Their Heats Desire

Chapter 7

Rita Harding Lee, Sonia’s aunt, had sources in Seattle that let her know just what her brother and sister-in-law were up to. The last thing she heard was that Lila hired a PI to look for Sonia. That was not a good sign, so Rita decided to cut her trip short and head back to Belmont. Rita knew that her sister-in-law was a very different person than Justin . . . Lila was out to make peace with her daughter no matter the cost.

Rita knew that Justin on the other hand was pigheaded and proud as their father was. Justin treats people just like their father did when he was running the company. That’s why Rita and Justin don’t get along right now.

As Rita was packing she pulled out Josephine’s number and called her to check up on Sonia’s progress. It was not what she expected to hear. Sonia’s been having problems with the pregnancy, not getting enough rest . . . any form of stress can cause her to go into labor early. Rita was afraid that if the PI came around that it would just be the thing to cause Sonia to go into labor. No Rita’s got to get back and protect her niece. That just made her more determined to get home as soon as possible. Rita trusts Josephine’s judgment . . . Josey was the best baby doctor around and hopes that Sonia’s following instructions. Just like her father Sonia’s hard-headed and likes to do things her way. One thing is for sure Sonia’s made a better decision than her father ever did.

Rita checked around her room to make sure that she had everything. She checks out of the hotel in Singapore. Heading for the airport she hopes things go smoothly on the flight home.

Once her luggage was checked in, Rita had some time before boarding. 'How had life become so complicated for this family,' Rita pondered. Being black and having the better things in life should be a plus not a negative. Her father and her brother have caused many changes in their family lives. Changes she’s trying to rectify but somehow Justin is one step ahead of her.

The men in her family married good women but didn’t care for their opinion about their lives or business matters. Mom did her best, she was a trooper at handling dad, but then one day she was gone, and; Justin and I were left in the care of our housekeeper; dad, well, he worked harder and harder, staying away from raising his family. His business became more important than his children's. Once he established his business the rules changed, he wanted to be revered as a man without problems, a black man who rose to the top without anyone’s help and so we had to follow what he dictated. If a mistake was made we paid severally for it.

Just as the next thought was forming her flight was called. Rita decided to put her brother out of her mind for now. Her main concern right now is Sonia and the baby.

By the time she reached Virginia, it was Saturday morning. Rita decides to go straight to Sonia’s. It might have been okay for her to go home first, but Josephine told her to go see her niece. Rita dropped her bags off at a friend's on the way. When Rita reached in front of Sonia’s house she found a man washing a jeep and wondered who he could be. She can’t remember Sonia or Sandy mentioning anyone new around the area.

Walking up behind him she taps him on his back. “Ah what are you doing in front of my niece’s house and who are you?”

Andrew was startled for a minute then he thought this must be the Aunt Rita he’s heard so much about from Sandy. “Hi.” He said, extending his hand. “I’m Andrew Hastings Sonia’s new tenant.”

“What! Stop! Sandy finally talked her into it. How did it go?” Rita asked amused. She knew he niece very well.

“Well, she held me at knifepoint the day I moved in.” Andrew casually said.

“I should have been here to see that. She didn’t know did she? Wow, trust Sandy to be sneaky when it’s called for.” Rita agreed with what Sandy did.

“I figured Sandy did that on purpose,” Andrew replied.

“Probably . . .” Rita said laughing. “So, Andrew, come tell me about yourself.” She led the way to a bench and he followed. They sat and talked for quite some time. She asked him about his family, where he was from, and what his intentions were while being in Virginia.

Andrew realized she was just protecting her niece and he can understand that. Rita was an easygoing person and easy to speak to. He hopes they could be friends.

When Andrew told Rita that Sonia had gone into town to speak with Jon, Rita gave him the number where she will be staying for a while.

Rita was worried about the PI her sisters-in-law hired and wanted to deter him from his quest. She didn’t want to scare Sonia by telling her to keep a low profile, but she must warn her somehow. In the meanwhile, Rita was going to try and find out who this person was and get rid of them. Sonia needs peace in her life and a happy healthy baby.

Two days passed, and Rita decides to go home. She informs Sonia of her plans while coming up with a plan to find out about the stranger in town asking questions. They talked for quite some time and Sonia tried to make her give up this quest. Besides, Sandy and James wouldn’t let anyone get near, so Sonia asked her aunt not to worry. One thing though, Rita wondered why Sonia still has not mentioned Andrew once. She'd wait and see what unfolds between them.

