And there was the attempt on Uncle Joe's life. She'd been at his sixtieth birthday party when someone had tried to shoot him. That was just before her tour started. She'd considered canceling but her mother had insisted she go. The shooting alone had been shocking, but then Emily had disappeared. Within no time her life had been thrown into turmoil.
And she wondered why Nick had reacted to her singing as he had. Most people, whether she knew them or not, were pleased with her singing. Not Nick.
He'd avoided her the rest of the evening, only saying good-night when she'd gone to his study to tell him she was going to bed. He hadn't even looked at her.
She'd experienced coldhearted withdrawal before, from her parents, from the new Meredith, but she'd never thought Nick would behave in the same manner. After all he'd protected her, nurtured her, been there for her.
No more.
Nick's withdrawal was like a raw, gaping wound. She assured herself she would survive, but it would take time. Which was ridiculous. She'd only known the man for six days.
She sighed. It wasn't logical, the attraction she felt, but she couldn't deny it either.
"Lovey, you need to sit down and have a snack. I promised Nick I wouldn't let you overdo today."
"I haven't, Bonnie, and I have to keep busy or I'll go crazy." Bonnie stared at her and Liza added, "I'm expecting a phone call from…a friend. I'm anxious to hear from her."
"You haven't gotten any calls so far today. If you had, I would remember, because I'd worry if I should tell you. Nick is so secretive about what's going on. He never even explained about the policeman's visit on Sunday."
Liza gasped. "I didn't think you knew."
"When I heard the doorbell, I looked out my window," Bonnie said. "Those cars the non-uniformed police drive are pretty easy to pick out. You know, plain gray, no markings, like the government cars." She opened the refrigerator and took out some fruit juice for Liza. "I asked Nick about it, but he said it was better if I didn't know."
Liza thanked her for the juice and took a sip, trying to decide what she should say. "Uh, he's probably right."
"So I'm losing sleep? For my own sake?"
"Oh, Bonnie, I'm sorry, but it has nothing to do with you. I'm afraid I've brought all this trouble on Nick. I probably should go." Especially since he didn't want her around any longer.
"I think Nick would be really upset if you left." Bonnie put a motherly arm around her shoulders. "Are you in trouble?"
"Not exactly, but, well, some things have happened, and a man came after me. Nick is helping me hide until he's caught."
"You mean a stalker?" Bonnie exclaimed, her eyes lit with excitement. "I've read about celebrities having these crazies come after them. Don't you worry, lovey, we'll keep you safe."
Liza smiled her gratitude, but she didn't say anything to correct Bonnie's interpretation. She didn't need to know the threatening soap opera her family seemed to be involved in.
The phone rang and Liza jumped up and raced to it, then realized it wasn't her right to answer. She took a step back and looked at Bonnie.
"Go ahead and answer. If it's not your friend, just take a message."
Liza grabbed the phone, her heart thumping, only to hear a strange woman's voice, asking for Mrs. Allen. "One moment, please."
The housekeeper took the phone and answered her friend's first question. "Oh, she's kind of like a niece, come to visit." Then she chatted for a few minutes before hanging up.
"That was Marie. She works for another doctor. We meet for lunch every week. She said to bring you along," Bonnie said, a question in her gaze.
"I'm sorry, I wish I could. But it wouldn't be smart on my part to advertise my presence."
"No, of course not. I'll tell her you're too young to lunch with a couple of old ladies. We can say you've gone shopping."
Liza agreed, and she knew some young people might feel that way, but she would've enjoyed going out with Bonnie. It would almost be like having Aunt Meredith around again, the good Aunt Meredith.
The sound of a car in the drive caught both ladies's attention. Bonnie hurried to the window. "My goodness, it's Nick home even earlier than yesterday. I'm glad he's not working so hard, but I wonder what's going on."
Liza wondered the same thing. As little interest as he'd shown the past couple of days, she didn't think his early arrival had anything to do with her.
He strode into the kitchen, a frown on his face. "Has she called yet?"
