by Diana Duncan
"Bullets?" She grasped his arm. "Gabe, no!"
"This is my job, honey." His warm fingers tenderly brushed her cheek. "On three. One. Two." His body tensed.
"Maybe you should find a new line of work," she quavered.
The megawatt grin she hadn't seen for days gleamed. "Ah, but the fringe benefits can't be beat. Three!" He pushed off the tree trunk and exploded into action.
She couldn't help it; she had to watch. The rough bark dug into her palms as she peered from behind the trunk.
He sprinted around the building. A yelp and a thud rang out. Gabe grunted, and then reappeared carrying a man by the lapels of his denim jacket. Gabe slammed him against the wall and pressed his forearm across the other man's throat. "FBI. Who are you?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
The mute captive stared at him with terror-widened eyes.
"I asked you a question," Gabe growled. "Don't make me ask again." He raised his hand threateningly.
"Wait!" Tessa raced across the grass to his side.
He threw a furious glance in her direction. "I told you to stay put!"
She grabbed his upraised arm. "Don't hurt him."
"I am not going to discuss interrogation techniques with you. Get your butt back to cover. Now!"
"Gabe, he's only a boy." She squeezed his forearm, the rigid muscles unyielding beneath the wool sport jacket.
"Yeah, so?" But the steel bands under her hand eased slightly. His gaze raked over his prisoner. "What are you, eighteen, nineteen?"
"F-fourteen. I'll b-be fifteen next month."
"Big for your age, aren't you? Why are you following Miss Beaumont?"
The teen gulped. His tall body shook in Gabe's grasp.
Tessa studied the boy. "Haven't I seen you at the bank?"
He shuddered. "Y-yeah. The other day."
"That's right. I noticed you in line. Is that why you were watching me, because you recognize me from the bank?"
His head bobbed nervously.
"Let him go, Gabe."
Gabe's gaze burned over the kid again. "What's your name?"
"C-Colin. Colin O'Shea."
Gabe lifted him against the wall. "ID?"
The kid nodded vigorously. "Student ID. B-back pocket."
"Reach one hand around very slowly. Then hold it up."
Gabe silently stared at the ID for a full sixty seconds. "If I were you, I'd quit sneaking around and spying on people. And if you have the slightest thought about hurting this lady…" His arm flexed across the teen's throat and Colin's brown eyes widened farther. "Let's say the idea won't be the best you ever had. But it might be the last."
She tugged on Gabe's sleeve. "You're scaring him."
"I intend to scare him." He drilled his captive with another stare. "You read my message loud and clear?"
"Yeah." He gulped again. "Yes, sir."
Gabe released him, and Colin shot across the grass as if the hounds of hell chased at his heels.
She crossed her arms over her chest to still their trembling. "Was it necessary to scare that boy to death?"
He thrust his fingers through his hair. "Have you seen the news lately? Boys regularly commit robbery, rape and murder. That kid is big, easy to mistake for an adult. He's lucky he didn't follow somebody who shot first and asked questions later."
"Yes, I saw the way you asked questions."
"You think I should have sat him down over a cup of tea and politely inquired about his intentions? Would that be before or after he blasted a bullet through the back of your head?"
She flinched, and he sighed. "I wouldn't have hit him. Basic alpha psychology. Establish dominance, get your suspect cowering and they cooperate." He gripped her shoulders, squeezed gently. "Remember Gregson? The stakes are too high. I can't afford not to play hardball."
"Remind me not to become one of your playmates."
His wicked grin shone for the second time in fifteen minutes, and she had a sudden crazy urge to press her lips to the cleft in his chin.
"Playing hardball with you would be an entirely different game, Houdini."
A flush warmed her from toenails to forehead.
He laughed and stroked his finger under her chin before consulting his watch. "I'd better get you to rehearsal or Steel Lucille will make sure I can't play ball with anyone."
The thought of him with another woman made her queasy. As they crossed the park, her head reeled in confusion. Why should she care? He was a free agent. And she'd soon be a married woman. "The female population of the world would go into mourning, I'm sure."
"Haven't you ever heard of the Goodwill Games? A guy's gotta do what he can to facilitate international relations."
