Her Mistletoe Protector

by Laura Scott

  She shrugged and toyed with her food. “Yeah, I do. Besides, I’d give up my company in a heartbeat if it meant getting Joey back safe and sound.”

  As Nick finished up and paid their bill, he couldn’t help wondering if this was exactly what the lawsuit victims had planned all along. Forcing Rachel to give up everything she owned in order to save her son.

  * * *

  Rachel glanced at the clock, wondering if she dared call Gerry this early on a Thursday morning. They were both generally early risers, but it was barely seven-fifteen. She couldn’t deny the deep sense of urgency. What if the kidnappers called right away, wanting the exchange? What if she didn’t have enough time to pull the money together?

  Logically, she knew that they would give her some time—after all getting the money was the end goal. Wasn’t it?

  She wished Nick hadn’t questioned her about the lawsuit, because now uncertainty gnawed away at her. But those messages had to be from Anthony’s uncle Frank, or from someone else within the Mafia. Nothing else made sense. Once they were back in Nick’s car, she scrolled through her old phone’s list of contacts until she found Gerry’s cell number. Just as she pushed the button to call him, another text message came through. Another message from the kidnappers?

  No, it was the text message stating that her phone number had been successfully transferred to her new phone. “Finally,” she muttered.

  “What?” Nick asked.

  After she filled him in, Rachel got busy activating the new device. She had to click on a link first and then wait another few minutes for the phone number to be registered before she could use her new phone. When that was finished, she typed in Gerry’s number and waited anxiously for him to pick up.

  There was no answer, so she left a message. “Gerry, it’s Rachel. Call me as soon as you get this. It’s urgent.”

  Nick filled up the gas tank at the truck stop and dumped her old phone in the garbage before he slid behind the wheel and drove back out toward the highway. “Where does Gerry live?”

  “About fifteen miles west of our corporate offices,” she answered.

  Nick glanced her way. “Okay, we’re a good hour away, so I’m going to head in that general direction.”

  She nodded, hoping Gerry would call her back soon.

  Forty-five minutes passed before her new phone rang, and she pounced on it when she saw Gerry’s number come across the screen. “Hello?”

  “Hi, Rachel, what’s going on? What’s so urgent?”

  She relaxed a bit, hearing the sound of his voice. “Gerry, I’m so glad you called me back. I need your help. Would you mind meeting with me right away?”

  “Of course, but why? What’s wrong?”

  “I’d, uh, rather explain in person.”

  “Okay, well then why don’t you come to my house? We’ll have plenty of privacy as Nancy is out visiting her mother, helping her recover from her hip surgery.”

  Nancy was Gerry’s wife and she vaguely remembered that he’d mentioned Nancy’s mother needing surgery. “That sounds perfect,” she said, feeling relieved to know that Nancy wouldn’t be there. “I’ll see you in about fifteen minutes or so.”

  Asking Gerry for money wouldn’t be easy—he’d been like a father figure to her since her own father had passed away from a sudden heart attack. She didn’t like the thought of selling off her company, but she didn’t have a choice. She’d give up everything she owned if it meant getting her son back safe and sound.

  “You’re not going to see him alone,” Nick said, breaking into her thoughts.

  She glanced at him in surprise. “I wasn’t planning to.”

  He scowled as he navigated the streets heading toward Gerry’s house. “But you didn’t mention that you’d be coming with someone,” he muttered.

  “I didn’t want to put him on guard,” she admitted. “I’m not sure how much I should tell him.”

  “As little as possible,” Nick responded. “No sense in dragging him into this mess.”

  “You’re right. It’s bad enough that I’m asking him to bail me out by buying my shares of company stock. And we still have to find a way to convince the bank to bypass their normal requirements to give me the cash immediately.”

  “One step at a time,” he advised.

  Gerry’s house was much grander than hers, but then again, she preferred the family-friendly neighborhood she’d chosen to raise Joey in. There was nothing better than watching the neighborhood kids get together to play a quick game of soccer or baseball in the park across the street.

