Treasured Temptation [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 4] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance)

by Paige Cameron

  Chapter Sixteen

  Amy’s mother had called last night, and her father got on the phone and insisted he’d pick her up at the airport.

  He stood at the back of the crowd and waved when she walked into the waiting area at the Boston terminal. She worked her way to him.

  He grabbed her close and hugged her. Amy didn’t know what to say. Her father had never been a demonstrative man.

  “We’re all so glad you’re uninjured by that maniac.” Her father guided her to the car. Soon they were on the expressway headed home.

  “How’s Mom?”

  “She’s good. I’m proud of how well she’s coping.”

  Amy glanced at her father, puzzled. He smiled when he noticed her expression.

  “Your mother was always a strong woman. But we drifted apart when we settled in Boston. I got caught up in being successful, and she got involved in all the society activities. I know she let you handle a lot of the mothering of your younger siblings. And I allowed it to happen. Neither of us was fair to you.”

  “It’s all right, Dad.”

  “You made it too easy for us to put that load on your shoulders.”

  He pulled off the highway and drove down several side streets before parking in their driveway. Then he turned to Amy.

  “Mother and I have been talking more since she was almost killed than we have in years. We want you to know we appreciate what you’ve done, and we’re sorry we took advantage of your good nature and your organizational skills.”

  “It’s made me a good lawyer.”

  “Yes, it has. I must admit to being old-fashioned about women. When you said you wanted to be a lawyer, I tried to talk you out of it. But you stood your ground and you’re successful.” Her father took her hand. “But are you happy?”

  “Has Mom told you to start on me about getting married?” She grinned when she asked the question. “She’s even encouraged Aunt Janie to join her efforts.” Which I think she’ll regret after she and I have our talk.

  “The world must be coming to an end,” her father teased. “But no, I see sadness in your eyes. That’s why I asked.”

  “Thanks for caring and your concern. I have some decisions I have to figure out on my own. I’ll let you know if it changes anything in my life.”

  Her father went around and opened her door. “You’ve met a man you like,” he said.

  “Two men.”

  He rocked on his heels. “You always were our different child. I’m not sure how your mother will deal with this news. With her mouth held together with wires she can’t scream. I guess it’s as good a time as any to tell her.”

  They walked toward the front door. Before they went in, Amy stopped him. “I’m not sure what I’ll do, Dad. I’d have to move to the country, give up the partnership I hope to get next year, and basically change my whole life.”

  “Your Aunt Jane did it. Her sister was happy for her. She saw the love between Jane and her husbands. I always liked Jane. You are like her in many ways. You both go after what you want.”

  “So you wouldn’t disown me if I decided to accept their proposals.”

  “Not if you’re sure you’ll be happy. Take your time and be certain.”

  Amy kissed her dad on the cheek. “Thanks.”

  When he opened the door, a chorus of voices yelled out. Her whole family smiled at her.

  “What took you so long getting in the door?” her mother asked.

  “I promise to tell you about it later.” Amy moved around the room hugging her brothers and their families, and then her sister, Marilyn, and her fiancé.

  “Your wedding’s coming up soon.”

  “Will that bruise on your face be gone by then?” Marilyn asked.

  “Pretty much, I hope. Do you want to get another maid of honor?”

  “No, silly. But I’d better get some makeup that will cover it. In case it’s all blue and green and yellow.”

  “Please do. I won’t be able to look at myself it’ll be so horrible,” Amy teased.

  Her mother and the cook had prepared a delicious lunch. They all had questions about what happened the day the killer caught up with her.

  “I’ve seen pictures of Torrad Davidssons in the paper,” Marilyn said. “He’s a good-looking man.”

  “Chad Stedman is, too. He’s with the FBI in New York, but he and Davidssons are quitting their jobs and moving to South Dakota.”

  “Well, even if you were attracted to one of them, you’d never move to the outskirts of nowhere,” Marilyn said.

  Amy took a deep breath. This had to be her best opportunity to drop it on them. She glanced at her dad. He nodded his head.

  “Actually, I’m considering it. They both want to marry me.”

  Mouths dropped open, and silence filled the room. Her brothers flushed red, but her sisters-in-law grinned. Marilyn looked stunned as did their mother.

  “I’ve come back to determine whether I want to stay working where I am with my current goals, or marry them and start a new life.”

  “Do you love them?” her sister asked.

  “Yes, very much.”

  “Then how can you leave them for a job and a position that’ll require hours of work every day, and you’ll have no private life?” Marilyn’s fiancé put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her.

  “I don’t know. I have to find out.”

  Her brothers generally commented that she was crazy. But her sisters-in-law had fun teasing their husbands about having another man to help with the housework and caring for the children.

  “Shall we eat and keep our conversations on lighter topics?” their mother said. Her frosty tones made her opinion of Amy’s choices very clear.

  After lunch her siblings and their families left. Marilyn gave her a big hug. “Don’t let Mom get you down. Do whatever makes you happy. She’ll come around.”

  “She didn’t about Aunt Janie, neither did most of you.”

  “We’ve matured. The brothers will be all right once they get used to the idea. We’ll see which of us is right about Mom.”

