“I’m not interested in a woman like that.”
“But you are interested in women?”
“I’m not gay.” His dark eyes glittered with annoyance.
“How about Chip? Does he have a girlfriend?”
“He was engaged, but they broke it off last Christmas. He hasn’t dated much since then.”
“Any particular reason why?”
Bob drained his mug then set it on the table. “He’s still hoping to patch things up with Angie. She broke their engagement because she wants to go to law school. Chip’s trying to convince her she can marry him and still get another degree. So far it isn’t working.”
“Ever been to Vine Haven?”
“I may have driven through the town a time or two, but I can’t remember stopping.”
Kane pushed back his chair and stood. “Thanks for your cooperation. If anything else comes up, I’ll be in touch.”
“You mean if Rachel is attacked again, I’d better have an ironclad alibi?”
“It certainly wouldn’t hurt, but I hope it won’t come to that.” His fists clenched at his sides. “No one will get near Rachel on my watch.”
“Sounds like you have a personal interest in this.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Not in the least.” Mayfield followed him to the door. “I hope you catch the guy.”
“I will.”
As he pulled out of the apartment complex, Kane glanced in the rearview mirror. Bob stood in his doorway, watching while he drove away.
Kane reached the diner where he was meeting Chip a half-hour early and spent the time writing down his impressions of Bob Mayfield. Something about the guy seemed a little off, but he wasn’t sure exactly what. Maybe Chip would be able to give him some insight.
He looked up when Stevens entered the diner. The man limped down the aisle wearing a brown uniform. He slid onto the vinyl seat across from Kane and smiled.
“I hope you don’t mind meeting here. I’m on my lunch break.” Chip paused as a waitress set a glass of water in front of him then handed him a menu. “I’m ready to order if you are.”
Kane nodded. “I’ll have a turkey club and iced tea.”
“A burger with onion rings and a Coke.”
“I’ll be right back with your drinks.” The waitress favored Kane with a lingering smile.
After she left, he studied Chip. Lines radiated from the corners of the man’s eyes. When he shifted in the seat, he winced.
“Did you injure yourself?”
“I tripped on a curb and sprained my ankle. It hurts like a mother.”
“Have you wrapped it?”
Chip nodded. “It isn’t helping. If my ankle doesn’t feel better by tomorrow, I’ll probably go see a doctor.” He let out a disgusted snort. “Ironic, don’t you think? I hike all over the Sierras without a scratch and then hurt myself in my own driveway.”
“Sometimes life has a warped sense of humor.” Kane squeezed lemon into the iced tea the waitress set in front of him. “Do you camp a lot?”
“I try to go at least a couple of times each summer.”
“Was there any particular reason you chose Granite Lake for your vacation?”
“Bob agreed to go camping with me when I asked, but he didn’t want to sleep in a tent or eat his own cooking. That narrowed down our choices. I would have been happy pitching a tent just about anywhere, but he volunteered to pay, so I didn’t mind finding a place he liked.”
“So you wanted to go camping, but he chose the place?”
“Technically I chose it, but we didn’t have many options. It was the only camp that met his criteria within reasonable driving distance.” Chip sipped his Coke. “Does it matter?”
“I want to get everything straight. I’m sure the police told you Rachel Carpenter was attacked after she left Granite Lake.”
“They did, but I don’t understand what that has to do with me. I barely know her.”
“Someone followed Rachel a couple of times while she was at the camp, so every man who was there is a suspect.”
“You don’t really think I would hurt her, do you?” Chip frowned. “I liked Rachel.”
“I’m just trying to sift through the facts. Our stalker likes her, too. He likes her a lot.”
“That’s not what I meant.” He pushed a strand of hair out of his face and waited while the waitress delivered their food. “I meant she’s a nice person, not that I have a thing for her. You’re the one who had a romantic interest in the woman.”
Kane took a bite of his sandwich and nodded. “The feeling’s mutual. Does that bother you?”
“Why should it? I have my own woman problems. I’m not stupid enough to chase after a lady like Rachel who would never be interested in me in a million years. Check with that guy, Dennis. He was the one making a fool of himself over her.”
They ate in silence for several minutes before Kane asked, “What about Bob? Was he interested in Rachel?”
“He thought she was pretty, but who wouldn’t? Last time I checked, looking at a beautiful woman wasn’t a crime.”
“No, but stalking one is. Does Bob have a girlfriend?”
Chip swallowed a bite of his burger. “He’s never had a steady girlfriend for as long as I’ve known him.”
“Is he gay?”
“I don’t think so. He makes sexual comments about women occasionally. I also saw him pick up a prostitute one night several months ago. I never asked him about it since it wasn’t any of my business.”
Kane finished his sandwich while Chip talked about the Giants’ win the night before then took a final sip of his drink. “Thanks for answering my questions. I appreciate it.”
“I don’t mind. I have nothing to hide.”
“I may need to speak with you again.” He pulled his wallet out of his pocket and laid a twenty-dollar bill on the table then glanced over at Chip. “Have you ever been to Vine Haven?”
“Sure. It’s not on my usual route, but I’ve made deliveries up there plenty of times.”
