“I don’t have to talk to you.” Lark’s blue eyes flashed. “I’ll go back to the house on my own.”
“First of all, you don’t go anywhere alone while the maniac who attacked your mother is on the loose. Is that clear?”
“Why?” Her tone was hostile. “It’s Mom the guy wants, not me. I’m not in any danger.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Well, duh. He’s got a thing for Jordan Hale, remember. I’m nothing like her.”
“Maybe not, but he might use you to get to Rachel.”
Lark’s eyes widened. “That’s not going to happen, is it?”
“Look, I’m not trying to scare you, but you need to be careful. This guy is a predator, and he’s made it clear he’s willing to take considerable risk in his pursuit of your mother. At this point, I wouldn’t rule anything out. You need to be smart, and that means always telling your mother or me where you’re going and never leaving the house alone.”
“I wasn’t alone today.”
“No, but your mother didn’t know that. She was really worried, and she doesn’t need that kind of aggravation.”
“Fine, I should have told her, but if I had she wouldn’t have let me go.”
“Come on, Lark. Rachel doesn’t strike me as unreasonable.”
She scuffed her sandal across the rocks. “She treats me like a baby.”
“Can you blame her? You’re fourteen, for God’s sake. What were you thinking, drinking with those kids? And why in hell did the waitress serve you? Even if you have a fake ID, it would be obvious to anyone you aren’t twenty-one.”
She scowled. “You don’t have to swear.”
“Don’t avoid the question.”
“For your information, I don’t have a fake ID. I ordered a virgin drink.”
“Honey, I know tequila when I taste it.” He stared down at her mutinous face. “Oh, I get it. One of the kids snuck in the booze. I should haul their asses—excuse me—their butts down to the sheriff’s station just to scare some sense into them.”
“You wouldn’t! Kane, they’d know I ratted on them.”
“Ah, hell, let their parents worry about their delinquent behavior. They aren’t my problem. You are.”
“No, I’m not.” Lark fisted her hands on her hips. “Just because you’re doing my mom doesn’t give you the right to butt into my life.”
“You have quite a mouth on you, young lady.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m going to say this once, and you’d better listen. What your mother and I may or may not be doing isn’t anyone’s business but our own.”
“I notice you didn’t deny it.”
“I didn’t confirm it either. It’s not your business.”
“It is my business. She’s my mom. I don’t want some jerk—namely you—thinking you can act like my dad or something.”
“I’m not trying to be your father.”
“You could have fooled me. This lecture seems awfully parent-like. You could have brought me home and let Mom yell at me. Now I’m going to have to listen to it twice.”
“The only reason I’m still talking is to impress upon you the seriousness of the danger. I was hoping to avoid upsetting Rachel even more. Christ, you’re a piece of work.”
Lark smiled. “Thank you.”
Kane stared at her in consternation but couldn’t suppress a reluctant chuckle. “Look, can we call a truce for your mother’s sake? I’m not saying you have to like me, but could you try to be civil? This situation with the stalker isn’t going to end when we leave Tahoe, and if I have to maintain armed warfare with you indefinitely, it’ll wear me out.”
“What do you mean, indefinitely?”
“I mean, you’ll be seeing a lot of me until we catch the guy. I promised your mom I would keep you all safe.”
“Isn’t that what the police are for?”
“I am the police.”
Lark stared at him, eyes widening. “Do you think you’re going to move in with us?”
Kane couldn’t suppress a spurt of satisfaction. That got her attention. “Let’s call it keeping an eye on you—up-close and personal.”
“Mom agreed to this?”
“She will when I tell her. She knows I’m planning to come back to Vine Haven when you leave here, but we didn’t get into any specific arrangements.”
Lark’s smile grew. “She won’t allow it. What kind of example would she be setting if she let you move into the house after knowing you for a week?”
“All it would prove is she cares about your safety and her own. Think of me as a bodyguard.”
“Grandma will have a cow. Nope. I don’t have a thing to worry about.”
