Lethal Intent

by Cara C. Putman

  “I’ll remember that.”

  “See that you do. Competition. That’s what you need. Men don’t treat women like princesses anymore. That’s what Caroline is. A princess.”

  Brandon glanced at Caroline and saw that her shoulders were shaking. “You okay? Choking on something?”

  She sputtered. “Is she gone?”

  “Not looking out anymore.”

  “Oh, good.” Caroline snorted, then started laughing. “My friend Doris . . .”

  “Has a grandson.” He chuckled. “I can get you roses.”

  “I don’t want roses. These mean so much more because you and the boys picked these for me.” She held them up to her nose and inhaled, never taking her eyes from his. “They might not smell for days, but this is what I want. You’re what I want.”

  “Then why are you pushing me away?”

  “I’m not.” Caroline swallowed again and looked away, breaking the spell. “I’m not the one who didn’t answer a simple text.”

  “Caroline.” He wanted to pull out his phone and show her a text but couldn’t. “I dropped the ball. I didn’t know what to say. I’m sorry. Forgive me?”

  She studied him a moment, then nodded. “Come on up.” The flowers flopped in her grip as if the stems were made of bendy straws. “How long can you stay?”

  Her soft southern accent drew him closer. Time might as well stop when he was with her, because there was nowhere else he wanted to be. No matter how much he needed to do, he wasn’t leaving. “Order takeout?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Then let’s get Indian. The more curry the better.”

  Her nose scrunched up in that adorable way it did when she didn’t want to say yes but would to keep the peace.

  “Just kidding. Let’s make it Chinese.”

  “Sold.”

  That old country song his mom liked popped into his head. The one about the county auctioneer and someone’s heart. Because in that moment it felt like his heart had opened and been sold all in one moment.

  She looked unchanged even as he felt his world shift.

  Chapter 18

  Saturday, May 29

  Another week evaporated and it was the weekend again. Saturdays by design should be a day to relax. A day Caroline could sleep in and then wander without agenda through the moments until a peaceful evening was complete.

  Too bad real life often didn’t match that ideal.

  But maybe she could change that. Midmorning Caroline grabbed a book she’d been meaning to read and pulled a can of sparkling water from the fridge. Then she pulled on a light jacket and headed out for a quick walk to the neighborhood park. The temperature might edge up to the high seventies before the day ended, but in the shade it could still feel cool.

  When she reached the park, she noticed a high-energy cluster of adults and kids around a pop-up canopy tent. A man stood to the side of the tent manning a grill while other adults set up tables with chairs under the covering. On the side opposite the grill, someone had set out some yard games and a bucket of chalk. One little girl sat on the sidewalk, decorating it with the chalk, making rainbow splashes of powdered color with an intensity that might have rivaled Michelangelo working on the Sistine Chapel.

  Caroline watched the activity for a few minutes. Several adults were actively engaged with the kids, and it looked like some sort of mentoring event. Could it be tied to Big Brothers Big Sisters? She ambled closer and smiled as she saw a banner flapping from the edge of the canvas cover. All God’s Children.

  One of the adults noticed Caroline and stepped closer. “Can I help you?”

  “I was curious about all the fun happening here.” A little boy dashed by, laughter lighting his face as he was chased by a girl of similar age. “The joy is contagious.”

  “It is. My name is Nicole Walker.”

  “Caroline Bragg.”

  “Nice to meet you, Caroline.” The woman smiled as she gestured to the gathering. “We’re a ministry of a local church. Since the weather’s so nice we abandoned the building and brought the kids here, rather than sequester them inside. These kiddos need sunshine, exercise, and love.”

  Caroline studied the mishmash of kids. “Are they at-risk?”

  “Only in the sense they’re part of the foster care system. We give their foster families a four-hour break every other weekend. It’s a chance to get shopping or appointments completed that can’t be done otherwise.”