"And they claim patriotism is dead."
He pressed his right hand over his heart. "I regret I have but one libido to give for my country."
"If you start singing "The Star Spangled Banner," I swear, I'll shove you in the pond."
His husky chuckle made her stomach flip. "I'm not much of a singer, but I could show you some fireworks."
"Give it a rest, Cousin Val."
Inside the car, she heaved a relieved sigh. So she hadn't imagined someone following her. Clients had approached her to say hello before. Except Colin hadn't exactly approached her. Perhaps he was shy. After Gabe's macho stunt, the poor kid would probably never dare meet anyone's eye in public.
The clock on the dash read 4:00 p.m. sharp when Gabe dropped her off at the front door of St. Michael's and went to park the car. She started up the steps.
"Tess!" Mel called out. "Wait up." Her friend bounded up the stairs. "Holy crud! Did you run into the makeover fairy?" She embraced Tessa. "You look hot!"
She grinned. "Thanks. Hot is exactly what I was going for."
They waited for Gabe, and the trio strolled into the church.
Phillip, Dale's best friend since college and best man, was there. They chatted in the vestibule until Dale and Lucille arrived fifteen minutes late, highly unusual for the punctual pair.
"Hello, Tessa, dear." Lucille's eyes narrowed. "That shade is—"
"Gorgeously perfect," Mel butted in. "The honey gold matches her eyes. And those shoes are to die for!" Mel turned toward Dale. "Doesn't she look like a hottie in this dress, Dale?"
Tessa could have sworn Gabe winked at Mel.
"She looks great. But then she always does." Dale smiled, but no heat warmed his cool blue eyes. "Sorry we're late. Are you ready?"
So much for sparks. Obviously, her fiancé didn't share Gabe's enthusiasm. Maybe she should have worn the negligee. Lucille would have keeled over on the spot. But knowing Dale, he'd probably exhibit the same subdued reaction. What was she doing committing herself to a man with no passion? And a marriage that was certain to be the same? Bombarded by last-minute doubts, Tessa stopped for a drink of water at the fountain in the vestibule.
Reverend Williams met them at the altar. The tall, gray-haired man smiled. "Everyone's here, let's begin." His gaze settled on Gabe. "Have we met?"
Tessa turned. "This is my, uh, c-cousin, Val. Val, Reverend Williams." Eek. Lying in church. To a man of the cloth, no less. She cringed inwardly, waiting for a lightning bolt to strike.
The reverend shook Gabe's hand. "You're giving away the bride?"
Gabe blanched. "No way!" He edged into a pew toward the rear of the sanctuary.
After a puzzled frown, Reverend Williams recovered his concentration and positioned the wedding party. Patiently, he walked them through the vows.
Out of the corner of her eye, Tessa watched Gabe fidget. The more nervous he grew, the more uneasy she felt.
Reverend Williams intoned, "To love and to cherish, from this day forward, till death do you part."
Gabe slipped out. Moments later, he returned, his face grim. Her stomach churned.
"Tessa?"
She jerked to attention. "I beg your pardon, Reverend?"
He chuckled. "Brides. So distracted." He consulted his book. "I'll say to Dale, 'Do
you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?' And Dale, you'll reply…"
"I do," Dale said, quiet but firm.
The minister turned to Tessa. "And then I'll ask you, Tessa, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
The Reverend's question blazed through her mind.
Tessa glanced over her shoulder at Gabe, a muscle working in his cheek. Then she studied Dale, standing stiffly beside her. Pledging the rest of her life to this man felt wrong. She gulped down the surge of apprehension, the insane urge to blurt out no way, and opened her mouth to respond.
* * *
Chapter 10
« ^ »
"I—" Tessa could not force the words out. She looked up at Dale and saw surprise blooming in his blue eyes. "Ah, just a second. We have to talk. Privately."
Lucille surged to her feet. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Mother." Dale pivoted. "Tessa was speaking to me."
Lucille pinned Tessa with an icy glare. "Don't do anything you'll live to regret, young lady."
"That's enough." Dale held up his hand. "Don't speak to Tessa like that."
