“When Damon is released, he will come with me,” she said in her placating tone.
“Where?” Beth demanded.
The whole thing was a Mexican standoff with Beth on one side of the hall and the social worker on the other, clutching her files the way a knight held his shield while facing a threat. Cole stood next to Beth, arms folded, watching the display with grim weight tugging down the corners of his mouth.
“Well,” the woman said carefully. “He will be placed in a group home until we are able to locate a relative.”
“A group home.” Beth hissed the words like they were something vile. “You mean you’re going to stuff him in a house full of other kids with a family who only sees him as another paycheck?”
Stacy Barns pursed her purple lips. Her lipstick was a striking compliment to her magenta power suit and her dark complexion. Gold glinted from her ears, wrist, and throat. She was a beautiful woman, but that didn’t mean she liked her job. Being forced out of the comfort of the city to investigate a case in the middle of godforsaken nowhere had probably not been ideal. But she had come, because that was what was expected of her to get a kid she really didn’t care about. No doubt she was anxious to get back, but Beth wasn’t going to make it that simple. No one had looked out for her, or fought to protect her. She wasn’t going to let that happen to Damon.
Her dark eyes narrowed. “How long were you in the system, Ms. Doan?”
A muscle ticked in Beth’s jaw, forcing her to relax the clench of her teeth. “Not as long as he will be,” she said evenly. “And I doubt things have changed much since I was there.”
Ms. Barns lowered her gaze to the ground at Beth’s feet and she sighed. “Do you know how often I see this?” She raised her eyes to Beth’s. “A lot. Daily, even. There is a child hurt every minute, did you know that? My job is to take them away from that situation and put them somewhere safe.”
“Those houses you cram them into, they’re not safe,” Beth whispered. “I was in over two dozen different homes before I turned eighteen and each one was worse than the last. I saw more abuse in those safe places then I ever did with my crack head mother or absentee father. Don’t tell me they’re safe.”
Something akin to guilt, or sympathy passed over the other woman’s face, but it was quickly stuffed back behind the cold mask. “This is my job, Ms. Doan. If you will not allow me to do it, I will get the sheriff over here and have you forcibly removed.”
Beth opened her mouth to tell the woman she wasn’t going anywhere and was stopped by the gentle hand Cole rested on her shoulder.
“We respect what you do, Ms. Barns,” he said smoothly. “It’s clearly not a simple job, at least not one I could ever do. But I think we can all agree that Damon is the most important thing here and we all want what’s best for him.”
“Thank you, Mr. McClain,” Stacy Barns said. “I do agree.”
Cole nodded. “Good. So, it’s safe to say that Damon needs a good, stable home, even temporarily, until you can find any relatives he might have out there.”
Ms. Barns’ eyes were watchful now, apprehensive, but she nodded slowly. “Correct.”
Cole looked to Beth, the message in his eyes elusive, but determined. “Why don’t you leave him with us?”
There was a tense moment of disbelief as Beth and Ms. Barns exchanged stunned glances.
“I’m sorry?” Ms. Barns said when it became apparent that Beth was as clueless as she was.
“He knows us,” Cole explained logically. “There’s a certain amount of trust there that could be beneficial to his recovery. He certainly knows Beth, who is actually the one who rescued him. He thinks she’s an angel and asked for her the second he woke up. After what he’s gone through, I think that sort of comfort could really help. Financially, Beth and I both work and make a comfortable living, me as a lawyer and Beth as a nurse. We’re also fairly well known in the community and I think being here, surrounded by the familiar is also important in helping him cope. As for living arrangements, I have an apartment with a spare room. It’s not very far from the school, so driving him to and from would be no problem whatsoever.”
He made it sound so simple, like it was the most rational thing to do. Part of her couldn’t believe he’d come up with all of that in such a short amount of time and was certainly impressed. Even she felt compelled to agree.
Ms. Barns’ dark eyes ping-ponged between the two as though waiting for one of them to crack and shout, fooled you! When neither did, she gave a forced chuckle and shifted her weight.
