by Jerri George
“Overruled,” he purred and pulled her onto her knees and across his body in one swift movement. His lips caught her mouth. He separated hers with his tongue and took his time.
As if tasting delicious vintage, he moved his tongue back and forth and up and down. She followed his seemingly effortless pattern and gave into him completely. They kissed as they had the first time so many years ago. The passion, tingling sensations, the unbridled emotion that she felt then came rushing back.
He leaned back to end the kiss only to have it continue onto her neck creating a path down the center of her robe. His tongue touched her skin, and for a moment, she couldn’t catch her breath. She felt him wanting her, and she wanted him to take her in his arms, removing all the fear and stress of the past week, replacing it with excitement and satisfaction. She was on fire within.
“I know I promised to behave, but god I want you.” He cleared his throat and looked up. He was doing his best to communicate with words.
“I know,” she whispered. “Honestly, I don’t want it to be lost in everything else, not after all this time.”
“It’s okay, just relax.” he said, moving the folded collar of the robe to the right a few inches with his teeth. He placed his mouth over her breast. He sucked, licked, then pulled back to look again as if he wanted to clearly see the object of his desire. Had he thought about this moment for years like she had? Had he spent too many nights in the company of his law books instead of with her, thinking about what might have been?
Candace arched her back, pushing her chest toward his mouth. He accepted the invitation gladly and slid his lower body onto the couch over hers. The room was dark with the exception of the glow from the porchlight through the windows. She felt swallowed up by his mass.
Her robe had fallen open, and his hand explored her delicately. She was happy he was keeping his promise, looking and touching without removing his clothes and culminating the moment. Tonight was not the night. She felt special, precious. This was heaven. They kissed for what seemed hours and held each other so close they were nearly one.
The house phone broke the quiet with a shrill ring, and seconds later her cell phone rang and vibrated, rattling against the coffee table. Tripp jumped up and grabbed it, handing it to her.
“Hello?” Candace said, pleased to see Tripp beside her. What time was it?
“Hello, Ms. Kane?”
“Yes.”
“This is Dr. Melendez. Your uncle has suffered a cardiac arrest.” Her voice cracked uncharacteristically. “Luckily, we did not remove his monitor today and we were able to revive him in time, but I think you might want to come to the hospital.”
She swallowed a sob. “What? No! Oh my God.”
Tripp was obviously alerted by her tone. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Yes, okay, I will. I will be right there.” She disconnected without a goodbye.
Tripp sat on the edge of the couch. She disintegrated before him. Distraught. Hysterical. “Uncle…Uncle had a heart attack.”
“Oh, Candace, I’m so sorry. What did they say? Is he alive?”
“Yes, they revived him, but I need to go to him. I don’t know what’s happening.”
“Let’s go.” Tripp was immediately in charge. He gathered up the pizza and wine remnants, transporting them into the kitchen, and then led her into her bedroom. He asked for directions in finding the clothing she wanted to wear. Thankfully she had laid out her jeans and shirt for after her shower, and he managed to find a bra and panties in her top drawer.
He rested his hand on her arm. “I’ll pull the car up. You get dressed. Don’t worry, I’ll get your purse and phone.”
She thanked God then and there for Tripp.
They were in the car and on the way in no time flat, and Tripp began making phone calls from Candace’s cell. His first call was to Anton. He filled him in and told him where they were headed. His second call was to Jesse. He politely reminded her who he was, how he knew Dan, and as gently as he could, broke the news. Then, he called his dad.
He must have been driving his Mercedes over 100 miles an hour but she didn’t care. She was curled up in a ball sobbing. She surrendered to the shock and hopelessness she had felt all along. Would anything ever be right again? Candace prayed to God, her mother and the stars in the sky. Tripp held her hand tightly.
By the time they reached the curved driveway in front of the hospital, Candace had composed herself enough to run a brush through her hair. They were a disheveled pair, Tripp with his shirt tails out of his pants and buttons undone at the neck, and she with her tear-streaked, red and swollen face. She looked at him and smiled tenderly. At this moment in time, he was her hero.
They ran through the lobby, down the corridor, into the elevator and down the third-floor hallway in unison.
Chapter 27
Nurses and doctors gathered around Uncle Dan’s room once again, producing an odd sensation of déjà vu for Candace. Some exhibited stern and concerned expressions while others buried their heads in note taking. Dr. Melendez made her way from across the room to Candace’s side.
“Doctor?” Candace’s voice was trembling.
The doctor led her by the elbow into an adjoining room. “He's out of the woods for now and resting comfortably, but it was a close call. We're in the process of running further tests, but I believe he’ll be fine. We’ve taken the precaution of calling the sheriff's office.”
“Thank God,” Candace mumbled aloud, but inside her heart leapt, silently praising God for answering her prayers. She motioned to Tripp to join them.
“Wait, the sheriff’s office? What does the Sheriff have to do with a heart attack?”
“Ms. Kane,” the doctor began, giving a leveled stare at Tripp.
“Oh please, just call me Candace.”
Dr. Melendez greeted her request with an accepting nod. “Candace, the consensus of opinion among the doctors is that your uncle may have been poisoned. We are doing tests, blood work and taking every precaution.”
