Shadow of Doubt

by Abbie Zanders

  Kate loved her mother, she really did, but part of her wished that just once, Beth Handelmann would forget about appearances and what everyone else thought and trust her daughter to make her own choices and then support her when she did. Kate knew what made her happy. And she shouldn’t have to settle for anything less.

  Kate was just pouring the hot water into her mug and about to dive in when there was a knock at the door. It was Luther. Again. If his thunderous expression was any indication, he was in a mood. She assumed her mother had told him where Kate was when he showed up for Sunday dinner.

  Well, Kate was in a mood, too—a good one—and she had no intention of letting him ruin it with one of his tantrums.

  “What do you want, Luther?”

  He shouldered his way through the door. “What the hell, Kate? Don’t you check your messages?”

  “Usually but not today,” she said calmly.

  “Well, maybe you should have because while you were with your new friends, your father had a heart attack!”

  It was as if the floor had suddenly dropped out from beneath her feet, and an icy chill washed over her. Luther couldn’t have said what she thought he had. Her father wasn’t that old. He wasn’t sick.

  “What? No!” Then, she asked the question that could destroy her world. “Is he ...”

  Luther’s jaw clenched. “He’s at the hospital now, in stable condition. Your mom and your sister are with him.”

  Kate grabbed her coat. “Let’s go.”

  ~ * ~

  When they arrived at the hospital, a kind woman at the registration desk informed them that her father had been taken to a room in the cardiac care unit on the fourth floor. Kate couldn’t feel her feet as Luther led her to the bank of elevators. She could feel her stomach though. It was roiling, threatening to spill its contents at any moment.

  Fear gripped her heart in a tight fist as they made their way down the brightly lit hallway, the familiar hospital scents exacerbating her nausea. She tried to prepare herself, but she wasn’t sure that was possible.

  When they entered the room, her father was sitting up in bed. Other than being paler than usual, he seemed none the worse for wear. The fist in her chest loosened ever so slightly. She was vaguely aware of her mother sitting beside the bed and her sister on her phone in the corner, but the majority of Kate’s attention was on her father.

  “Daddy.”

  He offered her a weary smile. “Hey, Katy-belle. Can you believe all this fuss over a little indigestion?” He lifted his forearm, where several IV lines were attached. A series of wires hooked to high-def monitors peeked out of his white-and-blue-checked hospital-issued gown.

  Kate carefully hugged him so as not to dislodge any of the connections. “Indigestion? They told me you had a ...” Cold fear gripped her again.

  “He did,” her mother said, her voice rough and her eyes puffy.

  “Now, now, Beth,” her father chided softly, “we don’t know that yet.”

  She sniffed. “I know. You work too hard. You don’t take care of yourself. You are under too much stress and ...”

  Her father patted her hand but looked at Kate. “They’re going to keep me here overnight and run more tests. Can you handle the store by yourself for a couple of days?”

  “Of course. Anything you need, Dad; you know that.”

  “That’s my girl.”

  “She doesn’t have to do it alone. I’ll help,” Luther volunteered.

  Kate’s first reaction: Oh, hell no.

  Luther was good with the books, but he didn’t know the first thing about hardware. Having him hanging around would be more of a nuisance than anything.

  “Don’t you have your own business to worry about?” she asked, trying to keep her voice pleasant.

  “Kate!” her mother admonished.

  “It’s all right, Mrs. H,” Luther said smoothly before turning back to Kate. “My accounts are online, so I can work anywhere there’s internet, and running the store is a lot for one person to handle. I want to help, Kate.”

  “Thanks, but it’s not necessary. I’m sure Kylie won’t mind helping out for a few days.”

  Kylie’s head popped up at the mention of her name.

  “Nonsense,” Kate’s mother said, seeing an opportunity and pouncing on it. “Handelmann’s needs a man around to handle things.”

  “What for exactly?” She was perfectly capable of running the store, pulling orders, operating the forklift and the loader. She’d done so many times.

  Her father knew this, yet he remained silent.

