* * *
THE SECOND HEIDI GOT OFF the phone with her father, she phoned her sister-in-law. The news that Nadine had signed the lease for Gary put the proverbial final nail in the coffin.
“Sharon? I just found out Bruno has called a meeting in his office in a few minutes and I have to be there. Since it’s almost time to pick Zack up from school, would you mind taking him home with your children? I’m sorry to do this to you, but it can’t be helped. I promise I’ll return the favor.”
“I’ll be happy to. Tim will be thrilled.”
“Thanks. You’re the greatest.”
Heidi had worn a khaki skirt and a white top to work with her white sandals. She’d wanted to look good for her first day back at work in a week. Now that she would be seeing Mitch in a while, she was doubly grateful she’d taken the trouble. After this meeting, his work would be officially over. She wanted his last impression of her to be a good one before he left for Tallahassee.
She’d cried herself sick during the night and had awakened with puffy, bloodshot eyes. With cold water and concealing makeup, she’d managed to remove some of the sleepless signs. Once she’d made a trip to the ladies’ room to brush her hair and add a fresh coat of lipstick, she climbed the stairs to the next floor and entered Bruno’s suite.
Her dad met her with a hug, then introduced her to Detective Danvers of the Salt Lake City Police Department. “Honey, Mitch ought to be here any minute. Meanwhile, the detective wants you to tell him about your conversation with Deena Larson, the woman who’d been fired from her job after one day.”
While Heidi told him the essence of her phone call with Deena, Mitch entered in the office dressed in a leaf-green polo shirt and khakis. He’d just come from the warehouse. Her body trembled every time she saw him. He flicked her a glance she couldn’t read before being introduced to the detective.
Bruno cleared his throat. “If everyone will sit down, we’ll let the detective explain what’s going to happen.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bauer. This evening several officers will arrest Nadine Owens at her home and take her downtown. At the same time, another set of officers who’ve made arrangements with the Utah County Police Department, will take Gary Norris into custody from his place of residence in Alpine and bring him to Salt Lake. Their pub operation will be closed down.
“Both will be put in jail. They’ll be apprised of their rights and a public defender will be provided for them if they don’t hire their own. Those of you who wish to talk to them will able to do so in the morning prior to their arraignment. At the time the judge hears their pleas, he’ll set bail and name the date for a jury trial. Do any of you have questions?”
Heidi didn’t. The reasons for what the criminals had done would come out in the trial. She had no desire to see or talk to Gary. She couldn’t feel anything for him. Her heart was too shattered by the knowledge that she would be losing Mitch.
If there were another woman, she could fight for him. At least that’s what she told herself. But how could she fight against his need to find his mother or father? It was a need he’d had from childhood. Maybe now he would take advantage of his free time to hunt for—
“Thank you, Detective Danvers,” Bruno said, cutting off her thoughts. “This action is harsh, but Ernst and I have talked it over and feel it’s necessary. Once we know they’ve been arrested, we’ll phone each family member and tell them what has happened before they hear it on the ten o’clock news.”
The old man teared up. “There’s no doubt our family will be in mourning for a long time. Nadine is one of our own. Gary was once a part of us. I want to believe each family member will have charity in his heart for two souls who lost their way. We’ll have to show increased love to Nadine’s family. It’s never too late for her or Gary to repent and make a fresh start.
“As for Lucas, he’s been at the head of quality control and clearly not doing his job. He’ll be reprimanded and put on probation. I’ll also be having a talk with Jonas, who’s in charge of the warehouse. His love for Lucas has made him less vigilant.”
Heidi loved Bruno, who’d carried the mantle for so long. Without conscious thought she got out of her chair and ran over to hug him. “It’s the right thing to do.” Tears trickled down her cheeks. “I love you for your kindness and your convictions. Never ever change.”
He wept against her arm. In another second her father joined them. Over his shoulder she saw the pain in Mitch’s eyes before he slipped out of the room.
“Excuse me,” she whispered.
After grabbing her purse, she ran after him. He moved like the wind. She didn’t catch up to him until he’d reached his car in the parking lot. “Mitch!” At the sound of her voice he wheeled around with such a bleak expression on his face, she was shaken. “Why did you leave so fast?”
“My work is done and this is time for family.”
Acutely aware he didn’t have one, she said, “Agreed. I haven’t seen Zack since early morning. I’m just on my way to pick him up at Sharon’s. Will you meet us at my house? He’ll want to say goodbye to you. I thought we’d order pizza and watch something silly on television that will make my son giggle. I—I need to hear his laughter….” Her voice faltered.
She could hear his mind working. “You’re worried what you’re going to have to tell him about his father one day.”
“No,” she answered with conviction. “I’m sure he’ll handle it. Tonight I’m craving some happiness with my precious boy. We’d both enjoy your company. You’ve become a great friend.” She stressed the word.
Mitch’s mouth thinned to a white line.
“Do you have another commitment?” She remembered the haunted look in his eyes and wished she could take it away. “I don’t care how professional you are. Knowing you were catching family and former family of mine in the act, I’m aware you haven’t survived the experience completely unscathed.”