“What does Olivia have to do with this?”
“Not Grandma Olivia. Grandma Audrey. She won’t stand for her daughter shacking up with some guy she barely knows. Grandma Audrey has strong opinions on that subject, and she tells everyone what she thinks.”
Kane gritted his teeth. “We aren’t shacking up.”
The girl gave him a very adult smile. “Sure you aren’t. I’ve seen the way you look at my mom. I may not be as smart as Ivy, but I know you and Mom are more than just good buddies.”
He rubbed a hand across his face and sighed. “I thought Ivy was the precocious one in the family.”
“She is, but I know people. It’s a talent.”
“Your talent didn’t tell you your mom would be angry if you left the party without permission?”
“Sure, but I decided it was worth it. You know, like the hair and the tattoo. Everything has a price. For example, the price you pay for dating my mom is me. That might be more than you bargained for.”
“You may be right. Now, about that truce?”
“I would consider it if you leave out the part about the tequila when you tell Mom what I was doing.”
“I’m not going to tell her a thing.”
“You’re not?” Lark’s expression brightened.
“Nope. You’re going to do it.”
“That sucks.”
Kane patted her shoulder then turned them both down the beach. When she didn’t shrug him off immediately, his spirits lifted. “Sometimes life sucks. You just have to roll with it.”
“Is that what you do?”
He nodded. “Do me a favor and try not to worry your mom again the way you did this afternoon.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“That’s all I can ask.”
He’d given it his best shot. The rest was up to Lark.
Chapter 14
Late Monday morning Kane squeezed his Jeep into the driveway next to Rachel’s SUV. Car doors slammed.
“Nice place.”
She glanced over at the pale blue Victorian complete with a wide front porch, wicker furniture and gingerbread trim. “We like it.”
“Very Norman Rockwell, right down to the white picket fence and rose bushes. It suits you.”
“Old Norman probably wouldn’t approve of the overgrown lawn. I need to get out the mower.”
“Your dog doesn’t mind.”
Daisy lay in the middle of the yard, wiggling vigorously as she scratched her back on the grass.
“She isn’t the brightest bulb in the pack.” Rachel turned back toward the vehicles.
Sleeping bags spilled onto the driveway, scattered everywhere by Daisy’s mad scramble for freedom.
“I suppose we should unpack.”
“We don’t have time for that.” Jade crossed the porch and raced down the walkway. In less than five minutes, she’d changed into soccer clothes and cleats and carried a bag lunch. “You have to take me straight to soccer camp, remember? We’re late already.”
“How could she possibly forget?” Lark stepped over a suitcase. “You reminded her at least ten times on the way home.”
“I did promise.” Rachel sighed. “Okay, back into the car.”
Lark gave her a
n incredulous look. “I’ll stay here.”
“Sorry, not without an adult around.”
“Mom, I’m a little old to need a babysitter.”
“I’m sorry, Lark, but I’m not leaving you here alone until the police catch the person stalking me. We’ve been over this.”
“You’re only going to be gone fifteen minutes. What’s going to happen in fifteen minutes?”
Kane dropped an armful of sleeping bags on the front porch. “Hopefully nothing, but we aren’t taking any chances. Let’s go, Ivy. Hop back into the car.”
Lark crossed her arms over her chest and cast a dark look his way. “If you don’t want us left alone, then you stay with us. I’m sick of the car.”
“Get in.” Kane frowned. “I’m not letting your mom drive around by herself either.”
“This sucks!”
“Yes, it does. Hopefully it’ll be over soon.”
“It better be.” Lark kicked a bag out of the way and climbed into the backseat.
Ivy sat next to her and pointed. “What about Daisy? Shouldn’t she come, too?”
“Daisy will be fine in the yard.” Rachel slammed the car door.
“What, you don’t think the whack job is going to dognap her?” Lark’s tone dripped sarcasm.
Rachel pulled out onto the street and headed away from the center of town. “This is going to be difficult for all of us, Lark. We need to make the best of it.”
