Heartsong Cottage (31 page)

Daniel didn't try to hide his shock at this. “You've been watching him all these years?”

“I always knew this day would come. I'm ashamed to say I didn't have the courage to make it happen myself. I've very glad you came to see me, Detective Garrett. Glad, but at the same time, scared to death.”

“This is it. We have him. This is icing on the cake.”

“Not necessarily. He's a wealthy, powerful member of a wealthy, powerful family. He has dangerous friends.”

Daniel thought of the many law enforcement professionals with whom he'd worked over the course of his career. Add to that the friendships he'd developed as a result of his connection to Eternity Springs—Jack Davenport and the Callahans. Zach Turner was no slouch, either. A slow smile dawned across Daniel's face. Dangerous friends? “Don't worry, Larry. So do I.”

*   *   *

Events happened quickly over the next two weeks. After viewing and copying Larry Dennard's video and financial files, Daniel returned to Eternity Springs and consulted with his experts over the regular poker game at Cam Murphy's place. Over a two-dollar ante pot, the team developed a plan. The following day, they put the plan into action. It was a glorious thing to watch.

Amazing how quickly the government could move when motivated. His team did motivation very well. Daniel watched the developments from afar, his own job being the most important of all—acting as personal bodyguard to the woman who'd brought him back into the light.

A week before Christmas, the hammer went down.

Shannon sat snuggled up against Daniel on the sofa in Heartsong Cottage watching cable news. “I guess the political paparazzi are everywhere now,” she observed. “I must say it's gratifying to see his perp walk on national TV.”

Matt Callahan's wife, Torie, had been the one to suggest tipping off the camera hounds. A former paparazzo herself, she'd known just who to call with the tip. “The news sharks are in a feeding frenzy,” Daniel observed, watching with smug satisfaction as a throng of microphones and cameras surrounded Russell and the men taking him into custody. “I love it.”

In the background, reporters droned on, but Daniel didn't really listen to them. He was busy being captivated by the change he spotted in this new, relaxed version of the woman he loved. She glowed with a quiet confidence and inner joy that either never previously existed or had burned with a mere glimmer of a flame before now.

“We shouldn't get ahead of ourselves,” she murmured. “He'll make bail.”

“I wouldn't count on it, if I were him. He's a definite flight risk. Prosecutors will ask for him to be denied bail, but even if the judge lets him out, he'll make him wear a bracelet. You don't need to worry about Russell Wilbarger any longer. You're safe, darling.”

She tugged her gaze away from the TV. “I know I said this before, but it bears repeating. Thank you, Daniel. You've given me back my life.”

“Right back at you, babe. I am totally in your debt.”

She gave him a little impish grin and said, “In that case, begin to pay it down and tell me where you're taking me on our honeymoon.”

“Not a chance.” He leaned down and nipped her bottom lip. “You said to surprise you. It's going to be a surprise.”

“But I'm worried about what to pack.”

“Now, that's just silly since I intend to keep you naked all the time.” She rolled her eyes and he rolled her backward. They ended up on the floor—laughing and happy and naked—with all thought of Russell Wilbarger banished from their minds. So it was later, much later, after they'd showered together and dressed to go out to dinner at Ali Timberlake's Yellow Kitchen restaurant that the presence of the news truck parked down the street caught them unawares. Before he knew what was happening, a swarm of reporters surrounded them, cameras whirring and clicking.

“Detective Garrett! Detective Garrett! Tell us what put you on the trail of Russell Wilbarger. Detective Garrett, you specialize in finding children. Is Russell Wilbarger a suspect in a missing-child case? Is he a pedophile? Detective Garrett! Did you interview Senator Wilbarger?”

Oh, holy hell.
Daniel shot Shannon a sidelong glance, concerned about her reaction. She didn't appear pleased, but neither did she look frightened. He gave her hand a squeeze, then addressed the reporters' questions, managing to say little more than “no comment” with skill born of experience. Finally, though, he decided he'd fed them enough. “That's it. I have no further comment. You all have a nice day.”

