Falling for Sarah

by Cate Beauman

  Austin cleared his throat and Sarah glanced up. A small smile touched her lips. “Thanks for coming all this way to check on us.”

  “Hey, no problem.” Desperate for an excuse to stay, he honed in on the steaming mug she held between her hands, shuddered. How does anyone drink that stuff? “Would it be any trouble if I made myself a cup of tea? It helps me relax. I’m sure you want to get to bed. I can let myself out when I’m finished.”

  “Not at all. Make yourself at home. I always have such a hard time winding down after an event. I’ll get it for you.”

  “If it’s no trouble.”

  “None.”

  In no time, tea and a plate of double chocolate chip cookies were set in front of Austin. He bit into the moist center of gooey chocolate as Hailey walked into the room dressed in vivid pink pajama pants covered in maniacally grinning bunnies. Her ponytail bobbed with each step.

  Austin glanced at her small perky breasts accentuated in her white, spaghetti strapped top while she yawned and stretched. “Hey, guys. Did you have fun?”

  Flitters of desire sparked to life as he met her friendly honey brown eyes. He stared down at the table as guilt drowned any remaining embers. She was a college kid, for Christ’s sake.

  “If you consider almost getting trampled to death and spending the night listening to actors and actresses talk about their craft fun, then yes, I think we both had the best time of our lives. Not to mention the hour-long ride through traffic.” Sarah grinned at Austin, then Hailey.

  “Well, I can’t wait to hear all about it, especially the trampled part, unless you spoke to any really hot actors. I’ll want to hear about that first.” Hailey took a glass from the cupboard, filled it with water. “Pretty flowers. Please tell me they’re from a Hollywood hunk and he’ll be picking you up for dinner tomorrow night.”

  Sarah frowned. “I thought they were from you and Kylee.”

  Hailey sat down at the table. “Nope.”

  “Well, then, I don’t know.”

  “I didn’t even know blue roses existed—and look how they match your eyes. That’s pretty cool.”

  Sarah’s frown deepened. “Yes, I guess they do, but where did they come from?”

  “Maybe you have a secret admirer.” Hailey winked. “You did look hot tonight.”

  Austin took a sip of the wretched tea, tried not to squirm. Headlights hit the window and he got to his feet, relieved. “I think that’s Ethan. I’ll go check.”

  “Ethan?” Sarah stood, following him to the front door. “Austin, why is Ethan here?”

  “I’m pretty sure it’s him; let me go check. Stay inside.” Like a rat abandoning a sinking ship, he sent her a sheepish smile before he closed the door.

  Puzzled and slightly miffed, Sarah went back to the kitchen.

  “Sarah, why are Ethan and Austin here? I haven’t seen Ethan around here in days, which is really weird, now that I think of it.”

  “He’s been busy,” Sarah said quickly as she walked over to the vase. The pleasure of receiving flowers dimmed, leaving her uneasy. Who had they come from? She turned again, staring at Austin’s mug all but untouched and the empty plate of cookies, realizing she’d been had.

  Ethan and Austin walked in and their conversation stopped.

  Ethan zeroed in on the roses before he met her gaze.

  Trickles of unease tensed her stomach as she watched the hard light come into his eyes. “What’s going on?”

  “Have a seat and I’ll tell you.”

  The cool slap of his voice raised her hackles. “Can I get anyone anything first? Austin, can I freshen your tea? I know how much you enjoy a good cup.”

  Austin winced. “Sorry, Sarah. I wanted Ethan here before we started.”

  “Just sit down, Sarah, so we can get this over with,” Ethan snapped.

  Hailey’s eyes popped wide and slid toward Austin’s.

  “Don’t you talk to me like that. This is my house.” She yanked a chair back, sat down.

  “Um, I’m going to bed, or maybe I should just go home. Would you mind walking me, Austin?”

  Sarah pinched the bridge of her nose, blew out a breath. “Please don’t, Hailey. It’s well past midnight. I’d feel better if you stayed.”

  “Okay, then. Good night.” She gave Sarah’s hand a squeeze before she left.

