by Terri Reed
He grabbed his duffel bag filled with all of Frosty’s paraphernalia and water bottles for them both, plus a few granola bars, and headed down to his parents’ apartment, determined to keep Rachelle out of his head and his heart.
* * *
Rachelle sat at the patio table across from Katie. She opened her flowered notebook and found a blank page. Katie had offered to talk to her about her marriage to Jordan. An unexpected boon. Rachelle picked up her pen, held it poised over the page. “How did you two meet?”
“He taught the self-defense class I took when I first moved to Queens.” Katie rubbed her tummy with a sad smile. “I thought he was so handsome, but I didn’t talk to him. But then he and Snapper came to Rego Park Elementary School to do a demonstration. And oddly enough he recognized me.”
“Why oddly?”
Katie shrugged. “I just never imagined that a man like him would take notice of someone like me.”
Rachelle reached across the table to place her hand over Katie’s. “I understand the sentiment. But from everything I’ve learned about Jordan Jameson he was a rare man and I’m sure he was smitten with you from the moment he saw you.”
Katie nodded, her gaze unfocused on the yard, where Frosty lay on the grass watching the two puppies tugging on the same toy. “We didn’t have a long engagement. In retrospect, I wish we had taken more time to—”
The back screen door banged open and Carter walked out. His gaze zeroed in on Rachelle like a heat-seeking missile. “What are you doing?”
Taken aback by his less than friendly demeanor, she sat up straighter and said, “Good morning to you, too.”
He glanced at the little flowered notebook in front of her and the pink pen her hand. “You’re interviewing Katie,” he accused. “You’re still writing an article about Jordan, aren’t you?”
She closed her notebook and very slowly set the pen on top. “Yes, I am.”
“You promised me you would stop this.”
She narrowed her gaze and leaned her elbows on the table. “Carter, I never promised you anything. I told you I would hand over my notes and research. I never said I’d stop writing this article.” Uncovering the truth was too important, especially now that she knew and cared for the Jameson family. And adding the personal touches to the story of Jordan’s life and love would make him more real to the reader. She wanted people to care about Jordan as a man as well as the chief of the NYC K-9 Command Unit.
“Carter, it’s okay,” Katie said. “I offered—”
He held up a hand, stopping her. “No, it’s not okay, Katie. She’s using our family to further her own career.”
“Daddy!” Ellie ran out of the house. “Grandma and I finished our puzzle. Isn’t it time to go?”
“Yes. It is.” Carter’s voice sounded a bit strangled.
Ellie skirted around Carter and climbed up on Rachelle’s lap. “You’re coming with us, right?”
Loving the feel of the little girl in her arms, Rachelle held Carter’s gaze. She wouldn’t go where she wasn’t wanted, but she wasn’t going to make it easy for him. Not when she longed to be a part of the Jameson clan for as long as possible. “If it’s still okay with your father.”
For a long moment, he didn’t respond. Rachelle wavered in her determination to stand her ground. She should bow out because he apparently didn’t want her to go.
“If Rachelle wants to attend, she’s free to,” he finally said. He directed his focus on Ellie. “Can I have a blessing kiss?”
Ellie slipped off Rachelle’s lap and hurried to her father. She took his face in her little hands and kissed his forehead, his nose, each cheek and his chin. “May you be blessed with a good run today. Whether you win or lose, Daddy, I will love you no matter what.”
The tender show of love between daughter and father had Rachelle’s eyes tearing up.
Carter placed a kiss on Ellie’s golden head, then he whistled for Frosty. The dog trotted toward the porch stairs with the puppies scampering close behind. Frosty followed Carter into the house, the screen door closing behind them. A moment later, Ivy stepped out with treats for the puppies, which she gave to Ellie. The little girl and the puppies raced around the yard.
“Carter’s not used to sharing Ellie with somebody outside the family,” Ivy said without preamble. “Ellie’s become quite attached to you.”
