“Yes, Dr. Nagashima is wonderful. She’s helped in ways I never expected. Things I didn’t have the courage to deal with at times, but I feel much better now.”
He had suspicions about what she meant, but left it to her to delve deeper if she wanted. He still wondered if this was the reason she’d asked his mother to introduce them. As she said, she could have taken care of this at the station, with as little as a phone call, even.
“That’s what the program is for.”
Jessica nodded slightly, then flinched. “Yes. I guess it is, isn’t it.” She fidgeted with her purse, gingerly tilting her head from side to side and stretching her shoulders. “Still, sometimes people are reluctant to take advantage of free services. I appreciated your suggestions.”
“No problem.”
“I see why your mother is so proud of you—you’re a patient listener.”
He wondered why Jessica and his mother had talked about him. “Goes well with detective work, I guess.”
Jessica stopped, and Sam casually leaned a hip against the railing, watching her kick off her sandal and remove a pebble. Then she took off the other shoe and slowly bent down and picked them up. He cast an approving glance, noticing her nice tan and striking burgundy-painted toenails.
“I’m sure it’s part of why you’re so good at your job,” she continued, totally oblivious to his observation. “I was more than a little surprised to find out that the cop who saved my daughter and me is in the church choir.”
“It’s only the keyboard, for the Praise Team, but close enough for government work.”
She laughed. “I stand corrected. I tried to picture you trading in your uniform for a choir robe.”
“Naw, I’m a little too much rock-and-roll for the traditional choir.”
Her laugh was more relaxed. “You do look a little wild and dangerous, now that you mention it. Kind of a cross between a dark-haired Val Kilmer and Elvis.”
Sam thought a moment, then shrugged, his shoulders feeling a bit broader. “Guess I can’t argue with being compared to a music legend and a movie star, now can I.” Especially by a woman pretty enough to be in movies herself.
Jessica took a step, then stumbled, as if she’d been stabbed by another pebble. Sam offered a hand to steady her. “Maybe the grass would be easier on your feet.” He pushed away from the wrought-iron rail and guided her to the golf course adjoining the hotel property.
“Sure, that would be great.” She stepped onto the lush lawn and smiled. “It’s nice and cool, too. You ought to try it.”
“I’m doing okay, thanks.” The sooner they got back to the party the better. “This might be a good time to get to what you needed to talk to me about.”
“I needed to…” Her voice faltered. The tension reappeared on her face, making her look five years older. “First of all, thank you for all you did the night of my accident.”
“I was just doing my job.” He really didn’t want to discuss that night. Especially with her.
She turned slowly toward him. “No, something tells me you did just the opposite.”
“What?” He’d done his job completely. What in the world did she think he’d done?
“I’m sure you assumed I was lying to you when I answered your questions. You were so adamant that Tim had been drinking. I honestly didn’t know Tim had lost his license—” she took a couple of deep breaths “—or spent time in jail, until the insurance agent contacted me. I’m surprised that you didn’t have to press some sort of charges. Against me, I mean.”
He didn’t have the courage to tell her he had considered it. He shrugged impatiently.
Jessica’s quizzical look needed no explanation. “You had to have some reason.”
“You…” He closed his eyes, trying to put the scene behind him. “I guess I figured you’d paid a high enough price, losing your husband. There was no need to make matters worse. What was done was done.”
“All this time I’ve been expecting someone to show up at my door to press charges. Is that still a possibility?”
“No, the case is closed.” What retort he expected, he wasn’t sure. He’d been totally caught off guard by her matter-of-fact questions as well as his feeble answer. He paused, watching her stroll slowly ahead of him, her pain evident in the way she walked. He wondered now if he had done and said the right thing. “You can stop worrying. I presume the back problems are from the accident?”
She nodded. “It started then, and I’m sure lifting Amy so much doesn’t help.”
