Mountain Angel (Northstar Angels, Book One)

by Suzie O'Connell

  So much for a clear line of thought.

  “We should give Bill a call to let him know what’s going on,” Aeli remarked as she tossed the sliced potatoes she was frying.

  “Probably,” Pat replied, realizing he hadn’t told his boss anything of what had happened over the past couple days. And he certainly hadn’t mentioned taking Aeli’s virginity.

  All at once, his mind opened up and he was able to focus. If Adam had anything to blackmail him with—which was impossible—he would have found it in Seattle. He took the cordless out onto the back porch, scattering a large gathering of chipmunks. While he waited for Bill to answer the phone, he reached back inside and took a handful of peanuts Aeli kept in a jar by the door and plopped on the steps to feed the little woodland rodents. One of the larger variety had just perched on his knee to take a peanut when Bill answered.

  “Hiya, Bill,” Pat said, startling the chipmunk. The creature bounded a few feet away and turned to chitter angrily at him.

  “Hi, Pat. I wasn’t expecting to hear back from you so soon.” There was a pause. “What is that noise?”

  “I made one of Aeli’s chippies angry.”

  “Sounds like he’s cussing you pretty good. Anyhow, how’s everything?”

  “Good. Hey, Bill, have you noticed anything unusual over there?”

  “What do you mean?”

  He explained about Aelissm’s impulsive decision to leave that first note on Adam’s door and detailed everything that had happened since, including his impressions of Winters’ deteriorating drive.

  “Hmm. I think you’re right, Pat, but that’s why you’re such a good detective. As far as anything out of place here, no, I haven’t noticed anything. I’ll look into it and let you know if I find anything. I wonder what kind of surprise he’s talking about. If we had a category, that would help narrow things down a bit.”

  “Yeah, it would.”

  “So, how about everything else? Still enjoying Montana?”

  “I’m loving it. You know, Bill, I haven’t had one of my bad days in a couple of months at least.”

  “That’s great news, Pat. It really is. I told you Northstar would be good for you.”

  “You have, repeatedly, but I don’t remember you saying anything about your niece being the most effective part.”

  Bill didn’t answer right away, but Pat soon heard the sound of his boss’s rich laughter. “I believe you were the one who accused me of concocting this mess with Winters to get you hooked up with my niece.”

  “So I did. You were right about her, though. She’s incredible. I honestly don’t think I could have come as far as I have without her support.”

  “Do you love her?”

  “I do, but it’s all really confused right now. I promise, Bill, if there are wedding bells in our future, I’ll tell you first.”

  “I’d appreciate it.” Bill chuckled again. “Seems I should have placed a bet, after all. I would have won.”

  “Thanks for your support, Bill,” Pat said flatly. “I would’ve expected better of you than thinking of your own profit.”

  “Oh, c’mon, Pat. I’ve always supported you.”

  “I know you have.”

  “And I’ve always supported a match between you and my niece.”

  This time, Pat laughed, too. “You have about as much shame as she does. Which I can tell you isn’t much.”

  “I should let you get back to her. Mary’s finished dinner and you know how I hate to miss her cooking.”

  “About as much as I’m going to miss Aeli’s. I think I’m starting to lose my boyish figure.”

  Bill’s laughter boomed so loud Pat had to pull the phone away from his ear. “I highly doubt that. My niece may be as good a cook as my sister, but I’m sure she’s been dragging you all over the countryside. She won’t let you get fat, even if you had it in your genetics.”

  “Ah, shucks, Bill, you’re making me blush.”

  “About damned time you had something to blush about. Now, I’m hanging up, Pat. Take care of yourself and Aeli and keep me posted.”

  “As always.”

  “I’ll check into that surprise for you and let you know.”

  All through their conversation, something tickled the back of his thoughts. It was a familiar sensation that had led him to many clues that closed cases and had saved his or someone else’s life a time or two. His instincts, his training, and his intelligence had put enough pieces together to form the beginning of a picture. Having concluded that the “surprise” Winters had mentioned was coming from Seattle, Pat had landed on the only thing Aeli’s stalker could possibly use against him. The realization wasn’t comforting.

