Out of Circulation (Hemlock Creek Suspense Book 1)

by Heather Day Gilbert

  Katie gave a short laugh, unwilling to explain she was still shell-shocked from a near-fatal crash. Molly would only freak out and report back to Mom. She tried to act glib. "No, thanks. Have you seen the guys who tend to ask me out?"

  "Good point." Molly stood. "So what's up with Brandon?"

  "What do you mean? I just talked to him the other day—he's keeping busy with work."

  Molly hesitated. "Oh, nothing."

  Katie gave her sister a look. "What are you—"

  Mom knocked lightly at the bedroom door. "There's a handsome young man here to see you, Katie Beth. Best not keep him waiting."

  Nodding, Katie glowered again at Molly and stalked toward the door. The heels threw her off balance and made her limp a bit more, but at least they fit comfortably.

  Ace stood just inside the front door, practically hidden behind a huge bouquet of sunflowers.

  She beamed. "My favorite! How did you know?"

  "Just a guess. Seemed to fit you," he murmured.

  Molly, close on her heels, exclaimed, "I've never seen anything so beautiful! Great taste, Ace." She took the flowers when Katie handed them over to her, blowing a kiss to both. "Have fun, you two."

  Mom emerged with her camera. "Wait—hold those flowers, Katie. You two stand together."

  Feeling like she was heading to the prom, Katie did as requested, trying not to burst into laughter at Ace's whispered instructions. "Give me a librarian pose," he said. "Pretend the flowers are a box of books. Now, smile, you top model, you."

  When they finally took their leave, she was glad darkness had fallen so she couldn't see the damage to the rental car. One more reminder of their target status.

  He opened the door. "You look amazing. Wait—that's a boring word. You look...striking. Staggering. Stupendous. And other 's' words."

  She laughed, sinking into the seat. "I hope only good ones. You're on a real roll tonight."

  "I plan to make you laugh loud and often, Katie McClure. Let's pretend like we're not in danger and enjoy ourselves. Although rest assured, I'm packing heat." He shut her door and strode around, settling into the driver's seat.

  His fitted navy suit and light blue tie made him look like a millionaire. She held her breath as he turned on the interior light and leaned toward her, so close his breath brushed her cheek. He spoke quietly. "Just know that no matter what happens, nothing will change the way I feel about you."

  Those incredible lips moved closer and he pressed a soft, open kiss on her cheek. If she turned her head, her lips would meet his...

  He abruptly flipped off the light and started the car.

  The man was completely unreadable. How could she ever fall for someone so mysterious?

  And yet she already had.

  ****

  Digging into the crab dip appetizer with her slice of garlic bread, Katie seemed unaware of the thrall she held over him. When a stray breadcrumb stuck to her lip, he automatically reached up and brushed it off with his thumb.

  "Um...I think I got some of your lipstick," he said, trying not to focus on those red lips.

  Blotting at her mouth with a napkin, she sighed. "Molly tried to fix me up with long-wearing lipstick but it's useless, given how I like to eat." She gave him that mega-watt smile.

  He wanted to touch those nearly-naked lips again, slower. He wanted to embrace her for the woman she was—the woman with the hopeful spirit and wide-open heart. He wanted to kiss her all over that beautiful face, to crush her lean body into his, taking away all her fear.

  Instead, he took a long gulp of water, which promptly went down the wrong pipe.

  As his hacking intensified, she walked over to pound him on the back. "Do I need to do the Heimlich? I took First Aid in high school."

  "I'm...not...choking," he said between coughs. "Just...wrong pipe."

  Taking a couple more sips of water, he finally regained a modicum of control. He gave a forced smile to the handful of customers and to their waiter, who stood at the ready.

  Katie returned to her seat, grinning.

  "Am I really that distracting?" she joked.

  Yes. Yes, she was.

  ****

  When their steak arrived, Katie turned the conversation back to Ace. "So tell me all about New York City. And please chew each bite carefully so we don't have a repeat of your earlier episode."

