Chapter 5

Jo and Renata shopped for the things Jo needed for dinner after they browsed the craft shop and Renata chose a beautiful hand blown glass vase, captivated by its delicate, graceful curves. She also selected a hand carved wooden box to add to her collection of small boxes and bowls. It was something that her husband turned up his nose at, but she had always loved them, and she would never stop collecting them. A pair of dangly silver earrings caught Jo's attention, and Renata insisted on getting them for her. Jo was so pleased that she put them on immediately and Renata had to laugh when she saw that Jo was peeking at herself in the shop windows they passed by to see the sparkle as she turned her head. They had ice cream cones after their shopping was finished, and Renata had to admit it was the best ice cream she'd ever had.

When Jo drove out of town, she turned the opposite way from the route home and explained to Renata that she wanted to stop at a roadside produce stand. She selected some fresh vegetables and then said, "One more stop, and we'll head home. I just need some fresh eggs and I always get them over there." She pointed down the road and it was only when she drove up the driveway to another farm that Renata realized it was Gil Fletcher's farm.

Eyebrows raised, Renata said, "This is where you always get eggs?"

"Oh, yes," Jo said. "They're always fresh, and like you said, I like to shop local too."

"Huh." Renata wasn't fooled, but she gave a mental shrug. She had been curious after Jo talked about Gabe Fletcher the way she had. So she got out of the SUV and followed Jo to the house.

Gil came to the door and greeted Jo with a big grin. "Hi, neighbor. Need some eggs?"

"I do. Gil, I don't know if you remember, but this is my dear friend, Renata Wakefield."

Gil held his hand out for a hearty shake and said, "Well, sure I do. We've met a couple of times and, a'course, lately, I've seen you on TV a few times."

"It's very nice to see you again, Mr. Fletcher."

"Shoot, call me Gil. I'll walk out to the barn with you. I gotta say, Renata, you sure look different today than you do on TV."

Renata grinned. "I'm a lot more comfortable today, too."

The three of them walked to the barn, where they found a long table beside a sink and a refrigerator. There was a shelf above the table that held stacks of egg cartons. Gil opened the refrigerator, which was stacked with full egg cartons. "How many you want, Jo?"

"Give me four dozen," Jo replied. "I've got some cooking and baking to do, and you've got plenty in there. Your hens must be doing well."

"Yep, they're really laying right now." Just then the door opened, and a man stepped in, carrying two baskets. Renata had her back to the door, but she turned when Gil said, "Hey, son, come on in and meet some of the neighbors."

When Renata got a look at Gabe Fletcher, her heart did a little flip and her eyes widened. Jo hadn't been exaggerating about him; he was a sight to make her mouth water. A wave of warmth crawled across her belly and between her thighs and she felt her nipples tighten. Shocked at her own reaction, she actually stammered when Gil introduced them. She wanted to kick herself; she was always cool and poised and never at a loss for the right words. The look in his eyes only heightened her confusion. He looked very slightly amused, as if he knew exactly what reactions he was triggering in her. Renata couldn't get out of the barn quickly enough and, at the same time, wanted to stay near him for as long as possible. When she and Jo finally made their way to Jo's SUV, she slipped into her seat with a sigh of relief and regret.

"See?" Jo crowed. "I told you he was one hot hunk of man."

Renata felt a renewed rush of heat between her legs and realized that her panties were damp. Her cheeks were hot with shocked embarrassment, and she struggled to find the right words to respond with. Finally, she said faintly, "He's very nice looking."

Jo snorted and said, "That's an understatement if I ever heard one. He's drop-dead gorgeous and you know it!"

"Jo, did you get everything you needed on this trip?" Renata tried desperately to change the subject.

"Maybe I should invite the two of them over for dinner," Jo mused.

"Jo! What exactly are you up to?"

"Well, nothing. Just trying to be a good neighbor. I bet they'd enjoy a good, homemade dinner. I know Gil's no cook." Jo did her best to look absolutely innocent.

"Jo. I am married to a candidate for President of the United States. I don't need any other complications, especially the kind that could lead to any type of a scandal. So just knock it off."

Jo heaved an exaggerated sigh and grudgingly agreed. "But once all your craziness is over with and your plan has been carried out, all bets are off. I get free rein. Agreed?"

"Okay, agreed." Renata would have agreed to almost anything to get her to drop it. Jo hummed out loud the rest of the way home, enormously pleased with the way her own little plan had succeeded. As soon as the car was unloaded, Renata escaped to the stable and the company of the horses. Fortunately for her, Lee got there an hour later, and Jo didn't mention the Fletchers again for the rest of the evening.

