Chapter 33

The next few days were extremely busy as the four occupants of the Highland’s mansion settled in. When Amelia left to shop for furnishings, Jon begged off claiming he had a training session with Adam. She tried valiantly to get him to go with her as she wanted his input on things to go in his house but try as she might he wouldn’t agree. Richie, who other than helping with the studio was left with nothing to do much of the time piped up that he’d be glad to go help. Amelia cringed slightly remembering all that Jon said about his abilities and unable to hurt her friend reluctantly agreed to let him tag along. Jon watched the duo as they left and turned to Adam with a grin, “well I’ve set myself up for a lesson so lets get too it.” He walked over to the coat rack and grabbed his sword. “Let’s see if I can make you fall this time.” Even Adam couldn’t resist a challenge like that, so pulling his Ivanhoe he led the way to the training area.

As Amelia pulled into the parking lot of the mall she risked a glance at Richie. “I’m not real sure why you wanted to tag along Rich, this kind of shopping can be sort of dull you know.”

“I love helping damsels in distress Red. Jon wrangled you into this and you need a bit of assistance.” Richie grinned, “I’m not totally helpless in this department you know. Jon sort of embellished things a bit to rope you into doing this.”

Amelia arched a fine eyebrow, “Oh really? Well Sambo lets just see what talent you have.”

Walking into the store they spent the next two or three hours going through its entire inventory. Time and time again Amelia found herself surprised at Richie’s astute ideas for the house. His choice of color or style was always on the mark and matched her ideas perfectly. They moved from store to store, swiftly choosing things for each room of the house, perfectly in sync with their ideas. “You know Richie, I have to apologize. I had you pegged as the greasy dinger, playboy mansion type of decorator.”

Richie laughed, “Well if that’s what you want Red; I can surely gear down a bit.”

She groaned softly, “Oh no, no, no. Let’s just keep you geared up shall we?” She wrapped an arm around her friend’s waist. Come on, Lets hit the next store, I need to fix a room for Jon’s office and well yours too if you want one.”

As they walked into the store they never noticed the shadow they had, never saw the obsessive gleam in eyes darkened with envy. “Yet another woman with him; always some two bit little whore on his arm.” The thoughts swirled and darkened as anger overcame them. “I’ll have to do something about this one. I’ve followed him this far, a bit further won’t matter, and then I can make my plans on how to handle that whore and anyone else who happens by.” Plans within plans within plans filtered through a mind shattered by years of obsessive longing as dark eyes watched the store intently, ready to follow the objective at all costs. Those same eyes grew dark as they watched Richie and Amelia joke and around and pick out furniture. Lifting a camera, picture after picture was snapped, some of Richie, some of them together. Noticing they were on the way out the door the camera was dropped as dark eyes watched them get back into the car and head out of the parking lot. Walking casually to a rental the stalker slid in behind the wheel and pulled out into traffic, dark eyes peeled for the auto holding Richie and his whore. Keeping a safe distance, the rental car followed until the car holding their main objective turned into a drive way. Moving on past the drive the rental car slowed and pulled over, a dark clad figure exiting the car to peer over the stone wall encircling the property. “So this is your little love nest. Well a trip to town and a visit to hall of records and I’ll have the sketches to this house. Then I’ll set my plans into motion.” Without a backward glance the hooded figure retreated back to the rental car and began to drive back to town.

~~~~~~

Amelia and Richie entered the house and made their way to the living room, where Jon and Adam had just arrived in. Taking one long look at Jon’s sweaty form she took a deep breath. God he was glorious even sweaty. “So how’d the training go?” She gave Jon a sweetly innocent smile as he groaned. “The old man made mince meat of me. It’s a good thing we don’t really need ban-aids anymore.”

“Awww did poor baby get a few boo-boos?” Amelia cooed softly as she leaned over to nibble his ear, one hand sneakily sliding for a pillow. “Want me to make it all better?”

Jon sat up quickly, his tiredness all but forgotten. “Oh yeah baby, you can make it allllllll better.” He shot a fiery blue gaze her way and got pummeled with the pillow for his efforts. “Hey, what was THAT for?”

Amelia grinned, “Never tell fibs Jonny boy. They always come up to bite you in the ass.” She turned and flounced her way out of the room, “YOU get to help move the furniture around Jonny. Me and Rich are taking the day off.”

As she left the room all Jon could think was how he’d like to bite that one ass, before nibbling his way up and down the pathways of her skin. So she was a bit miffed at his little joke. He bet he could get her un-mad really fast, just as soon as he took a shower and a little nap. He slowly moved from the couch and began to make his way to the stairwell when a knock sounded from the front door. Groaning softly he yelled for Amelia before turning to the door. As he opened the door a youngish looking young woman gave him a nervous smile. “Hello, I’m here to interview for a position here? The employment office sent me.”

He gave the young woman a tired smile and ushered her in. “Amelia will be here in just a moment, she’s the one doing the interview. If you’ll excuse me I was off to shower.”

As he turned to leave, Amelia walked up with a smile on her face. “Hi, I’m Amelia and you are?” As she reached out to shake the young woman’s hand she studied her intently. As she gave the woman the once over she decided she liked what she saw. The young woman was graceful, even beautiful although she hid it well behind a bulky sweater. Raven dark hair was tightly wound into a bun and thick glasses covered expressive dark eyes. The match maker in her started to gear up as she smiled at the girl.

“My name is Helene and I’m here to interview for the position open, but I have to ask, is that who I thought it was?”

Amelia grinned. “Depends on who you thought it was honey. And if it is who you think it is can you handle working around that type of person?”

Helene grinned, “If you mean the hard hot and hunky type?” She laughed softly, “but then if you meant the celebrity type, then yeah. I’ve worked a few of those; I know how to keep my mouth shut.”

“Let me show you the kitchen area Helene. If your hired you’ll be totally responsible for the entire staff, for any entertaining done, and for the general upkeep of everything. Think you can handle that?” Seeing the young woman nod she then took her on a quick tour of the place ending up in the kitchen. Gesturing to a seat at the counter Amelia poured them both a cup of coffee and sat down to discuss details. The more she talked to the woman the more she liked her. She would fit right in, and if things went along the way she wanted, would fit with Richie too. He deserved a nice lady and Helene seemed like one.

“Well Helene, I like you, and I’m sure the guys will too, I hope you like working here.” Amelia’s voice faded as she saw the quizzical look in Helene’s eyes.

“When do I start?” Helene crossed her fingers, hoping against hope that the next words would be ones she wanted to hear.

“You start now honey, I got 3 very hungry men waiting on food. Sandwiches and soup will be fine for now. Oh and by the way, we don’t stand on formality here, you don’t have to wear a uniform, so just dress comfortable the next time you come to work.”

Both ladies looked up as a damp haired golden maned rock star wandered into the kitchen. He moved to Amelia and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before looking the other lady over. “So who do we have here Fire?”

“Jon, this is Helene, she’s going to be our Chief cook and bottle washer, or rather, chief cook and household manager.”

He reached over and clasped the young woman’s hand, a brilliant smile on his face. “Welcome to the family Helene.”

As they got acquainted Richie casually strolled into the kitchen with a “Hey you guys I’m starved, what’s for dinner?” His chocolate brown gaze centered on the young woman in the bulky sweater and stopped cold. “And who is this little beauty?”

Amelia grinned as she introduced her friend to the newest staff member. One thing was certain, it wouldn’t be long before she was interviewing again if the King of Swing had anything to say about it.