Protecting His Brother's Bride

by Jan Schliesman

  She knew he was teasing her. “I’m completely confident in your abilities.”

  “Then tell me what’s the matter.”

  She couldn’t admit that being with him made her want things she could never have. Made her think about loving someone who thought she was worth loving in return, and building a life and a family with. She swallowed the tears clogging her throat. “I’ve caused you nothing but trouble. I’m sure you wish I’d never found you.”

  He eyed the counter behind her and laughed. “You’d be wrong.”

  “Really? You’re going to embarrass me to death, talking like that.”

  “You weren’t talking very much last night.”

  Kira clamped her hand over his mouth. “Please, stop.”

  He tugged it away. “I think what you meant to say is please don’t stop.”

  She shouldn’t allow him to kiss her again. Shouldn’t kiss him back. The taste of coffee on his lips wasn’t the deterrent she’d hoped for. And his gentle touch was the exact opposite of the way she clutched his shirt.

  She forced her fingers to release him and took a step back. “I, um, really need to finish the dishes.” Walk away, walk away, walk away.

  Dalton mumbled something about checking the Weather Channel forecast, before disappearing from the room.

  Almost an hour later, Kira stood in the doorway to Dalton’s office, watching intently as he read on the laptop. Could it be more of Lauren’s journal? Had he found more entries about the time she’d spent with Josh, or was it all too painful for him to relive? Before Kira could voice the question, he’d lifted the cell phone to his ear.

  “Hey, Ethan, what have you got for me?”

  She couldn’t help the feeling of hope in her chest. Perhaps Dalton meant it when he said he wanted to help.

  The chair squeaked as he stood and then lowered his voice. “What do you mean?”

  Kira held her breath at his tone, taking a step back into the hallway.

  “There must be a birth certificate, Ethan. Try looking under Josh’s name.”

  Kira couldn’t exhale the breath in her lungs and her body shook with the effort to remain silent. This wasn’t about clearing her name.

  There was a lengthy silence, then Dalton spewed a string of words she’d never heard used with such disdain. Something thudded to the floor and she almost peeked around the corner to make sure he was all right.

  “Let me do some more checking on this end.” He ended the call.

  Kira clung to the wall for another moment before easing into the room.

  “Who were you talking to?”

  Dalton slowly turned to face her. “My computer guy at Buckshot’s.”

  She nodded. “Sounded like a serious conversation.”

  He started to respond and then motioned to another chair. “Sit down for a second. We need to talk.”

  She hesitated, the tension ratcheting up another notch. She knew it wasn’t good news.

  “I think I’d rather stand.”

  Kira hadn’t ever seen him looking so unsure during their brief time together. He was definitely choosing his words carefully.

  “Tell me about the day your son was born.”

  “What?” She pressed a palm against her chest, almost certain her heart had quit beating.

  “I want to hear all about the day you went into labor.”

  “You can stop right there.” Kira held up her hand. “I’ve spent the last three years trying not to think about any of it. I’m not giving you a play-by-play.” She’d never shared the whole story with anyone.

  “I’m on your side here.” Dalton’s voice dipped to a soothing tone. “Take your time.”

  Time. It had been years, and yet grief could still bring her to her knees. But this was Dalton, and he’d already seen her fall apart. Comforted her when she’d initially told him about Brandon.

  * * *

  Dalton watched and waited while Kira picked invisible lint from her shirt. She was stalling, or maybe having trouble putting all the events in some kind of order. He wished he could do something to make this easier, but he needed to hear the whole story from her.

  “The entire pregnancy was absolutely normal. I did everything right.” She took a fortifying breath. “Maybe I worked a bit too much, but we needed the money. And then Josh sold a painting.” Kira dropped into the chair across from Dalton. “We got some extra money and Josh insisted on an ultrasound. He wanted to know if we were having a boy or a girl.”

  “Did you want to know?”

  “No. It didn’t matter to me. But he was so excited when we learned it was a baby boy.” There was another long pause, but her features remained the same, almost as if she was watching it happen to someone else.

  “And then what happened?”

  “I never went into labor on my own. I was induced when I was twelve days overdue.”

  He’d have to check with Tate, but so far it didn’t seem unusual. “Did your doctor order any tests to make sure everything was okay?”

  She shook her head. “Finn said some women never go into labor.”

  “Finn?”

  “Yes, Finn Barnes, my doctor.”

  Dalton found a notepad on his desk and quickly scribbled down the name. “And he was an ob-gyn?” He glanced up when Kira didn’t answer him.

  “What hospital were you admitted to?” he pressed.

  “I think he was studying family practice.”

  Every sense Dalton possessed went on high alert. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. His arms broke out in goose bumps and his throat tightened. He reached for the half-empty cup of coffee and downed the remaining liquid before he felt composed enough to continue.

  “So Finn was a friend of yours?”

  “A friend of Josh’s.”

  “Was he a med student?” Dalton tried and failed to keep a neutral tone of voice.

  “I know what you’re thinking, but Finn was at the top of his class. He answered all of my questions and assured me everything would be okay.”

