by Rebecca Deel
“I want to see your face. Otherwise, don’t bother calling.”
“I can’t believe she said that.” Ivy shoved the phone in her pocket. “She been taking lessons from my mother?”
Del gave a watery laugh, buried her face in Josh’s neck. “They are sisters.”
“Everything okay, son?” Liz asked as she walked into the living room, cordless phone in her hand.
“Not sure.” Nothing was wrong on his end except for a need to wring Dee Peterson’s neck for hurting her daughter.
“Your father wants to speak to you.” She handed him the phone.
Del started to move away. Josh pressed his hand against her back, a wordless command to stay. Not like he’d share anything private with his father while his mother listened. Del sighed and rested against him. He liked that. She fit as if made for him. Dangerous thought. He couldn’t afford distractions and Del was definitely a distraction. He pulled his focus back on target. “Yeah, Dad?”
“Anything new happening?”
“Unconfirmed.”
A pause, then, “Something new is happening but you’re not sure if it concerns Del and Ivy?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do I need to come home?” Alarm rang in his father’s voice.
“Not yet.” An unspoken warning to stay packed and prepared. “There’s been some trouble at Del’s house in Oakwood. Not sure if it’s related.”
“I want to know the minute you figure it out.”
“Roger that.”
“Give the phone to your mother. Watch your back, son. I love you.”
“Love you, too.” He handed the handset to his mother. He grinned. “I think he wants to whisper sweet nothings in your ear.” Josh laughed at the blush staining his mother’s cheeks though she grinned, her face lighting up. No question in his mind that his father and mother believed the other to be the love of their life.
“I’ll clean up,” Ivy said, moving toward the dining room. “Looks like everybody’s finished with dinner. That conversation with Aunt Dee stole my appetite.”
Alex followed on her heels without a word. Neither Del nor Ivy would be left alone until Reece’s shooter was behind bars or in the morgue.
Left alone with Del, Josh lifted one hand and cupped the nape of her neck. “Talk to me, baby,” he murmured.
“I’m okay.”
“If something hurts you, I want to know about it. And I know your mother’s theatrics hurt. Is this normal with her?”
“Since my father died.”
“Is it the same with your brothers?”
“Unfortunately. They’re all married, though, so they have families of their own to take care of. Gives them an excuse to ignore the demands.”
“You have a life.”
“Not according to Dee Peterson. Since I’m the only daughter, it’s my job to cater to her every wish.”
“Was she like this before you lost your father?”
“Oh, yeah. The only difference was Dad caved to Mom’s every whim. We were all devastated to lose him to cancer, but Mom’s been lost without her soul mate.”
“You can’t fill the gap. No one can replace the love of your life.”
Del eased away to lock gazes with him. “Personal experience?”
He’d told her not to hold back the truth. Had to follow his own rule. “I thought I had. Now I wonder if it was the real thing.” He bent and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “A discussion for another time, okay?” he whispered. “Do you want to see your mother?”
“She has high blood pressure. I don’t want to cause her a stroke or heart attack.” Her troubled gaze locked with his. “Is there any way I can see her, even for a couple hours? Oakwood’s not far.”
“The distance isn’t the problem. The feds are. The FBI’s in town already. U.S. marshals may be here by now. They want to interview you and Ivy.” And most likely take them into protective custody, though he didn’t plan to share that with her now. Ethan might hold them off another few days as long as the feds didn’t discover the fire in Oakwood and the break-in here. An accidental fire killing her cousin would be a tragedy, but explainable bad luck. If the fire proved deliberate and connected to the case, the Washington elite would whisk Del and Ivy into protective custody.
He didn’t want Del out of his sight until the shooter was caught or taken out. “I’ll talk to Ethan, see if we can avoid the feds another day. If he clears it, I’ll take you to Oakwood tomorrow.”
“Remember the deal we made regarding my name?”
His eyebrows rose. “Want to back out?” Had she changed her mind about getting to know him?
“Modify it.”
“Can’t change the rules midstream, sweetheart.”
