Summer’s eyes widened. “But your sister is a Congresswoman, for heaven sake. You don’t mean he can still order her outside?”
“He can and does. In the Lassiter house, Pop rules. Whatever he says, we do.”
Summer muttered, “I wonder what he’d have done with Elise.”
“He’d have turned your sister into a proper young lady with an admirable work ethic, or she’d have found a career on a professional women’s basketball team.”
The two of them were laughing as the meal wore on and the conversation swirled around them.
“So, this case you’re working on.” Donovan speared another slice of beef from the platter and winked at his wife. “Are the two of you still on opposite sides?”
Summer shook her head, hoping no one would notice her lack of appetite. The threatening message on her phone and the destruction of Cam’s house had her more shaken than she cared to admit. “I think it’s safe to say we agree more than we disagree.”
“Very smart, little bro.” Micah glanced at his grandfather. “Before I take a second helping, I’d like to know what you’ve planned for dessert.”
The old man was grinning. “Hot apple strudel with caramel ice cream.”
Micah shook his head. “Now that’s some serious dessert. I guess I’ll forget about seconds.”
“Me, too.” Little Taylor drained her glass of milk and started to wipe her mouth on her sleeve until she caught the look her mother gave her. Then she reached for her napkin. “Can I help serve it, Pop?”
“You bet.” Kieran pushed away from the table. “Come on, sweetheart. The ones who serve always get the biggest slices.”
“Can I help, too?” Cory called.
“Too late.” Donovan tousled the boy’s hair. “In this family you’ve got to be on your toes if you want to be first.”
They were still laughing when Kieran and Taylor began passing around the plates of strudel, still warm from the oven, topped with caramel ice cream.
While they served the dessert, Kate circled the table filling teacups. As she reached for Summer’s plate she touched a hand to the young woman’s shoulder and whispered, “Are you all right, dear?”
“Yes. Thank you.” Summer felt oddly comforted by the touch of Kate’s hand as she squeezed gently before moving on.
Micah dug into his dessert. “Do you remember the time Dad decided to make dinner because Mom was sick in bed? He put so much pasta in the pot it boiled up all over the stove.”
Donovan nodded. “How could I forget? I got the job of cleaning up that lovely mess.”
Bren chuckled. “Then he got the bright idea of making corned beef hash. We took one taste and called it Alpo. Dad got so mad he packed us into his squad car and took us down to the corner diner.”
Micah shook his head. “Burned hot dogs and greasy fries never tasted so good.”
That had everyone roaring with laughter.
Summer sat back, sipping tea and listening. Kieran was already leaping to the defense of his son, while Kate was reminding her children that their father always did his best.
Summer glanced at Cam. Did he remember this event, as the others did? Or had he merely heard the story so many times, he thought he remembered it?
Though her heart ached for him, and for the father he’d lost when he was just a boy, she thought how lucky he was to have such a loving, caring family. Riordan Lassiter seemed as much a part of this family now as when he’d been here in their midst.
Perhaps, she realized with sudden clarity, it was because he was still here with them. They’d kept his memory alive all these years so that he could remain the father they needed. The leader they followed. The hero they admired.
Summer noted the sudden lull in the conversation and realized someone had asked her a question. She gave a start. “I’m sorry. I guess I was drifting.”
“That’s all right.” Andi glanced at her son and daughter. “Why don’t we clear the table and load the dishwasher.”
“I’ll help.” As Summer started to push away from the table Andi lay a hand on hers. “No. You need to stay and talk. The children and I can handle this.”
As soon as the table was cleared and the children gone, Micah broke the silence. “So. You received a threatening message on your phone machine.”
Summer nodded. “Cam said he asked you to see about taking extra security measures at my apartment.”
“It’s already in place.” He turned to his younger brother. “Okay. Now it’s time you filled us in on the rest.”
“How do you know there’s more?”
“For one thing, you had a look of murder in your eye when you first got here. For another, that was one of the roughest games you’ve played in years. I’d say that all adds up to something bigger than a threatening message on a telephone. So, what gives?”
Cam glanced at his mother, wishing he could spare her. “We went to my place, intending to spend the night there. It’s been trashed.”
“Cameron.” Kate clamped a hand over her mouth. “Your new home?”
He frowned. “The caller left an interesting message on my bedroom wall.”
Chris asked softly, “Did you notify the police?”
“Yeah. Chief Newberg promised to call you as soon as he knew anything conclusive. I hope you don’t mind that I gave him your name.”
Bren’s husband was already on his feet. “I’ll just call him now and see what they’ve come up with.”
Cam gave a grim smile. “Thanks, Chris. I figured you’d handle it for me.”
Minutes later Chris returned to say, “Chief Newberg is faxing me his report. He’s a good cop, Cam. And a thorough one. He said he’s assigned his best men to the case.”
“That’s good news, Chris. Thanks.” Cam turned to his mother. “I’m hoping Summer and I can stay here tonight.”
“You know you’re both welcome.” Kate gave Summer a gentle smile. “You can have Bren’s old room.”
