Protected (closed)

[wideeyedone]

Anna Driscoll sat in the hard metall chair, her knees to her chest. She was shivering but she wasn't cold. She couldn't get the images out of her mind. The gunman's face was seared into her memory. The sound of her father choking on his own blood was still tormenting her. She wasn't supposed to have been home, but she had stopped by to ask her father to listen to the knock in her car's engine. Her father, the federal judge, loved to tinker with cars and he changed his own oil and did small repairs in the garage out back. The thought of the half restored classic car in the garage made tears slip down her cheeks.

The investigators kept asking her questions but she didn't have any answers. She knew that her father had been working on a tough case, but she didn't know details. She had spoken to the sketch artist. The sketch looked just like the gunman. But he had seen her face. He had looked right at her and raised his gun, but her father's security detail had come through the door just then. He ran.

The man from the FBI said that she would need to go to a safehouse. An agent had driven her to her place and she had packed a bag. She and her suitcase were waiting for the agent that was going to be protecting her. She looked at herself in the two way glass window of the interrogation room. Her long dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She was paler than usual, but her cheeks were flushed red from crying. Her big brown eyes were redrimmed from crying.

Anna was curled up in a baggy grey cardigan that had belonged to her father. It still smelled like him, peppermint lifesavers and his cologne. She laid her head down on her arms. She closed her eyes and tried to rest.

 

[Just4Fun_72]

"Yeah. OK. I've got those details. I'll be there within the next 2 hours." Jack said down the phone, before hanging up the phone in his studio apartment.

Jack pulled his suitcase out from under the bed, and packed it with the required clothing for the assignment he had been given.

Once Jack had his suitcase loaded in the car, he headed for Police Headquarters.

Jack pulled in to the underground car park, and headed for the Associate Deputy Director’s office. “Jack, we briefly covered your assignment on the phone. But I think you need to get the full story. Judge Driscoll was murdered tonight, and you are needed to protect his daughter. She is the only witness to the heinous crime, and from what she has told us, the gunman saw her face.” He said.

The importance of the case registered with Jack. He nodded solemnly, before asking, “Who is my offsider for this case, Sir?”

“You will be working solo on this one. Anna is in interview room one waiting for you. All the relevant paperwork for you and Anna is in this folder, now you better be going, you’ve got to be at the airport in 2 hours.” He said, as he handed a file to Jack.

Jack took the file, and headed down the stairs to the interview rooms. Jack walked in to the interview room without knocking, and was immediately taken by Anna’s beauty. “Miss Driscoll, I’m so sorry for your loss.” Jack said, as he placed a consoling hand on Anna’s shoulder. “I’ve been placed in charge of protecting you until the trial. But right now, we have to get the airport, the department has arranged a safe-house down there. Come with me please Miss Driscoll.” Jack continued rather formally as he picked up Anna’s bag and headed for the door.

Jack opened the door, and waited for Anna before leaving the room.

 

[wideeyedone]

Anna felt as if she were underwater. People were talking to her with the kindest of voices, but nothing was registering. She looked up at Jack. He was telling her about travel arrangements. She nodded. He took her bag.

"I need to tell my boss that I won't be in at work..." She offered softly. She followed Jack out of the room and out to the car. He seemed like he was all business. Anna had grown up around law enforcement. Her father had been a district attorney, a criminal court judge in the city and then a federal judge. So, her life had been full of police officers, detectives and protective detail.

That was part of why Anna had gone into her field. She knew she didn't want to end up married to the law like her father had been. She fell in love with history during her years at the University level. She had just started her second year teaching US history and government to high school kids at a public school in the city. She would never make a fortune, but the kids loved her and she loved teaching them.

"What should I tell him about my absence?" Anna asked quietly as they made their way to Jack's car.

 

[Just4Fun_72]

As Jack followed Anna out to the car, he admired her from behind, taking note of her slender figure, her neat, long hair, and Anna's sexy ass. He heard her say softly "I need to tell my boss that I won't be in at work..."

It took a second or two for it to register to Jack that Anna was talking to him, because as professional he was still a male, and Anna was definitely gorgeous, and Jack had allowed his mind to wonder for a second, “That’s fine Miss Driscoll. You can use my mobile once we are on route to the airport.”

