Karen hesitated then shook her head. “He’ll find us no matter where we go.”
“What about going to stay with family or friends away from Rock Harbor?”
“I guess I could go to my mother’s in Wisconsin, but it would be the first place Quentin would look.”
She was probably right. Bree tried to think of where else she could send Karen, but nothing came to mind. “I’ll talk to Mason,” she said finally.
Gretchen and Davy came back with punch and cake, and the two women turned as the bride and groom joined them.
“Whew, I’m pooped already.” Naomi’s cheeks were pink.
Bree smiled and handed her a cup of punch. “Thirsty?”
Her friend was radiant, and Donovan’s harried look had been replaced with a contented expression that warmed Bree’s heart. Naomi deserved this happiness. Emily and Timmy hovered close as though they wanted to make sure she didn’t get away.
“Time to throw the garter and bouquet,” Anu said at her elbow. “I will take charge of my grandson while you go up.”
Bree laughed and turned to look for Kade. Would they be the next couple to tie the knot? The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying. She went into the front of the room. The photographer hurried to take a picture of Donovan removing Naomi’s garter.
Donovan sat on a chair and rubbed his hands together. “I’ve been waiting for this,” he said. He reached down and grasped Naomi’s ankle. Naomi put on a horrified expression, though Bree could tell it was all she could do not to giggle. Donovan held the garter in the air triumphantly, then turned his back on the crowd and sent it sailing through the air.
It flew so high it nearly got caught on the light fixture before it came tumbling down, straight into Kade’s hands. The stupefied expression on Kade’s face made Bree laugh.
“I get to be best man,” Donovan said with a grin.
“You threw it at me on purpose,” Kade accused.
His gaze caught Bree’s, and she saw a warm promise in his eyes. She gulped.
Naomi turned her back to the crowd. “Now my bouquet.” She hefted the flowers in front of her, then flipped them over her head. The bouquet turned end over end, then dropped into Bree’s waiting hands. She lifted the flowers to her nose and breathed in the sweet aroma. Her gaze was drawn to Kade’s again. He smiled his crooked smile again, then started toward her.
Naomi held a fist in the air in triumph. “Gotcha!” she called.
Bree dragged her fascinated stare from Kade’s face. “I’ll get you for this,” she whispered. She felt an incredible sense of happiness. The love in Kade’s eyes made her heart turn over. At least she thought it was love—he’d never said the words. Sometimes she wondered if he ever would.
Kade reached her and took her hand. “Want some punch?”
“That would be nice.” Nice. How stupid she sounded. She felt as if she was shaking.
They started toward the refreshment table; then a door slammed. A car backfired, and Bree felt something pass by her cheek.
“Get down!” Kade shouted.
Bree looked at him in bewilderment, then he shoved her to the ground as people began to scream. His weight knocked the breath out of her. She tried to push him off, but his hands pressed her back against the hard floor.
“Someone’s shooting.” Kade’s breath whispered across her cheek.
“Anu’s been hit!” Mason yelled.
“Davy!” Bree screamed. “Where’s my son?”
12
Kade paced like an agitated tiger around the perimeter of the room. The bedlam had finally subsided. Davy was safely ensconced in Bree’s arms, and Mason had corralled everyone out of harm’s way. Everyone but the bride and groom. He’d allowed them to slip away with Emily and Timmy. The Smoky Mountains during spring break awaited them, and they wanted to get as far as Milwaukee before it got too late.
Dr. Parker had rushed to Anu’s side, and Kade saw him hovering over her like a protective knight. The bullet had grazed Anu’s arm, barely breaking the skin, and she’d waved away their concern. Had the shot been aimed at Anu, or was it just fate she’d been struck? Mason and his men were crawling over the yard for clues to the shooter’s identity, but darkness hampered their efforts.
Lauri was missing. Once Kade had ensured Bree’s safety and found Davy, he’d gone looking for his sister only to be told she’d last been seen getting into Brian Parker’s car. And though the fact would have sent him into a furor any other day, today he was relieved. At least she hadn’t here when the shot was fired.
