Moriah's Landing Bundle

by Amanda Stevens

  The voices trailed off as the men headed around to the front of the house.

  “What did you do, bring a committee?” she demanded.

  His shoulders rose and fell. “It was Nancy’s idea.”

  “She’s here, too?” An image of the classy, dark-haired beauty was instantly deflating.

  “There’s quite a few people here. You’d better get dressed.”

  Oddly reassured by his hungry gaze, she found new courage, born of frustration. “Why? Don’t you like my T-shirt?”

  His eyes went molten. “Little fox,” he whispered. “I love your T-shirt. I may have it bronzed. Now, go take it off.”

  Her hands shook, but she reached for the hem and began to edge it upward.

  “You wouldn’t dare.”

  The smoky flare of his eyes was all the encouragement she needed. Brianna pulled the T-shirt over her head without allowing herself to think about what she was doing. Tossing it at him, she covered her breasts with her arms.

  “Call it a souvenir. I’m going up to take a shower.” An ice shower—maybe in Alaska.

  Brie fled. The last time she’d run from Drew, he’d followed. This time, there was no sound of pursuit. She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or sorry as she leaned against the bathroom door, shaking at her temerity.

  What had she done?

  She knew the why. The same stupid reason she’d made love with him four years ago. It was pitiful. She was pitiful. But she was still in love with Andrew Pierce.

  Hadn’t she learned anything in all these years? She had just played a fool’s game with an expert in the field. The outcome had only one inevitable conclusion.

  And this time the stakes were higher. Dangerously higher.

  She finally managed to shower and dress and went back downstairs after coming to a decision. She would not give in to the temptation to seduce those indecently sexy jeans right off his body no matter how much she wanted him. She would tell Drew to go away and stay away. She had no place in his life. His grandfather had made her see that without saying a word.

  She clung to the memory of the sheer opulence of the Pierce mansion. The rich, dark woods, the ornate paintings, the thick carpeting, the sunken marbled foyer with that grand staircase…Brie gazed at the familiar threadbare carpeting, the old, worn furniture of her childhood. Sly, crafty politician that he was, Anton Pierce had invited her to the family compound with his irresistible offer of help four years ago.

  Drew had gone back to school and when her mother needed surgery, she hadn’t known where to turn. There was no money, no way out. So she’d accepted Anton Pierce’s offer to meet with him, and discuss the situation. Without saying a word, he allowed her see for herself that the differences between them were insurmountable. The old man made it perfectly clear she could never be a part of their world. She’d understood that by taking the money she was agreeing to sever any future relationship with Drew.

  Brie closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she resolutely strode into her mother’s kitchen. Drew was gone. A lawn mower growled several houses away. Going to the window, she saw Drew and a dozen other people—including the elegant Nancy Bell—working in Mrs. Freeson’s yard. The elderly widow sat on her front porch swing beaming happily.

  What was Drew up to?

  Beside her mother’s note, Drew had propped his own note against the glass he’d taken down earlier. Instead of lemonade, the glass contained water and a single perfect yellow rose.

  Tears blurred her vision. He must have cut the rose from Mrs. Freeson’s large garden. That didn’t dim the beauty of the gesture, but what did he want from her?

  Tonight after work, was all his note said. Flipping it over, she found a computer-generated flyer with Drew’s photograph. Andrew Pierce for Mayor was the caption above the picture. His hands gripped a lawn mower and the caption underneath read, When Andrew Pierce says he’s going to clean up Moriah’s Landing, he means exactly that.

  The picture had been taken in front of her house early this morning. One of his people must have designed and printed copies of the flyer this morning.

  Brianna sank down on the nearest chair. The emotions churning inside her were nearly as overwhelming as they’d been the day he’d come to apologize after making love to her.

  Drew hadn’t come here because of her or even because of what had happened last night. He’d come as a part of his campaign. She’d misunderstood and thrown herself at him once again. Mortified, she wondered how she would ever face him again.