  Austin’s phone rang. He pulled the cell from his pocket, looked at the readout. “I need to take this. It’s Michaels.” He left the room.

  Ethan unbuttoned his sleeves, rolled them past his elbows before he sat across from Sarah. “I’m putting one of my men on the house permanently. It’ll probably be Austin.”

  Sarah’s fingers laced together, squeezing as the trickles of dread returned. “Why?”

  “At this point it’s precautionary.”

  “Is this because of the flowers?”

  “Yeah, some of it.” He stared at her for several seconds.

  “Are you going to tell me anything more or just let me sit here half sick?”

  “I came by the night you left for Utah to check things out. I found a flower on your doorstep.”

  Her stomach clutched as alarm bells rang. “Why are you just telling me about this?”

  “I’d made Austin aware of it. It might not be anything, but something doesn’t feel right. I didn’t want to scare you.”

  “But you do now?”

  “No, I don’t. I want you to be careful. As I said before, this is just a precaution. There’s nothing to worry about at this point, but it seems odd for someone to leave flowers like this. With all of the rapes in the area, I think it would be better to have Austin here until they catch the guy—at least at night.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  His eyes, like his voice, lacked any of their familiar comfort. She was so scared. The flowers creeped her out, but the fear came from sitting across from this cool, professional stranger who used to be her best friend. Was this it? Was this the end of their road? Ethan’s clenched jaw and tense shoulders told her it might be.

  She wanted to fix this more than she wanted her next breath. She reached for his hand. “Ethan, I—”

  He leaned back in his chair, moved his hand from her reach, looked away.

  She pulled her hand back as pain slashed like a knife. “I’d like to pay him for his time.”

  He flicked her a glance. “It’s been taken care of.”

  “By who? You? That isn’t necessary.”

  “Just leave it alone. This was my idea.”

  “You’re not paying for Austin to stay here. I’m more than capable—”

  “Forget it. Things don’t always get to be your way.” Ethan stood and walked out.

  Sarah sat in her chair long after Ethan had gone. She thought of him capturing her lips, of his tongue gliding against hers in the moonlight. One kiss had changed everything, had ruined everything.

  Sarah nodded at Kylee, giving her the go-ahead to press the doorbell. Kylee stabbed her little finger against the chrome button with enthusiasm.

  Hunter, tan and relaxed in bare feet, jeans, and a navy blue polo, opened the door and grinned.

  “Unke Hunte,” Kylee squealed.

  He took Kylee from Sarah, gave her a big hug. “How’s my baby girl?”

  “I not a baby dirl. I a big dirl now.”

  “Okay, how’s my big girl?”

  “Dood.”

  “I missed you. Are you ready for a birthday party?”

  “Yes.” She squirmed to get down. “I go say hi to Auntie Morgan.”

  Hunter set Kylee down, tapped her bottom, and she ran off. He yanked Sarah into a bear hug. “Hey, you. Happy birthday.”

  She returned his embrace. “Thanks. You look wonderful, Hunter. Did you two have fun?”

  “Absolutely. Morgan took an insane number of pictures, which should make you happy.”

  She grinned. “You bet. I can’t wait to see them—all of them.”

  “Make
sure I’m not here that day,” he said with a pained look on his face.

  Morgan stepped from the kitchen in jeans and a cream colored sweater, holding a smiling Kylee. “Happy birthday, Sarah.”

  Sarah walked over, gave her a huge hug, clinging a little too tightly. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed her friends. “Thank you. I hope you had a great time, but I’m so glad you’re home.”

  Morgan eased back, frowning. “I’m glad we’re home too. What’s the matter?”

  “Nothing, not a thing.” Everything. “I’m just ready for that lunch date we talked about before you left.”

  “I need to get into the office over the next couple of days. How about this weekend?”

  “Perfect. My weekend is strangely blank—which almost never happens—but I’ll take it. I could use a breather.”

  Morgan glanced at Hunter before she put Kylee down. “Kylee, we have a present for you in the living room. Would you like to open it?”

  “Yes!”

  “Go with Uncle Hunter and he’ll get it for you. Sarah, why don’t you come with me while I finish making dinner,” she said as she walked back to the large kitchen.