  “I have one more favor, Bill. Can you check in on Sara and find out what she’s been up to lately?”

  “Do you mind if I ask why?”

  “If you’re thinking I still give a rat’s ass about her, you don’t need to worry. I have a hunch.”

  “Oh, goody,” Bill said sarcastically. “I don’t like your hunches because they’re always right. Tell me what you’re thinking, what you need to know and I’ll do my best to find it.”

  “See if you can find out if Sara and Adam might know each other.”

  “You think she might be his surprise?”

  “It’s not too great a leap to imagine it. They ran in the same circles. Hang on a minute, would you, Bill?”

  “Sure.”

  Pat stood up and poked his head inside. “Hey, Aeli, what did you say Bryce’s sister’s name was?”

  “Jeanette. Why do you ask?”

  Dammit, Pat thought. Foreboding darkened his thoughts. “Just curious.”

  She lifted a golden brow, but said nothing as she turned back to her cooking.

  Pat stepped back outside and returned his attention to Bill. “There’s something else I didn’t put together until now. Sara’s best friend is Jeanette LaRue, but LaRue is her married name. I don’t know what her maiden name was, but Aelissm mentioned weeks ago that Bryce Ellington had an older sister named Jeanette. Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but I doubt it.”

  “So do I. If Winters has involved Sara, this could get ugly, Pat.”

  “I know.”

  “Keep yourselves safe and I’ll talk to you soon.”

  When he hung up, Pat shook his head to dispel his dread. If he was right—and he prayed that he was wrong—things were about to get rather interesting. The last person he wanted coming to Northstar was Sara Montgomery. He wasn’t even sure yet she would be but already he could feel the effects of her nearness taking hold of him. The lingering fear and hatred of her felt like talons digging into the meat of his shoulders and neck and he reached back to massage it away. He wasn’t going to let her do this to him. She was out of his life and he was going to keep it that way. He was moving on, at long last.

  Glancing in the kitchen window, he let the sight of Aelissm soothe him. If he took anything from his conversation her uncle, it was Bill’s support of him staying with Aelissm. He should have guessed Bill would pick adding Pat to his family over keeping him as an employee. Bill was very family orientated. Maybe Pat should be, too. It seemed to make his boss happy. And what was so great about the best job in the world if, at the end of the day, there was no one and nothing to go home to?

  With a sigh, Pat stood and went back inside to find dinner ready and waiting for him. Aelissm started to sit down, but he beckoned her to him. With thoughts of Sara still flirting with his mind, he needed her. She obeyed and he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her, comforted by her nearness.

  “I know I haven’t said it yet, but I do love you, Aelissm Davis.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  AELI WENT OUT TO HER TRUCK to fetch the pie plates and spotted Luke hiking up the hill from her grandparents’ cabin. She paused to wait for him and marked the changes in him. The wariness had been shed, replaced by a startling confidence that made him seem much closer to his twelve years. It was as if he finally felt
safe and was now free to be himself. She wondered just who he was beneath the quietude.

  “So, Luke Montana, how come you get out of baking pies?” Aelissm asked June’s adopted son.

  “Who says I do?” he asked in reply, grinning.

  He’s gonna be a heart-breaker, she thought. It’s scary how much he looks like June when he does that. “Well, we’ve already started and you’re just getting back from Grandma and Grandpa’s cabin.”

  “Mom sent me down for some more cinnamon,” Luke said, holding up the little spice jar. “She didn’t think we had enough.”

  The title caught Aelissm by surprise. Luke had always called June by her name, even since the adoption. Maybe the name change had made it real to him. Jealousy and need spiked. The same yearning that enveloped her when she watched Pat with Luke or Nick Hammond’s young son reared back and sank sharp fangs into her. She wanted to hear a young voice call for her, wanting Mommy. She wanted to snuggle on the couch on a snowy winter evening and read a book together with her family. Being in love with Pat made her want so much.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” Luke asked warily.