Shock blanked out Lucille's face. She blinked. "After all my hard work, all the money I've spent, she's getting cold feet. And you're defending her?"
Dale turned to Tessa. "Give me a couple minutes to calm her down, then we'll talk."
Tessa stared at her fiancé in amazement. Wow, he'd suddenly sprouted a backbone. Perhaps dealing with the immediate problem first would be best. If Lucille launched a rampage to rival Godzilla in downtown Tokyo, they'd never be able to talk without interruption. Heaven knew she didn't want to put this off any longer. "Yes, of course."
"Mother, let's discuss this in the vestibule."
"I'm not going anywhere. This concerns me, too."
Mel stepped out from her maid-of-honor position behind Tessa and confronted Lucille. "This is between Tessa and Dale." The petite women stared one another down, two gun-slingers at high noon. "You seem very upset. I'll bet Reverend Williams has a sofa where you can recuperate." Mel grasped Lucille's arm. "C'mon Dale, let's help your mother to the Reverend's office."
"Miss Parrish, take your hands off me!"
Mel patted Lucille's shoulder. "Now, now. How about a cup of coffee, a glass of water, or maybe a nice eye of newt?"
Dale grasped Lucille's other arm and the duo hustled the protesting matriarch down the aisle. Reverend Williams trotted at their heels like a worried sheepdog.
As they reached the doors, Lucille dug her Gucci pumps into the carpet. "This is a time for the family to circle the wagons."
Mel again patted the distraught woman. "You can tell me all about your girlhood when we get to the office." Mel tossed a wry look over her shoulder, and Tessa gave her friend a tremulous smile. Hurricane Mel to the rescue.
Tessa didn't dare look at Gabe. What must he think of her? She'd insisted on forging ahead with her plans, no matter the inconvenience to him. Worse, he'd been forced to baby-sit her while she ran all over town arranging this momentous event. Now, at the last possible minute, she was pulling the plug.
Needing time to collect herself, she fled to the ladies room. She sank onto a padded white vinyl bench and buried her face in her hands. She'd nearly let her yearning for a family override her common sense and made the worst mistake of her life.
The door creaked. The cushions beside her dipped. Warm fingers kneaded her neck.
She leaned into the comforting touch. "Back so soon? Thanks, Mel."
"You're welcome," Gabe's deep voice replied.
Tessa's head snapped up. Confused, she stared into his concerned green eyes. "I thought you were Mel."
"Nah, she's busy committing a mercy killing. Not that I blame her." Continuing to rub her neck, he touched her cheek with the other hand. "You went toe-to-toe with the dragon, Houdini." His expression turned enigmatic. "In more ways than one. And stood your ground."
She leaned into his touch. "I didn't expect this."
"Remember, honey, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." His talented hand soothed the tight, aching muscles at her nape. "As my foster mom used to say, 'life is wonderful if you don't weaken.'"
"You're chock-full of happy little proverbs." In spite of her inner turmoil, she smiled at his attempt to help.
"You're doing the right thing, Tessie."
Her troubled glance traveled over the gold-and-cream decor. She sure hoped so. "That doesn't make it any easier."
He grinned. "If the right thing was easy, more people would do it."
"True. But I don't want to hurt anybody."
"Look at it this way, you're saving both of you a hell of a lot of pain in the long run."
"I'm sorry I put you through so much trouble."
"And I've never caused you any trouble?" His grin broadened. "I'd say we're finally even."
The door flew open. Mel rushed in, spotted Gabe and lurched to a stop. "Last time I looked, this was the ladies' room. And last time I looked, you most definitely are in the wrong plumbing department."
"Mel, honey, you may be vertically challenged, but you could bulldoze a hungry grizzly bear into retreat." Gabe's easy chuckle spilled out, warming Tessa and taking the edge off her anxiety. "Unlike Lucille, I'm smart enough to know when I'm outgunned."
Mel grinned at him. "And don't you forget it."
Her nerves jitterbugging, Tessa looked at her friend. "Is Dale ready?"
"Not yet. Lucille is pitching a royal hissy fit, and he and the reverend are still reining her in. They nixed my suggestion of a muzzle. He said to tell you it shouldn't be too much longer."