“That is not how this works, Mr. McClain. There is a process and paperwork. I can’t just give children away to whoever wants one.”
Again, Beth started to tell the woman that that was exactly what she did, but was, once again, silenced by Cole’s hand on her elbow.
“We will supply any documents, or references you might require,” Cole said. “We’ll do whatever it takes.”
The clip of approaching footsteps postponed further conversation. The hall, up until that moment, had been reasonably quiet as the hospital there tended to be. All eyes turned to the two silhouettes moving with purpose in their direction. One was tall and thin, the other, still tall, but bulkier. It wasn’t until they were mere feet away that Beth recognized them.
Inwardly, she cursed.
Sheriff Henley pinned her with his ever watchful eyes, the glint in them dry and unimpressed. He was no doubt on his way to arrest her for evading arrest. Cole too, simply because she refused to leave until she knew what the social worker had planned for Damon.
She opened her mouth to explain the situation, possibly apply to his kinder side, but his gaze shifted away from her to focus on Ms. Barns.
“You must be Ms. Barns. I’m Sheriff Henley.” He offered her his meaty hand. “This is Dr. Partridge.”
Ms. Barns accepted the hand she was offered with a brisk shake. “It’s a pleasure.” She looked to Dr. Partridge and inclined her head in a brief nod. “Doctor.”
The two shook hands as well, then there was silence as their group regarded one another with curiosity. In Beth’s case … guilt.
“What’s going on here?” Henley asked at last.
“We were just negotiating the possibility of Damon staying with us until his family is located,” Cole answered as though having been expecting that very question. “We were just telling Ms. Barns that we’re good, reliable people.”
Reliable. Beth almost groaned. It was definitely not the word she would have used to describe them after they broke their promise about heading straight to the sheriff’s office at dawn.
“And I was telling Mr. McClain that it isn’t that simple, especially when one of the volunteers is being charged for breaking and entering.” She shot Beth a pointed look.
Beth felt her temper crackle up to the surface, ignoring the rational little voice telling her to calm down.
“Has he not already gone through enough?” she burst out. “All his life people have brushed aside what was clearly right in front of them. They ignored his pain. And now, when there are two people who clearly care about him and want the best for him, you’re just going to say no?”
“It doesn’t work like that,” Ms. Barns retorted. “I can’t give a child to someone with outstanding charges, or a record.”
Beth had nothing to say to that and it pissed her off. Who would have thought doing the right thing would come around and kick her in the ass?
“Seems to me like you might have been misinformed, Ms. Barns.” The sheriff adjusted his utility belt ever so slightly over the pudgy of his belly and observed the woman thoughtfully. “Ms. Doan has no charges, at least none with my department.”
Beth started. Her head snapped towards Cole, curious to see if he’d heard it too. He just offered her a small smile and slid his hand down her back to curl gently at her waist. What got to her was the lack of surprise from anyone else, except Ms. Barns, but even she seemed more disbelieving than surprised.
“Did you not put in your report, a report I have right here,” she tapped the files in her arms, “that Ms. Doan broke into the victim’s home and that she was being arrested and charged?”
Henley’s worn face bunched in deliberation, triple folding the many wrinkles crinkling around his eyes. “Now that isn’t how I recall it. Perhaps it was worded incorrectly.”
Ms. Barns’ finely penciled eyebrow lifted, her expression remaining incredulous. “Is that so?”
“I’m certain of it.” Henley scratched his chin. “As I recall it, Ms. Doan heard cries coming from the house and as a concerned citizen, she feared for the safety of the person inside. The door was already open, is that not correct, Ms. Doan?”
It was a struggle to maintain a straight face when all eyes were now on her and everything rode on her brain working double time to keep up.
Licking her lips, she nodded quickly. “That’s what happened.”
Satisfied, Henley motioned to Beth with a wave of his hand. “See? So, no breaking was involved. As far as the town of Willow Creek is concerned, she’s a hero. Saved that boy’s life. We don’t charge and arrest heroes here, Ms. Barns.”