At dinner, Lee quizzed Renata about the security situation for Logan and herself. He nodded his approval of most of it, offered a few suggestions, and spoke to the guard she'd brought, who had dinner with them. Once dinner was over, Lee and Matt, the bodyguard, went outside to talk freely over a beer.

"Geez, Jo, do you think Lee's a little overprotective?" Renata asked.

"He just wants to make sure nothing is getting missed," Jo said. "Take the extra input and use it to make sure you two are safe."

"I will, but I screen our guards and Lee taught me everything I know."

Jo nodded and said soothingly, "And so he feels responsible. Let him help."

Renata sighed. "You know I will. I'm grateful for it. I just want to forget about it for this week."

"Well, then, it's a good thing they're outside and not making you listen to every word of it."

"Okay, point taken. Let me help you with the dishes." Renata carried the stack of plates to the sink.

"How long has it been since you did dishes?" Jo asked with a wink.

"Since last night," Renata replied with a grin. "I haven't cooked anything in a couple of years, I'm pretty sure. I miss normal life."

"I don't know, I think I might enjoy getting away from normal life for a little while." Jo was teasing her.

"A little while is one thing; a lifetime is different. Someday my life is going to be a lot more simple, and I'm going to like it that way."

Jo set down her sponge and looked seriously at Renata. "Renata, I know you have a big plan here, but maybe it's not worth it. You could walk away, let it go, take your life back now. You don't have to stay on this path. Is it really worth it?"

Sudden tears threatened Renata and she ducked her head for a moment before she spoke. "It has to be. I can't let it go. These people are scum and they need to be caught. They need to pay for what they've done to so many innocent people. If I can make that happen, I can't walk away. And I've come too far. I can see it all falling into place. Sometimes it's hard, sometimes I need a break, but I can't quit. That's why I need this place so much. It gives me that break and that gives me the strength to go on."

Jo's eyes shimmered with her own tears and she said resolutely, "Okay, then. We're with you, every step of the way. And you better make damn sure that you call on us when you need us."

Renata embraced her in a fierce hug. "You can count on it. I need you both."

"You've got us. Now, let's enjoy the rest of your time here. I think we need wine when we're done with these "normal" dishes."

Renata nodded. "I could go for that."

The rest of Renata's week at Meadowbrook slipped by entirely too quickly, and she found herself on her last free day riding across the pastures and just enjoying the day, the horse, the fresh air and sunshine and quiet. She rode down to the big pond at one end of the farm and rode her horse at a leisurely walk, no sound but the insects and the birds. As she got closer to the water, she thought she saw someone at the edge of the pond. The little hairs on the back of her neck stood up and she stopped, undecided about what she should do. She had slipped away from Matt, so she was alone with her horse. After a full minute, she decided to go closer. As she did, she finally could see that it was a man fishing. Breathing a sigh of relief, she went on to see what the hell he was doing fishing at Meadowbrook. When she was close enough for him to hear her, he turned and looked her way, shading his eyes with his hand.

Renata sucked in her breath as she recognized the fisherman. It was Gabe Fletcher and her body had the same reaction it had had the first time she had laid eyes on him. "Are you lost?" she asked drily.

"Nope. Are you?" He had that same, slightly amused look on his face.

"No, I actually belong here, unlike you."

He laughed. "Looked like a good day for fishing. I've got an extra pole; would you like to join me?"

Exasperated, she said, "No, I'm just out for a nice, peaceful ride."

Gabe nodded. "All right, then, I won't bother you. Enjoy your ride." He turned back to the pond and tossed his line out again.

Renata's mouth fell open and she was speechless for a moment. Then her temper started to rise. "Excuse me, but exactly what are you doing, fishing here at Meadowbrook?"

"Oh, you worried that I'm trespassing?"

"Are you?"

Patiently, he explained, "Jo and Lee told me to help myself to fishing here anytime I want. The pond is fully stocked and rarely sees a fisherman. Lee's not patient enough for fishing. He can handle a two-day stakeout, but an hour of fishing drives him crazy. Good enough?"

She stared at him and finally said, "Are you always like this?"

"Like what?"

"Just…annoying. Are you always annoying?"

Gabe laughed again. "Can't say I've ever had anyone tell me that before, so I guess not. How exactly am I being annoying?"

"You just…you're just…annoying!"

"Ah, that explains it. Are you always so flustered?"

Renata's mouth fell open again. "I am not flustered! Nobody told me that you might be out here fishing. How was I to know that you had permission to be here?"