  Dalton cleared his throat. “What hospital?”

  She was immediately defensive. “Lots of women have babies at home. It’s a calmer setting and everything I read said I might feel more relaxed in my own environment.”

  “Brandon was born at home?”

  She finally looked as though her mind had caught up with her mouth. “I think so.”

  “But you aren’t sure?”

  “I went to Finn’s clinic for the Pitocin. He said I could go home as soon as my labor started.”

  “Why couldn’t you have the baby there?”

  “Josh insisted that his son have a home birth. He couldn’t stand that antiseptic smell that lives in every hospital.”

  “What about what was safest for his wife?” Dalton shifted in the chair. “Was there another doctor or even a nurse assisting?”

  Kira seemed surprised at the question.

  “There was no one else helping,” Dalton surmised.

  “I should have gone to the hospital. I know that now, but at the time...” She dropped her face into her hands.

  “Kira, you did what you believed was right.” He pulled her from the chair, wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.

  “Oh, God, this is my fault. If I’d stood up to Josh then, Brandon would be alive.”

  “We don’t know that.”

  She drew away from Dalton. “But you think so, right?” Her voice was softer than he expected, almost emotionless. “Why else would you be asking all these questions?”

  “Kira, I’m trying to understand.”

  “What does any of this matter now?” She swiped the tears from her cheeks. “I know how much it hurts to be betrayed, but I hope you know I never inte
nded to reopen that wound for you.” She took a step away. “I’m sorry.”

  “You need to stop apologizing for everything.” His hands shifted to his hips. “Where’s the woman who fought with me from the moment we met?”

  “Not my usual behavior.”

  “Too bad. She could take care of herself, even if she sucked at planning.” He leaned against the desk and crossed his arms over his chest. “I told her I wanted to keep my brother’s name out of the news, and do you remember what she said?”

  “We can’t always get what we want.”

  “Exactly.” His gaze pinned her in place. “Do you even know what you want, or have you been in survival mode so long you can’t remember what it’s like to live?”

  What gave him the right to examine her life, when he’d been avoiding all human contact for months? At least she’d continued to work and maintain relationships. She froze as the realization hit her.

  “You want to know what I’m avoiding.”

  He waited.

  Her first instinct was to turn and collect herself. After a moment’s hesitation, the words jumped from her lips. “I can’t handle being around kids, especially preschoolers. I look at every little boy and think he could have been mine. One time I even took a chance and introduced myself to a new neighbor, because she was single, like me.”

  Kira couldn’t stand still any longer. She straightened a picture frame, adjusted a lampshade. “I stopped by her apartment one day and her refrigerator was covered with baby pictures. She’s an adoption attorney, and we will never be friends because I can’t handle the constant reminder of what I’m missing. I’ve gotten used to being alone.”

  “That’s not what I asked.” The sternness returned to his voice. Kira pivoted to glare at him, and those warm brown eyes were nearly black. What did he have to be angry about?

  “I miss a lot of things, but I’ll be fine.” If she’d managed to survive the past few years, then wasn’t it proof she could live through anything?

  “I don’t want you to be fine. I want to know you have a goal beyond clearing your name and returning to Midwest Mutual. I want to hear you say you will be happy again.”

  “I’ll be happy again.”

  “You’ll be happy at Midwest Mutual? You’ll be happy living alone? Or you’ll be happy seeing dozens of kids at the grocery store every week?”

  “Damn you, Dalton.” She never meant to yell and certainly never meant to continue her four-letter-word free-for-all. “You don’t know what it’s like to lose a child. Not just a child, but a baby that grew inside me for nine months. A helpless little person I should have been able to protect.”

  “I do understand what you’re talking about. No one knew, but Lauren was pregnant when she died.”

  “I’m sorry.” The words seemed too hollow for his announcement, but all Kira could think was how lucky Lauren was to have ended up with Dalton instead of Josh. Dalton was respectful and honest. Her thoughts skidded to a stop. “If Lauren and Josh were together in the weeks leading up to her death, could he possibly have fathered her baby?”

  “I’ll never know if it was my child or Josh’s. But I won’t close myself off to the possibility of having another child because I might lose again.”

  “Good for you.” Her response was definitely lacking enthusiasm, even though she pasted an encouraging smile on her face. “I’m not going to set myself up for that heartache.”

  “You’re planning to spend the rest of your life avoiding kids?” Skepticism laced his words. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m not sure about anything. And we both know planning is not my strong suit.”

  “You’d be a great mom, Kira, regardless of whether you gave birth to the child or not. What about being a foster parent? Or adoption?”

  She couldn’t think about children of any kind without experiencing a major panic attack. She wasn’t returning to her darkest place, whether or not Dalton understood her feelings.

  “Maybe someday things will change, but right now I need to fight for my freedom and my job.”

  “Kira, you don’t have to worry about money anymore. Josh’s estate is worth several million dollars.”

  “I don’t care!” she yelled. So much for remaining calm and rational. This whole conversation had quickly turned from uncomfortable to ugly.

