Love Inspired Suspense July 2015 #1 (59 page)

She glared at him. “I didn't pack anything. I went grocery shopping.”

“What?”

She set the pack on the ground and unzipped it, revealing the items inside. “I had a few things to pick up at the grocery store, and since Darci's bike doesn't have a basket, I figured this would be the easiest way to get them home.”

“You aren't supposed to be going anywhere alone.” His tone was scolding, but a lot of the fire had left his eyes.

“I didn't go alone. Sydney was with me until ten minutes before you pulled up. Then it was Mr. Tucker. And if you'd like to follow me home, that will complete all the babysitting shifts.”

The last of the fire left Hunter's eyes, replaced by meek apology. “I'm sorry, Meagan. I thought—”

“I know what you thought.” He'd seen the life jacket and backpack and jumped to the worst conclusion without bothering to hear her out. And when she'd tried to explain, he hadn't believed her.

“Let me take you home.”

“I'll ride. You can follow me if you'd like.”

Once she arrived at the small white house, she carried the bike up the stairs onto the porch. Hunter was beside her before she could get inside.

“Meagan, I'm sorry. I—”

She held up a hand. “You have my trust, but you won't give me yours in return. Trust is a two-way street, you know.” She pushed her key into the lock with a little more force than necessary. “Now go take your suspicions elsewhere. I'm heading inside.”

She pushed open the door, but he held up a hand, blocking her entry. “Meagan, please wait. Hear me out.”

After heaving an exasperated sigh, she turned to face him, arms crossed.

“I'm sorry I didn't believe you. I was wrong. This is no excuse, but I've been lied to all my life. Being distrustful is second nature.” He stared down at her, his eyes pleading.

Tenderness tried to weave a path through her anger, but she slapped it aside. Hunter knew why she did what she did. But it didn't matter. He wasn't only holding her accountable for her own sins, he was holding her accountable for the sins of his family.

“I'm not your brother. Never will be.”

She pushed her way past him and into the house. After stepping over the threshold, she closed and locked the door, then sank down on the couch, eyes closed.

Maybe she had overreacted. The problem was, she had fallen in love with Hunter Kingston. And she had secretly held out hope that maybe someday he would love her in return.

This morning's conversation had doused that hope completely. There would never be anything more than friendship between her and Hunter. It wasn't just his past—that he had fallen in love, planned his future, then had all his dreams ripped from him in an instant.

No, his problem was much more current. And more specific.

It was her.

Because no matter how she justified what she had done in the past, no matter how much she proved herself in the future, the ugly truth would stand.

She would never be good enough.

TEN

M
eagan moved between two shelf units with quick swishes of the broom. In another fifteen minutes, she would close out the day's business. Darci had left some time ago.

But Meagan wasn't alone. A plainclothes detective had been hanging out in the store all day, the same as when Sally was making attempts on her life. Sally was no longer a threat. But Edmund was. Especially now that she had found the memory card and turned it over to the Napa Police Department.

The bell on the front door sounded, and she leaned the broom against the shelf and hurried to the front. It was Hunter.

“You're early. It's only five-thirty.”

“I know.” He glanced around. There were currently no customers in the store, but the detective was in the back. Hunter lowered his voice. “We didn't part on very good terms yesterday. It was totally my fault, and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have doubted you.”

“No, you shouldn't have. I did what I had to do to survive. But that's not who I am. I'm straightforward. I keep my promises. And I don't lie.”

“I know.” His tone was still soft, his eyes filled with apology. “I was wrong. Forgive me?”

She heaved a sigh. She couldn't stay angry with him for long. Especially when he was looking at her like that, with such sincerity. She had done a lot of thinking, and while she understood where Hunter was coming from, his distrust didn't hurt any less. Neither did the fact that, no matter how much time they spent together, they would never be more than friends. But it wasn't Hunter's fault that she had fallen in love with him. He had done nothing to encourage her.

She gave him a weak smile. “Okay. You're off the hook this time.”

His breath came out in a relieved sigh, which might have been a bit exaggerated. He leaned against the counter, his posture more relaxed than it had been since he entered the store.

“I have some news. We got a call from California. They've found the body.”

Her pulse jumped to double time as hope coursed through her. “So Edmund has been arrested?”

“Not exactly. There's a warrant, but no one seems to know where he is.”

Which meant he'd probably gotten wind of what was going on and was in hiding. Maybe he wasn't even in California. Maybe he was in Florida. In Cedar Key.

“We got some other good news, too. Eduardo Abelli flew in to San Francisco International Airport two days before Charlie was murdered, and flew back out a week later.”

Meagan sagged against the counter in relief. Edmund's alibi. The final piece of the puzzle. “Eduardo took that plane to Maine using Edmund's passport.”

