His mother looked suitably impressed. Emma pushed a mug against his hand and winked at him. “Ask Noah how good I am with computers. You should see what I did with his.”
He laughed. That was one story he’d prefer to keep between them.
Chapter 18
Spider lifted one of the framed prints leaning against the wall and stared in awe at the beauty presented behind the glass. She’d been to New York City once, but she’d hadn’t seen it through eyes like this.
The sky was painted violet against the backdrop of Times Square. A little boy gripped someone’s hand out of the frame and gazed up in wonder at the neon lights and signs. The backdrop of Times Square was fascinating, but it was the expression on the child’s face that carried her back to that feeling of discovering something wonderful for the first time.
It was such a beautiful picture.
“What do you think?”
Startled, she almost dropped the frame as she spun at the sound of Noah’s voice. She hadn’t realized he’d come back inside after seeing his parents off.
He nodded at the photo she held. “I took that one last year.” He reached for one of the other prints propped against the wall. “This one is my favourite.”
Taken from the harbour at sunset, the skyline of New York City was vibrant, rich in colours, and made the perfect image for a postcard or poster.
“They’re amazing, Noah. I had no idea.”
He set the frame back down. “I always try to take at least one week every year to go somewhere I’ve never been. Somewhere I can go with my camera and explore. It started as a hobby, but…” He shrugged. “Hopefully, I can make money from it. We’ll see.”
Spider was pretty sure he had a bright career in front of him if these were any indication. “I always say I’m going to travel, but going to Dragoncon sucks all my vacation money away every year.”
“Dragoncon. That’s like Comic Con, only it’s in Atlanta, right? I’ve never been.”
Spider smiled. “It’s so much fun! You and your camera would love it. All the cosplayers – people in costume,” she clarified in case he didn’t know. She got excited remembering it. “I’ve been known to stand in a corner and just take pictures for hours. Your pictures would probably be amazing.”
“Do you cosplay?”
“Me?” She snorted. “I am not that talented, or patient. I would never be able to decide which character to cosplay as.” She let her words trail off, wondering if she should admit such things. Too geeky? Probably not an attractive quality in a woman, not to a hottie like him.
He smiled. “Let’s do it.”
“Do what?”
“Go to Dragoncon. Let’s plan on it. You don’t mind if I tag along, do you?”
She’d be thrilled to have a companion. She usually went solo or met up with online friends. “Sure, but it’s usually in September.” That was almost six months away.
“Good. Maybe I can talk you into cosplaying by then. Sounds like it would be fun.”
“You would cosplay?”
“Yeah.” He drew out the response in a tone that suggested she was ridiculous for asking. Pushing a hand through his hair, he picked up some of the frames and carried them over to the dining room table.
Wait. He was making plans for them? Long-term plans?
Hope surged through her chest and caused her heart to do a Snoopy dance. He certainly seemed to be taking whatever this thing was between them seriously. She hadn’t fully let herself trust that he would, choosing only to believe they’d share a week, maybe two, before he started trying to ditch her. She was ready for that. She could deal with that.
Don’t overthink this. Remember your five-year plan.
Biting her lip, she picked up a couple of frames and followed him. “So how are you doing? Seriously, and don’t tell me what you think I want to hear.”
He didn’t answer for several seconds. “I don’t really know how to describe what I’m feeling.”
She considered that. “Do you want to be alone?”
“No.” He was emphatic.
She glanced around, wondering if she should suggest either of the ideas she’d been kicking around in her brain since this morning. Daylight still shone through the curtains, and it wouldn’t be getting dark for at least a few more hours.
How could she ask him to go with her to search the area for his mother’s body when he’d only just learned Kate was his mother?
“What are you thinking about?”
Her gaze darted to his, and she shook her head. “Nothing.” She forced a smile. “What do you want to do with the rest of the day?”
His expression suggested he was deep in thought, but finally, he met her gaze. “This might sound crazy, but what if we went to this lake and took a look around? Would you be up for that?”
She almost blurted out an enthusiastic yes, but concern kept her in check. “Would you?”
He nodded. “I’d like to put this all behind me, and I don’t think I’ll be able to until I have more answers.”
“Then let’s go.” She gestured toward the door. “I can have the boys packed up and ready in fifteen minutes. Meet me there?”
“You want to bring the pets? Emma, this isn’t—”
“Hello! I’m not a total ditz.” She frowned. “They always use dogs on TV to search for dead bodies. I happen to have two awesome canines at my disposal.” She straightened. “Besides, Kellan has to work tonight, some charity party, so he can’t watch them.”
Rubbing at the back of his neck, Noah offered a smile in apology. “I think dogs have to be trained to find bodies.”
“And one of the dogs in my care is blind. I figure that makes his sense of smell sharper than most.” She crossed her arms. “Isn’t it at least worth a try?”
He hesitated. “Let’s do it.”
Fifteen minutes later, exactly as she’d predicted, Spider had Charlie and Costello leashed up, Abbott secured in his carry cage, and plenty of fresh water, treats and other supplies for them bundled up in her bag. The dogs did happy little doggy dances at the door, eager to go for a ride, and the cat was already asleep.
