Beautiful Music (9 page)

She smiled…a smile that wasn’t forced because, maybe, just maybe he finally understood. He would give her the time she needed to make sense of everything that was changing in her life.

Chase turned on the radio for the ride home. He was quiet and she didn’t question the silence. She had time to think and guessed that was his intention. He
wanted
her to replay the evening in her mind. He was getting his wish. That’s all she could think about—the dance, the walk on the beach, his lips on hers…as Chase pulled into the driveway Jena faked a yawn.

“You’re killing my ego,” he joked.

“Sorry. Take the droopy eyes as a compliment. The fresh air did me good.” She was intent on avoiding another romantic moment.

He moved toward her, his arm lying across the seat behind her. There was no escape and her heart thudded rapidly in her chest.

“Think about what I said.” His lips brushed softly against her cheek.

“I will,” she said barely above a whisper.

“Promise?”

“I promise.” Her eyes kept wandering to his lips.

He stirred something in her she barely remembered existed. The yearning in the pit of her stomach confirmed she wanted more than possibilities. Jena could no longer resist the urge. She gently ran her index finger across his lower lip. She focused on the sensation. She swallowed hard, shocked by her need, even more shocked by her willingness to satisfy that need. Pulling his face gently to hers, she brushed her lips across his. She heard him groan, but he barely moved. The kiss was soft, gentle, and somewhat reserved. Jena didn’t unleash the passion she was battling. She was frightened of where it might lead. As their lips slowly separated Chase rested his forehead against Jena’s. She closed her eyes and sighed.

“I should go in,” she reasoned.

“I’ll walk you to the door,” Chase responded in a low voice.

Jena waited as he came around and opened the door. They paused for a moment as he helped her down. His hand cradled her head as his mouth covered hers in a sweet possession Jena hadn’t experienced since the last time he kissed her, all those years ago. This was different somehow. She responded as he knocked the wall down she had built to protect herself.

She stepped away from him and said awkwardly, “Thank you for dinner.”

“You’re welcome.”

Why did everything he say make her blood boil with urgency?
Go inside now…alone.

Chase accompanied her to the door, grasping her hands in his. They were silent like two teenagers under the porch light. A thought amused her. She wanted to grab him by the arm and drag him up to her room. A nervous giggle escaped as she enjoyed the mental picture.

“What? Care to share the joke?”

“Not this one, well, not tonight anyway,” she conceded with some embarrassment. Jena fumbled through her purse for her key and opened the door. “Goodnight, Chase.”

“Goodnight, Beautiful. Sweet dreams.”

Jena quickly shut the door and leaned against it for support. A smile crossed her face. Her knees were weak and her blood was rushing through her veins. To her amazement she was happy. How long had it been since she had experienced anything close to happiness? Longer than she realized. She exhaled and made her way up the stairs.

By the time she entered her room the smile had faded and her mind was full of doubts and regrets. What was she thinking? How could she be so stupid? She couldn’t do this. A rock star and a lawyer didn’t mix. They were from two different worlds. He traveled the world and she barely left her office. She was asking for trouble. They had absolutely nothing in common besides their niece. She would have to explain to Chase in the morning. She had gotten swept away by all the memories, the scenery, and the jealousy. Jena had made decisions in the past with her heart. Look where that got her. No, she would continue to live her life lead by her brain. She would have to make him understand.

Chapter Thirteen

Jena switched on the bedside lamp with a conflicted heart. Sitting on the edge of the bed she replayed the events of the evening. She lifted her hand to her lips, outlining the memory of his kiss with her fingertips. She realized she was smiling.

Why couldn’t she be normal? Planning her life on a sheet of paper was not normal. She knew that, so why couldn’t she change?

Jena sighed with frustration as she removed her shoes and folded her legs under her. Staring at the wall, she realized she couldn’t stay here. These feelings were making her crazy. She had to get back to her life in Ohio. Her promotion awaited her, and she worked hard to be where she was. She would admit her life was structured, careful, and logical—this was who she was. Trying to change would be disastrous for all three of them.

