Arrest of the Heart

by Judy Kentrus

  Jessie felt a momentary sense of panic when Lincoln walked out the door, but casually looked around the high-ceiling room decorated in cloud gray, white, and cranberry. The light oak furniture blended perfectly with the natural log walls. A floor-to-ceiling fireplace, built entirely of river stone, dominated one wall. What was surprising was the lived-in look, right down to the children’s shoes and a Monopoly game, and the basket of dirty laundry. Maybe they weren’t so much different than her.

  “This is awkward,” Jessie said. “I don’t know what to say to either of you.”

  Julie put her hands in the pocket of her jeans. “You are not alone. Lincoln is very special to all of us. Let’s sit down. Can I interest you in something to drink?”

  “Coffee, if it’s not too much trouble.”

  “Those two scamps, escaping before clean-up,” Julie said, tackling the mess on the table.

  Jessie helped re-stack the construction paper. “Don’t feel bad. Edie is the same way.”

  Alexis brought three cups to the table, already filled with freshly brewed coffee. “We hope you don’t hate us because we were there to support Lincoln.”

  “The thought never entered my mind. He is very fortunate to have such wonderful friends.”

  Alexis added sugar to her coffee. “That bitch lawyer sunk her claws into you and pissed us off, big time. We were going to suggest Russell and Scott send her packing when they returned to Long and Barrows, but Lincoln fired her first, not before reaming the hussy a new one. He never wanted Melissa to take that defense tactic to embarrass you.”

  “To be perfectly honest, I didn’t recognize him, or know who he was until that day in court. My brother Treig was his best friend in high school. Since the trial, we’ve been playing cat and mouse. The other day, things came to a head, and he told me about his company and why he really came to Laurel Heights. I’m not afraid to admit I’ve been harboring a school girl crush on him since I was fourteen.”

  Julie raised a knowing brow. “Jessie, I think it’s a little more than that. I saw those pictures on Facebook.”

  “I think I’m the only one who hasn’t seen those pictures.” Jessie picked up the paper napkin next to her cup and started folding it corner to corner. “He’s very special to me. I had a hellish marriage to a suck-face jerk and need to learn to trust.”

  “Wait one minute.” Julie got her tablet from the kitchen counter and signed into her Facebook account. “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

  The first one was Lincoln running a finger down her cheek and the second was him cradling her face in his hand. “I was crying because we just had a bitter argument and he was wiping away a tear. The second one, he was telling me he’d never take my daughter away from me.” Jessie realized too late what she’d said.

  “Why would he want to take your daughter away?” Alexis asked.

  Jessie sensed her new friends could be entrusted with the truth. Knowing Linc, he probably told their husbands about the contents of Buford’s safe. “I’m relying on you both to not share this with anyone. Edie’s birth mother was Lincoln’s sister, Jennie Elizabeth. She was killed in a car accident when Edie was six months old. I was named the baby’s legal guardian before Edie was born. Everyone thinks Edie is mine.” Jessie twisted her hands together. “She may not have come from my body, but she is my daughter.”

  Julie and Alexis dabbed at the wetness on their cheeks. “I never saw it coming,” Julie said in a voice thick with emotion. “Your secret is safe with us. Lincoln must be ecstatic that he has a niece.”

  “He is. I haven’t told Edith about her birth mother, or that Lincoln is her uncle, but I will when the time is right. I love them both.”

  “If you love him, look closer at the expression on his face in those pictures,” Alexis suggested.

  Jessie studied the Facebook pictures and her pulse quickened when she realized what she’d missed the first time. Everyone had seen it, including her own mother. She fully understood what the comment, “Arrest of the Heart,” meant. The love he felt for her was evident in the expression on his face. Lincoln loved her.

  Edie was sitting between the two girls on a padded bench in the stern of the Boston Whaler having a marathon chat, when Lincoln stepped onto the boat that rocked gently at its moorings. The warm breeze coming off the water confirmed the perfect day to go fishing.