“Uh huh.” Ms. Barns shifted her athletic frame, thrusting out a hip and planting a hand against it. “And she didn’t think to call the police rather than go into a strange house on her own?”
“Time could have been of the essence,” Beth piped in. “I thought with my nurse training, I might be able to help until the EMTs arrived.”
Ms. Barns sighed. “Look, I can see what you all are doing here, but the fact remains the same—”
“You know what?” Henley put up a hand. “Why don’t we discuss this somewhere with coffee? I think the good doctor here has some things he’d like to say as well and we’ll sort this whole matter right up.”
Ms. Barns hesitated. Her gaze shot from the sheriff and the doctor to Beth and Cole, her expression wary. Maybe she thought it was a ruse to get her away long enough to kidnap Damon from his hospital bed, Beth thought with mild amusement. But no way could she refuse.
She relented. “Very well.” She straightened her shoulders. “I have a few questions for both of you and some forms that require your signatures. Also,” she raised those dark eyes towards Henley. “I would like a copy of the actual report.”
Henley smiled. “Of course. We can drive by the station on our way to Ma’s.”
Ms. Barns blinked. “Ma’s?”
“Best chili dogs and fries in the country,” Henley boasted. He checked his watch. “Just about time for lunch anyhows.”
Dr. Partridge, who had yet to say a word, glanced at his own timepiece with deep interest. “I could use a bite.”
Henley beamed. “Lunch it is.”
For a second, a split second, Beth almost felt sorry for the woman as she was ushered down the hall between the pair. But it was quickly overshadowed by her own suspicions.
“What did you do?” She stole a sidelong peek towards Cole.
He said nothing while watching as the trio turned the corner and vanished from sight. It was only when they were gone that he responded.
“What makes you think I had anything to do with any of this?” The right corner of his mouth rose in a half grin. “Lucky coincidence though.”
Her eyes narrowed with wary scrutiny while she searched his face. “The fact that the sheriff didn’t haul me out of here in handcuffs kind of suggest you had something to do with it.”
He made a contemplative humming sound, like her logic was interesting, but otherwise irrelevant.
“I might have called him last night and had a chat.”
Beth blinked. “When did you do that?”
He pivoted on the heel of his shoes and faced her. “Around the time you were sleeping.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
He squinted at her. “You were sleeping.”
She took a calming breath to keep from hitting him. “Why didn’t you tell me this morning?”
“Because I wasn’t certain it would work. Besides.” He slipped his arm around her shoulder and guided her towards Damon’s room. “I had to make sure he didn’t come down here and haul you off in handcuffs. I have this fantasy about getting you in cuffs, but only if I put them on you.”
Despite the tension tightening her limbs, Beth laughed. “Is that a McClain thing?” She poked him playfully in the side. “I think your brother and Lily like handcuffs, too. There were marks on her wrists.”
Cole visibly recoiled. “Ugh! There goes that fantasy forever. Thanks.”
Still laughing, Beth eased out from under his arm and hurried to Damon’s bed. The boy hadn’t stirred.
Beth touched his head lightly. “Do you think she’ll agree?”
Cole moved to stand next to her and peer down at Damon’s slumbering face. The sun shone across the surface of his eyes, making them shine like the surface of a lake.
“We’ll certainly fight for it if it comes down to it.”
“Why do you care so much?” she wondered, once again amazed by the absolute love and compassion that always seemed to follow the brothers around.
Maybe it was because they never had any growing up and loving each other and those in dire need somehow filled that need, but it still never failed to awe her.
“Why wouldn’t I?” He cocked his head in her direction. “Someone needs to.”
The impulse took her completely by surprise, but she gave herself into it, into all the love and passion he brought out in her. She took his face between her hands and kissed him.