  NO DAY EVER ZOOMED PAST with such speed. Suddenly the diner was closed and it was time to leave. Drew hadn’t come. She lingered inside as long as she dared before heading home, feeling like a total fool.

  Yesterday’s storms hadn’t daunted the heat or the humidity, but Brie didn’t sense any impending storms tonight. She strode briskly, paying close attention to her surroundings on the empty, narrow street. Even the noise from the bars seemed muted tonight. Suddenly, heavy running footsteps were clearly audible. Brie whirled, hand on her mace.

  “Brie! Thank God. I was afraid I’d missed you.”

  “Drew! You scared me. What are you doing here?”

  He wasn’t even breathing hard. “Didn’t you get my note?”

  “Of course I got it.”

  “But you didn’t think I’d come.”

  She’d dreamed. She’d fantasized, but…“Frankly, no,” she said flatly.

  He was impeccably dressed. His perfectly tailored shirt and well-pressed dress slacks made her unhappily conscious of her stained, ill-fitting uniform.

  “I’m sorry, Brie. I tried, but I couldn’t get away any sooner. My grandfather insisted on dinner at the Crow’s Nest to discuss the new campaign strategy.”

  The bar door opened across the street. The person either changed his mind or ducked back inside, because no one came out and the door closed quickly. Drew scowled. “Let’s go. I’m walking you home.”

  Her pulse went into overdrive, but she managed to keep her voice even. “What happened to your car?”

  “I left it at the restaurant because I knew you preferred to walk.”

  And Brie couldn’t help thinking that by leaving it there, no one would notice it in front of her house again tonight.

  “We need to talk.”

  Her stomach lurched when she saw his expression. “Because of last night?”

  “Of course because of last night. Just because I didn’t report the shooting—”

  “You didn’t?”

  “No,” he growled, plainly not happy with the decision. “I’m worried about you.”

  Brie stared up at him in surprise. She told herself not to read too much into his words. Drew would be concerned over anyone he thought was in trouble. Still, her breathing came more quickly.

  “Why are you worried about me?”

  “Cullen Ryan is in charge of the investigation into Ursula Manning’s death.”

  “I know,” she responded, too puzzled by the abrupt turn in the conversation to pursue her question.

  Drew scanned the darkness alertly. He lowered his voice. “Leland Manning is claiming his wife was kidnapped several days ago.”

  Brie halted. “What?” At his prompting, she resumed walking, but at a much slower pace.

  “Apparently, Manning withdrew twenty thousand dollars in cash from his account the day before the tournament. Cullen confirmed this. Manning says an anonymous caller told him to leave the money in a hollow stump in the woods the following morning.”

  “So she was kidnapped?”

  No one had been charged with Claire’s kidnapping and torture. Now it had happened again? Chills snaked up her spine.

  “The medical examiner confirms Ursula had injuries consistent with being tied up. There were other things that indicated she’d been a hostage. Cullen isn’t saying what those other things were.”

  Brie shuddered. Claire’s body had several unexplained marks and she was severely anemic in addition to being catatonic. Rumors of
vampires had abounded. Moriah’s Landing loved a good horror story.

  “You’re thinking of Claire, aren’t you?” Drew asked.

  “Yes.”

  “So is everyone else.”

  “Does Cullen think there is a connection?”

  “I don’t know, but he can hardly rule it out.”

  “There’s a rumor that the police don’t think the shooting was an accident. Cullen doesn’t think you killed Ursula, does he?”

  Drew shrugged. “I don’t think so. And I’m fairly sure he doesn’t believe I kidnapped and tortured her.”

  “Ursula was tortured, too?” Goose bumps rose along her arms.

  “I surmised that from what Cullen isn’t saying.”

  Drew suddenly stopped moving. He peered around alertly at the dark neighborhood street and the even darker houses.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m not sure. Keep walking. From now on we’ll use the car.”

  Brie nearly tripped over an uneven spot of pavement. His hand closed over her arm, preventing her from falling.