Spider shrugged into her leather jacket in case it got cooler after dark and met Noah outside. “What kind of supplies should we bring? A shovel? Flashlights? What else?” She wrangled the animals into his jeep.
Noah paled a little. “I don’t think we should worry with a shovel. We’re only going to look around.”
“But—”
He shook his head. “No shovels. I’ll grab some flashlights in case we need them.”
Crossing her arms, Spider hopped into the passenger seat. She was still pouting when he came out carrying two flashlights. How did he expect them to find an almost thirty-year-old grave without a shovel?
“You have your phone, right?”
Nodding, she pulled it out of her pocket and checked the battery life. It was almost at full charge since she’d left it plugged in all morning.
Once they were on the road, Noah relaxed. “I’ve never been to this lake. You?”
She nodded. “A few times when I was younger.” Paul’s family had a cabin out there. “I’ve never been a water person. I prefer the mountains to the beach or lake.”
Glancing in the rearview, he pulled onto the highway. “What kind of car does your ex drive?”
“Paul?” A horrible thought occurred to her, and she turned to look behind them. “He used to drive a truck.”
“A red one?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I think he’s following us. See that one back there? That him?”
Yes! Oh, for the love of—
Reaching for her phone, Spider scrolled through her contact list. Her finger hovered over her father’s name before scrolling down to the number for Jack she’d added the night before. He answered quickly.
“I’m pretty sure Paul is following us. Is there anything you can do?”
The older man swore. “Where are you?”
“We’re headed to Lake Allatoona. We just got on the highway.”
Jack cleared his throat. “Is he on duty?”
“He’s in his truck, if that’s what you’re asking.” She looked in the side mirror to see if Paul was still behind them. He was. “What should we do?”
“Don’t do anything.” He swore again. “I’ll call and talk some sense into him. If he doesn’t stop following you in the next ten minutes, call me back.” He hung up.
Spider risked a glance at the man beside her. His knuckles were showing white where he gripped the steering wheel, and he kept shifting his gaze between the road and the mirror.
“I’m sorry.” She sighed. “I kind of have a lot of baggage.”
Noah could have any woman he wanted. Pretty soon, he’d grow tired of having to deal with Paul making a nuisance of himself. Another reason she shouldn’t let herself hope their fling was anything more than that.
She glanced at him, unable to help comparing him with her psycho ex. Noah was nothing like Paul. He’d respected her need for distance when she’d been mad at him, had spent more time running away from her than chasing her and he’d been a kind, patient lover, more focused on her pleasure than his own. Could that mean his feelings for her extended beyond sexual chemistry? ‘Cause hers certainly had begun to.
Noah’s shoulders visibly relaxed, even as he frowned at her. “It’s not your fault, Emma.” He shifted in his seat. “Maybe we should save this for tomorrow.”
“No!” No way was she letting Paul interfere again. “Jack will get him to leave us alone.”
“Or he’ll just let him know we’re onto him so he can try something different.”
Or that.
Every muscle in her body tensing, Spider sank into her seat and watched the red truck behind them as it followed in the side mirror. Finally, after what seemed like ages, the vehicle veered right onto an exit ramp.
She called Jack right away. “Thank you. What did you say to him?”
“That he was needed at work.” Jack took a deep breath. “I didn’t let on that you knew he was following you. Emma, the boy’s probably still pining for you. That’s all. Maybe he’s just trying to keep an eye on you since you’re seeing this new guy. I wouldn’t jump to conclusions. Paul’s not stupid. He knows your dad would have his hide if he did anything to hurt you.”
Self-doubt chased the worry from her mind. “I don’t know.”
“If he gives you any more trouble, call me. You be careful, you hear?”
Hanging up with her father’s friend, she still couldn’t shake the feeling they were being followed. Paranoia settled like a bird in a nest in her stomach. Giving up this mission might have been the smartest option, but Noah wasn’t the only one desperate for answers.
Spider needed them, too.
***
Noah grabbed one of the dog’s leashes – the short, stubby one – and tested one of the flashlights.
Emma leaned into the car, murmuring promises to the cat that she’d return soon. Noah waited until she and the other dog were out to crack the windows and activate his car alarm. The cat should be fine. He didn’t plan to go far.
“You’re sure this is the spot?” he asked again.
She nodded, stumbling along after the larger dog that already had his nose to the ground following an invisible trail. “This is where you, or Kate, told us to look.”
The area wasn’t crowded. Only two other people mulled about the place, and they were packing up their things and leaving. The entrance sign had warned that this part of the park would be closing at 8 p.m., which was in less than an hour. A boat ramp led to the lake while grills and picnic tables under sheds lined the edge of the trees.
“We’ll never find anything out here.”
“Have some faith. We haven’t even started looking yet.” She frowned at him.
He swept his arm toward the forest. “Look at this place. If a body was hidden here, it would have already been found.”
“Then I suggest we start further out where it would be easier to hide a body.”