Bren added, “As the only rose among all these thorns, I was given an adjoining bathroom.”
Summer was already shaking her head in protest as she got to her feet. “I don’t want to be any trouble. I can go to my parents’ house in Georgetown.”
“They’re out of town. You’d be alone.” Cam closed his hands over her upper arms. “I’d feel better knowing you were safe here.”
Aware of his family, she put aside a desire to touch a hand to his cheek and merely nodded. “All right. I’ll sleep better knowing I’m not alone.”
“That’s my girl.” Keeping one arm around her waist, he turned to Chris. “How soon do you expect that fax?”
“It should come through my department soon. I’ll have my assistant notify me as soon as it arrives.”
From her position across the room Kate Lassiter studied her son and the young woman beside him and absorbed a jolt at the realization that they had become, in the space of weeks, much more than friends.
She glanced at her father-in-law and knew, by the way he was watching, that he’d sensed it, as well.
She sighed as the rest of her children prepared to take their leave. And wondered when her youngest son had grown into such a strong, determined man.
And so like his father it was like looking at a scene from the past.
Chapter 14
“Bren always loved this room. I think you’ll be comfortable here.” Kate stood in the doorway and watched as Summer looked around.
“I’m sure I will be. Thank you, Kate. This is very generous of you.”
“Not at all. I’m happy to have you here. I just wish it had been under happier circumstances. Have you told your parents?”
Summer shook her head. “I’d hate to dump this on them when they’re out of the country and helpless to do anything about it. I’m hoping by the time they return, the police will have found whoever is responsible.”
Kate took a step closer. “Cam said both incidents seemed to point to Alfonso Johnson as the one who planned them.”<
br />
“It looks that way. I’m sorry, Kate. I know you were hoping to reunite him with his son.”
“I wonder…” With a shrug, Kate turned away.
“You wonder what?” With a hand to her arm Summer stopped her.
Kate turned back. “I wonder why he would jeopardize his best, and perhaps his only, chance for a new trial by doing something so reckless?”
“Maybe he learned that his wife is seeking custody of his son and he wants to show her that even behind bars, he isn’t helpless.”
Kate shrugged. “Maybe. But I’m sure you know, as Tio’s caseworker, that if Alfonso were to be found not guilty, he would stand as much chance of obtaining custody of Tio as the mother who abandoned him.”
“He might. If my recommendations should lean in his direction. After all that’s happened, his chances grow slimmer by the day.”
“My point exactly.” Kate turned away and paced to the window, arms crossed over her chest.
“You think someone’s setting it up to make him look guilty?”
Kate shook her head. “I wish I knew.”
Watching her, Summer impulsively asked, “Would you mind if I asked you something?” When Kate merely smiled she asked, “What led you into the work you’ve chosen?”
Kate leaned a hip against the sill. “I think it was seeing the devastation in my family when Riordan died.” She pointed to a framed photo of a handsome young police officer who bore a striking resemblance to Cam.
While Summer walked to the desk to study the photo, Kate said, “It made me understand just how important, and how fragile, family really is.” She paused a moment before saying, “It’s strange how one event can change everything. If Riordan had lived, I’m sure I’d have gone on, complacently raising my family, living the life I’d envisioned for myself. My children, too, would have been different. Their father was a strong man. Maybe, had he lived, they’d have learned to lean on him. With him gone, they had to dig deep and find their own strengths.” She looked up as Summer turned. “Strange. I never stopped to analyze my motives.” She smiled. “Good night, Summer. If you need anything at all, please let me know.”
“Thank you. And Kate, if it’s any comfort, I hope you’re right about Alfonso Johnson. I’d really like it to be anyone but him responsible for all this.”
When she was alone Summer undressed, then climbed into the tidy bed and lay watching the play of moonlight filtering through the part in the curtains.
Odd. She’d meant what she’d said to Kate. Even though she’d been initially against Tio having any contact with his father in prison and had made her feelings clear to her superiors, she’d experienced a gradual change of heart. And most of it was because of Cam.
It had been a revelation seeing him with his family. Despite the teasing and good-natured banter, there was a deep well of love here. So much support for one another. Maybe it was as Kate said. Having lost their father while still very young, they took greater care of such feelings.
Some of Cam’s tension had eased once he’d returned to his home. Still, she couldn’t help noticing how tired he’d looked as the night wore on. He was very good at making his job look easy, even though she knew better. It wasn’t possible to attain the status of top lawyer at a competitive firm like Stern Hayes Wheatley without being married to the job.
Married to the job.
Wasn’t that what her sister had accused her of, when she’d declined the opportunity to go to Europe? And it had been true. Her work had become the most important thing to her.
Until Cameron Lassiter had entered her life.
Maybe entered was too mild a term. He’d blown in like a storm and had completely taken over her life. And now, though she was afraid to probe too deeply, their lives had become entangled. Like those lovely vinca vines she’d planted in the containers on her balcony. Curled around each other, unable to tell where one began and the other ended.
How had this happened? How had she let it go this far?
