if you’d get out of my way, I just might catch her before she disappears into the morning traffic. Now let me go!” she ordered

Myles complied, releasing her arms. She started to her left as he started to his right. He moved left just as she darted right. The blocking dance continued for a full minute before Lucy grabbed him by the lapels of his jacket and moved him out of her way, only releasing them once she was past him and on her way to the floor below. His gaze followed her down the next flight of stairs, his head shaking in disbelief as he slowly followed. By the time he got to the bottom, she was fighting with the door, pushing and kicking to no avail. “Stupid door,” she shouted before growling in frustration.

He eased up beside her and gently pulled her hands from the door. “Allow me,” he smirked, bowing slightly as he easily pulled the door open. He quickly sidestepped her headlong dash towards the opening, following her out onto the sidewalk.

Árrrrgh!” She screamed, throwing her hands up as she watched the tail lights of the car disappear into the mass of morning commuters. She placed her hands on her hips and turned to face him, lashing out at the only person in the area. “Look what you made me do. I’ve missed them again!”

“Me?!” Myles replied, his hands moving to his chest for emphasis. “What I made you do?! Why my dear Ms. Dotson,” matching her narrowed eyed gaze with one of his own. “All I did was to prevent you from crashing down the stairs and ending up in a heap at the bottom.” He sniffed slightly as he drew himself to his full height, haughtily lifting his nose in the air. “In fact, I just might have saved that beautiful backside of yours. Not to mention a shapely leg or a delicate arm. Face it. If I weren’t there, you just might be looking at spending six weeks or better in a full body cast.”

He raised his eyebrows, stifling the smile that threatened to curl his lips and the laughter that was bubbling in his throat as Lucy rolled her eyes and gave him an oh-sure-whatever look, folding her arms across her chest. “Myles, what are you doing here?”

He smiled gently, bending at the waist in a deep bow. “I am here to claim you as my Valentine’s per Tara’s ancient Valentine’s custom. After all, you are the first female I’ve seen this morning. I purposefully closed my eyes as I drove through my neighborhood en route to your abode just to ensure that you were the first I saw. Now pray tell, am I the first male of the species that you have encountered this lovely February morning?”

Lucy shook her head in disbelief. “Unfortunately,” she mumbled. This was definitely not the way she envisioned spending her day. So Myles had changed in the three years since Sue had joined the team. But that didn’t mean that she was ready to spend the day with him. And it definitely didn’t mean she was ready to give him the chance to worm his way back into her heart. Even if she were ready, today was not the day. Today, she was on a mission to uncover the secret Sue was so obviously keeping. She’d even taken off her matchmaking hat for the day. She definitely wasn’t up for the mismatch of Myles Leland, III.

But still, she smiled as she carefully measured the man standing in front of her, her gaze sweeping him from the top of his perfectly coiffed hair to the tops of his shined shoes. He is one of the FBI’s finest. She rolled her eyes at her own description of the man. Maybe not finest, but he is an agent. And being an agent means he’s well versed in tracking down people, following a trail even after it has grown somewhat cold. He has well placed snitches all over the place. If anyone in this city can help me track down Sue and find out what is going on, Myles can.

Myles shifted nervously under her glaring perusal of him. He felt as if he were standing naked in Lafayette Park. He resisted the urge to wrap his arms around himself and slouch lower into his blazer. It had been a while since a woman had given him a second glance, let alone look at him the way Lucy was currently looking at him. A small smile tugged at his lips as he allowed himself a scant perusal of her. She was dressed in black pants and white blouse with a red blazer that only darkened her ebony complexion and highlighted the color in her cheeks. He shivered slightly as his heart yearned for a second chance. Perhaps, with a few well placed words and understanding arms when the evening arrived, he’d get that chance. Perhaps, the joy of the occasion would knock her sideways just long enough for him to sneak back into her good graces. After all, Jack shouldn’t be the only one to come out of the mission with his soul mate by his side. That’s pushing it, Leland, he reminded himself as his eyes followed Lucy when she began to circle him slowly. “Lucy?”

“Yes, Myles,” she replied as she completed her circle and returned to stand in front of him. “The answer to your question is yes. You are the first man I’ve seen today. And I would appreciate being your Valentine’s.” She narrowed her eyes slightly. “But just for today. Now let’s go. We’ve got a car to find and follow!” Taking his hand, she pulled him across the street to where his car was parked, dodging the cars and ignoring the blaring horns in her pursuit of her goal.

More later
Kim

Lucy's willing to be Myle's Valentine for the day. I'd say that is progress.

That was so funny and romantic!

I can't wait for the next!

Tere

that was wonderful and lucy being myles valentine for the day WOW
but maybe its just to follow sue and jack cant wait to find out Kim
Lin

Sounds like very safe driving to me


Okay, it seems to me that Myles and Lucy's goals for the day are somewhat different... That will be fun!!!