The flood of emotion that filled Liza almost brought her to tears. He hadn't forgotten.
She shook her head. "No, I've been waiting all day."
"I figured you had. I came as soon as my last patient left."
"Thank you, Nick. I—"
The phone rang again. This time Nick answered. "Oh, hello, Detective Ramsey." He looked at Liza as he responded so she'd know it wasn't Emily.
But she didn't lose interest. Detective Ramsey would only call about her or her family.
"Yes, I see. Good, thank you…Yes, I will." Nick hung up the phone and turned around.
"That was Ramsey. As we suspected, your apartment was broken into and ransacked. Did you have anything of value there?"
"You mean money or jewelry? No. I travel so much, I keep those kinds of thing in a safety-deposit box. Did—did he trash it?" The apartment had never really felt like home, but she'd liked it.
"Apparently he did some damage. Your doorman said he would call the service you use to come clean it up. He must've worn gloves because the police didn't get any fingerprints. But the doorman recognized the sketch, said the man was delivering something."
Liza sighed. "I wish they'd catch him, so I could go back to my own life." Even as she said those words, she knew she'd miss Bonnie…and the good doctor.
The phone rang for a third time, and Liza closed her eyes, sending up a silent prayer that this time the caller would be Emily.
She held her breath as Nick reached for the receiver again.
"Hello?"
Ten
Emily Blair Colton hesitated before speaking. "Is—is Liza there?"
The deep voice of the man who'd answered didn't hesitate. "One moment."
Then, blessedly, she heard Liza's voice.
"Liza," she gasped, trying to control the tears that filled her eyes upon hearing her beloved cousin's voice. "Are you all right?"
"Me? You're the one we're all worried about. Tell me what's going on? Did you get the money?"
"Oh, yes, thank you, it's more than enough. I've gotten a job, too, so I won't need any more."
"If you do need more, you know I'll send some," Liza urged.
"I know. But you haven't said if you're all right. Have you seen that man?"
"No, but he broke into my apartment. And he called home asking for me, so I had to talk to the police again."
"Why is—Do you think he's trying to kill you?"
"No, I think he's still looking for you."
"But they have the ransom now. Don't you think they'd stop?" She didn't think so, but that fantasy helped her get through some long nights.
"I hope that's true," Liza said doubtfully. "At least you know Uncle Joe won't regret the money, as long as you're okay."
"I know. Have they found out anything about who tried to kill him? Do they think the two events are connected? I've thought and thought, but why would that woman want to kill Joe? He's her husband!"
"I don't know what's going on. Besides, I haven't understood anything about Aunt Meredith in years." Liza sighed. "What kind of job did you get?"
"I'm a waitress and sometimes cook at a diner. Mom's cooking lessons are paying off. The real Mom." The woman claiming to be Meredith ran from the kitchen.
"But, Emily—" Liza began to protest.
"It's okay, Liza, truly. And I'm becoming friends with Annie Summers. She's a single mom who runs an antique store here in town." Then with a small chuckle, she added, "I've even got a suitor."
"A suitor? What
are you talking about, Em?"
"The deputy sheriff. He comes to the diner every day for lunch. He's shy, but I figured he'd be a good man to know in case—in case I have trouble."
"Have you told him anything?"
"No, nothing."
"That's probably wise. I wish I knew more to tell you. But I've been thinking, you should call Rand."
Emily gasped. "I can't do that!"
"Why not? He's not at home. You know he's in Washington D.C. He'd probably be able to help you since he's a lawyer."
"Liza, he's also Meredith's own son. He'd never believe me."
"You know none of her children are close to her anymore. I think he'd be glad to hear from you."
"But he'd feel compelled to tell Uncle Joe, for sure. And he might feel he had to tell the FBI. If he didn't, he might be in big trouble. I don't want to cause Rand any problems." In spite of Meredith's behavior the past nine years, her children had treated Emily like a true sister. The last thing she wanted to do was cause them difficulties or put a rift between them.