She’d tried to deny the initial attraction. She’d always avoided smooth, handsome men. Maybe because they’d always been more attracted to her sister. Elise was the pretty one. Summer had heard that from her mother all her life. And she’d been called the smart one. Funny how those labels, lightly applied in childhood, carried over into adult lives. She’d always been considered the odd one in her family. Too serious. And never quite fitting in with their lavish lifestyle. She’d chosen textbooks over art classes. Youth hostels over spas. Working at children’s camps rather than touring Europe with her mother and sister.
Not that she hadn’t had her share of fun and laughter and boyfriends. But she’d made a habit of dodging serious entanglements, leaving those for her starry-eyed sister, while she’d doggedly pursued a career. Ever the idealist, she deliberately chose something that she hoped would make a difference. She cared about the people who came to the state agency for help, feeling lost, confused, desperate. She liked to think that because of her concern, at least a few lives were better.
When she’d entered into social work she hadn’t expected it to be a smooth ride. But she’d never dreamed she might find her safety, and that of the man she loved, threatened.
The man she loved.
She sat up, running her hands through her hair. Where had such a thought come from?
Restless, she got out of bed and pulled on a silk kimono before stepping into the hallway. The bedroom doors were closed, with no light showing beneath them. She descended the stairs and followed a faint trail of light to the kitchen.
Kieran was standing with his back to her, staring out the bay window into the darkness. A sliver of moonlight cast a bronze tint on his white hair. In his hand was a cup. Steam drifted toward the ceiling.
Hearing her footsteps he turned. “Can’t sleep, lass?”
Summer shook her head. “Too much excitement, I guess.”
“Join me for some tea, then.” Kieran retrieved another cup and saucer. “Cream and sugar?”
She shook her head. “Just black, thanks.”
She accepted the cup from his hands and settled herself at the trestle table. After one sip she felt her tensions ease. There was something about this big bear of a man, a quiet strength that made her feel as though she’d reached a safe haven in a storm.
“Cam told me how you came to live with his family after the death of his father.”
Kieran settled himself beside her. “It was a turbulent time for all of us.”
“They were lucky to have you.”
“I was the lucky one, lass. Riordan was my only child. I’d have rather had my heart cut out of me than go through the pain of that loss. I had no reason left to live. Kate and the children gave me a reason.”
“I’m sure you’ve given back just as much through the years.”
He shook his head. “I could never repay them for what they’ve given me. How can a man put a value on his life? I was dead the day I buried my son. Convinced I wouldn’t live to see another morning. And then, somehow, through my tears I saw their need. And it was greater than mine.”
He went very still for a moment, as though turning inward. Then he gave her a steady look. “I don’t think you came down here to talk about me.”
She looked at her tea. “I’m afraid.”
“You’ve a right to be. The message left on your machine was a threat.”
She shook her head. “I don’t mean about me, although I am uneasy. I mean about Cam. I saw something…a fierceness in his eyes that frightened me. I’m afraid he’ll do something foolish. Something reckless.”
“Ah.” He spoke the word on a long sigh.
She looked up. “Can’t you convince him to step back and let the police do their job?”
He sat back with a strange smile playing on his lips. “Careful, lass. People hearing you right now might think you’re beginning to care about him a bit too much.”
“Of course I…” For just a moment she was caught off guard. Then she gave a
low, throaty laugh. “You’re a very sly man, Kieran Lassiter.”
“So I’ve been told.” His smile deepened. “Funny. I had much this same discussion with my grandson just an hour ago.”
“You did?”
He nodded. “Cameron is deeply troubled. He asked me to find a way to keep you close until this business is settled. He seems to think you’re a rare treasure that needs protecting.”
She sipped tea to hide her pleasure at his words.
Seeing it, the old man lay a hand over hers. “We can’t help worrying over the ones we love. It’s been the way of it from the beginning of time. But I’ll tell you this about Cameron. He’s a scrapper. Always was. I could see, almost from the time he was born, that he was the most like his father. Perhaps that’s why I fought so hard to help him channel all that restless energy. All that heat simmering inside him, ready to ignite. I’d lost Riordan. I couldn’t bear to lose the one made in his image. I’d made mistakes with the father. I believed I was given a second chance with the son.”
“I don’t understand.”
Kieran sipped his tea. Thought awhile. “Some men are born to fight, lass. It’s in their blood. But there are other ways to fight than with fists or guns. Unlike his father, Cameron was also blessed with an outstanding mind. That’s his weapon. He uses it well. And even if he should find himself engaged in a street brawl with thugs and bullies, he has the advantage of that brain.”
“It won’t stop a bullet.”
He shook his head. “That it won’t. As his father learned all too well. But maybe it can pre vent the bullet from being fired in the first place.”
Summer sighed. “I hope you’re right, Pop.”
At her easy use of his nickname the old man smiled. “You’re beginning to sound like one of the family, lass.”
“It’s a bit early for that. Cam and I have only known each other a few weeks.”
“Sometimes all it takes is one minute.” His smile grew pensive, and he got up, restless, to stare once more out the window. “I knew, the first time I saw Margaret Doyle dancing with my best friend, that she would one day be my wife.”
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