I think by the end of the day, Lucy might be at her wit's end because of Myles. ANd I'm sure he'll enjoy every minute of getting her goat.

This is gonna be fun!

Jill

Myles tried to stifle the laughter as Lucy craned her neck first one way then the other as she tried to search around the surrounding traffic for a glimpse of a familiar car, her eyes wide and her body leaning forward as far as the seatbelt would allow. You’d have thought they were in pursuit of a couple of desperate criminals instead of a couple desperately in love with one another. He could feel the building pressure in his chest as he tried to restrain the laughter. But it was to no avail. Trying to hold it back only resulted in a choking snigger that brought tears to his eyes and heated his face. And of course, the more he tried to hold back, the worse it became.

“This is no laughing matter, Agent Leland,” Lucy spat. There was no need to look at her. He could feel the heat of her glare from across the car. Heck, he could feel the heat of that glare across the city. “Stop laughing and drive!” she ordered as she returned to her former position, leaning forward and searching the traffic.

“I’m sorry, Luce,” he chuckled, wiping the tears from his eyes. The car inched forward as the traffic ahead anticipated the change of the light. “But the way you’re acting, one would think Sue robbed the Treasury Department.”

“Hmmph,” she snorted.

That was the extent of her reply as she continued to search the traffic for a familiar license plate. One that he knew she would not find. Jack had secured a different car from the motor pool, Charlie backing him up on there being a problem with his Bureau issued car. Sue’s car was safely parked at Deanne’s, her mother and father using it for transportation while they were in town. Jack’s parents were using a car Troy had restored and was storing at Charlie’s. Knowing all these details and not being able to share them with the woman by his side caused waves of guilt to wash over him. In fact, he had asked Jack and Sue why they included their parents, Charlie, Troy, Deanne and Helga in the planning stage and not Lucy.

“It’s not that we don’t want Lucy to know,” Jack sighed, reaching for Sue’s hand, gathering it into his own as he gazed into her hazel eyes. “But we’re trying to involve as few people with Bureau connections as possible.”

“My mom and dad and Jack’s parents have been instructed to only contact us on our personal cell phones or blackberrys,” Sue sighed. “And Deanne and Helga have absolutely no Bureau connections. Jack and I and you guys on the team are the only ones they come into contact with.”

“And it’s the same for Troy and Charlie,” Jack added. His dark eyes left Sue’s and drifted to meet Myles’ gaze. “D warned us that if the higher ups got wind of this, they could put a stop to it. They could view it as insubordination and Sue or I could be transferred to Timbuktu or terminated. So could the anyone involved in the plans. That’s why we were so reluctant to share it with you and Bobby. But someone had to get the girls there. We had to tell you.”

“Oh great!” Myles replied, rolling his eyes as he leaned back against the overstuffed leather chair in Jack’s apartment. “So Bobby and I are expendable and Tara and Lucy aren’t.”

“That’s not it,” Sue replied. She reached across the distance between the sofa where she snuggled with Jack to touch his hand. Her eyes exuded sincerity and the soft smile was serene. “We trust you, Myles. You and Bobby both. We know that you are the sole of discretion and would do anything in your power to keep this secret.”

“Lucy’s like a dog with a bone when it comes to even an inkling of something between Sue and I,” Jack chuckled, leaning forward slightly. “And although her intentions are well placed, she sometimes speaks without thinking. And it just wouldn’t do for her to be in the middle of regaling Sue about the wonderful wedding dress she’d seen or the magnificent wedding cake she’d tasted in the middle of the Bullpen with snoopy old Randy lurking around every corner. You know he’s wanted to see the team dissolved almost since its inception. He’s low enough to use any rumors he hears to do just that.”

“And we didn’t think it was fair to involve Tara if we didn’t involve Lucy,” Sue sighed.

Myles could see the sadness edging the happiness in his friends’ eyes. They had obviously thought long and hard about this, weighing the pros and cons and coming up with the least hurtful sacrifice. He groaned as he ran his hands thought his hair and closed his eyes. “I knew I should have killed Randy years ago. I wonder if it would be considered murder if he suffocated beneath a pile of reimbursement requests?”

“If you aren’t going to drive,” Lucy’s terse voice interrupted his memory. “Then pull over and I will.” Her hand waved towards the traffic moving beyond the windshield.

“I’m going. I’m going,” he sighed, pressing the accelerator, the car jerking slightly as it caught up with the rest of the traffic.