After Jack replied to Anna, he scolded himself for allowing his mind to wonder. As they reached the underground car park, Jack surveyed the car park, looking for suspicious looking cars, people, or generally anything out of place. Jack led Anna out of the lift and opened the back door of the unmarked car that was waiting for them. ”What should I tell him about my absence?" Anna asked as they headed for the car. Jack didn’t answer Anna straight away, instead he concentrated, on securing Anna, but the question didn’t go unnoticed. Once Anna was secure in the car, Jack walked to the back of the car and knocked on the trunk, the driver popped the boot from inside the car, and Jack put Anna’s bag in the trunk, and got in the back seat.

“Let’s go.” Jack said in a stern voice, and the driver put the car in gear, and headed for the airport.

”What should I tell him about my absence?" Anna asked again as they headed out of the car park.

“Just tell them what has happened, and that you need some time off. If they have any problems with that, they can give this guy a call. He is the Associate Deputy Director.” Jack said as he handed Anna his mobile phone and a business card for the Associate Deputy Director. As Anna took the phone and card out of Jack’s hand, Jack thought he felt Anna’s fingers brush over the back of his hand. Jack dismissed the thought, and stopped the thoughts of sexual deviance before they formed.

 

[wideeyedone]

Anna took Jack's phone. One of the other agents had collected hers so that no one could track her with it. She dialed her principal's phone number. He had already seen on the news that her father had been killed. Anna choked a little as she told Mr. Brant that she would be taking a leave of absense. She quietly nodded and sniffed as she listened to the voice on the other end of the phone. She snapped the phone closed and handed it back to Jack after she was done.

She watched Jack as he drove, he seemed so calm and collected. He kept checking the mirror and Anna found herself wanting to look over her shoulder.

Instead she watched Jack.

"I am sure this isn't new for you. The other agent told me you were great at this sort of thing." She felt nervous and silly making small talk but the silence was deafening.

 

[Just4Fun_72]

Jack listened, and watched, as Anna rang her principal. His heart sank as he heard her choked, and sniffled. The phone snapping shut, echoed through the silence in the car, like a hot knife cuts through butter.

As Jack drove, he continually checked the mirrors, making sure there were no cars tailing him. He didn’t see anything suspicious in the mirrors, but he did catch Anna staring at him through his internal mirror. This bought a soft smile to his face. But he did not let Anna see.

"I am sure this isn't new for you. The other agent told me you were great at this sort of thing." Anna asked from the back seat, breaking the silence like a glass window smashing in the dead of night.

“I’m flattered. But I think of myself as a mediocre agent. I do my job, and right now my job is keeping you alive. So we are going to be together 24/7 for a while.” Jack said as he turned the car in to airport.

“When we stop Miss Driscoll, go straight in to the terminal, and I will get the bags. Wait for me near the American Airlines customer service desk. I will be right behind you.” Jack said as he started to pull the car up right out the front of the terminal.

The other agent escorted Anna in to the terminal, as Jack grabbed the bags out of the trunk. Once Jack entered the terminal, he walked up to the customer service desk and gave the other agent the keys to the car. “Take care Jack.” The other agent said as he walked away.

The customer service agent said “Can I help you?”

Jack pulled out his badge, and some paperwork, and explained that he needed 2 seats on the next flight to San Antonio. The lady tapped away on her keyboard, and soon after that she handed over some tickets. Jack pocketed tickets, picked up the bags, and said to Anna, “Follow me Miss Driscoll.”

Jack walked over to the check-in counter, checked their bags, and got their boarding passes. Once he had them, he took hold of Anna’s arm, and walked through the security gate. The security officers stopped Jack because he set off the metal detectors. Jack produced some papers, and sorted out the problem, and security allowed us to continue through.

Jack checked his watch and said, “We’ve got time for a coffee, if you’d like one, before we board the plane.”

 

[wideeyedone]

Anna kept hold of Jack's arm as they walked through the terminal.

"I am too jittery for coffee, but I would like to get something cold to drink and maybe buy a book. Is it going to be a long flight?"

The agent at the police station had her withdraw cash before she left, and made her promise not to use her debit card or any credit cards. She bought a paper back book and then they got a table at one of the cafes in the terminal.

Anna surveyed the crowd. She wondered if they looked like a couple, or perhaps colleagues. She was still dressed in her jeans and sweater. Jack looked polished in his dark suit.

