“Daddy thought you might get lost,” he said. Annoyed, Casey followed the little boy down the hallway but her irritation subsided as she realized the townhouse was even bigger than it looked and if Ryan hadn’t been leading the way, she could have been searching for the dining room well into Christmas. Several hallways and countless doors later, they entered a large dining room with a long mahogany table in the center. A chandelier with what appeared to be thousands of reflective crystals hung over the center of the table. A well-stoked fire warmed the room. Each place setting was carefully laid out with more silverware than Casey had seen in her life. Devlin sat at the head of the table and a subdued Isabel sat quietly on one of the chairs at the middle of the table. An exhausted Sampson was asleep under the table. Ryan took the seat across from the little girl which left the opposite end of the table for Casey. While the distance between her and Devlin wasn’t great, it wasn’t close enough either that she’d have to be staring into his gloating eyes throughout the entire meal.
“Miss Wilkes, I trust you are well rested,” he said as he watched her take her seat.
“Yes, thank you,” she said politely. Devlin nearly sighed in relief when he heard the strength in her voice. Although she still looked like she could use a week’s worth of sleep, the fear had disappeared from her eyes and she looked at him with a trace of challenge in her eyes.
“And your room is to your liking?” he said, adding an extra amount of casualness to his voice that he knew would irritate her.
“It’s adequate,” she said.
“Good. Please let Mrs. Potter know if you should need anything.”
“I’ll do that,” Casey said tightly as she studied him. No look of triumph anywhere. Instead, he seemed relieved, relaxed even. Puzzled, Casey tore her eyes from him and looked at the children who were watching her. Both had put their linen napkins in their laps and she realized they were waiting for her to do the same. She grabbed her napkin and dropped it into her lap. The instant she did, two maids dressed in crisp black uniforms appeared from the side door and began serving. A creamy soup was followed by some unidentifiable game bird and then a cup of fruit drizzled with white sauce.
The dinner went by quickly; not a word was spoken. Casey kept glancing at the children, waiting for some kind of action from them but they remained silent and focused on their food. The scene was eerily similar to the dinners spent in her parents’ home growing up but she recognized that something was different about it. Isabel and Ryan weren’t waiting for some unforeseen attack – there just simply wasn’t anything to talk about. Devlin was focused on the tablet sitting next to his plate. He missed the few longing glances that both children threw his way. A surge of pity shot threw her as she realized the children wanted to talk to him.
“Did Sampson show you his trick?” she finally asked. Three pairs of eyes looked up and stared at her. Devlin returned to his tablet. The children looked at him and then back at her.
“What trick?” Ryan finally asked.
“I’ll show you. Sampson, come here boy.” The dog, although clearly wiped out, got up and went to her. She pushed back her chair and reached for a leftover stalk of broccoli on her plate. “Sit,” she said to the dog. Ryan kneeled on his chair so he could see and Isabel twisted in her seat for a better look.
Once the dog had sat down, she placed the broccoli on top of his head and said, “Wait.” None of the three noticed as Devlin lowered his tablet and watched.
Casey removed her hand from the broccoli and again said, “Wait.” Sampson sat perfectly still. Casey finally said, “Okay!” The dog just sat there. “Okay,” she said again. The dog still didn’t move. She looked up at the kids and said, “I guess I forgot the magic word.”
“Magic word?” whispered Isabel.
“Is it Abbra Cadabra?” asked Ryan.
“I’m not sure – why don’t you try it?” When he said the phrase again, this time louder, Sampson still didn’t move.
“Hocus Pocus,” shouted Isabel. Sampson merely turned his head to look at the girl. The children dissolved in laughter as they yelled out several more phrases.
When they were out of guesses, Casey said, “Oh, now I remember.”
“What is it?” asked Ryan.
“It’s not a word – it’s a magic spot on his head.” She reached for Sampson’s left ear and gave it a light tug. Sampson snapped his head back, causing the broccoli to fly. He caught it in his mouth on the way down. Casey and the children applauded. As she looked up Casey was surprised to find Devlin’s penetrating look on her. He held her gaze for a moment before he politely nodded his head as if congratulating her on the accomplishment and then returned to his paper. She wasn’t sure if he was mocking her or not.
After Ryan and Isabel each took several turns getting Sampson to perform his trick, Devlin excused them for bed. They made no argument and quietly slipped from the room with Sampson on their heels. Casey made a move to clear the dishes.
“Leave them Miss Wilkes. They’ll be cleared later.” Devlin swiped the screen on his tablet. She’d been dismissed as well. Casey got up to leave but thought better of it.
“What should I do?” she asked.
“What?” he asked as he looked up from the tablet.
“What should I do?
“With what?”
“With myself – here. What am I supposed to do all day for the next month or two or however long all this takes?”
Devlin seemed unconcerned with the question. “Relax, enjoy the time off.” He returned to his tablet.
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Why not? Because I’ll go nuts, that’s why not.”
“What are you suggesting?” he asked, not looking up from the screen.
Casey got her irritation under control before saying, “Maybe I could get a job.”
“No,” he said, a hint of laughter in his voice.
“What do you mean no?”
“I mean no, you won’t be needing a job while you’re here.”
