Every Step She Takes (Who's Watching Now Book 2) (18 page)

“I already did the dishes, and I’d rather you didn’t come.”

Her eyes narrowed. Something about his tone… “What happened?”

“Nothing. Give me the keys, and I’ll be right back. If you could wait for me in the lobby, that’d be helpful. I doubt I’ll find a place to park.”

His gaze didn’t quite meet hers, but she didn’t push. Crossing the room, she pulled her keys out of her purse then handed them to him.

“Wylie and I’ll be waiting. I assume you can drive a stick shift?”

He snorted, tossed the keys in the air then walked over to the nightstand. A little quiver worked down her spine when he tucked his Glock into its holster and pulled his shirttail down. Grabbing the bag, he hefted it then turned to leave.

“You’re sure nothing’s wrong?”

“Just taking precautions.” He smiled. “Be right back.”

The door closed with a thump. Wylie wandered into the room and sat at her feet.

Grace fisted her hands on her hips then glanced at the dog. “I bet you know more about what’s going on than I do.”

Lifting his back leg, he scratched behind his ear then stretched out on the carpet.

“Don’t worry. I’ll drag it out of him later.”

As Travis had pointed out, she was good at getting what she wanted.

“Cool car.”

Grace pried her fingers off the armrest and turned to stare at him. “Do you always take off like a bat out of hell?”

“Not always, but your Porsche handles like a dream.”

“It better. I’m pretty sure I’ll be making payments on it for the rest of my life.”

“Some sacrifices are worth it.” Travis smiled then checked the rearview mirrors. No one was following. Just to be sure, he made a hard right at the stop sign then an immediate left down an alley, eliciting a yelp from Grace.

In the foot well were he’d been flung, Wylie rose on shaky legs to crawl back into her lap. Her arms circled the dog in a tight grip.

Dodging around a garbage can, Travis paused for a second before darting out onto the street. “If Nielsen’s in the neighborhood, I don’t want him following us.”

Her hands clenched in the dog’s fur. “You think he would?”

“Just a precaution. My guess is he’s hanging around the hospital, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

“My dad used to tell me that when he was teaching me to drive. ‘Slow down, Grace. Better safe than sorry.’” She braced her feet as he squeezed between a slow moving sedan and a freight truck. “I feel his pain.”

He cast a quick glance her way before returning his attention to the road. “Right now I’d say Wylie is the one feeling the pain. You’re going to pull his fur out by the roots if you hold on any tighter. You’re safe with me.”

She leaned back in the seat and sighed. “I know.”

He merged onto the Bay Bridge and turned on the radio to cover the echoing clamor of traffic heading east. “We’ll stop once we cross the bridge and let the dog have his walk.”

“How about walking him on Treasure Island? No fog today, so the view will be spectacular.”

“Great idea.” He changed lanes, making his way toward the exit midway across the span. Leaving the bridge, they cruised down the quiet street leading toward the old Naval base and parked.

Grace let the dog out of the car and slammed the door. Lifting her face, she breathed deeply. “What a beautiful day.”

He tore his gaze from the rise and fall of her breasts to glance out over the bay. “It certainly is. Shall we walk along the shore?”

Shoulders bumping, they strolled side-by-side down the path. The view of San Francisco’s skyline stole his breath. Or maybe it was the pleasure reflected on Grace’s face. Strands of hair whipped across her cheek, and she pushed them behind one ear. Her eyes were bright when she glanced his way.

“You seem to know your way around San Francisco well enough.”

“I spent a couple of weeks in the city after I left the SEALs. At one point, I thought about starting a business here, but I ended up moving back to Seattle.”

“Why?”

He shrugged. “The lure of the familiar, I suppose. My family’s there, though my parents now spend half the year in Arizona. I’m close to both my brothers.”

She shoved her hands in the pockets of her shorts, her gaze following Wylie as he veered off the path to sniff a bush. “I have one sister in San Diego and a brother in Portland. My parents and Rachel and Will are all in Vine Haven. Close enough to see whenever I want, but not too close.”

“Will’s your oldest brother?”

She nodded. “You’ll meet him and his wife this weekend. Their two boys are both in college. Rachel has three daughters, all living at home. She got so lucky when she married Kane. He loves those girls and treats them like they were his own.”

