by Joleen James
"You should. I'm sure she'd love to see you." Tawney couldn't imagine what a reunion would be like. Destiny loved the attention of men. She craved it like some people craved drugs or alcohol. Her mother would eat Earl alive.
"Ready," Rick said, joining them.
Earl towed the Jeep out of the rut and within minutes they were back on the road. Rick concentrated on his driving, giving Tawney time to think about everything he'd revealed to her during their snow-in. She stole a glance at him. He really was handsome. And troubled. And an emotional mess.
But so was she. Took an emotional cripple to know one.
They made it to town fine, waving at Earl as he drove off. They pulled into Rick's garage and exited the Jeep.
"I'm supposed to work at six," Tawney said.
"I'm on at seven."
"I'll see you later," she said. Suddenly it was awkward between them. It was easy to reveal things when circumstances were extreme. Now, with reality intruding, Rick seemed antsy, like he wanted to be away from her. "Thanks for the self-defense lessons."
"Sure." He grabbed a snow shovel from its hook on the wall. "Come on, I'll dig you a path home."
His thoughtfulness touched her. "Thanks."
Rick made quick work of the snow. At her door he dug the area out while she fished in her purse for the keys.
"This is fine, really," she said, when he kept going the extra mile to make the path even and clear.
"What the heck?" he said.
"What?"
She looked down, seeing a package.
"Must have been delivered before the big snow." Rick used the shovel to dig the small box out.
Tawney's tummy got that tight feeling, dread. She didn't want any more gifts, not from Mel, not from Fox, not from any man.
Rick passed her the box, using his gloved hand to brush the snow off. "There's no return address, but it’s a Nevada post mark."
Tawney stared down at the box. A small box. A box that could possibly hold a ring. "Fox?" She glanced up at Rick. "Oh my God. He's found me."
CHAPTER TWELVE
"Calm down," Rick said. He took the keys from Tawney. Her hands were shaking. He opened her door. "After you." She brushed past him and he saw the defeat in her eyes. Defeat that made him want to hop a plane to Vegas and take care of Fox himself.
Rick set the box on the kitchen table and turned up the heat. Tawney stood, frozen—and not from the cold. The woman was totally afraid.
"Tawney." He removed his gloves and put his hands on her arms, rubbing them through the bulk of her jacket. He wasn't trying to warm her but trying to comfort her, strike the fear from her features. "You're not alone. I'm here."
She nodded. "I’m a mess."
"We don't even know if the package is from him." Rick continued to rub her arms.
"No one knows I'm here."
"No one?" Rick asked. "Not even a girlfriend?"
"No," she confirmed. "I told no one."
"Look at me," Rick said. He stared into her beautiful blue eyes. "It doesn't matter what's in the box. I won't let him hurt you."
She nodded. "Okay, I'm better now. You open it."
Rick used the knife on his keychain to slice the box open. First, Rick lifted out an envelope. Under the envelope was a beautiful, soft blue scarf and matching hat and gloves.
"You open the card," Tawney said.
Rick slid the card out of the envelope. He scanned the print, then smiled.
"What?" she asked.
He passed her the card.
"Hey, Sis, thought these might keep you warm. Love, Ruby." She glanced at Rick. "They're from Ruby, not Fox."
"Not Fox," Rick repeated. "See someone does know you're here."
"I didn't tell her," Tawney said. "Maybe Star or Brandi did. It's just the last twenty-four hours. Between your drama and mine, I'm on edge."
"I know, I get it. It's so easy to get lost in a world where rules don't apply to some people. A place where bad behavior is the norm."
"Yeah." She nodded. "That's it exactly. That's why I love Alaska. I'm not seeing the corruption here, are you?"
"Oh, I'm sure it's here," he said, smiling. "But maybe not at the same level?"
"Maybe." She smiled, removing the winter wear from the box. "Well, I'll say this for Ruby, she has good taste. And she must read minds. I just bought a new blue jacket. These are perfect."
Rick didn't know much about the absent sister. "Is Ruby coming for the wedding?"
"No, she says she has to work, but I'm not sure that's the reason. She's not a fan of Seward. She came back for Thanksgiving but only stayed one day."