  Dalton watched her as if he’d cornered a rabid raccoon; torn between letting her wander off or shooting her and putting her out of her misery.

  “After everything he put you through, I think you deserve some security.”

  “The one thing he took from me can’t be replaced by money. Holding my child would have given me a measure of closure.” Kira hugged her arms tightly around her middle and drew a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. Why was it such a struggle to move forward?

  Dalton took a step closer and then Kira heard a high-pitched beep that could only be a cell phone. He paused, yanked the phone from his pocket and studied the screen.

  “I need to take this.”

  Of course he did.

  She stormed to the hallway, determined to get as far away from him as possible. She probably didn’t need to slam the door as she left, but it felt good to make a little noise.

  Chapter 16

  Dalton shoved the cheap phone against his ear and released an impatient sigh. “Your timing sucks, as usual.”

  “And I’m saving your ass, as usual,” Tate barked. “You and Kira need to get to a safe spot and hunker down.”

  Dalton reached for the rifle hidden behind the bookcase and then swept a shelf clean, revealing two boxes of ammunition. “Why? We heard the snowmobiles. Your guys can’t be too far away.”

  “Those aren’t my guys.”

  Dalton loaded the rifle and shoved extra shells into his pockets while mentally mapping the house’s layout. Getting Kira to the second floor was the only answer. From there they’d be able to spot anyone approaching on foot.

  “Talk to me,” Tate insisted.

  Dalton glanced out the window and spotted a figure stomping through the snow. Kira. Her name stuck in his throat. She was marching across the yard, wearing one of his coats and an oversize pair of boots, completely oblivious to the danger.

  “Kira is outside.”

  “I’m on my way, Dalton. Don’t do anything crazy.”

  “Crazy? What part of the last seventy-two hours hasn’t been crazy?” And now a woman who three days ago he hadn’t known existed was the most important person in his life. It shouldn’t matter at all if he ceased to exist; he’d barely been living before she stumbled into his world. But Kira deserved more.

  “I’m sorry, Tate, for everything.” Saying the words was much easier than Dalton expected. No bitterness. No blame. Nothing left to do but flip the phone closed and drop it in his shirt pocket. He would get Kira out of harm’s way. And then he’d destroy the reputation of his only brother to clear her name.

  Gunshots echoed through the house as he heard the front door being kicked open. Kira must have disarmed the alarm. The intruders were already inside, but if there was any luck left in his world, Dalton would take them out before they discovered she was gone. Stay smart, Kira. Run for cover. He eased to the doorway, rifle barrel extended and finger on the trigger. At least two men. He listened, moved carefully and noticed the shadow making its way up the stairwell.

  Divide and conquer. They were splitting up. His odds improved. Dalton waited impatiently for the squeaky floorboard over his head to signal the man’s location, before creeping down the hallway toward the kitchen.

  One Mississippi. Two Mississippi. He propped the rifle against his shoulder as he focused his attention on the other doorway. One good shot. It was all he needed. His heart pounded as he silently prayed for Kira to remain far from the house.

  A gu
n barrel appeared in the opening, followed by bare fingers and then arms encased in a white parka. An alarm beeped on the far side of the kitchen, and only then did Dalton notice the scent of freshly baked bread. The bread machine finished its cycle. The intruder turned his assault weapon toward the noise and fired at least ten times as he entered the room.

  Dalton fired once, the rifle’s blast propelling the man and his weapon against the island countertop. He was dead before he hit the floor, the white parka streaked with crimson. Dalton dragged the body behind the island, buying an extra minute before the second gunman could see that his buddy was dead.

  Digging through the guy’s jacket, Dalton’s fingers latched on to a cell phone, which he quickly discarded. No sense in possessing a device that was certain to announce their location to whomever it was linked to. He unzipped one of the coat’s pockets and collected two sets of keys. One of the key chains advertised a ski shop, the other, a national rental car agency. Shoving both into his own pocket, Dalton peeked around the corner of the kitchen’s island.

  No sign of the second intruder. He retrieved the dead man’s weapon from a few feet away and then remained hidden behind the island, sliding closer to the door and the alarm panel. It seemed as if another minute passed, but in all honesty it was probably only a few seconds before he heard footsteps at the top of the stairwell.

  “Rico?” a voice called.

  Dalton would have answered, if only he knew what Rico’s voice sounded like. Instead, he opted to hit the alarm panel and set off a deafening wail of sirens as a distraction, before he sprinted through the door and across the snow-covered yard in search of Kira.

  Following her tracks, he prayed he’d make it to the shelter of the trees without getting shot. The thought of Kira being unarmed, and facing the remaining man alone if anything happened to him, propelled Dalton forward.

  The sirens behind him were silenced faster than he expected. Only someone with the code should have been capable of deactivating the alarm. The last few strides to the cover of the trees were made in a panic-fueled haze. What if she was gone? What if another man was posted outside, to prevent anyone from escaping? Dalton stopped and pivoted, the assault rifle at his shoulder, to check the area he’d covered, in case someone was close behind.