Free Suddenly a Spy by Heather Huffman Page A

lead-lined secret compartment in the luggage she’d
snagged from Jeff’s basement.
    “Sir, you really should be in your seat
already,” the flight attendant was saying. Veronica glanced up and
her heart fell.
    “Sorry about that,” Rick gave the flight
attendant a charming smile as he settled into the seat beside
Ronnie. It was obvious from her flustered return smile that all was
forgiven.
    “Well hell,” Veronica muttered.
    “I’m happy to see you too, my love,” he tried
the same charming grin on her, without the same effect.
    “What do you want?”
    “You’re like an angry kitten, you know
that?”
    “Ah, you came to patronize me. That could
have waited until I got back. It would have been cheaper.”
    “Well, when I saw that you spent three grand
on a vase this afternoon, I assumed maybe you inherited some money
or something. Was there a rich uncle you didn’t tell me about?”
    “Jeff spent that.”
    “And the statue?”
    “Yeah, that was him too.”
    “I hope he realizes that’s his Christmas
present for the next twenty years. And I didn’t come to patronize
you.”
    Ronnie didn’t answer, choosing to focus on
the ground dropping out from underneath them as the plane took off.
The slightly dizzy feeling that induced seemed preferable to
another fight with Rick.
    “I came to tell you that you’re right.”
    Veronica warily turned her head towards
him.
    “I owe you an explanation. And we should do
this together. I don’t want you getting yourself killed because I
backed you into a corner. I love you too much to lose you over
this.”
    Veronica didn’t budge, unsure what to do with
that.
    “Ron?”
    “I’m processing.”
    He cocked his head to study her, as if trying
to somehow read the direction her thoughts were taking.
    “You know I think public displays of
affection are gross.”
    “Yes, my little romantic.”
    “So this flight’s going to feel really long
now, because I’d like to kiss you.”
    “Does that mean you accept the truce?”
    “Maybe,” Veronica nodded
ever-so-slightly.
    She didn’t like feeling awkward around Rick,
but she didn’t know what to do or say. She didn’t expect him to
tell her anything while they were on the plane but she didn’t know
quite where they stood until she’d heard the whole story. Should
she make small talk? Pretend nothing was wrong?
    Rick seemed to understand her conundrum. He
took her hand in his, kissed her fingertips then rested their hands
in between them.
    “So, what hotel did you book for us?”
    “Adria.”
    “Not bad.”
    “It’s supposedly close to the airport,
railway and most historical monuments.”
    “Is that straight from their website?”
    “Pretty much,” she admitted.
    “You’ll like Italy. Too bad we’re going to be
busy with death and destruction. It would be nice to explore.”
    And so the conversation continued until she
finally dozed off on his shoulder. When the fasten seatbelts sign
dinged, it startled her awake and she cracked Rick in the nose.
    “Sorry.”
    “It’s okay,” he tenderly touched his nose to
assess the damage.
    “Sorry,” she said again, frowning in
sympathy.
    “I probably deserved it. Come on, let’s go
grab some lunch before we check in.”
    “Lunch? I hate time changes.”
    “You get used to it.”
    “That’s comforting.”
    She had to admit she was glad to have Rick
there as they gathered their luggage. It was her first trip to
Italy, and her grasp of the language was shaky at best. He moved
with a confidence she envied.
    “What did work say about you being gone
again?” he asked as they settled into the taxi.
    “I’m working remotely this week. What about
you?”
    “They think I have a stomach virus.”
    “You’re playing hooky? What a bad
employee.”
    “I hate that job.”
    “Really? Why don’t you work somewhere else
then? You’re smart enough to work anywhere you want.”
    He merely cast a look her way before turning
his attention out the window. “I like