Second Chances (19 page)

She walked into the back room to get Mark a coffee, and he followed.

"That's frustrating. And there's nothing the police can do?"

Karina shook her head. "Not really. They're still looking for him, but there's not enough evidence to make an official accusation."

Mark squeezed her hand. "You know that if you need my help with anything, all you need to do is ask."

She nodded, the affection she had for Mark filling her chest. What had she done before she met all of these wonderful people? She tamped down a wave of emotion that threatened.

Thankfully, Mark knew enough to change the subject. He glanced around the store.

"You know, this place looks incredible. Unbelievable what you two have done here." He turned around, his arms wide. "Are you happy, Karina?"

She stopped and thought about it. "Yes I am. In everything but Ian."

"That's understandable. Now you have me here to keep an eye out for you, too." He grinned. "Let's go for lunch. Then this afternoon, I'm yours to put to work."

The women weren't going to turn that down. They made the most of the extra pair of hands, crossing several items off their To-Do list. Mark drove her home at the end of the day. When they arrived, Marly was just bringing Chelsea up from the beach.

Mark joined the ranks of the forgotten as Karina headed toward the cherub before her. Chelsea squealed and raced up the beach as fast as the chubby legs would let her. Karina covered the distance much faster and tossed her angel high in the air.

Marly stood off to one side in amazement.

"How about we go get dinner started, huh?" Karina placed Chelsea on her shoulders and marched toward the kitchen.

Chelsea's answer consisted of squeals and giggles.

Once in the kitchen, though, Chelsea was more concerned with trying to catch the sunbeams drifting through the room than helping. So instead, Karina set Chelsea at a sink full of soapy water before she set about cooking.

"Chelsea! Watch the water, sweetheart. Don't put it on the floor!" Brian's voice came from the doorway. Karina waved him off.

"It's only soap and water, Brian. She's happy, so who cares?" Karina grinned.

Chelsea was the centerpiece at dinner, with Mark and Karina on one side of the table, and Marly and Brian on the other. This was Karina's first chance to observe the relationship between Brian and his ex-wife. Unfortunately, it wasn't very enlightening. He seemed to treat Marly the same as he treated Karina—with affectionate friendliness. Marly was still a big part of Brian's life, due in part to Chelsea, and Karina reminded herself that it was good for Brian and Marly to have a decent, grown-up relationship rather than being adversaries. But Karina wanted to be so much more. Uncomfortably, she realized belatedly that Mark was doing the same thing—observing her relationship with Brian. He only offered 'interesting,' as a final goodbye comment.

Thursday morning during a lull in the store, she went into the back to call him to find out what that comment had meant.

Mark's laughter rang through the line. "What are you two waiting for? The uncertainty is destroying you both. Get it out of your systems, and then you might actually become aware of the rest of the world."

"I am not obsessed with him." she said. Her irritation loosened her tongue, and she unintentionally let their plans slip. "After this weekend we'll have it sorted out!"

Masculine laughter reached her ears. "Oh, Karina," he purred, "what exactly are you planning?"

"Nothing and it's none of your business!" Damn her unruly mouth.

Her words did nothing to dispel Mark's amusement. "Brian mentioned something about not being here this weekend. Are you two planning to go away?"

"We're going to his cabin for the weekend."

"Now, that's a smart move. Get away from all the problems. Then you can both relax and have time just for each other." His voice softened. "I'm envious of you both. You have something special. Nurture it, Karina. It can too quickly be lost."

Her own voice quietened in sympathy. "I will, Mark."

"Remember, if it doesn't work out, I'm always here."

"Thanks," She said, his words bringing a small smile to her lips. "I'm just a little unnerved." A frisson of doubt crept into her voice.

"Don't know what to say, except to tell you what I see." Mark said. "The room actually crackles with passion when the two of you are together. That's worth building on."

Three cups of coffee later, she was still thinking about it. Because of course, he was right. She was an idiot. Once again satisfied with her world, Karina went back to work.

Content that is, until that evening's seminar started—and Ian made an appearance.

***

The three musketeers, as Karina had started to think of Susan, Sandra and herself, stood off to one side of the auditorium, waiting for the men to join them at coffee break.

At the end of the evening, they were all going to a new pub around the corner. John, the teacher from the weekend seminar, would be joining them. Karina was excited to see him again and get caught up on how things were in his world.

The feeling of anticipation and excitement vanished, however, when she spotted Mark heading in their direction. His expression angry, tension radiated in almost tangible waves from his body. Karina felt herself going still inside, her head beginning to pound. Mark gestured to the three of them to follow him, and he led them off to a corner, away from the rest of the seminar crowd.

"We think Ian is hanging around."

Susan gasped. "What? How? Where?"

"The hotel staff saw him by the elevators."

Sandra whispered, "Oh, no." A knot of fear clogged Karina's throat.

"The police have been called and the hotel security has been notified."

Sandra and Susan both moved to stand protectively on either side of Karina. Their support was strong and instantaneous, and immediately Karina felt comforted.

"Brian is talking to Officer Markham right now," Mark explained. "This harassment needs to stop. It's the last thing we need here tonight. Not only does he need to leave the two of you the hell enough alone, we don't want future seminar participants staying away because we have a reputation for making people angry."