“Poisoned–what the hell?” She wrapped her arms around her waist. Tripp steadied her.
The doctor continued, “Please understand we haven't confirmed anything, but your uncle took an unexpected, and frankly inexplicable turn for the worse. He coded for no evident reason. His symptoms are similar to those with poisoning or overdose. Hospital security has been placed on your uncle's door while we wait for a deputy. For now, visitors are limited to only you and Jesse.”
“Yes, right. That would be right. Did you speak with Sheriff Solodad?”
“Yes, I did. His name and number are on our records in case of an emergency. I told him our suspicions.”
As if he'd heard them talking, the sheriff came bounding down the hall. “CJ, I'm glad you're here. I’m so sorry. Doctor, how is the patient doing?” He motioned to one of his deputies to cover the door.
The doctor answered, “I'm just very grateful that the heart monitor alerted us in time to save him.”
“Any news on the bloodwork?” Sam was definitely handling himself in a distanced and professional manner. Uncle would be proud of him, although right now he was talking about the man like he was some sort of stranger, a piece of meat lying in that horrible hospital bed.
“Not as yet, but it should be anytime now. I will find you just as soon as I know anything.” She began to step away.
“Doctor,” Tripp chimed in. “Would you please take my card and be sure my office is contacted with any and all updates on Mr. Kane’s condition? My law firm currently holds his power of attorney.”
“Certainly, sir” she said, making note in the chart she held.
Candace shot Tripp a surprised look but said nothing. Tripp and his father held his power of attorney? This was news to her.
The sheriff spoke up, “Candace, tonight moves us into a new phase of the investigation. If the doctor is right, following the other night, I’d say someone definitely has it in for Dan.”
“It certainly appe
ars that way,” Candace said.
“If he’s right, you could be in danger too.” Tripp added.
Candace was numb and just nodded in silence. She couldn’t shake that vulnerable feeling earlier at the ranch tonight. Thank goodness it had been Tripp who showed up at the door.
“My advice is lay low for now,” Sam said. “You might want to go back to your office in Denver or stay at the ranch with a guard 24/7 ‘til we catch this guy.”
The doctor was visibly concerned. “I can have them set up a room directly across the hall from your uncle for you, Ms. Kane.”
“Or, she can stay at my place,” Tripp announced.
“Thank you, doctor, but I'll be fine either at the ranch or my office,” Candace carefully ignored Tripp’s suggestion. “Just please take good care of him.”
The doctor patted Candace’s arm and both she and the sheriff bowed out of the conversation, heads together in serious conversation.
“You can stay at my place, you know. I have plenty of room and a very good security system. No one will think to look for you there.” Tripp reassured her.
“No, I don’t want to be that far away from him. I don’t want to go back to Denver either. I need to find out what’s going on and get more help. I’ll call a couple of the hands at the ranch and have them stay the night. They know the place even in pitch black, and with Lance there, I’ll be safe.”
“Then I’ll stay with you. I can take one of the guest rooms.”
“That would be nice. You don’t need to.”
“But I want to.” He stepped closer and hugged her shoulders with his ample arm.
“Okay.” She looked up at him and smiled, knowing how comfortable that would make her feel. She hadn’t felt that at ease or secure since before Uncle was attacked.
He planted a kiss on her forehead. “Candace, no matter what happens, I’m here for you.”
“Who do you think tried to kill Uncle?”
“I wouldn’t put it past that old girlfriend of his. She does have an axe to grind. I shouldn’t tell you this, but she is in that old will he executed.”
Candace was surprised by this new knowledge as well. She added, “But then, there’s Dawn. Why do you suppose she lied about her whereabouts, and where has she been?”
He raised his brow. “That will be the hot topic of conversation when the sheriff finds her.”
“I want to go in and be with him.” She felt like a little girl once again.
Tripp slid the heavy glass door open with one hand and allowed her some privacy with Dan.
Chapter 28
Facing yet another event without his partner, and determined to be by her side, Anton was up for hours after Tripp’s call, planning and reviewing everything about the upcoming brunch. In just a short while, 200 guests would fill the Butterfly World in Denver, a unique venue that allowed brides to set free butterflies to flit through the rooms, creating a natural ambiance that made a photographer’s job all the more interesting.
Barely able to keep focused, his brain kept whirling with thoughts of Candace, Dan and wondering what Dawn could be up to. He called her twice after hearing about Dan’s heart failure from Tripp of all people, but there had been no response. How did that guy end up being with her tonight? Candace had clearly told Anton he had left this afternoon. Was Candace keeping the truth from him? Would she do that on purpose?
Another shot of vodka would relax him, but it wouldn’t make him think any more clearly, and he had to keep his head in the game.
Calling Cameron in the wee hours was unusual but not unheard of. “This will be the perfect opportunity for you and Zach to step up and run an event without us,” he explained, telling Cam what had transpired. “I just can’t stand to think of her going through this alone.”
