Page 47 of Two Hearts' Ploy

At around eight, Sam walked into the kitchen, prepared to explain the security setup, which was all good to go.

As Sam got ready to take off, he turned to Jeff. “You’ve got a really great place here. I remember when you lost your leg, how sorry I felt for you.” Sam grinned. “I shouldn’t have. If I’d have been in your place, I would have never been able to handle it. We need to hang out again sometime. Why don’t we ever do that anymore?”

“I’d like that, Sam. I don’t know. I guess it’s my fault that I’ve kind of been a recluse every time I’ve returned to town. That way I don’t have to think too hard about the future.”

“Well, now that your house is pretty much finished, you should have more time, even when you’re teaching or working at Eve’s studio.”

“I promise I’ll give you a call sometime,” Jeff replied.

“Good,” Sam said, handing over a couple sets of keys. “Since I think the security is here for a reason, especially since Jake Loughlin’s involved, I won’t count on hearing from you for at least a couple of months.”

“That would be about right,” Jeff agreed, grinning.

Sam rolled his eyes. “I’ve never seen anyone with as much drama in his life as Jake Loughlin. It’s like he’s drawn to it.”

“Tell me about it. He and Dad have been best friends since I was a kid.”

They laughed as Jeff led Sam through the house to the door, since he was ready to leave himself.

* * *

Jeff wasn’t sure why he’d expected awkwardness between them today, but it wasn’t like that at all, he realized when Wren walked out from inside the Inn, smiling.

“Jake told me to do as much shopping as I’d like at the Inn. I can’t wait. He’s going to be covering my purchases and also made sure that I’d have access to as much cash as I need since he’d prefer I wouldn’t use credit,” she admitted, stepping inside his truck. “Did you get all your security installed?”

“I did. But I’ll go ahead and have another surveillance camera connected overlooking the lakefront if I somehow manage to get the sunroom built while you’re still living at the house,” he replied. “And the workout equipment is supposed to be delivered this afternoon.”

“Almost good to go then. Jake said that it might be better for me to stay at the Inn for the whole week because he’s working on a plan. He’s hoping to have everything in place before I leave.”

“I almost hate to admit this, but I’ll probably have your demos ready sooner if you wait to move in,” he replied, smiling, trying not to show his disappointment. “I didn’t get much sleep last night, and you’re probably going to be a big distraction for me when you’re around.”

She laughed loudly. “I told you so. I managed to get a little more sleep last night, but I suspect it was because I didn’t get much the night before.”

“Okay, so let’s concentrate on your music this week. Maybe we can have lunch together though, if you’d like, even go to thebeach before I drop you off at the Inn. When you’re staying at my place, we can probably get away with doing more – say go out on the lake in the cruiser, maybe eat dinner in another town nearby, or even hit a few antique stores that I know about.”

“Yes. I’d love that. I’ll focus on my music – get in a little more practice on piano and guitar. Didn’t you say something about me performing some of my own instrumentals?”

“I’m positive that your audience would appreciate it. I’ve never known you’ve had the potential to do more than dance with your vocals, as great as your performances are. You’re a fabulous songwriter too, you know,” Jeff said, pulling into the studio parking lot.

“I’m finally beginning to believe you,” she said, smiling. “Especially since you’ve mentioned it a time or two.”

Reaching over, he cupped her chin, giving her a sweet lingering kiss.

A few minutes later, they headed inside the studio.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Wren and Jeff spent the remainder of the week more or less dating as they concentrated on the work at the recording studio, while Jake, along with Marc and her agent Mike, worked on a plan to trap whoever was after her. It would be tricky to try and arrange the perfect setup with an influx of individuals arriving – first the advisors who’d be directing and producing both the video and single –Searching– which they’d decided to try and release within a month after production, and then a few other directors from her label would more than likely show if they decided to film more videos in Crystal Rock.

The video would also require multiple wardrobe and makeup changes, so Wren’s go-to stylist along with her hair and makeup artist should probably be included in the invitation to Crystal Rock, she decided. She’d mention that to both Marc and Jake. Maybe the sooner the better, since Wren might also require some new looks that would need to be developed for the filming. And she would like some of her former backup musicians to be invited if they were available. Some of the vocals they recorded would still be reminiscent of her hits from the past, because after all, that’s what had won her the Grammys.

Finally, the day she would be moving into Jeff’s had arrived. She’d already had Jeff take most of her things along with him during the week so that her move wouldn’t be obvious. Jake had decided that it would be better if no one saw her traveling with Jeff back and forth to his house for now – although why she wasn’t sure. She’d still be working at the studio during the next several weeks, so people were bound to notice anyway.

It was late afternoon, and Jeff would be arriving soon so they could have a quick talk with Jake before Jeff followed Wren as she drove over to his place in her SUV.

Jeff walked into the lobby just as Wren stepped out from the elevator.

“Fancy meeting you here,” he said, grinning.

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