  A game of tag erupted around the slide and swings on the small playground. Caroline froze as she noted all the ways someone could get hurt and launch a lawsuit. “Are they okay?”

  The woman nodded sagely. “I’m guessing you don’t have kids yet.”

  “Or a husband.” Caroline gave a little shrug but continued to watch the kids racing around. “What you’re doing here is beautiful.”

  “Just being the hands and feet of Jesus in a small way.”

  “But it’s a big way to them.” Caroline gestured to the little girl who was still coloring, now with her tongue between her teeth. “My friend runs a group home, and he’s trying to ensure that his house parents get the time off they need to fill up before they pour into the kids.”

  The woman studied her with a curious expression. “Who is your friend?”

  “Brandon Lancaster. He runs Almost Home.”

  “The football player?”

  “Well, he was.”

  “He’ll always be one to the folks who remember his playing. That boy could run.”

  Something about the way the woman said it made Caroline giggle. “He’s not exactly a boy. In fact, he’s pretty massive, in a really fit teddy-bear sort of way.”

  The woman shook her head. “I can imagine. Excuse me a moment.” The woman stepped under the tent and squatted next to a little boy whose lower lip was stuck out so far a bird could have perched on it. She said something to him and then tickled his tummy, and a moment later he ran over to one of the balls and started throwing it to an older man who wore a Crocodile Dundee–style hat to shade the sun. Nicole returned to her side. “Davon is having one of his hard days. Needs a bit more attention.” She turned back to Caroline. “Wonder if your friend would like us to come alongside his home?”

  “I bet he would.” Caroline could feel hope burbling inside her. “The encouragement would be so wonderful for him.”

  Nicole pulled her phone from her pocket and slid a business card from its case. “Have him call me if he’s interested in learning more.”

  Caroline took the card, smiling so big her cheeks stretched. “Thank you. I’ll give him your information.” Forgetting her book, Caroline turned back the way she’d come. On the walk back to her apartment, she pulled out her phone and called Brandon.

  “Hey.”

  “You won’t believe who I just met.”

  He laughed. “Whoever it was, sounds like they were interesting.”

  “So I walked to the neighborhood park where a church was providing activities for kids in foster care. I was talking with a woman who helps who was interested in learning more about Almost Home.” Caroline didn’t mention the woman was a fan. “I got her card.”

  “Great. Can you text it to me?”

  “Sure.”

  “Depending on what they do, this could be a help here. I’ll call her later.”

  A minute later she slid her phone back in her pocket and climbed the stairs to her apartment. She went inside and was putting her jacket on its hook when a series of vibrations from her fitness tracker alerted her to multiple text messages. She frowned. Her phone was usually silent as a graveyard unless Brandon or one of the girls texted or called. When she glanced at it, she sighed. It was a series of calendar alerts reminding her she was supposed to take a snack to her Sunday school class tomorrow. She looked in her small pantry, which was bare other than a box of brownie mix. She usually loved cooking, but it seemed pointless when her hours at work were longer, so she’d let her stores diminish. What could she do to spice up the
sweet treat?

  * * *

  This last weekend of May was a holiday for most folks. He’d come to town to get items for Almost Home’s annual cookout celebration. Many would abandon the city for Memorial Day, but Brandon preferred to stay with the kids. Often his buddies and their gals helped with games, food, and even fireworks. It made the day special while allowing the house parents to slip away.

  This year Reid and his fiancée, Emilie Wesley, were handling food. David and Ciara Evans were organizing outdoor games, since that was something they could manage with an active toddler. Caroline would be around too.

  He found himself pulling into the hospital parking lot rather than beelining for home. He had a book for Bethany and wanted an update from Anna.

  When he reached her room, Bethany was watching some Disney Channel show. She smiled when she saw him. “Mr. Brandon.”

  “Hey, princess. How are you doing today?”

  “I’m okay.” She glanced around the small room. “Did you bring Gabriel?”

