Beyond a Doubt

by Colleen Coble

  He was none too eager to find out what it was this time.

  “Anything I can do to help?”

  Lauri shook her head. “It’s all ready. You wash up.”

  The bathroom was down the hall on the right. As Kade lathered his hands, he decided he wouldn’t ask any questions. They might turn her good mood into a black storm of tears. He would enjoy it while he could.

  When he stepped back into the nursery, he found bowls of steaming bean soup on his desk. There were even napkins. This must be serious.

  “Looks good,” he said, glancing quickly into her face, then looking away. Her eyes looked red. He wondered if it was from the heat or if she’d been crying. He swallowed past the constriction in his throat and sat down. Grabbing a piece of cornbread, he crumbled it up in his soup and picked up his spoon.

  The soup was hot and savory. “It’s good,” he told her. “Thanks.” They ate in silence for a while. Kade kept stealing glances at her face. She avoided his gaze and chewed as if it was something that had to be done.

  “I’ve got cookies for dessert,” she said with a forced cheerfulness. She offered him a small baggie of chocolate-chip cookies. He took two and got up to go to the refrigerator.

  “I’ve got milk. You want some?” he asked.

  She shook her head then hesitated. “I guess that would be good for me,” she said in almost a whisper.

  Since when did she care about what was good for her? He grabbed two cartons of milk and went back to the desk. The tension between them was taut. This was ridiculous to tiptoe around his own sister like she was some kind of maniac who might attack him. Why couldn’t she say what was on her mind and get it over with?

  He bit into the cookie and swallowed. “How was your day?”

  Her hand froze in midair. The color drained from her cheeks, and she put her cookie down and folded her hands in her lap. She took an audible breath. “Okay,” she whispered. “Um, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

  “Oh?” he prompted.

  “I . . . I . . .” She broke off and gulped.

  “What’s wrong? I’m not an ogre, Lauri. I’m your brother. I love you. You can tell me.”

  “You’ll hate me,” she whispered.

  “I could never hate you,” he said.

  “I know I’ve been giving you a hard time,” she said. “I’m sorry.”

  An apology? Kade eyed her with rising apprehension. “What’s this all about, Lauri?”

  “I’m pregnant.” She blurted out the words like they might gag her.

  Kade’s head snapped back as though from a blow. The air grew close, and he swallowed hard. Pregnant. His mind refused to wrap itself around her words.

  Kade gritted his teeth. “How did this happen?” he snapped.

  Lauri shoved back from the table so hard she almost toppled it. “How do you think it happened? I’m not a little girl anymore. I’m not a virgin either. Does that answer your question?”

  Kade blinked at the onslaught. He stretched out his hand to Lauri, but she ignored it. Her arms crossed, she turned her back to him and went to stare out the window, dimly illuminated by the light of dusk. Kade’s tongue felt thick, and his anger leached away like groundwater draining to the creek.

  He pushed his chair away from the table and stood. Taking a hesitant step, he went to her side and put his hand on her shoulder.

  She shrugged it off. “Don’t touch me!”

  “I’m sorry, Lauri. I’m just surprised. I didn’t mean to yell at you. I’m not as good with words as you are. But I do love you. I’ll be here for you. Whatever you need, I’ll try to supply it. Wh . . . when is the baby due?”

  “I don’t know how you figure it. Maybe November.” Her words were nearly inaudible, and she sounded as though she might cry any minute.

  “We’ll have to add on to the cabin,” he said, almost under his breath.

  She whirled and shook a finger in his face. “There you go again, assuming you know what’s best for me! I haven’t decided what I’m going to do yet.”

  Kade’s anger resurfaced. “If you’re thinking about an abortion, you can just put that right out of your head!”

  “I’m sixteen. I don’t need anyone’s permission to do what I want!” She flounced away and ran to the door. Moments later the door to the center slammed.

  Kade followed her. He stormed to the parking lot. “This is too important for you to run away. That’s what you always do—refuse to face facts. I will not allow you to have an abortion if I have to confine you to your room. What do you think Mom would say if you murdered your baby?”