  “You’re not planning to make this a habit?”

  “Yes.”

  For a second, the simple word and his expression raised impossible hopes. But thinking of her daughter scattered them to oblivion. “You can’t.”

  “Watch me.”

  She stopped moving. “What do you want from me, Drew? Sex?”

  For a timeless second he simply stared at her. “Now, there’s a leading question. If I say no, you’ll know I’m lying. If I say yes, you’ll think that’s all I want.”

  “Isn’t it?”

  He laid his hand on her arm. “Don’t.”

  “If you dare apologize again, I will not be responsible for my actions.” Brie whirled and began walking rapidly. She won the battle, relegating the tears to another place inside her heart. Later, when she was completely alone, she’d give in to them, but she would not cry in front of Drew.

  He hurried to catch up. Wisely, he didn’t touch her again.

  “I seem to spend a lot of time apologizing to you,” he said.

  “Must be a character flaw.”

  “Brie, four years ago you were too young for me. We both knew it.”

  “And now I just live on the wrong side of town?”

  Drew swore. “Do you honestly think I care about that? Did Tasha?”

  Brie paused once more. “Then I’ll repeat the question. What do you want from me?”

  “I’d like to be your friend.”

  “Friend.” The word had a bitter taste. “So I can join the legion of your other women friends?”

  He urged her forward. “The gossip factory at work again, right? Let me tell you something, Brie. You are nothing like any other woman I have ever known. I almost wish you were. Maybe then I could stop thinking about you. You’re like a splinter under my skin, always there.”

  “How flattering.” But in a peculiar way, it was.

  Lightly, he trailed his hand down her bare arm. The slight caress bumped her heart.

  “Don’t put up barriers, Brie.”

  “They already exist. We both know it.”

  Brie walked more quickly toward her mother’s house. In the dark, with its freshly manicured lawn and shrubs, the front steps and railing repaired, the house looked like any other along the street. Only the absent hum of an air conditioner and the open windows set it apart.

  “Thank you for mowing the lawn and fixing things today. I appreciate it, even if it was part of your campaign strategy.”

  “It was the only way I could think of to see you without raising gossip. Of course, I never expected to see quite so much of you, but I’m not complaining.”

  She was glad he couldn’t see the color of her face. “I thought you said it was Nancy Bell’s idea.”

  “It was,” he admitted honestly. “You should know I told her what happened last night.”

  Brie tensed.

  “She came up with the campaign slogan to reduce gossip while doing some real good in the community. Maybe we’ll even generate a few votes. And I like helping people, making a difference. I know that sounds trite—”

  “No. Helping people is never trite. Your empathy is one of the reasons you’ll make a great politician.”

  “Thanks. Want to join my campaign? We’re working on the float tomorrow. You could come and help.”

  Her heart fluttered. She longed to say yes. “I can’t. I’m attending a lecture at the college tomorrow.”

  “You’re still going to school?”

  Dangerous ground. She shouldn’t have mentioned the class. “Dr. Manning is giving a lecture on genetic research that I’m interested in hearing. It’s rare to see Manning outside his laboratory, so I’m very eager to attend.”

  Drew tensed. “He’s giving a lecture tomorrow? With his wife still in the morgue?”

  “I know. I expected his talk to be rescheduled, but I understand Dr. Manning told the college he needs to work in order to get past his grief.”

  While she shared Drew’s skepticism, everyone in town knew Manning was strange.

  “Planning to be one of his test subjects to see if you are really a witch?” Drew asked.

  “Oh, I already know that. My mother’s line is descended from one of the witches they hung here in Moriah’s Landing.”

  “Really? That explains it, then.”

  She faced him, feeling her heart pound. He was going to kiss her again. And God help her, she was going to let him.

  “You’ve bewitched me, Brie. Ever since the night of that party, I’ve been under your spell.”

  She trembled, even as she melted into his arms. Hungrily, his lips closed over hers. Without warning, light pinned them in a beam so bright, she was blinded.