  Amy shut the front door. Her mother stood in the doorway to her study. “Come join me. We’ll have a cup of tea.”

  Dragging her feet, Amy went in the room. Her mother poured tea in a cup and handed it to Amy. On her saucer were two chocolate cookies.

  “You always liked chocolate,” her mother said. She motioned for Amy to sit. Her mother sat across from Amy and sipped on her tea through a straw. “I’m so tired of pureed food and using straws. I can’t wait to get these wires off.” She studied Amy but didn’t talk anymore.

  The silence stretched and Amy wondered which of them would give in first. As kids, she and her siblings couldn’t stand the silence and broke it, which started the conversation they didn’t want to have.

  “I see you’ve gotten stronger, more determined,” her mother said, giving in.

  “This is the first time I’ve won.”

  A slight smile curved her mother’s lip. “I never understood your aunt, and now she’s poisoned you to her way of thinking.”

  “She visited relatives in Florida for her protection. This happened while she was gone. It wasn’t her doing.”

  “Tell me about them.”

  Shocked by her mother’s request, Amy couldn’t think what to say. Then she started talking about meeting Tor and Chad and the place where she’d live. The words tumbled out of her. Finally, she finished and sat back.

  Her mother rose and took Amy’s cup. She gave her a fresh one with hot tea. “Drink, you must be thirsty after all the talking you did.” She sat back in front of Amy. “All these years I’ve never heard you talk so eloquently except in the courtroom.

  “You were my quietest child at home. And we were so different I didn’t know how to reach out to you. I gathered your father talked with you on the ride from the airport.”

  Amy nodded her head. She took a swallow of the tea to steady her rattled nerves. It had been a more eventful day than
she’d planned. She had hoped to talk with her mother and father but not her siblings. But it was all out in the open, and she was glad.

  “From your tone, your expression when you talk about them and the warmth in your eyes, I can see the love.” Her mother smiled. “Did I ever tell you my family didn’t want me to marry your dad? Our family was more well-to-do. They were certain he’d never amount to anything.”

  “Dad? I can hardly believe it.”

  “My father threatened to disown me, but I loved your father so it didn’t matter. I still love him. We pulled apart for many years, but this injury has brought us back together.

  “I won’t be ecstatic about you marrying two men, but I want your happiness, and you’ve always known what was best for you. If you decide to marry, the family will be there. I may not tell anyone here but my closest friend. Still, I’ll love you, and if they’re good to you, I may even come to love them.”

  Tears streaming down her face, Amy knelt at her mother’s side. “I love you. Thank you. And if I do accept their proposal, you’ll like them and come to love them, I’m sure.”

  Her mom handed her a handkerchief. “Go back to Pittsburgh and find out what you want.”

  * * * *

  Tor had arrived back at work. He’d stayed around his farm making plans and talking to a contractor during the weekend and flown to Pittsburgh late Sunday. Chad had left on Friday to start work Monday, but they’d been in touch.

  Two or three times a day, Tor started to reach for his phone and call Amy. But he didn’t know what to say. He’d lost his temper and regretted it, but still the uncertainty about her decision kept him from contacting her. He’d wait and see if he heard from her.

  He’d set up an appointment with his supervisor. When he walked in the supervisor’s office, the captain glanced up and smiled. He stood and put out his hand.

  “You did good work and kept the killer from getting another victim. I have good news. You’re going to be promoted.”

  “That is good news, but I think it should go to Dan. He kept in touch with me and did as much work here as I did.”

  “Are you turning the promotion down?” His captain looked puzzled.

  “I’m resigning.”

  “Why?”

  “I found a little ranch in South Dakota, and I bought it. I’m hoping to get the job of police chief of Willow Junction, and I’ll do some farming on the side.”

  “Have you lost your mind? All those wide open spaces will drive you crazy. And I doubt there’ll be many interesting cases to follow.”

  “True, I’ve thought about all of those things, but I think you’re wrong. I’ll be quite content. After being involved in a war overseas and a war here with criminals that go in and out of jail like a turnstile, I’m ready for a change. All I need from you is a good, solid reference.”

  “You mean it. You do look better than I’ve seen you in years. No stress or frowns on that forehead. You make it sound like heaven.”

  “It is, or will be once I’m settled.”

  “Then if I can’t change your mind, congratulations. I’ll try to get Dan the promotion.”

  “Don’t tell him I had anything to do with it.”

  “I won’t. I hope we’re getting a two-week notice. You can make notations on your cases and transfer them to who you think would work best according to the situation.”

  “That’s what I planned. Two weeks from today, I’ll be on my ranch.”

  Tor went back to his desk. The pile of charts would require the two weeks to make his notes and transfer. At least he’d be busy and maybe it’d keep his mind off of Amy.

  * * * *

  Amy had been back at work for two days. She’d gone in Friday, spent the weekend driving out of the city, and picnicked Sunday at a small park.

  Monday, she’d gotten back in the swing of her previous life. A bunch of cases had been dropped on her desk, and she was plowing through them.

  “Amy, do you want to go to lunch with us?” one of her assistants asked.

