“I’ll play with you. In fact, I have a mitt in my van.”
“You do?” Frank’s son looked awed.
“I’ll go get our mitts!” the oldest of the Dremond boys called over his shoulder as he dashed away.
Cadi smiled and turned back to answer Dustin. “Yep, but it’s quite by accident. We were in such a hurry to leave Waterloo on Friday that I forgot to remove the box of sports paraphernalia I borrowed from a few friends for the Teen Challenge the church sponsored last Saturday.”
“I wondered what was in that box,” Will said, kneading his jaw.
“That’s right, Cadi. You volunteered to referee, didn’t you?”
“Yep. And the kids had a great time.”
“Do you have an extra mitt for me?” Dustin asked. “Mine’s at home.”
“I think there’s probably an extra mitt in that box.” Cadi smiled at the boy’s eager expression.
After excusing herself from the table, Cadi strode outside to her van with the little boys in tow. In spite of the trailer hitched to the van, she managed to retrieve two brown leather mitts and a softball. She handed one glove to Dustin, and in no time a game of catch commenced on the Dremonds’ wide, neatly mowed front lawn.
She tossed the ball to one of the Dremond boys. He caught it and threw it to Dustin. Next Dustin pitched the ball to the second Dremond boy who missed the catch and had to go scrambling after it. With ball back in hand, he then threw it to Cadi.
“Dustin, that mitt’s too big for you. Pastor Dremond says to use this one.”
The deep male voice caused her to make a sharp pivot once she caught the ball. Frank was making his way from the house. He’d shed his suit coat and tie, and now the sleeves of his blue dress shirt were rolled to his elbows. He held a small mitt in one hand.
“That’s my old mitt,” the oldest Dremond boy said. “You can use it.”
Frank made the switch. “Well, as long as I have a mitt, too, I might as well play with you and the kids.”
The boys let out a whoop, with Dustin cheering the loudest.
“Sure.” Cadi’s answer belied the dread she felt inside. But perhaps a simple game of catch would lighten him up and allow Frank to see that she wasn’t the villain he assumed.
He stepped in several feet away from Cadi, and Dustin threw the ball to him. Frank caught it easily and tossed it to a Dremond boy. The child, in turn, threw it to Cadi. She hurled it in Frank’s direction. Unfortunately, her aim was off and he had to duck before chasing the ball several yards.
Cadi laughed. “Oops. That was an accident. Honest.”
He gave her one of his amused scowls.
To his credit, Frank didn’t try to retaliate, nor did he pitch the ball over her head so she’d have to run for it in her long, layered skirt and leather flats. But when Dustin missed a catch and scampered to fetch the ball, Frank stepped in closer to Cadi and out of the kids’ earshot.
“Know what you are? A pretty little package of trouble, that’s what.”
“I don’t recall asking for your opinion, Officer.”
The tart reply caused Frank to grin.
She narrowed her gaze. “Lucky for the both of us, I’m returning to Waterloo and we’ll never have to see each other again.”
“Unless I have to make an arrest. Waterloo is my department’s jurisdiction, too.”
Cadi stared at him askance, unsure she understood the connection. “An arrest?”
He nodded. “It’s illegal to scam folks off the Internet.”
“Of course it is, but I’m not skimming or scamming. And, I must say, you’re the biggest bully I’ve ever met!”
His dark gaze smoldered. “Bully or not, be warned, Cadi Trent. If I find out you’re stealing donations off that site you put up on the Internet, I’ll make sure the legal ball starts rolling, and I’ll gladly see you behind bars.”
Cadi was more than taken aback, not so much by the threat, itself, but by the malice dripping off each word. “What did I ever do to make you hate me? I came to Wind Lake to help people after an explosion leveled most of their neighborhood. I was summoned here by the mayor at the request of Adam Dremond. But somehow you decided you could take out all the hatred in your heart on me. Why?”
“Your point is?” His stony expression said her words had little to no affect on him.