  “Kade, don’t you think I’ve thought of that? But if I have this baby, I’ll have to drop out of school! I’ll never have any life.” Lauri opened her car door and got in, fumbling with her keys.

  “You should have thought of that before you let that slime ball touch you,” Kade snapped.

  Lauri threw a schoolbook at him, then followed it with an empty can of soda. He dodged the book and caught the can.

  “Stop it!” he commanded.

  “I should have known you’d just throw your weight around. I should have just run away.”

  His anger fizzled at the frantic tone of her voice, and his shoulders slumped.

  He leaned against the car and ran his hand through his hair. “Let’s start this conversation again, okay? Can we discuss what you want to do, Lauri?”

  His soft words defused his sister’s anger. He could see it evaporate the way the mist over Lake Superior vanished in the morning sun.

  She sniffed, and her eyes flooded with tears. “I don’t know,” she whimpered. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “You don’t have many choices,” he said. “I can’t believe you would seriously consider abortion though.”

  A tiny flare of anger in her eyes was quickly extinguished. “No, I wouldn’t do that,” she admitted. “But I don’t want you telling me what to do.”

  “Okay,” he said after a long pause. “Do you want to marry this kid?”

  Lauri slung her legs out of the car, then pulled them up to her chest and clasped them in her arms. She shook her head. “The thought of having to put up with him for the rest of my life makes me sick.”

  His relief was overwhelming. “We can find a good sitter after the baby is born, and you can go back to school.”

  Lauri was silent for several moments, her gaze distant. She bit her lip and looked away. “What about adoption?”

  It hurt his heart to think about giving away a part of Lauri. He kept silent as long as he could stand it, then shook his head. “I don’t know, Lauri. Could you stand to do that?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t know what to do.” The last was a wail, and she rubbed her eyes with her fists.

  “Would you let me pray for us all?” He asked the words with humility, certain she’d turn up her nose at the idea. She’d refused to come to church with him for weeks.

  “I guess it would be okay,” she said.

  He took her hand and bowed his head. There was no guarantee Lauri was doing the same, but he didn’t peek. At least she was allowing him to pray for her. He asked God for wisdom, for direction, and for his will to be done. All the time he prayed, he was conscious of her tight grip on his hand.

  He finished but kept possession of her hand. “Are you scared?”

  She lifted her chin and her eyes flashed. “That’s a stupid question! Wouldn’t you be scared?”

  “Yes.” He didn’t voice it, but he’d wondered if she had enough sense to be frightened. If the thought of a baby scared her, why had she let that jerk touch her?

  She was looking at him with wide eyes, and he knew he needed to give her some direction. “We’d better make an appointment for you to see Dr. Parker,” he said. When the words were out of his mouth, she winced, and he realized the impossibility of that. “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking. I’ll ask around and see who might be good in Houghton. I’ll take you there.”

  “You’
ll go with me?”

  The joy in her voice broke something in him, a hard shell he’d erected to stave off the hurt he felt every time she turned away from him. “I want to be there,” he said softly. “I wouldn’t let you go through this alone.” He smiled. “Hey, maybe you’re not even pregnant. You took a drugstore test, right?”

  Her jaw flexed, and anger replaced the joy. “I’m not a child, Kade! I’m not stupid. I got the most accurate test and did exactly what it said. Besides, I’ve had morning sickness. That’s why I even thought about it.”

  He nearly groaned aloud. Trying to talk to her was like walking through hot lava. He held up his hands. “Okay, okay. So you know what you’re doing.”

  His appeasing words failed to quench the storm clouds gathering on her face.

  “You always do that! I hate how you treat me like a child. Just leave me alone.”

  His tentative smile just made her look away and begin gathering up the dinner items. Their truce was over. He sighed. Morning sickness. Somehow that made it more real. His sister was really going to have a baby. He was going to be an uncle. That was a curious thought. Then he remembered she might give the baby away and told himself not to get too attached to the thought of a baby. Much as he loved children, he loved his sister more. She needed to do what was best for her—and the baby.