Her head was spinning as she went to the dresser for her nightgown. She would explain to Chase he was better off. She wouldn’t fit into his world. Sometimes love wasn’t enough. Someone like Mia would be better for him. She was sure of herself, beautiful, and sexy—all things Jena couldn’t be. Climbing into bed she wiped tears from her eyes. Better a few tears now than all the pain later. Shutting off her lamp, she was convinced she was making the right decision for everyone as she rolled over, prepared for a sleepless night.

The blasting noise of the home alarm system jarred Jena from her fitful sleep. Adrenaline coursed through her veins and she shook violently. Her mind wouldn’t focus. What was going on?

Cautiously she opened the door and entered the hallway to find her niece standing before her wide-eyed.

“Andrea, go back to your room and lock the door,” Jena whispered shakily. “Do not open it unless it’s Mrs. R., me, or Uncle Chase. Do you understand?”

Her niece nodded silently and ran for her room. Jena would not focus on the tears that slid down Andrea’s face or the trembling of her bottom lip. No, she had to focus on keeping them safe.

Jena waited until she heard the clicking of the lock before she slowly descended the steps, keeping close to the wall. A noise drew her attention to the front of the hallway. Fear rose in her throat as her entire body shook. She focused on the doorknob, willing her eyes to adjust to the darkness.

The knob jiggled. Someone was trying to get in! Jena ran, shadowed in the darkness, to the fireplace and grabbed the poker. She was nowhere near a phone. She frantically waited and prayed the alarm company had made the call to the police. Her heart thumped in her throat as she stood motionless in the eerie quiet of the living room. The kitchen door slowly opened with a creaking sound. Jena whirled and clutched the poker tightly. The room was dark, but the nightlight from the kitchen outlined the intruder.
Oh, dear God, they’ve come in the back.
A shadow emerged. Her ears strained as she prayed for the sounds of police sirens. She heard nothing. Should she stay hidden or turn on a light to scare them away? She would not let them climb the steps toward Andrea. Jena flipped on the light and almost passed out with horror.

“Oh, dear God in Heaven, where did you get that?” Jena gasped as she faced Mrs. R., holding a shotgun, barrel pointed to the ceiling.

“From the gun safe,” she replied tersely in a low voice.

“The gun safe?”

“That’s what I said. Now, move out of the way,” Mrs. R. demanded in a low voice.

“Mrs. R., you’re going to hurt someone with that,” she shrieked.

“That is my intention if someone busts through that door. Now move!” she ordered.

“You could kill someone. P-l-e-a-s-e put that away,” Jena begged. “Guns make me nervous. Did my sister know that was in the house?”

“Jena, dear, this isn’t the time for a talk on disclosure. Someone wants to harm this family and this chunk of metal’s gonna prevent that. I really don’t think that fire poker’s gonna do the job.”

Jena lowered her weapon with a ragged sigh. “I’d rather have a deadbolt and a Doberman.”

“Both unreliable.”

Jena bit down on her lower lip praying the police would arrive before Mrs. R. accidentally shot someone. This couldn’t be real. Her housekeeper was standing at the ready with a fierce look on her face, while Jena trembled in the shadows. “Mrs. R., you’re making me really nervous.”

“These things make me nervous too, but I’d be more nervous knowing I was the one without it.”

Jena paced wildly. Hysterical was only a breath away. She was going to be sick. She had to know if someone was out there. Turning on a light, she went to the window.

“My God, girl! Have you gotten your street smarts from
Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood
? Turn that light off!”

Jena quickly extinguished the light. Was Mrs. R. moonlighting as an undercover agent? The sweet housekeeper had turned into SWAT. The flashing lights caught Jena’s attention as the phone rang.

Mrs. R. answered, still holding her position. “Hello. I understand. Will do.” The housekeeper nodded toward the door as she flipped a light switch to the outside. “Open the door, Jena. There’s an officer on the other side. Well, he’d better hope he is,” Mrs. R. added with a grumble as she hoisted the shotgun.

Jena glanced over her shoulder and Mrs. R. nodded. She slowly opened the door to find a uniformed officer staring back at her. Jena hadn’t fully exhaled her sigh of relief before he grabbed and shoved her behind him.

“Drop the weapon!” The officer yelled with authority.

“NO!” She’s with me!” Terror shook Jena to her core.

“Lighten up, son, I’m not about to shoot the good guys.” Mrs. R. handed him the weapon.

