Always the One

by Tara Randel

“Yes. My dad is...” Hannah held up her hands. “Well, I’m not sure where he is.”

  “Explains why you take such good care of your mother.”

  She allowed a small smile. Taking care of things had become her specialty.

  “But if you’re out of the program, you don’t have to hide any longer. Why the secret?”

  “Old habits?”

  Jonathan had followed her home after the game, intently listening to as much of her backstory as she’d deemed safe to confide in him. At first, Hannah wasn’t sure how he’d react, but then realized her fears were unfounded. He’d been overwhelmingly understanding, which shouldn’t have been a surprise since he was in her corner, even when he hadn’t known many facts. She waited for the other shoe to drop—because in her experience, the other shoe always dropped—but her anxiety soon eased at his gentle expression.

  “That’s quite a story.” His brow wrinkled as he hooked his finger in the mug handle.

  “We aren’t in the protection program any longer, which is problematic now that the past is suddenly making an appearance.”

  “In what way? You haven’t explained that part.”

  “Someone sent Derrick our address. That’s why he’s here.”

  “Because your pasts are tied together?”

  “Yes.” She mustered up the resolve to keep going. “We haven’t seen each other in seventeen years. Out of the blue he gets the location of where we live after I’d made sure to keep it under the radar. That’s definitely fishy.”

  “What does he think is going to happen?”

  “That’s just it,” she told him truthfully. “We don’t know.”

  “So he’s going to stay here until what, something does happen? Seems like a long shot.”

  Not if you’d seen the gemstone. Which she couldn’t tell him about. Not yet, anyway.

  “This is not only upsetting your life, but Derrick’s as well?”

  She nodded.

  “I suppose that explains why he’s so determined to play your knight in shining armor.”

  Was he? Hannah hadn’t perceived it that way. He was just being Derrick, protective, and a little bit maddening when he smiled at her like she was the only woman in the world. He’d watched out for her, even when they were kids. These days he had a way of making her feel secure, even while he made her blood race.

  Jonathan broke the silence. “What happens now?”

  “Derrick...knows people. He’s trying to find out why someone sent him in our direction.”

  Jonathan frowned. “Because you left the program? What does it matter now?”

  Hannah pictured the green stone in her mind. Apparently, it mattered a great deal to someone.

  “I’m not sure how that factors in. I can’t ask my dad why he thought we were being watched or what he thought might happen, so we’re in the dark.” And if she was currently in any kind of danger, she couldn’t warn him. The thought broke her heart as much as it scared her.

  Jonathan nodded, then lifted his mug to drink the remainder of his coffee. When he grimaced, Hannah knew the brew had grown cold.

  “Refill?”

  “No, thanks. Not that I plan on getting any sleep tonight while I mull through this information, but any additional caffeine won’t help.”

  “I don’t want you to worry.”

  “Like that won’t happen?”

  “Exactly why I didn’t want to burden you with the story of my past.” She looked down at the diamond ring. “But you should know.”

  He leaned over and took her left hand in his. His thumb traced the diamond solitaire on her ring finger.

  She eased her hand from his. “Everything is so...topsy-turvy right now,” she said as she slipped the beautiful solitaire from her finger. “Why would you want to be saddled with the drama in my life? Your gallery’s reputation is gaining traction, especially with Bernard signing on. Clients love your artists, including Layla. What if events from my past ruin your hard work?”

  He tried to stall her action by placing his hand over hers, but she removed the ring and held it out to him.

  He stared at it, then met her gaze. “This is a lot to take in, but it doesn’t change my feelings. I knew you had some baggage and that one day you’d tell me. Even if it was after we walked down the aisle, I was still ready to marry you.”

  Her eyes burned with unshed tears. “I can’t commit to a date. Not as things stand.”

  His deep brown gaze met hers. She didn’t detect any acrimony there. “What do you say you hold on to the ring for the time being. I know I’ve been pushing the wedding plans along lately, but I want us to be together, Anna.”

  Anna. That untruth was enough to push him away forever.

  “As husband and wife,” he continued. “Take all the time you need.”

  Husband and wife. Had it only been a few weeks ago that the idea had filled her with joy? Now, confusion muddled her brain. She closed her fist around the ring. Was it possible to be in love with two men at the same time? She tucked the ring in her jeans pocket.

  “Think this over and I’ll see you at Bernard’s showing Friday night. You’re still helping, right?”

  How could she refuse?

  He continued. “You’ve already lined up critics you know personally and I have a full guest list who have RSVP’d that they’re attending.”

  Which was why she needed to be at Bernard’s opening night. She’d met a few reporters when she’d unveiled her own exhibit at the arts-and-crafts museum, which had created additional connections for Jonathan. He hadn’t asked her to approach the reviewers, not outright anyway, but suggested she join forces with him to throw an opening-night party for Bernard and invite her new contacts. Honestly, she didn’t know if she had the energy to smile and make small talk all evening. Before she could say anything, Jonathan stood.

  “I should head home,” he said, carrying his mug to the sink. “The gallery opens late tomorrow morning, but Michelle and I have an early breakfast appointment.”