Disbelief flashed across her features. Was this man actually trying to order her around? He might have controlled how she’d ended up in his house but she’d be damned if he was going to tell her what to do and what not to do. “Are you serious?” she asked, making no attempt to hide her growing anger.
Devlin finally lowered his tablet and looked directly at her. “Look, Miss Wilkes, I’ve taken care of everything – there’s no need for you to run yourself even more ragged bagging groceries or flipping burgers.”
His remark caused more hurt than she would have liked. “Is that all you think I can do?”
“No college, high school drop-out…” He let the statement hang and turned his attention back to the tablet.
“Mr. Prescott, I would appreciate it if you would refrain from making judgments about me based on something you read in a file that some jerk put together because you paid him to. I may not have a piece of paper that tells the world how smart I am but I suggest that you not assume that the lack of said paper makes me stupid enough to sit here and take your orders or your bullshit.”
She reached into her pocket and pulled out fifty cents and put it on the table. “Do you mind if I use your phone to call a cab? This should cover it,” she said as she pushed the money towards the center of the table. As she stood, she tilted her head slightly and looked thoughtful for a moment.
“Then again, with my limited education, you may want to count it.” With that, she left the room and Devlin let out a colorful curse before he got up and went after her.
***
Once in her room, Casey pulled the cordless phone from the cradle on the nightstand and dialed the operator. “Can you connect me with a cab company? Upper East Side.”
Casey made her way around the bed. Devlin appeared in the doorway a moment later. She didn’t even spare him a glance. “Any company is fine…yes, fine. Thank you” she said into the phone as she dropped down to her knees and stuck her
free arm under the bed in search of her duffle bag.
“Miss Wilkes.” Devlin came around the bed to stand behind her. “Miss Wilkes, would you listen to me for a moment please?”
She ignored him. Her hand closed around the strap of her bag. She gave a hard tug but the overstuffed bag got caught. She gave it another yank as she said in to the phone, “Yeah, I need a cab at-” Glancing over her shoulder, she said to Devlin, “What’s your address?” When he didn’t respond, she spoke back into the phone. “I’ll have to call you back.” She hung up the phone and got up. Sweeping past Devlin, she walked out of the room. He called her name again as she went down the stairs but she didn’t slow her stride. She threw open the door to his study and began searching his desk. Within moments, she found what she wanted and by the time Devlin caught up with her, she was back on the phone. An envelope was in her hand. Devlin recognized it as mail he had received that very day.
“Miss Wilkes, look-” he said as she began to walk past him again. He grabbed her arm to stop her.
“Don’t touch me,” she said harshly as she ripped her arm free and left the room.
Back in her room, Casey finished reading off the address to the person on the other end of the phone and then hung up. She went to work on freeing the duffle bag.
A frustrated Devlin entered. “Would you just stop for a second and listen?” When she continued to ignore him, he kneeled down next to her. Instead of reaching for her, he put his hand under the bed, grabbed the duffle bag strap and pulled hard. The metal clip holding the strap on one end of the bag gave way as he yanked the bag towards him. The small clip hit his lip with enough force to draw blood.
“Shit,” he said as he covered his mouth with the tips of his fingers. That’s just great,” he said as he climbed to his feet. He pulled a tissue from the dispenser on the nightstand next to the bed and dabbed at his mouth. Casey stood and took the tissue from him.
“Let me see,” she said as she examined the wound and then dabbed at the few remaining drops of blood. Her free hand moved to his cheek to keep his face steady. He stilled at the touch of her hand on his skin and watched as she carefully cleaned the small cut. His skin tingled from where she was touching it and he felt his body harden with desire. His eyes dropped to her mouth and he had an overwhelming urge to taste it, to run his tongue over the tiny mark she had inflicted upon her lower lip. When she felt his eyes on her, she lowered her free hand. He gently caught her other hand by the wrist before she could step back from him.
“We match now” he said softly as he skimmed the mark on her lip his thumb. She inhaled sharply and tried to tug her hand free.
“Please let go,” she said, a note of panic in her voice.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said quietly.
“I…please just let go.” He released her hand and watched her step back.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you,” he said.
“You didn’t. It’s just…” Casey couldn’t bring herself to say it. He wouldn’t understand.
“It’s just what?”
She shook her head and said no more. He didn’t press her. Instead he said, “I’m sorry for what I said downstairs. I had no right to assume anything about you.” He took the tissue from her and bent down to pick up her bag so he could tie the broken strap to the end of the bag where the clip had failed.
He put the fixed bag on the bed and said, “It took a lot of guts for you to come here and that fact that you did it for your own reasons instead of for the reasons I tried to force on you…well, those are characteristics that not even the most expensive college education can buy.” He went to the door.
“Mr. Prescott?” He stopped and turned to face her. “You can send the cab away,” she said. At his nod, she pulled the bag over to the closet and started emptying it out. Devlin studied her for a long moment before closing the door behind him.
