One Step Away (Hazel Green Book 2)

by Cindy Kirk

  As usual, Iris avoided the trial consultant. Beau, on the other hand, appeared intrigued by the schoolteacher. Right now, he’d claimed a spot beside Rachel and Marc.

  Most of the phones were set to a local radio station playing patriotic music. Once the fireworks began, music that had been mixed to accompany the display would play.

  “This has been a wonderful day.” Nell breathed the words.

  “You make it sound like it’s already over.” He trailed a finger down her arm. “We still have the fireworks, then the after party at Wells’s home.”

  She slanted a glance in his direction. “And then the after-after party at your place.”

  The heat in her eyes told Leo exactly what kind of party she had in mind. Saving the best for last, he thought, with a wry smile.

  A nearly overwhelming urge to kiss Nell’s sweet lips stole over Leo. The way her lips parted and her breathing quickened told him she wanted him, too.

  He gripped the blanket in his fists and reminded himself he was the mayor and this was a community event. He settled for bringing her hand to his mouth and placing a kiss in her palm.

  “Tonight.” Nell leaned close, and the vanilla scent of her shampoo teased and tantalized. “I don’t want there to be anything between us.”

  He cocked his head, unsure of what she was saying. But he didn’t have a chance to ask, because the music on his phone changed, signaling the show was about to begin.

  Leo slipped his arm around Nell, and when she leaned against him, all was right in his world.

  The woman he loved was in his arms. He was surrounded by friends, and tonight he’d be around family. The job he held allowed him to give back to the community he loved.

  Yes, he was a lucky man.

  In the backyard of the house that had once been the family home, Tim fully relaxed for the first time since he’d hopped out of bed at six a.m. His boys were all here, as well as his precious granddaughter. The only others in attendance were close family friends whom either he or his sons had invited.

  Marty stood beside him, a smile on her face. For several minutes, they watched Sophie play badminton with Lilian and Dixon. Dixon—who’d arrived as Lilian’s escort—played the role of the clown to perfection. Each time he swung wildly and missed the birdie, he let out an anguished sound that had Sophie dissolving into uncontrollable giggles.

  “Look. Leo is showing Nell how to play croquet.” Marty sounded pleased.

  Tim obligingly turned in the direction of the croquet game. Sure enough, Leo had his arms around Nell as he demonstrated the proper way to hold the mallet. While they watched, she looked up at Leo, and he kissed her gently on the mouth.

  Marty exhaled a sigh. “Remember when we were that age, Tim? You’d just been elected to the Senate, the youngest to be elected from the state of Illinois.”

  “I was older than Leo, but not by much.” Though it had been difficult being so young and inexperienced, Tim had learned quickly. It had helped that he’d had his friend by his side.

  Steve.

  His best friend since boyhood and the one man he’d thought would never betray his trust.

  The man who’d stood beside him when he married Marty.

  The man who was Wells’s godfather.

  Karen had been a part of his—and Marty’s—life nearly as long.

  “I remember Karen and I learning to navigate the Metro together.” Marty’s eyes grew soft with memories. “We exchanged parenting tips and babysat each other’s kids.”

  Tim heard the emotion in his wife’s voice and knew she was near tears. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “I know it’s been hard for you. It’s hard for me, too. I miss Karen. Heck, I even miss Steve.”

  A muscle in Tim’s jaw jumped, and he forced himself to relax. “But I can’t go through life being pissed off.”

  “This whole thing makes me angry, too,” Marty said with a heavy sigh. “And sad.”

  “If Steve had come to me, said he had debts he was having difficulty paying, I’d have moved heaven and earth to figure out a way to help him.” Tim blew out a harsh breath. “Instead, he put his future—and mine—on the line with his lies and deceit.”

  “Steve’s father was an alcoholic, remember?”

  Tim frowned. “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “I’ve been doing some reading on addictions since all this happened.”