  “An appointment with another new artist?”

  “No, her ideas to promote the gallery. I have to say, she understands my vision and is eager for us to capitalize on it.” He glanced her way. Must have read her hesitation. “You aren’t thinking of backing out, are you? Not on my big night.”

  His big night? She’d been part of the process of wooing Bernard from the beginning, along with the critics. And Michelle? When had they suddenly become an us? Okay, feeling just the tiniest bit jealous was like the pot calling the kettle black, but still, his attitude rankled. She’d helped Jonathan and all she seemed to get was a pat on the back while he took the credit. Was this how it would be after they got married? He seemed more concerned about her not showing up to do her part at the gallery, than putting off the wedding.

  On the heels of that thought came another. How on earth could she be upset about Jonathan and Michelle when she had so many unresolved issues to deal with? Derrick being one of them. Sure, Michelle made no secret of the fact that she’d like to be an exclusive fixture in Jonathan’s world while Derrick made no bones about the fact that he still wanted them to be together. Good grief, what about what she wanted? She was so busy worrying about everyone else that she’d lost sight of herself.

  “I’ll call you during your lunch break tomorrow to go over the final details,” he said, leaning down to brush his lips over hers. When she didn’t throw herself into the kiss, he pulled back, his eyebrows arched.

  “Not one of our more enthusiastic kisses.”

  “I’m so tired,” she said, wondering when making everyone else happy had become her full-time job.

  He chuckled and threw his arm over her shoulder as they walked to the front door. “Go lay your pretty head down. This can’t be as bad as it seems.”

  If only.

  He pulled on his heavy
jacket and opened the door. The frigid air barreled inside, causing chills to break out over her skin. She tucked the hems of her sleeves around her hands and crossed her arms over her chest to seal in her body warmth. With the outdoor lights on, she watched Jonathan make his way to his fancy sedan, noticing the heavy fog hovering in the damp night.

  “Be careful,” she called out.

  He sent her a reassuring wave and drove away.

  Hannah stared out the door into the still darkness. What-ifs plagued her mind. What if her father had never gotten involved with the shady supplier? What if he’d never testified? Or left her and her mother behind? What if Derrick had never discovered her address? Would she and Jonathan go blithely off into the future as if nothing had ever happened and her past hadn’t existed?

  “You’re letting the heat escape.”

  Hannah jumped at her mother’s voice. So lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t considered the impact the cold winter air would have on her mom. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I can’t imagine the conversation with Jonathan was easy.”

  After throwing the dead bolt, Hannah began turning off the living room lights. “He still wants to get married.”

  “And you?”

  “I don’t know, Mom. I want the gemstones to be gone. I want life to go back to normal.”

  “We haven’t lived a normal life in a very long time,” her mother answered, amusement in her tone. “I’m not sure there is such a thing.”

  “If there is, that’s what I wish for.”

  Her mother stopped Hannah as she brushed past and pulled her under the hall ceiling light. “You look exhausted.”

  “I need a month-long vacation. A spa trip would be my first choice. A monastery where no one talks to me, a close second.”

  “I don’t know about the latter, but you could use a break.” Her mother cupped her cheek. “For everything you do.”

  Hannah shrugged.

  “When this is over, we’ll see about getting you some much-deserved time off.”

  Nice thought, but there was no telling what would happen next, who would show up on their doorstep or if another gemstone would appear in the most unexpected place. She needed to be on her toes.

  “Until then I’m going to bed.” She bussed her mother’s cheek and reeled back. “You feel warm.”

  “You were right. I’m fighting a cold.”

  “You’re doing too much, Mom.”

  “I won’t stop living,” she retorted, steam in her words. “I did that during the treatments. Now I want to be out and about, making up for lost time.”

  “Please slow down.”

  The stubborn woman shook her head.

  “Then let’s both head to bed.”

  She turned toward her bedroom doorway.

  “You should have told Jonathan you couldn’t make it Friday night,” her mother said, following on her heels.

  Hannah stopped short and turned, her eyebrows raised in a silent question.

  “Yes, I caught the tail end of the conversation.” Her mother frowned. “He has an assistant to take care of gallery events.”

  “I’m the one who organized this art show opening.”

  “She can’t finish it? The only reason I’m asking is because it feels like you’re hesitating and don’t want to go.”

  Hannah resumed walking to her bedroom. “I have to be there. That’s what engaged couples do.”

  “Are you still engaged?”

  Once in her room, Hannah dug the ring from her pocket. Laid it on her bedside table and slumped down on the bed. “I think so.”

  “Meaning?” her mother asked as she leaned against the doorjamb.

  “I suggested we take a break but he insisted I hold on to the ring.” Hannah flung herself back onto the mattress. “I didn’t have the heart to say no.”

  “You never say no to him. He doesn’t expect otherwise.”

  Hannah felt the mattress sink as her mother took a seat beside her.

  “He means well.”

  “Maybe, but does he make your heart pound? Your blood rush?”

  Hannah lifted her head. “You and Lynny have been watching too many chick flicks.”

