“Maybe you should sneak outside and tell Rick something may be up tonight,” Cassie suggested to Kevin as they entered their room.
“Are you crazy?” Kevin asked, not giving her time to answer before continuing. “In the first place, I don’t know where Rick is hiding. If I go out there and start looking through bushes, someone might see me. And in the second place, it’s because something might happen tonight that I’m not leaving you in here alone.”
“Rick threatened you, didn’t he?” Cassie crossed her arms in front of her.
“Of course he did,” Kevin answered freely. “But that has nothing to do with it, Cass. Even if he hadn’t, I wouldn’t leave you. I don’t need Rick telling me to stay close because I care about you too.”
Cassie stared at Kevin. He wouldn’t meet her gaze. She knew he cared about her. He’d made that clear from day one. What she didn’t know was why. And why had he taken it upon himself to act as her big brother? Big brother. Kevin said he had a sister, Erica, hence his suggestion of that name as Cassie’s alias.
“Kev,” Cassie said slowly. “I know you love Elena, and even if Rick and I hadn’t gotten together, I knew you didn’t really have those kinds of feelings for me. But I still have to ask why you’ve always been so protective of me. Is it because of your sister?”
Now Kevin did look at her. “Yeah, it’s because of Erica.” He turned away from Cassie and climbed into the bed.
As she’d done since her first night in the house, Cassie stood by the window to let Rick see her from wherever he was hiding. She didn’t know for sure if he actually could see her, but she was comforted thinking he could. Leaving the window, she, too, got in bed and turned out the light.
“Tell me about Erica,” she said softly. “You said she died when she was six? What happened?”
“Honey, I know you mean well, but I don’t want to talk about it.” Kevin’s voice was kind, but firm.
Cassie smiled. “You sound a lot like someone else I know. I thought it might help pass the time since we have to be up all night.”
Kevin was about to speak when a moaning scream blared from somewhere in the house. Cassie jumped slightly and pulled the covers up to her chin. Since his eyes had adjusted to the light Kevin could see Cassie’s eyes were open and looked frightened.
He took her hand and held tight. “You’re scared, aren’t you?” he asked. “I don’t mean about Natalie, I mean about when your baby is born.”
Cassie squeezed his hand and let go. “Yeah, I’m scared. I’ve done a lot in my life, but this is entirely different.” She turned on her side to face him. “Please tell me about your sister.”
Kevin sighed. “Okay, but no one knows this besides Elena, so don’t tell anyone. Not even Rick.”
“Then don’t tell me,” Cassie said flatly. “I’m not keeping secrets from him. And when we’re out of this situation I’m even telling him about our sleeping arrangements.”
“You want me dead?” Kevin’s eyes widened in feigned horror. “All right, I’ll tell you anyway,” he said then paused a moment. “The reason I did take such a liking to you right away is because you do remind me of Erica. Even though she died at six, she and you share a lot of qualities.” He smiled. “Good and bad ones. She’d be about the same age as you now and her hair was the same color, but that’s not what I mean about being similar.
“Erica was a fighter. To my knowledge she never ate a vegetable in her life. My parents couldn’t or wouldn’t force her to do much of anything, and she got away with it. And that girl could back me into a corner and keep me there for days and I was three years older than her.”
Kevin had laughed seeing Cassie’s eyebrows rise at his description of Erica. Then his smile faded. “But the biggest reason she and you are alike is because even though Erica was a tough little cookie, she was the most loving person I ever knew. At least until I met Elena. Erica would happily pour a soda over my head for telling her she was a silly little girl, then she’d crawl in my lap and tell me I was her favorite brother in the whole world and beg me to sing to her. She was a sweetie, my little miss. I accidentally even called you that a couple times, remember? ”
“What happened to Erica?” Cassie whispered, putting her hand over Kevin’s.
He was silent a long time, before finally whispering, “She was riding her bike in our driveway and got hit by a car. The man was a drunk who lived on the next street over. He got confused and thought our house was his. He just pulled into the driveway without looking.” Kevin’s voice became hoarse. “The guy was so drunk that he didn’t even stop after hitting Erica, his car kept going until it crashed into the garage.”
