“I’m a reasonable man. Our relationship can be anything we choose.” He paused. “Don’t you want your mom to be happy?”
“Yes, but...” She shrugged. “You talk the talk, but why should I trust you?”
“Have I given you a reason not to? Give me a chance—” his voice hardened “—and I’ll try not to hold the agony you put your mother through this evening against you.”
Lark took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m sorry, Mom. What are you going to do to me?”
“I’m not sure. I’d like to put you on the first plane back to San Diego, but I doubt Susan would take you. I do know I want you somewhere safe.”
“She’d take me if you asked and I apologized.”
“She probably would. I’ll think about it tonight.”
“Could I stay at home if I promise to be careful?”
Rachel turned around in her seat. “Absolutely not! This deviant, whoever he is, shot Kane. I’m not about to risk your life.”
“What are you talking about?” Her daughter’s voice rose. “When did this happen?”
“The night before last. I didn’t want to worry you or your sisters, so I didn’t say anything.” She relayed an abbreviated version of the event.
“Just because he shot Kane doesn’t mean he would hurt me. Kane pissed him off.”
“That’s not a risk I’m willing to take.”
Kane pulled into the driveway and turned off the engine. “Let’s all get some rest and decide what to do in the morning.”
“Are you going to sleep with my mom?” Jumping out, Lark slammed the car door.
“Lark!”
He laughed. “Can I sleep with her if we don’t have sex? That couch isn’t the most comfortable bed in the world.”
Lark’s scowl morphed into a snort of laughter. “Are you trying to gross me out or what?”
“Or what. Give me the key, Rachel. I want to check the house.”
They waited in the entry with Daisy dancing around in circles while Kane turned on lights and searched the upstairs. Lark’s head hung as she drew the toe of her sandal along a crack in the floorboard.
“All clear.”
“Do you want me to call Aunt Susan now?” She covered a yawn.
Rachel looked at her watch. “It’s almost eleven. After the night you put her through, she might be asleep.” She pushed a hand through her hair then shook her head. “You can call her in the morning.” She touched her daughter’s arm. “Don’t think there won’t be consequences for your actions. We’ll talk about them tomorrow.”
“Fine.” Lark took three steps before turning around and flinging her arms around her mother. “I’m sorry.” She bolted up the stairs with Daisy following.
Kane cleared his throat. “That went better than I thought it would.”
She turned and smiled. “There may be hope for her yet, but I’m not ready to forgive and forget.”
“She doesn’t expect you to.”
Rachel let out a sigh. “What next?”
“How about a stiff drink?” He touched her cheek in a gentle caress. “You look like you could use one.”
“Probably, but I’d rather have a cup of tea.”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they walked into the kitchen. The light on the answering machine blinked furiously. Rachel filled the teakettle with water then pushed the button to listen to her messages. The first was from her mother expressing relief Lark was safe and promising to bake croissants and cinnamon rolls for the coffee bar. The second message was from Will offering his and Sharon’s help if she needed it.
Kane stepped up behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders. “Your family is very supportive.”
She nodded. The third message was from Susan volunteering to pick Lark up at the airport anytime she wanted to send her back.
Tears sprang to Rachel’s eyes. “She’s more generous than I deserve.”
Kane turned off the burner and poured boiling water into her waiting cup. “Are you going to send her back?”
Rachel’s brow knit as she dunked the teabag. “Do I have a choice? Lark won’t be any happier in Portland with my brother and his family.”
“I don’t think she was unhappy in San Diego until she found out about us. Taking off was her way of expressing anger and frustration. Maybe if the three of us come to some sort of understanding, she won’t act out again.”
“Wow, are you a cop or a psychologist?” She picked up her cup and sipped the tea.
Kane’s cheeks darkened. “You can tell me to shut up.”
“Why would I do that? I think you nailed it perfectly. Maybe I’ll hold off booking another flight until tomorrow. Lark and I need to have a talk before I send her back.”
“That seems reasonable. Are you finished with your tea?”
She took another swallow then set the cup in the sink. Her chin snapped up as she swung around. “Oh, God, we didn’t have any dinner. You must be starving.”
“I’m a little hungry. Do you want a sandwich?”
“I’m too tired to eat.”
“Then why don’t you go to bed.” He put his arms around her then kissed her slow and deep.
She let out a sigh when he released her. “What about you?”
“I think I’ll sleep down here tonight. Lark will have to get used to seeing us together, but I don’t think throwing it in her face right now is such a great idea.”
“I hate to make you sleep on that lumpy couch.”
“It’s fine, Rachel. I only made the comment to lighten the mood. Go to bed.”
“I will, but I haven’t forgotten what you said.” She touched his face. “Do you really want to stay here?”
“I do. I love you. I want to work through all our problems. I want a future together.”
“I love you, too.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. The kiss she pressed to his lips was full of emotion. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Coming into my life and filling my heart.”
“You fill mine, too.”
She glanced out the kitchen window at the dark street. Some of her joy faded, and she let out a long breath. “Especially with everything the way it is now.”
“I’ll catch him, Rachel. I promise.”
