Sealed with a Kiss, Leeanna Morgan [black authors fiction .txt] 📗

Two weeks later, Rachel opened one of her student’s workbooks. Emma had written a story about what she’d done during her Christmas vacation. Although it didn’t involve death threats, international espionage, or the FBI, it sounded as though her family had enjoyed their vacation in Idaho.

It was more than Rachel could say. John had tried to contact her after she’d left Tess and Logan’s home. After five days of ignoring him, he’d finally got the message and stopped calling her.

She needed time to sort out her life. John Fletcher’s allergic reaction to relationships wasn’t going to be her problem. She had a new job, great friends, and thanks to teaching Bella, a healthy down payment for her first home.

Someone knocked on the classroom door. Rachel looked up and smiled at Tess. She was wearing a beautiful bright red jacket with knee-high black boots and a fluffy hat. Whether she wanted to or not, she looked exactly like the supermodel she’d once been.

“Are you nearly ready?”

“I’ll be one minute and then I’m all yours.” Rachel stuck a big yellow smiley face on Emma’s workbook. “Does Logan know about his surprise birthday party?”

“Are you kidding? Logan is the typical Capricornian male. If I’d told him about the party, he would have wanted to organize everything himself. This way, it’s still a surprise.”

Rachel looked at the time. The cleaning staff would set the security alarm at six o’clock, so she could walk out of the school with a clear conscience. “Thanks for picking me up. This was the only day the garage could service my truck.”

“It helped me, too. Logan didn’t want to go anywhere tonight. At least this way I can say that going out to dinner was your idea and not mine. If you need a ride to the garage in the morning, let me know.”

“I’ll be okay. Someone’s driving my truck back to my apartment.” Rachel put the workbooks away and grabbed her jacket and bag from beside her. “Let’s collect the birthday boy up before he gets suspicious.”

“Have you worked out what you’re going to say to Logan?”

Rachel smiled. “I’m going to tell him the truth. You told me it was his birthday and I’d like to take you both out for dinner. It’s my way of saying thank you for letting me stay with you.”

Tess looked impressed. “I like it. I’ve been worried all day that someone will say something to him and ruin the surprise.”

“At least he’s still on vacation and away from the office.”

“But he’s still working. Dan emailed him some information about the company who sent John the death threats. The guys that were extradited were involved in some nasty stuff. They’ve kidnapped people before to get what they want.”

Rachel stopped in the middle of the hallway. “I thought John was overreacting.”

“Not even close. Kidnapping, extortion, and bribery were common practice among some of the executives. Dan said there’s going to be a lot more arrests before the case is closed.”

Rachel took a deep breath and kept walking. “Is John okay?”

Tess put her hand on Rachel’s arm. “What happened between the two of you? He came into the café yesterday and asked how you were.”

“I haven’t spoken to him since I left your house.”

“But that was two weeks ago.”

“He doesn’t want a relationship with me. At least not one that involves any commitment.” She opened the front doors to the school and waved Tess through. “Where did you park your SUV?”

“It’s over here.” Tess started walking toward her vehicle. “I don’t know what John’s thinking, but I can tell you one thing. The only time I’ve ever seen him smile is when he’s with you.”

“At least he was honest about not wanting to be in a relationship,” Rachel muttered. “He could have strung me along for another six months before telling me. No one knows what happened between us, except you, and that’s all that matters.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want to repeat what happened last year. My name was on the front page of the community Facebook page for over a week. If I thought kissing Jeremiah’s cousin was bad, sleeping with a billionaire would be worse. Especially if I became the jilted girlfriend.”

Tess unlocked her vehicle and they got inside. “Think about how John must feel every day of his life. You’re worried about our town’s Facebook page. If John shows an interest in anyone, it would probably make the entertainment section of the New York Times. Maybe it’s not only himself that he’s protecting, but you.”

“And Bella.” Rachel sighed. “She’s such a great kid. She painted me a picture and brought it to school today.”

Tess started her SUV and drove out of the parking lot. “She likes you.”

“I like her, too,” Rachel said softly. But it wasn’t enough. She missed John, but she knew he wouldn’t change his mind.

He was an adult who knew what he wanted, and it wasn’t her.

John walked into Charlie’s Bar and Grill, wondering what on earth he was doing here.

His brother waved his arm in the air from across the room.

That was what he was doing here. Grant had told him he needed to get out more, meet people that didn’t shoot other people for a living.

Even though Grant’s description of what John’s team did was over-the-top, he got the message.

Grant was standing beside Logan Allen, catching up on what John hoped had nothing to do with Oracom. “Glad you could make it.”

“Are you reminding me that I’m late?” John asked.

Grant looked at his watch. “Only by twenty minutes. Practically a world record for you. I bought you a drink.”

John took the can of soda out of Grant’s hand. “Thanks. I think. Is there something you’re not telling me—like I’m the nominated driver for tonight?”

Grant shook his head. “I brought my own truck and I’ll be driving safely home in it. The soda is a precautionary measure. You’re going to need all your wits about you tonight.”

John didn’t know what his brother was talking about.

Logan picked up his glass of beer. “Did you read the article in today’s newspaper?”

John nodded. “How did you find out who the executives at Oracom were? The FBI and the CIA were supposed to keep those details confidential until the trial.”

“It wasn’t too difficult.”

John popped the tab off his can. “Thanks for not mentioning my name.”

“There were enough leads to make the story interesting. The other people were more than happy to talk.”

John looked along the bar. “Where’s your wife? Newlyweds are supposed to stick together like glue.”

Logan smiled. “Scoff all you like, but I can highly recommend married life. And for the record, Tess is behind you.”

John turned around and nearly choked on the soda he’d swallowed. Rachel and Annie were walking toward them. Rachel had a smile on her face until she saw him. She glanced over her shoulder and that’s when he noticed Tess.