  “Hardware is a man’s business, Kate,” her mother said with impatience. “Most of our customers are men and like to deal with other men.”

  Kate looked to her father for backup and saw the plea in his eyes. In her mind, she could hear his voice. Pick your battles, Katy-belle. Your mom is scared. Let her have this one.

  “All right.” It was only for a few days, right?

  A floor nurse came in to inform them that visiting hours were over, so they said their good nights. Kate was still shaken—there was something about seeing her big, strong father in the hospital that was terrifying—but she felt much better leaving the hospital than she had when she arrived.

  “Go on ahead,” Kylie told Luther and their mother when they stepped outside. “I need to talk to Kate for a minute.”

  Luther nodded and escorted their mom to her car.

  As soon as they were out of earshot, Kylie grabbed Kate’s sleeve and hissed, “You’ve got to stop, Kate.”

  Kate looked down at where Kylie’s long nails dug into her arm and gently but firmly removed it. “Stop what?”

  “Seeing that Sanctuary guy.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “People are talking.”

  “So?”

  “You know it upsets Mom.”

  “Yes, I know it does,” Kate said on an exhale, looking across the lot to where Luther had his hand on their mother’s shoulder as he leaned down to say something. Beth Handelmann nodded and then hugged him. “But she’s going to have to accept that I’m never going to marry Luther. And what does that have to do with Dad anyway?”

  “Because that’s what they were fighting about when Dad had his heart attack. This is your fault, Kate.”

  Kylie stomped off to join the others, leaving Kate feeling shell-shocked until Luther pulled up to the curb in front of her. The click of the door unlocking prompted her to open the door and get inside. The short ride was a tense, silent one.

  Kate was exhausted when Luther dropped her off at her place. The adrenaline had long since faded, leaving her feeling tired and empty. Kylie’s words were still rattling around in her head.

  Was this my fault?

  If her parents had been fighting over Kate’s choice to do something that she wanted to do, could she be held partially responsible? And if so, at what point did she draw the line between their wishes and her own?

  Her cell phone was on the counter where she’d left it in her earlier haste to get to the hospital. The light was blinking. She hoped it wasn’t more bad news. She wasn’t sure she could handle it.

  When she dropped into a chair, Duke came by and nuzzled her, resting his head in her lap.

  “Thanks, buddy.” She stroked his soft head, grateful for his unconditional support, and scrolled through the accumulated messages. Her sense of guilt grew when she saw the ones left earlier by her sister and Luther.

  The most recent text was from Chris. He had indeed sent her a picture, as she’d requested. Not quite a full frontal, but a lovely tease that included a hint of his happy trail. It made her smile, the first time she’d done so in hours.

  Rather than send a return text, she thumbed the Call button. He answered on the first ring.

  “Love the pic,” she said in greeting.

  “I was hoping you would.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Mad Dog

  “Kate, what’s wrong?”

  Through sniffle
s and hiccuping sobs, Kate told him what had happened.

  “Oh, baby, I’m so sorry. What can I do to help?”

  “Nothing. They’re going to run a bunch of tests, and then we’ll know more. I’ll be pretty busy handling the store for the next few days though. And I might need bail money.”

  “Bail money? For what?”

  “Because Luther is going to be there with me, and we stock quite a selection of items that could be used as weapons. I might not be responsible for my actions.”

  Mad Dog stiffened. “Come again?”

  Kate then proceeded to relay the conversation from the hospital room about the hardware store requiring a male presence. Personally, he didn’t agree. He knew plenty of strong, capable women and was fortunate enough to have been raised by one. But he also knew enough about small-town mentality to know that it was an issue for some.

  He was more concerned with whom that male presence was.

  “I’m not happy about it,” she told him. “But with my father in the hospital, I need to pick my battles.”

  “I understand.” And he did. Sort of. That didn’t mean he was happy about it either.

  “My biggest issue is the dogs. I’m going to be working even longer hours and spending as much time with my dad as possible.”

  “What if I brought them up here for a couple of days? One less thing—or nine—for you to worry about.”