In the dark, Cassie saw tears glimmering in Kevin’s eyes. She regretted bringing the subject up entirely. Not only for Kevin’s sadness, but now for her own. She was more emotional because of being pregnant, but this story would have brought tears to her eyes anyway. “I’m sorry, Kevin, I should have let you alone.”
Kevin shook his head. “I’m glad you pushed, I’ve really been meaning to explain why I’ve acted the way I did toward you for a long time now.” He chuckled a little. “I think though that seeing how much it bugged Rick prevented me. You know I respect the hell out of him, but sometimes he really bothers me. So, do you think Rick will relax a little when I ask you to dance or tell him to shut up if he says something to you I don’t like?”
“Nope,” Cassie said quickly then smiled when she saw Kevin’s face frown. “Rick’s my shadow. He’s never going let you or anyone else tell him what’s best for me. And I’ll tell you a secret, I love that most about him.”
Kevin grinned. “Well, since I’m your temporary shadow, will you do me a favor? Get some sleep. I’ll stay awake and listen for anything. You need to rest, Cass. If Rick sees you with circles under your eyes, he’ll take it out on me.”
An image of Rick holding Kevin upside down by his ankles popped into Cassie’s head. “Okay, I’ll admit I’m tired, but if you hear anything, wake me.”
Kevin agreed and a few minutes later he smiled. The blankets moved off him as Cassie stole them in her sleep.
* * * * *
Each night Rick sat in the bushes waiting for something to happen. And when nothing did, he wasn’t sure if he was relieved or not. At least if someone made a move, he could too. Every night was the same. Cassie stood at the window, then the lights went out. He’d drink coffee to keep from feeling drowsy. A stakeout was usually boring, but he wasn’t bored on this particular stakeout. He was anxious and that made him dangerous. Knowing this, Rick listened to music through his headphones and read using night vision goggles. He needed focus, but he also couldn’t be too wired in case he needed to intercept a kidnapping.
Once again, Rick’s good sense paid off. He’d been in position for two hours one night when a car pulled up in front of the house. With the night goggles, he noted two men getting out of the car. One of the men was unfamiliar. The other man was the all too familiar. Dr. Malcolm Williams—Kevin’s father. What the hell was the doctor doing there? If he saw Kevin all would be lost.
Rick’s gut tightened as the men entered the house. “Damn!” he hissed under his breath and looked up toward Cassie’s room. The roof from the covered porch ran just under her window. Many times he resisted the urge to climb up to see her. Not only would it be a risk, he also had the ridiculous fear that Kevin would sooner or later bring up the fact that Rick was pretending to be Romeo to Cassie’s Juliet. Good sense and humility had always won out, but now those thoughts never entered his mind. He scaled the porch and was in front of Cassie’s window within seconds.
Gently tapping on the glass, Rick’s heart pounded. If trouble was imminent, he would have to get Cassie out of there instantly, and he was all too aware that she couldn’t jump off the porch roof without risk to the baby. Tapping again, he was relieved when the curtain moved and the window opened.
Kevin stared at Rick with wide eyes. “Are you crazy?” he whispered. “If anyone sees—�
�
Rick had pushed through the screen and had his hand over Kevin’s mouth before the young man had time to react.
The noise woke Cassie. At first her eyes weren’t accustomed to the dim light and all she could see was someone standing in the middle of the room. Rick wore black and blended in to the background. After a moment, she recognized his form and quickly ran to him. “What are…”
“Shhh,” Rick whispered, then looked at Kevin. He pointed downward. “Your father’s downstairs. Help me get her out of here.”
“Rick, I can’t—” Cassie was cut off again by Rick’s shhh.
“Are you sure?” Kevin questioned. “What’s he doing—”
Rick nodded furiously. “Yes, I’m sure! Your father and another man.” He was about to continue when a scream interrupted him. “What the hell…”
Rick grabbed his gun and headed for the door, but Cassie stopped him. “One of the girls is in labor. She’s been doing this for a while. Rick, go back outside and call Steve in case they try to do something with her or the baby.”