  “You called June ‘Mom’.”

  “She said I could when I asked,” he replied shyly.

  Aelissm affectionately stroked his shimmering gold hair. “You’ve found home, haven’t you?”

  He nodded.

  “I’m glad for you, Luke. So, if June is Mom now, does that mean I’m your sarcastic Aunt Aeli?”

  “But you’re not even sisters.”

  “So? She didn’t give birth to you but that doesn’t make you any less her son. We’re as close to sisters as we can be without having the same parents.”

  “You really mean that? You want to be my aunt?”

  “I do,” Aelissm replied. She wrapped her arm around his narrow shoulders. “You’re not the only one benefiting from this situation. June really loves you, and so do I.”

  He looked up at her and beamed. “Thanks, Aunt Aeli.”

  She tossed her head back and laughed. “I like it!”

  “Me, too. I’ve never had an aunt.”

  It was the first time she’d heard him talk about his family. Curiosity nibbled at her, but she didn’t want to disrupt his happiness with sad memories. Someday, she’d find out more about him, but for now, it was enough to have him in her family. She’d meant it when she’d said she wanted to be his aunt. And she’d really like it if Pat wanted to be his uncle, but again, she said nothing. She didn’t want to traumatize him again by making him remember that.

  “We were about to send out the search party,” Pat remarked as she and Luke walked in. “How long does it take to fetch pie plates?”

  “Luke and I were having a little heart to heart talk,” Aeli replied haughtily. “Nephew to aunt. So you just hold your horses.”

  Pie baking was every bit as fun as that first time, when Pat hadn’t been in the valley a full twenty-four hours yet, but what had then been polite friendliness had turned into the genuine, familiar love of family, though June didn’t find it too funny when Aeli tried to engage Pat and Luke in a flour fight.

  “You destroy my kitchen and I’ll make you all lick it up!”

  They’d all come a long way since that first afternoon they’d spent baking pies together and Aelissm could scarcely believe it. That day had really been the beginning of something wonderful for all of them and she dreaded the day when Pat left and took part of their happy group away with him. The mountainside wouldn’t be the same without him and she found herself hoping for a miracle. Luke was a permanent part of her home now and she wanted Pat to be, too, but she couldn’t ask him to give up his dream. She couldn’t stand to watch the battle between the new happiness he’d found and his calling tear him apart.

  It wasn’t pleasant, thinking about what she and Pat would have to face all too soon, but it kept her from thinking of other things. Like the potluck in just a few hours. The knowledge that she was going to face Adam for the first time since the night he’d cornered her in Seattle was terrifying if she let herself dwell on it, so she’d been trying very hard to think of anything else. There was no point in working herself up about it, anyhow, because whatever was going to happen would happen regardless of whether she was calm or in a frenzy. She snorted. She’d probably be in a frenzy by the end of it. Therefore, she was going to ignore it until she had no choice and enjoy a few peaceful hours.

  She found it a little more difficult not to worry about what Adam had planned for Pat. Uncle Bill hadn’t called back yet, which meant he hadn’t found anything. She was beginning to wonder if Adam was bluffing, but he had a talent for finding what should be damned difficult to locate. She really wished Unk would call, if only to tell her everything was as quiet as it ever was in Seattle.

  The phone rang and Aeli blinked at it in surprise. June, whose hands were covered in sticky apple pie filling, asked her to answer it.

  “Montana cabin,” she greeted, earning a roll of June’s eyes.

  “Very funny, Aeli Girl. I can just see June rolling her eyes at that one.”

  “She is.”

  “I called your cabin first before I realized you girls would be baking pies for the potluck. Pat there with you?”

  “Of course. We weren’t about to let him get away with not helping. At this very moment, he’s sprinkled with a rather generous dusting of flour.”

  “Do I want to know how that happened?”

  “Luke and I tried to start a flour fight. June wouldn’t let us, but I got Pat before she could stop me.”