  He laughed, then went on to describe the soaring buildings near his postage-stamp apartment, the running trails he took in the park, and his favorite modern art gallery. As he spoke, she was swept up in a vision of the life she'd always wanted. Big-city. Big danger. Fighting crime at the highest level.

  Was that what Dad had wanted, too? Maybe that explained why he had traveled so much. Or why he would have been tempted to steal that money. Her mind wandered as he continued to speak.

  "...but the street vendor on my corner sells the most amazing gyros," he said. "Plenty of meat and thick pita...Katie? Something wrong?"

  "What? No. That is, I was just thinking of how I'm not the only one who turned out like my dad. Brandon loves new adventures and traveling places, too."

  His eyes pulled hers in. "I would love to take you to see Manhattan."

  She laughed it off. "I'd just be deadweight. I would probably fall onto the subway tracks as I tried to board."

  "No, you wouldn't. Stop being so hard on yourself. How about this—I promise I'll take you to New York City someday."

  She could tell he was in earnest, but what did that mean for them? Was he proposing a long-term relationship? Why didn't he come out with it frankly, the way he said everything else?

  "What are you saying?"

  He held her gaze. "I'm saying I want to travel with you. I want to give you adventures outside West Virginia."

  Now she mirrored his seriousness. "Sorry, but I don't travel with men, unless they're related to me."

  He spoke so softly, she barely caught it. "Or if you're married to them."

  "Yes." She leaned across the empty bread plate. "Unless I'm married to them."

  ****

  10

  A strange car was parked outside and the house was aglow with lights when they returned. Though Ace was anxious to see if anything had happened, he needed to take care of something first. Something personal.

  "Wonder what's up?" Katie reached for the door handle.

  He stretched out a hand, clasping her arm. Chill bumps covered it.

  "Are you cold?" he asked.

  "No, not really." She raised her eyes to his. They were barely visible in the reflected light from the porch.

  Hypnotized, he ran his hand up to her head, gently tugging her face closer. Time seemed to slow as he traced her lips, then lowered his mouth to hers.

  She didn't respond. Had he misread her?

  But then her hand gripped his sleeve. The pressure from her lips grew stronger, insistent. Confident and womanly.

  He was swept into a world where everything seemed to make sense, to fit together. There was nothing to do but respond to the force that could both master him and repair him. Tears actually filled his eyes.

  A sharp rapping on the window put an abrupt halt to their enchantment. Straightening up, he wiped off the foggy glass and cracked the window.

  A skinny, bearded redhead stood there, giving him a murderous glare. "Let me guess—you're the Yankee bodyguard."

  "No way." Katie leaned over. "Brandon?"

  ****

  As Mom served an impromptu tray of cheese, crackers, and grapes, Brandon explained his unexpected appearance.

  "After I talked to you, I started thinking about things, sis. If those mobsters wanted money, and if Dad didn't take it, that meant they wouldn't give up. So I did the one thing I knew you hadn't—I contacted the FBI and told them everything."

  Ace dropped heavily onto the couch. Katie followed suit, taking off her heels.

  "They'll be here in the morning. I'll meet with them and figure out a plan to find these Russian gangsters." Brandon hitch
ed up his cargo-style jeans. "Hey, Mom, I could really use some Dr. Pepper."

  Mom smiled, ruffling Brandon's overgrown hair. "It's in the pantry. I always keep some, just in case."

  As Mom locked an arm in Brandon's and headed for the kitchen, Katie focused on the silent man by her side. From the sour look on his face, she figured he was really upset by their interruption in the car. She hadn't wanted the kiss to end, either, but where would it have led?

  Why did she have to be attracted to someone who was such a mess spiritually? He said he'd believed in Jesus at a young age, but his growth had been stunted when his godly grandma died. Was God using their time together to point Ace back to Him? If so, she wasn't the best person to guide him.