Gabe smiled. "So she's still alive and kicking, huh? You're slipping, Trixie Tornado." He gently stroked Tessa's neck one last time. "I'm outta here. Holler if you need anything."
"I'm feeling better. Let's all wait in the sanctuary."
They returned to the sanctuary, where only Phillip, the somber best man, remained. The trio joined him on the front pew. Heavy silence hung over the empty room.
She stared at the stained glass windows. Blood red and stark cobalt blue. C'mon, Dale, hurry up. She was looking forward to the looming discussion about as much as gum surgery, but wanted the ordeal over with.
Mel glanced at her watch. "That man had better not keep you hanging."
She'd like to confide her change of heart to her friend, but she owed it to Dale to tell him first. She and Mel would have plenty of time later to hash over her decision.
Finally, the sanctuary doors opened, and she swiveled. Dale trudged up the aisle. The dread mixed with sympathy in his expression reminded her of the doctor who had delivered the news that her father had died. She went rigid.
He leaned down, his voice low. "Sorry about the wait. Ready when you are."
Mel squeezed her hand, and Tessa rose on shaky legs. As she passed Gabe, his eyes flashed a silent message of encouragement. She held his gaze, drawing strength from the jade depths, then raised her chin and marched down the dark blue carpet.
Dale escorted her to the pink-and-white bride's dressing room, and sat beside her on a pale pink moire love seat. "I'm listening."
Her hands were trembling, and Tessa pressed them together. This was going to be harder than she thought. Facing reality always was. "Since the robbery, my life has changed in so many ways. I've begun to see things in a new light, see clearly for the first time. I'm not the same woman."
She studied his strong, solid features. They'd had some good times. She was going to miss him. "You're a wonderful man, but we're just not right together. I'm so sorry, Dale, I can't marry you."
He looked away from her and studied the ribboned bouquets dotting the wallpaper. In light of her decision, the overtly bridal decor seemed like a cruel taunt. A long span of heartbeats ticked past. Oh, dear, she hoped she hadn't crushed him. For a man, he was pretty sensitive.
Finally, he spoke. "Perhaps … perhaps, in light of recent developments, that's for the best."
Well,
that was certainly much easier than she'd expected. Too easy. She didn't want to hurt him, didn't want him to cause a scene, but geez, a slight objection wouldn't have been out of line. Or questions about her reasons. "Recent developments?"
He hesitated. "The reason why I was late today is because I got a phone call from a boy named Colin O'Shea."
"Colin O'Shea?" It took her a few seconds. "That's the boy who followed me in the park. You know him?"
"Yes. Five years ago, I gave him violin lessons at the community center. The minute he picked up the bow, I knew he had the special something that distinguishes good from genius."
"He was your student five years ago, and still keeps in touch? Why on earth was he following me around?"
He scrubbed a hand over his solemn face. "He was more than a student. I gave him free private instruction, which is how I met his mother, Maureen. She was funny and easy to talk to, and we became close. I grew to love Colin like he was my own." A tender smile softened his face.
She'd never seen him exhibit this much emotion. In their two years together, he'd never smiled at her like that. She couldn't help it. A niggle of jealousy stung her. His confession struck an all-too-familiar chord. She'd always come dead last in her mother's life—behind her brother, acting, and the man-of-the-moment. "I think I'm beginning to understand. And Maureen?"
"Yes. I eventually fell in love with her, as well." Unaware of her inner tumult, he continued. "At first, being attracted to a woman eight years my senior threw me, but eventually, it ceased to matter. I proposed to Maureen." Looking into the past, his unfocused blue eyes glowed with warmth and vitality.
Bewilderment picked up her scattered thoughts and whirled them through her mind like a stray funnel cloud. He'd proposed to another woman before her? Dale had never mentioned his past, and she'd never asked. "What happened?"
"I knew Mother would react badly, but I hoped…" He sighed. "I decided to marry Maureen anyway. Then Dad got lung cancer. We suffered eight months of hell, and when he died, Mother fell apart. After the funeral, Maureen broke down and confessed she couldn't handle the age difference after all. I tried everything to change her mind, but she wouldn't listen." Pain bracketed his mouth as he fell silent.
