The Bachelor Pact Box Set

by Rita Herron

  A pretty dress for a beautiful woman.

  A shiver rippled through her. It was exactly the type of sexy dress Emmet would have chosen.

  Had he found her?

  Her finger shook as the punched Wallace’s number. He didn’t answer, so she left a message.

  “Call me. I have to know if Emmet’s found me.”

  Her hand trembled as she stuffed the dress back inside the bag.

  Then she carried her drink to her patio. A cruise boat sailed by, Christmas lights twinkling. Voices and laughter drifted to her in the breeze. A party was on board, Christmas carols wafting through the air.

  Lucy had never seen anything so beautiful in her life.

  But she had never been so lonely either.

  Twice she’d walked along Venetian Drive down to Atlantic and strolled the streets, which were filled with tourists and locals enjoying the coffee shops and restaurants. She’d even gotten a little shopping in.

  Yet each step she’d taken, she’d searched the crowd for Emmet, afraid he was watching her.

  Even now, she couldn’t help but wonder if he was lurking in one of those small fishing boats docked along the pier.

  2 days until Christmas

  Reid woke to the sound of a rhinoceroses growling. No, a pack of them.

  A symphony of similar sounds roared through the cellblock, reminding him he hadn’t spent the night in his own bed.

  That he’d been arrested for stalking the woman he loved.

  It was also Christmas Eve, he had no gift for Lucy, and not a clue where she was.

  Footsteps clattered, the sound of a baton banging the cell doors echoing, then a guard stopped in front of him. “Reid Summers. Come with me. A federal marshal wants to talk to you.”

  Reid’s heart tripped a beat. A federal marshal?

  Keys jangled as the guard unlocked the cell door and gestured for Reid to go with him. Reid followed beside the man, reminding himself to remain calm.

  If he acted like a crazed person, they’d lock him back up.

  Five minutes later he was seated in an interrogation room, his handcuffed hands splayed on the table. A low light hung over the scarred table, the room bare except for the table and three straight chairs.

  He tapped his foot on the floor while he waited, straightening when a tall silver-haired man entered. His face looked slightly haggard, his eyes steely gray.

  “Mr. Summers,” he said. “My name is Marshal Bannister.”

  “What’s going on?” Reid asked.

  Marshal Bannister folded his arms. “What were you doing in Lucy Lane’s apartment?”

  Frustration knotted every muscle in Reid’s body. “She’s my girlfriend.”

  The marshal’s eyes flickered with interest. “Is that so?”

  “Yes,” Reid said. “We’ve been dating for the past few months.”

  “Hmm.” The marshal studied him. “She didn’t mention you to me.”

  “Why would she?” Reid asked. For cripes sake, surely Lucy wasn’t two-timing him with this crusty codger.

  Marshal Bannister leaned forward. “Listen, Mr. Summers, this is serious. According to the police, you broke in and Miss Lane’s clothing and shoes had been strewn across her bed and closet.”

  “First of all, Lucy showed me where she keeps the spare key,” Reid said. Although come to think of it, why hadn’t she given him a key? Because she didn’t want him catching her with another man? “And second, I didn’t make that mess.”

  “When did you last see Lucy?”

  Reid mentally counted back the days. “Six days ago. I spent the night with her, then she received a phone call from her agent saying he’d scheduled an audition for Lucy. She packed in a hurry and I left. I haven’t heard from her since.”

  “So what were you doing at her place last night?”

  He hesitated. If Lucy was trying to dump him, he was going to look like the biggest fool ever.

  “Mr. Summers?” Marshal Bannister said tersely.

  “I wanted to surprise her with a Christmas tree.”

  The man’s mouth tightened, but Reid thought he was fighting a smile. “Was anyone at her apartment when you arrived?”

  “No,” Reid answered. “At least I didn’t find anyone there. But the stove was hot as if someone had just used it, and there was a bubble bath waiting in the tub.”

  “You didn’t run the bath?” Marshal Bannister asked.