  Just the way she spoke brought back memories of those days early in their marriage when Marty supported him through law school with her social work degree. Tim liked seeing the light back in his wife’s eyes.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Tim saw Nell’s ball go through the last wicket and hit the stake.

  Leo let out a war whoop and spun her around.

  “Anyway, pathological gambling is regarded as an addiction. Research seems to show pathological gamblers have a lot in common with drug addicts,” Marty continued, appearing to warm to the topic. Tim wondered if Marty ever regretted giving up her career to support his. “As time goes by, gamblers, like drug addicts, need stronger hits to get high. Which for Steve translated into riskier acts.”

  “Playing for higher stakes.”

  “Until it all came crashing down.” Marty’s gaze turned distant.

  “Steve made his choice when he took bribes, when he put not only his career but my perceived integrity at risk. I hope he gets the help he needs, I really do. But right now, he’s on his own. He’ll have to accept the consequences of his actions.” Tim found his gaze drawn once again to his youngest son.

  Marty followed his gaze. Her lips curved. “Leo has been so happy lately.”

  “I haven’t seen him this interested in a woman since Heather,” Tim agreed.

  “He’s happier with Nell. More himself with her than he was with Heather.”

  Tim didn’t dispute her assertion. He was too busy watching his middle son slip out the back gate. “Where’s Matt going?”

  Marty glanced around the yard. “He’s here somewhere. I just saw him a few minutes ago.”

  “I just saw him leave by the back gate.”

  “He probably went to get something from his truck.”

  Tim pressed his lips together. “I can’t figure that boy out.”

  “He’s trying to find where he fits in the world.”

  “He’s in his thirties. It’s high time he figured it out.”

  “He will.”

  “Look at Wells. He’s never deviated from his course in life.”

  Marty glanced over to where their eldest son stood talking with Lilian. “Wells needs more in his life than work. I know he has Sophie and he’s a terrific father, but he’s become more solitary since Dani died.”

  Tim watched Lilian grab Nell’s hand and pull her toward the badminton net.

  “I’ll get the ball and gloves,” Leo called to Sophie and headed toward the garage.

  “I’ll show you where they are,” Wells’s voice boomed after him.

  Wells expelled a melodramatic sigh when he reached his parents, but his smile was easy. “I should have anticipated someone might want to play catch.”

  “You can’t think of every contingency.” Marty put a hand on Wells’s arm. “This is a lovely party. So relaxing. Thank you for hosting this at your home.”

  “The house was your home before it was mine,” he reminded her.

  “Thank you,” Marty repeated, brushing a kiss across her son’s cheek. “Your dad and I are having a wonderful time.”

  “We were talking about Leo and Nell.” Marty’s eyes turned dreamy. “Seeing them together reminds me of when your dad and I were young and in love.”

  “They seem like a good match.” Wells shrugged. “I guess time will tell if they have what it takes to go the distance.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Liz opened the gate, her gaze searching the yard.

  The birdie Lilian hit sailed to the right of Nell’s badminton racquet and dropped to the grass.

>   Dixon paused and offered the reporter a friendly wave, but she didn’t respond. Liz’s gaze remained focused on Nell.

  As she drew close, Nell saw that Liz’s brows were furrowed in worry, and her face was pale.

  Nell’s hands turned sweaty on the racquet, and her heart picked up speed. Had something happened to Abby? Or to Eva Grace?

  Oh no, not the little princess who’d already been through so much.

  Nell hurried toward Liz. “Is it Abby? Or Eva Grace?”

  “No. No. They’re both fine. I wanted—” Liz stopped, as if suddenly realizing they weren’t alone. All eyes—and ears—were focused on her and Nell.

  “Is everything okay?” Tim strode over, the picture of a man in charge.

  Leo, bat and glove in hand, appeared at Nell’s side. “What’s going on?”

  “Everything is fine.” Liz offered the kind of bright smile a teenage girl might give a parent when she’d been caught with a boy in her room. “I simply need a quick word with Nell. Nothing important, really.”