“Another surgery seems pretty drastic. Why do they have to go back in to take the…cage…out? Didn’t it do what it was supposed to do?” He suddenly realized she might not like the intrusion into her privacy and raised his hand to stop her. “Forgive me. You don’t have to…”
Jessica waved a hand, as if to brush his words away. “It’s not a big deal. The cage stabilized my spine, but after it healed, the metal just seems to irritate it. They suspect the next disk is now causing the additional pain. After months of physical therapy, chiropractors, massage therapy and steroid injections, I’m just ready to get it over with so I can enjoy life again.”
He stopped and looked at her, noting the shadows under her gray eyes. “Then, as of tonight, you can take one worry off your shoulders. No one is going to come after you. Your husband was at fault, and unfortunately, he paid a high price.”
Her features softened with relief. “I wish it were that easy, but at least I can go into surgery without fear that my daughter could be taken away from me. It’s really going to be okay?”
Sam felt about as tall as an anthill. He’d been set on discrediting this woman’s husband, and all this time she’d been worried about being there for her daughter. “Yeah, it’s going to be okay.” This was the part of his job he hated—seeing the pain that one person’s selfishness caused another. Justice came with a price, and it rarely stopped at the perpetrator of the crime. And now Jessica’s child would grow up without her father.
No one ever guaranteed life was fair.
Chapter Two
A cool breeze whistled through the pine trees, offering much-needed relief from the heat. “Do you mind if I loosen my tie?”
Jessica laughed, hoping he didn’t notice her interest in him. She held up her sandals. “You’re asking me?” Sam probably didn’t want to know that she wouldn’t mind if he wore khaki shorts and a T-shirt. “I’m not much for formal attire, but these days, you do what it takes to keep a job that you love.” Which reminded her of the real reason she’d been introduced to Sam. She watched him fumble with the knot of his tie and unbutton the collar, finding it quite odd that something so casual could make a confident man like Sam look uncomfortable.
“I hear you there.” He sighed and his mouth curved into a devastating smile. “This breeze is a Godsend after the heat we’ve had this week. Eleven straight days of over a hundred degrees. That’s one record I’d rather we never break again.”
Jessica closed her eyes and breathed deep. “I could do without the heat, but I miss the long days when summer ends. It’s so nice to have time at the end of the day to go for a picnic or play at the park.”
“How is your daughter doing?”
Jessica felt a sudden warmth just thinking of Amy. “She’s doing well. She still won’t talk much, but her pediatrician reminds me that she’s been through a lot for a three-year-old.”
His quick smile crinkled the skin around his deep-brown eyes. “You both have. I’m sure she’ll come out of it soon.”
She felt like a blanket of comfort had been wrapped around her.
“I remember her golden pigtails,” he added.
“How could you remember that?” Jessica laughed. “She barely had enough hair to get into tiny barrettes then, but she loved having her hair fixed. I just happen to have pictures, if you’d like to see them.”
“I’d love to.” Sam stopped walking and motioned toward the park bench.
Sitting down, Jessica dropp
ed her sandals to the grass and slipped them on. She pulled several snapshots from her bag, describing the pictures and who was with Amy in each. “I’m a little possessive after that night. And much more appreciative.”
“As you should be.” He took the offered pictures and admired them. “Still has that golden hair and blue eyes. She’s as beautiful as her mother.” Sam stopped speaking suddenly, as if he hated complimenting her.
Jessica felt her skin flush, whether because of the compliment or his practically snatching it back, she wasn’t sure.
“She’s a precious little girl. It’s amazing how a few seconds can change your life so drastically. I don’t know how I’d have lived with the guilt if something had happened to her, too.”
Despite her ignoring his compliment, Sam’s shoulders tensed and he edged away. She tried to ignore the pain his simple action caused her. They really didn’t know each other, and she knew better than to take his comment too seriously. He was being so incredibly polite, letting her go on and on about Amy; the least she could do was not make an issue of his embarrassment.
Sam looked across the lake, his furrowed brow and five o’clock shadow intensifying that rock-star appeal.
“Something wrong?”
