Chapter 39
The beach house was bustling with activity by the time Michael returned from his morning run. Entering the kitchen, he saw Amber, Danni, and Craig at the stove like short order cooks, preparing pancakes, eggs, and bacon for their housemates. At the table, Mrs. Kersting picked up the Metro section of the newspaper, passing the Sports section to Charles as he sat down beside her.
With her back to him when he came in, Michael didn't think Annie saw him, but when he came up beside her, she handed him a fresh glass of orange juice. She smiled at his hesitation before taking the glass, looking up at him with a touch of laughter in her eyes.
Taking a seat next to her at the bar, Michael watched Annie from over the rim of his glass as he sipped his juice. Disappointed, she'd changed from her bikini into a pair of jeans and an oversized button-down shirt, he couldn't help but remember what she had under the material. Her blonde hair was dry, leaving nothing but his memory as evidence she was even outside this morning.
That and the mischievous glint in her eyes, he thought when Annie caught him looking at her. Michael stretched out his arm on the chair behind her, leaning in close.
"Next time you want to go swimming, let me know," he whispered quietly. "I'd love the company," he told her, their eyes locking before his eyes dropped to her lips.
Michael noticed the way her mouth parted nervously, her tongue slipping out to wet her suddenly dry lips. He was close enough to hear Annie's breaths coming in short gasps as his fingers slid off the chair brushing against her arm.
"Listen up people," Liz bellowed as she entered the kitchen, causing Michael and Annie to jump apart as if they'd been electrocuted.
Running his hand through his reddish-brown hair, Michael leaped off the stool, taking a shaky breath as he moved over to the other side of the room. No other woman had ever had an effect on him like Annie just had, and it bother him. He knew he'd have to be more careful, or he'd risk this assignment and that had never happened before.
Leaning against the wall, Michael hoped he looked relaxed and indifferent because he sure felt anything but calm. However, he struggled to control his errant emotions while he gave Liz his attention.
"What's up?" Charles asked, looking up from the paper he was reading, concern etching his face at the tone Liz used.
"I just got a call from Agent Hudson," Liz explained as she glanced around the room. "An attempt was made on Tara Williams last night at the hospital in Frederick," she continued.
"My God," Danni gasped from the stove.
"Is she okay?" Craig questioned, putting a comforting arm around her, pulling her close to his side.
"Fortunately," Liz nodded. "One of the nurses was able to get her out of her room before she was hurt, but Agent Hudson wants Tara and Myles moved immediately to a safe house," she expounded leaning wearily against the bar.
"Is that wise?" Annie wondered aloud. "Tara was hurt pretty bad," she mentioned.
"Yeah, but as long as she has someone with medical training with her to help with the basic treatments," Liz declared, shooting a meaningful glance in Charles direction. "The doctor said he will release her to come here," she stated.
"Here?" Mrs. Kersting inquired, having laid the newspaper aside when Liz came in earlier. "Will we have room for three more people?" she wondered, looking around at the others.
"Two more people," Liz clarified holding up two fingers. "Myles and Tara," she said as she moved from the bar to the end of the table.
"But you said Tara needed someone with medical training?" Danni verified, her arm still around Craig's waist as they moved away from the stove.
"And we have someone," Liz stated simply, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Who?" Annie had to ask when it was apparent Liz wasn't going to give up the information.
"Me," Charles whispered, his blue eyes on Liz as she continued to smile at him.
"What?" Danni asked, not quite hearing what Charles responded.
"I have some medical training," Charles repeated louder, finally breaking eye contact with Liz as he looked around the room at the others gawking at him.
"Not just some medical training," Liz supplied, smiling sweetly at the tall blonde Californian. "Charles was a med student before joining the Bureau," she told the room, enjoying the embarrassed look sweeping over the man's face.
"You had the choice between being a doctor and a F.B.I. agent," Mrs. Kersting stated, staring at him in amazement. "And you chose this pay and lifestyle," she shook her head. "Been hit in the head by too many surfboards, huh?"