by Rc Bonitz
What to do with Emma though. The new detective didn't need to find Jake at all. One glimpse of Emma and he'd try to kidnap her on the spot. Funny, she'd think of it as kidnapping. It was almost as if Emma were truly her own child.
Lissey turned to find Emma biting her nails, an anxious expression on her face. "Emma, we need to make a plan."
The child's face brightened. "Are we going to see Daddy?"
"No, not today. We need to hide you for a while. Can you go live at that little house with Louis again?"
Emma shook her head emphatically.
"Emma, please? It's very important. For your daddy?"
"I'll hide at your house, with your mama."
Lissey stared. Leave it to the child. But. "My mama will have to be in the store a lot."
Emma grinned. "Then I'll stay by myself. I can hide really good."
Lissey's heart swelled with love. She reached out and gave Emma a warm and tender hug. "You won't let anybody see you?"
"Nope."
With Emma's hiding taken care of, Lissey went to see Maria. As she'd expected, Maria became an enthusiastic volunteer in their little conspiracy. Next came a call to Doc Brinker. The mere suggestion that another killer might be after Jake ensured his cooperation.
"Mum's the word. I'll alert my staff too. Anybody asks, we've never seen your Jake," he snapped.
"Thank you, Doc. How is he?"
"Hey, he's hanging in there. We'll see how he responds to the antibiotic."
Emma wanted to sleep with Lissey that night, so she took the child into bed with her. Sleep came in fits and starts, what with Emma's occasional thrashing about and her brain refusing to let her worries rest. She was up promptly at 5:30 to start baking.
Emma rolled over and popped an eye open as Lissey dressed. "Can I come with you? I want to make tarts"
Lissey grinned. "I'm sure no evil villains are up this early, yes you can. But you have to come back here by nine o'clock, before the ferry comes in."
"What ferry?"
"The one from Great Casque. It comes to the hotel at the far end of this island."
"Can I help you bake?"
"We'll make lots of cherry tarts," Lissey said and tossed Emma her clothes. “Let's go. Bakers have to start early."
She spent as much time teaching Emma what to do as she did baking. They were still at it when Lavinia appeared at the door. Lissey glanced up to see tears streaming down her mother's face.
"Mom? What's wrong?"
Lavinia shook her head. "I was thinking of Caroline. You and Caroline."
"Does she bake tarts too?" Emma asked.
Lissey smiled. For the first time in eons the thought of her daughter brought only a dull ache to her heart. Had Emma worked some magic on her soul? "She was too little, Emma."
"Like a baby?"
"Yes dear. She was a baby."
"Did she have a car wreck? That's what happened to my mommy."
"No honey. It's just that sometimes little babies don't live very long," Lavinia murmured. She swept an arm around Emma and gave her a hug. "They're not big and strong like you."
Emma bobbed her head. "My daddy's big and strong. Like Lissey. She's going to be my new mommy."
Lavinia looked up and smiled. "Has he agreed to this arrangement?"
Lissey felt the warmth of a blush rise to her face. "Not quite." She glanced at her watch. "Hey, it's almost nine o'clock. Time to hide young lady."
An hour later, Lissey tied her father's boat to Marcus Digby's dock and set out for the hospital. She'd forgotten about Marcus. He had seen them bring Jake to Great Casque for treatment. Another person she had to swear to secrecy; too many, someone would spill the beans when that new detective got around to them. A shiver ran through her body. As soon as Jake could be moved, she'd have to find a place to hide him. Somewhere better than that tiny house of Louis's cousin.
"You're out early this morning," Doc Brinker said when she entered the hospital.
"How's Jake?"
"Sleeping at the moment. He's doing better though."
Lissey touched Doc's arm. "Thank God. When can he be moved?"
Doc frowned. "It'll be a while yet. We'll keep his secret."
"It's not you I'm worried about Doc. Too many people know he's here."
"Well, it's going to be a few days before you can move him, and then he ought to go to the States for further surgery."