Gabe pointed out, "Well, you just asked me, and I just told you. Would you like a beer?"

"No! I wouldn't…well, that actually sounds good. I forgot my saddlebags."

"You want to come down here and join me, or do you just want to take a beer and leave?"

She stared at him and then said, "No, that would be rude." She got off her horse and dropped the reins, letting him graze. While he opened the cooler at his side and pulled two ice cold beers out, she let herself drink in the sight of him. He was tall and lean, with sandy hair and a fine stubble on his strong face, deep green eyes, and a chest made for leaning against, and as he bent over the cooler, she noted that he had a really fine ass. He handed her a dripping bottle and when their fingers touched, her mouth went completely dry. Truly flustered, she nodded her thanks and took a swig of the ice cold beer. He tipped his own back and then went back to studying her with that hint of amusement.

"So what's life like with the rich and famous?" he asked with a touch of sarcasm.

"It's boring and tedious and fake," Renata said with unexpected honesty. He actually looked surprised.

"Really. I thought you'd say exotic and exciting."

"Not to me. I'd rather be here any day." She had no idea why she was telling him the truth.

"So why do you do it?"

Her eyes darkened and she said simply, "I have to."

Gabe frowned, watching her closely and said, "Nobody has to. This is America; you're free to do what you want."

"Not me. I have something I have to accomplish and I'm going to do exactly that."

Gabe took a swig of his beer and noted her restless movement when she said it. "So, is your husband going to be president?"

She gave him a tight smile. "We'll see, won't we?"

"Do you want him to be president?"

"That depends on whether I need him to be."

Her answer was mystifying, and he cocked his head as he considered her words. "You're a very unusual woman, Renata. It seems like a simple question, do you want him to be president. You're working hard to make it happen, aren't you?"

She said simply, "Yes. It's what I need to do for now."

"When will you know if you want him to be president?"

"It depends on what happens." She said it with a shrug. "So what about you? Are you going to spend the rest of your life here on a farm?"

"Most likely. I've had my time in the big, busy world. I like it better here."

She looked squarely at him. "Then you understand when I say I like it better here."

He gave a little laugh and said, "Darlin', you're living in a world way beyond anything I ever lived in. I'm not sure how you get from there to here."

"I might not. But I hope I will." Renata tipped back her beer and finished it. Gabe stepped forward to take her bottle and she realized that he was a good bit taller than she was. "Thank you for the beer. Good luck with your fishing."

He was only inches from her, and he reached out to brush a strand of hair from her face. A shudder ran all the way down her spine, but not the kind of shudder she felt when Logan touched her. "Shall I give you a leg up?"

She stepped back, unable to speak, and he picked up her horse's reins for her. When she turned to place the reins around his neck, Gabe was right behind her, lacing his fingers together so she could step into his hands. She settled into the saddle and he grinned up at her and turned the stirrup so she could slip her foot into it.

"It was nice seeing you, neighbor." She thought his voice was like warm honey and she was sure she could feel the warmth of his fingers through the leather of her boot.

"I'm leaving in the morning," she said and immediately wondered why she had said it.

There was a flicker of disappointment on his face and then he stepped back. "Well, have a safe trip back."

She gazed at him for a moment longer and then turned her horse and rode away, leaving him staring after her. Renata couldn't stop replaying their conversation in her mind as she rode. She found it frustrating that Gabe Fletcher seemed to think that life was so simple; if you don't like how you're spending your life, stop doing it. Didn't he get that some people have a purpose? A responsibility? She couldn't just choose the life she liked best and walk away from what she was doing. She'd spent years getting to the place she was living today. She couldn't just change her mind; that would make all those years and all that work a complete waste. No, she had to go on and follow it to the end. Maybe life was simple for Gabe Fletcher, but it wasn't for Renata Wakefield.

Renata rode her horse into the barn an hour or so later and turned him over to Nick, treating him to a carrot before she went to the house for a long, hot shower. She'd packed most of her things before her ride and she had her thoughts back in order. She'd enjoyed her week of peace and relaxation and felt like she was ready to face the next phase of the campaign season. She'd only talked to Logan twice that week, although she had made her call each evening so that he couldn't say she'd disregarded his wishes. He was the one who hadn't been around to take her calls. It had suited her just fine.

All too soon, the evening drew to a close and Renata slipped into bed and back into her cool, poised persona. But the last image in her head before she drifted into sleep was Gabe Fletcher's hands, handing her a cold beer, brushing a strand of hair back from her face, holding her foot as she mounted her horse. She murmured softly and slept peacefully.