“I can’t,” Rick whispered. “I’m not going anywhere while those men are still in this house. I need to get you to the ground. Kevin, help me.”
“Someone’s coming,” Kevin whispered urgently from the door.
Instantly, Rick pushed Cassie gently toward the bed. “Get under there and stay, don’t move.”
Though his order was a whisper, Cassie heard his fear and didn’t argue with him. Under the bed she watched as Rick and Kevin moved to each side of the door. A moment later she saw a shadow pass by and continue down the hall. Whoever had been walking toward her room had not intended to enter it.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Cassie crawled out from under the bed and into Rick’s waiting arms. She was shaking and his arms around her felt better then anything she’d felt in a long time. She could feel his heart beating very fast and knew if she could feel Kevin’s heart, it would also be pounding. Rick interrupted her thoughts by lifting her to her feet.
“I’m not leaving until I know they’re gone,” he said.
She nodded and held on to him for what seemed like an eternity before they heard a car engine start up. Rick walked to the window and watched as the car drove away. His sigh of relief was audible, causing both Kevin and Cassie to also breathe again.
Rick turned from the window. The lights were still out, but the room was fairly well lit from the street light. He stood motionless for a moment looking at his wife standing by the bed. Then he looked at the bed. Rick’s gaze returned to Cassie dressed in his T-shirt. He then looked at Kevin wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt. Again, Rick looked at Cassie and then to the bed. Cassie and Kevin looked at each other while Rick looked at the bed. Kevin’s face held no emotion, but Cassie’s face bore a small smile.
Eyebrows fully raised, Rick stared at Kevin. After a moment he returned his attention to Cassie. She smiled broadly at him. Rick bent his head and shook it slightly. In the dark it was hard to determine his facial features, but the light reflecting off Rick’s teeth told Kevin that he would live to see another day.
Taking Rick’s smile as a good omen, Kevin wasted no time in making himself scarce. “Um, I think I’ll go to the bathroom.” As he was closing the door behind him, he added, “I won’t be able to knock before coming back in here though.”
Kevin’s warning wasn’t heard. Before the door was completely closed, Rick and Cassie were already involved in a kiss that would rival any teenaged couple at a drive-in movie. They weren’t just kissing, they were assuring each other that they were really together. They had endured time apart, but this separation was more intense. When they finally broke away from their kiss, they both laughed softly as if realizing they were acting like kids. Not caring, they started all over again and didn’t let go of each other until Kevin opened the door with exaggerated slowness.
Now forced to back away, Rick’s expression turned serious as he spoke to Cassie. “I’m getting you out of here right now.”
“I can’t, Rick,” Cassie protested in a whisper. “Natalie’s having her baby and I’m not leaving until we know she’ll be all right. And it isn’t just her, the others are beginning to trust and talk to me.”
“No, Cassandra,” Rick whispered. “We can’t risk Kevin’s dad coming back and seeing him. You’re leaving and I mean now!”
Cassie put her hands on Rick’s arms. “Please, this is too important. And just because his dad was here once, doesn’t mean he’ll come back. Don’t you think that if anyone thought us suspicious, we would have been removed by now? Rick, I’ll be fine and Kevin’s with me, remember?”
He tried to fight it, but Rick’s mouth began to twitch as he looked again at Kevin and then the bed. “I remember, Sass. Okay, another day or two and that’s final. If you don’t get anything by then, you vacate.” Giving her a short kiss, he climbed out the window and disappeared into the night.
“I don’t think we have to worry about my dad,” Kevin stated as he locked the window behind Rick. “I think I know why he was here.”
“Then why didn’t you tell Rick?” Cassie asked sharply.
“It’s a long story,” he whispered, “but you know the third doctor that Dr. Winthrop mentioned? His name is Conrad Miller. He and my dad were in college together. I said Dad’s company made donations to this place. I just didn’t know he came here to do it.”