Anna ordered an iced tea and began to thumb through her book. Anna got the oddest sensation as she was trying to read. She could feel someone's eyes on her, she felt a cold chill travel down her spine. She looked up and saw a man staring at her. She didn't recognize his face, but he looked angry.

"Jack..." She whispered. "that man..."

 

[Just4Fun_72]

Having Anna hold on to Jack’s arm as they walked through the terminal, caused Jack to smile inwardly, though he was fighting to keep that smile suppressed. It had been a while since Jack had had a lady hanging off his arm. The last time Jack could recall having a lady hanging off his arm, was when he was married, and that had ended 5 years ago.

"I am too jittery for coffee, but I would like to get something cold to drink and maybe buy a book. Is it going to be a long flight?" Anna asked, her voice still trembling from the shock of what she had witnessed.

“The flight from Washington to Texas is about 2 hours, so not that long at all really.” Jack answered, trying to make, and keep eye contact with Anna. But this seemed harder than usual because Anna’s eyes were darting all over the place, as if she was scanning the crowd. “Relax Anna. We are safe here. This is a secure area, everyone in here has been scanned, or they are security guards, or law enforcement officers.” Jack said trying to reassure Anna.

Jack ordered an iced coffee, and surveyed the crowd in the terminal, ever mindful of his job. As Jack surveyed the terminal, he noticed the colour drain from Anna’s face. Anna voiced trembled as she whispered ”Jack... That man...”

Jack casually turned his head, and spotted the guy instantly. There was a guy dressed in a white turtle neck pullover, a black suit, and had greasy slicked back hair. Jack recognised him as one of the henchmen belonging to the Scalabrini family. He was staring at Anna, and making no secrets about it. Jack grabbed Anna quickly, and marched straight to the security office.

The moment Jack opened the door to the security office, Jack barked “Get me your supervisor. NOW!” At the same time, Jack ushered Anna in to a chair and said to her “Don’t move till I come back and get you.”

A big burly officer came to the desk, “Can I help you?”

Jack flashed his badge, and briefed the security supervisor with an abridged version of events, and said to the supervisor, “I need 3 men, and I need them now.”

The severity of the situation seemed to register with the security chief, “Sure thing, Sir. Clark, Parry, and Thompson, with this officer now.” He barked over his shoulder.

After a very quick meeting, the four men disappeared out the door.

Jack immediately headed back to the food court, and scoured the area for the Scallabrini henchman. And sure enough, sitting exactly where he was when they left. Jack, and his trio of airport security officers, surrounded the guy. Jack identified himself to the henchman, and informed him that he was under arrest for suspicion of witness tampering.

The henchman tried stood up, and looked like he was going to surrender peacefully. Without notice the guy went to throw a punch, which Jack dodged, and countered, knocking him off balance, making it easy for the trio of security guards to subdue him. Once he was on the floor, and subdued, the henchman was handcuffed, and frog marched to the security office.

“Can you put this guy in a cell, and call the FBI they will come and take him off your hands. I’ll send you the paperwork when I arrive at my destination.” Jack said to the security chief.

“No worries Sir.” The security chief said with a smile.

Jack then turned to Anna, with a smile on his face knowing he had done his job, and offered her his hand to help her to her feet, and asked, “Are you OK Anna? I mean Miss Driscoll.”

 

[wideeyedone]

Anna was relieved when she saw Jack walk back into the little office. He didn't even look ruffled. Jack smoothed his jacket and offered her his arm. She took his arm and then walked with him to the gate. The flight looked like it was going to be pretty full. Jack chose seats with their backs to the wall, Anna enjoyed watching the people as they waited.

Anna watched the crowd, she didn't see anymore glowering faces or the faces of anyone she recognized.

"I teach high school-- history. " Anna offered trying to start a conversation. It felt a little awkward to sit in silence. "My class will be glad to have a sub tomorrow, they owe me term papers."

She laughed lightly. Anna curled up in the plastic chair doing her best to get comfortable.

 

[Just4Fun_72]

Jack enoyed walking arm in arm with Anna through the terminal, although he was busy scanning the crowd, looking for anyone out of place. As the reached the gate, Jack looked up at the monitor and saw the flight wasn't boarding yet, so he found a couple of seats against the wall, and ushered Anna into one of the seats, while he took the seat beside her.

