Nick’s warm hand clasped hers as they walked back to his SUV. Kade would have noticed her distraction, and it made Bree wonder how Nick saw her. Couldn’t he tell she had something on her mind?
Nick drove out past her lighthouse to the turnoff that went to a tip of land jutting into the lake. He opened her door and, when she got out, tucked her hand into his jacket pocket to keep it warm from the cool breeze blowing off the lake. He led her to a bench with a vista of the water that nearly took her breath away.
He put his arm around her, and she leaned her head against his chest. Why didn’t she feel safe and protected with him? He tried and did all the right things.
“Are you going to tell me what’s bugging you? You’ve been as far away as Minnesota tonight. I was ready to get a boat and cross the lake to reach you.”
“I’m right here.” She didn’t know how to answer something she didn’t know herself.
He was silent for a time, and she looked up at his profile in the moonlight. His strong jaw and full lips reminded her of that statue of David by Michelangelo. Any woman would be thrilled to be keeping company with him, but all she felt was emptiness. He deserved more than that.
“What? You’re staring.”
“I guess I do know what’s wrong,” she said slowly.
He turned to gaze into her eyes. “Is it me?”
“No, it’s me.” She swallowed the fear that dried her mouth. “I don’t think I’m ever going to feel about you like you deserve.”
“What’s that mean? You aren’t attracted to me? I can make you love me if you give me the time.” He cupped her face in his palms. “Just give me a chance,” he whispered.
Shouldn’t his touch make her pulse race? All she felt was pity. “I love Kade,” she said simply. It was the truth she hadn’t wanted to admit to herself. She loved the big-hearted ranger more than just as a friend.
Nick drew back and scowled. “He’s not the man for you. You’ll be stuck in this backwater forever. Once I make fire chief here, we can move on to a bigger, better place. It won’t take long, not when there’s no real competition.”
“I guess that’s what confused me for a while. Your dreams sound exciting, but I realized they’re your dreams, not mine. I want to stay here, to raise Davy near his family. I want to have more children who can grow up safe and happy along the shores of this lake.”
His arm fell away from her shoulders. “I guess that’s it then. I couldn’t stay here forever. Not even for you.”
“And I couldn’t leave for you.” A part of her wondered what she’d do if Kade asked her to move. She thought she might be able to do it if he asked. That told her a lot about how she really felt about Nick. And about Kade.
“I’ll take you home,” Nick said.
“That might be best.”
They drove in silence back down the road to her lighthouse. He parked in front and leaned across her to open her door. “What about Davy?”
“Try to let him down easy. Stop and see him occasionally.”
“I do care about him, you know.”
“I know. He loves you too.”
His jaw twitched, and she hated that she’d hurt him. She got out and watched until his taillights disappeared around the curve. She thought she’d feel heavy-hearted, but the only emotion that came to her was something that felt like she’d been released from prison.
Donovan pulled Naomi close and kissed her. “Um, you smell good, like sunshine.”
“It’s my shampoo.” She snuggled close to him, trying not to think of the stress of the past week. They’d just had dinner. Emily was doing her homework while Timmy played with his trains on the living-room floor. They had these few precious moments to themselves, and Naomi intended to milk them for all they were worth.
“We need a date, all to ourselves,” Donovan whispered. “How about we see if Lauri can babysit tomorrow after church and we’ll go to Houghton for the day, go shopping, out to eat, whatever you like.”
“Sounds like a plan.” The doorbell rang, and she groaned. “It never fails,” she groused. “You want to get that while I stick the dishes in the dishwasher?”
“Sure.” He kissed her on the nose and jogged to the front door.
“Mr. O’Reilly?” A woman’s voice reached Naomi’s ears, but it didn’t sound familiar. Curious, Naomi stepped to the doorway. The smile froze. She’d seen this woman with her graying hair and chilly gray eyes before. Ellen Wright, the child welfare advocate.
The woman nodded to Naomi. “Mrs. O’Reilly. I’m Ellen Wright, child welfare. I’d like to discuss the custody situation with you. May I come in?”
