Chapter 3

Jennifer slowly opened her eyes, trying to remember where she was… Her head didn't feel like she had been drinking, but nothing looked familiar, and in her exhaustion, her memory was sketchy at best. As she tried to move, she became aware of the arm draped across her, and then her ears heard the steady breathing behind her.

As her recollection began to fill in the missing pieces, she felt the smile on her face grow. What a day yesterday had been. Truthfully, the last 48 hours had rocked her world. And now, they were on Jonathan's plane flying to Maryland so she could introduce him to her parents.

Her parents! Ugh. She forgot to call them and let them know when exactly they would be arriving. Trying to move around and see her watch without waking Jonathan, Jennifer began to wonder how long they had been sleeping. Her body felt a bit stiff, maybe from sleeping in such tight quarters. She maneuvered herself into a semi-sitting position before she could see the dial. Midnight. The light outside the plane windows didn't agree with the time. As Jennifer pondered the two conflicting truths, she remembered she had yet to change from London time. That means they still had about four hours of flight time.

That also meant it was 7 pm at home. Her parents would be having drinks in the study. She wondered if there was any way she could contact them.

Jennifer turned to look at the face belonging to the arm still wrapped around her. How is this even possible? It wasn't so very long ago she was sure she would never find someone to love her. To really love her. A man and his lust she was all too familiar with, but honest love? That was something entirely different. Something unexpected. And something she was done trying to find.

Then, like a warm summer breeze stirring the ocean waters, there he was. He was able to burn through any defenses she had like a warm knife through butter. Truth be told, she was completely defenseless when it came to this man.

The door to the cockpit opened, and Max stepped into the room. "Hey, Max?" she whispered, still not wanting to wake Jonathan.

"Hey, Ms. Edwards. I didn't want to wake you guys, just wanted to check on you. I know you were exhausted from the day's events."

"You didn't. I was already awake."

"Do you need something?"

"Well, I don't know if it's possible, but is there any way we can get a message to my parents? I forgot to call them before we left London, and I want to let them know when we would be in."

"Of course. You can use the phone behind you. Just hit the white button. The red one will connect you with the cockpit if you need something from us."

"Seriously? A phone." She turned her head to face the direction he indicated, "Ah, you are a gem, Max!"

"Ain't I just?" He smiled and retreated to the cockpit.

She giggled at him. That man was a delight! Carefully moving toward the phone, she managed to dial the number and not wake Jonathan. She was amazed at her skill. Or maybe he was just a heavy sleeper? One of the things she hoped to soon discover for herself.

"Hello? Chez Edwards." Suzanne Edwards answered the phone.

"Hello, Momma!"

"Jenny! Ma Chérie! It is so good to hear your voice! Papa tells me you have some very exciting news! I can't wait to hear all about it!"

"Oh, Momma! I am so thrilled! Please let Pa and Walter know we will be getting into Baltimore around 11 tonight, and home as soon as we can. I'm guessing 12 or 12:30."

"Oui, Jenny. Papa and Walter are already making preparations for you, and your guest. I am very excited to get to know this man."

Jennifer looked down at Jonathan's sleeping face, "Momma, you will just love him! I sure do."

"Oui, oui, my Jenny. I am so happy."

"Oh, and Momma, there will be two men with me. Not just one."

"Deux?"

"Oui. Jonathan has a friend with him. His name is Max."

"Oui. Jonathan and Max. We will be ready." Suzanne paused a moment, and as if an afterthought, added, "And Jenny, Papa will be more pleasant than your last conversation. Je promets."

"Merci, Momma. Je t' aime!"

"Je t' aime, my Jenny!"

Jonathan began to stir as Jennifer hung up the phone. "Shoot. I tried not to wake you."

"It's not a problem. I kind of like waking to the sound of your voice in French. It's very sexy."

"This, I must remember, mon amour." She leaned down and gently kissed him. "Max told me I could call my parents. I hope that's not a problem."

