My Romance Novel – Chapter Thirteen

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Just in case the banner above isn’t clear enough. I did manage to complete the 50000 word goal of the nanowrimo.org before midnight on the 30th of November. Woot!

The book is no where near finished, I am on Chapter 26 right now. I do intend to write an ending soon (I hope!)

If you’re new here, read the previous chapter’s first (if you are interested):

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapters Seven and Eight
Chapters Nine and Ten
Chapters Eleven and Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

For Bridget the cell phone ring had the same effect as a glass of cold water being thrown on her. She jumped away from Lane instantly mortified. He reached for her, but she was way too quick. “Don’t leave …” it wasn’t an order but a request, and a gentle one at that. It didn’t stop her from putting distance between them, but it kept her in the room.

Lane swore softly under his breath and reached for his cell phone. It was his mother, talk about bad timing! He considered not answering, but he knew it could be news about Chase and today that had to come first. She rarely phoned him while he was at work and just the fact that she was doing so now meant he needed to take the call.

Then again, she’d called last night while he was securing the house, just to talk. He sighed and answered the call anyway. “Hey there … no nothing important,” Lane saw Bridget stiffen across the room and knew immediately he said the wrong thing. “Really … that’s great new … amazing news … Okay … Okay … Yes, thanks … I love you too.”

Bridget knew the minute Lane answered the call that it wasn’t work, related. His voice was softer and friendlier than when he answered a work call. He’d answered several of them this morning and they mostly started with a gruff, “Johnson here” and continued from there.

She decided that it was probably the same woman he’d been talking to last night. She’d also known from the get go that it was a woman. Not that she was psychic, but because she could faintly hear a woman’s voice and lilting laughter, even from across the room. The fact that he’d ended the call with an ‘I love you too’ solidified her belief that the caller was a woman and a lover. She wasn’t sure what was going on between her and Lane, but she knew it couldn’t continue.

She wasn’t sure which had bothered her more, the fact that he’d indicated to the caller that he’d been in the middle of something unimportant, or the fact the he’d thought nothing of answering a call from another woman while he was kissing her. Both thoughts made her furious and sick to her stomach.

She felt like a fool.

“Bridget, I’m sorry I had to take that call. It was important …” Lane started.

“I don’t want to hear it right now, it’s not important to me,” Bridget lied. “Let’s just pretend it didn’t happen, okay? It shouldn’t have happened and it can’t and won’t happen again.”

‘Women!’ Lane thought. “Bridget, I’m sorry about that, but I couldn’t exactly tell her what was going on could I? I don’t want to argue with you again. I know this isn’t exactly above-board, what we have going on here, but I was having a really good time and I thought you were too. Why don’t you just give me a chance?”

Bridget saw red, was this guy for real? Give him a chance!? He obviously thought she’d just fallen off the turnip truck, the pompous ass. There was no way in hell she’d be giving anything with Lane Johnson a chance, no way! Ever! No matter how good or right it felt, and THAT she thought is why it feels so badly now, because it felt so right before. She inwardly cursed her traitorous body.

Lane watched Bridget’s face and knew he didn’t stand a chance, not right now. He really wasn’t up for arguing and was secretly thankful when his phone rang again. It was Chief Daniels and that meant business. “Johnson here … Yes sir … I understand … When? … Wow! … ½ an hour … Yes sir … Yes sir … Thank you, sir.”

Bridget waited for Lane to get off the phone. She was curious as to what the Chief had told him. He was all business now and the serious look on his face worried her.

“What’s wrong Lane?” She questioned. “What did Chief Daniels have to say?”

Lane tipped his head back, ran both of his hands through his short hair and exhaled through pursed lips. “What a freakin’ mess,” he murmured mostly to himself, but loud enough for Bridget to hear. “For starters, you’d better put away those groceries …”
“But why …”

“Just for once Bridget, give a guy a break and let me finish a sentence, okay?” Bridget’s face dropped and Lane was instantly sorry, “Shit, I’m sorry. I have to take you in to the station now. I told the Chief we’d need a half an hour to get things sorted here. That’s how much time you have to gather some things together and get ready to go. It’s not a request Bridget, so please don’t fight this every step of the way.”

Lane’s tone and body language told her that he was serious. She remembered the way Robbins and Frank had been stuffed into the truck of that beat up old car and she decided that just this once she’d do as the man asked and get ready to go.
“Stuff for how long?” Bridget asked as she started putting the groceries she’d taken out for lunch back into the fridge and the freezer?

Lane gave an audible sigh of relief. She wasn’t going to argue with him. There was a God! “I’m not sure, let’s say a week, but don’t hold me to it. I’ll know more when we get to the station, right now you’ve got to get packing. Okay?’

“Okay. I’m going to pack now. It won’t take long.” Bridget called out as she headed down the hallway to her room.