“Kevin, if that doctor knows you then you can’t stay here anymore. Rick’s right, we have to leave.” Cassie’s voice was a whisper without her even trying. “Poor Natalie and the others, how can we turn our backs on them?”
Kevin put his hands on Cassie’s shoulders. “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. Dr. Miller hasn’t even seen me since I was fourteen years old. He and Dad have dinner now and then, but they’re not close buddies. Dad’s probably on his way to a business trip and stopped by for a late-night visit. Dr. Miller won’t recognize me. We’re a long way from home and my name’s Joe Jones, remember?”
He led Cassie back to the bed. “I think this could help us too. Maybe my dad can get information about Dr. Miller. Find out where’s he’s been and things like that. I didn’t tell Rick because he’s not thinking as clearly on this job since it involves you.”
She didn’t like it, but Cassie understood what Kevin meant by Rick not thinking clearly because of her. Still, she couldn’t keep this information a secret, she’d tell Lori in the morning.
“Let’s just keep our eyes open, okay?” she asked Kevin. “We still have to get through tonight worrying about…”
There was a knock on the door. Kevin crossed the room to open it. On the other side stood Amy and she was smiling. “Natalie had a boy! He’s so little and cute, come see.”
They followed Amy to the delivery room where most of the others were gathered around Natalie. The baby was small, smaller than Cassie knew a baby could be. Her hand found her stomach and a shudder ran through her, would her baby be this small?
Kevin’s arm came around her shoulders and he pulled her close to whisper in her ear. “This baby looks like Rick. See the scowl?”
Cassie’s sudden laughter brought everyone’s attention to her and Kevin, but she only smiled at them and looked at the baby. He was indeed scowling.
As soon as Rick was back in his hiding place, he radioed Steve to get to town and to leave Lori and Elena at the beach house. The lights on inside the house calmed Rick. If someone were sneaking mothers or babies out, the place would be dark.
Stretching, he allowed himself to close his eyes and replay his short visit—and kiss—with Cassie over and over. He was still smiling when Steve joined him. Quickly explaining the situation Rick leaned back against the wall.
“Like old times, huh buddy?” he whispered.
“Yeah,” Steve finally answered. “But I’d much prefer talking with you in the daylight hours and sleeping with Cassie at night. I mean sleep like Cassie does at night.”
Rick’s eyes widened along with
Steve’s at the slip of the tongue. Both men were successful in avoiding laughter, but Rick’s lip twitched for a long time afterward.
Chapter Twelve
By eleven-thirty the following morning, Cassie was sitting in front of Lori for her portrait. Since everyone in the house had been kept up late waiting for Natalie to deliver her baby, the wake-up time had been extended.
Cassie and Kevin awakened early anyway and it was decided that Joe should ask the artist if she would draw his girlfriend’s picture.
“Hold still!” Lori exclaimed for the third time in five minutes. “You can’t keep moving if I’m going to get your eyes right. Steve was certainly right when he didn’t think you’d sit still long enough for me to sketch you.”
“You people have nothing better to do than sit around and pick on me?” Cassie laughed. “I don’t sit still well, my back hurts.”
Lori’s amused expression changed to one of concern. “Are you all right? Should I do something?”
Cassie shook her head and pointed at the sketch pad. “Just draw. I don’t know how long I can stay out here, let alone talk freely. And I need to tell you something to relay back to Rick.”
A group of people walked up just then to admire Lori’s work. Since sketching Elena, she had been commissioned to draw a little boy, a teenaged girl, two Dalmatians and a picture of an elderly lady standing with her back to the ocean. Without intending any more than surveillance, Lori had found herself discovered among the locals and was making a little money by selling her works. As soon as the art lovers had left, the conversation resumed.
“I heard you had an intruder in your room last night.” Lori smiled slyly. “Was he handsome and mysterious?”
“Handsome, yes,” Cassie giggled. “Mysterious, no, I knew exactly what that intruder had on his mind.”
“Maybe I can smuggle you out of town so you two can finish what I’m sure you wanted to start,” Lori suggested, also giggling.
My ShadowMy Love Page 16
