Mystery Lover(23)

Jennifer lay on her side in bed, Sam sprawled out beside her. She had  been in bed for almost an hour, since eleven, and was unable to sleep.

"Nothing, really. I was just thinking of you, wondering if you were all right."

"Are you?"

She felt his concern. So he had been thinking of her. Three days had  gone by since she had seen him. And three nights. Jennifer had  discovered how quickly a person can become used to new experiences. She  missed Chad in bed with her, holding her, loving her. She missed his  presence.

"I miss you," she responded.

"I've got the same problem," he admitted.

"I had no idea being together could be so wonderful."

He didn't say anything for a moment. Then he said, "/ was afraid we  might have overdone it a little. We were quite active for it to be your  first exposure. "

"Let's just say that I haven't been in the mood to go to the club and  work out since we got home." After a few moments of silence, she said,  "Do you know yet when you'll be back?"

"No."

She tried for whimsical humor. "You can't stay gone forever, you know. Sooner or later you have to come home."

"I know."

"But you aren't looking forward to it," she offered gently.

"// isn't that. I just feel so-confused, somehow. I can't seem to get my  life into any understandable order. All these years I've been in  control of my life. Now.. . now I don't know what to think, what to do,  how to evaluate what's happening. "

"That's because feelings and emotions aren't that definable. We can't  push them into little compartments and expect them to stay there. That's  part of being human."

"If all this confusion is part of being human, I think I'll pass."

"And go back to being a robot?"

"Is that what I am?"

"I think that's what you've tried to be. Thank God, it didn't work,"

They were quiet for several moments. At least he was communicating with  her again, Jennifer was pleased to note. She was afraid their marriage  had caused him to push that part of their relationship out of his life.

"Sunshine?"

She smiled at the familiar nickname. "Yes?"

"What are you wearing?"

She glanced down and grinned. "My flannel pajamas with the feet in them."

"?"

"Well, nobody's ever seen me in them but Sam."                       
       
           



       

"Have you ever thought about an electric blanket?"

"I have one. In fact, I generally keep it set close to broil."

"You didn't get cold while we were in Vegas."

"How could I, with almost two hundred pounds of brawn draped around me."

"One hundred eighty."

"Oh. Well, what's a few pounds here and there?"

"Sunshine?"

"Yes?"

"I know I wasn'tfair to you last weekend."

"In what way?"

"I didn't give you a choice."

"Sure you did. Remember, you stopped me in the hallway and asked if-"

"You know what I mean. I never really asked if you wanted to marry me."

"I have never wanted to marry anyone else."

"But I know what you think ofC. W. Cameron."

"If I'd had any idea all these years that my boss could read my mind,"  she teased, "would I have been embarrassed. I called you some pretty  rotten names."

"After giving them some thought, most of the time I agreed with you."

"What about the times you didn't agree with me?"

"I waited to see if you were going to simmer down. No one would believe  the temper you've got, just to see you and work around you. You keep it  very well hidden."

"You've got the same abilities, you know."

"I'm afraid not. My temper seems to be legendary."

"I don't mean that. You have the ability to hide your softer side, the Chad side that I love so much, from the outside world."

"There isn't much call for him in the business world, I'm afraid."

"Perhaps not. But you don't have to think about business all the time.  There are times for tenderness and love, for caring and comforting."

"Not in my life."

"Of course in your life. You've done it for years. With me."

"Oh, that."

"Yes, that."

"But you 're different.''

"No. You are different when you're with me. But you don't seem to want  to show it except in these conversations-and last weekend."

"You mean I wasn't C. W. Cameron last weekend?"

"You were all that you could be, Chad. All your marvelous attributes and  your loving disposition revealed themselves. If you gave yourself a  chance, you could be that way more often."

"If we spent all of our time together like that, the office would fall apart."

"I don't mean in bed. I mean relaxed, and friendly. . We could joke and  talk in the office the same way we did over dinner, or in the shower."

"Now that might prove very interesting. I wonder what the staff would think?"

"You know what I mean. Don't be afraid to let your emotions show, Chad. There's nothing to be afraid of."

He was quiet for several minutes. Then he said, "I'm not sure I could ever do that, Sunshine. "

"It doesn't matter to me, Chad, because I already know they're there. But it might make a difference for you."

After a while, he said, "Good night, Sunshine. "

"Good night, Chad."

She felt his love wrap around her and she smiled as she drifted off to sleep.





By ten o'clock Friday morning the office was in an uproar. Phones were  ringing, people were having trouble with office equipment, and Jennifer  was ready to storm out screaming.

Part of her problem was that she hadn't heard any more from Chad. She  hesitated to be the one who always contacted him, so she had waited, but  there had been nothing. That had never bothered her in the past, but  things were different now. Or at least she hoped so.

Was he getting used to the idea that he now had a wife to return to?

The office intercom buzzed and when Jennifer answered the receptionist asked, "Is there by any chance a full moon?"

Jennifer laughed. "I'm not sure. Why?"

"Oh, everything's so crazy around here. Some of the questions I've been  getting. I think some people think this office is run like Mike  Hammer's."

Jennifer grinned. "We should be so lucky."

"Well, actually, Mr. Cameron isn't bad, if he'd just unbend a little."  There was a buzz in the background. "Got another call. See ya."

Jennifer shook her head, smiling. She wondered if Chad would like being  compared with Mike Hammer? If only people knew how tedious investigative  work was. Except for a few unusual incidents like the time when Chad  got abandoned in a hunting cabin in southern Utah, it could be rather  boring. She was smiling when she answered the phone.                       
       
           



       

"Mr. Cameron's office. May I help you?"

"Ms. Chisholm?" She recognized his voice immediately. So. No matter what  he might communicate to her privately, he was still going to be formal  around the office.

Maybe it was a full moon, because she replied, "No, I'm sorry. Ms.  Chisholm is no longer employed by this firm." She paused a beat and said  in her most honeyed tones, "This is Mrs. Cameron, Mrs. Charles Winston  Cameron. May I help you?"

The long distance wires hummed while she waited for a reply. "Jennifer?" he finally asked.

"Yes?" She kept her voice pleasant and very businesslike.

'' Are you going by that name now?''

"I have a piece of paper, duly recorded, stating that to be my correct and legal name."

"I know. I just didn't realize you'd be using it around the office."

"I was forced to do so, sir, in order to stop all those nasty, vicious rumors going around about you."

"What rumors?"

' 'Those slurs, on your manhood, sir. There has been talk about the possibility you weren't interested in women."

"What?" he yelped.

"Don't worry, sir," she said in a soothing voice. "I have certainly put  paid to any such nonsensical remarks. I explained, in great and explicit  detail, that after two and a half days of being locked up in a bedroom  with you, there was no doubt in my mind as to your manhood." She paused  for a couple of seconds and added, "Now, then, sir. How may I help you  this morning?"

Jennifer was fascinated to discover that sometimes C. W. Cameron had  trouble getting words out. He stumbled once or twice, cleared his throat  and man. aged to say something that sounded like, "You're kidding, of  course."

"You mean you don't want me to defend your reputation, Mr?"

"You didn't really tell everyone about last weekend, did you?" .