“Conversation’s the point, right?” She leaned closer to whisper, “Would you mind if I asked a question or two about your friend?”
Del wanted to ask questions about Alex? He fought against the surge of protectiveness for Alex and unwelcome flood of jealousy over her interest in his friend. He wasn’t sure he was man enough to step back while Del decided if she wanted to pursue his best friend. “Why?”
“He has a story and Ivy’s fascinated with him. I don’t want her hurt.”
One by one, his muscles unclenched. “He’s a great guy. She could do a lot worse than Alex Morgan.”
“She already did and has the scars to prove it.”
Josh’s face burned. Some idiot had hurt Ivy? “I’d class Alex with my brothers-in-law any day. Ask your questions. I’ll answer if I can without breaking a confidence.”
Sure the shock of the call was past, Josh nudged her toward the kitchen. “Help Alex and Ivy while I contact Ethan.” He wasn’t sure his brother-in-law would be available, not if his sister’s expression was anything to go by when they left. If not, he’d call Rod.
He punched in Ethan’s number. Three rings in, his brother-in-law answered, voice gruff. “New development. You want an update or should I call Rod?”
“Talk to me.”
He explained about the call from Del’s mother and conversation with the Oakwood detective. “Del wants to spend a couple hours with her mother. Can you keep the feds off our backs a few more hours?”
“Jordan will be interfering with his own crime scene people tomorrow morning at least. What’s your take on the situation in Oakwood?”
“Hope it’s a coincidence, but my gut says otherwise. Probably a ploy to flush out Del and Ivy.”
“Be ready for an ambush, most likely on the way back.”
“Agreed. Do we go or stay?”
“Go. Have Del and Ivy turn off their phones. If the feds learn they’re in the wind, at least they can’t track them. Be back before nightfall. I can’t keep Jordan on a leash any longer than that.”
Del hunted for a comfortable spot. Despite the comfortable bed, plush quilt, and cool temperature in the room, sleep was elusive. Again. With a sigh, she threw back the covers and sat up.
A cup of tea? Liz told her to make herself at home. She knew where the tea was kept. If that didn’t work, maybe Aaron had a hammer she could use to knock herself out. If she went home with raccoon eyes, her mother would worry more. She didn’t want to add fuel to her mother’s arguments for her to move home. Wasn’t going to happen. Del loved the bookstore and, to be honest, she loved being away from the Dee Peterson drama. Yes, it was mean letting her brothers deal with Mom. They could handle it. She did it for years after her father passed away. It was their turn.
Del slid her feet into slippers, snatched up her robe, cinched it, and opened the bedroom door. A quick glance told her Ivy was sound asleep. Good. Her cousin was a bear when sleep deprived. A smile curved her lips. She wasn’t sweet after a short night, either.
A soft light glowed in the living room. She peered around the corner and spotted Josh sitting on the couch, doing something with his gun. She frowned. It was in pieces. She stepped onto the main floor.
Josh glanced over. “Hey, beautiful. Everything oka
y?”
“Can’t sleep. I came down to make a cup of tea.” She moved closer. “What are you doing?”
“Cleaning my weapon.”
Unease whispered through her. “What if you need to use the gun while you’re cleaning it?”
Amusement glittered in his eyes. “I have a backup weapon in a holster at my ankle. You worried I won’t be able to defend you properly?”
Heat swept over her face. “You don’t need a gun to defend me if it was necessary.”
He grinned. “Correct.”
“Can I see what you’re doing?”
“Sure.” He motioned her over. “Army taught us to clean our weapons frequently. I spent a lot of time in the Sand Box and needed to clean out the grit so my weapon wouldn’t misfire.” He shrugged. “Could have been the difference between life or death for me or one of my men.”
She drew in a deep breath to reply to his statement and froze.
Josh stood, alert. “What is it?”
“The metallic scent. That’s what I smelled in my bedroom the night the burglar broke in.”
He reached for a bottle from the coffee table and uncapped the top. “This?”