He let her lead the way, growing more and more doubtful by the minute. Neither dog seemed interested in anything except hiking their legs and peeing on everything. He finally stopped when shadows began to engulf the scenery. “We shouldn’t go much further. We should get back to the cat.”
She sighed, her expression etched in disappointment.
Can’t leave. Almost there.
Whoa. Where had that thought come from?
Emma started to turn around, but he grabbed her arm. “Let’s give it a few more minutes.”
She searched his face. “Really?”
Nodding, he wiped a hand over his mouth and glanced down at the dog at her feet. He could hardly believe he was doing it, but he opened his mouth and said, “Kate. If you’re with us, we could use some help.”
Barking ripped the silence as Costello started huffing and bouncing toward the trees to their right.
Almost immediately, Charlie jerked his head down, caught scent of something, and started pulling hard to the right. Emma clung onto his leash and trailed after him. “Okay, Charlie, lay off the crack. You almost took my arm off.”
They walked for several minutes, and it seemed Charlie was being led somewhere by something neither he nor Emma could identify. The blond chubby mutt kept looking up, tilting his head, and following the same path. Holy hell. What were the animals seeing?
The dog started circling a log, dug at the ground beside it, then lifted his leg and peed on the fallen tree. Frustrated, Noah was going to suggest they turn back when Charlie started digging at the ground again, pushing at the pine needles with his nose.
“He’s found something.” Emma knelt beside the dog and glanced up at Noah.
Costello shuffled over and started pawing at the ground, too. The ground was soft from a recent rain, and it didn’t take long for them to make a dent in the spot. Emma turned her flashlight on and pointed it at the area they were focused on, even as something inside Noah cried out This is it!
The dogs dug and dug, kicking dirt all over the place until a small hole had formed. Both Costello and Charlie stuck their heads in the hole and tugged at something with their teeth. Emma pushed them quickly away.
“Noah, I see something!”
“What?” He knelt and used his hands to brush away dirt and pine needles.
She plucked something out of the hole. Long, yellowish-white. Definitely some kind of bone. “Is this what I think it is?”
His stomach was tied up in knots. “Yeah.”
She arched a brow at him. “Bet you wish we had brought that shovel now, don’tcha?”
***
Spider’s body was as heavy as a pile of bricks by the time they made it home after midnight, but her mind was still buzzing with nervous excitement over what they’d found.
The lake had been outside of her father’s jurisdiction, but he’d called the appropriate authorities and then met them at the gravesite too. She was pretty certain he mainly wanted to size up Noah, but her father had been his usual take-charge gruff self, spending more time chatting with the officers at the scene than with her or Noah. They’d given a statement and left, with her father’s parting comments weighing on her mind the entire drive back.
“It’ll take them a while to do testing to identify the body. No telling who it is. I’ve asked them to keep me in the loop.”
Spider didn’t need test results to know whose body it was. Kate Levine. There was no doubt in her mind.
“Do you think they’ll find any evidence at the grave site to prove who killed her?” Spider had asked.
“Doubt it,” her father had said. “But you never know. They’ll have a body, so that’ll make it easier to press charges if they ever catch the suspect.”
At least that was something.
Noah had been quiet on the drive back, pulling into Zach’s driveway and following her inside without a word until he informed her, “If Kellan isn�
�t going to be around, I’m staying here tonight. No arguments.”
She didn’t want to be alone, but mostly, she didn’t want him to be alone. She had no idea what was going on in that head of his. The man was stubbornly unreadable sometimes. But if she had to guess, he was sorting through some heavy feelings. They’d probably just found his birth mother’s body, for Pete’s sake.
When he returned, he put his things on the sofa. “Got any sheets I could borrow?”
“You want to sleep on the sofa?” She hadn’t meant for her voice to sound quite so … shocked.
“It’s probably better.” He gestured toward the door. “I can keep an eye out from here without any—” He looked her over. “—distractions.”
“You can stay in the guest room with me, or you can stay in another room if you prefer to sleep alone.”
“The sofa is fine.”
So this was it, then. The first of the inevitable excuses he’d give to untangle himself from her. Crossing her arms, she started to call him out on it, but no. The shadows under his eyes reminded her of the rough day he’d had. Piling more drama onto that would only justify his efforts to push her away.
“I’ll grab you some sheets.”
The relief that flittered across his expression would have been hurtful if she’d allowed it to be. Instead, she focused on making him as comfortable as possible while she went over everything that had happened tonight. She doubted she’d be able to sleep after all the excitement.
But when she fell into bed minutes later, she drifted off within minutes and Noah was the last thought on her mind.
* * *
Noah stared at the ceiling and came to a reluctant conclusion.
He wasn’t cut out for this.
Emma deserved someone better, more stable in her life. Not someone who’d discovered everything he’d believed his entire life was a lie. The disapproval in her father’s eyes tonight had sealed the deal. Last thing he wanted was to come between her and her old man, especially since the bond between them was obvious to anyone with eyes. Noah craved that kind of relationship and knew he’d never have it. The man whose sperm had given him life had wanted nothing to do with him, apparently. The man who’d raised him had only shown him fleeting moments of concern.
Spirited Away Page 21