His chest rose and fell with enough force for her to notice. “A dose of Zack would be a surefire antidote for the downside of my job.” He hadn’t denied it. “What can I bring?”
Her relief was exquisite. “How about your favorite ice cream?”
“Done.”
“I should be home in a half hour. I’ll hurry.”
By the time she’d reached her car, he’d left the parking lot. She didn’t regret inviting him to the house. If she’d had a secret agenda, it was so he could see Zack a final time and part company with him in a way her son would be able to handle. She’d said her farewells last night after wrenching her mouth from his.
When Heidi had been at the park after the parade, Brittany had mentioned how gloomy Roman had become because Mitch was leaving for Florida. The firm was losing a great friend, as well as a P.I. To his consternation, Roman couldn’t stop Mitch from reporting back to his federal marshal’s job, not now that his arm and shoulder had healed.
“Gloomy” might describe Roman. Heidi had another one for herself. Gutted. But she refused to get any more morose about it and sped home, anticipating their final evening together. When she drew up in front of Sharon’s, she saw Zack and Tim playing teams against Rich with some water guns you launched from the shoulder. Her brother was big on anything that got you wet.
“Zack,” she called to him. “Put your gun on the porch and come and get in the car. Don’t forget your backpack and thank your uncle.” She waved to her brother.
On the drive home, she eyed Zack through the rearview mirror. “That looked fun.”
“Mitch would make it a lot funner.”
She heaved a troubled sigh. “You mean ‘more’ fun. Zack, I missed you today. Did your friend Jacob go to the parade?”
“No. He said his dad hates them.” Heidi tried not to smile. “Can we watch it again on the DVR? I want to see myself.”
&nbs
p; Her smile turned into a chuckle. “Oh, Zack. What would I do without you?”
“I don’t know.”
This time she burst into tearful laughter, probably because she was feeling almost hysterical.
“Hey, Mom, there’s Mitch! I want to get out.”
The blood pounded in her ears. “Not until we’ve parked the car.”
The second she stopped, her son jumped down and hurried over to the handsome man pulling things out of his Audi. A grinning Zack rocked on his heels, a definite sign of joy beyond measure.
“Guess what? Mitch brought bubblegum ice cream and pizza with Canadian bacon from the Pizza Oven!” He was chattering a mile a minute as Heidi let them in the front door. The two males walked through to the kitchen with Mitch making comments here and there.
Heidi got as far as the hallway, then stopped because it came to her that if anyone were looking on, they’d think Zack and Mitch were father and son. Not because of their coloring, but because of the obvious bond between them. Something like the way Tim and Rich were.
Earlier at the office, when she’d seen Mitch standing outside the circle while Bruno wept, she’d sensed his aloneness. When the Bauer children got together with their fathers, how many times had she observed Zack standing off and alone? Heidi’s was the only divorce in the family. Zack was the only child who showed up without a daddy. All the other children had one and functioned within those special spheres.
Tonight Zack and Mitch were relating within a sphere created by their own enjoyment of each other. Neither was standing outside looking in. This time they were the ones inside the bubble that wasn’t visible to the naked eye.
Heidi watched and suffered new agony. Zack would be absolutely crushed when Mitch went away. It would take months for him to get over the feelings of loss. Not every man Heidi might meet in the future would accept Zack or appreciate his wonderful qualities the way Mitch did.
The unique man in her kitchen had grown up without real parents and so showed a special sensitivity around her son. He seemed to know instinctively how to make Zack feel good about himself. Would it bother Mitch to have to say goodbye to the little boy who worshipped the ground he walked on?
Would he miss her?
She watched Zack race down the hall to his bedroom. The next thing she knew he’d raced back to the kitchen, oblivious to Heidi. He’d put on the cowboy hat Mitch had given him and was carrying his walkie-talkies. Instead of water guns, they were going to play spy. Zack was in heaven.
Heidi groaned inwardly when she considered the void that would be left when Mitch was gone.
Chapter Ten
“It’s past your bedtime, Zack. You’ve got school in the morning.” Heidi gathered the cards to the Apples to Apples junior game the three of them had been playing on the kitchen table and put them in the box.
“Can’t we play it again?” She heard the quiver in his voice. The moment she’d been dreading had come. With Mitch making everything exciting, the evening had been magical.
“I’m sorry, honey. Will you say good-night and thank him for dinner?”
Zack fastened soulful blue eyes on their guest. “Will you come to my school program on Friday at two o’clock?”
His question ignored hers and was so unexpected, a quiet gasp escaped Heidi’s lips. She saw a flicker in the dark brown depths of Mitch’s eyes and knew it had caught him off guard, too.
“You’re in a program?”
He nodded. “Cuz it’s the end of the year and we always do a big show for the moms and dads.”
Adrenaline forced Heidi up from the table. “Honey, Mitch won’t be able to come.”
Tears filled Zack’s eyes. “Are you going to Florida?”
“You know he is,” she rushed to remind him. “Come on.”
“Don’t you like it here?”
A grim expression had crossed over Mitch’s features. “Very much.”
