“Was it suddenly laugh or cry?” he guessed.
“Something like that,” she sighed. “I’m done now. We can go to sleep.”
“If I say goodnight, are you going to collapse into giggles again?”
“Possibly.”
“See you in the morning?”
“That works.”
“Good night, you two.” Julia threw a pillow at them. Rachel giggled.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
TWO HOURS AFTER RACHEL STOPPED GIGGLING, she was climbing into bed with Julia, trying to soothe the thrashing girl and chase away the demons that ran wild through her dreams. They were all tired and sore the next morning, but nonetheless they stumbled out of bed and plunged forward into the day.
They were back in Atlanta before dinner. They switched cars just outside of town, where Veronica had left them the SUV with tinted windows. Conrad drove them to the house on Carroll Street, pulling around to the back to let the girls out where the fewest number of eyes could see them.
Conrad used the secure phone to call the cabin while Rachel got Julia settled into her room for the evening. Veronica walked down to the café to bring Rachel her favorites off the menu, along with a couple bottles of wine. Vance and Harmony even joined them for dinner. Everyone was tired and frustrated; they all needed an evening off.
“How is Neena?” Rachel asked, her eyes never leaving Conrad as he rejoined them.
“She is Neena. She’s already making plans for what’s next. They plan to stay at the cabin a while — until everything gets sorted out, that is. I can’t imagine they’re comfortable in that cabin, though. They’ve got to be stacked up like Lincoln Logs.”
“I need to talk to her soon.” Rachel worried that the stress of the past few days would harm any potential baby Neena might be carrying, but she wasn’t about to add that to Conrad’s list of things to worry about.
He nodded, not thinking anything of her request. “By the way, I also called Sheriff Taylor. He will be cat-sitting for you until one of us can go pick Darcy up.”
Rachel’s face lit up at the news. “Darcy’s okay? I kept having visions of him somehow running back in the house when no one was looking and being trapped.”
“Nope. He’s okay. Probably confused as hell, but fine otherwise.”
Rachel smiled at that. It was the best news she’d heard all day. At least it was something happy to offset the fact that Julia had withdrawn back into her shell. The hunted look was back in her eyes, too. The change in her sister’s demeanor frustrated Rachel to the point of tears, or screaming (or smiting, but God still hadn’t given her that power, so she was left with tears or screaming).
Conrad, Julia, and Rachel were all quieter than normal during dinner. For Rachel, at least, it was because the shock and strain of the whole mess was catching up with her. She imagined the other two were struggling with something similar. Conversation flowed around them; their dinner companions were used to living in this world, so they were better at blocking it out — at least that’s what Rachel told herself.
She watched the playful interactions unfold as the little group relaxed, the stress and strain of the world falling away as they teased one another and simply enjoyed the others’ company. The longer she watched them, the more she wished they were just a group of average friends, having dinner like average people do.
A stray hair fell across Harmony’s cheek. Vance reached out to tuck it behind her ear, a look of complete adoration on his face. He whispered something, and she laughed. Rachel tore her eyes away before anyone could catch her staring.
“Rick, I know we’re not supposed to talk business tonight, but I forgot to tell you I had in the camera contacts for pretty much the whole day yesterday. I’ll get them for you after dinner. Maybe there will be something you can use on them.”
“Excellent.” He gave her a lopsided grin that made her instinctively smile back. She didn’t think it was possible not to smile back at Rick Sinclair. His happiness was infectious like that.
Harmony glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to get going anyway, so I guess our night off is officially over.” A small frown creased her brow.
“Don’t go,” Rachel blurted, surprising even herself. “Let me cancel the order. I think we’ll have enough with the fire.”
“It’s a tempting proposition, but we’re so close. I bet another day or two and we’ll have this bad boy wrapped up. I got some really good information this week. Don’t worry – Veronica already sent it over to your friend.” Harmony stood and stretched. “I think I ate too much.”
Rachel wanted to protest, but the words died in her throat. Instead she nodded and said, “It was nice seeing you again.”
“You really aren’t happy about this, are you?” Conrad observed as Vance and Harmony said their goodbyes to Rick and Veronica.
“I just think it’s an unnecessary risk.” Rachel sighed in defeat. “I’m so ready to go home now.”
“Where is home?” Conrad wondered.
“At the moment? The cabin is the first thing that comes to mind. I guess we’ll figure out something more permanent when we get there, though.”
“It could get a little crowded with my sister’s brood there, too.”
“With five kids? Yes, it could get crowded in a hurry.”
“They have four kids,” he corrected, then swore. “She’s pregnant again, isn’t she?”
“Possibly.” Rachel could have kicked herself for her big mouth. It hadn’t been an hour since she’d decided not to tell Conrad. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t going to say anything. I’m such a dope.”
“You’d kick my ass if I withheld information like that from you, even if I thought it was for your own good.”
“True. Sorry.”
He kissed her on the forehead. She took that as a sign that all was forgiven.
Julia abruptly stood. “I’m going to bed.”
“Hold up; I’ll go with you.” Rachel nearly knocked her wine glass over in her haste to keep up with Julia.
“Hey, Rachel,” Rick called after her. “I want those pictures.”