"I'm sure she'd be here for Star if she could."
Tawney shrugged. "I understand her. We all have our demons."
"I guess we do." The color was back in Tawney's cheeks. She was okay now. "I'm going to go."
"Thank you, Rick," she said. "You are my hero once again."
"My pleasure." He let himself out the door, lingering a moment until he heard the lock click into place. Grabbing his shovel, he made the walk to his place, digging out a path to his door.
Tawney had her issues. He had his. Angie weighed heavily on his mind.
Once inside, he powered up his computer. For the first time he felt ready to revisit the night Angie had died. For so long he'd buried the memory, refusing to let his mind go there. He'd had to, to survive. Talking about the case with Tawney had reopened all his memories, memories he could look at a little more objectively now.
He pulled up newspapers, reading accounts of the deaths of Angie Redmond and Tony Malone. Someone had outed Angie, but who? Informants were protected. Who had something to gain by giving up Angie? He couldn't think of a single person unless that person was on Tony Malone's payroll. Tony did have a brother, Joey, but Joey had been in Mexico for the past two years, running the physical shipment of the heroin across the border. Had Joey been in town for the big drop?
Surely the detectives in charge of the case had looked into Joey Malone's whereabouts that day? Rick wanted to know for sure.
He palmed his phone, calling his ex-partner, Phil.
"Rick, my man," Phil said on the first ring. "How are you, buddy?"
"Great, better," Rick said. "Hey, I've been doing some thinking about the night Angie was killed."
"Yeah?"
"I think someone else was in the warehouse that night. Maybe the person who ratted Angie out to Tony? Any idea if the detectives who caught the case have looked at Joey Malone?"
"As far as I know, Joey's still in Mexico," Phil said.
"Could have been someone else in Tony's organization. Or someone on the inside at SPD? Someone had to tip Tony off. Hell, I don't know, could be anyone I guess."
"Angie was an informant, Rick," Phil said. "She wasn't a woman with high moral character. She could have had more than one iron in the fire if you know what I mean. She would have sold either of us out in a hot minute."
"You're right," Rick said with a shake of his head. Angie had been loyal to Angie. "Hey, thanks for listening. I feel better now that I've talked to you. How's the baby?"
"Grace is great, the love of my life."
Rick could hear the adoration in his partner's voice. "I'm happy for you. Kelly is good?"
"The best," Phil said. "I'll tell her you said hello. She's been worried about you, man. We miss you. And how are you going to get to know Grace when you're living in the frozen north? You're her godfather, Rick."
"I'll visit soon, I promise," Rick said. "Give Kelly and Grace a kiss from me."
"I will," Phil said. "Take care, Rick."
"You, too." Rick ended the call. Why was he looking for trouble? Phil was right; Angie could have been screwing around on Tony. If so she might have been taken out for infidelity, not for being a narc.
He'd probably never know the truth. It was best to let it go. That part of his life was over. He needed to bury it with Angie.
The time had come to get on with his life.
&nb
sp; His thoughts turned to Tawney. They'd cleared the air, laid all their cards on the table and he liked that.
Did he want to start something with her? No. Maybe. He'd definitely become her protector, a role he was used to. Did she need protecting? He had no clue. He did know one thing; he was still wildly attracted to her. That hadn't changed. They were both world-wary, battle scarred.
The light was on in her living room, the golden glow like a beacon. An image of her in her T-shirt and panties flashed in his mind. He'd been so screwed up last night he'd barely noticed her state of undress, but he was remembering now.
Man. And he'd be working with her tonight. It would take all his willpower not to picture what was underneath her clothes.
Rick smiled.
It was going to be a long night.
* * *
"I'm so glad you decided to have the rehearsal dinner here at Cade's instead of at a restaurant," Tawney said. "It's so much more personal."
Star took a sip of her champagne. "I wouldn't have done it, but Trudy insisted."
Star looked fabulous in a black jumpsuit. She wore her engagement present from Cade—a dainty silver chain supporting a modest diamond pendant. Her blonde hair was up, showing the elegant line of her neck. Happiness looked good on Star.
"I did," Trudy said as she took a pan out of the oven. "You know how much I love to cook. This gives me the chance to show off my skills. I hope you all are hungry. My chicken piccata is to die for."