  She sniffed. “You’d do that? Won’t they get in your way?”

  “Not at all.” His trailer wasn’t huge, but it was big enough. Besides, he had a feeling once he told everyone about the situation, they’d want to keep the dogs in the main building. They had plenty of space, and someone was always around. Plus, in the few hours they’d been here, those dogs had managed to wrap everyone around their paws. “Want me to come down tonight?”

  “No, but thanks for the offer.” She yawned. “I’m exhausted. I’m just going to head straight to bed.”

  “Okay. If you need anything—and I mean, anything—you call me anytime.”

  “What did I ever do without you?” she asked quietly, her voice thick from crying.

  “I don’t know,” he told her, “but you’ve got me now, and I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I think I’m falling in love with you, Mr. Sheppard.”

  God, he hoped that was true and not just an in-the-moment, emotional response because he was definitely falling in love with her. In fact, he already had.

  The words were right there, burning his tongue, but he held them back. He had a very specific idea of how and when he wanted to say those words to her for the first time.

  “Good,” he said instead. “That means my plan is working.”

  She laughed. “I can confirm.”

  “Get some rest, Kate. I’ll be down in the morning to pick up the dogs.”

  “Thank you. It’ll be a huge relief to know they’re being taken care of. Good night, Chris.”

  “Good night, baby.”

  “Chris?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I like when you call me baby,” she said softly and then disconnected the call.

  ~ * ~

  The next morning, Mad Dog told everyone what had happened. As expected, they were very supportive and insisted on setting up a special place in the main building for the dogs.

  He drove down into town and backed his truck into Kate’s driveway to make it easier to load, and then made his way across the street to the hardware store. The need to see her, to know that she was okay, was a tangible thing.

  He spotted Kate on a ladder, changing a lightbulb. She turned when the bell sounded, announcing his arrival. Her tired, bloodshot eyes lit up when she saw him.

  “Chris!”

  The guy who emerged from the back wasn’t nearly as stoked to see him, and Mad Dog knew he was looking at Kate’s ex, Luther Renninger. It took all of a second, maybe less, for him to decide he didn’t like the guy. Not just because he was Kate’s ex, but also because one look was all it took to know Renninger was a shifty fucker.

  Renninger’s eyes narrowed, and his features hardened as they sized each other up. He was five-ten, five-eleven, about one eighty, and looked to be in relatively good shape, which meant he did more than sit in an office, doing accounting all day. He was no match for a trained SEAL though. Mad Dog wondered if the guy’s hands were as smooth and polished as the rest of him.

  Mad Dog turned his attention to Kate. “How’s your father?”

  She stepped down the ladder and right into his arms. Pretty Boy didn’t like that. He glared at Mad Dog. Mad Dog glared right back over the top of Kate’s head.

  “Resting comfortably,” Kate said, pulling away. “They’re still running tests. My mom’s with him. They’re waiting for the doctor to come around.”

  Pretty Boy crossed the store and stood next to Kate in a clear message. “Do you need something?”

  Kate sighed. “Chris, this is Luther Renninger. Luther, Chris Sheppard.”

  Neither one of them extended a hand. Kate shifted uncomfortably.

  “Right, well, let me get my keys, and I’ll help you get the dogs loaded. Luther, handle the register for a few, will you?”

  “You watch the register. I’ll help with the dogs,” Pretty Boy said.

  Mad Dog didn’t care for the way he’d spoken to Kate. She didn’t care for it much either, based on the way her lips turned downward.

  “Luther—”

  He reached out and grabbed Kate by the arm.

  “Get off!” Kate said, trying to shrug out of his grasp.

  Mad Dog was in his face a moment later. “You heard the woman. Get your fucking hand off her.”

  He did, proving that he did have a working brain cell or two. Perhaps it was time to have a one-on-one convo with the guy.

  “It’s all right, Kate.” Mad Dog leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. He could practically hear Renninger’s teeth grinding at the possessive gesture. Good.