“Did you make deliveries to Rachel’s bookstore?”
“I didn’t know she owned one.”
Kane smiled. “I hope that ankle gets better real soon.”
“I do, too. See you, Kane.”
Kane paid little attention to the sparse traffic on the drive back to Vine Haven as he sifted through the nuances of the two interviews. His gut told him Chip was innocent, but he didn’t have anything but a feeling to back it up. He wasn’t sure about Bob.
When his phone rang, he checked the display. Rachel. His pulse quickened in a way that bothered him more than a little. Everything about her affected him, and he couldn’t control his fascination. Listening to catch the sound of Rachel’s voice. Watching her as she moved around her home. Dreaming about her while he slept alone on the lumpy hide-a-bed…. He shook off his preoccupation, which was starting to verge on a need only she could satisfy and answered the phone. “Hey, beautiful.”
“How’d it go?” Rachel spoke in a breathless tone.
“Interesting. Bob may be hiding something.”
“I thought you were meeting with Chip.”
“I talked to them both. I didn’t learn anything conclusive, but at the moment I’m more inclined to put my money on Bob. I’ll know more after I question Dennis and Curt.”
“Dennis called here a few minutes ago. He wants to see me. He’s outraged the police suspect him of attacking me, and he isn’t interested in talking to you.”
“I can’t force him to.”
“I know. That’s why I’m meeting him for lunch tomorrow.”
He pulled to the side of the road and jerked on the emergency brake. “No way in hell are you going anywhere near him. What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking I’d be perfectly safe sitting in a busy restaurant with you somewhere close by. If Dennis is the one, he might be so overcome by my charming se
lf he’ll say something stupid.”
Kane let out a breath. “I suppose you’ll be safe enough, but do you really want to have lunch with the man?”
“I can eat a meal with him if it means ending this nightmare sooner. Anyway, I’m betting Dennis didn’t do it.”
“Any reason why?”
“I don’t think he has that kind of violence in him. Let’s face it—the man is a wimp.”
Kane chuckled. “While I agree with your assessment of his character, I think Olmstead might surprise you. Often it’s the mild mannered ones that lash out when they’re pushed.”
“I’ll be careful. Where’re you going now?”
“I told Sheriff Walker I’d keep him in the loop, so I’m headed to his office. How about you? Working hard?”
Rachel sighed. “I couldn’t concentrate. I was too busy worrying about you.”
“This is my job.”
“I know. I also know you’re good at what you do.”
He stared through the windshield at a hawk circling in an air current, wondering if his profession would drive a wedge between them like it had with his ex-wife. “You’re smart enough to realize we can’t make a relationship between us work if you sit around biting your nails every time I leave the house.”
“You’re right. I’ll work on it. I’d better go. It sounds like they need me up front.”
“I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
Chapter 17
“I accuse Miss Scarlet in the library with the candlestick.” Ivy pulled the three cards from the envelope, and groans went up around the table. “Oh, yeah. I won. I won.” Standing up, she victory danced around the kitchen.
“And so graciously.” Rachel scooped up the pile of weapons and dropped them into the game box.
“How the heck did you figure it out so fast?” Kane leaned an elbow on the table. “I wasn’t even close.”
Ivy laughed. “I guess I’m a better detective than you.”
“You certainly have a more inflated ego.” Lark pushed back her chair and stood. “I’m going to listen to music in my room.”
“Don’t you want to play another game?” Ivy sat back down. “I’ll let you have a chance this time.”
“You’re so lame. Get a life, Ivy.”
“We don’t have time for another game.” Rachel closed the box. “It’s almost bedtime. You and Jade need to go get your pajamas on and brush your teeth.”
Jade frowned. “I don’t see why we have a bedtime in the summer. It’s not like we have school in the morning.”
“No, but you have soccer tomorrow, and you need a good night’s sleep. Go upstairs. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Fine.” Jade yawned. “Good night, Kane.”
“Good night, girls.”
Ivy walked over to his chair and hugged him. “See you in the morning.”
He put his arm up to hug her back then smiled. “You bet.”
Footsteps echoed on the stairs followed by giggling and doors shutting. Kane glanced over with a mixture of surprise and pleasure in his eyes. “At least Ivy approves of me.”
“She’s always been the most demonstrative of my girls. I’m afraid she’s becoming quite attached.”
“Is that a problem?”
Rachel sighed. “I’m glad she cares so much, but she has some very real expectations about your place in our lives. I don’t want her to be disappointed.”
“I don’t intend to disappoint her. Or you.” His arm snaked out, and he pulled her down onto his lap. “What about you? Do you have expectations?” He pushed a lock of hair behind her ear.
“I’m trying to be realistic. The position we’re in isn’t exactly normal.”
“It feels normal. Eating dinner together, playing games with the kids—it doesn’t get much more normal than that.”
“You’ve been forced into it. Don’t tell me you usually spend your evenings playing Clue.”
“No, I usually spend them working. This is much better.”
“Really?”
He cupped her face in his palms and kissed her. “Yes, you’re better than anything I’ve had in years.”
Rachel wound her arms around his neck and kissed him back. His response was enthusiastic.
