by Tara Randel
“Yes, well I didn’t know I’d make a full recovery at the time.” She gazed at Derrick, then her daughter. “I’d held on to those gems for a purpose. I couldn’t think of anyone in the world who would do more in their power to keep you safe than Derrick.”
Derrick’s phone rang. He pulled it from his jeans pocket, swiped the screen and the sound stopped, as if he let the call go to voice mail.
“How did you know where to find me?” he asked.
“I have a few computer skills.”
“What? How?” Hannah asked, trying to recall her mother spending hours at the home computer and coming up short.
“You don’t think I sat around doing nothing while you were working,” she huffed. “I found ways to keep myself busy.”
Hannah sank down into the chair. The things she didn’t know about her mother were mind-boggling.
“And the green stone in Hannah’s purse?” Derrick asked.
Her mom smiled. “I planted it. I had to find a way to keep you two together.” She scowled at Hannah. “I’d worked hard to get Derrick here and you wanted him to leave. I had to take drastic action.”
Hannah glanced up at Derrick. His shock had changed to annoyance, if the narrowed eyes were any indication. She knew how he felt.
Derrick’s voice was tight when he said, “But here’s the problem. I believe someone, besides me, knows you’re here.”
Her mother crossed her arms over her chest. “I didn’t factor that in.”
Hannah counted to ten. Voices came and went in the hallway. “Then the precautions you and Dad employed to shield us might come to nothing.”
Now her mother looked worried.
Hannah heard a buzzing come from Derrick’s pocket. He ignored it as he focused on her mother. “Is there anything else you haven’t told us?”
Sophia seemed to sink deeper into the bed as the situation hit home. “No. I honestly don’t know where Jerome is. I wanted to use the gemstones for good, that’s why I sent one to you, Derrick. It was misguided, but I had good intentions.”
Derrick ran a hand over the back of his neck, a gesture Hannah noticed he did when stressed. And how had she become so in tune with him in the few weeks he’d lived here? Was it a leftover reflex from when they were young? Perhaps. But in the time she’d spent with him lately, she’d come to appreciate new, wonderful things about Derrick, first and foremost his strength and dedication. She hadn’t felt this safe since before the Marshals secreted them away. As much as she’d fought against it, she couldn’t deny that knowing Derrick had her back had revived an inane boldness she thought she’d lost years ago. They’d made a good team while he was here. What would happen when he left?
“You know you could have called me, right?” Derrick’s gaze flicked from her mom to Hannah and back. “I would have come no matter the circumstances.”
“I know you would have,” Sophia said. “But Hannah would have fought it.”
“I—” Hannah wanted to argue, but couldn’t. Hadn’t she given him a hard time about being here since he’d arrived? It wasn’t until they’d reconnected that she’d let down her guard. Started enjoying their time together. “You’re right. I would have vetoed contacting Derrick. Or anyone we used to know.”
Her mother reached out for her hand. “You were so angry. Not only at Derrick, but at the world. Over time, I realized the only way for you to move on was to confront Derrick. Forgive him for the past. See that you two belong together and begin a brand-new relationship.” She wrinkled her nose. “I suppose I overplayed my hand.”
“Mom, you didn’t have to be so sneaky about it.”
“Again, if I’d told you, you would never have given Derrick a chance. And as much as I like Jonathan, I never felt he was the right man for you. Yes, he’s been a constant companion and was considerate to us during the cancer treatment, but he always puts his gallery first.”
So, her mother had noticed that too? Hannah told herself she didn’t mind Jonathan’s passion for the gallery, it was his livelihood, but lately she’d been concerned at coming in second best. Especially when Lynny felt the need to point the fact out to her. Since Derrick had arrived, she hadn’t exactly put Jonathan first either, so she couldn’t be too mad at him.
“It’s just that Jonathan never looks at you the way Derrick does, like you’re the most important person to him.” Sophia smoothed the blanket over her lap. Her eyes grew misty. “I’m sorry I lied to you, Hannah, but I wouldn’t do it any differently. The results are exactly as I’d hoped them to be.” She blinked, allowing a tear to escape and roll down her cheek. “You and Derrick have another chance at love. Life is precious, Hannah. We certainly learned that during the cancer scare. I don’t want you to waste any more time clinging to anger when you can forgive and share a bright future with your true love.”
Hannah stood and stepped past Derrick, who held his emotions in check so well, she couldn’t read his face. His blue eyes were dark and veiled, his lips in a grim line. Her mother had gone to great lengths to get them back together again. How were they going to process this?
“It’s all too much, Mom.” She walked to Derrick’s side. Wanted to take his hand, but resisted. It took all her self-control not to touch him. “Too, too much.”
No one spoke for a long moment.
The doctor entered the room, his manner brisk as he made his way around Hannah to approach her mother’s bed.
“You’re looking much better this morning, Mrs. Rawley,” he said and unwrapped the stethoscope from around his neck.
Her mother was uncharacteristically silent.
