“You weren’t always married,” Zach pointed out. “The only saving grace you had when I met you is that you were keeping Gigi safe. Otherwise I would have pounded you into the ground.”
Jason lounged back against the credenza and grinned. “I can’t begin to tell you how much fun this conversation is. West warning Zach off for exactly what he himself did. Pot and kettle.”
Zach shook his head. “Not exactly. I haven’t touched your sister.”
“Do you want to?” West growled, the pencil he’d been playing with snapping in two pieces.
“Let’s take a breath here,” Jason suggested, straightening from his perch and settling into a chair next to Zach. “We’re all family and we need to start acting like it. Zach, if you want to start something with Leann then don’t let me or this asshole stop you. God knows you’re better than most of the guys she’s dated, not that we’ve seen all of them since she moved but we’ve seen and heard enough. We know you’ll do everything in your power to keep her safe and treat her well. Right, West?”
The younger brother sighed. “Right. We know that you’re a good guy. It’s just she’s our little sister…”
“I get that,” Zach replied quickly, not sure he wanted to have this discussion. He was attracted as hell to Leann and there were times he thought the feelings were returned but he couldn’t be positive. “Listen, I’m not sure anything is going on between us and while I’m protecting her isn’t the best time to find out. Maybe after we catch this guy she and I can talk about it.”
West sat back in his chair, seemingly satisfied with Zach’s response. “That’s all I’m saying. Take your time. Don’t rush into anything.”
“What West is saying,” Jason replied as if his brother hadn’t spoken at all, “is that this is none of our fucking business and you two are grown adults who don’t need us to tell you what to do. But if you break her heart? You’ll wish you’d never been born. Got it?”
West had frowned when Jason started speaking but now he was grinning ear to ear. These Anderson boys were a real piece of work. West was lucky that Gigi was so happy. Zach wouldn’t mind reminding the mayor that he was twice as big and could put a hurt on West that he wouldn’t forget in a hurry.
“Message received. Are we done here?”
The two brothers nodded and Jason stood, following Zach out onto the sidewalk.
“I meant what I said back there. Don’t worry about West. He’s always been like this, overly protective of Leann. They’ve butted heads more times than I can count but his heart is in the right place.”
Zach studied his employer and the sentiment seemed genuine, which surprised him. Jason didn’t seem to have an issue with the foster kid romancing his sister. That was a shock.
“Right now it’s all business,” Zach responded. “Your sister is probably just tolerating me at this point.”
Jason palmed his car keys. “Time will tell. Call me later and update me. Don’t worry about calling West. I’ll keep him in the loop. Just keep my sister alive. I don’t care what you have to do. Don’t let her out of your sight.”
That was the plan. “I’m headed there right now.”
Romance was tempting but it was going to have to take a back burner to protecting Leann. If anyone wanted to hurt her they were going to have to go through him.
* * *
Jason strolled back into his brother’s office after Zach drove away. He and West needed to have a talk. As usual, he wasn’t seeing the big picture here and Jason was going to have to draw him a map.
“I thought you’d left,” West looked up from his paperwork in surprise. “Have you come here to tell me that you only temporarily lost your mind and that you warned Zach away from our sister after all?”
Flopping down into a guest chair, Jason had to rein in his impatience. Hopefully once he explained all of this to his brother he’d be on board.
“I have not,” Jason replied flatly. “What I have come back to do is straighten your ass out. Now listen to me. Do you or do you not want Leann to move back home?”
“I do,” West answered, tapping his pencil—a new one—against the desk. “We all do.”
“That’s right. Now follow me and think about it before you shoot off at the mouth again. If Leann and Zach become a couple, what do you think might happen?”
West’s mouth fell open and his eyes widened.
“Exactly,” Jason stated, a smile coming to his own face. “There’s a decent chance Leann will move home. She gets a good man to take care of her and we get her back in Tremont. Do you follow me?”