“And I her,” Rachelle said. “I’m sure Carter wants to protect her. At some point I will be leaving.” The thought brought a pang of loss she wasn’t looking forward to.
Ivy sat next to Katie. “That could be true.”
Could be true? What did she mean by that?
Rachelle wanted to probe Ivy’s words but before she could ask, Ivy continued, “You should have seen Carter in the early days. He needed our help, but boy, he wanted to do it all himself. But he’s like that.” Ivy sat next to Katie. “The doer has a hard time delegating. Unlike Noah, who is a master delegator. He would delegate doing the dishes when he was a kid.” Ivy chuckled. “I would come into the kitchen and the three boys would be washing and drying and loading the dishwasher. And there would be Noah, supervising.”
Rachelle itched to write these details down but refrained as Carter’s words about using his family echoed in her head. “Who’s older? Noah or Carter?”
“Noah, by a couple of years.” Ivy shook her head. “Those two were always vying for attention.”
“I’d guess Jordan was the one loading the dishwasher,” Katie said. “He liked things done a certain way.”
“Yes,” Ivy said. “Jordy would come in and rearrange the dishwasher behind me sometimes.” Her smile faded. “I really miss him.”
Katie reached over to awkwardly hug Ivy. “We all miss him.”
Rachelle dropped her gaze, feeling out of place.
Ellie ran up the porch stairs. “Are we gonna go?”
Ivy wiped at her eyes. “Yes, we are. Grandpa made some sandwiches so we don’t have to buy anything at the concession stand.”
“Oh,” Ellie grumbled. “I wanted to get some cotton candy.”
“That’s between you and your daddy.” Ivy headed back inside. “You know how he feels about sugar.”
Rachelle took Ellie’s hand. “They have cotton candy? I haven’t had cotton candy since I was your age.” She winked at the child. “I may just have to buy myself some.”
Ellie grinned at her. “You’ll share, right?”
“Of course.”
Katie rose from the patio chair and looked at Rachelle. “You’re playing with fire.”
Rachelle shrugged. “What’s a little more disapproval in my life?”
* * *
The stadium seats were filled. The crowd buzzed as Rachelle filed through the entrance of the sports complex housing the police dog field trials. The large grass field was dotted with various pieces of equipment like those in the NYC K-9 Command Unit’s training center.
Rachelle hadn’t been sure what to expect and was bemused by the excitement in the air and the multitude of people who’d come out to watch the K-9 dogs and their handlers demonstrate their abilities.
Her look must’ve given her away, because Alex said, “Folks from all over the region come out for these trials. It’s a big deal.”
“So I’m gathering.” She followed the Jamesons to their seats, which were in a really good place where they could see the whole field. Zach and his wife, Violet, along with Mr. and Mrs. Griffin were already seated. A sense of belonging seeped through her and it tore her up inside to know there would be a day when she’d have to leave them.
She sat between Ellie and Alex. “How often do they hold these trials?”
“The regional ones are twice yearly,” Alex explained.
“I’m very blessed that I was here for this one.” Rachelle traced Carter’s name on the glossy program. There was another
team from the NYC K-9 Command Unit listed: Officer Luke Hathaway and his German shepherd, Bruno.
Katie said, “We’ll be blessed if we don’t walk out of here with our backsides numb.”
Rachelle had to laugh. The seats weren’t the best, but they weren’t the worst she’d ever sat on.
“Hi, everyone.” A pretty woman with long brown hair and big blue eyes scooted into their row and sat on the other side of Katie.
Katie hugged the woman. “Sophie, I wasn’t sure you’d make it.”
“I wouldn’t miss Luke and Bruno for anything,” Sophie said. She leaned forward. “Hi, Ellie.”
Ellie jumped up and shimmied past Rachelle to give the newcomer a hug.
“Sophie, this is Rachelle Clark,” Katie said. “Rachelle, this is Sophie Walters, Noah’s assistant and soon to be Luke Hathaway’s bride.”