Tara sighed as she took one last look in the mirror by the door, adjusting the collar of her pink blouse over the collar of her charcoal gray blazer. Bobby had commented not too long ago how much he liked seeing her in that particular work ensemble, she though she’d wear it today in the hopes that he would be the first male she saw and claimed as her Valentine’s. Unless Darcy showed up from L.A., she groaned, frowning slightly at her reflection in the mirror and wishing once more for the modern hairstyle and the added height of her romantic rival. Not that she should consider herself a rival to anyone. After all, the one time Bobby kissed her, he immediately realized how much he wanted the other woman. Still, a girl can dream, she encouraged as she glazed her lips with a hint of color before slipping on her black winter coat and reaching for her purse and the door.

Bobby was draped across the doorway when Tara opened it, one arm leaning against the doorframe while his other hand was on his hip, his feet crossed casually. His muscular form filled the opening and caused her heart to begin a rat-ta-tat rhythm she only experienced in his presence. “Bobby,” she gasped. “What are you doing here?”

“Isn’t it obvious, luv.” He grinned that big slow grin of his that made her knees trembled. “I’m claiming you for my Valentine’s.”

“M-m-me?” she stammered. “Are you sure? What about Darcy?” She groaned inwardly at the question when she saw a dark cloud flit across his twinkling eyes. Once it disappeared, sincerity and something she couldn’t quite identify held her gaze.

“There is no Darcy, Tara. Not any more.” He sighed softly. “I’m not sure there ever was.” His face brightened as he straightened and reached for her hand. “So what do you say? Will you be my Valentine?”

With the gentle pleading in his eyes and his deeply etched dimples, how could she resist? If only for today, she was Bobby Manning’s Valentine. And if today was all that she were granted, she’d gratefully pick up the pieces just as she’d done after the concert. But something in his kind eyes told her that today just might end differently than the concert. A girl can always dream , she reminded herself as she nodded. “Yes, Bobby. I’d love to be your Valentine’s.”

His grin grew larger as he extended his hand towards her. “Well what are we waiting for? Let’s get the day started?” She wondered if he felt the same jolt of electricity as she when she took his hand, hoping it had to do with the union of two hearts as opposed to the build of static electricity sparked by a combination of shoes, carpet and woolen coats.

More later
Kim

I love scheming Jack and Sue... Marvelous ride, Kim, in every sense of the word.

I was thinking that too, Marlo, Though maybe there's a course at Quantico...

I was right! Yaay me! - but it's obvious that Sue & Jack have really thought about this long and hard... and given how pleased the girls are going to be once... what I hope is happening... happens... I think they will be forgiven!

I think I need some more grammar lessons, though.



This was beautiful... and I'm hoping right along with you there, Tara!

First Lucy and Myles and now Tara and Bobby perfect!!

Tere

I also have to agree with you there marlo and its going to be interesting to find out more
Lin

Jack and Sue have really thought this out and with Dimitrius, Bobby and Myles helping them, this plan--which I hope is what I think it is--will turn out absolutely perfectly.

I think this was a very hard decision for Jack and Sue to make!! I hope Tara and Lucy will understand!!!

Well, we have the other two Valentine couples together!! Of course, Lucy has an ulterior motive, which I hope Myles can alter before it becomes evident what is happening this evening!! Keep thinking "second chance", Myles!!!

Joy

Quite a ride you bring us along Kim!! But I love it!
Now, where that ride will bring us???
Josy

i can't wait for lucy to get the shock of her life.

Kim, I had no intentions of starting another story yet... not until I finished mine, but I just couldn't stay away. And I'm so glad I didn't! Jack and Sue's plans have got a ring of "ever after" to them and poor Myles having to keep Lucy 'distracted' could lead to some very interesting developments of their own! And then we get to witness Tara and Bobby's valentine's Day as well! Hail, hail, the gang's all here!! Whoooo Hoooo!

Tina

Poor Myles. I can feel his pain!

Jill

OH NO! Don't stop now!!!

Lucy’s traffic scanning abilities paid off. She spotted Jack’s car less than a block ahead. “There they are!” she shouted, pointing to the metallic blue sedan a half block ahead to their right. She felt the car slow and turned to glare in irritation at Myles. “What are you doing?! They’re going to get away if you keep driving like a turtle.”

“I’m not the turtle,” he murmured. “Jack is.”

“What did you say?” she glared.

He felt his face burn as he cleared his throat and nodded towards the traffic. “I said there’s no way to catch up. Not with the traffic like it is.” He cut his eyes towards the woman whose cheeks were beginning to match the color of her blazer. He quickly averted them back to the street in front of him when they met her brow furrowing glower. “Oh look,” he said lightly as he pointed to the cars moving in front of him. “Traffic’s moving again.”

“But not fast enough,” she huffed.