“Gross!” Lark’s lip curled down. “Why don’t you two get a room?”
Rachel made no move to jump off Kane’s lap as her daughter walked across the kitchen.
“We were just kissing.”
Lark picked up a book off the counter. “Whatever you say.”
Kane cleared his throat. “I rented a movie, a romantic comedy since I’m surrounded by women. Would you like to watch it with us?”
“I think I’ll pass. I see enough making out between the two of you.” With the book pressed tightly to her chest, she left the room.
Rachel slid off Kane’s lap. “I’d better go see if Jade and Ivy are in bed.”
“Take your time. If you need to talk to Lark, the movie can wait.”
“I don’t think talking will make a difference. She needs time to adjust to seeing us together.”
He nodded. “I’ll be in the living room.”
Upstairs Rachel kissed Jade good night then went into Ivy’s room. She stepped over Daisy sleeping by the bed then pulled back the quilt her youngest had tucked up under her chin. “You’ll be too hot. It’s a warm night.”
“It makes me feel cozy.”
“Cozy is good.” Rachel bent to kiss her.
“Is that how Kane makes you feel?”
She paused. “I suppose it is.”
“Are you going to marry him? Brittany’s mom got married again, and now she has two dads. If you married Kane, at least I’d have one.”
Rachel stroked the hair away from her daughter’s face. “It’s too soon to talk about that. Kane and I haven’t known each other very long.”
“Well, you like him and he likes you, so why wait?”
“Because neither of us wants to make a mistake.”
“Marrying Kane wouldn’t be a mistake. I like having him here. He plays with us and tells us funny stories. Did Daddy do that?” Her eyes clouded. “Sometimes I forget what it was like when he was alive. Sometimes I have to look at his picture to remember what he looked like.”
A photograph of Bryce sat on top of Ivy’s dresser. She’d only been six when he died, and Rachel didn’t want her to forget her father.
“He played with you as much as he could. Your dad had to work a lot.”
“When Kane catches the man who hurt you, will he leave?”
She nodded. “That doesn’t mean he’ll stop seeing us, though. I don’t know how things will work out between us.” She squeezed her daughter’s shoulder. “I don’t want you to get your hopes up.”
“If he leaves because Lark is mean to him, I’m going to be really mad.”
“Nothing that happens between Kane and me will be Lark’s fault or yours or Jade’s. It’s up to the two of us to work things out. Do you understand?”
Ivy yawned. “I guess.”
“Go to sleep.” Rachel kissed her forehead. “Sweet dreams.”
Soft music came from Lark’s room. Rachel paused outside the door then knocked softly.
“Come in if you have to.”
She smiled and pushed it open. “I have to. I want to tell you good night.”
“Good night.”
Rachel sat down on the edge of the bed. “Don’t read for too long.”
“I won’t.”
“Your Aunt Sharon told me you were a big help in the gift shop today. Did you enjoy working there?”
Lark shrugged. “I guess. If you don’t mind, I want to finish my book.”
Rachel sighed. She wanted to pull her daughter into her arms and hug her until all the anger was gone. “It was just a kiss, honey.”
“Whatever. Good night, Mom.”
“Good night, Lark.”
Kan
e glanced up when she entered the living room. “How’d it go?”
“Lark is resentful, and Ivy’s already thinking new daddy.” She sat down next to him on the couch. “You might want to go while the getting is good.”
Kane pulled her close. “Are you worried?”
She sighed and leaned against his chest. “I wouldn’t be much of a mother if I wasn’t.”
“How can I make things easier? Do you want me to keep my hands to myself?”
Rachel looked down at his hands. Strong and tanned with long fingers, she quivered when he rested one on her thigh and the other at her waist.
“That’s not what I want.”
His grip tightened. “Good because I doubt I could manage it.”
Reluctantly she pulled away. “I think we’d better watch that movie before we forget my daughters are right upstairs.”
With his gaze still locked with hers, he picked up the remote and pushed play. The movie was lighthearted and funny, but there was a sexy side to the romance that made Rachel squirm. When she glanced up at Kane, he looked as uncomfortable as she was.
“You couldn’t have chosen an action-adventure flick with lots of blood and mayhem? Instead, you’re forcing me to watch a hot guy who’s younger than me take off his shirt?”
His brow rose. “You have a thing for younger men?”
“I’m not picky about age when they look like that. Jealous?”
“I can hold my own against those Hollywood types. Want me to show you?”
She gasped as his hand ran up the inside of her thigh into the leg of her shorts. Before she could think, let alone react, he had her stretched out full length on the couch. He kissed her until she couldn’t breathe. The hard length of his erection pressing against the juncture of her thighs sent her up in flames.
“The office door locks.”
Kane scooped her into his arms, carried her across the room and pushed the office door shut with his shoulder. The lock clicked. After setting her on the edge of her desk, he pulled her shirt over her head and dropped it on the floor. Her bra sailed across the room.
When his mouth tugged on first one breast and then the other, she moaned. The downward slide of her zipper brought a return of sanity.
“Kane, we can’t.”
His hand stilled. “Am I going too fast?”
Every Move She Makes Page 18