He knew Cam would be eager to orchestrate an event from the kitchen and had equal confidence that Zach could handle the front of the house. Cam would take Anton’s place executing all the dishes on the menu and managing the kitchen staff. Zach could easily step into Candace’s shoes, managing the serving staff, setting up the dining room tables and buffet and making sure everything was served on time. A brunch was typically not as labor intensive in the kitchen with many items prepped and baked ahead. A buffet was much easier on the serving staff, although perfection was still demanded.
“Okay, man. Keep your phone handy if I need to call you,” Cam said. “Send CJ our best.” Anton knew Cameron wouldn’t be able to go back and sleep now. He told him to download the menu and head for the kitchen to make sure everything was ready to go.
Cameron was confident. “We got this. Don’t worry.”
“You better. I need to head down to the hospital and make sure Candace and Dan are okay. Call me for anything.”
“You bet.”
Anton, in the car heading south, tried Dawn once more. He suspected he might get her at this hour and did. “It’s been two days since anyone has heard anything from you,” Anton chastised her as if he were a parent and then thought better of it.
“So,” she said flippantly.
“So? Candace is worried about you, and what is all this crap about you being at the ranch the night Dan was hurt? Where have you been?”
“What? Who told you that?” Dawn sounded dumbfounded.
In his frustration, he realized he had spoken out of turn and had forgotten the need for secrecy with the police looking for her. Maybe he could get her to turn herself in.
He cleared his throat. “I think Candace told me. She said Dan woke up and told them you had been there. She also told me about some letters.”
“She what? Those are personal and certainly none of your business.” He could hear her seething. She rattled on, “Dan’s awake? Why didn’t she tell me?”
“If you would return phone calls maybe you’d know. I think you should get in touch with her tonight. Where have you been anyway?”
“I was with Congressman Tethermeyer. We took an overnight trip to Blackhawk. This is a free country, remember?”
Of course, Dawn would just take off at a time like this. Blackhawk, Colorado’s stepsister to the lavish Las Vegas strip, was tucked in the front mountain range about forty minutes from Denver. It was an easy getaway with much the same attractions but on a smaller scale, gambling at several casinos, food buffets and discounted high-roller suites. It was a favorite hangout for the locals who couldn’t spare the time to getaway to Nevada. Did she really go out of town? When did she actually get back?
She continued in a defensive tone, “Look, I didn’t say anything about being at the ranch with Dan because I didn’t hurt him. He was fine when I left. When I found out he might never wake up, I didn’t want to get in trouble with the cops. I was going to tell Candace when I got back.”
“Well, your cat is out of the box now, and so is that other little secret.”
“You told her? You idiot–it’s bag, not box. The cat is out of the bag. Don’t try to speak our language if you don’t understand it, you fool.”
“What did you think I was going to do, keep it a secret and let you use it against me? I know how you operate, Dawn.” He tried not to be completely hostile. “I only told her it happened, that’s all.”
“I’m going down there now. I’ll call Candace and let her know. Stay out of this, and keep your mouth shut, do you hear me? Don’t tell her anything more than you already have. I know how to handle her, and you don’t know anything about me,” she practically yelled at him and then hung up.
He pressed the gas pedal to the floor.
Chapter 29
Tripp and Candace reached the ranch about two in the morning. Sleep deprived and drained of all the will to walk another step, Candace cringed when she heard Dawn’s shrill ringtone break through her jeans. She drew in a deep breath similar to how her Uncle often did. Might he use that pause as a moment to prepare or steel himself as she was now?
“It’s Dawn,” she told Tripp and clicked on the speaker phone. “Where have you been?”
Her plan to act completely calm disappeared.
“I was in Blackhawk with Ronnie. You know how poor the cell reception is there. I didn’t know you were trying to reach me. I’m on my way down now. I should be there in a few hours. I never would have gone away if I had known you needed me.”
“Needed you? Dawn, I can’t begin to tell you everything that has happened, and I don’t really want to see you tonight–I mean this morning. This has been one hell of a day.”
Dawn’s tone was so typically condescending. “You’re just mad at me about Anton. I know he told you. Candace, men are just dogs. You need to let me explain. What really hurts is that you’d let Anton come tonight and not me.”
“Anton? He’s not coming down.”
“Oh yes he is! I just spoke with him. I think he’s going to see Dan, but I wanted to call you ASAP when I heard he told you about what happened between us. I’m sure what you’re thinking is a lot worse than the truth.”
“Dawn, I’m not going to discuss it with you or anyone else. It’s just not a priority right now.” She hit mute. The less Tripp knew about all this the better.
“She and Anton are both on their way down from Denver,” she told him.
Tripp said, “Can you get her to come here. We’ll call the sheriff.”
“Hello? Hello? Did I lose you?” Dawn was calling out.
Candace clicked off mute. “No, I’m here. I just got to the ranch. Why don’t you come straight here, and we’ll have a chance to talk?” She looked at Tripp with a question in her expression. He nodded his head in agreement.
“Okay…I’m on my way.”
Candace gritted her teeth, repulsed by her own plan. She rolled her eyes at Tripp as she told Dawn, “See you soon. Bye.”
Candace sat down hard on the couch that just a few hours ago had held such warmth and passion for her and Tripp. It seemed a distant memory now.