“I went over your recent vitals and labs.” He placed the bell over Sophia’s chest and listened. Nodded as if pleased and said, “The medicine is working well, so we’ll be discharging you tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Sophia said, her demeanor stiff.
“I’ll have some prescriptions for you to fill when you leave, but I expect a full recovery. Your chest X-ray was clean, but I’d suggest a follow-up with your oncologist.”
The buzzing sound came for Derrick’s pocket again. Hannah frowned at him, but he continued to ignore the phone.
The doctor turned to Hannah. “Any questions?”
“No. My questions have been answered.”
Was it her imagination or did her mother wince?
“Wonderful. Mrs. Rawley, make sure to rest in order to ensure a complete recovery.”
“I’ve learned my lesson.”
In more ways than one, Hannah thought.
“You have a good day,” he said as he left the room.
A nurse came in and began typing on the keyboard under the computer screen mounted on the wall. “I’ll get your vitals in a minute,” she informed Sophia.
“Take your time.”
The pressure that had been building in Hannah’s chest was ready to burst. Before she did or said anything she might regret, she announced to the room, “I’m going to the cafeteria.”
The nurse nodded, unaware of the tension hanging over them.
She grabbed her purse and walked to the corridor, riding on a wave of emotions. There was so much to wade through, she didn’t know where to start.
“Hannah, hold up.”
At Derrick’s deep voice, she slowed down. He came to her side and they continued to the elevators. She stabbed the call button.
“This was a surprise,” he finally said.
“You think?”
He placed a hand on her arm. She took a deep breath before meeting his concerned gaze. They stood still for a minute before he sighed and guided her to the large window overlooking the parking lot.
“Are you okay?”
“I have no idea.” She wrapped her arms over her chest.
“We should probably talk about this.”
In a matter of a few weeks her
life had been upturned again, just when she thought she had found a semblance of peace. How wrong she was.
“—before your mother goes home,” Derrick was saying before she tuned back in to the conversation.
Derrick took her hand. She wanted to lean on him. Let his strength seep into her. But she’d learned long ago to stand on her own two feet. Now was not the time to let her defenses down.
“I know this is a lot to take in.”
A bitter laugh escaped her.
“Why don’t we go somewhere a little more private. I have—”
His phone buzzed again.
“Aren’t you going to answer that?”
“Whoever it is can wait.”
She wanted a few minutes to herself before the well-meaning conversations started. Derrick never knew when to back off. Hadn’t he been pushing her for more in their relationship since he blew into town? She needed space to figure out her messy love life and her mother’s revelation, without being pressured. She ran a shaky hand over her temple. “Please, just take it.”
Derrick hesitated, then pulled the phone from his pocket. As he paced the length of the elevator bank, Hannah stared out the wide window at the picture-perfect day. The sun was shining, a welcome treat after weeks of gloom and snow. The white-capped mountaintops glistened in the distance. From here she could see cars zipping down the interstate. People came and went below, going about their lives.
How she wished for the same. Instead, her life was like a tangled maze. Every time she made headway and things seemed to settle down, she rounded a corner to a new disaster, like learning her mother had the gemstones all along. She closed her eyes against a wave of tears. Was this how her life would always be? One surprise after another?
“Do you have a location?” she heard Derrick ask. “ETA?”
Hannah turned her head his way. Guilt flashed in his eyes. Oh no, he didn’t... Her stomach clenched.
“Keep me informed.” He ended the conversation, refusing to meet her eyes.
“Important?”
He finally looked her way, not appearing the least bit sorry. “Yes.”
With a sinking heart, she said, “Please tell me you didn’t speak to the authorities.”
“I had to,” Derrick said, no remorse in his voice.
The ache that had abated ramped up once more. “I asked you not to.”
“And I wouldn’t have if that stranger hadn’t approached you at the gallery. I needed to make sure you were safe and in order to do that, I needed access to the Bureau.”
The pain tearing through her chest made it difficult to breathe. She dropped her arms from the protective stance and headed to the elevator.
“Please, hear me out,” Derrick said behind her.
She swung around, hurt now morphing to anger. “Why would I?”
“Because your instincts were right. That guy was following you.”
She stopped. “What?”
“I sent the picture you gave me to my superior. He searched our system and discovered a connection between him and the man your father helped put in prison.”
She brushed her hair behind one ear, confusion making her unsteady on her feet. “How did he know I was in Dark Clay?”
“I don’t know yet. That was my boss. When I didn’t answer my phone, he got the local field office involved. They found a location on the suspect and are en route to question him.”
She swept her hand toward the elevator doors. “Then you should get going.”
“I don’t want to leave you.”
“This is why you came to Nevada,” she reminded him, anger lacing her tone. “To do your job.”
“It was more than that. Hannah, you know I came here because I never stopped looking for you. Never stopped loving you.”
He was right. He’d been up-front and honest about his reasons for the trip. But no matter how well-intentioned he was, she couldn’t appreciate that now. She was juggling so many problems that her head pounded.