He placed his hand at the small of Shannon's back and guided her up the street away from Heartsong Cottage. Shannon said, “That was a skillful bit of deflection. You are good at that.”

“Practice, I'm afraid. That's another thing I won't miss going forward.”

“You're excited about consulting.”

“Yes, I am. I'm excited about life, and it's all because of you.” He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed it. They shared a warm smile until a stranger's voice interrupted the moment.

“Detective Garrett, may I have a moment of your time?”

He sighed and tore his gaze away from Shannon. The pretty blond woman looked vaguely familiar. “I have no further comment.”

Ignoring the statement, she quickly said, “I'm Amanda Carstairs with WBPA in Boston. I covered your son's kidnapping and murder a decade ago, and some of the missing-children cases you've worked since then.”

Daniel remembered this reporter. “You've been very helpful in the past, Amanda. I appreciate it.”

“I attempted to contact you last fall about a documentary I've done about lost children who've come home. I wasn't able to reach you.”

Last fall. Probably when he'd been hidden away here with Linda and Benny.

“The program is finished and set to air on Christmas Day, but I need to replace one of the segments. One of the teenagers we featured attempted suicide last week.”

“Oh, no,” Shannon murmured as Daniel grimaced.

The reporter continued. “It's heartbreaking for her family, and they've asked me to pull her segment. I had already contacted Mrs. Romano about adding Holly's story when news about Russell Wilbarger broke. We're taping with Holly tomorrow morning.”

“Hope and Holly's father agreed to this?” Daniel was surprised. Hope had always been careful about the media exposure her family allowed—something Daniel advised as a primary safety measure.

“Yes. Mrs. Romano has very strict—and smart—requirements, but I showed her a clip from the show. It is heartwarming and hopeful. I'm very proud of it. Holly is excited to be part of it, but her story won't be complete without your input. Please say you'll do it?”

Daniel glanced at Shannon. She encouraged him with a nod.

“Okay.”

Amanda Carstairs broke into a happy smile. “Wonderful. Thank you so much. I'll make the process as painless for you as possible, I promise. We are filming at Angel's Rest. If you'll be there tomorrow morning at ten, that will fabulous.”

They shook hands, then the reporter strode away, whistling. Her cheeks rosy from the air's winter chill and her doe eyes warm with affection, Shannon said, “How fun. I always dreamed of being married to a TV star.”

“I promised to make your dreams come true, didn't I?”

“You did. You have. I love you, Daniel.”

He kissed her once, hard. “I love you, too.”

She insisted on going with him to the taping the following day, and delighted him by getting a little teary-eyed when Holly gushed about her role as a flower girl at their wedding.

“I'm so happy for Daniel and Ms. Shannon and their baby,” Holly told Amanda. Then realizing what she'd said, her eyes widened and she clapped her hands over her mouth. “Oh, no. I'm not supposed to tell. It's a secret!”

Daniel immediately whipped his head around to meet Shannon's gaze. He held up his hands. “Hey, I didn't spill.”

“I didn't, either.”

“So it's true?” Hope asked, excitement lighting her eyes despite the wince of embarrassment etched across her face. “We didn't know, honestly. One of the Cicero children told Holly he overheard his parents talking about it, but we didn't want to be nosy and ask.”

Her eyes dancing, the reporter asked, “Do we need to edit that out, Detective?”

Daniel spoke to Shannon. “Honey?”

“Are you positively certain they'll be thrilled?”

“I am.”

“In that case…” She shrugged. “Leave it in. Everyone can count, and doing it this way lets everyone know at once. Your family will all be here Christmas Day. If we watch the program together and let that be our big reveal, it could be fun.”

He considered the idea, nodded slowly. “Yeah.”

“So I'm not in trouble?” Holly piped up.

“Not one little bit, Little Bit,” Daniel leaned down and pressed a kiss against her forehead.

The TV people used that moment for the closing shot for the interview. The producers called it the most heartwarming moment in television since Lassie saved Timmy.

From Daniel's perspective, watching his mother melt into a mushy, teary puddle of joy as comprehension bloomed would top it by a mile.

 

Chapter Sixteen

Shannon awoke on her wedding day with a song in her heart.