* * * *
He parked the battered pickup in the barn and retrieved his car then whistled softly as he drove down the dirt driveway. Things were looking up. Jordan had returned home accompanied by Kane and Lark. The one weakness in her line of defense. The whistle died on his lips. As if Jordan would ever need protection from him.
He’d waited so long for this day. Once they were together, Jordan would understand he was her true destiny. She would forget all about the men in her past, the unworthy men who’d never deserved her.
His body tightened and throbbed, aching for her. He considered calling someone to relieve his needs then shook his head. There wasn’t a woman alive who was anything but a poor substitute. He could wait the short time remaining. It wouldn’t be long.
Chapter 26
“Terrific.” Rachel groped beneath the bathroom sink for a tampon. “Just what I need to start my day.” She took a quick shower and toweled dry. After dressing in a pair of bright blue Capri pants and a striped shirt, she blew dry her hair. Ready to face her daughter, she knocked on Lark’s bedroom door.
“What?”
Rachel pushed open the door. “Time to get up.”
Daisy raised her head and thumped her tail against the rug.
Lark grunted. “Do I have to?”
“Yes, it’s seven-thirty, and I have to stop by Grandma’s house before we go to the bookstore.”
“We? Why can’t I stay with Grandma?”
“Because I intend to keep an eye on you, personally, while I make a few decisions. We also need to have a serious talk.”
Lark buried her head under her pillow. “Do I get a ch
oice in this?”
“Probably not. Jump in the shower. We need to go soon.”
The scent of freshly brewed coffee hung in the air as Rachel entered the kitchen.
“The coffee alone is reason enough to love you.” She made a beeline for the mugs Kane had set out on the counter.
He grabbed her around the waist and swung her into his arms. “I’ll give you another reason.” When the kiss ended he smiled at her. “Did you get any sleep?”
“A little. I’ve decided to take Lark to the bookstore with me this morning. We won’t stay long, but I want her close.”
“Are you sending her back to San Diego?”
“I’m not sure. All I care about is her safety.” She stirred sugar into her coffee and took a sip. “What do you think?”
“Maybe having her here isn’t such a problem. With just Lark to worry about, it’ll be easy enough to keep an eye on her. Let’s give her at least a day or two before we do anything.”
She nodded. “I was thinking the same thing. I’ll call Susan to let her know. What’s on your agenda?”
“My top priority is playing watchdog, but I’d also like to talk to Curt Dawson again.”
Rachel rubbed her tired eyes. “I can’t believe either Curt or Bob is the man stalking me. What if it isn’t either of them? What if we’ve been wrong all along?”
“I don’t think we are.” Kane pulled her against his chest. “It’s almost over, babe. Whoever it is will act again soon.”
“Then what?”
“Then we catch him. I’ll call Stan about putting a tail on both men. If the department balks at the expense, I’ll hire someone myself.”
“Money isn’t a problem. I’ll tap into Bryce’s estate if I need to.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I doubt it will come to that. This guy is getting tired of waiting.”
“Gross.” Lark walked into the room with Daisy at her heels. “Is this what I can expect to see every morning?” Her hair was still damp, and she hadn’t bothered with makeup. Dressed in a pair of shorts, a tank top and flip-flops she looked like the fourteen-year-old girl she was.
“If I’m lucky.” Kane grinned and stepped back.
“You can’t blame me for needing an extra hug considering the circumstances.” Rachel poured a glass of orange juice and handed it to her daughter.
“So what happens next?”
“You call your Aunt Susan and apologize.”
“Let’s do it.” Lark reached for the phone. “I prefer to eat crow before my breakfast.”
“That’s the spirit.” Kane’s eyes twinkled above his coffee mug. “Crow may be the next breakfast of champions. It’s full of protein.”
Lark rolled her eyes and picked up the phone. To her credit, her apology was sincere. “Aunt Susan says she’ll take me back.”
“We’ve decided you can stay here for the time being if you promise to follow instructions to the letter.”
“Seriously?”
Rachel nodded. Taking the phone, she spoke briefly with Susan before hanging up. “Nothing’s changed Lark.” She eyed her daughter’s suddenly cheerful expression. “Someone will be watching you twenty-four seven.”
“I get it. What’s for breakfast?”
“Cold cereal. We don’t have time for anything else.”
“I’d better go get my cell. I left it upstairs.”
When Lark entered the kitchen several minutes later, Kane was on the phone talking to the sheriff.
Rachel poured a second cup of coffee. “The cereal’s on the table. Do you want a piece of toast with it?”
“I’ll have an English muffin.” Lark glanced toward the back door and stroked Daisy’s ears. “First I’ll let Daisy out.”
Rachel dropped an English muffin into the toaster. “Why don’t you feed her while you’re at it?”
“Okay. Come on, Daisy.”
It took a while for Kane to finish his conversation. While Rachel was still busy making Lark’s breakfast, he hung up the phone. “Is that Daisy barking?”
She laid down the butter knife. “It’s getting fainter. I hope she isn’t chasing Florence Tate’s cat again. She threatened to call animal control last time.”
“Where’s Lark?”
“She’s feeding Daisy.” Rachel frowned. “Maybe I shouldn’t have let her go out on the porch alone.”