“What happened to their dad?”

“He died.” She held back her wind tossed hair. “Bryce Carpenter was a cheating ass.”

Travis stopped. “Bryce Carpenter, the quarterback?”

Grace turned to face him. “Yep.”

“Wow.”

“Kane’s worth ten of him. The last couple of years, my sister’s been happier than I’ve ever seen her.”

“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone.”

“Rachel will love you if she thinks there’s even a chance we…” She bit her lip.

He took her hand and squeezed it as they stared across the bay at the distinctive skyline with the Transamerica Pyramid pointing skyward.

“I’d like to think there’s a chance.” His grip tightened when she would have pulled away. “We haven’t known each other very long, but the connection between us is strong. Don’t tell me you don’t feel it.”

“I do.”

“Then just go with it, Grace. Stop worrying about the future and enjoy the present.”

“Fine. For this weekend, at least, I promise not to be a stress case. Happy?”

He laughed and tugged her into his arms. Dropping a kiss on her lips, he pressed his forehead to hers. “You always make me happy—or at least keep me entertained.”

She shoved hard against his chest and ran. “No, Wylie. Don’t you dare!”

Leaping across the rocks, she snagged the end of the trailing leash and jerked the dog backward. He whined pathetically but came away from the dead seagull lying at the water’s edge.

“Can you imagine what he’d have smelled like if he rolled in that?”

Travis shuddered. “I’d rather not. Shall we go?”

“I think we’d better. We’ll barely make it to Vine Haven before lunch as it is.” She climbed back up to the path then smiled and squeezed his arm. “I don’t want to risk another possible doggy disaster.”

“You’re quick and alert. That gives me some level of comfort.”

“Why do I get the feeling you aren’t talking about Wylie anymore?”

“We can’t stay at your parents’ house forever, and Nielsen—”

His phone vibrated, and he pulled it from his pocket to glance at the display. Fritz. “Hold that thought.” He pushed the connect button. “What’s up?”

“We have a name. Mason Rogers. He took an advanced physics class with the real Archer Nielsen his junior year. His student ID photo matches our artist’s sketch.”

“What do you know about him?”

“He spent his early childhood in the Bay Area. His parents are both dead. His father beat his mother then slipped and fell, hitting his head on the hearth. Alcohol levels indicate he was staggering drunk at the time of death. Mason was just a kid when it happened, hiding under his bed through the whole tragedy.”

“Jesus.”

“The wife called the police. Her husband’s death was eventually ruled an accident though at the time, the cops speculated she killed him.”

“What happened to her?”

“She died of a heart attack around the time Mason finished high school. They were living in a crappy area of L.A. He doesn’t have any siblings.”

Travis eyed Grace’s troubled expression. Reaching out, he took her hand and squeezed. “No wonder he turned into a head case. I’d feel sorry for the guy if he hadn’t been shooting at us. Last known residence?”

“An apartment in Los Angeles. He’s been invisible since he graduated from college.”

“Friends?”

“He was pretty much a loner. Very bright. His standardized test scores are off the chart.”

“That bites. They’re a lot easier to catch when they’re stupid.”

“He may be so cocky he’ll make a mistake. I’ll let you know if I learn anything else.”

“Thanks, Fritz.” Travis stuffed the phone in his pocket.

“Your side of the conversation sounded somewhat grim. Want to fill me in?”

He picked up his pace but didn’t release Grace’s hand as they headed back toward the car. “The shooter’s real name is Mason Rogers.”

Her step faltered.

He gave her a questioning look. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“His parents are both dead. The father was a drunken wife-abuser who fell and hit his head in a questionable accident when Mason was a boy. He was in the house when it happened.”

“God, that’s awful. The poor kid.”

“
The poor kid
is a hired assassin, so save your sympathy.”

“I suppose. He obviously needed help and never got it.”

He stopped beside the car and unlocked it. “Maybe a tough life is the reason for what he became, but it isn’t an excuse. Plenty of people experience tragedy in their lives and don’t kill for a living.”

“True. We all make our own choices and our own mistakes.” She slid into the car. After he walked around and got in, she continued, “I’ve certainly made my share, but they don’t include shooting people.”

