by Judy Duarte
Eddie’s expression softened and he nodded. Then he glanced at his sister and back to Adam. “Cassie likes it here, too.”
Adam studied the fair-haired girl who’d let her brother do all the talking on Saturday night. Something told him she still hadn’t spoken. But he suspected she was coming around. At least, Julie and her music seemed to have gotten through to her.
And speaking of Julie, he’d better introduce himself. “I’m Adam Santiago. I volunteer here, too.”
“It’s...” She licked her glossed lips, pink and plump. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Before Adam could say anything else, Jim ended his phone call and joined them.
“Why don’t we go for a walk with the kids?” Jim suggested. “We can take them to the schoolhouse and introduce them to their teacher.”
“Can I go, too?” Julie asked.
“By all means,” Jim said. “I’m sure the kids will like that.”
Julie turned to the children. “I saw the school and the playground when I first got here, and it looks like you’ll have a lot of fun during recess. I’d love to see the inside of the classroom.”
Eddie shot a look at Jim, then at Adam, and back to Jim again. “Okay, but can Cassie come with me—and stay with me? She doesn’t like to be alone.”
“You bet,” Jim said. “We only have a single classroom and one teacher right now, although we’re planning to expand in the future. So our school is a little different from the one you’re used to.”
“I had a class and a teacher once,” Eddie said, “but it was a long time ago. And Cassie never did.”
That wasn’t surprising. From what Adam had gathered during his investigation of Brady Thatcher, the guy hadn’t played any kind of paternal role with the kids. Hell, he hadn’t even noticed they were gone until Adam showed up at his door and told him.
It was a real shame, too. If the kids had gone to school, a teacher might have picked up on their abuse and neglect sooner.
The telephone rang again, and Jim straightened. “Oh, for Pete’s sake. I’m never going to get these kids to school.”
“Go ahead and take that call,” Adam said. “I’ll walk with them to their classroom and introduce them to their teacher.”
Julie, who’d just put her guitar into its case, looked up and smiled. “I’m ready to go with you.”
As they exited the admin office and walked along the wooden sidewalk toward the school, a light breeze kicked up, stirring the air around them, as well as a few strands of Julie’s long blond hair and a whiff of her scent—something citrusy.
Adam stole another peek at her, but the quick glance turned into a steady gaze. He noted her pretty profile. Long, thick lashes. A light dusting of freckles across a slightly turned up nose. Plump, kissable lips. Once again, he caught her scent and considered her similarity to Lisa, the flight attendant he’d danced with at the gala. Apparently their perfume was the latest fashion craze.
He was so caught up with his assessment of Julie that he damn near tripped when they stepped off the wooden boardwalk. He’d better shake off his thoughts and interest before she caught him studying her. Or worse, before he did a face-plant in the dirt.
“I used to love school,” Julie told Eddie and Cassie. “I didn’t have any brothers or sisters, so being on the playground at recess gave me a chance to have a lot of fun with the other kids.”
An only child, huh? The apple of her daddy’s eye, no doubt. And her mama’s pride and joy. Adam had known girls like her, and they’d all steered clear of guys like him, which was just as well. He preferred simple, unencumbered relationships that lasted until one or the other got bored and moved on to someone else.
When they reached the red schoolhouse, he slowed to a stop. “This is it.”
He figured the teacher was expecting the kids, so he opened the door, and they stepped inside the large room that smelled like pencil shavings, crayons and paste.
The teacher, Mrs. Wright, a blonde in her mid-thirties, was walking among the children and passing out math worksheets, none of which seemed to be the same level.
When Jesse Cosgrove, the kid Adam had been mentoring, glanced at the doorway, he brightened and waved. “Hey! Mr. Adam, it’s not Wednesday.”
Adam placed his index finger on his lips, shushing him, then he lifted it in the air and made a circular motion, indicating that the boy should turn around and focus on his work. He followed the silent chastisement with a wink, letting the kid know they’d talk later.
Jesse seemed to understand because he spun in his seat and faced the front of the class. As he studied the math worksheet on his desk, he scrunched his brow, stuck his pencil in his mouth and bit down on what was left of his eraser. Jesse was the oldest boy at Kidville, but he lagged a couple of years behind academically.
“This is what they call a combination class,” Adam told Julie and the kids, repeating what Jim had told him during his first tour of the place. “At this time, they’re only licensed to take children up to the third grade. And from what I’ve heard, Cassie is going to be the only kindergartener.”
Mrs. Wright passed out one last worksheet, then strode to the doorway, stooped and greeted Eddie and Cassie by name. “We were excited to hear we’d have two new friends in class. And we’ve been waiting to meet you. As soon as the other children finish their math, it’ll be time for morning snack and recess.”
Both Eddie and Cassie seemed nervous, but Mrs. Wright was a champ when it came to putting children at ease. So it wouldn’t take long for her to make the two siblings feel welcome. Once she took them to their desks, Adam and Julie left their little charges and headed back the admin office.
Again, Adam caught a hint of her lemon-blossom fragrance.
“Can I ask what perfume you’re wearing?” he asked.
