Coming back into the room, Sloane handed Jack back his phone and left.
"What was that all about?" he asked. "Everything okay?"
"All good — nothing to worry about. I'd tell you straight away if it was something you needed to know."
“I know you would.”
Chapter 20
It was a Saturday morning on the last weekend of March, and Bella was packing up the car - again - to head up to Houston. She hadn’t seen Jack in several weeks, as he’d been on something he called ‘survival training’.
“What’s that?” Bella had asked when he told her he’d be away.
“It’s exactly what it sounds like. We are dropped into some of the harshest environments in the world - all to ensure we can survive anything that might happen. I did it in pilot training, but this is a whole different level.”
“Where do they take you?”
“Bella, I’d love to tell you but I can’t. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but some things are still considered classified.”
“I understand completely. I guess that means no communication during that time. Who’s watching Piper and Sloane while you’re away? Do you need any help?”
“Thank you for the offer, that’s so sweet of you but it’s all taken care of. Fortunately, it’s going on at the same time as their spring break, so they are going to San Francisco for a few days with my parents, and then down to San Diego for a few days with Susan’s parents before they come home.”
"Oh, that's wonderful that they get time with both sets of grandparents."
"Am I allowed to ask when you'll be back?"
Grinning, he replied “Yes. I’ll be home next Friday; the girls get home on Sunday. Did you want to meet me at the house on Saturday? We can have some much-needed alone time, hint hint.”
“That sounds heavenly, I just hope you’re not too worn out from ‘surviving’.”
“I’m never too worn out for you!”
On the drive to Jack’s that Saturday, Bella had taken advantage of the Audi's — Ha! Quattro! --- talk to text function, giggling to herself as she texted Jack updates along the way.
Gear down, she texted about 15 minutes from his house, and followed that up withOn final approach, 10minutes later.
Wheels down, she sent five minutes out.
Her phone dinged. The Audi's system read it aloud, completely deadpan:
It’s so hot when you use pilot lingo - hurry up!
Pulling into Jack’s drive, she sent a quickSmooth Landingtext, turned off the car, and got out to let Primmy out of the back seat and grabbed her small overnight case from the trunk. Reaching the front door, she used the key Jack had given her after they agreed they were exclusive, and let herself in. Letting go of the leash so Primrose could find Daisy, she called out, “Jack, I’m here!”
Walking into the living room, she stopped when she saw an older woman standing in the room. The woman turned to Bella, and Bella realized this must be Susan’s mother, she looked just like the woman she’d seen in pictures.
“Hello. You must be Bella, Piper and Sloane have told us all about you. I’m their grandmother, Wendy Hansen.”
“Mrs. Hansen, it’s lovely to meet you” said Bella as she crossed the room to shake her hand.
“Bella, Bella - you’re here!”
“Dad, Bella’s here” called out Piper as she ran into the room to give Bella a hug.
Bella returned her hug, slightly uncomfortable at the turn of events.I didn’t see this one coming, she thought.
“Hi Bella, I didn’t hear you come in,” greeted Jack as he walked into the room with Sloane and an older man Bella assumed was Susan’s father. ‘I’m sorry’ he mouthed silently behind the other’s backs.