“I bet you and Kane plan to.”
He could practically hear Rachel’s teeth grinding.
“Lark.” Rachel’s voice held a warning.
“Fine. Whatever. I’ll try to be cheerful while you have him babysitting me like a four-year-old. Are you happy?”
“Ecstatic.”
Kane looked over his shoulder. “Are you always this much fun?”
“Sometimes she’s worse.” Jade jumped out of the car as soon as it stopped next to the soccer fields. “See you.”
Rachel shut off the engine. “I’m going to go talk to her coach. I’ll be back in a minute.”
After she left, Kane turned in his seat. “I know this isn’t fun, Lark, but can you lighten up on your mom?”
“It’s always all about Mom. What about my feelings? I’m the one who has to have a babysitter twenty-four seven.”
Ivy’s brows lowered. “So do I.”
“You’re eight. You have to be watched, anyway. You won’t even notice the difference.”
Kane sighed. “Sacrificing a little personal freedom is better than getting abducted, don’t you think?”
“What I think is you’re both overreacting.”
He eyed her steadily. “Maybe, but I’d rather err on the side of safety. All I’m asking is you cut us some slack. We’ll all be happier if we work together.”
“Not Lark.” Ivy’s eyes sparkled. “Lark is happiest when she’s making someone mad.”
“Drop dead, brat.”
“Ivy, you aren’t helping.” Kane studied Rachel’s youngest. Her angelic appearance was definitely misleading.
Lark’s lips curved in a satisfied smirk. “See, I’m not the only problem child in this family. Little Miss Innocence is a pain in the butt. And don’t get me started on Jade. She’s even dorkier than Ivy. If you’re smart, you’ll dump all of us.”
“Lucky for you, I don’t quit. Here comes your mother. Let’s surprise the hell out of her and get along for the ride home.”
Ivy giggled hysterically, and even Lark smiled.
Rachel opened the door and glanced from Kane to the girls. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. What’s next on the agenda?”
“We go home and unpack. Then Ivy has a swim lesson. I also need to go to the grocery store.”
Lark groaned. “Wow, I don’t know if I can take that much excitement. Can I hang out with Grandma?”
“I guess so, but you have a dance class this afternoon.”
“I haven’t forgotten. It’s obviously going to be the highlight of my day. I’ll grab my stuff, and you can drop me at Grandma’s when you take Ivy to her swim lesson.”
“All right, but I was hoping to avoid telling Grandma and Grandpa about the stalker until tomorrow or the next day.”
“I promise, my lips are zipped. I certainly don’t want to be the one to break the news.”
Rachel rolled her eyes. “Fine, are you happy now?”
“It beats following you around a grocery store.” Lark sounded a little more cheerful. “Maybe I’ll hang with Aunt Sharon in the gift shop. I want to talk to her about working there this summer. It’ll be a good way to earn some money.”
“That’s a great idea, honey.”
Rachel pulled into the driveway. Ivy and Lark jumped out.
“Hey, there’s no stalker lurking in the bushes.” Lark strolled toward the house, hands shoved in her pockets.
Rachel slammed the car door. “Enough with the sarcasm, and don’t go inside empty-handed. We have the whole rear of the car to unload.”
With an audible sigh, her daughter turned and came back, grabbed her duffle bag and guitar case and sauntered away. Rachel and Kane followed, loaded down with suitcases. They dropped them in the entry, and Kane took a look around.
“What do you think?”
“Someone did a terrific job restoring this place.”
Rachel flexed her muscles. “That would be me. At least I did most of it. I hired a guy to refinish the floors, but I did the painting and wallpapering.”
He pulled her close for a brief hug. “I can tell you put your heart into it. The crown molding in this place is amazing, and I do believe that banister is solid walnut.” He nodded toward the stairway.
“It is. I sanded and lacquered it myself.”
“You have to love a woman who can do her own household repairs.” Slowly he released her. “Where do you want me to put my stuff?”
