C37 Chapter 37

Zane watched Amanda as she posed for the photographer. She was a natural as far as he was concerned. He never tired of watching her at work. How many men had the opportunity to spend as much time as he did with their wives every day?

He had to admit that he had been a little concerned at the thought of being Amanda’s bodyguard at first, not that he hadn’t wanted to but he had doubted it was necessary. A few nasty incidents with stalkers had however quickly brought home the reality of the dangers that models could face in their line of work even if they weren’t the world’s most famous models.

After Hurstville, he had resigned from his position as chief of police and relocated to New York to be with Amanda full time. They had married a few months later and Zane had started to build his security firm. He had a few small jobs for personal protection so far and on the whole, work was increasing slowly. When he didn’t have other work, he was with Amanda on her photoshoots.

The photographer told Amanda that they needed to take a break and she made her way over to him.

“I’m always so glad when you’re here at my shoots,” Amanda smiled as she wrapped her arms around him.

“I never get tired of watching you. Sometimes I can’t help but wonder if I’m your husband, your security, or your personal paid stalker.”

“I know about the husband and security but the stalker part is new. Tell me more,” Amanda smiled intrigued.

“Well, sometimes seeing you and what you model gives me some very ungentlemanly thoughts, and I can’t help but imagine what I’d do if I had you alone in some of the things you model. They make it worth stalking you.”

Amanda blushed. “Oh my. Why have you kept this to yourself all this time?”

“I guess I thought you might fire me if I told you,” Zane smiled.

“Really? Maybe we could renegotiate your employment contract and add a few bonuses?” Amanda teased.

Zane raised his eyebrows as he looked at Amanda. “That would be very welcome. I most certainly wouldn’t say no.”

“Of course you wouldn’t,” smiled Amanda. They kissed briefly and when they separated Amanda said, “Zane, I could do with some coffee and a bagel or a donut. Can you go find us something?”

“Sure honey. No problem. I was thinking about that myself.”

Zane left the studio and made his way out of the building. They were in Seattle and he had no idea where to find coffee and donuts. He was quite accustomed to the streets of New York around their apartment building and even other locations where Amanda occasionally did shoots but this was his first time in Seattle.

It was something else that had attracted him to give up his job as chief of police. With Amanda, he got to travel and see a lot more of the country. He had already visited so many places he had never thought of seeing and he felt that he was growing and learning a lot more than he had as the chief of police in Hurstville.

They hadn’t traveled much internationally but whether they did or didn’t travel for Amanda’s modeling, they planned to do so when they went on holiday.

Zane walked down the street and turned the corner. He spotted what looked like a quaint coffee shop halfway down the block on the opposite side of the road and decided to see if they sold decent coffee and donuts or bagels.

The place was called ‘Eighty-One’. The policeman in him wondered why that name had been chosen by the owner. He crossed the street and entered when he reached the coffee shop. The number eighty-one was fixed to the doorpost and Zane realized the street number of the coffee shop was eighty-one. Was the owner creative or unimaginative naming the place ‘Eighty-One’ Zane wondered to himself as he pushed open the door?

A bell above the door announced his entry.

He stopped just inside and looked around the place. He decided the owner was creative as he looked around the shop. It was much larger than most coffee shops and he guessed they served breakfast and lunch too. Maybe they did dinner but he wasn’t sure about the closing time. It didn’t matter anyway. He would be on a flight back to New York with Amanda before dinner.

He felt like he had just stepped through a portal that took him back to the eighties. He recognized that the décor was from the eighties and the walls were all adorned with pictures and news clippings from events that had happened in the year nineteen eighty-one. The first thing that alerted him to this, were the pictures of the first launch of the space shuttle Columbia. He moved around studying the other articles on the wall which he recalled had all happened in eighty-one.

“Can I help you?” a voice said from behind him.

Realizing he must have looked strange wandering around and reading the articles on the walls, he turned to the person who had spoken to him.

“Sorry, I… I was fascinated by your décor and creativity.”

“Thank you,” said the waitress. “It’s not my creativity. It’s the owner’s.”

“Oh,” Zane nodded. “Well, they’ve done a really good job anyway.”

“Thank you, Sir,” the waitress said. “Would like to be seated or order something?”

“Sure. I wanted two hot cappuccinos to go and two bagels or donuts please.”

“Okay, please step over to the counter and have a look at what we have.”

Zane followed the waitress to the counter. Through the glass display, he saw shelves with fresh donuts and bagels. He decided on bagels since they would be more filling and healthier.

“Can you warm them up please?” he asked.

“Sure,” the waitress said as she popped them in the microwave behind the counter.

Zane waited patiently for the coffee as he looked around at the walls rediscovering the year nineteen eighty-one as he did so.

He was surprised by a woman’s voice that said, “Well, I never…”

Zane thought he recognized the voice and turned to see who had spoken to him. He was speechless for a moment before he found his voice again.

“Would you believe it?” he asked incredulously.

The woman who had spoken rounded the counter and hugged him before he could move.

“Zane! I never thought I’d see you again,” she said.

“Hope,” was all Zane could manage to say as he returned her hug hesitantly at first.