“Zack, it’s his home, just like Salt Lake is ours. He had a job, but he got injured, so he came to Utah to have an operation. Now that he’s better, he has to go back. His friends are there.” Family he’s searching for. She picked up her son because it was clear he wasn’t about to move from the table.
“Casey said you’re a federal marshal and got shot in the shoulder by an escaped prisoner,” Zack said. “He said you almost died like his mom.”
Oh, no.
When she’d seen the boys playing and talking together at the park, she’d had no idea what their conversation was about. Since yesterday Zack had been carrying this burden around without saying anything. Her gaze flew to Mitch for help. She saw a white ring of pain around his mouth.
“Will you show me?” Zack asked.
“You want to see my scar?” Mitch had asked the question, but he was still looking at Heidi. Though he was prepared to show Zack his scar, he wanted her permission and would do nothing if she didn’t give it.
Heidi thought she’d loved Mitch before this moment, but that emotion couldn’t touch the love she felt for him now. Since Zack already knew the truth, there was be no point in hiding anything from him. Mitch knew it and she knew it, so she gave him a nod.
“It’s not a pretty sight, sport, but you’re man enough to take it, right?”
“Right.”
Mitch, darling… He always knew the right thing to say.
She watched in wonder as Mitch removed his polo shirt. When they’d gone swimming at Roman’s, he’d worn a T-shirt the whole time, claiming he didn’t want a sunburn.
In one of her fanciful moments early last week when they were getting ready to ride their bikes, she’d thought he looked godlike in the sun. Being so close she could see the dusting of hair on his well-defined chest, he resembled a Hellenic statue come to life in her kitchen.
But Zack was much more interested in the scar. “Wow! It’s big!”
It was. Mitch would have suffered so horribly she couldn’t bear it.
“Yup. There’s a lot of it.”
“Does it still hurt?” His anxious tone was so touching she wanted to cry.
“Nope. There’s no feeling in the scar tissue. The great news is, my arm can move just like it did before.” He made a circle to prove it.
Heidi managed to hold back her tears. “You really were blessed.”
“Don’t I know it,” he whispered before putting his shirt back on.
“Now that you’re better, you can be a federal marshal here,” Zack reasoned. “Casey’s father said so.”
Mitch reached for Zack and carried him into the living room. Heidi followed them. They sat down on the couch with Zack on his lap. “What else did Casey tell you?”
“That you’re a P.I. like the rest of them. He told me those walkie-talkies came from the shop at your office. I found out his dad used to be a Texas Ranger, and Chaz was a Navy SEAL.”
Mitch’s face broke out in a tender smile. “So you’ve discovered all our secrets. You make a great spy.”
“Yup. Just like you. How come you don’t stay here? Don’t you like your friends?”
Mitch rubbed a hand over the top of Zack’s head. “They’re the greatest, but there’s someone I’m looking for. I have to go back to Florida if I’m going to find them.”
Heidi couldn’t let this conversation go on without Mitch giving her son one piece of information Casey couldn’t have known about or shared.
“Zack,” she said, “have you noticed Mitch hasn’t talked about his family?”
Her son blinked. “No.” She saw alarm creep into his face. “Did something…bad happen to them? You know, like what happened to Casey’s mom?”
When she saw lines darken Mitch’s face she said, “Will you listen very carefully while he explains and not interrupt?�
��
Zack looked as surprised as the man holding him, but he nodded.
She stared at Mitch. “You need to tell Zack about the orange crate and go from there. It’ll help him understand.” Her son was facing a terrible few months ahead of him without Mitch, but Heidi was convinced that if he knew the truth, it might make the parting from his hero more bearable.
For the next few minutes Heidi was treated once again to Mitch’s incredible story, only this time he had a captive audience in Zack. True to his word, her son didn’t say a word. Even when Mitch had finished, silence filled the room.
Suddenly he slid off Mitch’s lap and looked up at him. “My dad didn’t want me,” he said as one lone tear trickled down his flushed cheek. “But maybe if you find yours, he’ll want you.”
Mitch leaned forward and kissed Zack’s forehead before putting his hands on his shoulders. “When I was your age, I assumed I wasn’t wanted. It took years for me to realize that if the people who were my parents didn’t have the money or other family members to help take care of me, that didn’t necessarily mean they didn’t want me. Maybe they were in bad health and couldn’t. Do you know what I think?”
“What?” Zack’s voice cracked.
“I think they left me at the church because they knew there would be kind people there who would look after me better than they could. Maybe your father felt he couldn’t be the kind of dad you needed and he knew your mother would be the greatest mom in the whole world for you. Right?”
Zack nodded.
“I’ve never met a better mom than yours.”
Heidi lowered her head, afraid she was going to break down in a puddle of tears.
“I hope you find yours, Mitch.”
She heard Mitch breathe in sharply as Zack walked out of the room. Heartbroken for her son, she started to follow, but Mitch caught her from behind and pulled her against his chest.
“Let him be for a little while,” he whispered against the side of her neck. He buried his face in her curls. “As long as everything is out in the open, let it percolate in him for a few minutes. I’ve been where he is now, both emotionally and physically. He needs time to process what’s been going on. So do I.”
The Marshal's Prize (Harlequin American Romance) Page 16