“We talked on the phone when you called to ask about interviewing Noah,” Sophie said, extending her hand that bore a beautiful engagement ring.
“Yes, we did. Thank you for your help that day. I was happy Noah offered up his brother,” Rachelle said as she shook Sophie’s hand. If Noah hadn’t suggested she talk to Carter, she wouldn’t be here right now. Literally. Carter had saved her life that day and many times since.
As the announcer welcomed the attendees and introduced the participants, Rachelle settled in her seat with Ellie on her lap. A roar went up from the crowd as each duo was presented. Rachelle yelled and clapped along with the Jamesons when Carter and Frosty trotted onto the field. They also cheered for Luke Hathaway and Bruno.
The demonstration got underway. Rachelle followed along with the program as the teams competed on the different obstacles. Her heart raced every time it was Carter and Frosty’s turn to compete. The pair was so in sync. She was sure they’d win.
“Okay,” Alex said, in a lull between events. “If anybody wants anything from the concession stand you better go do it now. In about ten minutes there’s an official break.”
Katie pulled herself to her feet. “I need to find the restroom.”
Ellie tugged on Rachelle’s sleeve. “Cotton candy?” she whispered.
With a grin, Rachelle stood. “We’ll go with you.”
They shimmied their way out of the stands to the main concession area. Katie waddled away in search of a restroom, while Rachelle and Ellie joined the line at the concession stand.
As they moved forward, Rachelle could feel a presence behind her. Not liking the invasion of her personal bubble, Rachelle glanced over her shoulder and locked gazes with a young woman with black hair beneath a baseball cap. Rachelle moved forward and the woman did, as well. Chalking it up to the New York way, she ignored how much the woman was crowding her space.
There were only three more people ahead of them when the woman latched on to Rachelle’s shoulder. She leaned in close. “If you don’t want anything to happen to this pretty little girl and her father,” the woman whispered in a raspy tone into Rachelle’s ear, “you better stop snooping into things that are none of your business.”
Rachelle whipped around, shrugging off the woman’s hand. The woman darted out of the line and blended into the crowd. Heart racing with the ominous words ringing inside her head, Rachelle fought back hot tears of frustration. It was one thing to put her life, and even Carter’s, in danger. But to put Ellie in jeopardy was unacceptable.
Rachelle could not allow anything to happen to Carter’s sweet little girl.
It was time for Rachelle to leave the safety of the Jameson home, as soon as possible.
THIRTEEN
Carter had just tucked Ellie into bed and kissed her good-night when he heard a knock on the front door to the apartment. Since Noah was still working, Carter quietly shut Ellie’s bedroom door and hurried to open the apartment door to find his mother standing there. Unexpected disappointment shoved him hard in the chest. He wasn’t sure why he had been hoping Rachelle would be at the door. They’d hardly spoken two words to each other all evening.
“You better get downstairs,” his mother said by way of greeting. “Rachelle’s packing and planning to leave.”
The news was like a punch to the gut. “What do you mean she’s leaving?”
“I don’t know. Something must’ve happened at the field trials because she’s been...” His mom paused, seeming to search for the right word.
“Subdued?”
“Yes. Exactly.”
He’d noticed after the competition that she’d been very un-Rachelle-like. She’d been quiet and reserved when they all went to Griffin’s Diner for a celebratory meal. Though he and Frosty placed second and Luke and Bruno placed third behind the team from Boston PD, Carter had been jazzed to represent the NYC K-9 Command Unit and was grateful for placing so high.
“Go,” his mother urged. “I’ll stay with Ellie.”
He hurried downstairs, belatedly realizing he had no shoes. Didn’t matter. He needed to find out what was going on with Rachelle. He entered his parents’ apartment, and his father, standing sentinel, pointed down the hallway. With a nod, Carter strode to Rachelle’s closed bedroom door and knocked.
“Come in,” she said.
