Happily Never After (18 page)

Chapter 22

Kelsey spent a quiet Thanksgiving with David and Bev. The physical aches and pains of her car accident had diminished. A few cuts, scratches, and a fading black eye were the visual reminders. Too bad her hurting heart wouldn’t heal as quick.

The morning after her stupid declaration, she woke to find an empty bed. Knowing he’d left without waking her on purpose, she dressed and went downstairs where Officer Johnson sat at the kitchen table drinking coffee. He looked uncomfortable with her presence, so she went back upstairs.

She weighed her options. Remain here and endure the awkwardness between them now or leave? He wouldn’t like it if she left. But darn it, she was tired of jumping through hoops to make others happy. Being an obedient child in foster care so she wouldn’t get relocated again. Becoming an attorney, hoping David would be proud of her. A day-to-day relationship with Bode, praying that one day he could love her.

On impulse, she picked up the phone and called David. Choosing her words, she convinced him that she was the one ending things. There was no sense in coming between their friendships any further.

Decision made, she gathered up her things and went back downstairs to wait for her brother to arrive. When he drove up out front, she ran outside and jumped in his car. The last thing she saw when they drove away was Officer Johnson gesturing wildly while he talked on his cell phone.

That was two days ago, and she hadn’t talked to Bode since. He kept calling, but David guarded her privacy like a junk yard dog and insisted on answering any questions regarding the investigation.

She was being a coward, but couldn’t face him yet. Her life seemed almost normal, which was absurd, considering the fact someone wanted to kill her.

Sunday was the twin’s birthday, so she helped Bev stuff goody bags and get ready to handle ten boisterous guests. She took extra care with her makeup and concealed most of the smaller lacerations, but the green and blue bruising around her eyes remained visible.

David was on the phone at the kitchen table when she entered the room. The flinch of his strong jaw line told her he was on edge.

Waiting until he finished, she reclined back against the counter. “Everything all right?”

He gave her a questioning look. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk to Bode? The man is driving me crazy with his calls. Did he do something you haven’t told me?”

“He didn’t do anything.” And that was the sad truth. He didn’t love her. He didn’t want to weave their lives together until they were inseparable. Liquid pooled in her eyes and to cover it she sidled behind David and hugged his back.

Resting her head on his shoulder, she pressed her cheek against his. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

She forced a high-voltage smile. “For bringing me over here. This is just what I needed. I love all of you so much.”

He gave a deep sigh. “Honey, you’re family. You should have been here with us all along.”

The sound of the front door opening was followed by the shrieks and squeals of excited children. She and David grinned at one another.

“Hang on sister, this could be a bumpy ride.” They laughed like loons as they went in to join the fray.

Several hours later, she cried uncle and fell exhausted onto the floor. How could ten children—ten small children—make this much noise? Her ears would ring for a week. They’d hula-hooped, hop-scotched, and finished a side-splitting rendition of the chicken dance. So when it was time to play a round of musical chairs, she begged off and sat down to rest.

Seeing Hope and Hannah’s flushed, excited faces made her happy. The years of worrying about being left alone seemed ridiculous. These people belonged to her, and she’d never truly be alone again.

A smile broke free as she watched their crazy games. This was what she wanted from her life. Little boys who would drive a mother insane with their escapades and beautiful, precious little girls you could cherish.

Bode came unbidden into her mind, and she found it difficult to swallow around the lump in her throat. As soon as the police eliminated the threat, she’d relocate to a nearby town and start over. She refused to move very far away from everyone she cared about but couldn’t bear the idea of seeing him every day, or even every week. It would hurt too much.

The sound of a car in front of the house brought her to her feet.
How many kids did Bev invite to this party?
The bottom dropped from her stomach when she recognized the SUV. A sudden presence told her David had joined her.

“Want me to get rid of him?”

Avoiding him was silly, and she needed to quit acting like a school girl. It was a fling. People did it every day and went their separate ways. “No, it’s fine. I’m sure it’s important if he came all this way.”