  Scott and Russell were in the wheelhouse reviewing a chart. “You guys are a sight for sore eyes,” he said, shaking hands with his best friends. Both wore T-shirts over their bathing suits. “Where’s Bill?”

  “He went to the boathouse for another net,” Scott said. “As soon as he gets back, we’ll get the cooler from the house, then we’ll shove off. You left the women alone?”

  “I felt they needed time to get to know one another.”

  “Hey, Uncle Linc,” Billy called when he jumped down onto the deck.

  Linc came down to the steps and shook hands with the fifteen-year old. “Have you met Edie?”

  “Yeah.” Billy was surprised that the nine-year old girl had covered her bathing suit with a New York Yankees T-shirt. “Did Dad tell you about our contest? Whoever catches the smallest fish has to clean all of them for dinner. I’m not worried. One of the girls will win the contest,” he grinned.

  At his announcement, they stopped talking. “I’m not cleaning any fish,” Vicky said.

  “Me neither. Fish guts are slimy and they stink,” Susan said, crinkling up her nose.

  Edie didn’t comment. Her stomach got a funny feeling when she looked at Billy Landis. He had a nice smile and black hair, like Mr. Lincoln. He’d covered his bathing suit with a New York Yankees T-shirt. With determination, she got up from the seat and approached the teenager. “Just because you’re a boy doesn’t mean a girl can’t win. I won first place in the Laurel Heights fishing derby.” Edie put her hands on her slender hips. “I’m going to beat you!”

  Lincoln laughed and looked up at his friends. “Gentlemen, how about a side bet?”

  The weather shot up to eighty-five degrees, and the ladies enjoyed the in-ground heated pool on the side of the house.

  “More Sangria?” Julie asked.

  “Absolutely,” Alexis spoke up. “None of us have to drive or corral babies. I spoke to Florence a little while ago, and everything was fine. Garrett, Mary Jane and Cole were sleeping. Henry was napping along with the babies.”

  “I got the same report from Mrs. Clooney. I hope you didn’t get bored looking at pictures of our babies?” Julie said to Jessie. “Keeping them on an iPad is so convenient.”

  “No, I enjoyed looking at your beautiful children. I’m glad you had a picture of Danni and Michael’s new baby boy. I took a special police course with her a few years ago and we’ve kept in touch.”

  Jessie enjoyed her own delicious drink and let the afternoon sun warm her body. It was a rare treat to relax, stretched out on a chaise lounge beside a pool. She also enjoyed spending time with and getting to know her new friends. Both wore one piece bathing suits cut high on the hip, revealing slender after-baby bodies. Jessie’s own white Speedo clung to her body that reflected her determination to keep in shape. The women had shared the stories of how they’d met their husbands, Julie popping out of a birthday cake at Scott’s birthday party and Alexis being conned into pretending to be Russell’s fiancée. She envied their happily-ever-after love stories.

  A little before four, the home dock was in sight. Susan and Vicky sat on the bench, finishing off the last of their juicy water. Edie was in the wheelhouse with the men. Uncle Russell was letting her drive the boat.

  “I’m not doing it,” Susan said, keeping her voice low.

  “Me neither!”

  “I have an idea,” Susan said, keeping her eye on the adults.

  “Don’t tell me.”

  “Go up to the wheelhouse and tell Daddy you want to drive the boat.”

  “Why?”

  “Just do it.”

  Vicky approached the ste
ps and gripped the hand rail. “We’re going to get in so much trouble,” she mumbled.

  Edie blasted the horn to signal their arrival at home port. Steering the boat had been fun, almost as much as fishing. She wouldn’t be cleaning the fish because she’d beat the boy that made her stomach feel funny.

  “Let’s greet the guys,” Alexis suggested, donning a sarong wrap over her bathing suit. She and Russell had big plans for tonight, and she didn’t need the pain from sunburn to spoil their special time together.

  Lincoln accompanied the girls up to the house, while Scott and Russell lugged the cooler that held the fish. Something was wrong, he determined. They were quiet, unusually quiet.