“I’ll check on her.”
He went through the back door with Rachel at his heels. Neither Lark nor Daisy was anywhere in sight.
“Oh, no.”
“She’s probably just chasing the dog. Lark!” Kane shouted.
When she didn’t answer, they ran out into the yard.
“Lark!” Rachel raised her voice. “Lark, answer me!”
Two houses over, a lawnmower started up. Next door, Florence Tate stepped into her yard carrying an orange tabby cat.
“What’s all the hollering about?”
“Mrs. Tate, have you seen Lark this morning?”
“No, I was making a cup of tea when I heard you yelling.”
“Rachel, over here.” Kane bent over something behind the oak tree.
“Is it Lark?” Rachel ran toward him.
“No, this girl is out cold. Thank God she’s still breathing. Go call 9-1-1.”
Rachel pressed her hand to her lips. “It’s Lark’s friend, Rose.”
Kane straightened. “Go inside.” His voice was deadly serious. He gave her a firm shake when she didn’t move. “Listen to me. Call 9-1-1 and then call Will or your dad. I’ll go look for Lark. If he has her, he can’t have much of a head start.”
Rachel looked at him then had to blink to bring his face into focus. “I’ll go get my cell then come back out here to stay with Rose.”
* * * *
Kane waited only long enough to see Rachel head toward the house before running out to the street. There was no sign of Lark, but in the distance Daisy raced toward him. He ran to meet her. “Where’s Lark, girl?”
The dog turned and ran back the way she’d come with Kane following. At the end of the block, she stopped. Sitting down on her furry rump, she whined softly.
“Shit!”
There was no vehicle in sight. He ran up to the nearest house and pounded on the door. A woman in a bathrobe answered it. Kane pulled out his wallet and flashed his badge.
“Did you see a man with a blond girl in the last few minutes?”
Her eyes widened. “No, there was an old pickup parked out front a while ago, but it’s gone now. I think it was gray or maybe green. I wasn’t paying much attention.”
“Did you see the driver?”
“The truck was empty when I noticed it. You might try the other neighbors, but they’ve all probably left for work.”
“Thank you.” Pulling out his cell, he called Stan Walker’s private line while he ran to the house next door and thumped on the door. “It’s Kane. The asshole has Rachel’s oldest daughter. A neighbor saw an old pickup, possibly gray or green, parked on the street, but she didn’t see the driver or Lark.”
“My deputies are on the way. I called the state police. I’ll get an APB out on the truck. An ambulance is headed over to see to the girl you found in the yard. Rachel identified her to the 9-1-1 operator as Rose Zimmerman. Her parents have been notified. Any luck with the other neighbors?”
“I’m trying them now. He raced up the next walkway and used his fist to knock. “No one seems to be home except the woman I spoke to.”
“Christ, this guy has balls, snatching Lark out of her own yard in broad daylight. Let’s hope Rose got a good look at him.”
“I’m heading back to the house. I don’t like leaving Rachel alone.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
Kane pocketed the phone, and with Daisy at his side, ran back to the house. He arrived just as a deputy’s car and an ambulance turned into the driveway. Rachel ran up to him, her eyes pleading for news.
He shook his head and pulled her into his arms. Her crying made him want to kill someone, but there was nothing he could do about it.
“We’ll find her, Rachel. I swear I’ll find her for you.”
“Where’s the injured girl?” The medic pulled a stretcher from the ambulance.
Rachel wiped the tears from her face. “She’s in the backyard. My neighbor is sitting with her.”
Pete Lowery joined them on the porch. “No reason we can’t go on back, too. I’ll get your statements while the medics are checking the girl. That way I’ll see they do it without contaminating the crime scene.”
While Rachel and Kane described the morning’s events, the medics checked Rose for injuries and monitored her pulse.
He glanced at Florence Tate. “Has she been conscious?”
The older woman nodded. “Yes, but she’s been pretty groggy.”
“I’m concerned she has a concussion, but I don’t see any other injuries. Looks like she’s coming around again.” The medic glanced at the deputy. “We need to get her to the hospital.”
“It’s important we question her.”
“Try to keep it brief.”
The young girl groaned then blinked. “My head hurts.”
The deputy knelt beside her. “Rose, can you tell us what happened?”
She looked from Pete to Rachel. “Where’s Lark?”
Rachel squatted beside her and squeezed her hand. “We don’t know? Can you describe the man who hit you?”
She shook her head and winced. Tears ran down her cheeks. “Some guy called me early this morning and told me he found my wallet. He said he’d meet me in front of my house. I went outside, and there was an old pickup parked on the street. While I stood there wondering why it was empty, someone came up behind me and hit me.” Sobs choked her voice. “When I woke up, I was in the truck parked a little ways from here.”
“What did he look like, Rose?” Kane asked.
“I don’t know. He had on a black ski mask. His eyes were brown, but I couldn’t see his hair. He was wearing jeans and a blue T-shirt. He was average-sized, not as tall as you, more like him.” She pointed to Lowery. “But not as skinny.”
“Then what happened?”
Every Move She Makes Page 28