  His cell phone rang, and he pulled it out of his pocket. He listened to Naomi’s frantic voice, and his throat tightened. “I’ll be right there,” he said. He turned to Lauri. “That was Naomi. Anu’s house was broken into and trashed. Bree took Anu to her lighthouse. Will you come with me?”

  26

  Bree felt jumpy, like she really wasn’t safe even in her own home. It seemed as though all the people she loved were depending on her, and she was frightened she would let them down. She put Davy to bed, then went downstairs to the living room.

  Nick and Anu were seated on the sofa. The television was on, but the volume was turned down. Anu seemed her usual imperturbable self even though nearly everything she owned had been tossed around her house like flotsam after a storm. Bree wasn’t so sure she could face trouble like that with such equanimity.

  “I fixed us some drinks,” Anu said, indicating a tray with glasses of iced tea and cookies she’d scrounged from Bree’s cupboards.

  They were probably stale by now. Bree took one and bit it. Fresher than she thought. She felt as jittery as Samson just starting a search. She was missing something, but she couldn’t put her finger on what it was. Somehow all these events had to intersect. But nothing made any sense.

  She paced the floor and went to stare out the window. Nick came to stand beside her.

  “Is there anything I can do?” Nick asked. “I’d like to help.”

  Samson looked up from where he lay in front of the TV and moved restlessly. He got up and padded to Bree, inserting himself between her and Nick. She laughed and rubbed his head.

  “I appreciate that,” she told Nick. “But I’m fine. We’re fine. You don’t have to stick around all evening. Anu and I will just watch some television until Mason gets here.”

  “I wonder if we should call the hospital,” Anu said. “I am surprised Mason has not called. Why would they go to the hospital in the evening?”

  “Tests are scheduled in the evenings sometimes,” Bree said. Still, Anu was right. Something felt wrong. Normally, Mason would have dropped everything for Anu—Hilary too.

  “I could call and check,” Nick offered.

  He could probably get more information than either of them could. The fire and sheriff’s departments worked closely together. Bree nodded. “Would you, please?”

  He winked, and she felt herself blushing. She handed him the phone and he punched in the number. Listening with half an ear, she wandered to the fireplace and knelt to start a fire. The logs were all laid out with kindling and paper, and all she had to do was put a match to it. The paper blazed, and the kindling lit.

  She heard Nick asking questions, but it appeared even he wasn’t getting anywhere. The fire was blazing by the time he gave up and punched the phone off.

  “No luck?”

  “Even my offer of chocolate failed to sway her. All I found out was that Hilary had been in the emergency room but had gone home.”

  Anu’s frown deepened. “Something is not right,” she muttered.

  “Nick could take you to Hilary’s,” Bree offered. “Davy is already asleep, or I would take you.”

  Anu nodded, but the doorbell rang before they could talk about it any more. With Samson on her heels, Bree hurried to open the door. Kade and Lauri stepped inside.

  A wave of relief choked Bree, and she stumbled into Kade’s arms. She hadn’t even realized she needed to cry until the tears soaked his shirt. She felt safe in his arms. Samson nuzzled her leg anxiously, and she gave a final sniffle, then pulled away. Lauri had left them, and Bree could hear her talking to Anu in the living room.

  “Sorry,” Bree said. Samson whined and bumped her hand. She patted his head. “I’m okay, boy.”

  Kade put his hands on her shoulders and stared down into her face. “Naomi called and told us about the break-in. Is everyone okay? What happened?”

  He listened intently as Bree explained, then pulled her into his arms again. His tenderness was a healing balm. He put his arm around her shoulder, and they went to the living room.

  Nick was laughing at something Lauri said. Kade stopped abruptly at the door to the living room when he saw Nick. The concern on his face morphed to confusion; then a stern wall replaced the warmth on his face.

  “What’s he doing here?” His frown deepened as he stared at Bree.

  Bree felt a need to make excuses, then caught herself. Nick had been a big help today. There was no reason for Kade to be so prickly.