  Reid shot up from the table, his anger churning. “Hell, no. When I saw it, I thought maybe…never mind.”

  “Maybe what?”

  Reid paced to the wall and turned to face the Marshal. “That maybe Lucy lied to me, that she hadn’t left town. That she was seeing someone else.” If the man was seeing Lucy would he fess up now?

  Marshal Bannister made a low sound in his throat, then glanced at his phone. A knock sounded at the door, then another officer stepped inside, leaned over and whispered something in the man’s ear. Bannister cursed, then stood.

  “Excuse me, I need to make a phone call.”

  “Wait just a damn minute,” Reid said. “What the hell is going on? The cops accused me of stalking Lucy. Why would they think I was a stalker?”

  Bannister tugged at his tie, indecision on his face.

  “I have a right to know,” Reid said. “Did something happen to Lucy?”

  “I hope not,” Bannister said. “But you are free to go, Mr. Summers.”

  Perspiration beaded on Reid’s neck. “What does that mean? You hope nothing happened to her?”

  “Just go home,” Bannister said. “And let the police take care of the situation.”

  “Take care of what situation?”

  But Bannister didn’t answer. He was already punching a number on his phone as he left the room. The guard gestured for him to follow him, then escorted Reid through security. His handcuffs were removed, and a heavyset woman in a uniform handed him his personal items.

  He grabbed his phone and keys, then hurried outside.

  Dammit, he didn’t have a way home. He’d have to call Lance.

  No, he didn’t want Lance to know what had happened.

  He dialed Lucy’s number and prayed she’d answer and tell him that this whole mess was a big misunderstanding. But the phone rang and rang, then a recording clicked on saying her message box was full.

  So she hadn’t been picking up her messages?

  That was odd. Lucy’s car didn’t crank unless she was on her cell phone.

  Worry knotted his insides as he hunted for a taxi. If the police thought he was stalking Lucy, did that mean she actually had a stalker?

  If she did, why hadn’t she told him?

  Early morning sunlight glinted off the water, signaling another beautiful day in Delray as Lucy stepped onto her patio. She waved to the Silver Sneakers as they headed down to the beach wearing their reindeer antlers. She could hear the jingle bells on their shoes and their chatter all the way down to the jetty.

  Still, Lucy felt glum. Two days until Christmas and no word from Marshal Bannister.

  Her phone beeped that she had a text, and she read the message from her sister.

  Call me asap. Newspaper story this morning said police arrested a man named Emmet Roach for stalking you. What’s going on? Where are you?!

  Lucy jumped up and squealed. The sound must have carried in the breeze because the Silver Sneakers turned and looked at her. She waved that she was fine, then covered her mouth to stifle another cheer.

  But her relief was short-lived.

  If the police had Emmet, why hadn’t Wallace Bannister informed her?

  Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, Lucy told herself. This means you can go home!

  Wallace was probably dealing with the paperwork, making sure Emmet didn’t get out this time.

  Knowing her sister was worried, she punched Sophie’s number. Her sister answered on the first ring, her voice strained.

  “Where have you been?” Sophie asked. “I’ve been frantic
, and Reid has called a hundred times.”

  “Slow down, sis, everything’s okay now.”

  “What do you mean, it’s okay now? I thought you flew to L.A. for an audition.”

  “That was my cover story,” Lucy said, hating that she’d been forced to lie. “I had to leave town.”

  “So the story about the stalker is true?”

  Lucy noticed a man on the beach and squinted to make out his face, then realized she could stop searching for Emmet everywhere she turned. “Yes, I’m afraid so. But he’s back in jail, so it’s over.”

  “You mean you had a stalker and didn’t tell me?”

  “It happened two years ago while I was in Vegas,” Lucy said. “The police finally arrested him, and I thought it was all behind me. Then a few days ago he was on a prison bus and broke out.”

  Lucy waved to Mae as she settled on her balcony next door with the morning obits.

  “The Marshal handling my case thought it was a good idea if I left town until he was apprehended.”

  A long heartbeat passed. “You haven’t told Reid any of this?”

