“I agree. But he didn't set the fire.”
“Who says?”
“I do. I saw him today. He's a hell of a sight bigger than the guy I wrangled with the night of the fire. Hell, he's damn near my size. But now Quincy . . . I saw him for only a moment today, and physically, he could fit the bill.”
“You can't be sure of that. It was pitch-black outside, and other than a twenty-second match, you never touched him.”
That reminder had Joe grinding his teeth. It wasn't often that someone got away from him. But then, it wasn't often that he had to worry about children too near the action. “I yanked him around like a rag doll. He had no power behind his punch, and he screamed like a girl. Believe me, he's a wimp, but the guy leaving a note on my truck wasn't.”
“Fuck.” Scott huffed for a few seconds, very put out, then finally groused, “You know, for a guy who doesn't believe in coincidences, you're sinking your teeth into this one. Just what do you think the odds are that you've got two blond thugs after your ass?”
“I have a gut feeling on this one, Scott.”
“Jesus, Joe, you used to be a cop. You know I can't work on your instincts. I need more than that.”
“I'll get you more, but in the meantime look around for that brown sedan, okay? I'd really like a chance to question that guy up close and personal.”
“You and me both, and since I'm the law, I get to go first. Understand?”
“I know how it works, Scott. I was an officer once myself, remember?” Joe flexed his knuckles on the steering wheel and smiled. “If he puts up his hands and turns himself in nice and pretty like, then I'll have no reason to beat him into the ground.”
Since a passive surrender was about as unlikely as Joe just handing him over, Scott gave up. “Anything else?”
“Yeah. Do you happen to know who Chloe used to work for before she bought the lake property?”
“That's before I transferred here, but odds are it was either the factory or the mall, since those two places do the most hiring.”
And they were both run by Quincy Owen.
“I can ask around. Dare I ask why?”
Scott sounded so wary, Joe laughed. “Let me know if you find out anything and I'll explain then.” And before Scott could protest that, Joe added, “I need to get home to Luna and Willow. I don't like leaving them alone there. I have a feeling when this rain hits, the roof is going to leak.”
“You know, Joe, it really seems like you're into the whole home and hearth thing. You planning to stay with us awhile?”
“Damn right.” Then he thought to add, “But Luna doesn't know it yet, so don't say anything to her.”
“Gonna surprise her, huh?”
“I thought I'd ease her into the idea.” And once he got entrenched in her and the kids' lives, hopefully she'd start to understand that he was around to stay. He'd prove to her that her heart was safe with him, and then she'd stop saying no, once and for all.
Chapter Sixteen
T
he steady drizzle started just as Joe pulled up in front of the house, and judging by the thunder, it'd turn into a full-fledged downpour at any second. He saw a curtain drop on the front window and knew Luna had been watching for him. It was a unique thing, to have someone waiting for him, but damned if he didn't like it.
She opened the door and stepped out onto the porch, her arms folded against the chilling breeze. Joe scooped Austin's small, compact body into his arms. He didn't awaken, despite the rain sprinkling his face. Joe lightly rubbed his chin against the mop of fair hair. Austin smelled little-boy sweet and looked too peaceful to be the same wild hellion of that afternoon.
Luna held the door open as he dashed across the yard and up the porch steps. “Is he okay?”
“Just ran out of gas.” Joe noticed the bright streaks of scarlet in Luna's hair and paused to press a warm kiss to her mouth as he passed her. “Hello,” he murmured against her soft lips. “I missed you.”
Bemused, Luna touched her mouth and stood there mute.
Joe liked taking her off guard. “Should we wake him, do you think?”
She glanced at a tall clock in the hallway. “Maybe. If he naps much later, he won't go to bed at all tonight.”
“Right.” Joe headed into the family room with Austin tucked close to his chest. He placed him on the couch and gently shook him awake. It was only five o'clock, but already the sky was as dark as midnight. Just as Austin got his eyes open, the storm started in earnest.
He bolted upright in alarm.
“Hey, it's just a little rain,” Joe told him, taking a moment to sit beside him and rub his back. “You hungry after all that candy you ate? I'm going to run out to the truck now to get the pizza.”
Austin yawned and stretched, then turned and gave Joe a brief hug.
He'd never get used to it, Joe thought. It was almost too damn nice. He smoothed Austin's hair, touched by the boy's easy affection, then looked up in time to see Luna standing in the doorway with a misty smile on her face.
If only things could be as simple with her as they were with Austin.
She came into the room and tugged Austin to his feet. “Hey, sleepyhead. Why don't you go clean your face and hands, then head to the kitchen, okay? Ask Willow if she's ready to eat, too.”