"I am." Tawney sipped her champagne. Star's house had been transformed into the most romantic setting. There were twinkle lights everywhere. Her wedding colors, blue and taupe, graced everything from the napkins, to the tablecloths, to shining stars hanging overhead. Trudy had thought of everything.
"Trudy refused to let me help with a thing," Star said. "She's the best sister-in-law on the planet."
"It's your night, honey," Trudy reminded her. "The wedding is tomorrow. Tonight is all about you and Cade."
Cade strode into the kitchen, looking handsome in dark slacks and a blue shirt that matched his eyes. "Did I hear my name?" He walked straight to Star, taking her in his arms. He kissed her, his lips lingering over hers. "Tomorrow at this time we will be married."
Star touched his cheek. Love poured off of Star and seemed to flow to Cade. Tawney glanced away, embarrassed to witness such an intimate exchange.
"I can't wait," Star said. "I love you so much."
Tawney smiled. Star deserved to be happy. She'd had a hard life, stepping in for their mother when Destiny had been unable to take care of them. Star was the one person Tawney could always count on. She was the reason Tawney had come to Alaska. Star was a rock. She got things done, yet she had a soft core, a tender heart. She loved big. Cade was a lucky man.
Cade turned to Tawney. "Having fun?" he asked her.
"I am." Tawney lifted her champagne. "To you two. May you always be this happy."
Star hugged Tawney. "Love you, kiddo."
"Hey, what about me?" Brandi said as she entered the kitchen. "Group hug."
Cade left as all three women hugged. Tears stung Tawney's eyes. She loved her sisters with all her heart. She never wanted to let them go.
"This would be a perfect moment if Ruby were here," Star said a bit sadly. "I wish she'd come home."
"You know why she's not here," Brandi said, keeping her voice low. "She can't bear to be in this town. She sees Dane and the baby everywhere."
"But he doesn't live around here anymore," Tawney said. "And the baby is a little girl now."
"I know," Brandi said, "but I think being here in this town reminds Ruby of her one mistake, the biggest regret of her life. I mean how do you give up your baby and move on? I could never give up Will. He's everything to me."
"She never knew her baby," Star said. "Maybe it's different for her."
"It's not," Brandi said with certainty. "Once you feel that baby inside of you everything changes. Wait and see, Star."
"Ruby's daughter would be about ten now, right?" Tawney asked.
"This summer," Star confirmed. "Ruby won't ever talk about her. I wish she would. I think it's unhealthy that she keeps her emotions bottled up inside."
"Bottled emotions are yet another great family trait," Tawney said.
"So true," Star agreed. "Ruby was only fifteen when she had the baby. So young to make such a big mistake. I blame myself. That was a hard summer in so many ways. If I'd been paying closer attention maybe the pregnancy wouldn't have happened."
"You can't blame yourself, Star," Brandi said. "Teenagers are crafty. If they want to be together, they will find a way to make it happen. Trust me."
"Well, it wasn't just her mistake," Tawney said. "Dane Anderson had something to do with it."
"True," Star said. "Cade still talks to him."
"Really?" Brandi asked.
"Is Ruby's daughter still living with Dane's aunt and uncle?" Tawney asked, just to make sure she wasn't missing anything.
"No," Star said. "She's with Dane now."
"What?" Tawney asked, stunned. "Since when?"
"Around five years," Star said. "Don't look at me like that. I just found out. I'm a recent transplant here just like you are. Apparently the aunt died. The uncle didn't want to raise the girl alone. Dane stepped in. According to Cade, he was happy to. Cade says he's a great dad."
"Oh, wow," Brandi said. "Ruby will blow a gasket when she finds out."
"Which is why I've said nothing," Star said. "I don't know how to tell her. Dane just bought the old water tower on Wind Whistle Point. Rumor is he's renovating it, turning it into a home for him and the girl."
"You're kidding?" Tawney said. "Hasn't that tower been abandoned for years? How on earth would you make it into a home?"
"Google it," Star said. "I did. Lots of people do it. Apparently Dane is some kind of master craftsman. Cade says he's going to turn the water tower into a showpiece."