  Her uncle chuckled. “Sounds like everyone is having a wonderful afternoon. So, I guess I don’t need to ask how you’re doing.”

  “I’m okay. I’m stubbornly refusing not to think about this evening.”

  “You? Stubborn? Say it isn’t so.”

  “Ha ha, Unk. Did you find anything interesting?”

  “I did, actually. Do me a favor, will you? Tell Pat that he was right, as usual.”

  “Hey, Pat. Unk says to tell you that you’re right, as usual.”

  She expected him to smirk or laugh, but instead he closed his eyes and tilted his head back. Worry instantly descended on her when the muscles in his jaw started twitching.

  “Pat? What’s he talking about?”

  “Adam knows Sara. Ask Bill how.”

  “Pat was right on the money, Aeli. Bryce’s sister is Sara’s best friend. They all went to the same private school and Adam met Sara through Bryce and Jeanette.” Bill paused. “I’ve had a friend of mine with the Seattle PD keeping tabs on Sara at Pat’s request. She hasn’t been doing anything out of the ordinary.”

  “Well, that’s good news, isn’t it?” Aelissm asked.

  “It was. But she disappeared two days ago.”

  Fury ignited, burning away her fear. “If she shows her face in my inn or gets anywhere near Pat, I’ll put a bullet between her eyes. And I’ve got plenty of places to bury that bitch’s body where no one will ever find her. You know I do.”

  “Yes, I do, Aelissm. But don’t go off half-cocked.”

  “Oh, I won’t. I’ll be fully cocked when I go off, Unk.”

  “Aelissm, listen to me. You can’t think like that. I don’t want to see you go to jail over her. She sure as hell isn’t worth it.”

  Aeli took a deep breath. “I know. Aaron Hammond will be there and Pat’s kept him informed. If things get out of hand, he can legally deal with it.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. Pat’s going to need your strength, Aeli. Just as I’m sure you’ll need his. I’m glad you have each other.”

  “Is there anything else we should know?”

  “That’s everything. I’m scared for you both.”

  “We’ll be fine. Besides, I might not have to shoot her. My neighbors are very protective of their own, including Pat.”

  “Aelissm….”

  “I know, Unk. I promise, I won’t do anything stupid.”

  “Glad to hear it. Now,
I have to get back to work, though I don’t have any idea how I’m supposed to concentrate while I’m worried sick about the two of you. I wish I had time to fly out there.”

  “What good would it do, Unk?”

  Her uncle sighed. “None.”

  “Well, Unk, we’ve got pies to bake, so I should probably let you go.”

  “Of course. You’d better call me tonight or I’ll send in the National Guard.”

  “I know you will. And I promise, I’ll call. But right now, I have to go. Love you, Unk.”

  “Love you, too, Aeli Girl. Give my love to Pat and June and Luke, too.”

  She promised she would and hung up. With a wordless bellow, she turned to Pat to find him leaning against June’s sink with his eyes still closed. June and Luke glanced between them, silently asking what they could do to help. Aelissm repeated what Bill had told her about Sara and Adam. Pat opened his eyes at last and she half-expected to see the same shadows she had the night he’d told her about Sara. But he was remarkably composed. Unnervingly so.

  “It is what it is,” he said in response to her unasked question. “I guess I’ll know by tomorrow morning if I’m really past that nightmare.”

  “June, Luke, will you excuse us for a few?” Aeli asked.

  “Sure,” June replied. “Take your time.”

  “Pat, come outside with me.”

  He followed her out onto June’s back deck and didn’t fight her when she took him by his shoulders and turned him to face her. She studied his expressionless face for a moment, concerned by the dullness in his eyes.

  “Pat, are you all right?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I could kill Adam for doing this.”

  That brought a glimmer of a smile to his face, but it didn’t reach his eyes. She could see him starting to shrink away and collapse in on himself and it killed her. She took his face in her hands and forced him to meet her gaze. All at once, the shadows of remembered pain and terror returned and he looked down at her, pleading for salvation.