A groan escaped Lissey's throat. "Oh Doc, what am I going to do? They'll try to kill him again or they'll try to kidnap Emma and that would break his heart."
"Emma?"
"His daughter."
"Where is she?"
"No, I won't tell you. She's hidden away too."
Doc smiled and then drifted into a frown. "You've got yourself into the middle of a spider's web of troubles."
She blinked, then cocked an eyebrow at him. "I guess you could say that."
"You must love this man a lot."
He waited expectantly, a crooked smile creasing his face.
Lissey nodded, without embarrassment, completely at ease with his statement. Her heart warmed with the total certainty she felt. It wasn't only Emma she was drawn to. Her heart was set on that big lug lying on a hospital bed in the other room. "Can I see him now?" she murmured.
Doc stepped aside. "Be my guest."
Flat on his back, eyes closed, his breathing was slow and steady. She smiled. Not a hint of a snore, a bonus. God, he looked good this morning. His color was back, no more drawn gray faced ghost.
She sat down in the plastic chair beside his bed and studied the man. His hair had lost that gross dyed red color, only little touches of it remained. Mostly dark and wavy now, it suited him. He needed a shave, probably hadn't had one since Louis rescued him. Dear Louis, she'd be forever in his debt.
It wasn't only Emma. She wanted him. Wanted his hands on her body, his mouth caressing hers. She wanted him inside her, wanted to wrap herself around him and eat him alive. She giggled. He was magic, her magic man. Lust she had felt for Ramon but this was different. She wasn't desperate this time. Not for marriage, not for a baby. If Jake hadn't happened she'd be going to the States one day soon to start her life again. She giggled again. If she had her way they'd go together, for more than just the surgery he needed.
Jake was more than sexy. He was a man, a whole man with guts and brains and a heart. And he'd do anything for those he loved, including dump them on their butt in order to protect them. Well, he wouldn't get away with that with her. She smiled. Know it all man. She got to her feet, leaned over, and touched her lips to his.
His eyes snapped open. "Hi beautiful."
She kissed him for real, full bore, tongue and all.
"Wow, that's some wakeup call," he said.
"I just wanted to let you know what the ground rules are."
He grinned. "You're seducing me?"
"If I have to. Just stay right there and keep your ears open."
He frowned. "That sounds ominous."
"Never mind. You asked me to marry you. I said yes. So, we're getting married."
His frown deepened. "That was before that guy tried to kill me. I won't—"
"Be still. I'm hiding Emma and I'm hiding you right now. Doc says you can't leave yet, so you're completely in my power."
He cocked an eyebrow at her. "You sound very sure of yourself. What if I don't love you?"
"Baloney, you want to protect me from the bad man with the gun. You proposed once."
"No, that was a mistake. You're only interested in Emma."
Lissey let a slow smile spread across her face. "You've been thinking about that I take it?"
"Right. I—"
"That's crap. You don't have any idea who I really care about."
"You care about Emma."
"That's half right. Only half." She got to her feet again and plastered a very long, very wet kiss on his lips. "Besides, if you dump me I'll sue for breach of promise."
His eyes crinkled up a
s if he were about to cry. "Lissey, please, that guy—"
"Is in jail."
"They'll send another one. You'd be—"
"It's my life. If you won't marry me, I'll camp out on your boat so you can't leave town without me."
A smile stole across his face. "You wouldn't."
"Would too."
"I could buy another boat."
"Listen you. Half the people on these islands are covering for you. They'd all be glad to spy on you for me. You're mine, buster."
"I won't let you risk your life, damn it," he shouted.
"I can do what I—"
"What's going on in here?" Doc said as he charged into the room.
"He won't listen to—"
"If you're going to upset him like this, you'll have to leave."
The tension in the room was thick enough to choke her after that. Jake was intransigent; he would not marry her. Sure she could convince him earlier that morning, she'd had visions of the two of them planning for their wedding and an escape to the States. Never did she mention the second assassin. He'd have gone ballistic if he knew about that guy.
