“With a mind like yours, there’s no telling how far you can go. How long did they give you?”
“I have to let both companies know by next week.”
“That’s a big decision. I’d better let you get going. Have a nice time at your folks’.”
He moved away so she could leave. Her heart was splintering into little pieces. Vic could have no idea how much she wanted to throw her arms around his neck and blurt out how much she loved him. “Good luck at the appointment with Jeremy.”
On that note she backed out and drove through the neighborhood to the main street leading to the freeway. Claire had no intention of going to her parents’. As long as she had this much time off, she’d take the more scenic route to Houston on 290 and see the layout of the two companies she could work for.
She’d been to Houston quite a few times over the years, but never dreamed she might be working there. While she was at it, she’d look at a couple of neighborhoods. She had to start paying down her student loan, but she still had enough money saved to put a down payment on a condo. Nothing fancy. Just livable and close to her work. Whichever company she chose, she probably wouldn’t be with them for more than four or five years before looking for something more challenging.
If she went with the job that would pay for her to get her PhD, she’d need to find housing that was equidistant to the university and the company.
Once she reached Houston, she used the GPS to find the addresses and spent the next two hours driving around, making notes. But she couldn’t summon even a modicum of enthusiasm for any of it. Her heart was too heavy.
At seven thirty she stopped for a hamburger and filled up with gas before driving back to Austin. The Friday night traffic was atrocious. By the time she entered the garage and saw Vic’s car, it was ten after ten. Her pulse picked up speed because she didn’t know what she was coming home to. Jeremy ought to be in bed, but today hadn’t been an ordinary day for him.
She reached for the diorama, then locked the car and entered the kitchen through the door from the garage. The house sounded too quiet. Claire put the diorama on the counter and went to the sink for a glass of water. When she turned around, she discovered Vic had walked into the kitchen.
He picked up Jeremy’s school project to inspect it. “I heard the garage door.” Vic spoke in a low tone of voice.
“Did it disturb Jeremy?” she whispered.
“No. He had another long crying spell before falling asleep.”
She bit her lip. “How did the session go?”
“I wasn’t asked to join them, but I received an email from Dr. King after I got home with him.”
Claire was almost afraid to hear what it said.
“She indicated that Jeremy wanted to talk about your leaving rather than the kidnapping incident. He’s angry with me, but she believes that feeling will pass. She’s made another appointment for next Friday, but she’s not overly concerned and told me that getting him a pet might provide a good distraction.”
“Did you tell him your plans for tomorrow?”
“Not yet. He was too upset to listen to me.”
She put a hand to her throat. “Maybe she’s not overly concerned, but I am.” In the next breath she told him about her conversation in the car with Jeremy after school. “I got the strangest feeling that he had a motive for wanting to go over to Nate’s house.”
Vic’s features looked bleak. “Explain.”
“I wish I could. Twice now he’s mentioned running away. We both know why, but maybe he’s more serious about it than we realize. You’d think that after the horror of the kidnapping, it would be the last thing he’d want to do.”
She felt his hard-muscled body stiffen even though they weren’t touching. “If it were anyone but you, I might not take it as seriously. You think he has a plan?”
“I don’t know, but I’m glad you want to buy him that miniature horse. Surely he wouldn’t want to run away when he’s got a new pet to take care of. Is it still for sale?”
He nodded. “I told them to expect us in the morning.”
“I’ll get up early to fix breakfast. Then you can tell him your surprise.”
“Let’s pray this works.”
“I haven’t stopped praying since the moment he didn’t come running out to the car on Monday.”
She looked away, consumed by guilt because the fact that she was leaving their household had brought on this latest crisis. But Vic had no intention of supplying the solution that would turn everything around. Because he’s not in love with you, Claire.
Emotionally exhausted, she moved toward the hallway before looking back at him. “I can’t believe that was only five days ago. So much has gone on, it seems like we’ve lived a nightmare that has gone on for a century. It’s turned out for the best that your boss told you to take time off from work. Jeremy needs you desperately, as if you didn’t already know. Good night, Vic.”
* * *
VIC AWOKE BEFORE JEREMY. He’d slept in a sleeping bag on the floor near the door inside his son’s room. The possibility that his boy might take it into his head to run away in order to punish Vic was a sobering thought that had kept him awake for a long time. Claire had uncanny instincts. For the next week Vic intended to stay vigilant.
He got to his feet and carried the bag into his bedroom. Once he’d showered and shaved, he pulled on jeans and a T-shirt. As he left his bedroom he could hear voices coming from the kitchen. When he saw what Claire had put on the table, he realized she’d gone all out for his son.
Jeremy sat there enjoying his favorite Lucky Charms cereal. It was a treat he didn’t get to eat all the time, but today was a special day.
“That looks good.”
“It is,” Jeremy said and kept eating without looking at him.
Vic smiled at Claire before finding himself a big bowl from the cupboard. She was drinking coffee at the counter. He walked over to the table and poured out a portion of cereal and milk for himself before sitting next to Jeremy.
