Noah and Sami met 19 days ago.

ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

Without commenting Noah continued the run. After a few moments, he reached over and touched her hand, but quickly let go.

Without looking at Noah, Sami said, "I'm taking a risk by putting myself out there." After a few moments of silence, she added, "I'm not planning on either of us getting hurt."

The rest of the run was silent.

Just before they started up the porch steps Noah said, "I'll do whatever I have to, so you don't get hurt."

"I know."

TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 15 B

As everyone sat at the dinner table, Bob said, "Mateo's all set for tonight's date."

Jose put his finger to his lips and nodded toward Sami.

Sami placed the last dish on the table before she took the chair beside Noah. "Jose, thank you for your concern but there's no need. Mateo and I are close friends but have never been in a serious relationship." She hesitated. "Yes, I care about him. I hope he finds somebody who'll make him happy. I'm not that person." She laughed. "I doubt he'll find her through an escort service, but I could be wrong."

She passed the vegetables to Noah. "Just let me know if he's in danger or hurt so I can worry."

Chuckling, Bob said, "Will do."

Noah passed the dish to Jose. "I asked you guys earlier to help me figure out something for Sami to do."

Sami's eyebrows rose. "What are you talking about?"

"I feel you're bored," answered Noah. "We have work that keeps us busy. You have nothing."

"I guess that's true."

"I know a person can only play so many Solitaire games. What would you be doing at home?" asked Sarah.

"Mornings and early evenings I'd be at the high school supervising teens in the weight room. The rest of the day, I'd be helping Mom with the restaurant."

Jose shook his head. "Can't do that here."

"True."

"Any suggestions?" asked Noah.

Pointing towards the ceiling, Sami said, "When I was in the attic, I saw a puzzle box. It intrigued me. Can I go back and get it?"

Tilting his head, Jose asked, "A puzzle box? What's that?"

"A box that can't be opened unless you figure out the pattern. Sometimes there's a secret inside, but most of the time there's nothing."

"It should take me a while to figure out how to open it. It'll only take a few minutes to get it."

"Okay," agreed Noah. "It's getting dark. Wait until morning, and I'll go up with you."

"You don't need to. I can get up there myself."

He chuckled. "I know. You've already done it. I suggested you wait until its light, and I'll go with you."

After a sigh, she asked, "Reinventing the rules again?"

"Something like that."

"How about after dinner we plan a game? Maybe Uno?" suggested Sarah.

Noah nodded agreement, and Jose grinned.

Bob said, "I'll need to monitor Mateo, but sure."

*****
As the Uno game continued, Bob's computer dinged. He went, checked it, and returned. "Mateo's interesting. I'll give him that."

Noah faced Bob. "Care to explain?"

"He refused the girl they'd chosen for him. He demanded to meet all the girls. This confused the workers, so they brought in the top guy. After they met, he was allowed to choose his date."

Jose shook his head. "It's one way to see who's in charge. I think it's smart. Now he knows for sure that Chen doesn't run that one."

Noah agreed. "He found out what we needed to know."

Bob lifted a paper. "After he chose his date, he stated they'd go to dinner and then dancing. It depends how the date goes if he'll bring her back to his place or not. He refused to spend the night at an escort service."

Sami smiled. "That sounds like Mateo. He'll only accept the best."

Jose touched Sami's hand. "You're okay with this?"

"I am. I've told you, regardless of what Mateo says, I'm not interested in anything other than friendship." Sami giggled. "It's no different than my feelings for you, Jose. I like you as a friend, but I could care less who you date." She tilted her head. "I'd have some thoughts if you tried to date Sarah. She's married."

Chuckling, Bob said, "I'd have a few things to say about that." He pointed toward the kitchen. "Any dessert?"

Sami stood. "If Boss Man would allow me to get some more blackberries, we could have another cobbler and maybe some blackberry pancakes or muffins for breakfast. Until that happens how about brownies and vanilla ice cream?"

Shaking his head, Noah said, "Reinventing the rules again. Brownies are good."

Jose offered, "I like blackberries. I don't mind escorting her."

Noah watched Sami go into the kitchen. "We'll see what tomorrow brings."

*****
As Noah and Sami walked Jasper, Noah asked, "What if Mateo brings this girl back to his place?"

"It's his choice. He's an adult." Sami stopped walking and faced Noah. "Really, I'm okay with it. Other than being close friends, there's nothing between us. At least on my part, and I honestly believe on his part. He just won't admit it." She hesitated a moment. "Are you going to ignore all the escort services?"

Shaking his head, Noah said, "No. We'll go back and make sure there's no underage girls. If we hit them now, Chen might close his or move them. We can't afford him thinking we're on to him."

"I hadn't thought of it that way, but it makes sense."

"Any other questions?"

"Not really."

"Sounds like there might be one. Go ahead."

"Do you think this whole thing will be solved and things will get back to normal?"

"I do, but don't have a timeframe. I'm hoping it takes only a few more weeks, but I can't promise." After a few silent moments, Noah asked, "You've mentioned you're hoping to become Myra's foster parent."

"I didn't turn in the Adams, but I should have. They didn't list Myra as missing so they're still getting the foster money."

"I have a confession." When Sami's eyes met Noah's, he continued, "After we placed the bug on your Fitbit, we heard you tell your mom about it. I turned them in. They're not getting any money."

"When Myra's rescued, she won't have anywhere to go."

"That's true." He exhaled. "I hope you understand she'll probably be hooked on drugs. Adjusting back into normal life will be difficult. We won't know what emotional issues she'll have until she's rescued."

Sami dried an escaped tear. "I know. I'll help her." After a long pause, she asked, "Do you think you'll be available to help?"

"If you want me to." He opened his arms. "You look like you could use a hug."

"It's not allowed."

"We'll make it short." Sami went into Noah's arms, and he drew her to his chest. "I don't like seeing you upset. I hope this helps."

Stepping back, she said, "It does. Thank you." She swallowed before she asked, "Is there anything else you overheard on my Fitbit I should know about?"

"Not that I can think of right now. If there is, I'm not keeping it a secret on purpose."

"Okay."

They headed toward the house. After goodnights were said, everyone went to their rooms.


~~~~~
CHARACTERS:

Sami Martinez - Twenty-five-year-old high school teacher, who's working to find a kidnapped teenage girl.

Noah Taylor. - Homeland Security team leader, who works in the Human Trafficking department. Alias - Trey Morgan

Jose, Bob, & Sarah - Agents who work under Noah. Bob and Sarah are married.

Laura Martinez - Sami's mom.

Jasper - Sami's Great Dane, a large breed dog.

Myra Rodriguez - Kidnapped teenage girl whom Sami was close to.

Julia - Teenage girl, who was friends with Myra and Sami works with.

Big T - Neighborhood pimp; not a friendly person

Numerous Team Members - They will show up periodically but not really important to the story, except they're there.

Chen - Charles Henry Edward Nichols - Human trafficker and into some really bad stuff.

Chief Galvin Baldwin - Noah's supervisor.

Ryan Brown - All around jerk. He thinks highly of himself.

Marc - Sami's old boyfriend.

Mateo Enrique Aguilar de Pereira - a very close friend of Sami's; a rich playboy

Juan Pablo Enrique Aguilar de Pereira - Mateo's father