“I appreciate that,” he responded while unloading the shotgun keeping a wary eye on the housekeeper. “Do you know how to shoot one of these?”

Uh-oh. Jena closed her eyes waiting for the explosion.

“Boy, I’ve been shooting a gun before you were a star in the sky. Used to hunt with my Pap. Would you care to try to outshoot me?” she challenged.

The officer grinned. “That won’t be necessary.” He turned to Jena. “We have a suspect in the back of the cruiser, says he knows a Jena Shea living in this house.”

“That’s me,” Jena replied with a nervous squeak.

“One of my men found him lurking in the backyard. Said to tell you his name is Chase. You want to see him here or in a lineup?”

“Chase?” Jena replied in disbelief. “I’ll see him here. Where is he?”

“Follow me.”

“I’ll go get Andrea and tell her the fun’s over,” Mrs. R. replied, muttering all the way up the stairs about Chase losing his mind.

Jena wondered the same thing. She pulled her robe tightly around her and followed the officer to the police cruiser.

Another officer stood beside the car as Chase sat with feet on the asphalt looking annoyed.

“Do you know this man?” he asked her. “Says he’s your boyfriend.”

Jena narrowed her eyes at Chase. “Does he now? He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Jena…” Chase sent a warning glance her way. “Tell them I’m not the bad guy.”

“Oh, okay…he’s not the bad guy, but he’s not my boyfriend either.” She wanted the record clear.

Nodding toward Chase with a suspicious glare, the police officer said, “We found him in the backyard with a flashlight.”

Jena turned her attention from the officer to Chase, folding her arms in front of her waiting for an answer. Why would he try to get in at this hour? And why wouldn’t he use his key? Then she remembered how she complained about him letting himself in. Still….why would he break in? He knew there was an alarm.

Ignoring the officers, Chase explained, “Andrea called. She was terrified. Told me someone was breaking in the house and you were downstairs. I went out of my mind rushing over here. I saw you and Mrs. R. through the window.” He stopped to shake his head. “I didn’t care to get shot by the housekeeper, so I took a look around. That’s when the cops, I mean officers, found me.”

“You weren’t very cooperative,” the officer accused.

“I was frantic. This is my family.” Jena’s heart softened at his possessiveness.

“I can understand that,” the officer said as he helped Chase from the back of the car.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Jena attempted to hide the smirk while he was released from the handcuffs. “If I wasn’t worried about who was trying to get in the house I would be enjoying this very much.”

Mrs. R. and Andrea came up beside her. “Hey, Uncle Chase, what did
you
do?”

“Nothing. Just a misunderstanding,” he huffed as Andrea stared at him in amazement.

“Well, I’ll go start a pot of coffee,” Mrs. R. turned to the burly guy in a suit. “I suppose you’ll be grilling us for a while.”

“Wouldn’t mind a cup, and make it strong.” He followed Mrs. R. to the house with Andrea on his heels pummeling him with questions.

Jena’s eyes followed them. “That’s the detective that came to the house about Jasmine. I think his name is John Burrows.”

She turned to Chase when he didn’t respond and found him staring at her. “Chase, are you okay?”

“Jena, I have never been so scared in all my life.” His eyes bored into hers.

“We’re fine,” she was surprised by the emotion in his voice.

“If anything would have happened to you and Andrea…”

“It didn’t,” she reassured him. “Nothing happened.” Jena noticed the neighborhood peering out of their windows and folded her arms in front of her. “Let’s go in. I suddenly feel on display.”

Chase wrapped a protective arm around Jena’s shoulder as they walked to the house. No matter how much she didn’t want to admit it, his presence always comforted her. With one touch he could wash away her fears. A battle existed between her head and her heart. Why wouldn’t her heart listen to her head?

Chapter Fourteen

The commotion coming from the kitchen was immediately apparent. Jena needed a moment with him before they were sucked into the chaos. “Could I talk to you alone, Chase?”

“Sure.”

“I just need to know…did you try and come in the front door? Turn the doorknob?” She silently prayed he would say yes.

“No, Jen, that wasn’t me.”

“I heard a noise, then saw the doorknob moving when I came downstairs. I guess the alarm scared them off. To make matters worse, Mrs. R. scared the daylights out of me with that shotgun.”