by Cindy Kirk
Out of curiosity, he’d checked with the school once he’d left the hospital to see if Angel was still attending classes. He wasn’t surprised to learn she’d transferred out of the district.
Yeah, right.
“What do you think made them finally believe you?”
Jake shook his head, then winced. He’d sustained a concussion in the explosion, and his head still hurt. “I’m not sure. I know Tom tried to say it was just him, but they had some other evidence against Mike.”
“That’s too bad about the boy. And about Mr. Jorgens. He always seemed like such a nice man.”
Just thinking of the charges the two of them faced made Jake sick. They’d both had so much going for them. “Tom was a good guy. When Jane died, he fell apart.”
“I think it’d be easy to do without faith.” His mother’s gaze dropped to the table as if the green gingham place mats she’d given him last Christmas were fascinating. “There were times after Jim’s death when I wondered if I could go on, but thankfully God was with me every step of the way.”
“I still miss him,” Jake said.
She looked up, and a deep sadness reflected back at him. “I do, too.”
They sat in silence, drinking the hot cocoa, until his mother spoke again. “Did I tell you I got a letter from Anton and Carlos?”
“I didn’t know you corresponded with them.” He might have forgiven them, but there was no way he wanted to be a part of their lives. Actually, he was surprised his mother did.
“We don’t correspond.” His mother emphasized the word. “I had sent them a note after they were sentenced, and Carlos wrote once.”
“How nice.” Jake raised the cup to his lips.
“They received your letter.”
He took a sip. “Did they?”
“It meant a lot to them to have your forgiveness.”
“Something needed but not deserved,” he murmured, remembering Angel’s words.
His mother frowned and set her cup down again. “What did you say?”
Jake shook his head. “Nothing. I was just remembering something a friend had said.”
His mother’s eyes widened and her hand rose to her chest. “I can’t believe I forgot. Your friend dropped by.”
His heart lodged in his throat, and Angel’s image flashed before him. Until he remembered she was long gone. “Who was it?”
“Amanda Delahay. She stopped by while you were sleeping. I told her I’d wake you up, but she wouldn’t hear of it. She said to just tell you she hoped you’d be feeling better soon.”
Jake frowned. “I wonder why she didn’t want to stay.”
“I think I know why.” His mother’s eyes twinkled. “I glanced out the window when she left. There was a man waiting out in the car for her.”
“Amanda’s got a boyfriend?” Jake’s brow creased. Why did he find that so hard to believe? She was a beautiful woman with a lot of good qualities. Just because she’d never been right for him didn’t mean she wouldn’t be perfect for someone else.
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry. You’d told me you and she weren’t dating anymore.” She cast him a concerned glance. “I assumed you were over her. I should have known you’d still have some feelings for—”
He placed his hand over hers. “I don’t have any feelings for her. None at all.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive,” he said. “She and I had a long talk a couple of weeks ago. It never would have worked. We wanted different things in life. The funny thing was, I wasn’t even her first choice. She admitted something I’d suspected all along—she’d been more interested in Jim than me.”
“Your brother?” Her hand jerked back; she looked as though she’d been struck. “I don’t know what she said but I know my Jim. He would never have gone after your girl—”
“Relax, Mom.” Jake smiled. “She was the one who did the pursuing. He turned her down flat.”
“Good for Jim.” She nodded approvingly. “And you don’t want any woman who thinks you’re second best. You have a lot to offer.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” He wanted to chuckle, but she was so serious he didn’t dare.
“What about your new girlfriend? The dark-haired one?”
“She’s long gone.” The knowledge that she was indeed long gone brought out the sharpness in Jake’s tone.
“I wouldn’t say long gone.” His mother snapped a cookie in half and took a bite. “She was at the hospital.”
“You met her?” Angel was at the hospital? His mind raced. It hardly seemed possible. Why would she have come there? She had to know the place would be crawling with cops.
Nancy Weston shook her head. “No, I just saw her from a distance.”
He blew out the breath he’d been holding, not sure why he felt so disappointed. “It was probably just someone that worked in the hospital.”
“I don’t think so.” His mother’s brows drew together in concentration. “Apparently she’d ridden in the ambulance with you. I heard someone say you must have done something right to have an angel at your side.”
Angel.
“What do you suppose they meant by that?”
“I have no idea.” Jake shrugged and grabbed another cookie. He pasted what he hoped was a uninterested look on his face and kept his voice offhand. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“I thought you knew.” She smiled sheepishly. “You were holding her hand like she was your lifeline.”
Jake groaned to himself, wondering what else he might have done or said.
“It was so sweet.” The curiosity in his mother’s expression was the last thing he needed to see. “I wanted to ask you about her, but after what you’d said to me about my meddling, I didn’t know quite how to bring it up.”
“Until now.”
“I kept expecting her to stop by. But she never did.” His mother dropped the rest of the cookie to the plate. “You should have seen the look on her face in that emergency room, Jake. She wouldn’t leave your side.”
“I’m surprised they let her stay.”