“Yep. And since it appears that Eduardo had never flown to the US before, that's probably the conclusion a jury will come to also.” Hunter frowned, and his eyes filled with worry. “Edmund is especially dangerous now. He's a man with nothing to lose. I wish I didn't have to let you out of my sight.”

“It's not your full-time job to protect me.” The fact that he wanted to sent warmth flooding her chest. But that was what he did. He was a hero, sworn to protect the innocent.

“I would if I could. But besides having a job to do, I've got a couple of things coming up that are going to take me away from Cedar Key. My dentist appointment I could cancel, but if I miss Amber's birthday dinner next week, she'll skewer me.”

Meagan smiled. “Don't get in trouble with your sister. There are plenty of others keeping an eye on me.”

“I'm hoping Edmund will be caught by then, anyway. He can't stay in hiding forever.”

“No, but he could disappear to Italy and just lie low over there for a while.”

“He'd never make it out of the country. He's a wanted man. If he tries to buy an airline ticket, it'll trigger an alert.”

She nodded. That would be something that Edmund would probably know. He would find another way to get out of the States, maybe using Eduardo's passport. It wouldn't be that hard to have it overnighted.

But before he left, he would try to take care of some unfinished business. If he even knew he
had
unfinished business. If neither he nor Lou saw that news report, and no one mentioned who'd provided the memory card, Cedar Key wouldn't even be on his radar.

One way or another, this was soon going to be over. The authorities were closing in. Wherever Edmund was, his days of freedom were numbered.

While she finished her sweeping, then closed out the day's business, Hunter chatted with the detective. At six o'clock, she met them both at the door. Hunter stepped outside ahead of her and waited while she locked up.

“What are you doing this evening?”

“Going home and chilling. The usual.” She didn't have much of a social calendar. The engagements she had usually involved Hunter.

“Good.” He opened the passenger door and helped her into his truck. “I want to take you to dinner. There's a warrant out for Edmund's arrest. They've got evidence that will stick. Sometime soon, he's going to be paying for his crimes. This is cause for celebration.”

She frowned at him. “I think I'll pass. The last time you took me out to dinner to celebrate, I got kidnapped.”

He cringed. “Good point. But we'll keep you out of the ladies' room this time. At least I won't let you go in without me checking every stall, then standing guard outside the door until you come back out.”

She finally accepted his invitation, in spite of how the last time had turned out, and thirty minutes later they were seated at a table in Steamers, salad plates between them.

Hunter gave her a relaxed smile. “So what are you going to do once this is all over?”

“First? Call my mom.”

Several times over the past few months, she had allowed the scenario to play through her mind—making that long-awaited phone call, hearing her mother's voice and telling her she was alive and why she had done what she had. That particular daydream always brought forward memories that were bittersweet. Each time, she relished all that she was feeling—the joy and the loss. Then scolded herself for engaging in impossible fantasies.

“And after that?”

“I really haven't thought beyond that. I never considered the possibility that there could ever come a day when Edmund would no longer be a threat.” She took a long swig of her iced tea. “I guess I would go back to California.” But if a certain Cedar Key police officer wanted to try to convince her otherwise, it wouldn't take much persuasion.

He gave a sharp nod. “I figured as much.”

She sighed and beat back disappointment. There wouldn't be any convincing coming from Hunter. Whatever she felt for him, it wasn't returned. Which was fine. Because there was still the trust issue. And the fact that she would never have his.

She squared her shoulders and spoke with an enthusiasm she didn't feel. “I'll go back to my life as Elaina Thomas, try to pick up where I left off a few months ago. At the time I had to disappear, I was at the start of a pretty promising art career. I had just gotten several of my paintings into a prestigious gallery in New York.”

“You definitely need to pursue that. You've got a lot of talent.”

His compliment filled her with warmth, but before she had a chance to thank him, his phone began to ring. He swiped a finger across the screen and put it to his ear.

“Yeah, I'm with her now.” His eyes widened, and his jaw dropped. “Thanks for letting me know. I'll tell her right away.”

While he pocketed the phone, she leaned forward, body stiff with anticipation. “What?”

“That was Chief Sandlin. He just learned that Edmund's car was found burned up at the bottom of a cliff about fifteen miles northwest of his estate. He apparently lost control and ran off the road.”

“Was he...inside?”

“There was one charred body at the wheel. They recovered a sterling silver necklace, which has been identified as belonging to Edmund.”

“The Maori bird symbol.”

“Yeah. It was damaged, some of the points had warped in the flames, but it was still recognizable.”

The air whooshed out of her lungs, and she leaned back in her chair. Relief swept through her, followed by guilt. She frowned and looked at Hunter.