His younger brother threw up his hands. “How did I not think of this myself? It’s fucking brilliant.”
“Don’t beat yourself up too much. I didn’t think of it myself until a few days ago, but this could be just what we need to lure her back home. I think she likes Zach a lot and I know he likes her. You can tell when they’re in the same room with each other. Now we just need to encourage that and what better way than to push them together? I told Zach not to let her out of his sight.”
“They’ll either fall in love or end up hating each other.”
“Let’s hope it’s the former and not the latter. Then she might never come back.”
West stroked his chin. “Do you really think they like each other?”
“No doubt in my mind. The way they were looking at each other at the memorial service was obvious. They’re attracted but Leann’s too shy to make the first move and Zach wouldn’t do it because of me and his job. Now that I’ve lifted that barrier, hopefully he’ll let his feelings be known.”
Smiling, West pulled a bottle of whiskey out of his bottom drawer plus two glasses. “Damn, this is going to be great. Leann finally coming home. It’s been too long. You’re a genius.”
“Damn right I am.”
Zach and Leann would fall in love, get married, and settle down in Tremont. They just needed a little bit of encouragement and the plan was foolproof.
Chapter Twelve
‡
Leann’s mother had drilled it into her daughter’s head almost from birth that one never showed up at the home of a bereaved friend empty-handed. Therefore, Leann was standing in Jenna’s dining room holding a tray of meats and cheeses she’d had made up at the grocery store along with a large bowl of homemade chocolate pudding. Homemade by Dizzy, actually. That girl had a way with desserts that defied logic. Leann had thought Jenna’s kids might want some old-fashioned “comfort” food and Dizzy had been happy to have someone to cook for.
Jenna and Drew had two children, a boy and a girl. Every year at Christmas time, like clockwork, Leann received a photo card from the family featuring them all smiling and wearing matching holiday sweaters. There wouldn’t be any more of those – at least not with Drew.
Those poor kids.
Having grown up in a happy but busy family, Leann couldn’t begin to imagine what those children were going through, having lost their father. It was times like this life reminded everyone that it wasn’t fair.
The house was full of people, most of whom Leann recognized but a few she didn’t. Jenna sat in the living room surrounded by family and friends. The two children were nowhere in sight but Leann vividly remembered being a pre-teenager. They were probably holed up in their room with their friends. Adults were not cool.
“Leann, can I take those for you and put them on the table?”
Whirling around, Leann was face to face with her mother. Eileen Anderson wore the gentlest expression as if afraid to spook her only daughter, and for good reason. Leann had been actively avoiding her parents since she’d hit town Thursday morning. She didn’t want to walk the usual question gauntlet. Was she seeing anyone? If not, would she consider moving back and joining one of the family businesses? She simply wasn’t ready to discuss her possible plans to return to Tremont. If Leann had her way, she’d simply show up at Sunday dinner one day and announce she’d bought a house and moved in under the cover of darkness.
Relinqu
ishing the tray to her mother, Leann followed and placed the pudding bowl down on the table that was already laden with food. Apparently, everyone in Tremont knew the adage about showing up empty-handed.
“The pudding looks good. Did you make it?” Eileen smiled at her daughter’s rueful expression as she gave her a hug. “Dizzy made it, didn’t she? She’s certainly an excellent cook so I bet it’s wonderful.”
“She offered and it was her kitchen, so…”
“You could have come home and made it,” her mother reminded her gently.
Leann could have but that would have meant dealing with her parents. “I didn’t want to bother you.”
Eileen swept a strand of Leann’s hair away from her face. Her mother had the same red hair, although it was streaked with gray now. The boys had inherited their father’s dark hair.
“You’re no bother, sweetheart. We would have been happy to have you stay with us.”
Nervously, Leann smoothed down her emerald green shift dress. It gave her hands something to do. “Dizzy’s is in town and she lets me use her car.”
“We have several vehicles on the ranch but I suppose you have a point. The ranch is a much longer drive into town.”
