Jeffrey carried the tray upstairs, humming softly to himself. As he entered the bedroom, he immediately noticed Meggie’s still form. Her back was to him, her long hair a tangled mess on the pillow. He smiled. Angel…you’re my angel. Walking into the room, Jeffrey quietly set the tray down on the nearby table and headed towards Meggie. Bending down, he reached out and pushed a loose strand of hair from her eyes. So peaceful and innocent, he thought as he watched her breathing.

He hated to wake her and had just decided to take the tray back downstairs when she stirred. Slowly, her eye lids opened, revealing sleepy blue eyes. She blinked several times before smiling.

"Good morning," he tenderly spoke.

"Jeffrey? I was…" she stammered, sitting up and looking down at her bed in confusion. "I was downstairs with…."

"I know. You looked terribly uncomfortable all curled up in the sofa chair. I brought you up here, Meggie." As he spoke, Jeffrey watched Meggie blush.

"I couldn’t sleep…wanted to check on you." She yawned, then stretching her arms, ran her hand through her tangled hair. "I didn’t wake you, did I?"

Jeffrey stood up. "No, of course not. I woke up around 5 or so and saw you. You do know, my darling, the object of being protected means to stay hidden and away from danger." He frowned at her, despite the slow grinned that spread across his face. He reached out, his fingers tilting her chin up to meet his eyes. "So sleeping downstairs is out of the question. Actually, I didn’t mean to sleep as long as I did, just doze a bit."

"But am I not safer when I’m with you?" she asked, teasingly.

"Meggie…" he began, chuckling. She hadn’t heard that lovely sound in ages, and it made her smile even more. "I think you would be a lovely distraction for me, but for now, I need to stay alert to keep you safe." Walking over to the table, Jeffrey picked up the tray and returned to Meggie’s bed. "I remembered you saying how much you enjoyed waffles…I tried, and this is the best I came up with."

Meggie looked up, her blue eyes filled with love. "Jeffrey, you didn’t have to make breakfast. How?"

As if reading her mind, he sat down on the bed while Meggie scooted over to make room for him. He chuckled, helping her with the tray. "Well…I actually drove back to Millie’s for this and flew home so it wouldn’t get cold."

The waffle smelled delicious and the rich amber color maple syrup made her mouth water.

"Thank you. For this, for last night, Jeffrey." Meggie stared into his blue eyes, hoping the trust and need that continued to grow stronger inside her showed in her eyes. Looking away, she took a bite of her waffle. "Very good," she said with her mouth full. She picked up the white napkin and wiped a small dab of syrup from the corner of her mouth.

"It’s a beautiful day, Meggie. Sun is shining, sky is blue. I was wondering…how would you like to go into Coffs Harbour for the day? We could do some shopping or anything you want. I know a few excellent restaurants I think you would enjoy. And," he paused as he watched her eat the last piece of waffle, "there are some places to go horseback riding. Explore the rainforest."

"Jeffrey, that sounds perfect. But, what about golf? I know how much you love it and can’t pass up the opportunity to play a round or two."

"Not today. Today is just for us to enjoy. We can…work on your golf skills a little later." He grinned, his blue eyes beaming with such happiness Meggie hadn’t seen in such a very long time. "Besides, I’m going to need to stock up on golf balls before we head out."

"Brute!" Meggie responded, setting her plate down to grab her pillow and flip at him. "I only lost six of your balls that day! And I found them, every single one...some in the bushes, some in sand traps, and others in the pond."

He couldn’t help himself from laughing at her comment. Jeffrey caught the pillow as it bounced near his lap. Before long, she realized what he found so funny, and blushed slightly. She moved the tray to her bedside table.

"That didn’t come out right," she stuttered, turning even redder as Jeffrey’s eyes twinkled with a mischievous smirk. "I meant…what I…oh, damn!"

"Meggie, you are absolutely adorable, you know that? There is no one like you." He stood up, and standing over her, gazed down into her face. Her lips parted as she stared back into his eyes. Jeffrey suddenly needed to feel and touch her, and cupped her face with both of his hands before kissing her. The sweet taste of maple syrup lingered on her lips as he pressed his mouth on hers. Meggie responded by wrapping her arms around his neck, her right hand holding the back of his head and caressing it softly with her fingers.

"Jeffrey," Meggie softly whispered between kisses. "I want…need…."

He pulled back to gaze upon her glowing face. She stared straight up at him, her blue eyes wide open as she held her breath, waiting. The sudden urge to wrap her tightly in his arms filled his thoughts as he stood above her.

The front door rang, causing them to jump slightly. Jeffrey frowned as he glanced at his watch. It was barely past nine, who could be here so early? He moved towards the bedroom door.

"That must be the delivery men with my furniture," she quickly said and got out of bed. "I need to get dressed…."