  Chapter Six

  Drew shoved her behind him as another flash went off. He started toward the car and the searchlight winked off. Helplessly, he watched the car race out of sight. A dog was barking angrily.

  Brie had made him forget everything, including caution. If the passenger had had a gun instead of a camera, they’d both be dead right now.

  “Did you see who it was?”

  “I saw. Razz.”

  She inhaled sharply. One of her elderly neighbors and his dog hurried over to them.

  “You folks okay?”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you.”

  “Blasted hooligans and their pranks,” the old man said. “The police oughta do something about these kids before they give someone a heart attack.”

  Drew knew exactly what he wanted to do to Razz.

  “You’re the Pierce boy, aren’t you? Didn’t recognize you right off. My eyesight isn’t too good anymore. That was a nice thing you did today. Everybody’s talking about how you were out here working to help the neighborhood. A’ course now I see you had an ulterior motive,” he added with a chuckle. “Don’t blame you one bit. Our Brie here’s a lovely girl. Lovely.”

  Behind them, the front door opened. A dim figure stepped onto the porch. “My mother,” Drew heard Brie whisper.

  “Go inside, Brie, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  He expected an argument, but she only hesitated a second before nodding.

  “Good night, Drew, Mr. Lee.”

  Drew watched her run lightly up the steps to her mother. He waved, forcing down the adrenaline that insisted he go chasing after Razz and that camera immediately. First he needed to be sure everyone got safely back inside.

  “Such a nice family,” Mr. Lee was saying. Brie and her mother disappeared inside the house. “Shame about Pamela’s cancer returning.”

  “Pamela Dudley has cancer?” Pieces of the puzzle clicked into place.

  “Sure. I’m not tellin’ tales out of school since she never made a secret of it. As soon as brain cancer was diagnosed four years ago, I told my Alice it would take a miracle. Had a cousin died of brain cancer. They didn’t get all his tumor, either. Damn shame. It’s so unfair. With the little girl and all, I don’t k
now what young Brie’s going to do.”

  “Albert?” A woman’s voice called out stridently. “Albert!” The dog began pulling at the leash to go back home.

  “Busted,” the old man said with a cheerful grin. “I was hoping she wouldn’t notice I forgot to take the garbage out again. Nice talkin’ with you, son.”

  Questions filled Drew, but Albert Lee and his dog were moving spryly across the lawn. Besides, Drew realized the answers he wanted should come from Brie.

  Why hadn’t she told him? Didn’t she know she could come to him for help?

  Of course not. How would she know that? Four years ago he took her innocence and walked away. In her place, he wouldn’t trust him, either.

  The front of her house was dark already, the door shut tight. His questions would wait until morning. He had a wise-mouthed punk and a camera to find. Brie wasn’t going to be the source of any gossip if he could help it. What a stupid night to have left his car and his cell phone so far away. As he jogged down the street he wondered if he could pull Carey away from his latest woman long enough to help him search for Razz.

  “WHAT WAS DREW DOING BACK here at this hour?” Pamela Dudley asked. “And what was that bright light I saw?”

  “Kids were playing a prank with a car spotlight.” Brie didn’t add that someone had taken their picture. Fear sat like a lead weight in her belly.

  She lifted Max, who had come running across the kitchen to greet her. His long silver tail swished impatiently and he mewed in irritation. The source of his displeasure, a tiny kitten, opened sleepy gold eyes and blinked curiously at her from its curled position against her daughter’s sleeping form.

  Brianna came to an abrupt halt. “What on earth?”

  “I’m afraid your daughter’s familiar showed up in the backyard today.”

  “Very funny.”

  The kitten was a tiny puffball of long, mostly white fur. A calico, it had a comical, pointed face that stared at Brianna curiously, blinked at Max, then dismissed them both with typical feline indifference. The kitten settled herself more snugly against Nicole.

  “We can’t keep her, Mom.”

  “Fitzwiggy and Max agree with you, but I’m afraid Nicole and Little Imp have a different take on things.”