Mason stepped back inside the room. He motioned to Kade, and Kade wound his way through the throng to his side.
“Find anything?” Kade asked.
“Got an eyewitness who recognized Quentin Siller’s car earlier.” Mason said grimly.
“You think he was targeting Anu?”
“We know he hates her and Bree both. We’re going to have to put a guard on them until he’s found. I’m going to try to talk them into staying with us.”
“Good luck.”
“I’d better get people out of here.” Mason stepped into the crowd.
Kade went in search of Bree. He found her sitting on a chair beside Anu and Hilary. Davy was in Bree’s arms, asleep, and she and Hilary were fussing over Anu. Dr. Parker had bandaged Anu’s arm. Poor Bree, after all she’d been through. Kade wished she’d let him help her carry her burdens, though part of her attraction was in her chin-up, face-the-worst attitude.
The doctor patted Anu’s shoulder and straightened up, taking her hand. “You’ll be fine, Anu, not even a scar most likely. I’ve cleaned it. Just put vitamin E on it several times a day until it heals.”
“Thanks, Dr. Parker.” Bree said. “Should someone stay with her tonight?”
Dr. Parker grinned. “She’s fine, Bree. Really. It’s just a scratch.” He glanced at Anu’s hand. “Pretty ring. I’ve never seen you wear it before. New beau? Should I be jealous?” The twinkle in his eye made them all laugh. Anu blushed.
Mason made his way to the head of the room. His face was drawn with fatigue. He put his hands on his hips and raised his voice above the excited chatter. “You can all go home now, but one of my deputies or I will be coming around to ask questions. If you think of anything that might aid our investigation, please call the office.”
The crowd immediately began to thin. Kade couldn’t blame them. Who knew when another shot might be fired? The next time it might be deadly. The shot had whizzed right by Bree’s head.
A deputy hurried in to confer with Mason. Kade watched their body language. It looked as though they might have found something. Mason clapped the other man on the shoulder, then came toward the rest of the family.
“Anything?” Kade asked quietly when Mason stopped beside him.
Mason nodded. “We found the slug, a two-twenty-two.”
A high-range rifle. “No idea what he was aiming at?” Kade asked.
Mason’s gaze went to Anu.
Bree’s eyes widened, and she shifted her son from one arm to the other, then settled the sleeping boy against her shoulder. “No one could possibly want to hurt her,” Bree said. Her firm tone dared anyone to contradict her words. She moved closer to Anu, and the older woman patted her hand. Dr. Parker began to frown.
“I wish we could be sure of that,” Mason said. “Quentin Siller has told several people he would make the two of you ‘pay.’ I thought he was just spouting off, but he seems to be more dangerous than that.”
“That’s ridiculous! Bree and Mother did nothing but help get Karen out of danger.” Hilary said. “You have to find him, Mason.”
“You are all overreacting,” Anu said firmly. “I am certain it was someone trying to disrupt the wedding.”
“Why would anyone want to disrupt the wedding?” Mason asked. “I’m afraid we have to take this very seriously. It might have just been a fluke, but I’m not going to take any chances. I think you should stay with us until I figure out what’s g
oing on, Anu.”
Anu was shaking her blond head before Mason even finished. “I will not be driven from my home. God has cared for me all these years, and I believe he will watch out for me now. Besides, you two need this time to plan for the baby.”
“There’s plenty of time for that.” Hilary moved restlessly. “If you won’t stay with me, we’ll move in with you.” Her hand strayed to her still-flat belly in a protective posture.
“You are always welcome, my kulta, but I will not be coddled. You will stay in your own home.” Anu thrust out her chin.
“Mother, you have to listen to reason!”
Anu lifted her hand. “You are the ones who must listen. I will be fine. I have lived on my own for many years. I have your father’s shotgun, and I know how to use it if necessary.”
“That won’t do you much good if it’s a sniper like today,” Bree said, her voice gentle.
Kade knew she was worried, and he moved closer to her. He took her hand and pressed it, and she gave him a grateful smile. To his surprise, she left her hand in his.
“I could stay tonight,” Dr. Parker said.
