The Hungry Heart

by Brenda Gayle

  “You’re not even going to comment on the mess?” Nora asked.

  “Mess?” Becca scanned the room, eyes wide. “Now that you mention it—what happened?”

  “You are incredible,” Nora said. But the tension in the room was gone, and she could tell from the gleam in Becca’s eye that that had been her intention. She must have quickly perceived what was going on and, in her usual outlandish way, decided to lighten things up. Not for the first time, Nora wished she had the funds to give Becca a raise.

  “I need to get going,” Billy said. “Once you’ve got your new email set up, I’ll send the submission to you for final approval.”

  “Okay. Thanks for coming, Billy. I’m glad we’re working together on this,” Nora said. “Becca, did you bring your car? Do you think you could drive Billy to the airport?”

  As she watched Becca lead Billy out of the office she realized she was glad he had come. Despite the odds, they made a good team. She glanced at Hunter, uncomfortably aware that she was equally glad Billy was now leaving.

  Simmons and Dryer were talking to Robert. The two officers stood erect, their gazes occasionally darting to Nora. This was unfair. Her case shouldn’t be treated any differently simply because her brother-in-law was the attorney general.

  Hunter and Karen were talking quietly in the corner. Nora realized he was explaining to Karen that Nora had spent the night in his suite. She could tell by her sister’s raised eyebrows and smug expression that Karen was both surprised and pleased. Nora could feel a flush in her cheeks and she turned away.

  “Any idea who would want your computer, Nora?” Robert asked, walking toward her. Simmons and Dryer followed.

  “I think it must have just been a random break in, don’t you, dear?” Karen came to stand beside them. “Forgive me, Nora, but it’s not like you have corporate secrets or anything.”

  Trying to keep the annoyance out of her voice, Nora said, “That’s not quite true. There’s a lot of money in child advocacy. Not for our association, of course, but many millions are at stake depending on the policies that are adopted by governments and school boards.”

  Nora knew it was a common misconception. “Think of all the revenue that’s lost when particular food products or vending machines are banned from schools. Think of the money that’s made by publishers when curriculum is changed and new textbooks need to be purchased. Think of how even small changes in licensing requirements affect daycare providers. We’re not some rinky-dink organization, Karen. We’ve been able to influence substantial changes over the past ten years. Some people have made money and some have lost money.”

  “Is there anything you’re working on now that would be valuable like that?” Robert said.

  “A dozen projects.”

  “What about the thing you and Bower are working on?” Hunter said.

  “Possibly. It’s a submission to the federal government, but it doesn’t contain anything new, essentially it’s just a couple of state agencies trying to present a united case for stronger child advocacy at the federal level.”

  “So tell me about this photo that was taken last night,” Simmons said, trying to regain control over his investigation.

  Hunter, Karen and Robert all turned to her in surprise. “Photo?” they asked almost in unison.

  She took a deep breath. “I’m sure it wasn’t the photo—it was nothing, just an old baby picture. But the frame was quite large and sterling silver. I’m sure it was pretty valuable.”

  “I don’t remember seeing that photo at your apartment,” Hunter said. “In fact, I don’t remember you having any photos in your apartment.” Of course, he would notice, she thought, considering how much effort he’d made to personalize his own suite.

  “I think the police have things in order, here, Robert. You must have to go back to work,” Karen said, pressing her hand against her husband’s chest.

  “Nonsense,” Robert said, patting Karen’s hand. “I’m here as long as I’m needed. Where was the photo, Nora?”

  “It was in a box, in a closet in my bedroom.”

  “And you’re sure it was the only thing taken from your apartment,” Simmons said.

  “Yes.”

  “A photo of you as a baby?” Robert asked.

  Nora glanced at Karen. She looked pale and drawn. Did she know which photo it was? Was she upset Nora had buried it along with her past? “It was a photo of me and Karen. But as I said, I’m sure it was the frame they were interested in.”

  “Of course it was,” Karen snapped. “What would be the value of a thirty-four-year-old photo of two sisters?”