“She wouldn’t take no for an answer.” His mother paused thoughtfully. “Not even from the police.”
Jake didn’t know what to say. He didn’t want to think about Angel and he certainly didn’t want to talk about her. Because he didn’t want to miss her, not anymore. He just wanted to forget.
He managed to make small talk for a few more minutes. If only his father wasn’t out of town on business. His mother had no reason to hurry home, and Jake couldn’t bring himself to tell her he’d rather be alone.
They’d finally decided to watch a movie, when his phone rang. His mother jumped up to grab it.
“Let it go to voice mail.” He had no idea who it could be but he was all talked out. Over the past two weeks, practically the whole school had stopped by or called.
“It might be important.” His mother shoved the phone into his hands.
Jake noticed the number on the screen and frowned. “Hello.”
“Jake,” a familiar voice said. “It’s Tony D’Fusco. I’m calling from Rome. I understand you needed to speak with me.”
“What are you telling me?” Angel sat up straight in her desk chair and stared at Crow. She’d been back at work for over a week, but this was the first time she and her former partner had been able to get together and talk.
He was getting set to go undercover again, and she knew it would be a long time before she’d see him.
“I’m saying—” Crow leaned back in the chair as if testing how far it could bend without breaking “—that the investigation is closed. Looks like that Mike kid might be able to go into a diversion program. What’ll happen to the principal is anyone’s guess. It’ll help that he wasn’t involved in any big-time distribution.”
“I can’t believe there never was a meth ring,” Angel muttered. Their faces had all been red when they’d discovered, after all was said and done, not only that this wasn’t
an interstate operation, but that it wasn’t even an in-state one. Actually, they’d explained to the chief, it looked more like a one-man production.
Their superior had complained loud and long about misinformed informants and the cost to the budget, before commending them on a job well done.
“I know,” Crow said. “What a bummer. Now this next one is supposed to be big. Sure you won’t join me? We made a great team.”
“I’m going to have to pass.” Angel shook her head. She was completely at peace with her decision to go back to her desk job. She’d make her difference in a more traditional way.
“Aren’t you going to ask about the boyfriend?”
Angel took a deep breath and smiled as if it didn’t matter to her what happened to Jake Weston. In truth, she was dying to know the outcome of the investigation. “You’re referring, I take it, to Jake?”
“You bet.” Crow’s eyes gleamed. “I got the final word today from one of the detectives.”
“Go ahead and tell me.” She forced a bored-sounding sigh. “I know you’re dying to say ‘I told you so.’”
“No, babe. I’m the one that owes you an apology.” Crow chuckled. “You were right all along.”
A tightness in her chest made it difficult to breathe. “He’s been cleared? Completely?”
“That’s what I’m saying.” Crow’s eyes gleamed. “He’s all yours. Free and clear.”
“’Fraid not.” Angel wiped a smudge off her desktop with her shirtsleeve. “I’m not his type. Too wild.”
“Wild?” Crow hooted. “You’re about as straight as they come.”
“I think,” she said dryly, “he confused the undercover Angel with the real me.”
“That’s easy enough to take care of.” Crow pointed at her phone. “Call and set him straight. Or better yet, I’ll call him.”
“Oh, no you don’t.” She held the phone out of his reach.. “If anyone calls him, it’ll be me.”
But in the end, no one called.
Chapter Seventeen
Jake ran his finger along the collar of his starched white shirt and shifted uncomfortably in the padded chair. He glanced around the crowded auditorium. The evening’s event had been planned to highlight citizens who’d made a difference in the lives of the community’s youth.
“I didn’t expect so many to show up, did you?” Barely above a whisper, his mother’s voice still carried to his father sitting on the other side of Jake.
“Jim’s not the only one being honored today.” His father gestured toward the program brochure in his lap. “There’s also a nurse, a social worker and a police officer.”
Jake cast a sideways glance at his father. He noticed the lines of strain around the older man’s mouth. A handsome man in his early fifties, John Weston had brown hair now touched with gray, and the perpetual smile that had always hovered on his lips didn’t flash readily anymore.
To his right, his mother fidgeted with her purse, her eyes a shade too bright. Coming to this citywide awards ceremony had been difficult on all of them. Receiving the Educator’s Award for Service to Area Youth was an honor his brother well deserved. But he couldn’t help wishing Jim could be here to accept the award. It seemed like yesterday that they’d celebrated Jim’s graduation from college.
Now he’s dead.
The pain of Jim’s death would never ease entirely, but at last Jake had come to terms with it. His brother had done a lot of good in his short life. Today was a day to celebrate, not mourn.
“Look—” his mother pointed to the front. “That’s Adam Brown, the one that nominated Jim for the award. He was one of your brother’s students.”
Jake peered at the stage. A young man, clearly uncomfortable in a shiny blue suit, stood off to the side, shifting from one foot to the other as the master of ceremonies tapped the microphone.
The boy’s introduction focused on his background. Raised in a single-parent home, he was now the first in his family to graduate from high school. Thanks to Jim’s encouragement and scholarship contacts, he would now be the first to attend college.