"Wow," Brandi said. "You realize this makes everything worse. We all live here now. We are bound to run into Dane and the girl."
"I hope the little girl is happy," Tawney said, her heart aching for Ruby.
"What's her name, Star?" Brandi asked. "Do you know?"
"Ellery," Star said.
"Pretty name." Tawney smiled at Star. "I hope we get to meet her someday."
"Me, too," Brandi said.
Tawney lost track of the conversation when Rick came into the kitchen. Her heart sped up. She took a sip of champagne.
"Rick," Cade said, leaving his seat at the bar to greet his friend.
"Hey, everyone," Rick said, but his eyes lit on Tawney.
She raised a hand in greeting. He smiled.
"When is Mom due in?" Brandi asked, pulling Tawney's attention back to her sister.
"Now," Star said. "Ron is picking her up as we speak."
"Brace yourselves," Tawney said. "The orbital death star is coming." Tawney couldn't take her eyes off of Rick. He'd dressed for the party in slim fitting black slacks, a black shirt, and casual jacket. She'd never seen him so dressed up before. He could be a model, he was that good-looking.
"Tawney, that's a mean thing to say about Mom," Brandi said. "I've said as much to Star before when she's used that term."
Tawney shrugged even as she exchanged an amused look with Star. They often referred to Destiny as the orbital death star, finding humor in the way Destiny circled them, pointing out their flaws, destroying their self-confidence. If the name fit…
"Hey, ladies," Rick said as he joined them. "You are all looking lovely tonight." His eyes met Tawney's as he said the words.
Her cheeks heated. For crying out loud, she wasn't a teenager anymore. What was her problem?
"I'd give my eye teeth for Tawney's wardrobe," Brandi said. "Is your dress designer?"
Tawney touched the deep red silk. "It's a new designer, Toré. Toré is a friend of mine. The dress was a sample, but I love it." The wrap dress hugged her curves in all the right places, yet the d
esign was modest.
"Looks like it was made for you." Brandi sighed, the sound wistful and funny at the same time.
"I'll second that," Rick said.
"Thank you," Tawney said, warmed more by the look in his eyes than by his words. "You look great, too."
"Wow, is it hot in here?" Brandi said dryly, fanning herself with her hand. "I think I need some air."
There was no love lost between Brandi and Rick. Tawney shot her younger sister a withering look.
A commotion came from the foyer.
"Here she comes," Star said. "Brace yourselves, girls."
No sooner had Star said the words, when Destiny burst into the kitchen.
"Mom!" Brandi cried, launching herself at their mother.
"Brandi!" Destiny held her arms wide. "I've missed you. Where is that baby?"
Brandi hugged Destiny. "In the other room with Bud. Oh, Mom, you look great! Marriage agrees with you."
"It doesn't, doesn't it?" Destiny smiled.
And Tawney had to admit, Destiny did look great. She wore a low cut midnight blue dress that ended above her knees. Even though the dress was probably at least one size too small, Destiny pulled off the look. Four-inch high black boots, boots Tawney recognized as a designer brand, showed off Destiny's great legs. Her long blonde hair had been foiled to perfection. Her nails were freshly painted blood red. Yikes!
"There's the bride-to-be." Destiny hugged Star, then Cade. "Hi, handsome."
"Destiny," Cade said. "Glad to see you. Is John in the other room?"
"No, afraid not." She gave them a sad smile. "He wasn't feeling well, so I came alone."
"Mom, is everything okay?" Star asked.
"Right as rain, honey, no worries." Destiny turned toward Tawney. "Hey ya, kid."
"Hi, Mom." Tawney hugged Destiny. Destiny might be a rotten mother, but she was the only mother they had. And right now, Tawney had never been happier to see her. "Good to see you."
"You, too, my tiny dancer. What's this I hear about you living in town now?" Destiny pulled back to look at her, her sharp eyes missing nothing. "What's wrong?"
"Mom, nothing," Tawney said. "I just got lonely in Vegas."
"Lonely my ass." Destiny took Tawney's arm, pulling her away from the others. "What's going on? I heard from Sal that you had a stalker. Fox Lassiter. Why didn't you tell me? Fox is a scary man, Tawney."