He would have taken the opportunity to look at her again if he weren’t trying to judge the distance between his front bumper and that of the red sports car trying to merge into his lane in front of him. “What do you want me to do, Luce?” he groaned. “I can’t make traffic move any faster than it is. And the car isn’t about to sprout wings and fly. That is a mechanical impossibility at this point. As the driver, I’m now taking suggestions from the floor if you have anything to offer.”

“I most certainly do,” she snapped. “Why not try this!” She leaned over and flipped on the red light on the dash before leaning even further and pressing the horn, sending a blaring warning to all those in front of them that she was a woman on a mission.

He rolled his eyes, wondering what she would resort to next. He glanced at the radio, noting the time with a grimace. 8:30 a.m. He needed to have Lucy and himself at the appointed place by 4:00. 6 ½ hours. How am I ever going to survive for 6 ½ hours?

Lucy grinned as the traffic in front of them parted like Moses parting the Red Sea. She leaned back in her seat, a triumphantly smug look creeping across her face. “There you go,” she said brightly, waving her hand towards the now empty lane. “Now you can catch up.”

Myles shook his head while pressing on the accelerator. This was not going to plan. He had left nothing to chance. Nothing except the tenacious nature of the woman sitting beside him. Jack was right, he groaned. She is like a dog with a bone when it comes to him and Sue. He chuckled as he corrected himself. Actually, she’s more like Levi with his bunny. Still, he couldn’t blame Jack and Sue for feeling the need to keep this from her until the last possible moment. He still hoped that she wouldn’t be too upset when she found out. Maybe realizing that it was the only way to keep the team together and allow them the life they want will be enough. And if it weren’t then he’d just have to be sure to be there to help her understand, picking up the pieces if she didn’t.

“There they are!” she squealed, interrupting his thoughts. “Get in behind them!” Once again, she leaned over and began honking the horn.

“Lucy!” he protested. He was completely mortified as the car in front of them eased over, rolling to a stop once the driver felt he was out of the flow of traffic. Myles had no other option but to pull in behind, barely getting the car shifted into park before Lucy was flying out the door. “Lucy!” he shouted, fumbling with his seatbelt and then the car door. He managed to free himself from the belt and extricated his lanky form from the confines of the car just as Lucy sprinted to the driver’s window. “Lucy, wait!” he yelled, trotting behind her.

Lucy grinned as she tapped on the glass. As it started to ease downward, she placed her hands on the top edge, almost as if she needed to help its descent. “Ha! Caught you guys!” Her mouth hung open as Charlie’s faded blue cap and gray moustache came into view. “Charlie! What are you doing in Jack’s car?” she demanded.

“Checking it out for him” Charlie grinned. He wished he had a camera to capture the look on his dear girl’s face, knowing Jack and Sue would love to add it to the collection of pictures they’d have to remember the day by. “He was complaining about hearing a knocking under the hood.”

“I’d like to knock him under the hood,” Lucy growled.

“Pardon?” Charlie, replied, cupping his hand to his ear.

“Nothing Charlie,” she sighed. A slow smile tugged at her lips as she brightened with an idea. “You didn’t happen to loan him a car for the day did you?”

He shook his head and shrugged. “No. He said he could pick something up from the motor pool. Why do you ask? You need to get in touch with him?”

“Yeah,” Lucy groaned. She was really hoping to catch him and Sue by surprise. She was disappointed and slightly embarrassed by the situation. Mortified would be a better description, she groused.

“Why not try his cell phone?” Charlie suggested.

Her face was really radiating heat as she realized the obvious solution had been in front of her the whole time. Grinning sheepishly, she muttered her thanks to the man she looked on as a grandfather before rushing back to the car to grab her phone.

Myles couldn’t resist the laughter that bubbled in his middle as he watched her snatch open the car door and reach for her phone, flipping it open and moving to lean against the fender of his car as she dialed. Leaning his arm against the roof of the car Charlie was driving, he leaned in and offered the old man a smile and a wink.

“You need anything else Myles,” Charlie offered.

“No, not really,” he sighed. “Unless you’ve got some suggestions on how I can keep her occupied until we head to the church to get ready.”

Charlie smiled and winked, glancing in the rearview mirror to watch the girl he thought of as his granddaughter. He turned back to face Myles, noticing the warm glow in the man’s face. Maybe today will turn out to be wonderful for more than just Jack and Sue, he hoped. “Well, son. I might have a few ideas up my sleeve.”

More later
Kim

Enjoying this story so much...

No idea, Myles, but it's going to be fun watching you try!

Oh, I hope so too...

And what has Charlie got up his sleeve to keep our Lucy distracted?

I laughed out loud when I read that Charlie was the one who was in the car. I guess you could say that Lucy was just taken for a ride.

You've got me feeling sorry for Myles. How is he going to keep Lucy occupied for 6 and 1/2 hours?