  Her brother's deep voice filled the kitchen. Brandon was someone else who was messed up and disillusioned by life. And yet he'd contacted the FBI, probably because he didn't believe Dad had taken that money. Kind of ironic she had switched perspectives with her brother on this one. Usually he had nothing good to say about Dad's work, and she had to be the one defending it.

  Ace nudged her elbow with his. "Sorry. I was a little lost in thought. But that was...unforgettable...out there in the car." His eyes were a quiet blue blaze, focused on hers.

  She felt like hugging him, hard. She wanted to kiss the joy back into his life. She needed to tuck her hand into his safe, strong grip.

  "Tomorrow is the day," he murmured.

  "What day?"

  "The day you have to contact Anatoly's men with news. I copied the note before I gave it to the police. By the way, I plan to call in another police unit for you tomorrow."

  "Why? Won't you be here?"

  Brandon sauntered back in, carrying a huge bowl of homemade popcorn. "Look what I talked Mom into making for me. You gotta try this, Ace." He extended the bowl.

  As the men fell into an easy conversation about whitewater rafting, she zoned out, focusing on the words Ace hadn't said. The words that would rip her apart when they were finally spoken aloud.

  He was leaving.

  ****

  Thanks to his reckless consumption of Dr. Pepper, Ace spent his final night in the garage apartment pacing and worrying. He knew what he had to do, but the logistics of his plan were tricky. How could he ever explain things to Katie?

  He had replayed their kiss so many times. Her reticence had morphed into a certainty that staggered him. He wasn't worthy of such a gift—such unfettered approval. She didn't know the truth. And yet he wanted another kiss, another chance to prove he was the man she thought he was.

  He finally crashed on the couch, but his alarm went off at five. Peering out the window, he saw a car and a black van out front.

  The Feds were here.

  ****

  Katie cut into her boiled eggs, meticulously removing the yolks she didn't care for. "You want these?"

  Ace shook his head, but Brandon charged into the kitchen and swiped them. "My fave."

  "Did you see that the FBI's here?" she asked.

  Brandon nodded, popping a coffee pod into the coffeemaker. "Heading out after I eat. You two hanging around today?"

  She crunched into a crisp piece of bacon. "I thought we could check the Vixen one more time. What do you think, Ace?"

  When he turned to her, she stopped chewing. Her mind and her mouth froze when she registered the remorseful look on his face.

  "I can't stay. I have to fly back today. Work."

  That was it? That was all the explanation, all the farewell she got? How could he casually throw their relationship away? Because it was more than a friendship—his kiss last night had made that clear.

  Mom padded in, wearing her favorite moccasin slippers. She took in her daughter's face. "What's going on?"

  Katie could barely articulate the words. "Ace is leaving today."

  Mom teared up, placing a hand on Ace's shoulder. "Oh, honey, we are going to miss you around here. Won't be the same without you."

  Brandon chimed in. "Yeah, dude, I know we just met and all, but I feel like I know you. Which is more than I thought I'd be able to say about a New Yorker. Oh—I hope you enjoy those baseball cards. To tell the truth, I didn't even really look at them when Dad gave them to me. Just not my thing."

  Seeing her family rally around Ace made it even harder. They all liked him. He wasn't some outsider, coming in and looking down on their way of life. He was like one of them.

  Her words came out plaintively, like a whimper. "But Molly won't even get to say goodbye." Why did that suddenly bother her?

  He took her hand, setting her emotions roiling. "I'll be in touch, I promise. Maybe I can come down during my Christmas vacation? It's not like I'll have any family events going on."

  She couldn't choke out a response.

  Mom hugged him. "Of course. You're always welcome here, Ace." She gave him a cryptic look Katie didn't understand.

  Had their kiss meant nothing at all to him? He was just going to say goodbye and walk out of her life?

  Brandon shoved his fourth piece of bacon in his mouth, then stopped cold, taking a long look at her. "Sis, you okay?"

  She stood, unable to comprehend why someone she had grown so close to could abandon her like this. That wasn't love. That wasn't even like.