Chapter 6
When the early morning light forced its way between her lids, Casey squinted her eyes and rolled away from the offending rays and right into a warm, furry body. Forcing her eyes open, she looked at her bedmates. Sampson lay next to her, his long body taking up nearly half the bed. Isabel was asleep in the crook of the dog’s body, her head resting on the dog’s front legs. Carefully getting out of the bed, Casey disappeared into the bathroom. When she returned a few minutes later, dog and girl were still in the same spot. Surprisingly, she had not felt them crawl into the bed with her. She’d had only one nightmare and had blessedly been able to wake up before getting too lost in it. Within minutes, she had fallen back asleep and the rest of the night had gone undisturbed.
Feeling the morning chill seep through her thin T-shirt, Casey hurried to the closet and pulled out a sweatshirt and heavy socks. She left the room and carefully pulled the door closed behind her. At the top of the stairs she saw Ryan leaning against the banister, his head cocked to one side as he listened to the voices that rang out below. Casey stood next to him but the shape of the stairs and their distance from the entry way made it impossible to make out what was being said and who was doing the talking.
“Good morning Ryan,” she said.
“Good morning.”
“What’s going on?”
“They’re here for Isabel,” he remarked quietly, almost sadly.
“Who is?” she asked in confusion.
He shrugged his shoulders. Devlin’s loud voice carried up the stairs. “You’re an hour early. She’s still asleep.”
“I better go wake her up,” said Ryan as he turned and went down the hall.
“She’s in my room,” said Casey. The boy seemed unsurprised as he turned and went into Casey’s room. Devlin’s voice again made its way up the stairs and his anger was impossible to miss.
“This isn’t good for her! It just mixes her up.”
Surprised by the emotion in his voice, Casey made her way down the stairs. A man and two women were squared off against Devlin, their backs to Casey. Mrs. Potter was standing near the front door.
“Mr. Prescott, you will need to take this matter up with the court,” said the larger of the two women.
Shaking his head, Devlin suddenly saw her and let out a muffled curse. The trio swung around to look at her. Casey was just reaching the last step when recognition slammed into her. As the breath left her body, she grabbed on to the banister for support. The older woman studied her for a long moment before shock registered on her face.
“Casey?”
“It can’t be,” said the man as he took a step towards her to get a better look.
“What’s going on here? Who is this?” asked the other woman in confusion.
“She’s our daughter,” responded the older woman, her gaze never leaving Casey’s.
Casey gasped for breath but couldn’t take any air into her lungs. Devlin pushed past her mother and stepfather and stood directly in front of her. “Casey, look at me,” he said firmly. Since his body blocked her view, she was able to drag her eyes to meet his. She managed to draw in a long breath. He held her eyes and said, “Everything’s all right. Just go back upstairs and I will explain all this later.” Her brain heard him but refused to command her body to move.
“My darling, we’ve been so worried about you,” exclaimed Caroline as she moved into Casey’s direct view. Devlin turned to see Caroline take a few steps towards her daughter. He felt Casey’s fingers bite into his arm with an unnatural strength as she moved behind his body.
Caroline Carver Dane’s frown looked genuine as she watched her daughter with worry. Time had been kind to Caroline. Her natural blonde hair continued to shine with only a hint of silver that actually gave her a mysterious air. Her trim body was encased in a crisp pants suit with matching high-heeled shoes that few other women would have been brave enough to wear in the winter weather. Gold and silver jewelry glittered on her hands and neck but it was the huge diamond ring on her right hand that earned the most envious looks. It caught the light as she moved her hand to cover h
er husband’s hand as his arm slipped protectively around her.
Not quite as tall as Devlin, Elliot Dane was still an imposing man but his elegant good looks and charismatic charm made him even more lethal. Worry and concern was etched in the lines of his face as his gaze traveled up and down the length of Casey’s body.
“Where have you been Casey?” he asked softly.
Devlin felt her hand tighten on his sleeve and realized the viselike grip was the only thing keeping her standing. Speech had completely escaped her.
“Darling, are you all right?” asked Caroline.
“She’s fine Caroline” Devlin replied coldly.
“She’s not fine – look at her. What have you done to her?” she asked furiously. Devlin glanced at the other woman who was watching them with open curiosity. She was buying every bit of Caroline and Elliot’s act.
“He’s turned her against us. Just like Amanda” observed Elliot. He took a step towards Casey. “Casey, honey, please” he implored as he took another step.
“Devlin,” she whispered pleadingly as she moved behind him. He put his arm out to stop Elliot’s forward motion. Elliot stopped abruptly, the open challenge evident in his eyes. Tension crackled throughout the room.
“Now let’s just settle down folks,” said the other woman diplomatically.
“Daddy?” All eyes turned to see Ryan halfway down the stairs, a sleepy Isabel in tow.
“It’s all right. Take Isabel up to her room.” He cast a glance at Mrs. Potter. “Would you go get Isabel ready?”
“Of course sir,” she said as she hurried up the stairs, clearly relieved to be escaping the tense situation. She ushered the children upstairs. Devlin turned his cold eyes on Elliot.
“I believe it would be better if you and your wife waited outside,” he said.
“No! Now I want to know what the hell is going on here. Where did you find her? And why the hell didn’t you contact us?” At his sharp tone, the woman took another step closer to the two men.
“Dr. Dane,” she began.
Letting Go Page 6