Lissey's stomach twisted into knots at the conundrum she was faced with. Jake obviously adored her, but she was going to lose him anyhow. Except, damn it, she would camp out on his boat. And would follow him wherever he went. There was nothing he could do to stop her, the bloody man.
She left him at eleven and headed back to Little Casque. A gaily-painted rental cart from the far end of the island sat in front of the shop as she marched up from the dock. Lavinia was in the kitchen, a well-dressed elderly woman and a man, equally dapper, sat eating lunch at one of the tables. The hair on the back of Lissey's neck spiked up. They were too well dressed for ordinary tourists.
Lissey gave them a quick smile and stepped into the kitchen. Lavinia greeted her with a frown.
"Who are those people?" Lissey said.
"They asked for you. By name."
A chill ran down Lissey's spine. Who did they get her name from? Terrio? Or someone on the island? Her breath caught in her throat. Oh well, they couldn't know where Jake was. Could they? Or Emma? "Emma?" she whispered.
Lavinia shook her head. "Hasn't left the house all day."
Lissey let herself breathe again. That was one good thing at least. She turned to the shop again.
"You wanted to speak to me?" she said.
The woman smiled. "You're Lissey?"
"Yes."
"Please join us."
"I'll stand, thank you."
"We're looking for Mr. Jake Wainright," the man said.
"I don't know where he is."
"We understand you're very close to him."
"Really? That's interesting," Lissey said with a smile she hoped displayed wry amusement. She struggled to control her quivering legs. This was totally unexpected, this elegant woman accompanying a detective or killer or whatever he was. "Who are you people?"
The woman nodded as if acknowledging her right to that piece of information. "This is Harold Rhodes. I'm Margaret Simpson."
Lissey hesitated. Simpson, that sounded vaguely familiar?
"Mr. Wainright's mother-in-law?" the woman said.
"Oh."
"We'd like to speak to him."
"I told you. I don't know where he is."
Margaret Simpson waved her hand. "I know. A man shot him and another man took him away in a boat."
"Not a man. Your detective tried to kill him."
"That was an accident," the woman said.
"You'll have to go some to prove that."
Harold Rhodes smiled. "You said tried to kill. He's still alive then."
It was a statement, not a question. Lissey cringed; she'd made a mistake. "I don't know. They're still missing."
Rhode's smile remained intact. The jerk.
"That was very unfortunate. Mr. Terrio should not have done that," Mrs. Simpson murmured.
"On that we agree," Lissey said.
"Won't you please sit down and listen to what I have to say?
"Save your breath. I know all about Mr. Wainright."
The woman patted the empty chair beside her. "Please."
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Rising winds and churning seas greeted Lissey as she started back to Kikitap two hours later. She'd waited for Margaret and Harold, who it seemed was the lady's lawyer, to disappear in their rented golf cart before commandeering Sam's boat. Sam had been reluctant to see her go out in such weather, but she was nothing if not determined to get to Jake again that day.
Managing the boat in the rough conditions demanded her total concentration, which left Margaret's words floating untended in the back of her mind until she turned into Kikitap Harbor and the boat heaved sideways, slamming her against the cabin bulkhead. Her knee took the blow, the same knee she'd banged up when she ran out of gas that day in Louis's boat. She swore as the pain reached her brain.
Marcus met her as she tied up to his dock. "Are you crazy? What are you doing out in this weather?"
She grimaced and hobbled up the dock. "I'm on a very important mission."
"Nothing can be that urgent."
"Wanna bet?"
Marcus shook his head. "Can I give you a ride somewhere? That leg looks like it's about to dump you on your face."
She hobbled to his side and planted a kiss on his grizzled cheek. "Marcus, you're a dream. Thank you."
Favoring her aching left leg, Lissey limped into Jake's room at the hospital. His eyes widened when he saw her.
"What happened to you?"
"I banged my knee on the boat. I came—"
"On the boat? You came across from home in this weather? I can hear the wind howling outside."