  Sarah followed Morgan into the spacious room decorated with oak cabinetry and dark green granite. The room felt homey, with plants and no-nonsense cooking gadgets placed about the sunny space. Morgan’s homemade pasta sauce wafted through the air. “It smells great in here. I can’t wait to eat.”

  “Good. I made enough for an army. Would you like a glass of wine?”

  “Sure. I’ll take white.”

  Morgan poured the buttery golden liquid into crystal glasses. “Ethan called a few minutes ago. He might not be able to make it. He said something came up at work.”

  “Oh, okay.” This would be the first time he’d missed her birthday in six years. Considering the circumstances, it shouldn’t have stung, but it did. “We’ll save him a piece of cake.” She took the glass Morgan handed her and tried a smile.

  As Morgan stared at her, Sarah glanced down, scrutinizing the flecks of color in the smooth granite. Afraid her friend had seen too much, she attempted to move the conversation to more distracting topics. “So, tell me about the honeymoon. What did you guys do while you were in Italy, besides practice, of course?” This time she smiled fully when her gaze met Morgan’s.

  “What’s going on, Sarah?”

  Her smile vanished as she let out a long sigh, knowing she’d failed to fool Morgan. “I’m a little stressed out. I’m sure you’ve heard about the roses at my door. I thought maybe someone made a mistake and left them at the wrong house, but it definitely wasn’t. We found three more the other day—with a note this time. It said, ‘For you, my lovely Sarah.’” She shuddered. “Now the police are involved. They’re trying to trace the paper and ink the person used, but I don’t think they’ve gotten anywhere yet.”

  “I’m so sorry, honey. Hunter told me on the flight home yesterday. Ethan didn’t say anything to him until we got to the airport. He didn’t want us worrying. Hunter would’ve been at your place this morning, but he knew you had a shoot. I didn’t want to bring it up and spoil your night.”

  “I won’t let it, but I am scared. The note wasn’t threatening, but it is all at the same time. If someone’s interested, why don’t they call me like a normal person would? But that’s the scary part; I don’t think this person’s healthy.”

  “You and Kylee can stay with us. You know you’re always welcome.”

  “I appreciate it, but you’re newly married. You can’t have spontaneous sex on the kitchen table—or wherever else you want, for that matter—if you’re worried about your friend and her two-year-old walking through the door at anytime. Besides, Austin’s keeping an eye on things.”

  “He’s a nice man—comes off as very gentle.”

  “He really is.”

  The kitchen timer beeped. Morgan turned, pulled a huge dish of lasagna, bubbling with cheese from the oven.

  “Morgan, that looks and smells amazing. What can I do to help?”

  “Grab the salad from the fridge. We’re just about ready. Would you tell Kylee and Hunter? I need to get the bread.”

  “Sure.” She walked through the beautiful dining area, running her finger over the dark wood of the china cabinet on her way to the living room. “Kylee, Hunter, supper’s—”

  Ethan sat on the floor with Kylee in his lap. She clutched a new doll in her hands while he read her a book from the pile Morgan and Hunter kept on hand. He stopped reading, glanced up.

  “Look at my new baby, Mama!” Kylee kissed the olive skinned beauty before she scrambled out of Ethan’s lap.

  Sarah knelt down next to her daughter. “She’s very pretty. What’s her name?”

  “Baby.”

  Sarah smiled. “Of course.”

  “Is everyone com—” Morgan stepped in the room. “Oh, Ethan, you made it.” She beamed. “Great.”

  He stood, gave her a hug. “Welcome back.”

  “Thanks. Dinner’s ready.” She glanced at him, then at Sarah. “Kylee, do you want to help me find Uncle Hunter?”

  “He in his office.”

  “Let’s go get him.” She took Kylee’s hand and they left the room. “Do you like your pretty baby?”

  Kylee’s chatter followed them down the hall.

  Ethan shoved his hands in his jean pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Happy birthday.”

  “Thank you. I’m glad you were able to come.” Sarah didn’t know what to say as they stared at each other. “We should probably go eat.” She turned toward the door.