Brian appeared, slipping his arm around Karina's shoulders. "The police are on their way. Security here has been briefed and are watching all the entrances and exits." He glanced around the crowded room that hummed with conversation. "So far, it seems like nobody else has noticed anything out of the ordinary, which is good." He dropped a kiss on Karina's temple. "It's time to get started again. Keep your eyes open, everyone."

Oddly enough, Karina's headache lessened as the next hour passed without any sign of Ian, and it had disappeared completely by the time they made it to the pub. For the next few hours, beer and laughter flowed freely. Brian and Mark were confident that Ian had been stopped. That was their theory.

Not Karina's.

It didn't feel right. Ian was not out of the picture. In fact, he was probably laughing at them right now.

***

Ian smiled friendly-like at the two policemen approaching. He'd taken a seat in the lounge, a coffee at his side, in full view of the two hotel security men. He'd only caught a glimpse of Brian and Karina tonight before being spotted by both security and staff. It was so predictable of them to call in the police. Predictable and disappointing.

It was a quirk of twisted humor that made Ian sit in the lobby in full view of everyone. He wasn't going to hide. If they wanted him, they could come and get him. What a perfect way to set the police at ease over the whole thing all the while buying himself some extra time to carry on.

"Good evening officers," he said by way of greeting. "It's a nice night out, isn't it?"

The second officer eyed him cautiously.

As if he were a bomb about to go off. Ian laughed inside.

"Mr. Blackburn." The first officer nodded to him. "We have a few questions we'd like to ask you." The one officer narrowed his eyes at him. "Downtown."

Ian raised a brow. "Of course, if that's really necessary. I came here hoping to gain admittance to the lecture tonight. He's a great speaker and has helped me understand much in my life." He lifted his cup and took a sip of the hot brew. He laughed inside again. "Unfortunately, my interruption many weeks ago has made me unpopular." He leaned forward. In as sincere a voice as he could manage, he said, "I really feel bad about that. I certainly don't normally act that way."

He leaned back and sighed theatrically. "I was a little…overwrought…over my wife's decision to leave me."

The two men looked at each other uncertainly.

"Please, understand. I regret my previous behavior. I'd hoped to attend the lecture tonight and learn more myself."

The first officer pulled out his phone and walked a few feet away. The second sat beside Ian with a notebook in hand. "We need to verify your address."

Ian immediately gave him the address of his last place. He'd just moved yesterday but not even his old landlord knew that yet. Then in the most cooperative manner he could manage, explained he had a new cell phone as well and proceeded to rattle off the numbers. These answers were easy to give. He'd had lots of time to come up with reasonable explanations.

Besides, he hadn't done anything wrong. Not really. Not yet.

***

For the second time, Brian pushed open Karina's bedroom door. Her cries had disturbed him as he was locking the front door.

Again she cried, this time more a whimper—a soft sound of pain and fear that tore into his heart. He couldn't leave her like this. He crossed over to her and reached out a gentle hand.

As before, she didn't wake. He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, moving the strands of hair off her face.

"Shh," he whispered. "It's all right, Karina. I'm here."

She murmured, her legs shifting restlessly.

The covers slipped down to rest on her rounded buttocks, Her nightie hung low, her upper back bare and perfect for stroking.

He couldn't resist.

As she slipped deeper into a more peaceful sleep, his comforting strokes turned into a careful sensual exploration. The shadowy dimple just above where the blanket rested had been irresistible, as too was the delicate line of ribs wrapping around her tiny body.

He shuddered with sexual torture.

He had to leave. Before she sensed him and woke, not realizing her peaceful sleep was due to an earthbound guardian angel. One who had to disappear quickly before his temporary halo slipped completely and he hauled the petite cherub into his bed.

This time next week—his bed is where she'd be.

O
ddly enough, Ian didn't prey on Karina's mind the next day. Mostly because she was too busy making herself sick over the coming weekend. Nerves and excitement had hit—hard.

Brian was picking her up early from the store so they could make the five o'clock ferry.

She had packed this morning before coming in to open. Thankfully, being a Friday, business was steady throughout the afternoon, keeping her well-occupied—a blessing as far as Karina was concerned.

Hearing the door yet again, she looked up with a bright smile to welcome the next customer. Instead, her face prickled as the blood seemed to drain out of it at the sight of Brian, only to tingle warmly with embarrassment. Nervousness took over and she didn't know what to say.

Susan looked over at her, her expression curious. "Hi Brian. Is it time to pick Karina up all ready?"

"I'm a little early," he replied easily.

Karina found her voice with effort. "I'm not quite done. I'll be a few minutes yet. Do you want to come back or…"

"I'll wait. I don't have many chances to visit with Susan. So you go ahead and finish off."

He was as good as his word. He headed towards the back of the store where Susan had gone to give them a few moments together.

Karina stared at his receding back in frustration. How could he be so calm and unconcerned? He'd obviously not gone through a day of paralyzing nerves like she had. Damn him anyways.

Her temper simmered as she returned to the unpacking. She tore into the top shipment, ripping off the cardboard and tossing the packing foam on the floor. Calm and cool was he? Fine, she could be the same way. She was done in record time.

"Brian, I'm ready!" She reached for her purse and went into the back to talk to Susan.

"We're leaving now. See you on Monday."

"Have a wonderfully sexy weekend." Susan grinned mischievously.