“How massive are you?” Maddie asked.
He chuckled. “Six-six, sweetheart.” He released Braden and grasped both arms in front of him. “Six foot six and full of muscle,” he sang out.
Maddie tried to place the song as she laughed at his antics. Braden put his arm around her, surprising her. She should’ve elbowed him away, but she didn’t want to, and Thomas assumed they were boyfriend and girlfriend for some reason. Oh yeah, she had just called him beautiful and brave. Papa might have told him something for their cover.
“It’s a lovely night. I wish we could just build a fire at the lakeside and chat, but I’ve got work to do.” He rubbed his hands together, his eyes glinting happily. “Grab your things and inside, inside,” he ushered them.
Braden released her and grabbed both of their bags out of the backseat. She slung her purse over her shoulder and followed Thomas up the porch steps and in through the open door of the house, Braden following behind them. She looked over her shoulder and didn’t see or hear anything, so she turned her focus inside.
The main level was completely open except for one door off to the back left that revealed a laundry room and bathroom. It was spacious with a living area, kitchen, and dining. Directly above the front section of the house, the ceilings were normal height, but the back of the house opened up to two-story ceilings and a wall of two-story windows. A circular staircase led to the loft area above them. She loved the view of the calm lake darkening to deep blue in the evening light and the thick, green trees circling the lake.
The next thought was wondering how Thomas’s security was. She’d have to check it out, and hopefully not offend him in the process.
The house smelled wonderful, like zesty meat, melted cheese, and something sweet. Maddie’s stomach rumbled. They hadn’t had much of a lunch and it was past dinnertime.
“Oh, you’re hungry?” Thomas clapped his hands together. “Yay. I hoped you would be. Plus, I had to do something to pass the time as I anticipated your arrival. He gestured toward the kitchen. “My delicacies await, but first let me show you where you’re sleeping, get the zip drive, and I’ll get to work while you eat and sleep. All right?”
“That sounds great,” Maddie said.
Braden nodded. “Thank you for cooking for us.”
“You betcha.” He led the way up the spiral staircase. “I’m only disappointed that I won’t get to chat with you tonight, but I should have the code cracked well before morning. Please say you’ll stay and join me for an early morning swim in my lake and have breakfast with me before you leave. I know everything with Admiral Delta is urgent, urgent, but I would love at least a little friend time before you have to go about your important business.”
As he’d talked, they’d reached the loft area. Part of it was open with a railing overlooking the main floor. To the left, there was a very messy office with an open door. To the right, there was a bedroom.
Braden met Maddie’s gaze and shrugged. An extra hour to eat breakfast and swim wouldn’t make the difference between life and death and it seemed to mean the world to Thomas.
“Swimming and breakfast sounds delightful,” Maddie told him.
“Ah, thank you.” He grinned happily. “Thank you, thank you. I should’ve known with you being Davidson’s granddaughter. Admiral Delta always put his men first. Best man I know.”
“You served with him?”
Thomas’s smile disappeared for the first time. He nodded shortly and turned to the bedroom. “I washed the sheets and scrubbed the toilet. Sorry there’s only the one bedroom, but I figured with you two so in love and all …”
Maddie’s stomach hopped at what he was implying. She should correct him, but at the same time she knew Braden would be a gentleman. He’d held her throughout the night last night and hadn’t crossed any boundaries. And there was also the fact she wanted him to hold her again. If he could really ensure another restful night with no nightmares, she would let this man think what he would. It struck her that it wasn’t very fair to ask Braden to hold her when she wouldn’t let anything develop between them.
“Thank you, Thomas,” Braden said. “We appreciate you giving up your bed.”
“Oh, I took a nap earlier because I’ll be working tonight.” He sounded happy as could be to work through the night. He extended his hand. “The drive?”
Maddie pulled the drive from her purse and placed it in his hand.
He wrapped his fingers around it and called, “Off to work I go!”
“Thomas.” Maddie stopped him at the door of his office.
He looked back, obviously impatient to be working, even though he seemed so happy to have them here and desperate for company.
“Do you have security established and armed?” She might put up some of her own regardless. The zip drive might still be a tracker, or a tracker might be activated when he opened it or cracked the code. She wouldn’t sleep at all if they were exposed and sitting ducks here.
“Of course,” he reassured. “Come look.” He gestured them into his office. There were almost a dozen different computer screens mounted on the walls or perched on the huge desk. He pointed to three on the left side, stacked on top of each other on the wall. Each was split into two windows with different angles of the exterior of the house and one of the main area.
“I will keep an eye on the screens, but I also have alerts on my phone.” He pulled it out, clicked on an icon, and showed her more camera angles. “Perimeter sensors with full coverage. Plus the fact I am the expert at decryption. If this,” he held up the zip drive, “sets off a tracking signal, I’ll know about it and wake you immediately. We’re remote enough I highly doubt anyone would get here before you have a chance to bug out.” He nodded smugly, proud of his skills or his location, she didn’t know.
“Perfect, thank you.” Maddie should’ve known whoever her grandpa sent them to would be on top of every concern, but this guy did seem a little … exuberant.
“Now, you two go enjoy the delicious food and then get some sleep. I’ll work quickly, but I’m not such a crazy genius that I’d ignore the camera or the sensors.” He winked as if guessing exactly what Maddie was worried about.