  Kate didn’t look happy about staying behind, but the sooner Mad Dog dealt with Pretty Boy, the better.

  “They’ll be fine,” he reassured her, pretending he misunderstood her reluctance.

  Her eyes softened.

  There’s my girl.

  “Thanks again for doing this.”

  “Anything for you, Kate. You know that.”

  Kate handed Mad Dog her house keys.

  “After you,” he said to Renninger.

  As Renninger stalked to the door, she said murmured, “Don’t kill him, okay?”

  Mad Dog grinned and kissed her again—this time, on the lips—but made no promises.

  He followed Renninger across the street and up Kate’s driveway.

  When they got around to the back and out of sight of the store, Renninger said, “You need to back off before someone gets hurt.”

  Oh, someone was going to get hurt all right, if he kept this shit up. The guy was no skinny number cruncher, but he was no match for a six-four, two-hundred-and-fifty-pounder with SEAL training.

  Mad Dog’s upper lip curled in a snarl. “Care to elaborate on that?”

  “You guys come into town, think you’re so fucking better than everyone else, take our women—”

  Mad Dog barked out a laugh. Straight-up laughed because the guy was so ridiculous. “Really? Take your women?”

  Renninger widened his stance, as if to make himself appear bigger. “Your methods might have worked with some, but it won’t with Kate. She’s got people who aren’t going to let her go so easily.”

  Mad Dog wondered what Sam and Sandy would think of that statement. “Like you?”

  “Damn right.”

  “What Kate wants is the only thing I care about, and it looks to me like she’s made her choice.”

  Renninger’s face turned beet red at the direct hit, but he rallied. “Kate’s confused; she doesn’t know what she wants. But her roots are strong. She’ll never turn her back on her family and friends.”

  “No one’s as
king her to.”

  “Eventually, Kate will come to her senses, and when she does, it’ll be me she comes back to.”

  “I guess we’ll see, won’t we?” he said because what else was there to say?

  Renninger was a class-A douche with a warped sense of entitlement, and the guy was deliberately provoking him. As much as Mad Dog wanted to show him just how inadvisable that was, he really didn’t give a shit what Renninger thought. Plus, laying him out at this point would only exacerbate the situation between the town and Sanctuary.

  “And if you ever lay another hand on Kate, I’ll make sure you never use yours again. Now, get the fuck out of my way.”

  Renninger clamped his lips shut but didn’t make a move to leave. He couldn’t leave before Mad Dog without looking like a pussy, and he knew it.

  Mad Dog used the keys Kate had given him to open the back door and took great pleasure in the enthusiastic greeting he received from Duke. He was even happier when Renninger moved toward Mama Dog and Duke growled out a low rumble of warning.

  “Better let me handle the dogs.” He smirked. “You can carry those boxes outside and set them in the backseat.”

  They managed to get the dogs and enough of their supplies loaded without Duke or Mad Dog doing bodily damage to douche boy. After he locked up, he opened the passenger door, so Duke could ride shotgun, and he went across the street to return Kate’s keys.

  “Everything okay?” Kate asked, her eyes briefly following Renninger as he stormed in behind Mad Dog and went right into the back.

  “It’s all good,” Mad Dog reassured her.

  “Really?”

  He smiled. “We talked.”

  Her lips quirked. “Talked, huh?”

  “Yep.” He leaned in for a kiss as he pressed the keys into her hand. “Remember what I said. Anything. Anytime. I’m here, got it?”

  “Got it.”

  “Call me later.”

  “I will. And, Chris? Thanks.”

  Mad Dog went back to his truck and slid in. Duke stared across the street at Handelmann’s and growled low in his throat.

  “I don’t like it either,” Mad Dog told him. “But Kate probably wouldn’t be happy with us if we turned him into dog food.”

  Mad Dog still wasn’t happy about leaving Kate, but there was little he could do about it, short of parking his ass in the store with her. If Renninger were smart, he’d take Mad Dog’s message to heart. If he wasn’t, well, the next time, Mad Dog wouldn’t be as forgiving.