  Chapter 10

  Hunter glanced at his watch as he entered Prime. At five o’clock, the dining room was already half full. Thank goodness he had a competent staff able to cover for him. It had taken longer than expected to finish up with the police, get Nora’s things from her apartment, and then settle her into his suite upstairs.

  He shook his head, still not quite clear how that had happened. Not that he minded. He was happy to help out, especially since there was obviously tension between Nora and her sister. He wondered how much of that had to do with him.

  Nora had suspected that Karen was behind his suggestion she accompany him to Libby’s cocktail party. He’d refused to discuss it, quite sure that telling Nora the truth would be viewed by Karen as reneging on their deal.

  What was between the two sisters, however, couldn’t only be about him. He sensed something deeper, a feeling of mistrust on Nora’s part. He didn’t understand it. Family was family. Sure, they could drive you crazy, but...

  No, he didn’t understand it at all. It was obvious, though, that Nora had no intention of staying with her sister until she could get back into her own apartment. And that left staying with him, at least for the weekend, as her only option.

  Roundtree’s supervising manager had supported the night manager’s position, insisting there were no rooms available until early in the week. It was galling. What good was being a premier tenant, and renting an executive suite, if you couldn’t count on management for favors?

  Being forced to spend the weekend in the same suite with Nora wouldn’t be so bad if she wasn’t so uptight. What was so wrong about taking advantage of the situation, and enjoying their mutual attraction?

  Halfway across the dining room he heard a wail coming from one of the booths along the wall. He paused, and heard it again. This time a quiet but firm female scolding followed.

  Hunter turned and saw a well-dressed Hispanic woman trying to stop a young boy from crawling under their table. He recognized Carmelina Hawke and her son, and headed over.

  “Hey there, young man, what’s the fuss?” Hunter said.

  “I’m so sorry,” Carmelina said, taking a firm hold of her squirming child. “We were supposed to meet my husband for an early dinner. Unfortunately, he’s late and Pedro is impatient.”

  Hunter felt a tug in his chest at the look of sadness in Carmelina’s dark eyes. He knew her husband was a senior executive with Roundtree, and from her expression, this obviously wasn’t the first time he had let her down.

  What was wrong with Peter Hawke? What kind of man routinely stands up such a knockout? And what about disappointing their child?

  His gaze lingered on her. She had a beautifully crafted face with dark brown eyes framed by long, generous lashes. Her long hair was tied back at the nape of her neck. What was it about women with long hair? Why did they insist on keeping it tied up? Nora did the same thing.

  He looked closer. In many ways Carmelina was similar to Nora with her dark brown eyes and thick, silky black hair. Carmelina’s complexion was slightly darker and, even in obvious distress, she had a healthier glow about her. Nora spent too much time indoors. She really needed to get out more.

  “Pedro, please sit still. You’re going to disturb the other diners in the restaurant. Papa will be here soon,” Carmelina said.

  “Don’t worry about it. It’s hard to sit still when yo
u’re a kid,” Hunter said. “Pedro, if your Mama says it’s okay, why don’t you go into the kitchen and tell Janelle that Mr. Graham said to give you a treat? I think she’s baking peanut butter cookies.”

  Hunter held back a smile as Pedro turned to his mother with a look that implored her to agree.

  “Well, I guess this once you may have dessert before dinner. But you must promise to eat everything on your plate when your papa comes.”

  “Oh yes,” he agreed, and ran to the kitchen.

  “Thank you,” Carmelina said.

  “No problem. Would you like me to send over a glass of wine while you’re waiting?”

  “No, thank you,” she said. “Do you have a moment, Hunter? May I call you Hunter? There’s, ah, something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about.”

  Hunter was intrigued. He barely knew Carmelina, and until tonight they hadn’t exchanged more than formal greetings when she’d come into the restaurant.

  This wouldn’t be the first time a lonely woman had approached him, knowing his reputation. She was lovely, but married—and married to a senior executive of his landlord. They could be discreet, of course. With a child, she wouldn’t want a scandal.