“I just heard about somebody's death, and all I feel is relief. Does that make me a horrible person?”

Understanding filled his eyes. “In this case, it's totally justifiable.”

A slow smile crept up her cheeks. She couldn't stop it if she tried. A huge burden had just been lifted.

Freedom. It felt surreal. After moving through life with a chain around her throat for the past year and a half, she could hardly believe it was over.

When she looked back at Hunter, he was studying her with warmth in his eyes. “I love to see you smile.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “After all you've been through, you deserve to be happy.”

She laid her fork across her empty salad plate and met his gaze. His eyes were still warm, but there was something else there, an underlying sadness, maybe even longing. She squeezed his hand.

“And what about you? Are you happy?”

“Of course.” He answered a little too quickly. “I have a good family, a job I love, great friends and an awesome church.”

And no special someone to come home to every night. To share the little joys and successes. To hold his hand through the storms.

The same things that were lacking in her own life.

What would it take to win Hunter's love? Did she have the slightest chance? Did anyone?

The waitress arrived with their meals, shattering the seriousness of the moment. After some banter with Hunter and several friendly words for Meagan, she walked away with their empty salad plates. Hunter knew her well, said she attended his church. Of course, he seemed to know everyone.

Meagan peeled back the foil and slathered her baked potato with butter and sour cream. After swallowing her first bite of fish, she sat back in her chair and sighed. “It still seems surreal.” She was half-afraid she would wake up and find out it was all a dream, that there was no disk and no body and no news that cast Edmund's alibi in doubt.

Hunter flashed her a smile. “It's probably going to take a few days to sink in.”

“I'm sure. I almost wish I didn't have to work tomorrow. I think I'd go on a long bicycle ride through every street in Cedar Key. Then I'd get in my boat and motor up the coast with no destination in mind. I'd just savor the experience of being able to go where I want, when I want, without someone having to watch out for my safety.”

Hunter frowned. “Don't let your guard down too much. I'm not going to rest easy until that body is positively identified with dental records.”

Her elation ratcheted down several notches as doubt crept in. But it had to be Edmund. It was his car. And his jewelry. Although Lou often drove the Mercedes, he wouldn't wear Edmund's jewelry.

But Hunter was cautious. And he was concerned for her. That concern was one of the things that had endeared him to her. One of many. So she wouldn't add to his stress by being careless. She had stayed under the protection of law enforcement so many weeks now. What was a few more days?

When they arrived at her house, Hunter walked with her to the door.

“Make sure you lock this.”

“Believe me, I will.” She looked past him into the darkness. “Are the detectives still out there?”

“I'm sure of it.”

She nodded. The thought was comforting, at least until they knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Edmund was dead. She thanked Hunter for dinner, then wrapped her arms around his neck. A friendly hug was in line. But no more kisses. At least if she wanted to keep her sanity.

She watched him walk to his truck, then closed and locked the door. She hadn't invited him in. As always, she had enjoyed his company. But she had a phone call to make. She drew in a deep breath and tried to calm her suddenly racing heart. Trepidation, anticipation and joy all collided within her, and when she pulled her cell phone from her purse, her hand shook.

Her impossible fantasy was about to become a reality.

She dialed a familiar number, the same as she had a dozen times before. Except this time she pressed Send. It rang three times. Then a sweet feminine voice answered.

A wave of emotion washed over her, so powerful it took her breath away. She swallowed hard. “Mom?”

That was her last intelligible word. The maelstrom swirling inside her exploded in a series of sobs, fierce and uncontrollable.

She had her life back. And she had her family back. She would never take anything for granted again.

* * *

Meagan passed through the Tuckers' living room, picking up used paper bowls and a yellow sippy cup. It was almost eight forty-five, so Darci would be arriving at any moment. Meagan had actually expected her fifteen minutes ago.

They had all three arrived at church a half hour early. Upon getting out of the car, Jayden had thrown up. A hand on his forehead confirmed their fears—he was sick. With her parents out of town, and no one to teach her Wednesday-night class on such short notice, Darci was left in a bind.

Meagan was happy to help, and had had Darci drive them to her parents' house before church started. When faced with the two options, which task to volunteer for was a no-brainer. Taking care of one two-year-old had to be easier than teaching a half-dozen middle schoolers.

And it was. She and Jayden had spent a good bit of the evening eating chicken noodle soup and watching the Disney movie
Frozen
. At least
she
had watched it. Jayden's attention had bounced between the TV screen and the wide variety of toys that currently lay scattered about the living room.

After throwing the paper bowls away and setting the empty sippy cup in the sink, she returned to the living room to place a hand on Jayden's forehead. The fever that had confined him to home tonight seemed to be gone. His soup even stayed down.