Again a wave of incredulity struck her. A second later, she shook her head, realizing how futile it was to plead her innocence to a man who’d already judged her as guilty.
In one smooth motion, she reached out and pulled the glove off his hand. Next, she moved to retrieve the ball from Dustin.
“I have to go home now,” she explained to the boy.
Disappointment dropped over his features as he relinquished the ball. Then he looked over at his dad with questions in his golden brown eyes.
“It was nice playing catch with you.” She gave a wave to the other kids in forced politeness. She even managed a smile. After all, they hadn’t done anything wrong.
She made her way to the van, climbed in the side door, and tossed the sports gear into the cardboard box filled with other odds and ends. Opening the door on the driver’s side, she reached in for her cell phone that she’d mistakenly left inside the vehicle. She refused to walk past Frank again and give him another chance to intimidate her. She’d call Meg on her cell phone and let her know it was time to leave. Meg would inform the others, and Cadi felt certain they’d understand.
She leaned against the side of the vehicle and tried to press in Meg’s number, but her hands were shaking so badly from her encounter with Frank that she kept misdialing.
“Everything all right?”
Cadi started as Adam Dremond came around the van.
“Um. . .yeah. Everything’s fine,” she fibbed. Tears of anger and humiliation pooled in her eyes, and Cadi realized how totally astonished she was by Frank’s outright meanness. Her emotions were tangled in knots, and it was all because of him. He had her feeling weak-kneed and giddy one minute then horrified and scared the next.
“Your friends are gathering their things and will be out shortly.”
Cadi sent the pastor a curious glance.
“We saw you and Frank talking. We couldn’t hear what was being said, but judging by your expression, followed by your collection of the ball and glove, we figured something’s amiss.”
“He threatened to arrest me,” Cadi blurted.
“He—what?” A deep frown shadowed the pastor’s features.
“He thinks I’m a rip-off artist, and he said he’d ‘gladly’ see me behind bars.” She felt her chin quiver. “I’ve never even gotten a speeding ticket.”
Adam shook his head. “It’s not you, Cadi. It’s Frank. He’s fighting demons from his past. I’m not defending him or his actions. I’m just trying to put things in perspective for you. It’s nothing personal against you.”
“I beg to differ. Threatening to arrest me is very personal.”
An expression of regret settled over the reverend’s face. “I’m sorry this happened. And, trust me, Frank won’t arrest you. I’ll talk to him.”
“Well, I have a good mind to contact his superiors.”
“Will you give me a chance to speak with him first?”
Cadi mulled over the request then nodded. Pastor Dremond had been kind and gracious from the start, and she was content with leaving the situation in his capable hands.
The rest of the Disaster Busters team showed up, and without a single joke or complaint, they climbed into the van.
“Please thank your wife for a delicious lunch,” Cadi said as she slid behind the wheel.
“I will.” Pastor Dremond waved good-bye. “Thanks for coming.”
After starting up the engine, she pulled away from the cu
rb and pressed her foot against the accelerator. She couldn’t leave Wind Lake and its despicable sheriff’s deputy fast enough.
Nine
“You beat everything, you know that?”
Frank sat back in the sofa and awaited the rest of Adam’s scolding, thankful the kids wouldn’t be privy to their conver-sation. Lindsey had taken them to the ice cream parlor in town.
“The least you owe that young woman is an apology.”
“I was just doing my job.”
“Baloney.” Adam ceased his pacing across the carpeting and pulled up a chair. “You were wrong, Frank. Admit it.”
“Look, how was I supposed to know that you’re the signer on the bank account connected to Cadi’s Web site? She could have clarified the situation. Or you could have told me last night when I approached you with my concerns in the church parking lot.”
“Had you asked, I would have told you. What I did say was that Cadi isn’t up to anything sneaky and underhanded. I knew that—and know that—to be true.” Adam looked exasperated as he raked his fingers through his hair. “And if you would have asked Cadi for some specifics, instead of threatening her, I’m sure she would have told you the facts, as well. Your approach was all wrong.” He paused and glared at Frank. “You made her cry, you big galoot.”