Slowly but surely, Eileen was boxing Leann in, pushing her to say the great unsaid. A change in subject was imperative. “So, is Dad here too?”
Her mother nodded. “Along with your cousins Noah and Easton. I have no idea what the others are doing but expect they’ll make an appearance at some point.” Eileen’s gaze darted around the room. “Did Dizzy come with you?”
“She’s giving a painting class for seniors at the community center this afternoon.”
Eileen beamed as she rearranged the food on the table to make more room. “I know that she does that as a volunteer and doesn’t get paid a dime. She’s a sweet one. I can’t believe some lucky young man hasn’t swept her off her feet.”
Talking about someone else took the heat off of Leann, although she was only delaying the inevitable. She and her parents had the exact same conversation every time she came home and this time she might have different answers, but strangely enough it didn’t make it any easier. If anything, it made it more difficult because that’s when the torrent of questions would come about when she was moving and where she would live. Would she work for the family?
Seemingly out of nowhere, Easton reached over his aunt’s back and snagged a piece of cheese. “Who’s a sweet one? It can’t be Leann. Not with that sourpuss.”
Nothing had changed since they were children. They still loved to give each other a hard time and insults were at the top of the list. Easton needed to be careful because Leann knew a hell of a lot more about him than he knew about her.
Elbowing her cousin, Leann made a show of clearing her throat. “I’ll have you know that I am very sweet. Now be nice to your aunt and stop crowding her.” She peered around Easton. “Where’s your annoying twin?”
Noah was six minutes older than Easton.
“He had to take a call so he stepped outside.”
Eileen slapped at Easton’s hand as he reached across her again. “Have some manners and get a plate. As for who we were talking about, it was Dizzy, of course. She’s one of the sweetest girls in Tremont. I can’t believe she’s still single.”
“I can,” Easton declared. “She’s strange as hell. It was raining the other day and I was driving down Maple Street and I saw her walking so I stopped to offer her a ride, which I thought was the gentlemanly thing to do. She refused my kind offer and said that rain was – and I quote – cleansing her soul. Whatever the hell that means. So I drove on and she got soaked. Then there was that time–”
Eileen held up her hand. “We get the idea. Dizzy is one of a kind, a truly unique individual, and she does some things that might seem a little out there to other people. She does, however, have a heart of gold and she is quite talented. Creative types don’t always conform to social norms.”
Easton snorted. “She’s looking at social norms in the rearview mirror, Auntie. But you’re right, she is a good person. I know she does a lot of volunteer work for the community. Now if you will excuse me I need to get back to the office. Anderson Industries won’t run itself, you know. Anytime you want to join us and do some real work, Leann, let me know. We could use a corporate psychologist in the HR department.”
More of this. She should have expected it. “Then you should hire one.”
Easton dropped a kiss on Leann’s cheek. “You won’t be able to hold out forever.”
“Watch me.”
Leann watched as Easton bounded out of the front door, hurrying to get back to the office.
“I think the more we push you, the more you push back,” Eileen observed shrewdly. “Maybe if we stop asking, you’ll come home on your own.”
Feeling the heat suffuse her cheeks, Leann wasn’t sure how to respond. All of those expectations. What it meant to be an Anderson. It didn’t help that she was the only female of this generation. It was a shit-ton of baggage to be carrying around and she was completely free from it in her adopted state of Florida.
“Maybe. That’s a big decision.”
Her mother nodded. “It is and don’t think that we don’t realize it. You have a friends and a career down there and it would be hard to leave, but we do miss you, sweetheart. I hope you’re planning to come to Sunday dinner. Bring Zach with you, too.”
Sunday dinner at the Anderson house was legendary and a child didn’t miss it unless they had a damn good reason. Leann had always planned to attend.
“I’ll be there and I think I have to bring him. He’s my bodyguard.”
Eileen gifted her with a wide smile. “We can have a nice long visit. You can tell me about you and your Zach.”