Settling her nerves, she opened the front door. Bode got out of his truck and strode toward her. His riveting gaze held her rooted to the spot. He appeared extremely pissed off.

Crowding her personal space, he stopped mere inches from where she waited. Two small bodies prevented her from backing up and she smiled down at them. The twins stood on either side of her, holding on to her arms, ogling Bode.

She refused to let them be afraid of this good man just because of the way things ended between them. “Girls, this is Bode. This is Hope and Hannah, my two most favorite nieces in the whole wide world,” she announced as they giggled.

One of them whispered in a loud stage whisper, “We’re your only two nieces, Aunt Kelsey.”

“So you are, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m crazy about you.” She bent down to tickle both girls.

David stepped behind her. “Okay, kids, give them some room.” He smiled as his daughters escaped back to the party and then turned toward his sister. “You need me for anything?”

The two men faced off at one another. “No.” She pushed Bode back outside, closing the door then leaning back against it.

“Is it over? Did you find Robbins?”

He remained mute but stared at her with accusing eyes. “You just left the other day. You couldn’t be bothered to call me, not even a note?”

His attitude ticked her off. “Right back at ya, buddy.”

Red colored his cheeks, but he barreled onward anyway. “I went to work. You left without even telling me where you were going. A little different, don’t you think?”

She waved one hand in the air. “Tomato . . . to–mah-toe. Different pronunciation but they’re still the same fruit. You checked out the minute I said those three words, whether you realized it or not.”

He shut his eyes for a second. “You know I care for you. But I can’t be in charge of this investigation if I’m in a relationship with you. You know how important my job is to me. I need you to wait—”

“Wait until this case is finished? Wait until you don’t just live for the job? Until you believe you can love again?” She paused to gather her courage. “I’m afraid I don’t want to wait until it’s convenient for you. I love you, but it’s made me realize that I deserve to be loved in return.”

She stepped back inside, closing the door behind her. David waited by the side of the door when she entered. Always ready to catch her.

“You look terrible. Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked with a concerned frown.

“Why thank you, David. It’s so sweet of you to point that out.”

“You know what I mean. Want me to kick his ass?”

Hiccupping to keep from crying, she laughed. “I guess I won’t have to ask if you were eavesdropping. Now, come here and give me a hug.”

Bode had driven into the long driveway leading up to David’s beautiful home with a plan. He’d calmly explain the situation and take her home. Kelsey had blown that to hell.

Didn’t she understand he needed to be the one in charge of this? If their relationship changed now, he’d be forced to tell his boss. And that would result in him being taken off the case. He didn’t trust her safety to anyone else. For the last two days, he hadn’t slept for worrying about her.

He cranked his truck just as David came around the corner of the house and motioned for him to wait. Just what he didn’t need right now, a confrontation with the pissed off brother. It would be the perfect way to cap off this disastrous visit. Nonetheless, he killed the engine and joined his friend.

David clapped his shoulder. “Come on back and help me with the burgers.” They followed a stone path around to the patio where a monster grill sat smoking. Screams and squeals sounded through the sliding glass doors.

The weather was clear and cold, perfect for a cookout. He settled himself in a deck chair as the other man worked on the food. Restless, he got up and moved until Kelsey was in his sight. She led the kids in a sprawling tangle of Twister. When her torso angled backward, her gaze landed on his. The outside world ceased to exist for him.

His love for Elaina paled in comparison to his current feelings. He couldn’t tear his hungry gaze away from her while she finished this game and began the next one.

“It’s almost scary when it hits you, isn’t it?” David asked from behind him.

He dragged himself out of his trance and glanced back over toward where David waited by the table. A knowing smile covered his face.

Bode slowly exhaled. “Is it that obvious?”

David barked out a short laugh. “Yes, but only to someone who’s been there. My life was rushing along at full speed and wham, I woke up one day and I was married.”

“Any regrets?”