Donovan seemed as shocked and scatterbrained as Naomi felt. “Ah, of course.” He swung the door open wider and stepped aside to allow the woman to enter. “The kids are in the living room, so it might be best if we talk in the kitchen.” He looked helplessly at Naomi. “Could you get Ms. Wright some coffee?”
“Nothing for me, thanks,” Ms. Wright said. She followed Donovan to the table and pulled a notebook out of her briefcase. She took the glasses hanging from a chain around her neck and adjusted them on her nose. “Let’s see, the mother has lodged a complaint that her son is being neglected and as a result his diabetes is out of control.”
She smiled at Naomi, and the warmth in her gaze made Naomi breathe a little easier.
“Would you term that an accurate assessment?” Ms. Wright asked.
“I would not!” Naomi leaned forward across the table. “I love those children as if they were my own. I set a timer for Timmy’s shot, and I plan menus two weeks in advance to follow his diet precisely.” She reached for her meal planner on the counter and slid it across the table to Ms. Wright. “No one could do more than I have to make sure Timmy’s blood sugar has been stable for months. I have no idea why it’s suddenly gone out of control.”
Ms. Wright flipped through the planner and nodded. “And you, Mr. O’Reilly, what is your part of the story? How often are you home to make sure things are rolling smoothly?”
“I run a business, as I’m sure you know,” he said flatly. “I leave the house at six thirty every morning and I’m home around six at night. Naomi is doing a fine job with the kids. Marika’s accusation is rooted in her attempt to gain custody after abandoning our kids. In the two years she was gone, she never so much as called the kids or sent them a card or birthday present. We weren’t sure if she was dead or alive.”
Ms. Wright frowned. “I don’t have that in my notes. Is that accurate?”
“It most certainly is,” he said.
Naomi had rarely seen Donovan so incensed. His face was red, and anger pinched his mouth. She touched his arm. The woman seemed to be on their side.
“I’d like to look at the children’s rooms, if I may.” Ms. Wright stood and pulled her glasses from her nose.
“Of course. Follow me.” Naomi took her down the hall and showed her the rooms. Luckily they were spotless other than a few toys on the beds.
“Very nice.” Ms. Wright’s voice was warm with approval. She kept writing things down in her notebook. “I’d like to talk to the children now.”
“Is that really necessary?” Donovan crossed his arms over his chest. “They’ve been upset enough by all this. There’s no need to involve them in Marika’s little game.”
“I sympathize, Mr. O’Reilly,” Ms. Wright said. “It’s necessary that I ask the children a few questions. Alone. If we don’t do everything by the book, someone not so sympathetic to your circumstances may be assigned to this case.”
“I think I’ll consult my lawyer before I agree to that.” Donovan stared back at her.
Ms. Wright sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose with her fingers. “Very well.” She dropped her notebook into her briefcase and snapped it shut. “But you’re not helping yourself, Mr. O’Reilly.”
“What kinds of things would you ask them?” Naomi put in.
Ms. Wright shrugged. “What kinds of things they eat, what time
they go to bed, that type of thing. I won’t ask them which parent they wish to live with. My job is to ascertain how well they’re being cared for.”
“It’s okay, Donovan. Let her talk to the kids,” Naomi said. “Let’s just get it over with and put it behind us.”
“I want to be in the room,” Donovan said.
“Fine. I can agree to that as long as you don’t coach the children on what to say.”
“This way.” Donovan stalked down the hall to the living room.
Emily looked up when the adults appeared. “I’ve got my homework almost done, Dad. You want to look it over?”
“In a minute, sweetheart. This lady would like to talk to you and Timmy.”
Her eyes got round. “What about? Am I in trouble?”
“No, of course not. She—”
“I’ll explain,” Ms. Wright said, stepping forward. “Hello, Emily. I’m Ms. Wright. I’d just like to see how things are going with you and your brother.” She seated herself on the sofa and leaned forward with a warm smile on her face.