She glanced at him, his resolve to take care of every single detail imprinted on his face. Was it possible for Derrick to change? She had asked him not to get the authorities involved. Could she give her heart to a man who wouldn’t listen when she expressed her wishes? The way her father had kept secrets from her mother—destroying their family because he thought he knew best?
No, she was capable of being in control. Had been for many years.
Derrick watched her carefully, his eyes pleading with her to see his side. She stuck out her chin and said, “And once again, you did the one thing sure to push me away.”
His face went pale. “You can’t mean that.”
“Oh, I do. I’m finished with half-truths and trusting people who keep secrets from me.”
She couldn’t stay here any longer. Not until she got a handle on the hurt and anger. Spying the door to the staircase, she headed that way.
“Where are you going?”
“I don’t know,” she said over her shoulder, “but one thing is certain, I don’t want you to follow me.”
With more force than necessary, she shoved open the door to the stairway and hurried down, her footsteps echoing off the concrete walls as she made her escape.
* * *
HIS WORST NIGHTMARE had come true. Hannah hadn’t accepted his reasons for contacting the Bureau. Given everything she’d been through, he got it. Still, he’d hoped that she’d look at the current situation and understand his motives came from love, not an intent to deceive her.
He ran a hand over his chest. The ache he’d lived with for years returned with a vengeance.
As much as he wanted to race after her, she needed space. This morning had been a series of revelations she should process in her own time. He was barely keeping up with it all himself.
It took everything in him to walk past the stairway door and head to Sophia’s room. She was staring out the window, but turned her head and leaned forward when he entered.
Her eyes were filled with distress. “Where’s Hannah?”
“She needs some time alone.”
Sophia sank onto the mattress. “She’s never going to forgive me.”
“Or me.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. Tried to breathe around the tight band squeezing his chest. “When I found her, I thought we’d fall back into each other’s arms. Plan a future together.” He tried to grin, but his lips wouldn’t comply. “I expected some hesitation, confusion even, but Hannah’s so stubborn.”
“You forgot about that trait?”
“Seems I forgot a lot.” He shook his head. “I never meant to hurt her.”
Sophia clasped her hands together. “On the contrary. I haven’t seen her this happy in years.”
“I blew that all away.” He proceeded to explain what was going on and why he’d called in the Bureau.
“We’re quite a team,” Sophia said with a hitch in her voice. “Loving my daughter hasn’t kept us from wounding her.”
Derrick ran a finger over the red stone in his pocket. He grasped it and pulled it out, handing it to Sophia. “This is yours.”
“Won’t your superiors want it?”
“Since the gemstones weren’t an integral part of the trial and they are legally yours, you should take it.”
She reached out to wrap his fingers around the stone. “I want you to keep it.”
“As a reminder of the second-biggest mistake I’ve made?”
Sophia bit her lower lip. “For years she’s been the one taking care of us. Handling every situation head-on with an inner strength she doesn’t realize she possesses. I know you meant well...”
He recalled Hannah’s face, crushed by the hurt he’d unintentionally inflicted on her. “But she probably won’t give me a third chance?”
Sophia straightened the covers, her silence answering his
question. He’d blown it big-time and he doubted there was any going back. Still didn’t make him regret calling in reinforcements. Honestly, it wasn’t like he could have done this on his own. Would Hannah eventually understand his dilemma?
He placed the stone on the rolling table. “You should keep it. I’ll also get the green stone to you.”
“If I can’t convince you...”
Derrick shook his head.
Sophia sighed and picked up the stone.
“I need a clean slate with Hannah.”
“I understand.”
A buzzing interrupted the conversation. Derrick looked at his phone screen and took the call. It was the local field office special agent informing him they had the suspect in custody. “I’ll be right there.” He hung up. “I need to go.”
“Is this about our case?”
He smiled at her wording. “We’re finally going to get answers.”
“Good.” At Sophia’s sad smile, he swallowed around the knot that had formed in his throat when Hannah stormed away. “I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done.”
He would have disagreed, but Sophia continued.
“Hannah asked you not to say anything about the gemstones all those years ago, but partly because you did, your father got involved and helped us in a very difficult situation. She can’t see it, but your actions forced us to tell the truth instead of being pressured by some very unpleasant men. And yes, she doesn’t like how events have repeated, but again, you’ve managed to make us safe. She’ll come around.”
Derrick wasn’t so sure. Hannah usually said what she meant and what she said was that she didn’t want Derrick to follow her. But for how long? How could he make amends? He would be leaving soon; his mother’s wedding was in two weeks. Then he had to report back to work in DC. If she couldn’t see things like her mother did, what chance did they ever have of restoring their relationship?
With his heart torn to pieces, he left the hospital and wove through the parking lot to the rental car. As he slipped on his sunglasses, he vowed to finish the job he’d come here to do: keep Hannah safe. Then he’d apologize for his high-handedness. Promise to be a better listener. Hope she would take his words at face value.