Still dragging a little, Austin started out of the room. He turned back to Joe. “Where's my spy glasses?”
“Right here.” Joe slipped the strap from around his neck and handed the glasses to Austin. He clutched them in a fist, then ran off to clean up.
Joe headed to the front door, followed by Luna. The rain now came down in impenetrable sheets. “I hope like hell my sister gets off the road. I'd hate to think of her in this mess.”
“She should be here pretty soon. Don't worry.” Thunder shook the floor beneath them. “Maybe we should wait a few minutes, to see if the rain lets up. You'll get soaked to the skin if you go out there now.”
“It doesn't look like it's going to blow over any time soon.” Joe glanced out at the stinging rain and wanted to curse. The house needed a garage that opened to the interior. Maybe that was an addition to think about, after they got the lake opened. “Besides, I won't melt.”
Luna said, “Oh, I don't know. Willow told me that you stopped at the store for her.” Wearing a teasing grin, she caught his arm and turned him around. “You're awfully sweet.”
Joe was about to protest that silly description when Luna went on tiptoes to lick his bottom lip. “Mmmm,” she purred. “Very sweet.”
The suggestive lick sent a wave of heat through Joe. “Tease.” He caught the nape of her neck and held her still for a real kiss, and this time when he felt her tongue, he drew it into his mouth. Luna made a small sound of pleasure and pressed up against him.
She'd changed into a pair of leopard-print leggings and a long black tee. He allowed himself one quick, casual grope of her sexy behind. The thin material was no barrier to her supple flesh. With a groan, Joe released her before he got carried away.
Luna stared up at him, her eyes warm and mellow, her cheeks flushed. She was barefoot, and her toenails had been painted to match the new color in her hair. They curled against the floor, proving she wasn't unaffected by the kiss either.
“If I don't go now,” Joe growled, “I'll evaporate when I step into the rain.”
She stroked his chest. “Feeling warm?”
“Scalded.” He kissed her forehead and dashed outside.
When he came back in this time, his shirt stuck to his back and his jeans clung to his thighs. He'd shielded the pizzas with his body as much as possible, but the boxes were still damp. He handed them to Luna so he could kick off his shoes and peel off his shirt. He caught her boldly admiring his chest.
Using the edge of his fist, he tipped up her chin. “Keep looking at me like that, and I'm going to sneak into your room tonight for sure.”
A heartbeat passed; then she said, “Promise?”
Damn. She sounded serious, as if she wouldn't object to that at all. “I would love sleeping with you, babe.” He stepped closer, his voice going husky and warm with just the thought. “I'd love feeling you next to me all night long.”
In nervousness, she licked her lips and stared at his chin. “Would you love waking with me in the morning?”
“Yes.”
Her gaze lifted; they stared at each other. “You'd get quickly bored, Joe.”
“Not a chance.” He smiled into her beautiful golden eyes, wanting her to know he meant it. Wanting her to trust him. “Not with you.”
Luna looked undecided, anxious, then ventured carefully, “Maybe we should talk about this.”
“Yeah?”
She nodded. “About . . . us.”
Joe was more than ready to convince her when Austin yelled from the kitchen, “Hey, I can see the fishes in the lake with my glasses. Come and look, Joe.”
He needed privacy to tell Luna how he really felt. Hell, he'd never told a woman that he loved her and he damn well wanted to do it right.
“Tonight,” he told her, and she nodded.
Joe hauled up the packages in one hand, slung his other arm around Luna, and went into the kitchen with the kids. Luna set the pizza boxes on the counter and got out plates and glasses.
Willow was at the table, her chin propped on a fist while she stared into space. She looked very morose, making Joe frown. Was she feeling that bad? He didn't know much about the whole monthly thing, other than that it could be damn inconvenient. But he knew he didn't want Willow to feel bad in any way.
“Here you go, hon.” He handed Willow her package still in the pharmacy bag.
She blushed. “Thanks, Joe.”
He flicked the end of her nose. “Anytime.” Then, more seriously, “I mean it, Willow. You can come to me with anything, okay?” He gestured, feeling a little awkward. “Even with stuff like this.”
She bit her lip, nodded. The storm seemed to have dampened everyone's mood, except Austin's. Luna frowned to herself as she set out plates, and Willow fidgeted nervously. Only Austin remained animated as he watched the storm through the kitchen windows.
“Joe?” Willow straightened in her chair. “There is something I wanted to tell you.”
Joe had been about to go change into dry clothes, but now he stalled. “All right.” Willow looked so worried, he forgot that his clothes were dripping all over the floor.