"Oh, Em, you can't hide out forever. I'm worried about you."
"Oh!" Emily gasped.
"Em? What's wrong? Is someone scaring you?" Liza immediately responded.
"No! No, I'm fine, but, Liza, it's snowing!" The beauty of the scene, compared to the sordidness of her life right now, seemed miraculous. "It's beautiful."
"Good heavens, you gave me a heart attack."
"Sorry," Emily said softly. "I guess I'd better go."
"Wait! When will you call again? Can I call you? I might hear something or—or need to talk to you."
"I don't think that would be safe for either of us, Liza. I'll call when I can."
"How about calling Saturday?"
"I work until late Saturday evening. I could call Sunday morning. I'm off then."
"Okay, call me Sunday. But call me sooner if you need help. And think about talking to Rand."
"I will. And you keep safe."
"You, too."
Reluctantly, Emily hung up the phone. She wished she could see Liza, hug her, feel the love they shared. She felt so alone. But Annie's friendship was helping. Only, she had to be careful. Annie was becoming curious about her knowledge of antiques.
And Toby, she really had to keep him at a distance. Which wasn't too bad. He might have a crush on her, but she felt about him the way she did Rand and her other brothers.
She sighed and opened the door to the phone booth, turning up the collar on the cheap jacket she'd bought at an army surplus store. A snowflake drifted down to land on her nose and, in spite of her difficulties, she couldn't hold back a smile.
* * *
Liza hung up the phone but remained facing the wall, her eyes closed, trying to hang on to the connection she felt with Emily.
"Who is Rand?" a harsh voice demanded.
She spun around to stare at Nick. "Rand? He's one of my cousins, Joe's oldest son. Why?"
"I heard you mention his name. I wasn't eavesdropping." He tried to excuse his question, but she raised her hand to stop him.
"It's okay. I've brought all this trouble to you, so I think you have the right to know." She paused and then added, "He's a high-powered attorney in Washington D.C. I thought maybe he could help Emily. I don't like the idea of her being a sitting duck for that disgusting man."
"You could bring her here."
Liza shook her head even as her heart swelled at his offer. "I already asked her the first time she called, remember? If you didn't want both of us, I was going to find another place. But she refused, said she felt safe where she was."
"She got the money?"
"Yes, thank you. But she won't take any more." She couldn't prevent a sob. "She's working at a diner."
"Mercy, this is better than a soap opera," Bonnie exclaimed, her gaze wide with interest.
Liza had forgotten the housekeeper was there. Her concentration had first been on Emily, then Nick. "Oh! Mrs. Allen—"
"Bonnie, anything you've heard has to be forgotten," Nick said sternly.
Bonnie slapped her hands on her ample hips and glared at Nick. "You know I wouldn't repeat anything that would harm Liza, Nick Hathaway!"
Liza ran around the kitchen counter to hug the offended woman. "Of course he does. We both do. It's just that we're a little on edge."
"It's okay, lovey, I understand."
Nick cleared his throat. "Well, is supper ready?"
Bonnie glared at her employer, as if he'd questioned her skills as well as her discretion. "It will be in half an hour. Why don't you take Liza to the den so you can finish your private conversation. By the time you're finished, I'll have it on the table."
Liza wasn't sure they had anything else to discuss, and she was even less sure that Nick wanted to be alone with her for any reason. But he motioned for her to follow him.
Once they were in the den, he closed the door behind them. "Bonnie will keep quiet. I'd forgotten she was there, so I spoke without thinking."
"I know, me too. I was so relieved to hear Emily's voice that I forgot everything else. How does she cope? To know that someone is trying to kill her, that—"
"You're in the same situation, Liza," he reminded her.
"I know, but I'm not alone. I have you and Bonnie. I can't thank you enough for protecting me. But Emily has no one."
"Maybe she'll find some new friends."
"She already has, but that worries me, too."
Nick stepped closer, resting his hands on her shoulders. "Is Emily a good judge of character? How well does she know whoever she's found?"