Jack wanted to make conversation with Anna to ease the tension, but wasn't sure what to say, when he heard Anna say, "I teach high school-- history. My class will be glad to have a sub tomorrow, they owe me term papers."

Jack laughed for a second, and said "I used to love history. I enjoyed studying the wars, and the facts that shaped society into what it is today."

As soon as Jack finished his sentence, the PA system chimed followed by the announcement that their flight would begin boarding in about 5 minutes.

Jack looked at Anna and said, "I need to tell you something. In order for us to blend in, and maintain your protection, all reservations, from here on in have been booked under Mr and Mrs Oliveri. I hope you understand."

 

[wideeyedone]

Anna nodded. She had her mother's rings on her right hand. She moved the ring over to her left hand and then wiggled her fingers at him.

"I understand. And I will do my best to remember." Anna nudged him with her elbow and smiled playfully. "

Anna took Jack's hand. She wanted to blend in, she wanted to make Jack's job easy for him.

 

[Just4Fun_72]

Jack watched as Anna changed her rings from one hand to the other, and smiled softly at Anna.

"I understand. And I will do my best to remember." Anna said, made Jack feel warm inside, before he felt the sharp jab of Anna's elbow in his ribs.

Jack felt Anna take his hand, and interlaced his fingers with hers. "You do know that in the interest of your safety, we are going to be spending a lot of time together, and most of that will probably be spent in the hotel room. But then again, I guess if you want to do the touristy things, we can." Jack said with a hint of sterness in his voice.

Just then, a page came over the PA system "If Mr and Mrs Oliveri are in the terminal, please make themselves known to the staff at gate 36."

Jack looked Anna, with a stunned look on his face. He stood up, and then helped Anna to her feet, and they walked hand in hand to the counter at the gate. "We are Mr and Mrs Oliveri." Jack said with an air of curiousity in his voice.

"Mr Oliveri," The customer service agent said with a smile, "We understand your situation, and we have promoted you to first class, as we have overbooked our flight. If you would like to give me your boarding passes, you can board now." They continued.

Jack reached into his pockets, pulled out the boarding passes, and handed them over to the customer service agent. The customer service agent threw them in to the bin, and tapped furiously on his keyboard, moments later they handed over two new boarding passes. The customer service agent said, "Just head over to the gate, and scan your passes. The stewardess on the plane will seat you."

Jack and Anna did as they were told, and scanned their boarding passes, and walked down to the plane. As Jack and Anna were walking to the plane, Jack heard the first boarding call for their flight. "Makes you feel kind of important, doesn't it Anna?"

 

[wideeyedone]

Anna did her best to relax and they settled into their seats in first class. The flight attendant brought her a pillow and blanket.

"I just keep thinking about how things might have been different if I hadn't stopped by my dad's place last night. Maybe he would have been able to defend himself, or alert his protective detail if I wasn't there."

Anna knew she needed to keep it together. She closed her eyes and took Jack's hand again.

"Mr. Oliveri, where are we headed... are we travelling for business or pleasure?"

 

[Just4Fun_72]

Jack settled in to the aisle seat, that way he could keep an eye on Anna, and also anyone who would want to approach Anna would have to get past him. Jack smiled at the flight attendant when they handed over the pillow and blanket, and said "Thank you."

Jack sat, and listened to Anna as she started questioning her actions of last night. Jack patted her hand in a comforting way, and said "You can't blame yourself for what has happened. If that guy in the terminal had anything to do with what happened to your father, it was the work of professional. You are lucky to be alive."

Jack was taken aback slightly, and wasn't sure how to answer, when Anna said "Mr. Oliveri, where are we headed... are we travelling for business or pleasure?"

Jack smiled and looked at Anna and said "We are heading to Texas... As for the second part of your question, for me it is business, but considering the company I have, I wish it was for pleasure."

Jack lifted Anna's hand, and softly, playfully, romantically, kissed the back of her hand.

Jack checked his mobile phone before turning it off. He typed a couple of lines of text, and put his phone away. Jack then said to Anna, "I just got a text from my boss, we have a reservation at a nice hotel, right in the heart of San Antonio. It is called the Omni La Mansion del Rio Hotel. From what I have been told it is a very nice hotel, but because of the time frame, you will be sleeping in the queen size bed, and I will sleep on the lounge."