Jake folded his hands and listened intently. By the time Adam finished, Jake had a lump in his throat, his mother’s eyes were misty, and a muscle twitched in his father’s jaw.
“I just want to say one final thing. I’ve talked a lot about how Mr. Weston helped me academically. But what he did for me went far beyond the classroom. He encouraged me to be the best I could be in all areas of my life. I learned from him what being a man really means and the importance of standing up for what you believe. I learned firsthand what it means to live your faith. And I also learned one of the most important lessons of all—when to shut up. Thank you.” The boy’s serious expression eased, and he smiled for the first time.
Thunderous applause followed, and Jake’s father made his way down the aisle to the podium to accept the award on behalf of his son.
His father returned to his seat with a plaque and a proud smile on his face. Jake took it from his hands, read the inscription, then passed it to his mother. Tears welled in her eyes, and she hugged it to her chest.
He and his father exchanged an understanding smile. Jake took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
The social worker was honored next, then the nurse. Jake listened with half an ear, unable to keep his thoughts from straying back to his conversation with Tony D’Fusco.
When the guy had confirmed Angel was not only his cousin but a cop as well, Jake hadn’t been surprised. Deep down, he’d known she couldn’t be involved in drug dealing. Why had he let his foolish pride goad him into saying things he now would give anything to take back?
He’d picked up the phone to call her dozens of times this past week, but what would he say? I’m a fool? Please forgive me?
Yes, a voice inside whispered, that’s exactly what you could say.
“Jake.” His mother’s elbow jabbed him square in the ribs. He jerked. “Isn’t that your ‘friend’ on the stage?”
His gaze shot to the dais. There, resplendent in full dress uniform, stood Officer Angel Morelli. His breath caught in his throat.
She moved confidently to the podium. Jake barely heard her acceptance speech. All he could do was stare and think how different things might have been if he’d only trusted his feelings.
A knot formed in the pit of his stomach. He’d been so hung up on being played for a fool that he’d ended up being just that. Angel was everything he’d ever wanted.
Jake leaned forward, his gaze riveted to her.
I’m sorry. He offered up the apology, sending it silently across the space between them, smiling with relief when his eyes met hers and she faltered over her words.
Saying he was sorry didn’t make up for the wrong he’d done her, but at least he’d finally said it. And maybe one day she’d forgive him.
Needed, but not deserved.
He shook his head, a wry smile twisting his lips.
“Jake.” His father touched his arm. “The program’s over. We need to head to the reception area.”
“Why don’t you ask your friend to join us?” His mother offered a hopeful smile. “I could save a table.”
“I don’t know, Mom.” Jake rose and followed them down the aisle, out of the auditorium and into the huge ballroom. He looked at the cluster of uniformed officers in one corner. “All her friends are here. I’m sure she’ll be busy.”
“Couldn’t you at least bring her over so I could meet her?” His mother’s face was serious. “I want to thank her for taking such good care of you.”
Jake paused.
“I promise not to ask her any questions,” she said quickly. “I’ll behave myself.”
“Nancy.” His father shook his head warningly. “Leave the boy alone. When he wants us to meet her, we will.”
“John, you don’t understand. Jake already told me he wouldn’t introduce me to any woman unless it was the one he planned to marry,” Nancy said. “I just want him to know I’m not holding
him to that ridiculous condition.”
His father and Jake exchanged amused glances. They both knew she could promise all she wanted, but with Nancy Weston, meddling was second nature. There could be no guarantees.
“Honey, I believe I see Jim’s old principal over there.” John cupped his wife’s elbow in his hand and gave Jake a wink. “Let’s go and say hello.”
His mother protested, but his father paid no attention. Jake watched them maneuver their way through the endless expanse of people. His father’s arm reached protectively around his mother’s shoulder as the crowd thickened. Jake smiled and turned away.
Despite the fact that he had no intention of interrupting Angel’s celebration, he couldn’t keep his gaze from straying to the group of cops.
“You’re all better.” A soft voice sounded behind him.
He whirled. “Angel, hello. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” A flush stained her cheeks. “I’m not much for these kinds of things. There are other people who are really much more de—”
“Don’t sell yourself short.” Even with the brief description during her introduction, Jake could tell the successful program she’d developed for at-risk youth had taken a tremendous amount of time and effort. “You deserved that award.”
“Thank you.” Clearly embarrassed, she brushed her hair back from her face and smiled.
An awkward silence descended, but she made no move to leave. Jake cleared his throat and for a moment he allowed himself to hope. “I’m sorry for the horrible things I said to you.”
“I lied to you,” she said simply. “You didn’t know if I was a drug dealer or not.”
“I’m still sorry.”
“Well, since we’re talking forgiveness, I want to say I’m sorry, too.”
His brow furrowed. “What do you have to be sorry for?”
“For thinking badly of you. For what I said.” She took a deep breath. “I talked to my cousin. He said you two had talked recently, but that you’d been trying to reach him for weeks.” She looked him in the eye. “You knew all along I wasn’t a student.”
