Page 32 of A Moment Never Forgotten
She giggled. “No, I like mysteries and suspense. I’m big on whodunits.” She leaned forward and in a conspiratorial low voice confessed, “I have always loved Agatha Christie books. I read every book by Dan Brown but I don’t really care for Stieg Larsson or Lee Child. Stephen King scares the shit out of me, but I read his books anyway. I could go on but I’m curious, what kind of books you read?”
“Nonfiction. I’m currently on a Winston Churchill kick. That man is fascinating, at least to me.” He cut another kofte in half and soaked the meatball in the tomato sauce.
“Did you catch the documentary series on Churchill? I think it was on the History Channel.” She picked up her last doner, a pita pocket stuffed with lamb and vegetables, and took a messy bite.
“I don’t watch much television.” He gave her a self-deprecating grin. “Except for Jeopardy. That’s my go-to while eating supper.” He finished the last of his curried rice.
Nodding her head, she swallowed quickly. “Me too!” She sipped her tea to help it down. “I enjoy competing with the contestants. It’s a good thing I eat alone because I get kind of loud sometimes.”
“What else do you watch on TV?” He dabbed the corners of his mouth with a napkin before laying it on the table.
“I do watch the History Channel now and again, and I simply love cooking shows.” She drank the last of her tea before setting the small cup down. “Mostly, though, I prefer to read.”
Her cell phone buzzed. She’d turned off the ringer when she met Micah at the condominium so she could give her undivided attention to him. She ignored it.
Less than a minute after it stopped, it buzzed again. They obviously didn’t leave a voicemail.
“Why don’t you go ahead and take that. They sound insistent.” Micah looked away and signaled for the check.
When Berit pulled her phone from the outside pocket of her purse, she was astonished to see several text messages from Mak. He’d also been the one to call just then. Deciding to check the text messages first, she pressed on the screen but the phone shook in her hand. Mak. Again. Something must be terribly wrong.
“Mak, are you okay?” Worry flashed through her.
“Mom, thank Christ you finally answered.” He sounded desperate. “I need you to come to Virginia Beach, right now.”
“Mak, calm down.” She was using her best motherly voice, but it didn’t seem to be working.
“Mom, I mean it. I need you to leave right now and come to my house.”
“Mac, what’s the matter? Are you hurt?”
“No. I’m fine.” Then he corrected himself. “Well, my ribs are still broken but they’re healing. That’s part of the reason that I need you here. I have to report in tomorrow morning at zero five hundred. That’s why you have to be here before then.”
She heard several men’s voices yelling in the background.
“I gotta go, Mom. Bye. I love you.” But he didn’t hang up. “You’ll stay through the weekend, right?”
Before she could answer, Mak had discontinued the call.
“Berit, are you okay?” Micah’s voice sounded far away.
She didn’t know if she was okay. If her boy was in trouble, then no, she wasn’t anywhere near okay.
“I’m terribly sorry, Micah, but I’ve got to leave.” She scooted to the end of the booth. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but Mak needs me. I have to get to Virginia Beach as soon as possible.”
“You’re in luck. I’m headed there.” He stood and reached out his hand to help her up.
She stood on shaky legs, her mind racing in a hundred directions. She had to go home and pack a bag because he’d said that he needed her there over the weekend. She should call her boss and let him know that she’d be off a few days. What the hell else did she have to do? Berit was certain she was missing several steps.
Micah stepped into her personal zone and wrapped his arms around her. His big hand pressed her head against his shoulder. “Whatever it is, we’ll handle it.”
We? We’re now a we?
She tried to lift her head, but he kept it pressed to him. There was something very comforting about the way he held her. It was as though he was protecting her from anything bad.
But whatever it may be ahead for her and Mak, she had to get to Virginia Beach and face it. “Thank you for the offer but—”
Micah cut her off. “You’re in no condition to drive three and a half hours. I’ve already paid the bill. I’m going to follow you to your townhouse where you’ll change into comfortable clothes for traveling. I heard you mumble something about spending the weekend.”