The first classs section of the plane was almost emptry, and the plane started to move backwards as it began to move to the runway threshold. Jack nervously looked at Anna and said "I hate take offs and landings, other than that I don't mind flying."

 

[wideeyedone]

Anna nodded as Jack reassured her.

"I just wanted to know what to say if someone asked me why I am travelling." Anna kept ahold of Jack's hand as the plane took off. The take off was smooth. Anna spread the blanket over her legs and snuggled into the seat. "I didn't sleep much last night. I may try to nap a little." Anna closed her eyes, tucking the blanket around her.

It didn't take long for Anna to doze off. The adrenaline from the scare in the terminal and the fear from the night before gave way to the exhaustion she felt. Anna slipped into a dream, she and her father were looking at her car. Then they were in the kitchen, she was fixing her father a cup of coffee. The gunshot was deafening. Her father made a horrible gurgling sound and then the gunman came through the door.

She woke up gasping, clawing away at the blanket.

 

[Just4Fun_72]

Jack didn't sleep on the flight. He was too mindful on his job. He kept looking at Anna, watching the way her hair fell over her face, watching her breathe, and looked at the way the blanket covered her body, and the curves under the blanket. Jack chastised himself for allowing himself to get distracted by Anna’s good looks.

Jack also watched as Anna tossed and turned in her sleep. Jack wondered what she was dreaming about. Jack was watching an infomercial on the planes monitors when the sound of Anna gasping snapped him back to his job. “Anna are you ok? You were tossing and turning in your sleep pretty badly.”

Anna looked like hell, he could see that she had had a bad dream. Jack didn’t know what to say, or what to do. Jack grabbed Anna’s hand and squeezed it in support, not saying a word. He just let her know that he was there for her. A flight attendant was walking down the aisle as Jack grabbed Anna’s hand. “Excuse me Miss, can I have a scotch and coke for my wife please.”

Jack looked at Anna and said quietly, “That should help you relax a bit. I hope you are ok with me calling you my wife.”

 

[wideeyedone]

Anna took the proffered drink and let the burn of the whiskey slide down her throat. She closed her eyes and sipped slow breaths.

"Being your wife is the best offer I have had in a while." She said as she opened her eyes and gave Jack a playful smile. She did her best to stay in that happy moment for the flight. She looked over at Jack, watching his warm eyes. He did seem really kind and truly worried about her.

She took his hand and squeesed it. "Thank you, Jack."

 

[Just4Fun_72]

Jack watched Anna as she sipped the whiskey, smiling contently.

"Being your wife is the best offer I have had in a while." made Jack’s smile even bigger, but seeing Anna smile back, made him melt inside.

Then Anna said, "Thank you, Jack.", which confused Jack.

“What are you thanking me for Anna? I’ve done nothing.” Jack said feeling somewhat confused. Not wanting to destroy the happiness Anna was experiencing, so Jack casually said, “I can’t wait to check in, I’m dying for a nice hot shower.”

Just as Jack finished saying that, the pilot came over the PA system on the plane, and announced the weather details for San Antonio, and advised that they were starting the decent to San Antonio airport.

“I just wish I could make you my wife. I would be the luckiest man on earth if you’d marry a guy like me.” Jack thought out loud, not meaning for Anna to hear him. Jack then looked at Anna again and said, “What would you like to do when we get to the hotel, Anna?”

 

[wideeyedone]

Anna didn't let go of Jack's hand.

"I want a shower... I want in my pajamas." Anna stretched in her seat. She thought for a minute. "Depending on what the weather is like in San Antonio, I might need to do some shopping. I didn't know where I was headed when they told me to pack a bag."

Soon the plane was touching down and they were waiting to taxi to the gate.

 

[Just4Fun_72]

Jack looked out the window as the plane got closer and closer to touching down, the closer they got touching down, the tighter Jack squeezed Anna's hand.

The words '... I might need to do some shopping...' cut through Jack like a knife. If there was one thing he hated more than flying, it was shopping, but he didn't let Anna know that.

As the plane touched down, and the plane shuddered, Jack was silently saying any and every prayer he could think of, not that he was religious, but he prayed nonetheless.

They were sitting on the tarmac, waiting to taxi to the gate, when Jack had a crazy idea. He looked at Anna, and leant forward so he was inches from her face, and said "So Mrs Oliveri, would you like to get the awkwardness of a first kiss over and done with?"