Naomi tried to quench the burning in her stomach by sheer willpower. Things would be okay. She just had to leave this in the Lord’s hands.
“Now, I’d just like to know what you had for dinner tonight.”
“Pizza!” Timmy put in.
“We did not,” Emily said. “That’s what you wanted, but Naomi wouldn’t let you have it.” She fixed Naomi with a haughty stare. “Our mother lets us have pizza, but Naomi won’t.” The resentment in her voice let everyone know pizza would have been her choice too. “She made us eat grilled chicken and baked potatoes. Ugh! And peas. I hate peas,” she said.
“I like peas,” Timmy said. “I had a bunch of them.”
“And sugar-free Jell-O with pears,” Emily added. “Artificial sweeteners are bad for you.”
“And broccoli salad,” Timmy reminded her.
“Sounds like a good dinner,” Ms. Wright said.
“She never lets us eat good stuff,” Emily said.
“It was good,” Timmy said. “Not as good as pizza, but Naomi is a good cook.”
“Mommy is better,” Emily said. “And she lets us go with her to play Bingo. Naomi says gambling is bad, but it’s just a game, not gambling. Mommy says we don’t have to be a hypocrite like her.”
Naomi wanted to cry. How did she reach the little girl and assure her it was okay to love her and her mother both—that she didn’t have to choose sides?
“What time do you go to bed?” Ms. Wright wanted to know.
“Eight thirty, like we’re babies!”
“Yeah, babies,” Timmy echoed.
A twitch of amusement lifted Ms. Wright’s lips. She shared a commiserating glance with Naomi. “I think I’ve heard enough,” she said, standing and turning toward the door. “You’ve both been very helpful.”
23
She had fifteen minutes to meet the team for the Wisconsin FEMA training. Would Kade want to come with them? She’d like some backup when she met with the guy at Jackson Pharmaceutical whom Cassie had on the payroll. She wouldn’t know unless she asked. She wished she’d thought of it sooner. Bree dialed her cell phone.
“Hi, it’s me. Are you busy this weekend?”
“No, but you are. Aren’t you going to Wisconsin with your students for the FEMA certification?”
“Yep. Would you be up to sharing a room with Ryan? I want to go talk to Jackson Pharmaceuticals while I’m there, and I could use some backup. Want to come with us?”
“Now?”
Was that happiness in his voice? “Yes, right away. Can you get here in half an hour? We can wait for you.”
“As long as you don’t care if my clothes match.” There was laughter in his voice, then he paused. “Thanks for asking me. Want me to drive?”
“We’ll take my Jeep so there’s room for Naomi and Davy. I’ll meet you at the center.”
Driving to the center, she couldn’t deny the way she felt inside. All warm and soft like a toasted marshmallow. They’d have the weekend together, though it would be mostly business. She wanted to get to know this new Kade better.
She stopped outside the O’Reillys’ house and honked. Naomi and Charley came running out. Naomi slung her suitcase in the carrier on top. She and Charley got in. “You’re late,” Naomi said.
“I know.” Bree put in an Elvis CD and turned up the first song, “It’s Now or Never.” She began to sing along with him.
“What’s up?” Naomi’s forehead wrinkled with suspicion. “You look like Charley when he’s found something particularly noxious to roll in.”
Bree laughed. “I invited Kade to come along this weekend.”
“What?” Naomi screamed, and Charley began to bark. She lowered her voice a notch. “You sly thing. You didn’t say a word.”
“I just now did it.” Bree couldn’t stop smiling. “You’re right. I love him.”
Naomi whooped and the dog started barking again.
“What’s wrong?” Davy asked plaintively from the backseat.
“Nothing. Aunty Naomi is just being goofy,” Bree said.
“And you’re finally wising up,” Naomi said with a smug grin.
Bree parked behind Ryan’s SUV. “Not a word,” she cautioned.
Naomi gave her an offended look. “As if I would. I don’t see his truck.”
“I gave him half an hour. He’ll be here.”
The team was assembled by the front door. They were talking with excitement and enthusiasm. Bree let Charley out to run until Kade got there. “You all ready for this?”
