He stood in a hallway gesturing and talking to a couple of those same band members. Donovan whisked her along, barely letting her boots touch the floor. He didnt stop until her shoulder jostled Saxons upper arm. One lady friend delivered as ordered, the man announced.
It didnt surprise her to hear Saxon huff out an exasperated-sounding, Shes an old friend, not some item I ordered off a menu. As if to make a point, he swept her up and swung her around until excitement built inside Jewell like it had when they used to ride the Tilt-A-Whirl at the county fair. Then he unceremoniously plopped her down and went on talking to a young man holding a guitar.
Her stomach had yet to settle when Saxon again skewered Donovan with a glance. Speaking of menu, Im starved. Ask Carson to see if he can scare up a decent meal for two and deliver it to my bus before this town drops its shutters?
I cant stay, Saxon. I need to call around and find a room, Jewell said.
Her comment had Saxon frowning down at her.
The last band members moved on out a back door. When it opened, Jewell felt a damp wind whish along the hall. Courtesy of an outside light above that same door, she noticed rain flying in circles. The weather is definitely worse. I wonder how far away hotels or motels are.
Donovan acknowledged Saxons request for food. Then he, too, rushed out, calling loudly to the absent Carson. Suddenly she and Saxon were the only ones left in a theater where the few lights still burning began going dark one at a time.
His arm tightened around her waist. Damn, its really you! Believe it or not, you come to mind so often I first thought I imagined you standing in line. Im sorry I didnt have a minute before the show to do more than have Donovan find you a seat. This is only the second time weve had to shorten a show due to weather. However, our booking agent is responsible for battening down the hatches, so to speak. Come, well have a drink, wait for the food and catch up in my bus. Its parked out back.
Anchoring Jewell more firmly to his side, he moved them along the almost dark hall to shove open a door that seemed to stick. Once they emerged, driving rain and a battering wind jammed Jewells protest down her throat. Seriously, Saxon. Im not kidding about needing to locate a room.
Hunching his larger body around her, Saxon made a hard left turn and plowed on through fat raindrops striking them from all sides.
As the wind robbed her ability to speak, Jewell was unable to object when Saxon keyed some numbers into a pad near the front of a big, dark bus, then opened a door where steps magically appeared. She blinked water from her eyelashes after he rushed them in out of what was definitely deteriorating weather.
Saxon flipped switches until light fell from a series of wall sconces. That gave Jewell time to gather her jumbled senses enough to examine the interior of a vehicle that for all the world looked like a luxury apartment.
He dashed off, leaving her standing behind plush driver and passenger seats. She dripped on real tile that served as a foyer to a living room outfitted with thick beige-colored carpet. Saxon reappeared with two towels, one of which he offered her.
She set her handbag and the now-soaked free T-shirt on a side table and blotted her face and hair with the terrycloth towel. The hem of her shirt not covered by her jacket was also soaked. The hand towels wouldnt do much to dry either of them.
Saxon, I would love to have time to share a meal, but considering the number of people at the theater wholl be stuck in town, I really need to find accommodations. My hotel is in the heart of DC. I intended to return there after your show, but now thats out of the question. Wadding the towel, she clutched it nervously in front of her.
Are you afraid of me? Saxon abruptly asked.
What? No!
It looks like it from the way youre holding that towel like a shield.
Jewell scowled at the object and quickly relaxed her arms. Here. She tried to pass the towel back. Donovan said youd have an assistant find someplace for me to spend the night. Is there someone wholl do that?
A sharp rap at the door kept Saxon from taking the towel or responding. Before he reached the door, it flew open. A man dressed in a clear slicker gestured to Saxon by holding up two square takeout boxes. I hope you guys like lasagna. The only restaurant open was an Italian place. Even they were closing up. And Donovan said your friend needed a room. Im sorry, Sax, but two of us phoned around and couldnt find even an empty broom closet.
Saxon handed Jewell his wet towel so he could accept the boxes from the poor dripping fellow. Uh, thanks, Carson. Were you able to buy enough to feed you guys and the band?
Yeah, the restaurant owner was happy to have me take all remaining pizzas off his hands. If this is all you need, boss, Id like to get back before the others demolish it.
By all means. And double thanks for braving the weather.
The response was muffled as the other man shut the door with a loud bang that made Jewell jump.
Facing Jewell again, Saxon shrugged. You heard him. Maybe the storm will pass quickly. Im sure you heard me say earlier that Im starved. Unless youre full up, follow me to the table and Ill serve this while its hot. My kitchen and dining table are in the center of the coach.
The aroma from the food wafted up, causing Jewells stomach to growl loudly.
Saxon smiled for the first time since they were left alone together. That sounds as if youre plenty hungry, too.
Embarrassing but true. I went to examine a stallion Mark Watson wants to mate with his new mare. I got lost and missed lunch. Where shall I put these towels? Theyre too wet to set on any of your nice wood furniture. Looking around, she noted the cozy living room and its big-screen TV.
The kitchen counters are granite. Drop the towels there. If you want, you can wash up at the sink while I grab plates and utensils. So you came across country to check on a horse for Watson? Remember Rafe Laughlin? He came to one of my shows a few years ago. He said you were engaged. Was it to Watson?
Mark is older and happily married. I made this trip to speak to the Natural Resources Committee about buying a portion of Lelands land as a snowy owl refuge. Trailing in his wake, Jewell laid the towels on the countertop. Wow, this is fancy. I had no idea buses could be so swanky. She swept a hand around to take in stainless-steel appliances that included a dishwasher and wine fridge. She noticed it only because after setting out plates, napkins and silverware, Saxon got out a bottle of wine. Holding it out for her to see the label, he pulled the cork. Do you still prefer chardonnay regardless of what type of food is served?
Jewell saw it was a brand they sometimes used to buy as a treat after acing their college tests. Almost as quickly, she recalled if they indulged too much, their evenings usually ended in a sleepover. Back then not a lot of sleeping went on. I...still do prefer chardonnay. But only one glass with dinner. Hopefully, Ill get to drive back to DC later.
Doubtful from the sound of that wind. He set aside the cork and poured wine into two glasses. Lets sit and fill our plates. Then you can catch me up on whats happening in the lives of the old home crowd. Pausing, he studied her. I still cant believe youre here. If you only knew how many times I spotted someone with hair the color of yours in the crowd and my heart... Well, suffice to say, until tonight I was always wrong and disappointed.