Nowhere Safe

CHAPTER 32



Trish had removed her necklace, earrings, watch, shoes–twice–and had her shoulder bag searched by the time she found her coach seat on the airplane. She’d just gotten comfortable with her e-reader when the flight attendant walked up and told her there had been a mistake with her seat, to please follow her.

What else could happen today?

Trish bundled up her things and dragged her carry-on back down the aisle, worming her way forward between passengers stowing luggage in the overhead bins. The flight attendant stopped in the twelve-seat first class section, empty except for one passenger on the far side in the third row.

The flight attendant said, “We’re sorry for the inconvenience, but thought you wouldn’t mind swapping for this seat.”

Second row. Window. First class?

“I’d love to. Thanks,” Trish said, confused, but not complaining. She stowed her carry-on in the overhead and sat down into her new seat with a sigh.

This was more like it.

An attractive, early-thirties man with mahogany skin, short black hair and smiling gray eyes entered the cabin. He wore a lightweight brown leather jacket and business-casual clothes. First he visited with the senior flight attendant then stuck his head in the cockpit and joked with the pilot, then he moved to Trish’s aisle and took the seat next to her.

Not that she didn’t appreciate the unexpected upgrade, but weren’t there enough available seats in first class without him sitting next to her? He seemed to be a crew person so maybe they were expected to fill in the single seats.

She didn’t care. The guy had a great smile and everyone seemed to like him.

“Going to Atlanta for business or pleasure?” he asked, dimples flashing at her.

“Business. To a convention. What about you?”

“Actually, this started out as business, sort of, but it’s taken a pleasurable turn. I’m Hugh Cavanaugh, but everyone calls me Hugh.” He winked and extended his hand, flirting. After the week from hell and finding out Josh might be making time with Leanne, Trish’s female ego could stand a little stroking.

That wouldn’t change the emptiness she felt in her chest at the loss of Josh, but the distraction would be nice. Especially with someone attractive.

Staying away from men hadn’t worked so maybe she needed more experience. No harm in flirting when she was surrounded by plenty of people and it was going nowhere.

She returned Hugh’s smile and shook hands. “Patricia, but everyone calls me Trish.”

Over the next two hours, she discussed ReSolution and antique appraising, enjoying the freedom of being so far away from everything going on back home that she could pretend her life was as fine as she made it sound.

Hugh explained that he was employed by the airline they flew on, providing him with the opportunity to jump a flight when he needed to, like today.

When they reached the Atlanta airport, she deplaned ahead of Hugh and wished him a nice trip. Loneliness swamped her when she walked away, not because she’d taken an interest in Hugh, but he’d been so nice that all she could think of was Josh. She wheeled her little suitcase to the shuttle area and watched for the special service the convention had arranged. The airport bustled with activity outside in the brisk evening air.

Trish had just found her seat on the shuttle to the hotel when Hugh dashed up and jumped in.

He sat right next to her. Empty handed.

“No luggage?” she asked, suspicion creeping up her spine.

“I don’t have a layover, just making a quick stop at the hotel and if everything goes as I expect there I’ll head out right away.” He beamed a sexy smile at her. “Wouldn’t mind a layover, though.”

She began to worry about the coincidence of Hugh’s ending up at the same hotel. But thousands of people were staying at that hotel and not all would be attending her retail show. Still, she shifted around in her corner seat, so that she had a view of the shuttle door, but also faced Hugh and could see if he made any sudden move. By the time the shuttle parked under the hotel canopy, lights outlined the streets.

Would the stalker be so bold as to sit right next to her on a trip? Hugh didn’t give her the creeps, but how many times had an axe murderer been described as a nice person who everyone liked?

And what about her misreading Josh?

Like she needed a reminder?

She wouldn’t drop her guard, but in reality, too many days of terror could have her imagining things. She would not allow this spineless, faceless stalker to undermine her confidence. Every man was not out to kill her and she was being very careful, staying with a crowd of people at all times, but maintaining a bigger bubble of space around her than usual.

Except for Hugh.

Josh might disagree, but she hadn’t broken her word.

She’d love to see his face when he realized she’d beaten him at his own deceitful game.