Packing when you didn’t have a clue where you were going and for how long you’d be there wasn’t nearly as easy as she’d imagined. In the end, she pictured herself sequestered in hotel room in only God knows where, and packed for comfort. She piled a small suitcase with jeans, tees, Lulu Lemon and a weeks’ worth of socks and underwear. She went into the bathroom and gathered the necessary toiletries. Seventeen minutes later she was back in the kitchen gathering up all of her tech gear. She’d definitely need her laptop, camera and all the accessories, as well as her iPhone, digital book reader, flip camera and her most recent magazines.

“Make sure you bring all of your digital photos files including the ones on your laptop, camera and memory sticks,” Lane requested. She gave him an inquisitive look and he placated her with, “It’ll all make sense at the station. I don’t have all the details Bridget, so let’s just wait and hear it all from the Chief together. There is no point in me feeding you speculation.”
Lane was impressed, for the second time in 30 minutes; Bridget nodded and did as he asked. Would miracles never cease?

“I cleaned out your fridge and then took out the garbage when you were packing. I didn’t want you to have to come home to that. I took all of the fresh stuff to Mrs. Dupleski and told her you were going on holiday. Don’t be surprised if you get a lecture when you get home about shacking up and then running off with strange men you’ve barely met. I just got the lecture and it was ugly.” Lane laughed, “I feel dirty!”

‘Good for you Mrs. Dupleski’ Bridget thought to herself. If you asked her Lane Johnson could use a lecture. She wasn’t going to bother telling him that though. It wasn’t worth her time and effort. She felt sorry his girlfriend though.

Out loud she thanked him for cleaning out her kitchen. For a two-timing cad and heel, he could be pretty handy. Handsome and handy, it was a lethal combination.

The ride to the station was quiet. She was riding in the back seat of police car and Lane was following behind in his pickup. She’d started to balk at the idea of riding of riding in the squad car, but she’d been told in no uncertain terms that this wasn’t just any police car. She’d be safer and so would the people riding with her, if she cooperated. How could she argue with that?

She’d been told before that police cars where notoriously uncomfortable, but the rumours didn’t do them justice. Just a few blocks with the negative leg room was hellish. Charlie-horse inducing hellish, that shouldn’t be forced upon voluntary riders. Thankfully, it was a short ride that ended in an indoor off-loading area that seemed heavily guarded and very secure. Apparently, Lane and his pickup weren’t permitted to enter, because shortly before entering the garage his truck made a right turn into an outdoor parking area. She must have looked worried as her car moved forward through guarded security without him, because the officer driving the car said, “Don’t worry Miss Riley; Detective Johnson will meet you inside in just a few moments.”

“Oh I’m not worried about Detective Johnson,” Bridget protested. “It’s just all a bit confusing.”

The officer grinned up at her via the rear-view mirror and said, “Sure thing Miss Riley”.

* * * * * * * * * *
I’d appreciate your feedback. Please be gentle!

MK xo


11 Comments

Pauline Graham · December 2, 2010 at 2:09 pm

Congratulations Kim!

Well done to you and I hope you’re going to take the time to finish your novel… you can’t stop now and leave us all – your loyal and dedicated readers – in suspense!

Well done, that girl! Pxx

Kim Becker · December 2, 2010 at 2:25 pm

@Pauline –> Thank you very much! I wrote about 700 words of drivel during the last 40 minutes to get to the deadline. I’m going to have to revise it (LOADS!).

Eva Pasco · December 2, 2010 at 2:54 pm

Congratulations, Kim!

Antof9 · December 2, 2010 at 3:06 pm

WOO HOO! They’re back :) I don’t know why I giggle so much at him talking to his mom and her assuming it’s a “woman”, but I do! This is the stuff romance novels are made of!

Thanks for posting another chapter :)

Kim Becker · December 2, 2010 at 3:27 pm

Thank you Eva!

Betty Becker · December 2, 2010 at 6:18 pm

Good job Kim, keep them coming, preferably more than one at a time!!

Kylie · December 2, 2010 at 8:25 pm

Fantastic Job!
I am on the edge of my seat!

Rachael Moore · December 3, 2010 at 10:53 am

Now I’ve finished working under the NaNoWriMo pressure I’m enjoying having some time to catch up and read your writing!

Mommyknows Application · December 3, 2010 at 5:04 pm

Thanks Rachael! After I read your chapters I wanted to start over :) So well written and descriptive!

lace · December 7, 2010 at 12:50 pm

Congratulations on completing Nanowrimo! Thanks for having the courage to post your book. I’m looking forward to the next chapters.

Jenn B · December 14, 2010 at 8:42 pm

Finally read it & you’re leaving me hanging!!??!! Seriously, it’s been really fun to read. Congrats in meeting the goal….now get to work & post more chapters! :)

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