  She fumbled down the hall toward her room. Slamming the door, she let her thoughts scream even louder. What did it matter if Anatoly's men tried to blow her away? She was never leaving this one-horse town anyway.

  ****

  Ace whisked around the apartment, jamming everything into his capacious suitcases and trying to shove thoughts of Katie from his mind. He had to do this...in fact, he was doing it for her, but she would probably never know. He couldn't stick around here.

  As he loaded one gun and strapped it on, there was a knock on the door. He opened it to find Molly, looking downright dangerous in her stilettos and black leather jacket.

  "Sit down," she said, shoving her way past him and nearly impaling him with a long fingernail. "We have to talk."

  ****

  Crossing her legs at an angle as if she were posing for a glamour shot, Molly launched into a diatribe, complete with emphatic hand motions.

  "You're a handsome guy, Ace—and you know it." She smiled at his surprise. "Takes one to know one, bub. What I have to say, before you so rudely take off and leave my pining sister in the dust, is that Katie doesn't just fall for anyone. After that foot injury, she closed up a corner of her heart. Then when Dad died, she put up a No Trespassing sign and wrapped the entire thing in police tape. No men have gotten in. Ever." She paused, scrutinizing him. "But here's the deal: she must see something in you that runs deeper than looks."

  He took a couple deep, calming breaths, trying to figure out which way Molly was going with this. She didn't slow down, nearly boring holes into him with her stare.

  "What I'm telling you is that if you walk away from this, it will crush her. She doesn't even know how in love she is yet, but I can tell. Sisterly intuition. And here's something else. I can tell you're a good match for her. She's happier when she's with you, and she's more...herself." She stood and started pacing, sharp heels clicking on the floor. "And so help me, if you leave her in the lurch, I..." She made a wringing gesture with her hands.

  He couldn't stop himself. He laughed outright.

  Fire blazed into her cheeks. "How dare you laugh about my sister?"

  He held up a hand, rushing to explain before Molly's anger got the better of her. "I'm not laughing about Katie. I believe I love her too, crazy as that sounds. That's why I have to go."

  She raised one eyebrow, but waited for him to explain.

  ****

  11

  A knock sounded on Katie's bedroom door and she cracked it.

  Ace stood outside, an inscrutable look on his face. "I wanted to say goodbye before I pack my car. I did tell your sister goodbye and she's waiting in the kitchen to talk with you."

  She looked at the half of his face she could see. She tried
to memorize his features, while at the same time pretending not to care. "Thanks. Thanks for everything. Bye."

  "I'm sorry this is so abrupt," he said. "I'm going to talk with the FBI guys for a few minutes, tell them what's happened, then I have to get rolling. They'll make sure you're protected from here on out."

  She couldn't bite back her bitter words. "Washing your hands of us, are you?"

  He put a hand on the door, opening it so she could see his entire face. His eyes were filled with concern and a deeper emotion, but she wouldn't be so stupid as to call it love.

  "I'm not. I promise I'm not. I'll never get you out of my head, Katie McClure."

  She slammed the door.

  ****

  Minutes dragged into an hour as he talked with the FBI agents. Now the whole story was out. Jim's fake death. His deal with Jim to save himself from prison. His placement in the McClure home and his subsequent failure to find the bank heist money.

  It was almost time for the FBI to take over, but not quite. He had one last job to do. He owed it to Katie.

  ****

  She watched the van doors close as Ace climbed in. Brandon was already talking with other agents in the living room. It was quite a force they'd brought out, she'd give them that. Probably out of respect for her dad...and he was worthy of respect, since it was obvious he'd never absconded with illegal funds.

  What a fool she'd been, falling for Ace. Searching for money she knew her dad didn't take. And yet...

  Yet he had protected her tirelessly. He had told her things she figured he hadn't told anyone else. He'd opened up to her, hadn't he?

  And if she was honest with herself, he had been the invigorating breeze that had blown many of her cobwebs of self-doubt away. She had seen God's hand of protection, remembered what it felt like to be loved for who she was.

  She had to tell him that.