  “I haven’t got time. Would you bring me a turkey sandwich and chips?”

  “Sure.”

  She ate her lunch while reviewing her cases and putting them in order of urgency. Tomorrow, she had a hearing at the courthouse on one of them. One of her bosses called her to his office late in the afternoon.

  “I’m glad you’re back. Will you be able to get up to speed on those cases? I can have James handle a few. He took several to court while you were gone.”

  “I appreciate the offer. I’ll let you know, but I hope to be able to manage them myself.”

  James had joined the firm about a year after her. He’d been trying to ingratiate himself with the head attorneys ever since. Her being away had given him a golden opportunity. She’d work all night before giving any of her cases to him.

  “Don’t hesitate to let James help you. We’re thinking we might bring him in as a partner in about six months. I want to see if he can handle a heavy load.”

  Amy licked her lips. “Did my promotion get pushed further along because of my being gone?”

  “I know it wasn’t your fault. But we have to do what’s best for the company. We lost a male partner. It’s better to fill the slot with another man.” Her boss stood to let her know she could leave.

  She didn’t speak, and walked back to her cubbyhole-sized office to all the work she had to do before going home. The possibility of a partnership had moved further down the line. And that asshole, sucker-up-to James, would be walking around with an arrogant, self-satisfied smile on his face.

  Ever since she’d returned to Pittsburgh, she’d thought about Tor and Chad. She’d tried to convince herself to stay focused. Relationships came and went, but her job was there as long as she worked hard enough. And that would bring her the promotion she wanted. Still, each night she had tossed and turned in her empty bed. She missed their warmth and the secure feeling of their bodies around her.

  What the hell have I been thinking? I’ve tortured myself trying to get back where I was before I met Tor and Chad. But I don’t fit anymore. I know it, and I suspect my boss does, too. I certainly wasn’t overwhelmed with joy on my return Friday.

  But if I go back now it’ll look like it’s because I’m not getting the promotion as soon as I wanted, and I’m reacting in anger. I’ll give myself another day or two to cool off. If I still want to leave, I’ll give my notice.

  Satisfied with her decision, she went back to work on her cases. The secretaries and most of the staff had left by six. One or two of the assistants left at seven. Quiet settled around the office.

  Amy kept working. She’d gotten further than she expected and decided to review the case for the morning hearing before leaving.

  When she heard the elevator, she didn’t look up. It was either the cleaning crew or the guard.

  A creepy feeling brushed over her body. She raised her head. A man stood in her doorway, staring at her. It was the father of the man she’d put in jail for fraud, and the grandfather of the killer who’d been shot.

  “Mr. Collins? How did you get in here, and what do you want?”

  His blank stare made her uneasy. She stood and moved around the desk. He stepped inside her office and closed the door behind him.

  “Please leave the door open or it gets stuffy in here.” She hoped the guard would check this floor soon.

  “I want it shut,” the old man said.

  “Then have a seat and tell me how I can help you.”

  He put his hand in his coat pocket and pulled out a gun. “You can die.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Tor had headed home when he got the call from the sergeant on duty at his precinct.

  “Detective, I have a hysterical woman on the phone, and she insists on speaking with you. Hang up and I’ll transfer the call to your cell.”

  “Thanks, Sergeant.”

  He clicked his cell off and almost immediately it rang. “Hello, this is Detective Davidssons.”
<
br />   “Detective, this is Fern Collins.”

  He could barely hear her voice for the trembling and tears. “What’s wrong?”

  “My husband left late last night headed to Pittsburgh. I begged him not to go. He’s been a little crazy since our son and grandson died.” She started crying harder.

  “Why is he coming to Pittsburgh, Mrs. Collins?”

  “He blames that woman lawyer. I’m so upset I can’t think of her name.”

  “Amy Gresham?”

  “Yes.” She sobbed again. “You have to stop him before he kills her.”

  For a second, her words took his breath away. Then he steadied himself and turned back in the direction of Amy’s workplace. “Does he know where she works?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll call you back. I’ve got to go.” Tor clicked his phone off and autodialed Amy’s number. Her phone rang and rang. He called the precinct and asked for backup. “Also call security for the building and alert them, but tell them not to try to burst into her office. If he hasn’t already killed her, he would then.”

  Tor’s heart raced as his car slid around curves and traffic. He had to get there before it was too late, or he’d never have a chance to tell her he loved her.

  When he slid into a parking space, two other police cars parked behind him. He ran to the building and the officers followed. Security met them at the door.

  “She’s on the eighth floor. We sent a man up and he heard voices on the other side, but backed off as you recommended,” the head of security explained.

  “Is there any other entry to her office than the one door?” Tor asked.

  “Not unless you go out on the ledge and go through the window.”

  “Is it wide enough?”

  The security chief grinned. “It might be, if you’re not afraid of heights, and you have good balance.”

  “Take me to the room next to hers.” Tor didn’t tell him heights scared the hell out of him, but what frightened Tor more was the thought of losing Amy.

  They took the elevator to the floor below hers and walked up the last flight. Tor hadn’t wanted the man to hear the elevator and wonder who was getting off.