Julie’s steps slowed, and her lips parted. “Excuse me?”
“Your perfume. It’s so familiar to me.”
“Thank you. It’s my shampoo, actually.” She picked up her pace, which compelled him to quicken his steps, too.
“Whatever it is,” he said, “It’s nice. It reminds me of...someone I know.” Lisa. His erstwhile dance partner from the gala. The two women had lots of things in common. Their hair color, their petite stature. Of course, Lisa had been dressed in that skimpy space avenger outfit, and Julie wore a long-sleeve blouse and a skirt that was nearly floor length. She didn’t seem to be the kind of woman who’d be comfortable showing that much skin.
For a moment, he wondered if they might be the same woman, then he quickly discarded the notion. He’d been told Lisa was fun-loving. A risk-taker, like he was.
Adam might follow the rules these days, but he still had a rebellious side that didn’t mix well with good girls who sang in the choir and who had very specific ideas about what they wanted in life.
He stole another glance at Julie. She’d certainly dressed the part this morning, but he couldn’t help envisioning her in that sexy costume. A grin tugged at his lips. What was lurking under the surface?
It might be fun to find out, but Adam decided he’d better rein in his imagination. He didn’t date good girls—at least not intentionally. And the smart ones who’d managed to trick him into believing they had a wild side knew better than to go out with him more than once.
Chapter Three
Apparently, Julie’s efforts to wear a mask and keep a low profile at the Autumn Gala had worked even better than she’d hoped. Adam had no idea that he’d seen her on Saturday night or that they’d danced together. But she’d seen his face clearly enough.
Just minutes ago, when she’d spotted him in the Kidville office, her heart had taken a flying leap, making it difficult to stay on track, to remember the words of the silly song she’d been singing to the kids. Fortunately, she’d recovered quickly. And now here she was, walking along with one of Wexler PD’s fin
est. And no doubt one of their hottest.
Too bad he was off-limits. She made a point of avoiding men who had high-stress, dangerous jobs. She’d seen firsthand the effect that could have on a man. And the experience had been so painful that she’d broken up with her college boyfriend when he told her he planned to join the military.
Still, she found herself attracted to Adam. And intrigued by him.
“Jim was telling me that you were the one who found the kids,” Julie said.
“They’d broken into my buddy’s truck and stolen a bag of food he’d left on the seat. But I can’t blame them. Brady Thatcher, the guy who was supposed to be looking out for them, was a real loser. He didn’t give a damn about them, and the poor kids were starving.”
“They’re pretty thin,” Julie said. “I’m no pediatrician, but they appear to be malnourished.”
“I’m sure you’re right. Who knows when they last saw a doctor or dentist?”
“Did you go to their house?”
Adam nodded, as they walked back to the admin office. “Once Eddie opened up and gave me enough details to find the house, which was just as neglected as the kids, I arrested Brady for child abuse, as well as a parole violation for possession of a controlled substance.”
“How long will he be in jail?”
“Quite a while. He had several convictions for assault, as well as a drunk and disorderly.”
“I take it that means he’ll have to relinquish custody.”
“Turns out that he never had it in the first place. When their mom disappeared, the kids ended up with him.”
“That’s too bad.”
“It sure is.”
As they walked slowly, Julie’s shoulder brushed against Adam’s, warming her and setting off a tingly sensation. Yet he continued as if he hadn’t felt anything at all.
She stole a glance at him, wishing she didn’t find him so attractive. And so honorable. Clearly, he still didn’t recognize her because she’d worn a mask on Saturday night, but he’d removed his before leaving the gala.
A smile tickled her lips. Even if he hadn’t revealed his face, she had a feeling she would have recognized him anyway—those expressive brown eyes, that dazzling smile. He also had a distinctive voice laced with a slight accent, making it smooth, masculine and alluring.
On top of that, there was something about the way he walked, the way he carried himself. He had a swagger that would be difficult for another man to imitate. And one a woman couldn’t ignore.
As they approached the office, Adam shared some of what Eddie had told him on Saturday night. “He said his mom was nice when she wasn’t drinking, but she drank a lot after Brady moved in with them. I did a background check before going to the house and learned he had a mean streak, even when he was sober. And he’d had a tendency to strike anyone who crossed him.”
“Did Eddie say what happened to his mom?”
“One day, probably while school was out for the summer, Eddie heard them fighting in the bedroom, and when they came out, his mom had a bloody nose. She claimed that she fell while getting out of the bathtub. Then she told him to watch Cassie while she and Brady went out for a little while.”
“He’s way too young to be babysitting now, let alone a year ago.”
“I know. But apparently, he’s been looking after Cassie for a long time. Anyway, Brady came back alone that night. He told Eddie that his mom was going to be a famous movie star. Supposedly she met a Hollywood big shot at the Rusty Wagon.”
“What’s that?” Julie asked.
“It’s a seedy bar where they used to hang out. According to what Brady told Eddie, the guy thought his mom was pretty and took her to California.”
It sounded bogus to Julie. “Do you believe any of that story?”
“Hell no.” Adam scoffed. “It’s my job to sniff out lies, and that one stunk to high heaven.”