  He dismissed the thoughts almost as they formed in his mind. He had no interest in an affair with her. Looking at her closely, he was somewhat surprised by the realization.

  She was beautiful, she was willing, and it had been almost a week since he had slept with anyone. And with Nora chastely sharing his suite, he wasn’t sure when his next opportunity would come. Still, Carmelina didn’t even tempt him.

  He was sure this was just a phase and in a day or two his libido would be back to normal—nothing to get concerned about. Nothing except the problem of how to let Carmelina down gently.

  He sat down and watched her play with her wedding band while he waited for her to speak.

  “It’s Anna,” she said.

  “Anna?” Hunter was startled. This is about Anna?

  “Yes. I know she’s your cousin and that you two are very close. I’m worried about her.”

  “I wasn’t aware you knew her,” he said carefully.

  “We met at some of the Roundtree events and have become quite good friends.”

  “Okay.” His brain scrambled to reorient itself to the conversation. This wasn’t at all what he’d expected.

  “I’m worried about her relationship with Callum Hart.”

  “Callum?” Hunter straightened up. “I think you’re mistaken. The Harts have the ranch next to Tres Hermanos, but Anna and Cal were never close. He was my friend.”

  “Have you seen much of him lately?”

  “No. We sort of went our separate ways after high school,” Hunter said. Plus, he wasn’t sure what Taylor might have told her brother about them, so he’d simply avoided Cal since he’d come back.

  “Well, he and Anna have become very close.”

  “Are you sure about that? It was Cal’s brother, Jackson, who Anna was close to. Maybe you’ve misunderstood their relationship.”

  “I don’t know anything about Jackson. Anna’s never mentioned him. But she is definitely involved with Callum.”

  Hunter leaned back and gazed at Carmelina. She was obviously troubled, but he couldn’t figure out why. He couldn’t see Anna and Cal together. It had been Anna and Jackson all through high school.

  Everyone had assumed that they’d get married after graduation. Then Jackson suddenly left and, as far as Hunter knew, no one had seen or heard from him since. Anna had been devastated at the time. He remembered her moping around for months.

  Anna and Cal? No way. “She’s never mentioned Cal to me,” he said.

  “That’s what I was afraid of. If she really is in love with him, why wouldn’t she tell you? And if she doesn’t love him, why would she be with him?”

  “Maybe you’re imagining a relationship that’s not there.”

  Carmelina started to respond, then stopped. She squared her shoulders and leaned toward Hunter. “I’m probably not supposed to tell you this, but—”

  “What?” Hunter snapped, annoyed by the melodrama.

  “She’s engaged to him.”

  “What? Engaged? Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I saw the ring, and she’s asked me to be her matron of honor. But she’s also asked me not to tell anyone.”

  Hunter was stunned. Anna engaged? To Cal Hart? Why wouldn’t she tell him?

  “I’m sorry I’m late.”

  Hunter looked up into the stern blue eyes of Peter Hawke. He was aptly named. His straight dark hair was combed forward on his brow, emphasizing a pinched face with a rather large, hooked nose. He wasn’t what anyone would describe as handsome, but he did exude a presence that demanded notice.

  Hunter slid easily out of the booth’s bench seat and shook Peter’s hand, their grips solid.

  “Graham,” Hawke murmured before sliding in beside his wife. He kissed Carmelina’s cheek and took her hand possessively. “I’m sorry, darling. It’s that damned Las Cruces project.”

  “Nice to see you, Mr. Hawke,” Hunter said trying to appear differential, but not caring if the man could hear the slightly sarcastic tone in his voice. “Your wife and I have been talking about some mutual friends while we waited for you. I’ll go get Pedro from the kitchen before he eats all of Janelle’s cookies and spoils his dinner.”

  Hunter walked away still shocked by Carmelina’s news. Anna and Cal? Was it possible? Carmelina had been so certain, and yet it made no sense. Anna was a farm girl. She loved the ranch and everything about it. Cal was a businessman, being groomed to replace his father and lead the Roundtree empire.