Once the dog was settled on her lap, he started the engine and pulled out onto the street. “That’s my point. Shit happens, and you deal with it.” He forced a smile. “Let’s forget about Mason Rogers for the weekend. Deal?”

“Sounds like a plan to me. Maybe by Sunday night they’ll have caught him.”

“We can only hope.”

* * * *

The car bumped along the long dirt drive winding through rows of grapes. When Travis parked near the garage, Grace opened the door to free Wylie. The dog jumped out and set off to sniff his new surroundings.

The door of the big, white farmhouse opened, and her mother hurried out, arms stretched in welcome. Grace met her halfway to be enfolded in a comforting embrace. Then got her cheek kissed with a loud smack.

“Look at you, skinny as a rail.” She pulled back and cast a curious glance toward Travis. “Introduce me to your friend.”

“Mom, this is Travis Barnett. He’s visiting from Seattle. Travis, my mom, Audrey Hanover.”

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Hanover.” He stepped forward and held out his hand.

Ignoring it, she hugged him. “Call me Audrey. We don’t stand on formality around here. Welcome, Travis.” She turned toward Grace. “Your father is out somewhere with Will. It’ll just be the three of us for lunch.”

“Fine by me. I’m starving.”

“That’s what I like to hear.” She stopped and planted her fists on rounded hips. One brow rose as she stared at Wylie. “That is one ugly dog.”

“Agreed, but he’s sweet. Come here, baby.”

The dog trotted over, and her mother stuck out a hand. Wylie sniffed then gave it a lick that made her chuckle.

“He seems like a nice little fellow. What possessed you to adopt a dog?”

“Wylie was a stray, and we just sort of bonded. Is lunch ready?”

“It is. Nothing fancy since you didn’t give me a lot of notice.”

“We’ll probably survive without fancy.”

“We’ll have to.” Her mother led the way into the house. Their feet echoed on the broad plank flooring. “Rachel said she’ll be over in an hour or so. She was going to bring Lark, but your niece had other plans.”

“My niece, not your granddaughter?”

“That young lady has been giving her mother fits. She’s just like you were at the same age.”

“Gee, thanks.”

Her mother glanced back at Travis and smiled. “Our Gracie was a wild one when she was a teenager. Lucky for us, she grew up to have sense.”

“Probably because you raised her right.”

The grin stretched wider. “I like this one. He’s a keeper.”

Grace snorted. “He’s not a fish, Mom.”

She pulled a platter of sandwiches and a bowl of fruit salad from the refrigerator. “I thought we’d sit out on the patio. It’s a beautiful day.”

“Should I bring out plates?”

“I already set it up, dear. Come along, Travis. I can’t wait to hear more about you.”

“That means she’s going to grill you like the fish we were talking about.” Grace used a not-so-quiet stage whisper.

“I heard that.”

“You were supposed to.”

They ate their lunch and enjoyed the view of endless rows of green grape vines. Sitting back in her chair, Grace let her mom do all the talking. By the time they’d finished the meal, she’d learned some interesting facts about the man she was growing to care for far too much. She was even a little disappointed when her mother pushed back from the table.

“I’ll go get our dessert.”

Grace waited until they were alone to lean toward Travis. “You never mentioned golf was your sport in high school. I would have guessed you played football or baseball.”

“Nope, I never had the locker room mentality.”

“Your favorite color is peach? Kind of girly, don’t cha think.”

“I’m not afraid to embrace my feminine side.”

She let out another snort and choked on her iced tea. Travis patted her back a little harder than necessary.

When her mother returned with a plate full of cookies, she glanced between the two of them. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing.” Grace wiped her watering eyes. “Yum, chocolate chip, my favorite.” She bit into a cookie and savored the rich flavor.

“Did I hear chocolate chip?”

Grace glanced up and smiled at her sister. Rachel smiled back. As the two youngest siblings in the Hanover clan, they’d always shared a special bond. Rachel’s beautiful auburn hair swung around her shoulders, and green eyes, the same shade as Grace’s, sparkled. Most importantly, she looked truly happy. When she was married to Bryce, she’d been constantly tense and stressed with perpetual lines of worry marring her brow. Warmth filled Grace, knowing her sister was now with a man who put a smile on her face.

She wasn’t jealous. Not very, anyway.