“I can be a Pollyanna at times,” Julie admitted, “but I have to agree with you. Hollywood producers don’t hang out in seedy Texas bars.”
“Exactly.” Adam slowed his already casual pace, then he stopped altogether in front of the Kidville newspaper office. “On Saturday night, when I told the kids I had to go home and was leaving them with the Hoffmans, they both begged me to stay.”
“That’s not surprising. You’re their hero, the man who saved them.”
Adam shrugged off the praise. “I did what any other law enforcement officer would’ve done. But their teary eyes and quivering lips damn near turned me inside out.”
“It would have done the same to me.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t usually allow myself to get sucked into emotional quagmires like that, but for some reason, Eddie and Cassie got to me. And come hell or high water, I’m going to find out what actually happened to their mother.”
Julie didn’t mean to pepper him with so many questions, but there was a lot she wanted to know. She’d taken an interest in the kids this morning, when her songs had drawn shy smiles.
“Did you tell them you were going to look for their mom?” she asked.
“Yes, and I filed a missing person report. But I hate to give the kids any false hope. I don’t have a good feeling about her disappearance.”
“What about their father?” she asked, feeling a bit like a Kidville star reporter. “Where is he?”
“Eddie told me he died when Cassie was a tiny baby.”
“That’s so sad. Do they have grandparents or another relative?”
“Looking for family members is on my to-do list. If there’s someone out there who’s willing to take them, they won’t have to remain wards of the state.” Adam leaned against the wooden porch railing and blew out a sigh. “I could have called protective services that night, but I knew Kidville would be a better place for them than the receiving home.”
“I wondered why you left so quickly.”
At that, Adam zeroed in on her, his brow slightly furrowed. “Were you at the gala?”
He’d just given her the perfect opportunity to set him straight. “I work for the caterer and was serving that night.”
His gaze roamed over her. “Well, I’ll be damned. You were the blonde in that space avenger costume. I noticed the similarities, but I’d been told that a woman named Lisa would be there. And I’d assumed you were her. I’m sorry. I didn’t recognize you without your...uh...costume.”
Julie looked down at her shoes—a pair of flats—then back at Adam. “I guess you didn’t recognize Lisa, either.”
At that, he laughed. “You’ve got that right. I’d never met her before. I’d only been given a description of her.”
“So it was going to be a blind date?”
“I guess you could say that. I’ve never had any use or need for a matchmaker, but Stan...” He paused, and his expression sobered for a beat. “A mutual friend of ours, had been trying to set us up for a while. And I figured I’d bypass the awkwardness and introduce myself.”
They stood there for a moment. No doubt, trying to make sense of it all. Had Julie and Adam been destined to meet? Or was it just a weird coincidence?
“You didn’t correct my mistake that night,” he said. “Why?”
A slow smile stretched across her lips. “Because I love music and thought it might be fun to dance one time before I had to serve appetizers. And just for the record, I would have set you straight, but you were called away before I got the chance.”
“Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to leave you stranded on the dance floor. That’s not my style.”
Julie didn’t think it was.
“But it was fun while it lasted,” he added.
Was it? She’d certainly enjoyed what little time they’d spent together.
“I owe you another dance,” he said.
“No, you don’t. I wasn’t there to play around. I sho
uld have been working. And just so you know, being lazy isn’t my style.” With that, she stepped off the boardwalk and crossed the dusty street toward the hotel. Adam followed suit, but they remained silent. Lost in their thoughts, she supposed.
“So you’re a music therapist,” Adam finally said, when they reached the door. “That’s an interesting occupation.”
“Music has a powerful effect on people, on their mood, on their physical rehabilitation. And it provides an outlet for the expression of feelings. I’ve done two internships, one at a nursing home and another with autistic children, so I’ve seen firsthand how it works.” She didn’t tell him that she’d first discovered the calming effects of music on her father, who’d suffered from PTSD.
“Did you come from a musical family?” he asked.
“My mom used to be in a country-western band, but she quit when she got pregnant with me. She sang to me all the time, and when she noticed my interest and talent, she gave me piano lessons at home. And when I was in high school, I taught myself how to play the guitar.”
“That’s pretty cool.” He lobbed her a smile that caressed her ego. “So now you’re able to use what you learned and perform for kids.”
“Actually, I’ve been performing for a while.” Julie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Whenever my dad was deployed, especially during the holidays, my mom and I would visit several convalescent hospitals and a veterans’ home.”
They continued to stand outside the hotel, assessing each other, it seemed. Or reassessing first impressions, she supposed. Adam wasn’t just nice to look at—he was easy to talk to.
“You know,” he said, “the Wexler Chamber of Commerce is hosting a dance next Saturday night. Why don’t you go with me? I never stay very long at those kinds of events, but I can take you out on the dance floor once or twice.”
“Are you asking me out?”
“If you’re going to say yes, then that’s exactly what I’m doing. But if you’re going to say no, then I’m only trying to repay a debt.”
Julie really should decline, but the moment their gazes locked, her heart fluttered, releasing a blood-stirring attraction she couldn’t resist.