For a few moments, she reflected on the miracle of the day. After Ted's death, she'd wondered if she'd ever find another love. Once Russell began his nasty little tricks, she hadn't dared to even dream about getting married. She never would have guessed she'd find her hero in a little mountain town halfway to nowhere.

But found him, she had. Now at five o'clock this evening, she'd have that church wedding complete with an ivory satin gown trimmed in antique lace, three bridesmaids, a sweetheart of a flower girl, and a reception at the community center where it all began.

Could she be any more blessed?

Now she just had to brave the chill of the winter morning and make coffee for herself since Daniel wasn't here to bring it to her in bed. How quickly she'd grown accustomed to that little perk, not to mention sharing a mattress with the blast furnace of a man who kept her toasty warm on these cold winter nights.

She stretched and yawned and wished she'd taken the time to set up the coffeemaker last night before she'd gone to bed. But she'd been floating on a cloud of happiness after the rehearsal. She'd been too lazy to do it.

On the bedside table, her phone vibrated. She identified the number and smiled. “Happy wedding day.”

“Are you all right?” Daniel snapped.

The worry in his voice cued her that this was not an idle question. “I'm fine. Why? What's the matter?”

When he didn't immediately reply, she sat up. “Daniel? What's wrong, honey?”

“Nothing. I guess. I just … I woke up with a bad feeling. You sure everything is fine?”

“Yes, Daniel. I just woke up myself. I'm still in bed. Even Soupy is sleeping in. She's all cuddled up in her bed.”

“Maybe I should come over and check on things.”

“Don't be silly. I'm fine. Everything is fine. It's our wedding day!” What was the matter with the man? He seemed just fine yesterday. Could men get bridal jitters? Groomal nerves? She wanted to giggle at the silly, nonexistent word that had popped into her brain. Instead, she put a pout in her voice as she asked, “Aren't you excited? I am.”

“This is a stupid tradition. I should be there with you.”

“No, you shouldn't. It's a fine tradition, and frankly, I don't have time for you today. My day is packed from beginning to end.”

“What's first on the agenda?”

Shannon rolled her eyes. “Why do you want to know? If I tell you are you going to ‘coincidentally' show up?”

His long pause answered the question for her. “Daniel, you're just nervous about the ceremony. You told me last night you had lost-ring anxiety.”

“Yes, but—”

“I'm fine. You need to find something to do to keep yourself busy. Take your brothers to Refresh and play with some of Cam's toys. I heard he has some new crossbows that have the hunters in town all agog.”

“Agog?” Daniel muttered. “That's a ridiculous word.”

Shannon decided not to argue any more, but to let him work his way around to her way of thinking. He repeated, “Where are you going to be today?”

“If I tell you will you promise not to show up?”

“Yes.”

“Or send one of your brothers around to check on me?”

“I don't think there's any tradition about brothers, but no, I won't send them to check on you.” He waited a beat, then added, “I was thinking of one of the Callahans.”

Shannon rolled her eyes, then recited her schedule. “If you feel better having Brick Callahan standing around watching me get a pedicure then by all means, send him on over to the Angel's Rest spa. At least he's pretty to look at.”

“That's a helluva thing to say to your groom on your wedding day,” he grumbled.

“I love you, Daniel.”

“I love you, too, Shannon.”

“Today is going to be wonderful. Don't fret. Get your brothers and go play with Cam's toys. Just don't play too hard. You need to save some energy for tonight. Wait until you see my nightgown. It's soft and silky and clings like a second skin. And, it's your favorite color.”

“I don't have a favorite color.”

“You will after tonight.”

With that, she managed to get a groan out of him, and then a laugh—the perfect way to end the call.

Laughing herself, she threw back the covers and climbed out of bed. She slipped her feet into her house shoes, pulled on her robe, and hurried to the kitchen. The new coffeemaker they'd received as a wedding gift ground the beans in addition to brewing the coffee, and the aroma was to die for. She closed her eyes, inhaled the delicious scent, and dreamed about the day to come. Mrs. Garrett. Shannon Garrett.