 

[wideeyedone]

Anna nodded when Jack offered to kiss her. She leaned in and brushed her lips against his. Just a light, soft kiss. But still she felt a shiver travel down her spine.

She laid her hand on Jack's arm as they kissed, as if to steady herself.

 

[Just4Fun_72]

The moment Jack's lips touched Anna's, his hand went around the back of Anna's head, and held it there, as he probed against Anna's lips with his tongue.

He felt her hand touch his arm, and the sensations of her touches, were sending his hormones crazy. Not to mention his cock had jumped to attention.

The kiss broke when Jack felt the plane move. "That was great Anna. I hope I can get more of those." Jack said half laughing.

 

[wideeyedone]

Anna felt herself blushing. She held Jack's hand as they departed the plane. She only had the one bag so they didn't have much luggage. In just a few minutes they were picking up the rental car and heading to the hotel.

 

[Just4Fun_72]

Jack drove from the airport, constantly checking his mirrors, making sure they weren't being followed. Jack didn't say much on the drive to the hotel. The only talking that took place in the car was the GPS giving them directions to the hotel.

When they arrived at the hotel, the valets opened the car doors, and said "Welcome to the Omni La Mansion del Rio, are you checking in today?"

Jack replied "Thank you, and yes we are checking in." As he opened the trunk of the car and got his and Anna's bags out.

The valet who opened Anna's door said "I'll take your bags for you." As he reached for the suitcases.

Jack shut the trunk, and handed over the keys to the other valet. "May I please ask your surname, Sir?" The valet said.

"Yes, it's Oliveri." Jack said, before lock arms with Anna and walking into the hotel.

Jack kept hold of Anna as they checked in. The receptionist took all the necessary details, and then handed over 2 keycards. "These are the keys for your Riverview Suites. Take the elevator up to level 4, and turn left, your room is up the end of the corridor. Is there anything else I can help you with Mr Oliveri?"

Jack took the keys, and slid them into the inside pocket of his suit jacket, as he said, "No thank you." And started to walked away from the receptopn desk. The receptionist was heard to say "Enjoy your stay with us Mr Oliveri."

Jack kept a hold of Anna until they were at the door to their room. Jack then opened the door, and took 2 steps in, and shut the door once Anna had entered the room. He whispered to Anna, "Stay here, I'm just going to check the room."

Jack put one hand into his jacket, and found his gun, he kept his gun holstered, but checked the bathroom, and the rest of the suite, before coming back to Anna, with a look of relief on his face, and said, "The room is safe. Come on, I'll give you the grand tour of our home away from home, until we hear otherwise." Jack said as he placed a hand on Anna's hip.

Jack led Anna around the suite, and laughingly showed her around the hotel room, finishing with a staged collapse on to the king size bed in the middle of the bedroom, pulling Anna down on top of him.

Jack was looking deep into Anna's eyes, when there was a knock on the door. Jack instantly pushed Anna off on to the bed, and placed his hand on his gun, as he headed out of the bedroom, closing the door behind him, before going to the door. "Who is it?" he demanded.

"It's your bags, Sir." the voice said from the other side.

Jack opened the door a little and peeked through the crack, to see a uniformed valet, with the bags on a trolley. "Bring them in and sit them over there." Jack said, his hand still resting on his gun.

The valet eyed the closed bedroom door, before heading back to Jack, and saying "I hope you enjoy your stay at the Omni La Mansion del Rio." Jack dug into his pocket, and pulled out a $5 note, and gave it to the valet, as he said "Thanks."

Once the valet had left, Jack closed and locked the door behind him, before returning to the bedroom. Jack stopped at the door, and knocked, before saying, "Are you decent?"

 

[wideeyedone]

Anna stayed on the bed and just allowed her thoughts to settle. She thought about Jack and his calm manner and soft kisses. Anna wondered if there was a real Mrs. Oliveri or a girlfriend in Jack's life. He was so good looking and she loved the way she felt safe with him.

"Get a hold of yourself, Anna." She whispered. This could just be part of the protection act. He could just be trying to make her feel at ease. The whole damned thing was surreal.

Anna listened to Jack talk to the valet through the door. She wanted to take a hot shower and get in her soft pajamas, but her bags were out with Jack. She knew she should wait for him to return.

She slid off her shoes and tucked her feet underneath her, trying to get comfortable.