Seeing is Believing – Chapter 2
By Victorian Cowgirl

As the three women stepped off the elevator on their floor, Tara noticed Jack, Bobby, and Myles headed toward the bullpen. Without waiting for her friends, she hurried to catch up to the men. "Bobby, hold up a sec."

"What's up, Tara?" He turned to face the bubbly blond coming at a quick clip toward him.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" taking his arm and steering him toward the closest conference room.

"Are you in such a hurry to get me alone, Luv? What are your intentions?" Bobby cocked one eyebrow and gave a Tara his most charming smile.

Tara blushed and turned away to sit at the table. She didn't want him to see the effect his smile had on her. How she really wanted to get him alone, but not just to talk. Ever since their kiss after the Mojo Gogo concert several months ago, Tara couldn't get Bobby Manning out of her head or her heart. She knew that was one of the main reasons that she and Stanley had called it quits. Although, his leaving DC to take a permanent position at the Chicago office had a lot to do with it as well. Tara wasn't sure what Bobby's feelings toward her were and, like Sue she didn't want to risk their friendship.

After she had settled herself at the large conference room table she turned to face Bobby again. "I need your help with a project. Something needs to be done about Jack and Sue."

Bobby was puzzled. "What's wrong with Jack and Sue?"

"They love each other, but neither of them will admit it to the other. Sue has finally admitted it to herself and confessed as much to Lucy and me at lunch today. However, she is too afraid to say anything to Jack."

Bobby placed his hands on the table and leaned toward Tara. "Can I tell you a secret? Jack confessed to me that he loved Sue the other night while we were playing pool. He's not sure what to do about it though."

"What did you tell him?"

"I told him that he should share his feelings with Sue, but he seems reluctant. I don't understand them. It's as plain as day that they are in love, but they can't see it."

Tara smiled. "That's exactly my point. They need help to see how perfect they are for each other. Lucy suggested hitting Jack upside the head with a two-by-four or locking them in a room together."

"Two very good suggestions." Bobby replied.

"I'm devising a plan and I need your help. Lucy is talking to Myles as well. This is going to take all of us. We are meeting at my house tonight around eight so I can lay out the details. Will you come?"

"Count me in. I will happily help Sparky and Sue see what is truly in their hearts." Bobby kept his gaze locked with Tara's for a moment longer than necessary. "Now if I could get you to see what is in my heart Tara, I would be equally happy." He thought.

He had loved Darcy, he really had, but Tara had taken up residence in his heart and he couldn't deny that she was the one he longed to be with. He didn't know when he had fallen in love with Tara, but he knew that his feelings for her were more evident since they had attended the Mojo Gogo concert together.

Once everyone was seated in Tara's small living room, she took her yellow note pad in hand. "Okay, so we know that we need to help Jack and Sue see their love for each other, but the question is how."

"I'm all for Lucy's suggestion of locking them in a room together." Myles replied, "And I would be more than happy to take a two-by-four to Jack's head."

"Well, we are going to both, although the later will only be figuratively." Tara explained.

Lucy was surprised, "We're really going to lock them in a room together?"

"Sort of," Tara said. "Let me explain my plan, which is quite brilliant, if I do say so myself."

Bobby laughed. "Tara luv, I have no doubt of that."

Tara felt herself blushing at his endearment and compliment. "Thanks, Bobby. My Uncle Luke has a large estate in Virginia, not far from here. This is where I propose we "lock" them in." She detailed, making air quotes with her hands.

"The house is a beautiful Victorian style mansion and there is an enormous garden that covers about three-quarters of an acre. I am going to host a Valentine's Tea Party with a formal Victorian theme. You are all invited of course, but to start with it will be a party for two."

"How is it going to be Victorian themed?" Myles inquired.

Tara smiled. Only Myles would ask that question. "I want to serve herbal teas, of course and light finger foods, such as English scones with clotted cream, those wonderful Welsh cakes that Sue loves, etc. Myles, I figured you and Lucy could handle the food and decorating. Is that okay?"

Myles looked to Lucy who nodded. "That will be perfect Tara. I have some wonderful ideas for decorations using roses in off white and deep red. I like the deeper tones to keep with the Victorian era theme."

Bobby rolled his eyes. Myles was always the aristocratic type with anything he did. Tara, he thought made the right choice in putting him in charge of the decorations. Lucy, always tinkering with new recipes, was the perfect choice for providing the food. "What would you like me to do?" he asked.

"Since Myles and Lucy have the "lock them in" aspect of my plan covered Bobby, you and I will be in charge of the "hitting them over-the-head" part. Figuratively speaking, of course."

Myles stood. "Lucy, let's you and I go over to my house and look at recipes and decide what needs to be done and when. Tara, if you will let your Uncle know that I will be by tomorrow evening to take a look at the house and the gardens, I would appreciate it."

"Will do Myles. Thanks for your help you guys. I know this will be a Valentine's no one will ever forget."