***
Rachel smiled as she walked out of the Buell Theatre. John had his arm around her waist and Bella was holding her hand. Tank was following a few steps behind them.
After she’d seen Tank at the airport, John admitted that he still had a small team of bodyguards looking after them. Rachel was more relieved than annoyed. All week she’d felt as though someone was watching her. But each time she turned around, she couldn’t see anyone. At least she knew she wasn’t going crazy and imagining things that weren’t there.
Bella swung Rachel’s hand high in the air. She hadn’t stopped talking about The Wizard of Oz since the musical had ended. “I loved Dorothy’s shoes,” Bella said. “They were so pretty. What did you like the best, Rachel?”
“I liked the songs. The actors were so good that I kept looking around the theater, wondering who was really singing.”
“What about you, dad?”
“I liked the Tin Man,” he said quietly.
“If only he had a heart,” Rachel said as she gazed at John. He smiled, and she felt a warmth seep through her body and settle in her own heart.
Bella hopped over a crack in the sidewalk. “But it was there all along. Do you think the Tin Man knew?”
John looked into the distance. “Sometimes you need someone to show you.”
“The Wizard of Oz was scary before he showed Dorothy and her friends who he really was.” Bella gazed up at Rachel. “He looked like Tank,” she whispered.
“I heard that.” Tank’s gruff voice made Bella giggle.
Bella looked over her shoulder at her favorite bodyguard. “But you’re more handsome.”
Tank nodded. “Good save.”
They continued walking along the sidewalk. The huge glass windows of the theater were lit from inside the building, making everything look bright and festive. They stopped every now and then to look in the windows and take photos of their night out together.
When they arrived at their vehicle, Tank nodded at John. “Is plan A still in place, boss?”
John nodded and a look of understanding passed between the two men.
Tank opened the door of the Hummer for Bella. “Your chariot awaits, Dorothy.”
She clicked her heels together three times and grinned at him. “There’s no place like home.”
He closed Bella’s door and turned to John. “Good luck. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Rachel looked between the two men. “We’re not going back to the hotel together?”
Tank smiled and opened his door. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
After Tank and Bella had left, she turned to John. “Why haven’t we gone with them?”
“It’s a surprise.” He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a set of car keys. “Are you ready to see more of Denver?”
She looked at the car that had been parked behind the Hummer. “That doesn’t look like a standard family sedan.”
John watched her closely. “It’s not.”
“It’s a pretty shade of red.” She had no idea what sort of car it was. It was low to the ground, sporty, and expensive looking. She looked at the emblem on the front grill and frowned. It looked like a three-pronged spear that Neptune might have carried around with him.
She walked closer to the car and peered in the windows. “Leather seats?”
John pushed a button and the car lit up like a Christmas tree. Rachel stepped backward and smiled. “Wow. Do that again.”
He locked the car, then unlocked it.
Rachel smiled. “Can I sit inside?”
John opened the passenger door and she slid into the seat. The interior was every bit as luxurious as the outside. The sporty two-door model oozed sophistication. From the curved leather console, to the neon blue lights on the dashboard, it was the type of vehicle that no one forgot.
John walked around to the driver’s side and got inside. “You’re sitting in one of the first production models of the Maserati Alfieri.”
“It looks nicer than my truck.” She laughed at the pained expression on John’s face. “I’m no good with cars. As long as it gets me to where I want to go, I don’t care what sort of vehicle I drive.”
John patted the dashboard. “Don’t listen to Rachel. She hasn’t driven in anything like you before.”
She waited for a computer generated voice to answer him. “Does the car talk back?” she whispered.
His deep laugh filled the interior. “Not yet. Maybe when the next model is released. Are you ready for your surprise?”
Rachel pulled her seatbelt across her chest. “You mean this isn’t it?”
“Not even close.”
She grinned at her partner in crime. “I feel like I’m about to do something amazing.”
John’s smile disappeared. “I hope so.” He looked in the rearview mirror and pulled away from the curb.
If she didn’t know better, she would have sworn he was nervous. “You don’t have to impress me with fancy gadgets and expensive things. I’m happy just spending time with you.”
“I know. Do you know how unusual that is?”
“Finding someone who likes spending time with you?”
A smile replaced his frown. “What would my life be like if we hadn’t met?”
Rachel laughed. “Quiet.”
John’s smile grew wider. The Maserati’s engine purred as they accelerated along the street. It felt as though they were driving on a cloud. A very expensive, super-comfy cloud.
Rachel might not know where they were going, but she did know one thing. She’d found her second favorite vehicle, after her truck.