  Engaged?

  Damn. I’m going to have to pay a visit to Rancho Tres Hermanos sooner than I wanted to.

  ****

  Nora stood on the steps of Karen’s home and looked longingly back at the black Town Car as it backed out of the driveway and disappeared down the street. Hunter had arranged for the hotel’s car to drive her even though it was less than a mile from the Roundtree Hotel and she’d argued that she could walk. As usual, he hadn’t listened, but she was having trouble summoning up enough energy to be annoyed with him.

  She hadn’t seen him since he brought her back to his suite, after he and Karen had gone with her to collect more of her belongings from her apartment. The apartment was now considered a crime scene and the forensic team had been sweeping it for evidence when they’d arrived. They had reluctantly allowed her to go in, but had insisted Hunter and Karen wait out in the hallway.

  Hunter had sent dinner up to the suite, and she’d been sound asleep when he returned—whenever that was. Then he’d been up early this morning, leaving a note telling her he had gone to the Saturday markets with his chefs.

  Nora was surprised that Karen hadn’t been more insistent that she stay with her. She suspected her sister thought there was something going on between her and Hunter. Well, it didn’t matter what she thought as long as it got Karen off her back. Nora hadn’t been able to get out of the brunch invitation, however.

  She gave the red-painted front door three sharp knocks. It opened immediately, revealing Karen, radiant in a silky jade-green mandarin jacket with matching pants. Nora looked down at her own jeans and oatmeal-colored sweater and felt under-dressed.

  “Sorry, I didn’t know it was a formal brunch,” she said.

  “Nonsense, you’re dressed fine,” Karen said, stepping back to let her in. “I’m going out later.”

  Nora glanced sharply at her, wondering if it was true or if Karen had added that to make her feel less awkward. She was, after all, the wife of a politician.

  “It’s a lovely house,” Nora said.

  Located on the edge of the downtown core, and just steps from Canyon Road, the Spanish-style house was well back from Alameda Road, hidden by a long private driveway and a lush yard with mature evergreens and cottonwood trees.

  “It’s a rental, but it’ll do for now,” Karen said. “We’re in the
back.”

  Nora followed Karen down the hallway into a living room at the rear of the house. The room was a warm creamy yellow with large wooden beams stretching across the ceiling, and a dark hardwood floor. A colorful table stood off to the side of large French doors, which opened onto a patio. It was set for brunch with two café-style chairs,

  A muted red- and gold-striped loveseat faced the traditional fireplace and mantel that stood along one wall. But it was what was on the long table behind it that caught Nora’s attention.

  At the center of a collection of photos was a faded picture of a teenage girl holding a baby. It was encased in the same elaborate sterling silver frame as her own had been.

  “You have one, too?” Nora said, picking it up.

  “Yes. I can have a copy made to replace yours, if you want?”

  “No.” Nora put the picture back on the table. “That’s okay.” She looked at the other photos. There was one of her parents, and many with Karen and Robert posing beside well-known businessmen and politicians. “Impressive,” she murmured.

  Karen shrugged and picked up the photo of her and Nora. “Copies are inexpensive and easy to do,” she said.

  “Don’t bother. I’m not quite sure why they gave me that photo anyway. And I can’t believe they spent so much money on those frames. It’s so unlike them.”

  “I bought the frames,” Karen said quietly, continuing to stare at the picture.

  “You? I thought Mom and—”

  “Yeah.” She sighed and replaced the picture. “I took the photo with me when I left home, and then had it enlarged and a copy made for you later. I bought matching frames—I thought it would be a nice touch—and asked Mom to give it to you when you left home.” She turned to Nora, a sheepish expression on her face. “She was appalled at the cost of the frames, too.”

  Nora closed her eyes. She felt awful. For some reason that picture was important to Karen. “I’m sorry,” she said.

  “Don’t worry about it.” Karen shrugged. “It’s just an old photo, right? Now that we’re together, we can have the real thing.”

  Nora felt an odd sense of foreboding. Karen’s expectations of their brunch were too high.