  “Sarah, wait.” He snagged her wrist. “If this makes you uncomfortable, I can leave.”

  “No.” She put her hand on his arm. “I want you to stay.”

  “Then let’s eat.” He smiled.

  Sarah took two steps before he yanked her around and pulled her into a hug. She closed her eyes, wrapped her arms around his waist, holding on. With her head nestled against his shoulder, she breathed him in. For the first time in two weeks, everything felt right.

  “I miss you.” He kissed her hair, an old gesture that soothed.

  She wrapped her arms tighter. “I’ve missed you too.” She eased back just enough to look him in the eye, unwilling to let him go. “Ethan, I don’t know what to do.”

  He rested his forehead against hers. “That makes two of us.”

  “Everything’s so messed up.”

  “Can we have dinner and try to figure this out? I don’t want to lose you. You’re too important.”

  “Ethan,” she whispered, undone. She framed his face. “I’d like that very much, but I’m pretty booked up this week. How about Saturday?”

  “You’ve got it.” He smiled, hugged her close once more before they wandered toward the aroma of Morgan’s fabulous lasagna.

  After lasagna, cake and conversation, Sarah took the envelope Morgan handed her.

  “This is something from all of us. Happy birthday.”

  Sarah peeked across the room at Kylee sleeping on the couch, snuggled under a blanket, before she opened the card and gasped. “Oh, this is too much.” She stared at her smiling friends. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “’Thanks’ will do,” Hunter said.

  She glanced down at the brochure for the exclusive resort and four plane tickets made out to herself, Hunter, Morgan and Ethan, then stood and hugged each of them. “Thank you so much. I’m so excited. A weekend away.”

  She looked at the white roses in the center of the table and her excitement dimmed. What about Kylee? She’d never been away from her for more than one night. She couldn’t leave her right now. Some weirdo was sending her flowers; her house was being guarded.

  Hunter took her hand as she sat back down. “Hey, this is supposed to be fun. You don’t turn twenty-eight every day.”

  “I’m sorry. It is, but I can’t go this weekend. I can’t leave Kylee right now; not with everything that’s going on.”

  �
��Kylee’s not the target, Sarah.” Ethan met her gaze across the table. “You are.”

  “Jesus, Cooke,” Hunter said with disgust.

  “I didn’t get to finish.” He stood, walked around the table, rested his hands against her tensed shoulders. “We booked this a couple months ago, before all this started. Your mom’s planning to take Kylee. Hailey’s going to help out. Now that there’s a need, Austin’s assigned to go with them. He’s one of the best men I have. He won’t let anything happen to Kylee or anyone else.”

  Morgan took the seat next to Sarah. “If you’re really uncomfortable, we can change the dates. It’s not that big of a deal.”

  Hunter squeezed her hand again. “The only reason we didn’t change the dates ourselves is because this could be a good thing. If Kylee’s away somewhere safe and so are you, we can run surveillance and see if we can figure out what the hell’s going on. Once the guy figures out you’re not there, he might relax a little and make a mistake. Our cameras would pick it up.”

  “You’re sure Kylee will be safe?” Doubt trickled through in Sarah’s words.

  Ethan knelt down until they were eye to eye, taking her chin in his hand. “Nobody loves her more than the four people in this room. We wouldn’t suggest it otherwise.”

  Staring into Ethan’s eyes, trusting what he said, she nodded. “Okay then, let’s go.”

  CHAPTER 9

  THE SATURDAY MIDMORNING FLIGHT FROM L.A. took less than an hour. By late afternoon, Sarah lay in a lounge chair by the private pool, sipping an iced tea heavy on the lemon. “You were so right. I really needed this.”

  Morgan rolled to her back. “I couldn’t agree more. You were pretty stressed the other night.”

  Sarah grinned. “Stress? What stress?”

  “I’ve enjoyed watching you decompress over the last six hours. By the time we leave, you’ll be a whole new woman.”

  “Oh, I hope so. You might have to hide my phone though. I’ve already called my parents three times. My mother didn’t sound particularly happy with me when we hung up. I was told that if I call again before Kylee’s bedtime, she’ll disconnect the phones.”