An arrow of regret struck him in the heart.
“The poor girl thinks you’re out to get her. She’s scared.”
He frowned. “Did she say that—that she’s scared?”
“She didn’t have to!” Adam flung his arms in the air. “It was written all over her face!” He paused. “She’s also angry. She threatened to contact your superiors.”
“Now that I believe.” Frank stood and hardened his inner core. Feminine tears and fears might bend the will of some men, but he happened to think Cadi was a stronger-minded woman than the good pastor made her out to be. Adam’s last comment drove that notion home. “Cadi will get over whatever’s bothering her, and she can contact whomever she wants. It’s her word against mine.”
“And yours against mine,” Adam reminded him. “My voice will be heard even if you prejudice any higher-ups against Cadi.”
Frank knew he had a point since Adam was well-known and respected in the area. His social activism had swayed media personnel and citizens alike.
He turned slowly back around and placed his hands on his hips. He weighed his options.
“Checkmate, my friend.” Adam grinned.
Frank raised his hands in surrender. “All right. But don’t come whining to me if something goes wrong.”
“So you’ll apologize to Cadi?”
“I didn’t say that.”
Adam folded his arms and narrowed his gaze. “You know who you remind me of? My oldest son, Paul. He liked to pull a certain girl’s ponytail while they were both at recess. He thought it was fun because he liked her and, at seven years old, he was unsure of how to display such affection.” Adam’s expression said he was only half amused. “The truth of the matter was, he hurt his classmate each time he pulled her hair.”
“You’re comparing me to a seven-year-old?” Frank clenched his jaw in irritation. “Thanks a lot.”
“You’re missing the point. I’ve watched you all weekend. It seems to me Cadi’s gotten under your skin in a way that feels uncomfortable to you. You’re lashing out at her, but it’s not her fault. You own your emotions.”
“Oh, please, spare me the psychoanalysis, okay?”
Adam continued on, undaunted. “Many widowers I counsel tell me they feel guilty for being attracted to other women, even though their wives would have wanted them to remarry and be happy.”
Frank moved to leave the living room area and put an end to this whole preposterous subject when Adam, having risen from his chair, sidestepped into Frank’s path.
“Consider what I’ve said, will you? Please?”
“Look, I really don’t have time—”
“Make time. Forgiveness—or lack thereof—can steer the soul in the right or wrong direction. The Bible illustrates this truth time and time again.”
Frank didn’t reply but walked around the pastor and exited the living room. Next he made his way out to the front porch, wishing Lindsey would hurry up and return with the kids so he could collect his two and head for home. He sensed Adam meant well, but Frank didn’t care for him or anyone else second-guessing his thoughts and feelings.
Adam strode from the house and stood beside him. “I still think you owe Cadi an apology. You sought her out, Frank. I saw you, and I would have stepped in had I known of your less-than-gentlemanly intentions. I assumed you were getting to know her and quelling your suspicions. Instead, you hurt Cadi, and your abrasiveness was uncalled for.”
“Abrasiveness, huh?” He was hardly the steel-wool Brillo-pad guy whom Adam just described. He wasn’t a bully, either, as Cadi had accused.
“I have her phone number. Why don’t you call her?”
“I know how to find her.”
“Okay. I trust you’ll contact her, then, and make this right.”
Frank glanced at Adam. “I’ll think it over, but I’m not making promises.”
Adam didn’t reply. The subject was dropped. A few minutes went by and small talk ensued.
Sometime later, Lindsey finally pulled the large van into the driveway. The children jumped out, and Frank steered Dustin and Emmie into his SUV.
He drove home, listening to his children prattle on about how much fun they had this afternoon. Dustin mentioned Cadi and said he wished she would have played ball longer. Frank’s heart wrenched, and he battled against everything Adam said to him. But it was true: Frank had sought out Cadi for dubious reasons.