“I don’t have a spare bedroom, but the couch in the living room makes into a bed. You’re not going to have a whole lot of privacy.” She frowned. “I suppose I could put Ivy and Jade together and give you one of their rooms.”
“Leave the girls where they are. I don’t need privacy, and I don’t want you worrying about me. You should have seen some of the places I slept the year I worked undercover.”
Rachel shuddered. “I’d rather not even imagine it. You can put your clothes in my office.” She pushed open a door that led to a tiny room filled with bookshelves and a desk. “The bathroom is just down the hall. It has a shower, so at least you won’t have to share the upstairs bath with the girls.”
“This is fine, Rachel.” He turned and rubbed her shoulders. “Stop treating me like a guest. Pretend I’m your cousin or something. You don’t flip out over where family sleeps, do you?”
“Sorry. I guess I’m a little stressed.”
He opened his mouth then shut it.
Ivy raced inside with Daisy on her heels. “I’m starving. What’s for lunch?”
“How about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? There should be a loaf of bread in the freezer.”
The girl made a face. “I’m not in the mood for peanut butter.”
Rachel ran a hand through her hair. “Well, there isn’t a whole lot to choose from until I go to the store. Would you rather have tuna?”
“Tuna with pickles.”
She paused in the doorway. “How about you, Kane?”
“Tuna is fine. While you’re making the sandwiches, Ivy and I will take these bags upstairs.”
Ivy twirled on one foot then skipped across the hall. “I’ll tell him where they go.”
“Rachel.”
She glanced back over her shoulder. Shadows clouded her eyes.
“Relax. Everything will work out. I promise.”
* * * *
Some of the tension drained away as Rachel headed toward the kitchen. A simple thing like dividing up the chores took the edge off her mo
od. It had been too long since she’d had someone around to share responsibility for the small jobs. Bryce, at least, had been decent about helping out. It was one of the things she’d missed after their marriage ended.
When Kane and the girls came back to the kitchen, they sat down together to eat the tuna sandwiches. Then Rachel called her mom to ask if she could bring Lark over for the afternoon.
“Of course she can come over. How was your trip, honey? Tell me all about it.”
“It was fun, but I’m afraid I don’t have time to go into details right now. I have to drop Lark off, then take Ivy to her swim lesson, and I really need to stop by the bookstore for an hour or two.”
“That doesn’t leave you much time to prepare a decent meal. Bring the girls over for dinner tonight, and we can talk then. Your dad and I would love to see you. We’re having pot roast. I know it’s one of your favorites.”
“That sounds wonderful.” She took a deep breath. “Uh, we have a guest.”
“If one of the girls has a friend over, bring her along.”
May as well face the inevitable and get it over with.
“We’ll come for dinner, but our guest isn’t one of the girls’ friends. His name’s Kane Lafferty. I met him through Grace.”
“Really?”
Her mother’s voice held more questions she didn’t want to answer.
“It’s not what you’re thinking, Mom. I’ll explain everything to you this evening.”
“Now you really do have my curiosity roused.”
“You’ll just have to live with it for a few hours. Promise me you won’t pump Lark for information. I want to explain this myself.”
“Oh, all right. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
“I take it we’re dining with your parents.” Kane stood in the kitchen doorway. He raised a brow. “I get the feeling you aren’t too happy about it.”
Rachel scowled. “I couldn’t put her off. I hope you’re ready for the inquisition.”
“I’ve survived worse. The girls are ready to go if you are. I sent them out to the car.”
“Does Lark have her dance stuff?”
“She does, and Ivy has her swimsuit and a towel.”
“Very impressive. Maybe you should get out of law enforcement and consider a career as a nanny.”
He choked on the soda he was drinking. “I think I’ll pass.” He crumpled the can and sent it sailing into the trash. “Speaking of law enforcement, I’m meeting with Sheriff Walker while you’re at Ivy’s swim lesson.”
Every Move She Makes Page 15