Sam acted as if she’d caught him spying on someone. He shrugged. “I’m not sure. That looks like my dad.”
Odd, she thought. “He is here, remember? I’m sure he and Lidia haven’t left yet.”
“Oh, yeah. It’s still early, isn’t it.” Sam eased back on the seat, though he continued to stare across the lake. “It’s strange having him in town all the time. He traveled a lot when we were kids.”
“I’m sure that is an adjustment. How is it having him home all the time?”
Sam thought a while. “It’s different. Nice, but a little strange. I’ve been so used to keeping an eye out for my mom and sister that I feel like I’ve been demoted or something.” His brooding expression emphasized the tender side of Sam that she remembered, and she knew what Lidia admired about her youngest son. Lidia claimed he was the teddy bear of the family. He looked and acted tough, but was all mush inside.
Jessica found it difficult to build an image of a tough detective singing and playing an electronic keyboard. To say he puzzled her was an understatement. Right now, she’d give anything to see the teddy bear.
Jessica glanced at her wrist and realized she hadn’t worn a watch. She hadn’t thought the cartoon-character watch she usually wore would fit in at an exclusive hotel. “Do you know what time it is?”
Extending his arm, Sam exposed a fancy gold watch and took a quick glance. “About eight-fifteen.”
She took another sip of her ginger ale. She hadn’t seen Sam drink a drop. “Aren’t you thirsty?”
“Yeah, but drinking alcohol is prohibited when I’m wearing a weapon.”
Jessica waggled her eyebrows while examining his belt, puzzled that she saw no evidence of a gun. “A secret weapon, I presume?” She couldn’t help but look again, embarrassed that she was staring at him.
He crossed one ankle over the opposite knee and smiled, pointing to a small leather holster and a gun. “Just like in the movies. Except in real life, officers don’t drink alcohol while on duty.”
She felt her cheeks turn pink and laughed at her ignorance. “Of course. Does your ballpoint pen blow up, or is it your hidden camera?”
He raised an eyebrow. “You watch too many movies.”
“Only if there’s an attractive hero in it.” She offered her glass. “Would you like to finish my ginger ale? I’m really not thirsty, but the waiter has been so kind, bringing me refills, that I don’t have the heart to decline another glass.”
He looked shocked. “Ginger ale? Wish I’d thought to ask for a soda. It seemed like too much bother to ask for something special.” He accepted the glass and guzzled it.
“So you’d rather go without.” The pink hotel looked even brighter as the sun peeked above the mountain. Jessica studied the sky. “What a gorgeous sunset tonight.”
Sam leaned forward again, obviously too intent on the men outside the hotel to make small talk. He stood and motioned toward the ballroom. “I suppose we should head back.”
“Oh, sure. It is about time I got home.” Jessica put the snapshots back into her bag and started to stand. Sam put his coat on and offered his hand. She’d never met a man her age with such good looks and impeccable manners as well.
Jessica wondered how to broach the subject of the fund-raiser. Time was getting short and they were almost to the terrace. “Sam, there was something else I needed to talk to you about,” she said, the words barely escaping her mouth. She needed to complete her list of participants before the surgery. If she didn’t, publicity wouldn’t get out until after her sick leave was over. She couldn’t miss this deadline. This project was new to the Colorado Springs community, according to her committee members’ recollection, anyway. She knew it could be successful. It had to go smoothly—for her career’s sake, and for the well-being of the shelter.
Sam placed his hand around her waist just as she heard deep, angry voices. He pulled her into the trees.
“Sam, what’s wrong—”
He placed a finger over her lips, then turned her back toward the terrace and leaned close. “Probably nothing, but I’d rather these two not notice us.”
“Who?” Voices behind her got louder and Jessica turned.
Sam took her by the shoulders and pulled her close. “Don’t look,” he demanded softly.
“Excuse me?” She pushed against him.
His grip on her arms loosened, but he didn’t let her move away. “Pretend to kiss me—maybe they’ll think we’re just guests at the hotel out for a romantic walk.”