  “Mom, wait until you see my prize winning bass!” Billy bragged and ran over to the cooler that his father and Uncle Russell had set on the bottom step in front of the deck. He lifted the lid and got the shock of his life.

  The fish were gone.

  Chapter 21

  “Where are the fish?” he yelled, giving his sisters a menacing stare. Both were clinging to their father.

  “What happened to the fish?” Scott repeated, looking from Susan to Vicky.

  “You tell him,” Susan said hurriedly, and buried her face in her father’s side.

  “Oh, no. You tell him. It was your idea!” Vicky gripped her father tighter.

  Scott put a hand to Trouble’s chin and tried not to smile at his adoptive daughter’s resemblance to a circus clown with a cherry nose. She’d smoothed a layer of sunscreen on her cheeks, but not her nose. “There were a dozen fish in there. What happened to them?”

  “I threw them back,” Susan confessed.

  “What! You little jerk!” Billy tightened his hand into a fist and took a threatening step closer to Susan.

  “Billy! Your sister isn’t a jerk.” Julie sympathized with her son, understanding his strong passion for fishing.

  Scott lowered to Susan’s height and took her hand. “Why?”

  “Daddy,” Susan called in a sweet, sing-song voice, “they were still alive in the water in the cooler. Edie told us about the fishing derby where they catch and release the fish. The hook in their mouth must hurt. You were going to cut their heads off.” She lowered her chin. “That meant the fish would die.”

  “I understand why you did it, but it’s okay to catch fish and eat them. Where do you think they get the fish in the food store?”

  Susan flipped a shoulder. “They are already dead, so I didn’t have to watch them swimming.”

  Scott tried not to smile at his daughter’s logic. “Apologize to your brother, and we’ll call it even.”

  “But, Dad!” Billy said, and reluctantly accepted his sister’s apology. Then, to everyone’s surprise, the disappointed fisherman stepped in front of Edie and held out a hand. “For a girl, you’re pretty good with a rod, Short Stop. Let’s call our contest a tie.”

  Edie took his hand and a blush swept her sunburned cheeks. “You’re pretty good too, for a boy.” Her young heart fluttered when he used her special nickname. Edie decided she’d never forget this special day or moment.

  While the women got the food ready, the guys set up the two tents and sleeping equipment. The sun was already down behind the tree-lined mountains when they finished their barbecue, and Russell and Billy started a fire in the circular fire pit a distance from the deck. Seats had been built into the decorative stone surface. They got through the entire process of making S’mores without catapulting burning marshmallows or hot melted chocolate landing in anyone’s hair. They were relaxing with a second cup of coffee when a motorcycle coming down the driveway drew their attention.

  “I hope I’m not interrupting,” Samantha Kingsley said, approaching the party. Dressed in black leather, she could have passed for a sexy biker chick.

  “Ms. Samantha!” Vicky said. “Did you bring them?”

  Sam hugged the little girl and braced herself when Susan barreled into her body. “No, Cupcake and Muffin are in the hands of a very good friend. I heard you were going to be here tonight and wanted to visit you.”

  “Hi, Sam,” Julie said, adjusting the sweater on her shoulders. Despite the fire, the late spring air was a little cool. “This is a nice surprise. Can I interest you in a cup of coffee?”

  “That would be great.” Sam held out a basket draped with a red and white checkered cloth. “Here are some cranberry orange scones for your breakfast.”

  When the conversation turned to babies and recipes, Billy cut out to do some night fishing, alone. He would keep any and all fish away from his sisters. The girls got bored and headed up to the deck to do something a lot more fun, blow bubbles.

  Sam enjoyed spending time with these very special friends. It did her heart good to see Linc’s arm wrapped about Jessie’s back, her head snuggled on his shoulder. Alexis was sitting on Russell’s lap and their foreheads were intimately pressed together. Scott and Julie were holding hands and shared a private joke. At times she felt like a fifth wheel, like now. Fate had closed the door on her wish to have a family and a loving husband. She needed to talk to Lincoln in private, and was worried how he was going to take her news. She’d debated her decision the past year, but an opportunity had just come up that helped make up her mind. First, she had some business to get out of the way.