“Five minutes.” She held up five fingers. “I’ll be right back.”
Rachel waited until she was alone with Julia to ask her if she was okay.
“I’ll be fine.”
“If you need to talk, you know I’m around, right?”
“Absolutely.” Julia offered a stiff smile.
“That wasn’t very convincing, but I’ll let it slide.” Rachel hugged Julia, sad to feel the girl stiffen at the human touch. All the ground they’d gained since arriving at Neena’s had been lost. Rachel was in so far over her head she didn’t have a clue what to say or do to help her little sister.
“Goodnight, John Boy,” Julia teased quietly, lightening the mood.
Rachel smiled, feeling a splash of relief at the simple gesture. “I’ll be right back. Just let me take the contacts to Rick and tell Conrad goodnight.”
“You don’t have to babysit me. I’ll be okay.”
“Are you kidding? I’m exhausted. I welcome the chance to sleep.”
It was the truth. Rachel was so tired she could hardly put one foot in front of the other. As soon as she’d dropped the contacts with Rick, she gave Conrad a quick kiss goodnight, got herself changed, and made a beeline for bed. Once there, she fell asleep before she even had time to miss Conrad’s arms around her.
The next morning, Rachel felt every minute of her age. Julia’s nightmares had come back with a vengeance, leaving both of them feeling completely wrung out by morning. It was with mixed emotions that Rachel received the news that she and Julia were supposed to go with Veronica to meet Carly, the woman who would take Julia to the safe house.
Rachel couldn’t see Julia settled in her new place because few people were allowed to know its location. It bothered her, being forced to trust someone she didn’t know with Julia’s well-being. But Veronica had vouched for the woman, and the shelter had a staff equipped to help Julia th
rough the healing process, something Rachel hadn’t done very well. So far, all Rachel had managed to do was give Julia new things to have nightmares about.
She was caught between feeling like she didn’t have much choice and feeling like she was dropping an unwanted pet off at the pound. Both feelings left her rather surly.
She went through the motions of the morning, doing her best not to take out her irritation with life on those around her. Judging by the wide berth she was getting, she wasn’t doing a fantastic job of being pleasant.
Still, she managed to put on a polite face when it came time to meet Carly. From the moment Rachel met the woman, she was fascinated. She had a personality somewhat reminiscent of Rick’s; it beckoned Rachel to smile. Carly was chatty if not bubbly, and she seemed completely oblivious to Julia’s churlishness. Rachel had to give her kudos for that.
After many promises to stay in touch on both sides, Veronica eventually pulled Rachel away from Julia, insisting they needed to try to insert Rachel back undercover before they raised anyone’s suspicions.
“I only want to go undercover long enough to cancel the order,” Rachel reminded Veronica once they were in the car on their way back to Carroll Street. “I’m sorry. I’m a sprinter, not a marathon runner. I don’t have the staying power for this. I’m a nervous wreck one of you is going to get hurt.”
“You’re worried about us?” Veronica cracked a grin. “We do this for a living.”
“That doesn’t make you bulletproof.”
“True, but you don’t have to worry about us. You should actually go back to the house and take a nap. I’d venture a guess that you haven’t gotten one full night’s sleep since this whole thing started. Take today to rest; we’ll reinsert you tomorrow.”
“Maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m just tired,” Rachel conceded. “Do you think Julia will be okay?”
“I know she will. Carly is an amazing woman; she’ll see that Julia is in good hands.”
“Does Carly work at the shelter?”
“As a volunteer in several capacities. She’s fairly wealthy, so she doesn’t have to ‘work’ at anything. I like her – she uses her wealth and power to fight injustice, to help those less fortunate.”
“I liked her too.” Rachel rested her head for just a moment, allowing herself the luxury of closing her eyes. The next thing she knew, Conrad was lifting her out of the seat and carrying her upstairs to their bedroom. He tucked her in, turned a fan on for her, and left her with a kiss on the forehead. That was the last thing Rachel remembered before being woken up for dinner.
“Hey, there she is,” Rick greeted her warmly as she sat down at the dinner table, still a little groggy but somewhat refreshed by her nap.
“Hi,” she greeted him warily. He seemed to be in an unusually good mood, even for him.
Veronica shot Rick a questioning look before heading back to the kitchen to grab a basket of bread and a bottle of wine. Conrad was bringing steaks in off the grill. Rachel’s stomach rumbled as the aroma drifted through the air.
“You got some fantastic shots with that camera of yours,” Rick complimented.
“Thank you.” Rachel was relieved to hear there was something useable from the day.
“One thing, though. Next time you wear the contacts camera, you might want to consider taking the lenses out before you take a shower.”
Rachel let out a squeal and an expletive that earned a belly laugh from Rick. Conrad’s mouth dropped open. Veronica swatted at the back of Rick’s head, but he ducked to miss it.
He tried to straighten his face. “Don’t worry, I deleted the pictures. Although I have to tell you, you have excellent legs.”
That time Veronica’s aim was true. Conrad looked murderous, making Rick laugh all the harder. Rachel felt her face turn three shades of red; she rested her forehead on her fingertips, mentally berating herself for not remembering the camera pre-shower.