So now what do I do? He hated the thought of swallowing his pride and apologizing. There was a chance, after all, he still could be right about Disaster Busters.
Pushing the matter from his mind, he chose to deal with it later.
He pulled into the driveway, and once inside the house, he prompted Dustin and Emily to shower, get their pajamas on, and brush their teeth. He was met by a whiny resistance from his daughter and a few complaints from his son, but by nine o’clock, both kids were in bed for the night.
Frank flipped on the TV and tuned in to a local cable news show. Then he collapsed into the soft, black leather sofa and pulled the Sunday newspaper onto his lap. He had just found the sports section when Dustin padded into the living room.
“Dad?”
“Hmm?” He glanced up from the newspaper. “What is it, son?”
Dustin hedged but then stepped forward. “Dad, how come you were mean to Cadi?”
“What are you talking about?” Frank saw his son flinch at the harsh tone, and he softened it at once. “When was I mean to Cadi?”
“When we were playing ball. I heard you say you’d be happy if she was locked up in jail. You scared her.”
“Oh, I was just kidding around,” Frank fibbed for his son’s sake. “Cadi just got mad at me, that’s all.”
“But I saw her face. It turned a funny color—like when Emmie was sick—and then she took her stuff and went home.”
“Don’t worry, son. I didn’t scare Cadi. In fact, she had some choice words for me, too. Everything’s fine.” Frank fought the aggravation rising inside of him. He felt like accusing the Dremonds of somehow brainwashing his kid, but he knew no such thing occurred—unless Lindsay had mentioned the situation when she took the children for ice cream.
“Did Mrs. Dremond say that I scared Cadi?”
The look of surprise, followed by the shake of Dustin’s head, told Frank the boy hadn’t been influenced.
“Well, look, Cadi’s a grown woman. She can handle it.” He pulled Dustin in beside him on the couch and kept an arm around his shoulders.
“I like Cadi,” the boy said.
“That’s nice.” Frank felt his jaw tense.
“She’s pretty.” Dustin twisted around to peer up at Frank. “Do you think she’s pretty, Dad?”
“Sure.” He hoped his reply sounded uninterested.
“Maybe you should ask her on a date.”
He shook his head. “Dustin—”
“Dad,” he said emphatically, crawling up on his knees to be face-to-face with Frank, “she’s got her own mitt.”
“Oh, well, in that case. . .” He sent a glance sky-rocketing and chuckled.
“Da–ad.” Dustin’s lips curved downward and his golden-brown eyes glimmered with unshed irritation.
“I’m not laughing at you, son,” Frank quickly put in. “I’m grateful for your opinion. I’ll think about it, all right?”
“Okay.” The eight-year-old appeared satisfied for the time being and took off up the steps and back to bed.
Alone in the living room, Frank had his own private laugh. Typical boy. A pretty lady plays catch with him and right away he thinks I should ask her on a date. What a hoot. Funnier yet is that Cadi would never go out with me. She probably rues the day we met.
He recalled her question: “What did I ever do to make you hate me?”
Remorse stung his very soul. He opened the sports page and tried to shake off the feeling, but it continued. Could he really have been so wrong about her? Was her work genuine, as she maintained? Or was Cadi just the best liar on the planet? Of course, Adam supported her, and he wasn’t easily fooled. Or was he?
Frank decided to do some more digging on her and the members of the Disaster Busters. If the info he found—or didn’t find—proved he’d been wrong about her, he’d apologize. But only then!
❧
“You can’t be serious.”
Cadi sent Meg a sideways glance as she drove home. It had been nearly eighty degrees today and she and Meg, along with a host of teenagers from church, had washed cars, vans, and trucks all afternoon. The event was a fund-raiser for the teen mission team and they’d raised quite a bit of cash, but now Cadi felt the effects of her labor. Worse, she’d picked a poor time to inform Meg of her decision to reconcile with Darrell.
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