The gesture was supposed to be nothing more than a simple brush of their lips to show him how much she appreciated him and how much he meant to her. How much he had always meant to her. Instead, the second his mouth touched hers, it was as though she’d pressed her lips to the underside of a white hot frying pan. It blazed with an intensity that seemed to tear the very seams holding her together. His name broke from her very soul and he claimed it, delving his tongue deep in the recess of her mouth and stroking the fire he’d ignited. Arms wound around necks and waists. Bodies melded, closing in all the places that counted most. Heat sweltered through clothes, extinguishing all the air in the room as greedy hands closed in hair and clothes, grappling, pulling and tearing. Sharp teeth closed around her bottom lip, tugging and nibbling until she cried out. One toned thigh wedged between both of hers and she was lifted. His hands closed on her hips, holding her prisoner to his hard grinds against her center. Her sob was devoured by him.
But just as quickly as he had stirred her entire existence awake, he broke the kiss. It was only his knee and his hands that kept her upright and off the floor. He was breathing as hard as she was. His heart cracked wildly against hers. The black of his pupils had all but swallowed the blue of his eyes as he stared down into her face.
“Damn, I missed that.” He lowered his head, gave her lips a slow, toe curling kiss. “But we need to stop, or we need to find an empty room.”
Despite the heavy fog swirling her thoughts together, Beth chuckled. She lowered her face to nuzzle his chest and try and catch her breath.
“Fire was one thing we were never in short supply of.”
“It’s not just fire,” he said into the top of her head. “Fire eventually dies. What we have is something else, something infinite and unquenchable.”
Beth grinned into the fabric of his dress shirt. “Greek fire?”
Cole chuckled. “Sure, we can go with that.”
Lifting her head, she was met by his mouth again. The sizzle was still there, but it was a slow burn, and she didn’t combust. It was more of a gradual melt. It amazed her how he could scorch her to ashes with one kiss and then change gears just as quickly and melt her to a puddle instead.
“I should take you home to clean up,” he said, when he drew back.
Horrified by the meaning behind his statement, Beth clapped a hand over her mouth. “Does my breath smell?”
Of course it must have. They hadn�
�t left the entire night. They were still in the same clothes as the previous day. Hers were still stained with Damon’s blood.
“Oh no you don’t.” Cole dragged her back into his arms when she tried to dart away from him. “That’s not what I meant. But I’m sure you wouldn’t mind getting some of that blood off.”
“No, I suppose not,” she murmured, relaxing a fraction. “I just really don’t want to leave Damon right now. What if he wakes up? Or Ms. Barns comes back with news?”
“Well.” He smacked a hard kiss to the side of her head. “Why don’t I run home, get you some things and you can use the bathroom here? I have to go see Mrs. Chavez anyway. I’ve bailed on her twice now.”
Beth turned in his arms, tipped back her head and peered up at him through slitted eyes. “You McClain boys, I swear. How’s a girl supposed to resist you lot?”
He smirked, dark and severely sexy. “That’s the point, babe. You’re not supposed to.”
Her laughter died when Ms. Barns walked back into the room, void of Sheriff Henley and Dr. Partridge. All the happiness Beth had been feeling fizzed out and died in that split instant. Dread formed a cold grip around her gut. Unconsciously, her body shifted, blocking Damon from the woman’s view, like the prim Ms. Barns were somehow personally responsible for his pain.
“At ease, Ms. Doan.” The woman offered her a half smile. “I’m not here to fight.”
Cole splayed his hand gently between Beth’s shoulder blades. “What’s the verdict, Ms. Barns?”
“Well.” She glanced down at the files she still held, snorted a chuckle before facing them once more. “It seems the sheriff and doctor can’t say enough good things about the two of you. You’d think you ran around in you free time saving kittens from trees, or something the way the doctor says it, Ms. Doan. As for you?” She swung dark eyes towards Cole. “The sheriff is all but ready to hand you the key to the city, or town as it were.” She chuckled. “Both swore up and down to my supervisors that they couldn’t possibly find a better home for Damon and they’d be crazy not to give that boy the home he deserves. I have to be honest.” She shifted her stance, clasping both hands around the files. “I’ve been at this job a long time and maybe that means I’m more jaded than most, but I can’t say I’m personally impressed.”
Bye-Bye Baby Page 17