  “Important enough to bring you over here.” Tim’s friendly smile never wavered, but his gaze sharpened.

  Whatever it was, Nell knew it had to be serious for Liz to show up looking for her. “Not really. Just time sensitive. Liz and I are working together on a project that’s nearing completion, and you know how it is sometimes, every second counts.”

  Nell hadn’t lied so blatantly in years, but all those early years of practice came in handy now.

  “Right now?” Leo asked. “It can’t wait until tomorrow?”

  “Liz is here.” Nell crooked her arm through the reporter’s. “Why wait?”

  For a second, Nell thought she might end up dragging Liz across the yard. But Liz’s feet began to move, as if she realized Nell was giving her a way out.

  “I’m sorry,” Liz whispered. “I didn’t think about how this would look. I should have texted.”

  “This is better. My phone’s in the house, so I wouldn’t have seen your text until later.”

  “It’s important,” Liz continued in a low voice.

  “I know.”

  Liz’s gaze sharpened. “How do you know?”

  “You wouldn’t be here if it weren’t.”

  Before she could say more, Leo jogged up. “Can I help?”

  “You’re so sweet to offer.” Without stopping to think, Nell leaned close, cupped his cheek with her hand and kissed him. “I won’t be long.”

  When Nell turned away, she saw the puzzled look in his eyes. Had the kiss felt to him like she was saying goodbye, too?

  Perhaps she was worrying for nothing, but Nell had the feeling whatever Liz had to say would impact her relationship with Leo.

  Neither she nor Liz said anything until they were out the gate and at the front of the house. Though the sidewalk was deserted and nobody was in sight, Nell went around to the passenger side of Liz’s car.

  “Let’s talk in here,” Nell told her friend. “That way we’re assured no one will overhear.”

  Liz opened her car door and slipped behind the wheel. The car sat in shadows, the only light coming from the streetlight.

  “What’s going on, Liz?”

  “I know who you are.”

  Everything inside Nell turned to ice, but she still managed a little laugh. “Of course you know who I am. We’ve been friends since I moved to Hazel Green.”

  “I know your real name is Susannah Lamphere.”

  The sudden certainty that her past had caught up with her, punched like a fist. Nell drew her tongue over suddenly dry lips but played it cool. She inclined her head. “Where did you hear that name?”

  “It’s true, isn’t it? That’s your real name.”

  “Yes. It’s true. Though I’ve been Cornelia Ambrose for nearly as many years as I was Susannah.” Nell shifted in her seat and fixed her gaze on Liz. “Tell me what you know.”

  “Hank called me. He said there was a message on his voice mail from a man out of DC asking for background information on Cornelia Ambrose for a story he was writing.” Liz studied Nell’s face as if seeing her for the first time. “Hank’s home sick with the flu, so he asked me to call the guy back.”

  “What did he say?”

  A muscle in Liz’s jaw jumped. “When I reached him, the guy told me this crazy story about a robbery and a house burning down. Apparently, the family blames you. They’ve been looking for you for years, but said you went by the name Susannah Lamphere back then.”

  “How did they find me? Did he say?”

  Liz paused, then slowly pulled a notepad from her bag. “Is it true?”

  Nell didn’t have time for questions. “Tell me what you know.”

  “Is it true?” Liz repeated.

  “Yes.”

  Liz expelled a shaky breath. “The guy’s name is Stan Britten. Supposedly, he’s a lobbyist in DC. He said he’s been closely following Senator Pomeroy’s situation. Apparently, he saw the picture I took the night of the Illumination Stroll that I put on Instagram and posted to the town’s website. I’m sorry, Nell.”

  “It’s not your fault.” Nell forced a reassurance into her voice she didn’t feel. “What did you tell him?”

  “Nothing.”

  Nell cocked her head. “He didn’t press?”

  “Of course he pressed.” Liz’s lips lifted in a smirk. “But he was satisfied when I promised that you and I would meet with him at eleven tomorrow at Matilda’s.”