"I don't know much about them. She said one of them is a single mother who runs an antique store. She sounds safe enough. The other is a deputy sheriff who has a crush on her."
Liza wasn't surprised that men would be attracted to Emily. In spite of the nightmare she'd lived for the past nine years, she had an innocence combined with strength that was appealing.
Nick's eyebrows soared. "I guess she's a smart cookie, if she's making friends with the law. That's good."
Without thinking, Liza rested her head on Nick's chest, the beat of his heart a reassuring sound. "I hope so," she whispered.
He wrapped his arms around her and rested his cheek on top of her head. "When is she going to call next?"
"Not until Sunday." Her mind still on Emily and her problems, Liza drew from Nick's strength…until her response to the man intruded on her concern for Emily. She tried to push him away, but Nick held her against him.
"I'll—I'll need to stay until Sunday, for Emily's call, but then I probably should leave. I've imposed on you long enough."
"No!" Nick snapped and pressed her closer to him. "It's not safe."
"But lately, I've thought you might be tired of all the problems I've brought you." She held her breath, waiting for his response.
"No, it's not a problem."
She couldn't stop there. If she was going to stay longer, she had to know what was going on in Nick's head. "Something's wrong. You've changed, Nick, withdrawn. I don't want to stay where I'm not wanted."
* * *
Nick couldn't believe she was pinning him in a corner. He had to be honest with her or she'd leave. And if she left, he'd go crazy worrying about her.
He backed off from her and grabbed her arms. "Damn it, Liza! How can you be so unaware?"
She stared up at him with those amazing green eyes. "What are you talking about?"
A sense of calm settled over Nick. It would be a relief to tell her why he'd been holding her at arm's length. Which was a ridiculous thought while he was holding her in his arms. "I'm talking about sexual attraction."
She stared at him blankly and he groaned. "Liza, I want you. I know I'm too old and I know we have no future. I've told myself that over and over again. But I can't keep my hands off you."
"You want me?"
Giving up on words, Nick pulled her tightly against him again and covered her lips with his in a searing, desperate
kiss. It had been days since she'd kissed him, and he'd hungered for a repeat every minute of the day and night since then. But it was even better than he remembered.
Her arms reached around his neck, as they had before, and she opened her mouth to him, inviting, encouraging. His tongue teased and tempted, only to have her respond in kind, luring him closer still. Their hearts raced in rhythm and he felt as if his would explode.
He'd been divorced for four years, but he hadn't experienced such incredible attraction or hunger even longer than that. Even when he'd first met Daphne, the world hadn't disappeared the way it did with Liza in his arms.
When he finally had to take a breath, he broke off the kiss and murmured her name, afraid she'd move away, tell him she wasn't interested. Instead, she immediately trailed kisses along his jaw until she reached his mouth again. Those soft, tempting lips were more than he could resist.
He slanted his mouth over hers and lifted her body against him. She was wearing jeans and he slid one hand beneath her rounded, sexy hips to hold her to him, to give her balance, to ensure he could touch as much of her as possible.
Her response had him forgetting time, forgetting all their problems, their differences. All he could think about was Liza.
A rap on the door warned them of Bonnie's presence, but she didn't give them much time since she opened the door immediately afterward.
"Dinner's rea—Oh!" she said as she started backing out the door. "Whenever you're ready," she hurriedly added, a big smile on her face as she closed the door again.
Liza buried her face against his chest.
"Sorry," he whispered. "I got carried away. But at least you understand the problem. I want you to stay here, safe, but if you get too close, I can't promise that won't happen again."
Well, he'd been honest and now he hoped she'd forgive him. She raised her gaze to his face. He studied her, but he didn't see horror, anger, repulsion, or any of the emotions he'd feared. But he couldn't read anything in that stare.
Maybe she was in shock.
He certainly was. He'd wanted her. That didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out. But he hadn't known how badly he wanted her, how desperately he wanted more of her. How even more difficult it was going to be to keep his distance in the future.
The Doctor Delivers Page 10