Ever the gentleman, Hugh helped her from the shuttle when it reached her hotel and he accompanied her to the check-in desk, chatting with the staff as if they’d been friends for years. Still, she moved her suitcase to her other hand so it would roll between them, to give herself a little more distance. He didn’t really concern her, but this was no time to get chummy with a stranger from an airplane.

She saw him glance down at her suitcase, then he winked at her and moved a half step further away, as though he sensed her caution. Nice. Hugh was adorable and charming, but still, all she could think about was Josh.

Damn him for waking up her heart then breaking it.

The line to check-in was daunting, but the hotel manager spied Hugh and came around the desk to shake his hand. “Mr. Cavanaugh. So nice to see you again.”

Trish waited for old-times week to pass. This obviously was not his first visit, which helped to ease her misgivings about the coincidence.

She tried to dismiss Hugh again. “Thanks for your help, Sug. I’ve got to get in line.”

“That’s not necessary.” Hugh guided the manager’s attention back to Trish when he suggested, “Let’s take care of the young lady first.”

Really? Trish took a step back and Hugh cocked his head to the side just a little. She swore she saw something flicker in his eyes that bordered on surprise and maybe..respect?

Hugh was a frequent customer at this high-end hotel. Good friends with the manager. First name basis with airline pilots. She clicked through her checklist for assessing a person and he passed every test. Except Arnie taught you there’s no such thing as coincidence. Okay, fine. But she could see no obvious danger in taking advantage of a small break. “Thanks. I am kind of tired.” Feeling a little guilty over getting ahead of that long line, but not enough to turn down the perk, she gave the manager her name and placed a charge card on the counter.

“Oh, Miss Jackson, yes. Your room is ready.” The manager fell all over her. He handed her charge card back with a keycard to the room and called for someone to go with Miss Jackson to make sure everything was acceptable.

Miss Jackson this and Miss Jackson that.

Thank you, Hugh. She could get used to the royal treatment.

Okay maybe she’d been pissed and pushed the edges of her promise to “not take chances” when she’d decided to travel alone. She’d been training this past year so that she could take care of herself on her own. But Josh hadn’t given her enough credit to even think she could make it to Atlanta on her own. He’d made one heck of a show of concern over her safety and she’d bought it. Had found it, and him, endearing.

But she felt smothered enough at home in Ft. Lauderdale. She didn’t want somebody playing bodyguard here.

Hugh told the desk manager, “Your people are slammed. I’ll show Miss Jackson where her room is on my way up to the restaurant.”

Her comfort level took a nosedive. Not okay, not okay, not okay. She opened her mouth to state flatly that she’d rather go alone, but the look of relief on the manager’s face, and the big smile he gave Hugh made her stop short. The manager said, “That would be a huge help, if Miss Jackson approves.” Both men turned questioning looks at her.

Shit. There were cameras all over the building. And the manager knew she was here, knew where she was going and who was escorting her. No stalker would be stupid enough to try something under those circumstances.

And she’d leave Hugh at the elevator. She would not let him follow her to her room.

Her heart thumped hard all the same, and she chose the elevator that was already half full, rather than the empty one. Once again, Hugh cocked his head sideways at her. She swore he was sizing her up.

On the eighteenth floor, the entire group of people exited the elevator car and the door closed before Trish could tell Hugh goodbye. With the entire noisy, laughing group going down the hallway toward her room, Trish figured she was as safe as she was going to get. And she’d really rather not offend Hugh after he’d been so nice. Maybe she’d call the manager, make an excuse, and request a room change so nobody knew her room number except hotel staff. Hugh took the handle of her suitcase and continued charming her all the way down the corridor. When she paused by the door, and said thanks, he returned the handle of her luggage and backed away.

Perfect gentleman. She’d likely been paranoid for no reason, but still, she would not unlock the door while he stood there.

Once he walked away, she keyed the lock and took two steps through the doorway and froze, shocked at the layout. She wheeled around and yanked the door open, headed for the hallway. “There’s been a mistake,” she said, and Hugh turned around. “I booked a standard room, not a suite.”

“No mistake, Trish,” a male voice boomed from behind her.