  “No, he won’t be able to visit while you’re here, but I know he misses you. He looks a little lost without you.”

  “Tell him I miss him too.” She sighed, then forced a small smile. “The nurse said I could go to the playroom later if I feel up to it.”

  “Want me to take you?”

  “That’s okay. I think there’s stuff they have to do first.” She glanced at the table next to her bed. “I finished the books you brought me.”

  “Then it’s a good thing I have another one for you.” He pulled the slim bookstore bag from the oversized pocket of his cargo pants. “The saleswoman told me you’d love it.”

  She smiled at the cover, where a girl rode a Pegasus. “That would be fun.”

  “Yeah. It would.” To be able to get on a big winged horse and take off sounded amazing, but definitely fiction.

  They chatted for a while until her eyelids got heavy.

  “I’ll come back tomorrow.”

  “Okay.” The word was quiet, and then she was out.

  As he stepped from the room, Anna walked down the hallway.

  “Good, you’re still here.” She hurried to a stop in front of him. “Follow me.” After she led him to an alcove, she shoved her hands in her lab jacket pockets. “How long were you with her?”

  “Not more than twenty minutes. She seemed worn out.”

  “Her body is fighting so hard, but it’s fighting itself. We’re getting ready to try a new round of treatment to see if we can get the fever down.”

  “She mentioned going to a playroom.”

  Anna’s smile was sad. “That won’t happen today. She needs to be fever-free first.”

  “Anything I can do?”

  “Just keep checking on her.”

  “Should I start preparing to bring her home?”

  “Not yet. We could still be weeks away from that. We’ll have to see if her body rallies.”

  “And you’re sure I can’t bring her brother by, even to wave from the doorway?”

  “Her system is too compromised right now.” She rubbed her stomach. “I know it would do her good to see him, but it’s too dangerous.”

  Brandon kneaded the back of his neck. “I know you’re right, but it’s hard to see Gabriel like this. Poor kid doesn’t know what’s going on, other than he misses his sister and has been down this road before.”

  “Cancer is hard on the siblings in a different way.” Anna glanced toward Bethany’s room. “We’re doing our best.”

  “I know.” Brandon gave her a side hug and was surprised when she leaned closer. “It’s going to be okay, Anna.”

  “There are no guarantees.”

  “That’s called life.” He gave her another squeeze and stepped back. “You coming to the cookout Monday?”

  She shook her head. “I think I’ll stay close to home. The time off my feet will be good.”

  He nodded. “All right. Let me know if anything changes or she needs me.”

  As he left the hospital, he had to acknowledge that despite all of Anna’s efforts, the girl was slipping away and he couldn’t protect her.

  He needed Caroline.

  On a whim, he stopped and picked up bagels and coffee, then drove to her place.

  Caroline Bragg drew out the best in him and made him feel complete. When she wasn’t around, it was like the best part of him was absent. He wanted to protect her, but it was different from the protectiveness he felt toward anyone else. With Caroline it was because she was a part of him. He felt empty without her, like something was missing.

  It had snuck up on him. Then they’d decided to date. Everything was going great. Then her job changed, and their equilibrium did too.

  He turned off the Fairfax County Parkway from Centreville and onto Telegraph Road. Traffic was cooperating, and he made good time as he steered along familiar roads until he finally arrived at her complex.

  Now that he was here, he was frozen in his seat.

  This wasn’t like him. He was the defensive back who blew by people toward his goal.

  But Caroline was the prize he couldn’t figure out how to attain.

  His phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen.

  You stalking me? ☺

  The smiley face at the end of the sentence softened the words and brought an answering smile to his face. This was why they could be such good friends. She got him enough to poke at him when he needed it. Like this moment when he needed the prodding to man up, climb from his pickup, and get up the stairs to her apartment.

  Got time for me to come up for a bit?

  Sure. It’s a quiet day.