“You all worry too much,” Anu said gently. “I must get home. Alone. I’ll be fine. I don’t want anyone to stay.”
“We all need to be going,” Mason said. “I want everyone out of here while my men go over the place with a fine-tooth comb.”
“What about Siller?” Kade asked. “Could he have been targeting Bree?”
“There’s no way of knowing for sure who he was aiming at.” Mason’s voice was grim.
Kade didn’t want to talk about it anymore. He didn’t want to think of the possibility that something might happen to Bree. “I’ll see Anu and Bree home,” he said.
“That’s not necessary,” Bree said. “I’ve got my Jeep.”
“Then I’ll follow you,” Kade said firmly. Sometimes she was just too independent. She shrugged but gave him no more argument.
He took Davy from her and nestled the small, warm boy against his shoulder. Davy opened his eyes sleepily and saw it was Kade. He stiffened, but Kade soothed him with a pat, and he sat up a bit in Kade’s arms and looked around the room.
“Where we going?” he asked. “I want some ice cream.”
“Home. Maybe we can play a game. If you want to. And I’ll go get you some ice cream.”
Davy’s green eyes brightened, and he nodded. “Okay.” He wiggled. “I want to walk.”
Kade put him down and watched Davy reach for his mother’s hand. She smiled down at her son with expansive love. Kade felt like such an outsider at times like this. It seemed impossible that he would ever be a part of charge to this family circle. But Kade wasn’t a quitter.
As they came out of the church, sirens screamed out of the darkness. A fire truck came tearing by, followed by another one. Kade turned and looked in the direction they were heading, but it was too dark to see smoke. The only buildings that direction were the lighthouse and the Blue Bonnet. The fire trucks passed the Blue Bonnet.
Bree seized his arm in a tight grip. “My house!” she gasped. “Samson is in there!”
Kade scooped up the boy and handed him off to Hilary. “Take Davy!” He grabbed Bree’s hand, and they ran toward his truck. He slung himself under the steering wheel. Bree was already in the passenger seat. With the truck’s tires slipping on the wet road, he stomped on the accelerator and sped toward the lighthouse.
He could smell smoke but saw no flames. Maybe the smoke had alerted the fire department soon enough that they would be able to save the structure. Bree gripped the armrest on the door as though it was all she could do to stay in the vehicle. Her dog was like her second child.
Kade wanted to reassure her but couldn’t find the right words. Typical of him. They had to save the dog they all loved. They raced down Quincy Hill and tore down Cottage Avenue. He took the corner onto Harbor Road, the truck’s rear tires sliding sideways on the wet pavement. Bree was crying now, her lips moving as she prayed.
Kade swallowed the hard rock in his throat. “Dear God,” he prayed aloud, “please let Samson be safe. Send an angel to guard him right now. He’s important to all of us.”
“Amen,” Bree whispered. She managed a tremulous smile of gratitude and passed the back of her hand over her wet cheeks.
They reached the lighthouse, and Kade slid to a stop. Killing the engine, he jumped out, but Bree was already racing up the walk. A fireman stopped her at the fence gate, and she struggled to get past him.
“My dog!” she cried. She tore her arm loose from the fireman’s grip and screamed out his name. “Samson!”
Kade heard a bark; then Samson came racing around from the back of the house. He streaked right for Bree and leaped up onto her. She sank to her knees and buried her face in his fur.
“You smell like smoke,” she whispered when she raised her head. She looked up at the fireman. “How did you get him out?”
“He was waiting for us by the front door when I broke in. The fire is contained. As near as we can tell, it started in the basement.”
Bree couldn’t seem to slow the tap of tears. Samson licked her face, and she smoothed the curly fur around his face. “Good boy,” she said. “You knew to get out, didn’t you?”
She looked up at the fireman. “Do you think I should get him checked out? How much smoke did he inhale?”
“I think he’s fine.” The fireman knelt and roughed the dog’s ears, an action Samson welcomed with a happy smile. “He’s a good dog.”