He pushed the door open and saw the suitcase she was packing on the bed was already nearly full.
She glanced up at him. A little V appeared between her eyebrows. “What are you doing here?” Her eyes widened with fear. “Is Ellie okay?”
The quiver in her voice sent an alarm through his system. “Of course she’s okay. Why wouldn’t she be?”
She let out a noisy breath and turned back to her task of packing. “Good.”
He put his hand over hers, stilling her movements. “Rachelle, tell me what’s going on.”
She kept her head bent, her eyes downcast. Light from the overheard fixture created shadows over her cheeks. “Why does something have to be going on?”
“You’re packing your bags. Why are you going?”
“You can’t make me stay here.”
He drew her hands to his chest, forcing her to face him even though she refused to meet his gaze. “You’re right, I can’t make you stay,” he said carefully. “But I don’t understand why you want to leave now. Is it because I was upset with you earlier?”
A pained expression flittered across her face. “No. That has nothing to do with this.”
“Then what has happened? Tell me.”
She tugged her hands away and moved several steps back. “Nothing. Nothing happened.”
“Right. You haven’t been acting yourself ever since the field trials. My mom even noticed.”
Rachelle bit her lip. She seemed to be wrestling with a decision she was struggling to make.
“Talk to me,” he pressed. “Trust me.”
Finally, she said, “It’s not safe here. I need to leave.”
Her words made zero sense to Carter. “Of course it’s safe here. You’re safer here than anywhere else.”
She shook her head. “You don’t understand. They know.”
His breath stalled in his lungs. A chill of dread worked down his spine. “They who?”
“Whoever’s targeting me. Miles, if he’s the killer. And if he’s not, then whoever is Jordan’s killer. Maybe more than one person is responsible. I don’t know, but somebody knows I’m here and—” She clamped her lips together.
“And what?” He stalked forward, stopping within an inch of her. He gripped her shoulders. “Tell me what happened.”
She swallowed, looking trapped and afraid. He eased his hold on her to cup her cheek. “Rachelle, whatever it is, whatever happened to you, whoever threatened you, you can tell me. I will keep you safe.”
Turning her head into his palm, she closed her eyes. When she opened them, they were filled with determination and she stepped out of his grasp. “It’s not me I’m afraid for. It’s Elli
e.”
His heart dropped. “What do you mean?”
“Today when Ellie and I went to the concession stand, a woman told me that I better back off or they would hurt you and Ellie.” She shook her head. “I can’t let anything happen to your little girl.”
A deep fury ignited in his chest. Not directed at Rachelle, but at these unnamed, faceless people who were threatening her and now his daughter. “You don’t have to worry. You’re both safe here. I will get armed guards to cover the front of the house and the back.”
Darting around him, she resumed packing. “I’m leaving. You can’t stop me. If I’m gone then she’s out of danger.”
“But you won’t be out of danger.” The thought of something happening to her tore him up inside. He couldn’t let her leave.
“It doesn’t matter,” she insisted. “What matters is Ellie.”
He frowned at her logic. “You do matter.”
She waved away his protest. “Ellie is all that matters. Her safety. Your parents’ safety. Your safety.” Her voice broke on her last words. “I’ve brought nothing but trouble into your life.”
Now she was being silly. “Rachelle, listen to reason.”
She held up a hand. “Carter, I am not under arrest. You can’t force me to stay here.”
From outside the house a horn blared.
“That’s my ride.” She zipped up the suitcase and pulled it off the bed. She grabbed her purse and slung it over her shoulder. “Please, just let me go.”
“Where are you going?” His heart beat so fast he thought it might jump out of his chest. He wanted to demand she stay put but she was right, he couldn’t stop her. She was an adult with the right to exercise the free will God gave everyone. But he wished he could compel her somehow to stay within the protection of his family, within his protection.
She dragged her suitcase across the carpeted floor toward the door. He rushed forward. “Here, let me take that.”
