Chapter 53
"Daddy – is it okay if I go down to the woods and fill the birdfeeder?" Emma loved her Grandma and sister but she needed to go outside. "I won't go any farther than the edge of the woods – I promise."
Patrick was sitting at a picnic table in the back yard holding Hope and hesitated. The reason that this safe house was perfect for them is that there weren't cameras or guards all over the place. Emma was smart and she would have figured out in five seconds flat that something was wrong if she saw all that. Instead there was a secure fence with cameras surrounding the perimeter of the property, about a three mile radius around the cabin, far enough away that Emma didn't have to see it but still keeping them safe. The cameras were being monitored by a private security firm that Jason had hired to help them out. "Okay but do not go into the woods – promise?"
Emma began jumping up and down in excitement. "I promise Daddy!" She grabbed the food and ran down to the feeder. She was almost there when she heard her sister start to cry.
"Emma – your sister needs her diaper changed. You can feed the birds later." Patrick headed towards the cabin but Emma stayed right where she was.
"But Daddy, this is the same as our backyard at home and you let me stay out there by myself." Emma really didn't see the difference.
"There are not animals in our backyard – there are in the woods." Patrick's voice got stern. "Emma Grace – get up here now or you won't get to do it at all."
Emma's lower lip jutted out as she stomped her way back up to the house. "Okay Daddy."
"Stop pouting – it's lunchtime anyway so we can come back out after you have eaten and maybe laid down for a little bit. Now, let's go see what Grandma whipped up for lunch." Patrick smiled at his oldest daughter while cradling his youngest in his arms. All that was missing was Robin for this to be a perfect moment.
"If Grandma is making lunch let's hope it's sandwiches." Emma walked into the house with her father and sister close behind.
Nikolas sat at the kitchen table and watched Robin as she bounced around the kitchen making lunch. Finally satisfied with the dish, she took the plates off the counter and moved them to the table and joined him. "I hope a salad with some grilled chicken sounds good because that is what I made."
"That sounds great. I forgot about how much you cooked when you were in Paris." Nikolas had gone to visit Robin on several occasions when she was in medical school. He took a bite and moaned in appreciation. "Although it seems your skills have improved greatly."
"Thank you." Robin dug into her food. "I know you have a chef but I love to cook and this helps me feel a little more at home here. I was thinking Beef Bourguignon for supper tonight but I am missing a few key ingredients."
"Just make a list of what you need and I will have one of the guards go to the store and get it for you." Nikolas wasn't even close to letting Robin go outside.
"Sounds great. I'll put it together and have it ready for him early this afternoon." Robin ate some more of her salad before speaking again. "Do you have any movies? I would love to spend the afternoon curled up on the couch watching some old movies today."
"That sounds wonderful. In fact, the TV has an internet connection and access to several streaming sites so I am sure we can find something to watch. Did you any particular movie in mind?" Nikolas was enjoying this - having a normal conversation with his wife.
"Notorious – I'm in a Cary Grant kind of mood." Robin laughed. "Maybe the Philadelphia Story too."
"You are in luck – those are two of my favorites as well so we won't have to look very far." Robin looked at him curiously. "They are part of the Blu-Ray collection I have here at the house. Why don't we finish lunch and I will get the first movie set up while you put together your list?"
"Sounds perfect." Robin smiled contentedly at her nearly empty plate. "I'm stuffed." She stood up and picked up the dirty dish. "Are you done?"
Nikolas handed her the plate. "Thank you." He stood up and followed her to the sink. "Why don't you let the maid clean up the dishes so you can get started on that list? The sooner you get it done, the sooner we can start our movie." He ran his hands down her arms, helping her place the dishes in the sink. Nikolas then turned Robin around and kissed her. "I can't think of any place better to be today than sitting on the couch with you in my arms."
Robin smiled at him. "Then you better let me get to making my list. See you in a few minutes." Robin gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Don't start without me."
"I won't." Nikolas left the kitchen and Robin waited until he was completely out of view before she relaxed.
Robin grabbed a pen and paper from the counter and began writing her list – got to keep up appearances – while making some mental notes for herself. She now had confirmation that the house had internet access - she just had to figure out where there was a computer so she could access it and get a message out to her family.
But before she could do that she needed to know where she was. How? Robin smiled as a thought occurred to her. She was making a special supper for her husband tonight and a special supper certainly deserves a special wine. Robin had spent a little time with Patrick visiting various wineries in the New York area, wines that would not be available anywhere else. She just needed to pick the right one and see if they were able to get it. If so, she knew she was close to home. If not…
Robin couldn't think about that right now. Nikolas would want to be close to the girls so he could grab them if necessary. She considered her choices and made the final entry on the grocery list.