“I saw Clay today. He was at the school, in the yard, and I talked with him.”
Joe's shoulders knotted in dread. “Did he say something to upset you?”
“No, he apologized, and he was real nice.” She glanced at Austin, but he was busy dragging a chair to the window so he could better see outside. He wasn't paying their conversation much attention. “The thing is, he had some scratches.”
Luna turned from the counter, a pizza cutter held in her hand. “Scratches?”
Willow came out of her chair and walked to Joe. Very lightly, she touched the top of his shoulder and neck. “Like these.” She swallowed hard. “Not quite as thick as your scratches were, and maybe not as healed up. But . . . Well, I don't know.” She looked from Joe to Luna, her eyes dark and sad and resigned. “Do you think it could have been Clay who set that fire?”
She appeared devastated by that possibility. Joe cupped her shoulder and shook his head. “No, honey. It wasn't Clay.”
She desperately wanted to believe him, Joe could tell. “But how do you know? His scratches looked an awful lot like yours.”
“For one thing, the guy who set the fire had blond hair, remember? Clay's hair is brown. Also, I found footprints down by the lake after the paint job on the shed. They were smooth-bottomed shoes. Doesn't Clay wear athletic shoes?”
Looking hopeful, she nodded. “That's all I've ever seen him wear.”
“How did he say he got the scratches?”
“He said his stepfather brought home a kitten. I just . . . I didn't know if I should believe him. Quincy Owen doesn't seem like the type of man who'd want a pet. Especially not a sweet little kitten.”
Joe's eyes narrowed. “No, he doesn't, does he?”
A flash of lightning illuminated the dark sky in a burst of light, followed instantly by a rippling crack of thunder that made the house tremble. The storm had to be right overhead.
Startled, Austin flailed away from the window with a shout, almost falling before Luna caught him.
“He's here!” Austin yelled, pointing and struggling away from Luna. “He's here!”
Joe strode to the window. “Who's here?”
“The man who did it.” Austin chattered and danced around in nervous excitement. “I seen him. Outside! When the lightning flashed, I could see him with my glasses. He's down by the lake.”
Austin dashed to the window again, but Joe snatched him back. “All of you stay away from the windows and doors. Luna, lock up behind me.”
Willow jerked around to face Joe. “What are you going to do?”
Luna surprised him by saying with firm conviction, “He's going to go get him, of course.”
Joe stared at Luna, saw the guarded way she held herself, and said, “That's exactly what I'm going to do.” He headed for the front door.
“Willow, Austin, do as Joe says and get away from the windows.” Luna rushed after him. He was just about to open the door when Luna said, “Joe, I changed my mind.”
Joe froze. What the hell did she mean, she'd changed her mind? If she thought to send him home, if that was the reason she wanted to talk to him tonight, she could damn well think again. “Too late for that, babe.” He pulled the front door open. Rain blew across the porch and into the house.
Luna reached out to him. “Joe?”
His temper snapped. “Damn it, Luna, I don't want him to get away this time.”
“Neither do I,” she shouted back. Then she looked over her shoulder at Willow. “Call Deputy Royal.”
Willow rushed to obey. Austin stood there, eyes wide and confused. Luna stared up at Joe, then drew a deep breath. “I lied, to myself and you. I brought you here because I wanted to be with you.”
Joe stared at her, stunned. “Jesus, you know how to take a man off guard.”
“I'm sorry.” She swallowed hard, her breath fast and low. “I don't mean to insult your abilities. God knows you're more than capable of holding your own.”
“That's right. I am.”
She patted his bare chest. “Go and get him. Hit him once for me. Just . . . be careful doing it. That's all I'm asking. Much as you like to think otherwise, you're not invincible.”
Austin raised a fist. “Hit him once for me, too!”
Joe nodded, said, “Stay inside,” and then with no more time to spare, he ducked out the door and slammed it shut behind him.
Rain stung his bare shoulders as he jogged around the house, keeping to the shadows, thankful now for the heavy sheets of rain that helped to hide him. Sure enough, as he sprinted across the field that led to the lake, he could see a masculine figure bent to the handle on the shed door, attempting to break the lock with a crowbar.
His footsteps muffled by the pounding rain, Joe crept closer and closer until he was a mere two feet away from the intruder. Vibrating with menace, unmindful of the downpour and resounding thunder, he straightened to his full height and stared at the man with blond hair and slick-bottomed shoes.
His voice as mean as he currently felt, Joe rumbled,
“Quincy.”
The man screeched the same way he had the night of the fire. Flapping about in a panic, he slipped on the wet ground and fell hard. The crowbar dropped from his grip.