Simon fathered his information. It took some fancy footwork and maneuvering to get said information. But it was worth it. He finally found Rita Lee’s address, and that she was traveling and won’t be back any time soon. The young lady at the record office was very helpful after he buttered her up. Once he got the info he headed to Mrs. Lee’s address. It was time now for some surveillance. He checked the house out and found nothing that would lead him to Sonia Rosa’s whereabouts. So, now he’ll wait and wait until Rita Lee comes home. That way he can follow her and find out where or who’s hiding Sonia.

He had just gone back to his car when a very stunning 40-something woman entered the house he just left. Simon took a good look at her and could not believe it, Rita Lee was home early. She must have canceled the rest of her travel plans.

Great, this works out well for him, he won’t have a long wait to find a mark. He watched as she turned on the lights and headed to the bedroom to put down her bags. He watched every move she made with his binoculars. She made several phone calls, he wished he had time to put listening devices in the house but no matter, it won’t stop him from finding out what he needs to know.

He might as well settle in, it might be a while before anything happens. After some time of watching her move around the house, Simon has to admit that Mrs. Lee was not a bad-looking woman. He wonders if posing as a traveling salesman could get him close to her.

Rita noticed things out of place and wondered if someone had been in her house. Nothing was missing but she could tell someone had been there. This scared her that Lilia’s PI was so close to finding Sonia.

The next day when she went out shopping, Rita felt like she was being followed. Several times Rita made daily trips out and felt like someone was watching her or was just being paranoid. This was not a good thing and decides to call Lilia and ask her to call off the PI. She’ll continue doing what’s necessary to keep Sonia safe.

After several conversations with Lilia, Rita felt confident that she would give up on finding Sonia eventually.

One morning Rita went into her favorite coffee shop to have a cup of coffee and a muffin. She met a very handsome older gentleman at the counter while waiting for her order. He too was waiting for his breakfast. They started talking about how good the food was here and how crowded the place seemed. She informed him the place was always crowded but that just means the food was excellent and so was the service and the atmosphere.

They didn’t exchange names but she found him to be polite and he kept eyeing her. It seems he’s looking for something she can't offer.

He was stunned by her beauty; she was not at all what he expected and decided that getting to know her better would be to his advantage. After about 30 minutes they said goodbye and went their separate ways.

The next day Rita ventured into the coffee shop and looked for him, but he was not there. She did not see him until a week later. He’s in the coffee shop again having breakfast. Getting her usual breakfast, she looked for a table. The place was packed more than usual today. That's when she saw him motioning for her to come over and sit with him. Rita thought she should just leave and not look back, but did wonder if she would ever see him again.

When she sat down he introduced himself. “Last time we were here I didn’t introduce myself, I’m Simon Sinclair.”

“Hello Simon, I’m Rita Lee, how do you do?” She said smiling. They talked for some time about each other’s work and what they like to do.

Rita found the conversation stimulating and inviting. Being around the same people all her life had become boring. It was refreshing talking with Simon, he asked her to dinner that night and she accepted. The one thing Rita noticed is he asks a great deal about family. When he began to ask her how long she’s lived in Belmont and where her family was from she decided to be cautious.

Later on, that night at dinner Simon proves to be the perfect gentleman, opening the door for her to hold out her chair and evening ordering for them. He felt he knew her taste and did everything to impress her. He can tell by her demeanor that she’s been alone for a while and pays her much attention.

He felt the evening was a remarkable success and asked if she could see her again. Rita felt that it was a good beginning and why not hang out with him and see where it leads?

They went out on a couple more dates before she decided to see him on regular bases. It would take time before she can trust him but what they have so far was great. Her mind was not on the PI so much but on this wonderful man who popped into her life. She still worried about Sonia though.

Simon made her feel desired, needed even special, something she’s not felt in a long time. But caution was still the key right now. She did not want to think about him causing her family any problems.

Rita and Simon have become close over the last three weeks. So much so that he slept over at times. One night while in bed next to him Rita recalls several events of her life. The daughter she no longer has and always wanted. Rita did not have a choice but does not want Justin and Sonia to go through what she did. But Justin, being who he is, managed to bungle it anyway. He turned out just like dad, discarding his child because she became pregnant. Maybe Justin can’t remember how things were, how strong-willed she was like their mother. Rita had to admit she was wild and only did it because her father was against everything she did. She could not date or hang out with her friends. So, Rita rebelled not caring who got hurt in the process. In the long run, she paid dearly.

Justin tried to help her by taking the blame for the stuff she did and bearing her father’s wrath. She never really thanked him for it; she figured he knew. In the long run, she accused Justin of being just like their father and stopped speaking to him. In some ways, she was wrong but a lot has happened to prove her right.

All she had to do right now, was to be there for Sonia and make sure that things don’t get out of hand. Just then Simon pulled her to him and she snuggled up to him and slept.