Del sniffed and reared back. “That’s the smell. What is it?”
“Gun oil.” He looked at her, his expression grim. “Your burglar had a gun. Most burglars don’t carry them. If they’re caught, they’ll get less jail time if they don’t have a weapon.”
Her stomach clenched. Confirmation that her home invasion wasn’t a burglary gone wrong. She needed that tea. “I’ll make my tea.” If she was lucky, she might sleep tonight. After that bit of information, she had her doubts.
“Want company?”
“I’d like that.” Who didn’t want a handsome man to distract you from scary thoughts? “Do you want tea as well?”
He chuckled. “Sorry, I’m a cold, sweet tea man. I’ll grab a Coke and join you after reassembling my weapon.”
In the kitchen, Del located Liz’s tea stash and settled for one with Valerian in it. Smelled horrid, but might help her sleep. Her mother used the same tea. Thinking of her mother made her heart squeeze. She tried to call before she went to bed. The call went to voice mail. She didn’t leave a message because if Dee Peterson knew something, she gossiped. Josh didn’t want her sharing too much information. Silence was their best advantage.
The microwave signaled the heating cycle’s end for her bedtime brew. She settled at the island as Josh padded on sneakered feet to the refrigerator and grabbed a soft drink. He drank half before sitting on a barstool beside her.
“Why can’t you sleep?”
“Worried about Mom.”
“It’s what she wants, you know.”
“Mom’s a master manipulator. She and Aunt Mari both should have their picture next to the dictionary definition.”
Josh glanced at the clock. “Is this a good time for my first name guess?”
“Sure. I’m ready with my first question.”
“Delaney.”
She snorted. “I wish.”
“Ask your question, beautiful.”
He needed his eyes checked. At this time of morning, she wasn’t beautiful. “When Alex hugged your mother, his facial expression revealed a deep emotional connection to your mother. Why?”
“You don’t ask easy questions, do you?” He sighed, turbulent emotion on his own face. “Alex’s family disowned him when he joined the military. He’s had no contact with them in fifteen years.”
Tears pooled in her eyes. No wonder Alex looked so touched. Liz Cahill treated him like she did Josh. “So heartbreaking for him. Never receiving mail or packages while deployed must have hurt.”
Josh grinned. “I told Mom and Dad about Alex after the first mail call during boot camp. They started sending him letters and boxes, too. They sort of adopted him. Mom collects strays. That’s how she sees Ethan, Nick, and Rod, too. Alex still isn’t sure how to deal with it, but Mom and Dad think of him as theirs. He enjoys the Cahill clan whenever he comes in.”
Though her mother’s theatrics drove her crazy, Del was thankful to have her, especially with her father gone. She and her brothers indulged Mom too much. At least they had each other, unlike Alex. “I’m glad the Cahills care about him. No one should be alone in the world.”
His lip curled. “If you knew his family, you wouldn’t say that.”
“Why?”
“A question for another night, sweetheart. It’s an ugly story that should come from him.” He inclined his head toward her mug. “Finished?”
“I’ll put this in the dishwasher and get out of your way.”
“For the next two hours, I’ll be reading a book between perimeter checks. You’re no bother. Want to talk more?”
She wanted to stay with Josh, knew it wasn’t wise this time of night. “Rain check?”
“Sure.” He walked her to the stairs. “If you can’t sleep, come back down.” He grinned. “I’ll read you the Army field manual. Guaranteed insomnia cure.”
“If people knew the sleep secret, drug companies would lose millions of dollars each year. I planned to look for a hammer if the tea didn’t work.”
“And do what?”
“Knock myself in the head.”
“Ouch. Trust me, the Army field manual will do the trick.” He framed her face with his hands. “Get some rest, baby. Tough day tomorrow.” Josh leaned down and dropped a butterfly kiss on her lips.
A small smile curved her mouth. “You promised a real kiss. When will you deliver?”
“Want a real kiss, huh? Not tonight.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Something to look forward to tomorrow.”
Anticipation splashed through her veins. “Tomorrow?”