"Of course not. I'm glad you were able to get ahold of them." He yawned sleepily. "That call sounded like it went better than the last one." He snuggled closer to her body and laid his head back down on her chest.

"Yes." She found her fingers playing with the back of his hair. "That was my mother. She's not nearly as hard-headed and protective as my father."

Jonathan laughed. "I can only imagine. If I had a daughter as beautiful as you, I think I'd be overprotective, too."

She smiled at the thought of Jonathan Hart, the self-made millionaire, chasing a laughing toddler around the park. Maybe someday.

***

As the plane pulled into the hanger, it was met by a customs agent who greeted them by name and asked a few quick questions before sending them on their way.

"Wow, that was easy," she laughed as the agent walked away. "I'm going to have to remember to travel with you more often."

"I certainly hope so," he smiled back at her. He started walking towards a waiting vehicle.

"Is this our ride?"

"Yes. I had Leonard call ahead and have it pulled from storage today." He watched her face with some satisfaction. "Do you like it?"

She began to follow him. "Like it? It's a 1967 Jaguar 420 G! Is it manual or automatic?"

"Manual."

"And that's the Willow Green, right?"

He stopped and watched with fascination as she hurried past him to get a better look. "Yes, it is."

"And the interior?" she called as she neared the tail end of the car.

"Grey."

She circled the car, looking it over. "Perfect."

Watching every move Jennifer made, the curves of her body, her long legs, her effortless grace, and poise, Jonathan commented, "She certainly is."

She stood up and looked over the car at him, "What?"

"Um." Shoot, was he blushing? He could feel the heat rush to his face. "I mean, I'm glad you like it. You seem to know your cars."

"Eh. Some of them just grab your attention." He caught up with her, and she stopped directly in front of him.

"Yes, they do." Once again, he felt himself getting lost in her eyes.

"And you keep it in storage?" Jennifer swallowed, drinking in his baby blues, "In Maryland?"

"D.C." She eyed him with a curiosity he could almost feel. Compelled to explain, Jonathan informed her, "Hart Industries keeps a small townhouse and office in D.C., and when I come into town, I like to have my own vehicle to drive."

"Ah! That's very smart, Mr. Hart." Jonathan dropped the bags he carried, gathered her in his arms, pulling her as close as he could and kissed her. As they were locked in their embrace, Max popped the trunk, picked up the bags Jonathan dropped, and started the car.

"Are you two coming? Sheesh."

Newly invigorated, Jonathan answered, "Yes, of course, Max." He flashed his mischievous grin at Jennifer, winked at her, and added, "I wouldn't miss this for the world."

***

Stephen paced the living room floor. It was almost midnight. Nearing the moment of truth with his daughter and this boy who had invaded his life without invitation. The very thought was grating his nerves.

Suzanne could not take his fidgeting much longer. "Mon amour, please. Sit. You will wear the floor bare."

"I don't think I can do this, Suzanne."

"It is only our Jenny. Of course, you can."

"Our Jenny. See. That's what I mean." He turned to face his wife. Something about the way she was standing, just inside the door frame, her once auburn hair now a mixture of strawberry blonde and silver/white waves, cascading down over her shoulders accented her silky white nightgown and robe caught him off guard. Even now, 35 years into their marriage, she took his breath away. Stephen swallowed hard before he could speak again. "She's our Jenny. She's most assuredly, not the issue. It's this boy she's bringing with her. I'm not sure I can share her with another man."

"Oh, ma chérie!" She walked into the room and over to her husband. "She was ours for a little while. She will be ours forever. But she will belong to another as well. If not this one, then another."

Before he could utter another objection, the sound of a car door closing interrupted their conversation. They turned and headed for the front door, but she arrived faster than they did and let herself in. "Momma! Pa!" Jennifer said.

"Chéri!" her mother called as she ran to hug her daughter. "I am so glad to have you home."

Stephen walked to the other side of her to get a better look out the door. "Jennifer, darling…" he turned to face his daughter, "You seem to be missing something…"