  “Just answer the question.”

  She fell back and threw an arm over her eyes. “I guess.”

  “Well that’s not the least bit romantic.”

  “What’s romantic about telling a lie to the man I’m supposed to marry?”

  “You have a point.”

  Hannah levered her elbows on the bed and raised herself up a bit. “I wouldn’t marry me if I found out the real story.”

  Lying down again, she crossed her arms over her middle, fighting the tears filling her eyes.

  “What about Derrick?”

  “What about him? He has a life, Mom. A career.” Her voice went wobbly. “He’s probably just trying to make up for the past by helping us now.”

  “You don’t believe that.”

  Her voice got smaller. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.”

  “Oh, sweetie.”

  Needing a shoulder to cry on, Hannah let herself be tugged up into her mother’s comforting embrace, her tears flowing freely.

  “You’ve been so strong for everyone else. No wonder you’re worn out.”

  “You know I’d do everything over again in order for you to stay well,” she whispered.

  “And I appreciate it.” She held up her hands when Hannah wanted to speak. “And I promise to take care of myself and get rid of this cold, but it’s not your job to be strong for everyone. To plan parties and solve cases and...” She paused. Hannah pulled back to see sorrow lining her mother’s face. “It’s times like these that I miss your father, never mind his poor judgement.”

  This was the first time in ages Hannah had heard her mother refer to her father’s leaving. When she’d gotten sick, Hannah had decided not to make her mother feel worse, so she never mentioned her father. Could that have been a mistake?

  Her mother firmly took Hannah’s shoulders and held her at arm’s length. “You and I are strong. Don’t ever forget that.”

  Hannah laughed. “You forgot the part where we don’t need a man to make us whole.”

  “We don’t. But sometimes being held in a pair of strong arms is just plain nice.”

  * * *

  EARLY THURSDAY MORNING Derrick went for a run before school. The winter temperatures had plummeted again, but at least he didn’t have to dodge crusty snow piles along his route. He hadn’t slept well the night before, pictures of Hannah and Jonathan having the long, overdue conversation running through his head. The guy was much too nice to let Hannah down when he learned about her past, and he’d made it clear he was prepared to fight for her. Well, he was prepared to fight for her, too.

  He still had a little over two weeks before his mother’s wedding. Could he miss her big day if he had to? She’d understand, but wouldn’t like it and would probably spend the rest of her life telling him so. A chance he’d have to take.

  Or, he could invite Hannah to go with him. It was a long shot, but maybe Hannah would want to see his family. Her mother could come, too, and it would be like a reunion of the two families. Except half of Hannah’s was missing, so that probably wasn’t a wise suggestion.

  He rounded a bend before heading back to the hotel, a distant thought nagging at him. The gemstones. It all circled back to Hannah’s father. He’d claimed at the trial he didn’t know what had happened to them, but as far as Derrick could tell, her dad had the missing information needed to make sense of the reappearance of the gemstones. The man was in the wind. Seemed like a good time to find him. The clock was ticking down on his leave and Derrick needed to make some strides in the case soon, for Hannah’s sake.

  After running five miles he was ready to get back to wo
rk. He left a message for Dylan and dressed in his security shirt and jeans, prepared for the routine of his workday. He greeted students, carried on a conversation with Tommy, where he learned that the boy’s father had come to Tommy’s basketball game, which they won, and confabbed with Glen about the state of the new security system.

  At four that afternoon, he was in the gym, standing with Roger while they watched the younger boys run drills.

  His phone rang. Reading Dylan’s number, he excused himself and moved into the main hallway away from the noise.

  “Hey. I was hoping to hear from you today.”

  “Sorry I didn’t check in sooner. New case.” Dylan spoke to someone, then returned to the conversation. “What’s up?”

  “Sounds like you have your hands full.”

  “I do, but you know I want to help.”

  “I need to find Hannah’s father.”

  “Makes sense.”

  “Glad you agree.” He paused a moment, considering how to execute his plan. “How about hiring the soon-to-be newest member of our family to find him?”

  “Huh?”

  “Serena’s boyfriend, Logan. From the way Mom talks, I expect them to be married soon.”

  “Good idea. We can get a family discount.”

  Derrick chuckled. “You have Logan’s contact information?”

  Dylan did.

  “I’ll text you the aliases that Hannah’s dad used in hiding. I’m hoping he went back to his real name, thinking no one would look for him that way.”

  “Are you going to tell Hannah?”

  “Not until I know more. I don’t want to get her hopes up.”

  In the background, someone yelled Dylan’s name. “I gotta run.”

  “I’ll be in touch.”

  “Oh, and heads up. Mom is serious about us dancing at her wedding.”

  “I forgot about that.”

  “For your own safety, get on it. She’s making her wedding the event of the century.”

  From her many phone calls to keep Derrick in the loop, he knew what he and his brothers were up against.

  “Later, brother.”

  After Dylan hung up, Derrick Googled swing dancing. He found a tutorial and watched the light-footed tutor moving back and forth on his feet, explaining the rock step followed by the triple step.