  She had to shove the poignant memories aside. She needed to believe Joey would play again in the park, as soon as they got him away from the kidnappers.

  “This is it,” Nick said, as he pulled up into the driveway. There was a large wreath on the door and she could see the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree through the window. “Are you ready?”

  She nodded and slowly climbed out of the car. She rang the doorbell and braced herself as Gerry swung open the door. He looked surprised to see Nick standing beside her. “Hi, Rachel, come on in.”

  She stepped across the threshold and then turned to make introductions. But before she could speak, Nick thrust his hand out. “Gerry, my name is Nick and I’m a good friend of Rachel’s. I’m so glad we finally have a chance to meet in person, after all I’ve heard about you.”

  Her mouth dropped open, and she quickly closed it again. Nick’s message was clear—he did not want to be introduced as a detective.

  Gerry accepted Nick’s handshake. “Nice to meet you, too,” he said, throwing a suspicious gaze at Rachel. “I have to say, Nick, you have the advantage here, because Rachel hasn’t mentioned you to me at all.”

  The reproach in his tone was obvious and she swallowed hard, already hating the way she wasn’t being completely up-front and honest with Gerry.

  “Gerry, I’m sorry to bother you,” Rachel said abruptly. “I’m in trouble. Financial trouble.”

  His eyebrows furrowed together as he gestured for them to come in and sit down in the living room. “What do you mean by financial trouble?”

  She twisted her hands in her lap, unable to hide her nervousness. This was extremely important and she couldn’t afford to have Gerry refuse her request. “I can’t tell you, so please don’t ask. I need a lot of money, and I’m hoping you’ll be willing to buy my shares of stock in the company.”

  The stunned expression on Gerry’s face would have been comical if the situation wasn’t so grim. “Rachel, I’m happy to loan you whatever you need. There’s no reason to sell your stock.”

  His offer was humbling, but she knew she couldn’t take him up on it. Gerry was in his late forties and his two sons were currently enrolled in college. She couldn’t take advantage of his generosity. “I insist on selling them to you. That way, if anything happens...” She couldn’t bring herself to finish her thought. “It’s just better this way, because I need ten million dollars.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Gerry leaped to his feet and began to pace. “Rachel, that just about covers all your stock! And how are you going to get the bank to give you that much money?”

  “I’m hoping Edward Callahan, the bank manager, will bend a few rules for me,” she said. “He knows the company is worth far more than that.”

  Gerry let out his breath in a huff and then turned to glare at Nick. “Can’t you talk her out of this nonsense?” he demanded.

  “I’m afraid not. Rachel is the one in charge here. I’m just helping her out as a good friend.”

  Gerry’s gaze narrowed and he threw up his hands. “All right, fine. I’ll help you. But, Rachel, please reconsider taking a simple loan. There’s no reason to sell off your stock from your father’s company.”

  His offer was generous, but she shook her head stubbornly. S
he’d never sleep at night with that heavy a debt hanging over her head. “I need you to buy the stock, Gerry. I want everything legal. Please don’t fight me on this.”

  She couldn’t explain that the likelihood of getting the money back was slim to none. And besides, if something happened to her during the exchange, she wanted the company to be in good hands. Gerry would be able to pick up where she’d left off without any trouble.

  And even if she did survive, she knew full well that, after this was all said and done, she and Joey would have to start over, with a new job and maybe even a new house.

  A price she was willing to pay if it meant getting her son back safe.

  SIX

  Nick watched the interchange between Gerald Ashton and Rachel with interest. There was no denying the gentleman, who he guessed was roughly ten years their senior, seemed to care about Rachel. There was a casual familiarity between them as they ironed out the details of obtaining the money. While they worked, he swept a curious gaze around the room.

  Family photos featuring Gerald, his wife, Nancy, and their two grown sons were proudly displayed. The furnishings in the room, including the holiday decorations, were expensive and fancy—not to his taste at all but not awful, either. The place looked like something out of a fashion magazine, and he didn’t doubt for a moment that a professional decorator had had a hand in the outcome.