Lissey grinned. "I live in these islands, remember? Wait 'til—"
"Did the Doc do an X-ray?"
"No, listen will you? I have news for you."
"Never mind, let's get that leg looked at. Hey Doc," he shouted.
"There's a push button for that. We do have some modern conveniences around here."
"Smarty pants." He searched around in the bed, found the button, pushed it, and shouted again, "Hey Doc."
"He's not around right now. Listen—"
"Where the hell is he? You shouldn't be walking on that leg. Sit down."
"Jake Wainright, will you shut up a minute," she bellowed.
He blinked in surprise, then carefully clamped his lips together.
"I came in this weather because I have news. Tidings from a summit meeting in my shop."
"What kind of a summit meeting? Oh I know, with your folks. I don't care if they want to sue me. I won't marry you."
"A meeting with Harold Rhodes and—"
"Rhodes? What's he doing here?" Jake struggled to sit up, grimaced, and fell back in the bed.
"He's representing your mother-in-law. She's here too."
Jake stared at her, concern written all over his face.
Lissey waited but he didn't reply. "She made an offer to end the custody battle."
"What kind of an offer?" he murmured.
"I turned her down. It was—"
His eyes narrowed. "You turned her down?"
God, he looked cute when he was upset. "Yup. It was too restrictive. We wouldn't have been able to live with it."
He cocked an eyebrow at her. "We wouldn't?"
Lissey nodded. "Especially after we have our own children. When they're little, you know?"
"Oh, I know about that, of course. Lissey, I think you better start at the beginning."
"Well, they were waiting for me when I got back to the shop. Having lunch. My mom told me—"
"Okay, so you talked to them. What did they say?"
"I don't trust that man. You know, he reminds—"
"What did Margaret say?" he sputtered.
"You're getting awful grouchy. Take it easy, will you?"
"I can't. This is too important. What was the offer?"
A nurse entered the room. "Yo
u called, Mr. Wainright?"
Jake rolled his eyes. "This lady needs an X-ray of her leg."
"Hi Mary. It's my knee," Lissey said.
"Doc's not here but I can do it. You can obviously walk on it; you got here, right?" Mary said.
"It hurts though," Lissey said.
"Okay, give me a minute. I'll call you."
Jake studied Lissey, obviously waiting but he said not a word.
"Where were we? Oh, the offer. It was very simple really. They were shocked Terrio had shot you. The police have been to see your father in-law."
Jake cocked an eyebrow at her. "What brought that on?"
Lissey gave him a big grin. "I suppose it could be because I told the constable Terrio claimed the man had ordered him to shoot you if necessary. Kirby, being Kirby, immediately decided to charge Mr. Simpson with attempted murder."
"How could he do that? Terrio must have denied everything."
"Yeah, but I said he admitted it when we first captured him. I said Louis and I would testify to it."
Jake frowned. "You could be charged with perjury."
Lissey laughed. "Only if we went to court."
"So you made my father-in-law sweat a little."
"Yup, and they don't want any more of that. So, they'd give up their custody fight if we'd bring Emma to see them once a week. I said no way."
Forgetting his wound, Jake threw his hands up in the air. He winced.
Lissey let a smile spread across her face. "We settled on once a month instead. With you present of course."
It took a second but then Jake gave her a frown. "Supervised visits, good, but I'm not sure we can trust them."
"Oh, I wouldn't worry. Margaret and I really hit it off. She was very sweet."
"Oh really. Sweet? I suppose that makes everything all right."
Lissey giggled. "Well, we had a little help from Kirby too, though he doesn't know it."
"What does that mean?"
Lissey cocked her head. "Somehow Margaret got the idea I could influence the constable and make the charges go away. Or not."
He chuckled. "Sounds like you covered all the bases. What do we do next?"
"You have to ask?"
"You still want to marry me?"
"Only if you want to," she murmured.
"You don't have to worry about Emma anymore," he said tentatively.