  “No,” Lucy said. “I wanted to protect you and him in case Emmet tried to use you to get to me.”

  “Lucy, is this guy dangerous?” Sophie asked.

  Lucy debated. “I don’t know. He used to leave me gifts, forced me to go with him once. He’s crazy, Sophie. He thinks he’s in love with me.” She hesitated. “And I don’t know what prison did to him.”

  Another awkward moment. “Well, now he’s been found, you can come home.”

  Lucy wanted to go back, but the Silver Sneakers waved that they’d found sand dollars to make more ornaments, and she remembered how excited they were about the Christmas talent show and knew she couldn’t leave until the show was over.

  “I can’t, Sophie.”

  “Why not? Is it about Reid? Are you trying to break up with him?”

  Dear God, was that what Reid thought? “No. I love Reid, but that Marshal I mentioned got me a job at this sixties-and-up community named Sunset Vista in Delray Beach and we’re planning a talent show on Christmas Eve. The residents are so excited I can’t just run out on them.”

  Sophie muttered something Lucy couldn’t understand.

  “I’m sorry, Sophie, don’t be mad.”

  “I’m not mad,” Sophie said. “I’m…proud of you, Lucy.”

  Lucy’s pulse fluttered. “I have an idea. Why don’t you come here for the show. We can still spend Christmas together.”

  “What about Reid and Lance and Maddie and Chase? And Deseree?”

  Lucy twisted her hair into a ponytail. “You’re right. It’s not fair to ask them to leave their plans. I’ll stay for the show then drive home Christmas day.”

  “That sounds good. And listen, Lucy,” Sophie said. “If you really care about Reid, call him and explain.”

  Lucy hated confrontation. “I’ll just surprise him when I come home.”

  Her phone buzzed, and she saw Bannister’s number. “Hey, this is that Marshal calling. See you soon.”

  Sophie agreed, and she clicked to answer Bannister’s call. “Hey, Wallace. My sister texted that she saw the story about Emmet’s arrest in the paper.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry, Lucy,” Marshal Bannister said. “But that was a mistake. Two officers that were watching your place did find a man in your house and arrested him. I don’t know how the papers got hold of it, but they got it all wrong.”

  Lucy gripped her phone with sweaty fingers. “What do you mean, they got it all wrong?”

  “The man they arrested claimed he was your boyfriend, but it wasn’t Emmet.”

  “It wasn’t?”

  “No. Do you have a line of men chasing you, Lucy?”

  If not, Emmet, then who? She sank onto the lounge chair as the truth dawned. “Oh, my God. Don’t tell me you arrested Reid?”

  “Yes, that was his name,” Bannister said.

  “Oh, no,” Lucy whispered. “Where is he now?”

  “I questioned him, then released him.”

  “Did you explain about Emmet?”

  “No,” Bannister said. “I figured if you’d wanted him to know you would have told him.”

  Dear Lord. She should have told him.

  “Where is he now?”

  “I have no idea,” Bannister said. “But the problem is that Emmet is still out there.”

  Nausea climbed Lucy’s throat as she hung up. No telling what Reid was thinking…

  And that man on the beach…he could have been Emmet.

  Panicked, she texted Sophie back and told her that Emmet was still on the loose, and that she wouldn’t be coming home until he was.

  They would have to celebrate Christmas without her.

  Now, what to do about Reid? Maybe it was best to leave him in the dark until Emmet was caught.

  Then she’d explain everything. She just hoped he would forgive her when she did. After all, she was trying to protect him.

  That was what a girl did when she loved a man, wasn’t it?

  Emmet’s chest bubbled with excitement as he studied the Sunset Vista. He was going to rescue Lucy from this place.

  Why, the people were almost antiques.

  The plastic Santa waved to him from the lawn, giving him an idea. Maybe he and Lucy would have a Christmas wedding. Then they would honeymoon together and make a Christmas baby…

  He’d heard the women on the beach discussing their upcoming Christmas Eve talent show. They were all dressing in festive attire. The show was open to the public.