She released him as she smiled broadly. ‘What brings you here? Did you come to arrest me? Are you working undercover now?”

Zane laughed and smiled. “Luckily for you, no. I’ve left the police and I’m working freelance now. Got married too.”

“Oh my God! I never imagined you were the marrying type,” Hope said. “Who’s the lucky girl?”

“My fiancée from many years back. We got together again and found our love was burning stronger than ever.”

“That’s amazing and a pity,” Hope said feigning sadness. “If I had known you were the marrying type…”

“Well, under the circumstances…” Zane said trailing off and leaving what they both knew unsaid.

Hope nodded.

“So are still running?” Zane asked.

Hope smiled and laughed. She knew he wasn’t talking about exercise. She shook her head. “No. Thankfully I’m not running anymore. I was cleared of all charges. I made a deal and co-operated with the police.”

Zane looked around nervously to see if anyone could overhear them but there was no-one within earshot of them.

“So where’s Mrs. Hartman? Am I going to get to meet her?”

“She’s on a shoot nearby. She asked me to get her coffee and a bite. I’ve been gone a bit long already so I guess I should get going.”

Hope seemed disappointed. “Well, don’t let me keep you,” she said. She seemed to be thinking of something and then she asked, “Is Mrs. Hartman the woman who we saw that night when we were in the back of the cruiser after they arrested you at your house?”

Zane thought for a moment and then smiled. He nodded. “Yes. That’s her. Her name’s Amanda.”

“Well, I have to say you have really good taste in women,” Hope said.

“Thank you but why do you say that?”

“Oh c’mon Zane. She’s out of this world beautiful!”

“In more ways than just looks, I assure you,” Zane smiled. He added, “You know of course you include yourself with that remark?”

“How so?” Hope asked.

“Well, given our past…” Zane said.

Hope laughed. “Oh, Zane. You’re funny sometimes. I can see why I was attracted to you.”

“That makes two of us. I hadn’t been with anyone seriously since Amanda until you came along.”

“Really? You must have been desperate to let me lead you astray,” Hope joked.

“On the contrary, I saw the good in you. I always knew there was a good person in you. It’s who you are.”

Hope blushed. “Thanks, Zane.”

“How’s Lisa?” Zane asked.

“She’s doing fine. She’s very happy here in Seattle. She’s settled in school, she’s loving her friends, where we live, everything. She’s like a new kid.”

“That’s great to hear,” Zane said. “What about you? Any lucky men in the picture?”

Hope blushed again. “Well…” she said hesitantly.

“C’mon spill the beans. It’s not like I’m asking you to rat on a bunch of corrupt cops,” Zane joked.

“Okay, okay,” Hope smiled. “There is a lucky man in my life. Maybe I’m the lucky one or we’re both lucky. He’s magic. He’s like you in many ways. We have so much in common and never tire of talking to each other. Lisa loves him but she gets so frustrated when she can’t get a word in edgeways. I think she gets jealous of her mom. She always wants to spend time with him. He’s just amazing. I couldn’t ask for more.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear it. And I have to say I love what you’ve done here. I hope you’re successful.”

“Thanks, Zane. Your words mean a lot to me. I’ve been blessed so far in every way since all that drama’s been left behind.”

The waitress cleared her throat at the counter. Zane and Hope looked over at her.

“Your coffee and bagels are ready sir,” she said. The coffee and bagels had been ready for a while already but the waitress had decided that she better interrupt them before it was cold.

“Great thanks,” Zane said. “How much do I owe you?”

“Oh no. no. Please. It’s on me Zane,” Hope said. “I insist.”

“Okay,” Zane smiled. “Thanks. I’ll be sure to let people know about your place. I’ll be happy to help any way I can.”

“I’ll appreciate it,” Hope said. “Every bit of help is welcome.”

Zane picked up the coffee and bagels and Hope kissed him on the cheek.

“Don’t be a stranger, stranger,” she said.

“If I head back this way, I’ll be sure to drop by. Give my regards to Lisa,” Zane said.

The waitress opened the door for Zane and he stepped out greeting Hope again as he headed back the way he had come.

As he walked, he was amazed at how life worked. He was happy to know that Hope and her daughter were fine and that Hope had been cleared of all charges. He had known that she was a good person but he had also known that she had done what she did to protect and save her daughter. He was sure he would have done the same thing if he had been in her shoes. At least he would have tried but his ego might have failed him. Hope had warned him about his ego at the time and he imagined she had been right.

He was thankful more than ever that he had chosen to give up his job as police chief. He did not ever want to run into someone such as Hope again. He didn’t want to try and balance personal feelings for justice against what the legal system dictated he had to do.

He realized that he didn’t miss the job he had worked so hard for at all and was grateful that he had found what and who he wanted.

As he stepped back into the studio Amanda called for a break when she saw him.

“What took you so long?” she asked as she took her coffee from him.

“I’m sorry, babe. It’s my first time here and I wanted to find a great cup of coffee for you.”

Amanda sipped it. “Mmm, this is great. You’re a lifesaver,” she smiled and hugged him again.

“Anything for you,” Zane smiled as he hugged Amanda tightly.