Jeffrey whirled around and saw her gathering a clean shirt and her jeans. "No. You wait here, I’ll answer the door and see who that is," he said sternly and headed downstairs.

Meggie sighed and entered her bathroom where she quickly dressed and pulled her hair into a pony tail.

The door bell rang again, this time longer. Jeffrey hurried to the door, and could see the van through the living room window. He opened the door to two men, one in his twenties with black hair, the other one older with a grey beard.

"Uh, have a delivery here for Miss Ward," the older man replied with a slight frown on his face. "Kenny, we got the right address?"

Looking down at his paperwork, the younger man nodded his head. "Yeah, this is the place. Thought she lived alone."

"Excuse me?" Jeffrey blurted out. "What the hell does that mean?" Anger filled his voice as he glared at both men. About that time, Meggie came running down the steps and towards the front door.

"Oh good, it’s my furniture. Jeffrey, here let me take care of this," she said as she started to go around Jeffrey.

Kenny glanced up and smiled. "Morning…Meggie, right?" A sly smile spread across his face as he looked at her.

"Uh, yes," she answered hesitantly.

Jeffrey continued to glare at Kenny before turning towards Meggie. "Meggie, would you mind getting me some coffee?"

"Okay. But let me tell them where everything goes." Meggie finally managed to slip past Jeffrey to talk with the men. "The mattress, bed frame, headboard all goes upstairs in the second bedroom on the right. The desk goes in the study, which is across the hall."

"Gotcha." Kenny said glancing at Jeffrey then returning to Meggie. "Harry, come on." The two men turned back and headed towards the truck.

Jeffrey turned around quickly, lightly grabbing Meggie’s arm. "I’ll stay with them and make sure they put everything where it belongs." He was now guiding her towards the kitchen. "How about some coffee?"

Meggie stopped and faced him. She could tell by his expression and tone what he was thinking. She felt a twinge of anger and frustration beginning to fill her mind, but she stopped it from erupting into something worse: another argument. Sighing, she reached up and ran her fingers through his hair. "I know what you’re doing and I appreciate it. But I’m safe with you here." She smiled, enjoying the softness of his hair against her fingers.

"Meggie, I’m protective and cautious." He reached up to touch her hand and brought it down to his lips for a kiss.

Just then, Kenny and Harry entered the living room, carefully holding the headboard. They headed upstairs to the room Meggie had told them.

"Stay here. I’ll go upstairs and take care of everything." Releasing her small hand, Jeffry turned and headed up the stairs to stand and observe. Meggie laughed and started to make coffee.

The rest of the furniture pieces gradually and slowly made their way into the house and into the designated locations. When done, Kenny walked past Meggie’s room and paused to look inside. He could see the bed was unmade and the sheets twisted. He wondered what a young woman would want with an old man, one twice her age. About that time, Jeffrey walked up behind him and leaning close to his ear, whispered, "You’re done. Now get out. And don’t even look or say a word to her on your way out." Jeffrey placed his hand on the younger man’s shoulder. Kenny whirled around, rage and embarrassment splashed across his face.

"Back off, old man. I don’t know what she sees in you, but I’d be more than happy to…."

"What’s going on here?" Harry asked, coming out of the study and wiping his forehead with a rag. "Damn it Kenny, what’ve you done now?"

"Nothing, this here bloke...." Kenny started to say before Jeffrey cut him off and glanced up at the older man.

"Just a small misunderstanding about the placement of the furniture. But we’re clear now, aren’t we, Kenny?" Jeffrey emphasized the last word as he patted Kenny on the shoulder. "Thanks for the delivery, guys."

Harry mumbled something under his breath as he stomped past Kenny. "Come on. I swear, one of these days you’re going to get us both fired."

Meggie heard the door shut and came from the kitchen, a frown on her face. "Do I want to know what THAT was about?" she asked standing with his cup of coffee.

"What? Nothing, nothing at all. Ah, thanks Meggie," he answered taking the hot cup from her. "Now, you all set to go with me back to my place to get some things? Then we can be on our way to Coffs."

"Yeah. But I’m not really dressed for anything fancy in Coffs. Let me change."

"No, you’re perfect." Glancing down at his own wrinkled shirt, he frowned. "I, though, could use a change of clothes and a shave."

"I don’t know…I sort of like your unshaven look," she answered, touching his face. She snuggled up closer to him, placing her left hand on his chest.

"If we keep this up, I’ll have a beard, my darling." Jeffrey wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his body. He could feel her heart pounding, see the flushed looked on her face when he touched her. The two remained like that for a few moments, enjoying the closeness of each other while starring into each other’s eyes.

Meggie finally moved, breaking the tender moment. "We better get your things now." Jeffrey simply smiled.

TBC…