While he munched on his breakfast, he looked at his son. “Do you know what today is?”
“No,” sounded the deflating, automatic response.
“It’s someone’s unbirthday.”
He heard a laugh escape Claire.
Jeremy jerked his head around. “Unbirthday?”
“Yup. We’re going to go get him and bring him back for an unbirthday party.”
“Dad—are you crazy?”
“Wait till you see him.”
“What’s his name?”
At last Vic had garnered his son’s attention. “I don’t know.”
“How come?”
“He was never given a name.”
“I bet he’s sad.”
His son’s compassion brought a lump to Vic’s throat. “As soon as we finish breakfast, we’ll go visit him.”
“Can he eat cake?”
“Sure.”
He turned to Claire. “Can we make him one and take it to him?”
“That’s up to your father.”
“Let’s go see him and we’ll worry about the cake later.”
“Okay. I’m finished.”
Vic ate his cereal down to the last spoonful. “So am I. You ready, Claire?”
“I sure am.”
She sure was...all decked out in jeans and a kelly green top that looked incredible with her coloring.
Jeremy ran for the garage, but Vic called him back. “You’re going the wrong way. Since we’re taking the truck we’ll leave through the back door.” The trailer was still hooked up to it.
“How come?”
“I like to drive it when I don’t have to go to work.”
“I didn’t know that.”
Vic smiled sadly. The
re was a lot his son didn’t know. “Let’s go.”
Claire left ahead of them, drawing his gaze to the feminine shape of her body. She waited by the truck for him to open the door and climbed into the back like she always did. Never once did she accidentally do anything in order to get closer to Vic.
For months now he’d waited for a sign that she saw him as more than an employer and Jeremy’s father. But at this point the writing on the wall was clear that the miracle he longed for wasn’t going to happen. Other women came on to him, but since she’d come to work for him, his thoughts had turned more and more to her until he couldn’t see anyone else.
You’re a fool, Malone.
He started the truck and circled around to the street.
“Hey, Dad—how come we’re taking the horse trailer? I didn’t know you loaded the horses.”
“I didn’t. I guess I forgot to unhitch it, but it’s too late now.”
“Oh.”
“Why don’t you turn on the radio and find some music you like?”
Jeremy crooked his head at Claire. “What’s the kind of music I like again?”
“Do you mean reggae?”
“Yeah.”
Vic learned something new every day. “I like that reggae, too.”
His son’s head whipped around. “You do?”
“Sure.”
“When we go in the car, you always listen to the weather or the news.”
Good grief. To prove he wasn’t a grandfather yet, he turned on the radio and scanned for the right station. Austin radio played a lot of good reggae. Bob Marley’s “Buffalo Soldier” was playing now, bringing back memories. For the most part he’d avoided listening to music since the tornado because it filled him with haunting pain. But for some reason it didn’t bother him today. On the contrary.
Vic turned up the volume so it filled the interior of the truck. “Is this what you like?”
Jeremy’s face lit up. “Yeah.”
“It’s cool music, huh?”
“Yeah. Did Mom like it?”
“She loved it. You must be her son.”
His comment passed right over Jeremy, who said, “Claire likes it, too.”
Of course Claire liked it. He flicked her a glance through the rearview mirror, but she was looking out the window. In fact, every time he’d tried to make eye contact with her during the drive, she’d been studying the landscape. Was it on purpose, or was he truly invisible to her as a flesh and blood man?
He smiled at his son. “I think everyone likes reggae. It’s fun.”
“I know. Claire told me it comes from Jamaica. We looked it up on the map. It’s not that far away from Texas. We both want to go there someday. Have you ever been there?”
“Not yet.”
For the moment his son’s unhappy mood had lifted. The music was entertaining. Don’t fix it if it’s working. Vic left the station on and they were treated to reggae music all the way to Luckenbach.
“Are we going to Clint’s house?”
Ah. It had just started clicking with him where they’d driven. “Not today. Remember we’re going to see that someone and have an unbirthday party?”
“Does he know we’re coming?”
“Nope. It’ll be a surprise.”
Vic took the turnoff for Hershel’s. After they drove through the gate, Jeremy turned to him. “Who is it?”
“You’ve seen this guy before.” He kept going until they reached the parking area near the corral. Only one tiny horse was outside this morning. Mr. Hershel waved to Vic from the fencing.
He got out of the truck while Jeremy got out the other side. Vic noticed Claire stayed in the truck. The two of them walked over to the owner.
Mr. Hershel smiled at Jeremy. “This little guy you met the other day has been waiting for you to come back.”
Jeremy’s eyes rounded in shock. He looked up at Vic. “Are we having an unbirthday party for him?”
“That depends on if you want him for your pet.”
He blinked. “You mean you’ll buy him for me?”
“Why don’t you go get acquainted with him first and see what you think.”