  It was the perfect opportunity for him to sneak inside. Now, he just needed to find something Christmasy to wear. A disguise of some sort so he could get close to Lucy.

  He clapped his hands in glee and began to hum Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer as he headed into town to find a costume.

  Chapter 6

  Reid had just stepped from the shower when his cell phone buzzed. He snatched it up, hoping it was Lucy, but Sophie’s name flashed on the caller ID screen.

  “Reid,” Sophie said in a strained voice. “We need to talk.”

  Reid’s stomach plummeted. “What’s wrong?”

  “Did you see the newspaper this morning?”

  “No,” Reid said. “I just got out of jail.”

  “Jail?”

  “Yes,” Reid said. “I went to Lucy’s to surprise her with a Christmas tree -- ”

  Okay, he was officially a bona fide sap. “-- but the police busted in and arrested me.”

  “Oh, dear lord,” Sophie whispered.

  “They accused me of stalking her,” Reid grumbled.

  “Oh, dear lord,” Sophie said.

  Reid tossed his towel aside. “Stop saying that and tell me what’s going on.”

  “First of all, I just talked to Lucy and she’s okay,” Sophie said.

  A mixture of emotions pummeled Reid. He wanted her to be okay.

  But that meant she was ignoring his calls.

  “She didn’t go to L.A. for an audition,” Sophie said.

  So she had lied to him. “I see,” Reid said tightly. “She left me and was too chicken to tell me.”

  “That’s not it,” Sophie said, sounding annoyed.

  “Then why hasn’t she called me?”

  “She’s trying to protect you.”

  “Protect me?” Reid asked. “From what? I know about her dancing. What other secrets does she have?”

  “Well,” Sophie hedged.

  Reid cursed. “Spit it out, Sophie.”

  “She does have a stalker,” Sophie said. “That’s why the police were watching her place and arrested you.”

  Sophie’s words boomeranged in Reid’s ears. Suddenly the cop’s accusations, the underwear across the bed…they’d called him a pervert – it all made sense. “Who’s stalking Lucy?” he asked, barely able to control the rage bubbling inside him.

  “His name is Emmet Roach,” Sophie explained. “He’s been in prison but apparently he e
scaped.”

  “And the police think he’s coming after Lucy?” Reid said, his heart hammering.

  “Yes.”

  “Where is she, Sophie?”

  “She doesn’t want me to tell you,” Sophie said. “She said she’ll come home after he’s apprehended.”

  Hurt mingled with worry. If she’d told him, he could have protected her. Dammit. That was the way it was supposed to work.

  “I’m going after her,” Reid said. “She shouldn’t be alone if some psycho is after her.”

  “Reid –”

  “Either tell me where she is or I’ll find out myself.”

  “Reid –”

  “For God’s sake, tell me, Sophie. I’m not going to let Lucy go through this alone.”

  Tension stretched between them, then Sophie finally replied. “You’re right. We should all be together on Christmas.”

  “Sophie –“

  “Let me call Lance and my mother. If Lucy can’t be here, we’ll go to her tomorrow.”

  “All right. I’ll call Maddie and Chase,” Reid said. “We’ll take Christmas to Lucy.”

  But when he hung up, his imagination went crazy with awful things that this freak might do to Lucy if he found her.

  Reid didn’t know if he could wait one more day to see her.

  Then again, he needed the time. He still didn’t have Lucy’s Christmas present…

  Christmas Eve

  All afternoon and into the evening, Lucy felt jittery. Every time the door opened to the common room, she jumped like a reindeer caught in headlights.

  Now night had set in, Christmas Eve was upon them, and the excitement over the Secret Santa gifts and the program was mounting.

  Red and green streamers draped the walls, the Christmas lights glittered, and everyone had contributed party foods, decorative cupcakes and Christmas punch for the celebration after the show.

  One Secret Santa gift remained on the table. Her name was on the card.

  She glanced around the room where three residents were finishing decorating the stage, then through the picture glass window at the pool area, but didn’t see anything suspicious.