Huh?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mom. Zach is just doing his job. There’s nothing going on between us.”
Eileen fussed with a stack of napkins at the end of the table. “You’ve spent a lot of time with him lately.”
The speed of light had nothing on the speed of gossip in Tremont. “I did but I would hardly call him my Zach. We danced and talked. As of now, there are no wedding plans. He was my escort so he could question the reunion guests without spooking them, plus as I said he’s protecting me. Although he isn’t at the moment. I’m being followed around by a deputy who is sitting outside in his cruiser intimidating everyone.”
It had been beyond embarrassing being driven to the wake by the police.
“Don’t wait too long, sweetheart. Zach is what we called a stone fox back in my day.”
Pressing her hand to her warm cheeks, Leann couldn’t suppress a giggle. “Mother, please. He’s my brother-in-law. Sort of.”
Eileen nudged her daughter. “Looks like there’s a break in the crowd around Jenna. Now might be a good time to go over and pay your respects. I’ll be in the kitchen so come by before you leave.”
“I will, Mom.” Leann began to turn away but stopped, emotion swelling inside of her as she gazed at Jenna’s tearstained face. Somehow, some way she needed to heal the rift she’d caused by leaving. She and her parents were too wary and scared, always waiting for the next strike. The toxic pattern had to be stopped in its tracks and it started now. Today. “And Mom…I love you.”
Eileen smiled and patted Leann on the cheek. “I never doubted that. I love you, too. So very much. We all do.”
It was a start.
Chapter Thirteen
‡
Zach and Jason were tucked into a booth in the back of the half-empty diner. The lunch rush was over but it was still too early for dinner. It was the perfect time to meet and have a piece of pie and a cup of coffee.
Jason took notes on his tablet. “I can do that. I’ll have Jared run the names of attendees for any priors. That won’t take long. Anything else?”
Zach shifted uncomfortably on the vinyl seat. This was a small town and the people were close, protective of one another. “
I’d like to get some background on the Marshalls. Finances, social media, that sort of thing.”
Jason’s brows shot up. “Are you leaning away from your two suspects?”
Holding his hand up, Zach shook his head. “Not in the least. I think they’re definitely worth a look. Frankly, there were several people at that reunion who could have been carrying a grudge against Drew. From the what I’ve been able to find out, he was kind of a bully back in the day and humans have long memories. But investigating him and the women is my standard operating procedure. The more I know the deceased, the more I can get into the motivations of the killer. I’m still not sold on the revenge theory. It just doesn’t feel right.”
“It’s a good idea to check them out,” Jason approved, tapping at the screen. “Especially when you have so many suspects. Just because someone wasn’t invited to the reunion doesn’t mean they weren’t the perpetrator. He could have been waiting until the reunion to do the deed, thinking that suspicion would be on everyone but him.”
“You keep saying ‘he’,” Zach laughed, digging into his apple pie. “Do you know something I don’t? It could very well be a female. Drew had a string of broken hearts in high school from what I’ve been told and the other victims were female. There could be a grudge there. Revenge is male, envy is female.”
“Just an assumption based on the mode of death. Drew should have been able to easily overpower a woman who was wielding that champagne bottle, plus the strength needed to strangle Bitty.”
“I’d normally agree with you but Drew had been drinking all night. I think he could have been overpowered by someone weaker, especially if they had the element of surprise.”
Jason signaled for more coffee. “That’s a good point. I’m anxious to hear what the medical examiner has to say about his blood alcohol level.”
“I want to hear from the crime lab if they found any evidence that might lead to narrowing down the suspect list. As it is I’ve got over two dozen possible suspects plus the hotel staff. That doesn’t include your theory that someone slipped in to the hotel and can’t be accounted for. We’ll know more when we hear from the lab. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the champagne bottle had fingerprints.”
Reunited With Danger (Danger Incorporated Book 6) Page 8