He scrambled around to the entrance of the enclosure without waiting for Mr. Hershel. While Vic watched his son, Claire joined him at the fence. His pulse raced. It seemed she hadn’t been able to stay in the truck after all. What pleased him more was that she’d come to stand next to him.
“Have you ever seen Jeremy so excited?” His son had gone over to the little horse and sat down so it would come to him. The horse seemed fascinated and started sniffing him. A giggle came out of Jeremy when it licked his face.
“I love him, Dad!”
He felt Claire’s hand on his arm. It sent curling warmth through his body. “Did you hear that, Dad?”
Vic’s heart thundered in his chest. He studied her lovely profile before facing her. “I heard,” he whispered back, holding her gaze. “When love hits, you know it.”
Her eyes grew a darker gray before she removed her hand and leaned over the fencing. “I think he likes you, too, Jeremy.”
“I know he does.”
“Put your arms around his neck and pull,” Mr. Hershel suggested. “He’ll lie down on you.”
Jeremy did as he said and the horse climbed right into his lap and lay there like a baby. Vic’s eyes smarted as he pulled out his phone and took picture after picture while his boy talked to the horse. Then he took a video. “Have you thought of a name for him?”
“Yeah. Daken! That’s the name of Wolverine’s mutant son.”
Claire smiled at Vic, who’d lowered the phone. “You heard the man, Jim. Daken it is.” Her eyes lingered on his face as if she couldn’t look away. His breath caught. Vic knew she was remembering every single event that had happened from the moment Jeremy had disappeared. Their journey to find him had bonded them in a special way. He could feel it and her eyes didn’t deny it.
“I think we should have a birthday party for him, Dad.”
“But we don’t know when he was born,” he said while still looking at Claire. “That’s why we’re having an unbirthday party.”
“You’re funny, Dad. Let’s play like today is his birthday! What do you think, Claire?”
“I think that’s a perfect idea,” she answered before switching her gaze to Jeremy. Vic noticed new color in her cheeks. If he didn’t know better...
She took some pictures with her cell phone.
The next half hour passed in a blur as Vic did business with Mr. Hershel and the little horse was loaded in the trailer.
“I want to ride with him, Dad.”
“You can’t.”
“But he’ll get scared.”
“It’s not a long ride. He’ll be fine. You have to ride with Claire and me.” They waved to Mr. Hershel and headed back to Austin.
“Do horses cry, Claire?”
“I don’t think so.”
“I bet he’s afraid. I was afraid when I got taken away.”
Finally he’d opened up about the kidnapping. Dr. King said he would when he was ready and she advised Vic to simply listen and support him.
Vic put a hand on Jeremy’s shoulder. “I’m sure you were. We were afraid for you.”
“But you found me.”
“We sure did. That was the happiest moment of my life.”
“Mine, too.”
“Don’t worry about Daken. We’ll be home soon and he’ll forget everything when you can spend all day with him. Just think of the things you have to do when we get home.”
“Comet won’t believe it!”
“Nope. You’ll have to introduce them right off. Then you can fix his stall to make him comfortable and do all that stuff.”
&nb
sp; “Do you think he can eat cake?”
“Probably a bite or two, but he’ll prefer grass.”
“Yeah.”
“I heard Mr. Hershel say the horses like human treats,” Claire interjected from the backseat.
“Hey—I could feed him some Lucky Charms!”
“Maybe a few,” Vic cautioned. “You don’t want to make him sick.”
“What were those things Mr. Hershel gave us, Dad?”
“Some salt bricks and minerals to help keep him healthy. Remember Daken will need water, and he would love to be brushed every day.”
“I love to do that! Comet loves it, too!”
Vic kept the reggae music going while Jeremy leafed through the small brochure Mr. Hershel had given him. There were pictures with directions on how to take care of a miniature horse. With his son’s mind occupied, Vic could concentrate on Claire.
Something significant had happened between them at the farm. For the first time he felt he’d had a glimpse into her soul where her deepest feelings were revealed. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—have touched him, or looked at him like that with such longing otherwise. That was what it was. Longing... He’d swear to it.
He was in a completely different frame of mind than before they’d left Austin that morning. He felt excited, now, about the rest of the day. But after Claire had fixed them a birthday lunch and Jeremy had run out to the barn with some Lucky Charms treats, she informed him that her two married sisters were getting together at her parents’ for a party. If Vic didn’t need her, she was hoping to take the rest of the day off to spend with them.
What could he say? No—I want you to stay here? We need to talk about what happened this morning?
“By all means, be with your family.”
“Thank you. I think it’s good that you and Jeremy have the rest of the day by yourselves. I want him to defer to you. I’ll be leaving next week, so the less I’m around, the better.”
Vic couldn’t have dreamed up what had happened earlier. This was a conscious effort on her part to keep them apart. Vic would let her get away with it this time, but at some point in the next few days he planned to force the truth from her.
The Texas Ranger's Nanny Page 11