“I don’t think I’ve met you,” Bree said. She knew most of the firemen, because Rob had been the volunteer fire chief for two years before he died. The man’s face was covered with soot, but the admiration in his blue eyes was hard to miss.
He took off his helmet and gloves, then wiped his forehead, but he just made the soot streaks worse. “Nick Fletcher,” he said. “I’ve only been in town a couple of weeks.”
Bree held out her hand. “Bree Nicholls,” she said.
He shook her hand, holding it just a bit longer than necessary. “Are you married, Bree Nicholls?”
She laughed and dropped her gaze from his admiring one. “I’m widowed,” she said.
“And taken,” Kade said, stepping forward. He held out his hand to help her up.
Bree suppressed a smile. Kade never seemed to say how he felt, but his proprietary manner told her he cared.
Nick glanced at Kade. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be out of line.” But he continued to stare at her with admiration.
Bree looked away, unsure how to handle this. She curled her fingers through Samson’s collar and decided to change the subject.
“How much damage is there?”
“Hard to say. It’s mostly smoke damage,” Nick said. “There’s a couple of charred floor joists in the basement, but nothing too troubling. I recommend you find another place to stay until you get a company in here experienced in removing smoke. Your insurance company will know who to send over.”
BREE NODDED. “MY HUSBAND WAS A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN,” SHE SAID.
“Oh yeah?” Nick looked pleased. “You must like firemen.”
Kade let out an exasperated sigh, and Bree suppressed a grin. Nick was just trying to impress her, a tactic she decided to forgive. She rather liked his self-confidence.
“Well, I certainly loved my husband,” she said.
“What do you need from inside? I’ll go get it,” Kade said.
“I’ll go with you,” Bree said. “Stay,” she told Samson. The dog obediently lay down on one of the few patches of snow left and stretched out with a look of exultation on his doggy face. Bree laughed, then went toward the front door.
Nick trailed behind her. “We’ve got the windows open to air out the smoke, but it will probably be pretty bad still.”
Bree could see Kade struggling to control his temper. She put her hand on his arm, and he flinched. Nick still followed them, and Bree wished he would leave them alone for a few minutes, engaging t
hough he was. She couldn’t talk properly to Kade with Nick overhearing.
“Hey, Fletcher! Come here and give me a hand.” Another fireman struggling with a coil of hose waved from the street. Nick shrugged apologetically then jogged over to the fire truck.
“Finally,” Kade muttered.
At his tone, all thoughts of placating him left her. Pressing her lips together, Bree marched ahead of him into the house. She needed some clothing for her and Davy, as well as his favorite books. The stench of smoke struck her almost like a physical blow, and she wrinkled her nose. The acrid, penetrating odor reached deep into her nasal tissues and lungs. She went up the stairs and down the hall to the bedrooms.
“If you’ll collect some things for Davy, I’ll get my clothes.” She refused to look at Kade.
He took her arm and pulled her around to face him. “What’s eating you?”
She glared at him. “You are what’s eating me. Nick was just being pleasant.”
He dropped her arm and took a step back. “He was putting the make on you. But maybe that’s what you want. I guess I was mistaken about what kind of relationship we have. My apologies.” He ground out the words through tight lips, then turned and went down the hall to Davy’s room.
If he’d ever once say he loved her, maybe they could move forward. Bree was beginning to think he’d never say it.
13
Anu moved around the house like a hummingbird, joyous over having Bree and Davy with her. Bree’s tension eased, and she hurried to help Anu make up the spare beds. Davy was chattering excitedly about being able to stay with Grammy, and Samson followed them all around as though he wasn’t sure what was happening.
It was ten o’clock by the time they got Davy settled down enough to sleep. Samson lay on the rug beside the bed and kept guard over his boy. Bree gave him a loving pat, then followed Anu down the hall to the living room.
“I will make us some chamomile tea,” Anu said. “It will help you sleep.”
While Anu made the tea, Bree picked up a photo album she’d never seen before. She flipped through the pages and saw a tall man with blond hair and Rob’s smile playing catch with a small boy, probably Rob, since he looked so much like Davy. The unexpected encounter with Rob’s image made her heart hurt.