  He grabbed the bagels and coffee and left his truck, hitting the lock button after he slammed the door.

  Here went nothing . . . and everything.

  Chapter 19

  Caroline glanced out the window through a slit in her cream and gray curtains and watched Brandon slap a ball cap on his head. Looked like it was time for a haircut as dark hair curled beneath it. What would it feel like to run her fingers through it?

  She tried to clear the thought.

  Her attention was captured by the way he moved up the sidewalk with an easy gait that hinted at his athletic past. Despite his size, he didn’t plod, but almost danced on the balls of his feet. What would it be like to go dancing and be held within the circle of his arms?

  She had to smile as she noted the bag of bagels that dangled from his grip. What had prompted him to come by with those? The tulips and pansies he’d brought Thursday wouldn’t last much longer but reminded her of his thoughtfulness. Had he ever brought his mom gifts like flowers? He didn’t talk about her, but watching him approach her stairs with a slight hesitance made her want to know. What parts of him did he barricade to protect himself?

  The scent of freshly baked brownies lingered in the air as Brandon mounted the stairs. She stepped back from the window and glanced around her apartment. One of the pillows on her poppy-covered loveseat was out of place, so she quickly righted it and straightened the magazine and her Bible on the coffee table. The sleek glass top resting on the metal legs made the small room seem larger while providing a place to set her coffee mug when reading or watching something on TV. When was the last time she’d turned it on?

  After Brandon’s quick rap, she opened the door. Her heart clenched when she noted the shadows under his eyes and slumped shoulders. “I didn’t expect to see you today.”

  He shrugged then held up the bagels and coffee. “I checked on Bethany.” He exhaled.

  She nodded and pulled the door wider. “Come in. How is she?”

  “Not good.” He tried to smile, but it didn’t work. She knew him too well. “Anna seems really concerned. Said I wouldn’t be taking her to Almost Home for weeks.” His shoulders sagged further. “I thought this trial would help, but it isn’t. She seems to be sicker. And her little brother keeps looking for her. He’s a smart kid. He knows enough to be worried she won’t come back. Then who will he have?�
��

  “How can I help?”

  “There’s nothing we can do other than pray. And share a bagel with me.” He handed the bag to her. “Tell me everything will be okay.”

  “Oh, Brandon.” She studied his face, looking for the right words to bring him peace. She reached up and brushed one of those curls that teased the back of his neck. “I wish I could.”

  “I know.” He closed his eyes as he leaned toward her touch. When he opened them, she could feel a shift. “What’s that I smell? Brownies?” His grin was that of a little boy wheedling a treat.

  “You guessed it. They’re still hot.”

  He gave a contented groan and rubbed his belly. “That’s why I’m here. Your brownies called to me.”

  “From the hospital?” She pulled a knife from the block next to the stove and sliced a large section for him and a sliver for herself. She could always make another batch for her Sunday school class, after a trip to the store. She set the large brownie on a napkin and handed it to him. You’ll have to tell me if you like them.”

  He set the bagels and coffee on the counter and then eyed the brownie she handed him. “What did you add this time?”

  “Andes mint pieces.”

  “Sounds okay.” He took a nibble, which looked ridiculous for a guy who could usually consume a corner in three bites. Then his eyes widened, followed by a Brandon-sized bite. “Wow. These are delicious.”

  “Thank you.” She wagged a finger at him. “Don’t tell anyone. It’s my new secret ingredient.”

  “Mum’s the word.” He licked his fingers, then eyed the pan. “I don’t suppose I could have another.”

  “Only if you give me your secret for not blowing up like a blimp.” Her gaze landed on the bag. “What about those?”

  “We can eat bagels anytime. Hot brownies are rare.” He patted his muscular stomach. “My secret is simple. Hours of exercise. That’s why I keep all those kids around. Chasing them and keeping them busy is good for my manly figure.” He waggled his eyebrows at her wolfishly. “Glad you like it.”