“I cannot believe I did that.”
Conrad paled. “Please, for the love of all things good, please tell me you took those contacts out right after your shower.”
Rachel blanked momentarily. Her hand flew to her mouth as she tried in vain to remember if she’d taken the contacts out after her shower or after Conrad’s. The look on his face was one of sheer horror. Heaven help her, she couldn’t help it; Rachel joined in Rick’s laughter.
“I think they’ve both finally gone over the edge,” Veronica decided, looking from her husband to her friend.
“Rachel, seriously, did you take the contacts out?” Conrad was starting to sound a little panicked.
“I think so. I don’t know. I was so tired.” She wiped at the tears streaming down her face, trying to stop laughing before her husband popped a vein or something.
“She took them out before,” Rick promised. “But now I’m starting to think what happened after that must have been interesting.”
“You are not helping me get out of trouble here,” Rachel admonished Rick. “A gentleman would at least attempt to help me get out of trouble.”
“That’s where you’re in trouble,” Veronica interjected. “He’s not even close to a gentleman.”
“Hey,” Rick protested.
“You just told my friend she had nice legs. This is going on your list – right up there with Adrianna crashing our wedding reception.” There was ice in Veronica’s voice.
“Oh, really? Have you watched Phantom of the Opera much lately?” He threw the words back at her.
Conrad and Rachel were both shocked into silence. Rachel looked at Conrad, not sure how else to give the couple some measure of privacy.
“That was low, Dick.” Veronica said the words softly, rising regally and turning to go.
“Aw hell, Ron, I’m sorry.” He was instantly contrite, jumping up to run after her.
Once they were alone, Conrad turned back to Rachel and shrugged. “For the record, I don’t care if you watch Phantom of the Opera – although I personally prefer Jesus Christ Superstar.”
“I do too, so we’re good.” Rachel nodded slowly, not sure what just happened there. “The steak looks good.”
“Thanks.”
They sat in silence for a moment before Rachel asked, “Would it be rude if I ate my steak?”
“I will if you will,” Conrad replied.
That was all the encouragement Rachel needed. She was famished. She was about halfway through her steak when Rick came storming back through the house. Rachel cast a furtive glance at the back deck, where she knew her friend was sitting alone and miserable. Then she looked back down at her steak longingly. With a sigh, she rose, grabbing the wine and two glasses and heading toward the back door.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“YOU KNOW, YOU KISS ONE GUY, you say one stupid thing, and you never hear the end of it,” Veronica lamented before Rachel even had a chance to sit down.
“Yeah,” Rachel agreed, having no idea what Veronica was talking about. “Want a glass of wine?”
Veronica gratefully accepted the glass. “I’ve missed having girlfriends.”
“What about Harmony?”
“She’s not around much. She just happens to be on summer break. It’s usually just me and the guys.”
“She’s still in school?”
“Graduate school, but yep. I don’t know how she does it. I barely got my bachelor’s without going insane. I hated school.”
Rachel thought about her next words carefully. “You don’t have to tell me what just happened there, but if you want to talk, I have time.”
“I did something stupid once, and I don’t think he’s ever going to forgive me for it.”
“I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume that the stupid thing was kissing another man?”
“He kissed me. Well, I kind of kissed him back. But it was while undercover, so it’s not like I had a ton of options. But there was something there between us. I can’t explain it. All I know is it all came right on the heels of feeling very bet
rayed by Rick.”
“I think I got it.” Rachel put a comforting arm around Veronica, so many of the little comments back and forth between them starting to make sense. “Do you still have feelings for this other guy?”
“He died.”
“I’m sorry,” Rachel sympathized, pausing a moment before prompting Veronica. “So do you? Have feelings for him, that is.”
“I don’t love him, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“But his ghost is still here, isn’t it? Not like his literal ghost, but he’s still coming between you two.”
“I preferred thinking we were fighting because Rick is an insensitive ass.”
“I’m sure he can be, but I think maybe your husband needs some reassurance that there are only two of you in the relationship – even if his fear is unfounded. Talk to him,” Rachel encouraged.
“It’s so nice to have a girl to talk to.” Veronica took another sip of her wine and rested her head on Rachel’s shoulder.
They sat together, admiring the stars and sipping their wine, for a while longer before Veronica decided she was ready to go hunt down Rick. Rachel felt like a selfish jerk, but she couldn’t help wondering if her steak would still be edible.
“I didn’t even think you liked red meat,” Conrad observed later, watching her devour her second piece of beef.
“I don’t. It’s icky. But this is very good. You did a wonderful job grilling it, love.”
“Thanks.” Conrad continued watching her, amusement written all over his face.
It took two plates of food for Rachel to feel satiated, but she went to bed that night feeling fairly fat and happy, under the circumstances. She did worry about Julia, hoping her first night in the new place went well, but she had to admit it also felt good to snuggle into Conrad’s arms and drift into a long and dreamless sleep.
Rachel didn’t know what time it was when Conrad shook her gently, calling her name and urging her to wake up. She closed her eyes tighter, trying to snuggle up to him and fighting the pull toward wakefulness.
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