  He’d never been to Rachel’s house and wondered if her style was similar to Gerry’s. Not that he should care one way or the other. But somehow, he couldn’t imagine Rachel raising Joey in a fancy, formal place like this.

  Or maybe that was wishful thinking on his part.

  He had to admit there was nothing to make him think Gerry was anything but what he seemed—a wealthy businessman who cared about his family and about Rachel. He told himself to relax and tuned back into the conversation.

  “I’ll call Edward,” Gerry told Rachel, putting a reassuring arm around her shoulder. Nick had to grit his teeth to stop from going over to forcibly remove it, even though the gesture was clearly intended to be reassuring and friendly. “I’m sure we can come up with some way to get you the cash you need. But the earlier I call him, the better.”

  “We appreciate your help, Gerry,” Nick said, determined to make his presence known. He was more than willing to play the role of Rachel’s boyfriend, if necessary. “Rachel said such kind things about you, I’m glad to see she was right.”

  Gerry actually looked flustered by the compliment. He removed his arm from Rachel’s shoulders and pulled out his phone. “Give me a few minutes to talk this through with Edward, okay? We’ll have to sign the paperwork in front of a notary, too, and he’ll have someone at the bank we can work with, I’m sure.”

  “Thanks, Gerry.”

  While the older man was making the call, Nick crossed over to kneel by Rachel’s side. “Are you okay?” he asked. As far as he could tell, she was holding up pretty well, considering.

  “I will be once we have the cash,” she murmured in a low voice. “At least we’re one step closer to getting Joey back.”

  “Agreed. Just hang in there a little longer, okay?”

  She nodded again but was still twisting her fingers together. He gently put his hand over hers, stilling her motions. “We’ll get through this, Rachel,” he said reassuringly. He wanted to invite her to pray with him but, after her outburst in the car earlier, settled instead on praying silently for her and Joey.

  When Gerry returned, Nick rose to his feet. Rachel stood, too, and he stayed close by her side. Gerry’s gaze was openly curious as it moved between the two of them, but he didn’t comment. “Edward is going to do his best to pull the funds together. He’s asked that you call him in two hours. We can meet him at the bank to finalize everything.”

  “Sounds good. Thanks again, Gerry.” She set the drafted forms aside. “Bring these with you, okay? I’ll see you in a little while.”

  Gerry hesitated before taking the documents she’d handed over. “I feel terrible about this, Rachel, and my offer still stands. If something changes, and you still have the money, I’d be more than happy to rip this agreement up as if it never happened.”

  “Thanks, Gerry.” Rachel’s smile was heartbreaking, and she reached up to kiss Gerry’s cheek before turning away. Nick followed, as they made their way back outside.

  In the car, he turned toward her, half expecting tears, but her eyes were dry and her expression was determined. “What now?” she asked, as if she hadn’t just agreed to sign her life away. “We have two hours until we need to be at the bank.”

  “We’ll find a coffee shop with free Wi-Fi so we can do some more research on Frankie Caruso. I also need to update my boss.” He put the car in gear, backing carefully out of Gerald Ashton’s driveway. At this moment, he didn’t think he’d ever admired a woman more than he admired Rachel. She was beautiful, smart, sincere, and the one of the best mothers he’d ever known.

  And the part of his heart that he’d sent into a deep freeze after Becky’s and Sophie’s deaths thawed just a little.

  * * *

  Rachel gratefully climbed out of the car at the coffee shop, hanging on to her new phone with a death grip. Nick purchased two large coffees and then found a small table near a gas fireplace. It was nice and cozy near the fire, and she sipped her coffee, gazing up at the wreath hanging above the mantel as he booted up the laptop.

  “You can do some searching while I figure out a plan about handling the exchange,” Nick said, turning the computer toward her. “Plus, I need to call a friend of mine to help with the exchange. Don’t worry,” he added, when he saw her dismay. “Jonah is someone I’d trust with my life. Unfortunately, we can’t do this alone, Rachel. We need backup.”