“Pretend…” He pulled her into his warm embrace and his face brushed near enough for her to feel that he needed to shave. “This is going to cost you.”
“Whatever you want.” His lips were a whisper away. So close she could feel the warmth of his breath. Her heart beat faster.
“You mean it?”
“Yeah, sure.” He rested his strong hand on her waist and turned their bodies slightly, looking over her shoulder. “There, that’s better.”
His words faded suddenly as his lips met hers. For a man who didn’t give a hoot about her, his kiss certainly packed a punch. Didn’t matter, she told herself. She was about to return the favor the next time he let her come up for air. Before she knew it, the only noise she heard was the musical rhythm of her own heart.
She didn’t notice the pain in her back. She didn’t notice that the sun had completely dropped behind the mountains, or that the terrace lights had come on. For a minute she wondered if Sam had forgotten that this was a ruse. Then suddenly he pushed her away and looked around, seemingly convinced that they were alone.
“Think they fell for it?” She didn’t know where she’d come up with the presence of mind to ask such a bland question when her heart was dancing.
He laughed. “Yeah, they’re gone now. Sorry about that.”
She smiled back. “Not a problem. You know what they say about paybacks…”
“What about it? Take you for coffee?”
“You’re not even close,” she said. “Very, very cold, in fact.” Jessica shook her head and crossed her arms in front of her. “That’s going to cost you. Big.”
“What are you talking about?”
“As you may or may not know, I’m the Development Director at the Galilee Women’s Shelter. In other words, I’m in charge of making enough money for the shelter to stay open. Since your mom is a volunteer, I’m sure she’s told you about the fund-raiser next month.”
He looked puzzled. “Other than talking my sister into helping with it, she hasn’t given any details.”
Jessica suspected as much. She also knew that Lidia was sure Sam would turn her down, which was why Jessica was here, getting kissed, which she hoped she didn’t have to do with every participant. She could guarantee it wouldn�
�t be nearly as much fun as kissing Sam.
He looked at her warily. “Why?”
“I need eligible bachelors, which you must be or you’d probably be very worried about someone seeing that kiss.”
He looked either sick or angry, she wasn’t quite sure which.
She raised her eyebrows playfully. “Trust me, it’s for a worthy cause.”
He shook his head immediately. “No.”
Jessica glared at him and wiped her lips. “No? Did Sammy say no?”
There was no question now, he was angry.
“That kiss was as much for your protection as mine.”
She laughed. “Right. And that is the worst pickup line I’ve ever heard.”
“Trust me, Jessica…” His voice faded.
“I believe you said ‘whatever you want’ when I warned you it would cost you.”
Sam pulled her out of the trees and walked toward the terrace. She felt completely safe in his hands, but couldn’t deny how much she enjoyed having the advantage. She didn’t imagine he was accustomed to being at a disadvantage in any situation.
“Just tell me what I owe you.”
“Congratulations, Samuel Vance, you’ve been unanimously nominated to be one of Colorado Springs’s most eligible bachelors in our bachelor auction. One lucky woman will be your guest on the dream date of your choosing.”
The look on his face was priceless. His olive-hued complexion suddenly looked like he’d spent a month in the sun. His eyebrows drew together to form one black line above his deep-set brown eyes and the smile was long gone.
“You’re expected to be one of the top money-makers, if that helps any. And if that kiss was any indication, I’d say they’re right.”
Chapter Three
Sam couldn’t imagine what had gotten into him. He wasn’t the impulsive type. And party-girls like Jessica Mathers certainly weren’t his typical weakness either. And even the hour or two he’d spent talking with Jessica blew that partying, lush image all to pieces. She hadn’t even been drinking, as he’d presumed. Her glass had been filled with nothing stronger than ginger ale. Some detective he was—couldn’t even tell champagne from soda. So what had she been drinking all those weeks at the café if she wasn’t drinking wine? It certainly hadn’t looked like ginger ale.
Finding Amy Page 2
