Chapter 7

Janet stretched in her bed. Opening her eyes, she took in the beauty of the room, finding just as spectacular as it was the previous days. She smiled and rolled over. The golden stream of light warmed her face. She looked over at the clock. 9:26 shone brightly. She groaned and threw the cover of her head.

"Janet?" came a soft voice from the hallway. Janet peeked through the covers. There in the doorway, was Margaret.

"What is it?" Janet asked as she propped herself up. Margaret walked over to the bed and sat down. She sighed and looked out the window.

"What is it Margaret?" Janet asked.

"I'm having an amazing time, but I'm kinda home sick." Margaret continued to look out the window.

"I know what you mean," Janet yawned and looked out to the lake in the distance. She smiled to herself. All night she thought about Jack and every kiss they ever shared. Stretching, she laid back down in bed.

"Prima colazione!" Michelle called from downstairs. Margaret stood from the bed and went down the stairs. Janet rolled out of bed and looked around for her robe.

"Ugggg, why can't I find it?" She looked on the chair and under the bed. A blue terrycloth robe stared back at her. She sighed and pulled it out. She gave it a shake, inspected it, and slipped it on.

"Mmm, pancakes," Janet detected, rounding the kitchen. The girls sat at the marble island in the kitchen.

"Still not a morning person, are you Jances?" Michelle asked as she took a bite of her pancakes.

"Today I'm not," Janet rubbed her temples and sighed. She sat at her stack of pancakes. Taking one last bit, "I'm going to go get a shower," She said.

"Okay." Michelle looked over at Margaret, who was playing in her pancakes with her fork. Janet walked upstairs, leaving Margaret and Michelle alone to talk.

"Are you okay Margaret? You sure are quiet this morning." Margaret looked at Michelle.

"I'm just a little home sick," Margaret sipped some of her coffee.

"You miss him don't you?" Michelle smiled over her cup of coffee and then took a sip. Margaret gave a little half smile and nodded.

"Would you like to call him?" Michelle smiled and looked at her friend. Margaret's eyes beamed with joy.

"Seriously?"

"Seriamente…" Michelle chuckled and Margaret jumped out of her chair and ran to her room.

Janet threw the robe onto the chair in the corner and got a towel out of the closet. She disrobed herself and wrapped up in the towel.

She walked to the bathroom, yawning and stretching. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she noticed her necklace. It was the one Jack gave her, during their romantic dinner. The pink flower sparkled brightly as she removed it from her neck and laid it gently on the bathroom counter. Janet ran some hot water and adjusted it slightly. Starting the shower, she adjusted the knobs for the perfect temperature. Stepping in, she allowed the water to massage her body. It eased her busy mind, trying to soothe the pain of Jack's absence.

Jack took a sip of Coke as they flew back from London.

"I remember the first time I got you in a plane," Richard chuckled to himself. "One flight I will never forget." Richard smiled and looked from his window over to Jack. Jack laughed and looked out the window.

"Actually, I have a lot on my mind," he took another sip. He stared blankly at the leather seat in front of him.

"I'm glad you're so invested in the company, it means a lot," Richard patted Jack on the back.

"Mr. Smith?" Jack paused and looked at Richard.

"Yes," He looked at Jack.

"Well, if I ever found her, could I ever be with her?" It was the most serious question Jack had ever asked the man next to him. He looked Mr. Smith in the eye and waited for the answer.

"My boy, what do you mean?" Richard looked at Jack. "You mean leave the company?"

"No! Never. I mean, could I go back to the States?" Jack asked.

"I could arrange something," Richard smiled and sipped some more of his drink. Jack smiled from ear to ear and hugged him. Richard laughed to himself. The men landed shortly after and retrieved their luggage. They walked to their cars and said there parting words.

"Oh and Richard, Thank you," Jack smiled as he opened the car door.

"No problem," Richard got into his car and drove off in the morning mist.

Jack arrived at the house around noon to find it empty.

"Hmm," he thought, looking down the hallway. He set his luggage next to the spiral staircase and began unbuttoning his shirt as he walked up the stairs. All he wanted to do was take a bath, and that's exactly what he did. He walked to his room, finding it the host to someone else. He paused and looked around.

"Oh-kay," he said as he scanned the room. He walked to his bathroom and started the water. He continued disrobing himself until some thing caught his eye. In the corner of the bathroom lay a pink towel. He observed it while the tub filled with water. Slipping into the tub, he cleared his mind and made himself comfortable. Try as he might, the thoughts of Janet wouldn't stop. Closing his eyes, he saw Janet's beautiful figure wearing the pink towel. His hands roamed her body; she wiggled and giggled.

"You're so beautiful," he aloud and slipped farther down into the bubbles. She flashed him a smiled and he grabbed the towel from her and threw it onto the ground. Janet blushed, he inhaled sharply; "I want you." A cold blast of water hit his head. His foot accidentally turned on the showerhead. Jack jumped up and out of the tub and shook the cold water off him like a dog.

"Damn it!" he yelled and threw on a towel. He was shaking his head when a small pink sparkle danced on the counter. He stopped and looked at it. A bright pink flower stared back at him. His eyes grew wide and his heart skipped a beat then ran a thousand miles per hour. Jack slowly walked over to the counter and picked up the necklace.

"Oh my God," Jack said barely above a whisper. Tears filled his eyes as he held the sterling silver necklace in his hands. "I was right all along!" he clasped the necklace in his hands and walked to his dresser. He gently laid it on the dresser and got dressed. His eyes never left the necklace. He collapses on the bed his mind and body at disconnect. My Janet, HERE! I can't believe it. Here I'm my bed. Jack closed his eyes and imagined him and Janet.

"Jock, darling saw your luggage. Come down," Michelle called, "I have some guests I'd like you to meet. I'll make us drinks."

"Be right down," he said, a devilish grin crossed his face.