  “You promised him?”

  “Promises can be broken. Unless you’re interested in meeting with him?” Liz’s tone might have been lighthearted, but her expression turned serious. “What’s this all about?”

  “Did Stan tell you what he wants from me?” Nell knew there had never been enough evidence to charge her mother. Besides, the statutes of limitation for both a criminal trial and civil suit had long since expired.

  “He didn’t say, but I got the feeling that he doesn’t hold Senator Pomeroy in high regard. He said something about you better not be counting on the senator to help you, because he doesn’t have any loyalty.”

  “I wouldn’t expect the senator to vouch for me. I barely know him.”

  “You’re close to his son.”

  Nell wanted to weep. Instead, she lifted her chin. “Stan better be careful. I’m sure the senator wouldn’t take kindly to anyone slandering his character.”

  “My take is Mr. Britten is obsessed with you. Do you think he’s dangerous?”

  Letting her mind drift back for a second, Nell considered the question. “No. I don’t believe he’s dangerous.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I don’t know yet, but thanks to you, I have time to decide.”

  “You have friends in this town.” Liz’s gaze was steady on hers. “Friends who will stand by you, no matter if your name is Nell or Hazel or Susannah. I want you to remember that as you’re deciding what to do.”

  “Thanks.” Nell opened the car door. “Don’t worry about taking time off to meet with him. If I keep the appointment, I’ll go alone.”

  Nell didn’t want to return to the party, but she knew it’d look suspicious if she left with Liz and didn’t return.

  She was walking up the drive when a man stepped from the shadows. Her heart gave a wild leap, then settled when she recognized him. “Dixon.”

  “What did she want?”

  In a clipped tone, Nell gave him the pertinent details.

  “Stanley Britten was a whiny weasel back then. Sounds like nothing has changed.”

  “Once this hits the papers, my career is over.” Nell closed her eyes for a second. “I went to college and law school under a name that isn’t my own. I never went through the courts and legally changed it. I was always afraid that having a name change on record would lead Gloria to my doorstep.”

  “That’s why you went to college in Madison. Remember, consistent and continuous use makes a name your own in Wisconsin. You are Cornelia Ambrose.”

>   “I thought you were coming back to the party.” Leo’s appearance took them both by surprise. His gaze shifted from Nell to Dixon. “Where’s Liz?”

  “She left.” Nell forced an easy smile. “Then Dixon showed up, and we got to talking and—”

  “Nell received some disturbing news tonight that she wants to share with you.” Dixon ignored her hiss of protest. “He has a right to know everything.”

  How could Dixon expect her to talk to Leo about what she planned to do when she didn’t know herself what her next step would be?

  She was still fuming when her brother did something totally unexpected. He enfolded her in his arms and held her close.

  “Begin anew,” he whispered in her ear. “It’s always possible.”

  The quote about starting over from wherever you were in life had been their childhood mantra, buoying their hopes that one day they’d slip from Gloria’s clutches and start over.

  Which was what Nell had done. Now, the new life she’d worked to build was threatened. Heck, who was she kidding? It was over.

  She’d have no choice but to begin anew. Again.

  Her gaze shifted to Leo, to this fine, upstanding man she loved. When he offered a tentative smile, Nell realized she did know what her next step would be, what it had to be. She would not let Leo or his family suffer because of her past.

  She moved from Dixon’s arms, more shaken than she’d realized. Just as he’d appeared from the shadows, her brother disappeared into them, leaving her alone with Leo.

  “What’s going on, Nell?” Leo’s gaze met hers. “Are you in trouble?”

  “Yes, I am.” She offered him a wobbly smile. “I’m in big trouble.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  An hour later, Nell sat in a chair in Wells’s living room. She’d considered packing up and leaving town tonight. Until she realized she’d be leaving Leo and his family, not to mention her friends, to handle the fallout.

  She’d insisted Dixon leave. He hadn’t wanted to go, but he understood that this was between her and Leo…and his family.