“Are you kidding me? I wake up every day next to my best friend. Believe me, life gets better when someone loves you.” David hesitated. “I don’t know what’s going on between you two. Kelsey gave me some story,
it’s not him, it’s me
. But you’re the one person I trust to help me keep her safe. We need to end this.”

Before he answered, a vibration on his belt made him reach down to unclip the phone. “Taggert.”

“Bode, it’s Steve. A clerk at that fleabag motel south of town identified Robbins. She said he left earlier today and hasn’t returned. I’m about to drive over there to check it out for myself. We also heard back from DPD, and they sent us what they found.”

“What’s the short version?”

“He’s been AWOL. He didn’t show for his last parole appointment, and no one knows where to find him. They’re checking out his apartment and known hangouts. His latest arrest was for assault. The file said their parents were both incarcerated when the boys were in their teens. Miles raised Otis.” Steve paused. “He was pretty vocal at the time of the shooting, ranting and raving that the prosecutor’s office railroaded his brother.”

Anger flooded him. “Why the hell didn’t someone let her know this guy was in the wind?”

“People fall through the cracks. She’d left town by then and no one followed up.”

“Listen, I’ll meet you at the motel. Let’s go in quiet. Call me on my cell if you get anything new.” Bode flipped his phone shut. David no longer slouched against the table but had moved right next to him.

“What is it?”

“There’s a possible sighting on Robbins.” Bode turned and entered the house. Surrounded by giggling children, Kelsey smiled up at him when he entered the room but it faded at his grave expression.

She joined him where he waited by the doorway. “What?”

“We may finally have a lead.” He couldn’t resist pulling her close. The last few days without her had been unbearable. “I’ll call you when we pick him up.”

A chorus of giggles rang out when he placed his forehead against hers. “We have an audience.”

“They think you look like Ken,” she whispered.

“Who the heck is Ken?”

“You know, Ken and Barbie.” Kelsey laughed when he frowned. “You, my friend, have a lot to learn about these types of things.”

Her good-natured laughter soothed his ragged edges. “As long as you’re the one to teach me.” He let her go before he did something stupid like fall to his knees and beg her to come home right in front of an audience. “Don’t leave until we get this settled. Okay?”

“She’ll be here if I have to sit on her.” David had followed him into the room.

She snorted and waved a hand. “Hello, I’m right here and perfectly capable of speaking for myself.”

David ran his fingertip across her bruised cheek. “Please? I’m serious about this, Kels.” His voice cracked on her name.

She reached up and placed her hand over his. “It’s going to be okay. Bode will take care of this threat.”

Bode patted his friend’s shoulder. “Kelsey is my top priority and there’s no way I’m letting anyone hurt her.”

After getting in his truck, he sat behind the wheel and stared at the house. The faith she expressed in him, gave him hope. Hope they could work things out between them when things calmed down.

Driving down the dark street toward the motel, he peered into shadows searching for their man. This part of the city ran the gamut from drugs to prostitution. Gang members loitered on every corner. Dead eyes followed his progress. You could find anything here with a few dollars in your pocket. Even the motel he pulled into had fallen on hard times and covered in graffiti.

Parking next to Steve, his partner opened the passenger door and got inside.

“He hasn’t come back yet. The clerk said he’s hanging out at a dive a couple of blocks from here.”

Bode put his truck in reverse, and they eased down the street. A lone figure ambled toward them down the sidewalk. Most of the streetlights were either out or broken, so it wasn’t until he crossed the beam from their headlights that they got a good look at his face.

“That’s our boy.” Steve gripped the armrest as Bode slammed on the brakes and u-turned, jumping the curb before slamming the big truck into park. They both had tumbled out before it stopped rocking. “Stop! Police!”

At the sound of their shouts, the man took off like a track star.

The guy’s skinny legs were no match for Bode’s determined stride. Within a block, he was just a step back. Throwing himself forward, he slammed the suspect square in the back. Both men landed with a thud and skidded in a tangle of arms and legs before coming to a stop.