He nudged her up the first step. “See you at breakfast.”
Five hours later, Del stumbled from her room clad in jeans, tennis shoes, and tank top paired with a button-up shirt. In deference to the killer heat and humidity, she’d pulled her hair into a ponytail.
She knocked on Ivy’s door and poked her head in. Her cousin was tying her own tennis shoes. Ivy had paired jean capris with a turquoise t-shirt. She looked cool and comfortable. And well rested. Del wished she looked that perky.
Sympathy crossed Ivy’s face. “Didn’t sleep?”
Del scowled. “I slept.”
“How long? Five minutes?”
“Four hours.”
Ivy cringed. “Hope there’s more Coke in the refrigerator. You need caffeine.”
“You saying I’m grumpy?”
Her cousin darted out the door and down the hall. Halfway to the first floor, she called back, “You need a nap.”
A soft chuckle behind Del had her face flaming. She whirled to see a damp-haired Josh striding toward her in black jeans and a black t-shirt. “Why don’t you look tired? You slept fewer hours than I did.”
“I’m used to four hours a night.” A hint of shadow appeared in his gaze before he blinked and it was gone as if never there.
Something to ask later. “What time do we leave?”
He checked his watch. “Thirty minutes.”
She frowned. “Won’t Alex need sleep first?”
“Unlike you, he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow and didn’t wake until time to relieve me. In the military, you train yourself to sleep whenever you have the chance. He’ll be fine. Come on. I smell Mom’s country breakfast. Ham, biscuits and gravy, bacon, hash browns, and eggs. Nobody does breakfast better than Liz Cahill.” He paused. “Except Serena, when she’s not feeling pukey.”
Del preceded him downstairs, brewed more tea, filled a plate and sat in the dining room with the rest. She wondered if someone else would drop by this morning.
Sure enough, with her plate half empty, a knock sounded at the back door and footsteps crossed the kitchen into the dining room. Rod Kelter kissed Liz on the cheek and greeted the others at the table.
Liz patted the place next to her. “Have a seat, son. Would you like a plate?�
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“I hadn’t planned on stopping here, or I would have skipped the cop shop food.”
“Serena baked this morning?”
“No, ma’am. She’s feeling pretty bad this morning. Ethan’s staying with her until the worst is past. One of the third shift guys stopped by the Donut Den.”
Josh leaned back in his chair. “You have news?”
“Fed crime scene analysts will start at the Reece place this morning. Jordan’s making noise about interviewing Del and Ivy.” He smiled, a hard light in his eyes. “I had no information about Del’s whereabouts today. Same goes for Ivy.” His direct gaze included them both. “Make sure your phones are off until further notice. If you’re around town, avoid the station and town square. Don’t take either of your vehicles. I don’t want to know whose wheels you take. The U.S. marshals roll into Otter Creek this morning. They’ll want face time as well.”
He returned his attention to Josh. “Plans in place?”
“Want info?”
“Tell Ethan. The still shell-shocked police chief received a call early this morning. Oakwood’s arson investigator found traces of accelerant at Del’s house.”
Del straightened. “Someone set the fire?”
“Did the shooter try his skills at arson,” Josh asked, “or was it the victim’s ex-husband?”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Josh held out his hand to Del. “Ready?”
When she nodded, he threaded his fingers with hers and tugged her outside to Alex’s idling SUV. He kept Del between his body and the vehicle. He hurried her to the back of the SUV, boosted her up and slid in beside her.
She looked puzzled. “Safety,” he murmured. “Go,” he said to Alex.
Smooth as silk, the SUV rolled down the drive and into the street. Josh scanned their surroundings. He figured at some point today they might have an encounter with the shooter. Probably not until they left Oakwood. He couldn’t be sure they would take the arson bait. Everything in him rebelled at taking Del and Ivy into further danger though he appreciated that they wanted to reassure Mrs. Peterson. He wouldn’t let down his guard until they returned to Otter Creek.
Beside him, Del shivered.