  “I hate to upset your evening, but I had another reason for coming here. Reggie sent me a priority message that I wanted to deliver personally.” Sam dreaded how much the information was going to upset Jessie Taylor.

  Linc clued in on the word upset and dropped his arm from around Jessie. “You can talk in front of everyone.”

  “He was successful in tracking the computer at town hall where the emails originated.” She looked directly at Jessie. “None of it makes sense, but they were sent from your unit.”

  “What? That’s insane. Why would I send threats to my own mother?”

  “It didn’t make sense to me either, so I called him to confirm his findings. He explained every computer has its own signature, and if the hacker is good enough, he can direct and redirect a message from a particular computer. It’s difficult, but it can be done. Our head geek went a little deeper. The emails originated from an address listed for your former husband.”

  “How the hell did he get access to my computer signature? I don’t communicate with him, ever.” Jess’s voice trailed off and she paled. “He got it when I replied to his dinner invitation from my office desktop.”

  Linc gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Did you ever know him to be that computer smart?”

  “No, but who knows what he’s been up to the past nine years.” Jessie shook her head in frustration. “So, what do we do now?”

  “As soon as Reggie gets more info on Andrew Sayers, he’ll let us know,” Sam said. “For now, you’ve got a warm, glowing fire, a night sky with millions of glittering stars, a full moon, and a very handsome man. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.”

  “Okay,” Jessie sighed, and kept a tight hold on Lincoln’s hand. “What are the girls up to?”

  Julie glanced toward the deck. They were talking and meandering toward the Gazebo. The meter on her mother’s senses went up and she decided they needed closer watching.

  “Can I steal Lincoln for a few?” Sam asked. “I need to speak to him about a personal matter.”

  He stood up, becoming alarmed. “Is everything alright?”

  “Better than it’s been for a long time.”

  The woodsy scent from their fire drifted in the air. Lincoln put his hand to the small of Sam’s waist as they walked down the stone path in the direction of the tennis court. Short Halogen lights bordered the stone walkway. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’ll come right out with it. This is my last assignment for Adams Security and Investigations.”

  Linc stopped and stared at his friend. “You can’t be serious! You are one of my top agents.”

  “I’m very grateful for everything you have done for me. I walked into your office strai
ght out of college and said I wanted to investigate insurance fraud. You didn’t laugh and gave me a chance. I’ve loved working for you, but there is something I’ve always wanted to do.”

  “I know, but it’s something I prefer not to think about. It’s selfish of me.”

  “I’ve decided to follow my dream and open my own business. “Tea in Time,” will be a combination tea shop and small bakery. It will be unique to the area. Sallie Mae owns the vacant store next to the Spoonful and has offered to lease me the space. She’s agreed to serve my pastries in the cafe. I plan to talk to Sam Morlock about renovations and the installation of a bakery kitchen and a glass-sided gazebo.”

  They started walking again. “Where do you plan to live?”

  “The store will need structural changes, so I spoke to Russell about having blueprints drawn up. He mentioned that his father has vacant houses outside of town. I contacted Henry and he was thrilled I’ll be able to live on one of the farms that have active, natural-gas pumps. Cupcake and Muffin will have plenty of space. I just might get a cow and some chickens. I will miss all of you, but I’ll love living in Laurel Heights.”

  “You won’t be getting rid of me. I’ve purchased an old warehouse across the road from the train depot and plan to open a satellite office, focusing on security monitoring, installation and design for residential and commercial properties. I’m putting in a heliport, so I’ll be able to travel into the city twice a week. Logan can handle the New York office.”

  “That’s wonderful!” Sam said, and gave him a quick hug. “Have you told Jessie about your plans?”

  “She knows, and I think she’s happy I’ll be sticking around. It’s pretty obvious to everyone but Jessie that I love her. I plan to ask her to marry me.”

  “So, congratulations are in order. I’m very happy for you.”