  “He’s a friend checking to make sure we’re all right. Just like you,” she said stiffly.

  Kade flushed. “I see.”

  His fists remained clenched at his sides, and his jaw was thrust out. Bree expected him to start circling Nick any minute like a dog looking for a weakness he could attack. She supposed she should feel flattered, but she didn’t. Nick was standing now too, his shoulders slightly forward as though he would relish a chance to fight. Bree wanted to throw them both out on their ears. She was too tired to deal with this tonight.

  “We were out for pie and came back to the break-in,” Bree said.

  “With him?” Kade jerked his head toward Nick.

  “I don’t see a ring on her finger.” Nick faced Kade down.

  “Oh, stop it, both of you! I have more important things to deal with tonight than your machismo. I think you should both leave.”

  The hurt in Kade’s blue eyes made her regret her words, but she refused to be made to feel like a possession. She was free to choose her own friends. She didn’t want to be put in the position of being told whom she could speak to.

  “Enough of this foolishness,” Anu said. “I must go to Hilary. Kade, would you mind running me over to her house?”

  “Is something wrong?” For the first time Kade seemed to realize something was going on here.

  “Hilary has been at the emergency room. It’s probably nothing.” Bree’s gaze focused on Lauri. The girl seemed different tonight, more solemn and grown-up. “Actually, I’d like to go too, but Davy is sleeping. Lauri, do you suppose I could get you to stay here while we check on Hilary?”

  “Sure. I’ll just watch TV.”

  “I’ll take you over,” Nick said to Bree.

  Bree didn’t like the sidelong glance at Kade any more than she’d liked Kade’s reaction. “I’ll just go with Kade and Anu. But thanks.” The look of triumph Kade shot in Nick’s direction made her regret her words. She should have just taken the Jeep.

  She turned to Anu. “You ready?”

  “Yes, let us go.”

  Bree nodded and picked up her handbag. “We shouldn’t be long,” she told Lauri.

  “No problem. I’m fine.” />
  Bree itched to talk with the girl and see what was going on with her. Something was up. “There’s soda in the fridge and frozen pizza in the freezer.”

  “I already ate, but thanks.” Lauri sank onto the sofa and picked up the remote control. “Go ahead; everything’s cool.”

  “Okay.” Bree led the way to the door. Outside on the porch she pulled Nick off to one side while Kade and Anu went toward Kade’s truck.

  Nick’s eyes were as warm as a caress, but their expression made her uncomfortable. Just because she’d defended him didn’t mean she wanted a relationship with him.

  She held out her hand. “I just wanted to thank you for being here for us tonight. I appreciate all you’ve done.”

  “I’m here for you. Just remember that.” He ignored her hand and leaned forward, putting his fingers on her chin. He leaned down as though he intended to kiss her.

  Bree drew back. “Good night.” She pulled her hand away and hurried down the steps. Kade was scowling, and she wanted to sigh. It was no fun being the rope in a tug of war. She climbed into the truck. She sat in the middle and let Anu take the spot by the door.

  Kade got in beside her and slammed the door harder than necessary. She pressed her lips together and resolved not to talk to him. His shoulder pressed against hers as they rocketed through the streets toward Hilary and Mason’s home. Bree could smell the spicy cologne he wore, and she wished things were different tonight. It had been a horrendous day, and under different circumstances she would have welcomed his comforting arm around her as they drove toward Hilary’s.

  The truck stopped in front of the Kalevases’ house, nestled in a woods beside Lake Superior. Mason called it their “mausoleum.” Nearly six thousand square feet, it was an imposing place that had always seemed cold to Bree. It was a showplace, not a home.

  “Want me to come in with you?”

  Kade was cutting her no slack with his cold tone and manner. “Suit yourself,” she snapped.

  His face was shadowed in the darkness, and she couldn’t see if her words hurt him, but she almost didn’t care. His shrug was almost imperceptible, but he got out of the truck. She ignored the door he held open for her and slipped out the passenger side after Anu.