“You bet!” Eva was dressed in a sleek red pantsuit that showed off her stunning figure. Ryan had already noticed, in spite of them being on the outs.
Karen, Lauri, and Eva were riding with Ryan. Bree had room for Naomi, Davy, and Kade. His truck pulled behind her Jeep by the time everyone was loaded up. Kade embraced her, pulling her against his chest. Her nose buried in his chest, she inhaled his masculine scent over-laid with the aroma of soap. He wore a hint of aftershave today too, something spicy.
He bent his head and kissed her, his lips sparking a response she tried to hide. She pulled away. “Thanks for coming with me. But we won’t get very far if you keep that up.”
He grinned. “That’s the plan. Keys?”
“In the Jeep.” They linked arms and strolled to her Jeep. Naomi was waiting with Davy in the vehicle. Charley followed at her heels. With the sunshine glimmering on the full summer foliage, Bree inhaled a breath of pure enjoyment.
“So why are we going to see a pharmaceutical company?” Kade asked, starting the Jeep and pulling onto the road. Naomi was entertaining Davy in the backseat.
“Denise told me Jackson Pharmaceuticals had offered Phil a job. And a half-million-dollar bonus if he’d come work for them and bring the formula with him. He refused.”
“So you’re wondering if they killed him? What would be the point?”
“To gain time for them to catch up in their own research. What if they’re also behind the attempts on Cassie’s life? It makes sense.”
“Maybe. But I can’t see a big company pulling something like that. It could bring them down. There are lots of research projects going on. They could just focus on another one. Besides, they couldn’t legally use any work that had been done by MJ.”
“They could if no one knew it was the same research. If the researchers were dead.”
“What research could be that important?”
“Denise and Cassie have both said this project is special. That it has applications for Alzheimer’s. The company that brings it out will make billions of dollars.”
“That certainly ups the stakes,” Kade admitted. “And it sounds dangerous. I don’t want to see you put yourself in the line of fire.”
“But this is my sister we’re talking about. I have to help her.”
“I know. I just don’t want to see you hurt. Whoever is behind this is dangerous.”
“I have you to protect
me. Besides, I’m just going to talk to a guy Cassie says might know what’s going on.” She gave him a cheeky smile and leaned over to fiddle with the CD player. Soon Elvis’s mellow voice filled the Jeep with the lyrics of “Love Me Tender.”
Kade reached out his hand, and Bree took it. The warm touch of his fingers laced with hers made her feel melancholy for some reason. The intense emotion made her want to cry. She felt ready now, ready to accept Kade’s love. She wasn’t sure how to let him know. The anticipation grew in her until she realized she was holding her breath. She should say something, but she didn’t know how. All these months of holding him off had turned into a habit, one she didn’t know how to break.
She licked her dry lips. “Um, Kade?”
His thumb traced patterns on her palm, and she felt her temperature rise. “Hmm?”
“I . . . I just wanted to say . . .” She trailed off, feeling stupid and tongue-tied.
“What?” His voice sounded more alert. He took his eyes off the road a moment and glanced at her, then focused on the highway again.
She was not going to say it. Not until he did again. “Nothing.” She pulled her hand away and folded it into her lap.
A smile teased the corners of his mouth. “Chicken?”
Her face flamed with heat. “Of course not. Just drive.”
“I have to go potty, Mommy,” Davy called.
Kade pulled into a gas station. “Perfect timing.”
“I’ll take Davy in.” Naomi unbuckled Davy’s car seat and got out. She took him inside the mini mart.
“What were you going to say?” Kade took her hand.
“Later.”
“Now.” He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. “You ready to talk about us?”
She couldn’t look away from the intense blue of his eyes. They seemed to glow from within. She nodded. “Maybe.”
“Maybe?” He sighed. “Bree, quit it, okay? Just stop. Don’t play around with me anymore. I love you. That’s the bottom line. We’ve got a future together if you’ll admit it.”
“Okay,” she said in a small voice.
“Okay, what?”