  She nodded, her stomach twisting as she understood what he was saying. Getting the money from the bank was the easy part. Keeping her son alive during the exchange was going to be much tougher.

  But failure was not an option.

  As Nick made his calls, she sat there feeling numb. Even after he’d finished, she could only manage to stare blindly at the computer screen. For a moment she was tempted to start praying again. She regretted her harsh words to Nick earlier this morning. She’d been angry and had taken that anger out on him, wanting to hurt him the same way she was suffering.

  Was she crazy to ask for God’s help? Why would God listen to her? Her parents hadn’t been religious, but she sensed they’d believed in God. At least they’d seemed to. Maybe she really was missing something important.

  For a moment she bowed her head and opened her heart. I’m sorry, Lord. I never should have said those hurtful things. Especially when they’re not true. I know Nick believes in You and I want to believe, too. Please help show me the way. And please keep my son safe in Your care. Amen.

  As before, the moment she finished praying, a sense of peace settled over her. She looked up and caught Nick staring at her, and she forced herself to smile. “I’m sorry, Nick. I do want to believe in God. I want to believe He’ll keep Joey safe.”

  “I’m so glad, Rachel,” he murmured, reaching over to take her hand in his. “Looks as if my prayers have been answered. I’ve been praying that you’d allow the Lord to help carry your burden.”

  Nick’s hand was warm on hers, and she found it odd that she didn’t want to let go. Never before had she ever depended on a man to help her. Except for her father, especially when she’d needed to escape Anthony. She knew she was lucky to have Nick’s help with this. She never would have been able to manage alone.

  Her new phone rang, interrupting the peaceful silence. Startled, she glanced at the screen, half expecting to see the familiar blocked call.

  But the call was from Edith Goodman, her assistant. She winced as she realized she had forgotten to let Edith know she wouldn’t be in the office today. Or at all,
considering she wouldn’t be the owner of the company once she returned from the bank in a few hours. “Hi, Edith,” she said to her assistant. “I’m sorry I forgot to let you know that I’m taking the rest of the week off.”

  “The rest of the week?” Edith’s voice rose sharply. “This isn’t like you at all. What in the world is going on, Rachel?”

  “I’m sorry, Edith, but there’s something important I have to do.” She wanted to reassure her assistant that Gerry would be there to take over the company, but Edith would find that out sooner or later. No need to spill the beans yet. “Just cancel my meetings and let everyone know I’m taking a personal leave of absence, okay?”

  “If that’s what you want,” Edith replied slowly. “But that wasn’t the reason I called. I just thought you should know what happened, before you read about it in the newspaper.”

  “Read what?” She had no idea what her assistant was talking about. She hadn’t even thought about reading the newspaper since getting the threatening notes. Surely there wasn’t another pending lawsuit? She’d feel guilty selling her shares of stock to Gerry if in fact they weren’t worth the price.

  “Dr. Josie Gardener is dead, Rachel,” Edith said, her voice tinged with sorrow. “It looks like she may have committed suicide late last night.”

  * * *

  Nick knew that, whatever the contents of the phone call between Rachel and Edith, it was bad news. Rachel went pale, her fingers gripping the phone tightly as she listened.

  “Do you know anything else?” she asked. He couldn’t hear Edith’s response, but then Rachel said, “Okay, thanks for letting me know,” and she disconnected from the call.

  “Rachel? What happened?” He took her hand in his, trying to offer some sort of comfort.

  “One of my top research scientists was found dead in her home early this morning,” she said in a whisper. “They think it might be a suicide.”

  Suicide? As before, the timing was too much of a coincidence. “Was this the same research scientist who was responsible for the new diabetes drug going to market and then being recalled by the FDA?” She nodded. “Josie Gardener wasn’t the only one involved in creating the new medication. She worked with Dr. Karl Errol, too.”