Rick shook his head. “Nothing.” Damn his big mouth. “It’s just that staying in Yorkshire Falls is another possible solution to Hannah’s problem.”
“Oh, no.” She shook her head. “No. New York City was my last permanent gig for a while.” She glanced away as she spoke, unable to meet his gaze.
Because she was fighting her urge to stay? He hoped so. Because sometime during the night, despite his good intentions, he’d fallen hard for Kendall Sutton. Oh, hell. He’d fallen from the minute he’d seen her in her wedding dress on the side of the road.
With her sister’s arrival, Rick was given the chance to convince Kendall that Yorkshire Falls was her home and the small town provided the perfect place to put Hannah in school and settle down.
In his dreams.
Well, he’d damn well better begin rebuilding those walls if he wanted to walk away with his heart intact.
Kendall thought teenagers were supposed to chatter nonstop. But the silence in the car was deafening. As soon as Hannah had walked off the bus and sidestepped her attempted hug, Kendall knew she was in trouble. When Hannah had looked past Kendall to Rick’s uniformed presence, Kendall realized she’d made a huge mistake bringing him along for this first meeting.
“What’s with the cop?” her sister had asked, complete and utter disdain in her voice.
“He’s not a cop, he’s my . . .” Kendall’s voice had trailed off. Rick was a cop, just not here because of anything Hannah had done. And Kendall had no idea how to categorize her relationship with Rick to herself let alone to her fourteen-year-old sister. She settled on what she thought was a benign term. “Boyfriend.”
“Oh, gross.”
“Speaking of gross, just what did you do to your hair?”
Hannah grabbed one of the purple kinked strands. “Cool, huh?”
Biting her tongue hadn’t been easy but Kendall managed. She couldn’t afford to alienate her sister even more. Now they all drove back to Yorkshire Falls in silence except Hannah’s incessant cracking of her gum.
“So what’s there to do in this town?”
Kendall turned toward Hannah and faced Rick while he drove. “Rick? You’d know more than me.”
He glanced over, one hand on the wheel. “The kids like Norman’s and there’s an old movie theater, and there’s the town pool during the day.”
Hannah rolled her eyes. “See what happens when you ask a cop for hangout places? I might as well stay home.”
“Thank you would be more appropriate than complaining,” Kendall said. “Actually I was hoping I could teach you some beading or if that doesn’t interest you, I thought we could do some sketching together.”
Hannah merely glanced at her warily, as if she didn’t trust Kendall’s word that she wanted to do anything with her.
Well, Kendall would just have to convince her. “I’ve seen your artwork and I know you’ve got talent.”
“Whatever.”
Hannah’s words sounded indifferent but her gaze clung to Kendall, giving Kendall hope that all her sister needed was time and patience before she came around.
“As soon as you make some friends you’ll be fine,” Rick assured Hannah. “I’d be happy to introduce you to some kids your age.”
Kendall shot him a grateful glance.
“As long as they aren’t geeks,” Hannah said and sat back in her seat, arms folded over her extremely cropped top. After commenting on her sister’s hair, Kendall clamped her mouth shut on the subject of her clothes. But there was no doubt her sister looked like a Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera wanna-be.
Rick pulled up to the house and parked. “This is it.” Hannah sat up and grabbed the headrest of Kendall’s seat so she could get a better look out the front window. “Aunt Crystal lived here?”
“Before she had to move to a nursing home.”
“It’s huge.”
Her sister’s eyes opened wide, giving Kendall a glimpse of the young girl she remembered, not the angry teen she’d retrieved from the bus depot. “We’re in the guest house in the back.” Kendall hoped the news wouldn’t burst her sister’s spontaneous excitement.
“A guest house? Cool!” She jerked open the back car door but turned before climbing out. “Who’s in the main house?”
Before Kendall could answer, Pearl and Eldin came down the driveway to greet them, Pearl in all her house-coat glory and Eldin in his splattered painter’s overalls and cap.
“You’ve got to be kidding me?” Hannah rose out of the car and stared just as Pearl began a quicker walk down the drive.
“Oh, Eldin, look,” Pearl said, pointing to Hannah. “Crystal’s other niece.”
She grabbed Hannah in a huge hug, then pulled her back for a good look. Kendall glanced at Rick and winced while Rick just shook his head and groaned.
“I hope Hannah watches her mouth,” Kendall muttered.
“Don’t get your hopes up, sweetheart.” He yanked the keys out of the ignition. “I’m not sure which one of them needs rescuing but we’d better get out there.”
Kendall nodded but grabbed his sleeve first. “Rick?” He turned.
Just his smile lent her a shoulder she hadn’t realized she needed, which made her next words that much harder. “I know you didn’t sign on for this so if you want to bail now I wouldn’t blame you.”
“We have a bargain, don’t we? I’m not one to dishonor an agreement, so you’re stuck with me.”
Her stomach cramped at his words. When had she reverted to a mere bargain in his eyes? After last night, she’d thought much more existed between them.
But you pushed him away, didn’t you?
a voice in her head asked. Recalling her reaction to his idea of her staying in town, she realized he had every reason to keep his distance now and to protect himself. From her. She didn’t blame him any more than she liked his sudden shift in attitude.
But whatever his reasons, he was here with her now and had promised to stay. She wouldn’t ask for anything else when she wouldn’t give anything more in return.
She forced a grin. “Okay, well, you had your chance. I won’t offer you an out again.” Reaching for his hand, she held on tight, needing him more than she cared to admit.
“No problem.” His gaze met hers and lingered.
Seizing the opportunity, she leaned over and captured his mouth in a kiss. Meant to reassure who, she wondered. Herself? Or him? Before she could figure out the answer, Hannah screamed.
Breaking apart, Kendall and Rick exited the car and came around to where Hannah and Pearl stood.
“What’s wrong?” Kendall asked.
“Other than the fact that she smells like mothballs and she hugged me?”
“Hannah!” Kendall yelled, mortified.
“It’s not mothballs, it’s violet sachet,” Pearl said, unaffected. “And I told her I’m so glad she’s here. She’s skinny and obviously hasn’t been eating well at school. I have a plate of brownies cooling now.”
Interest flickered in Hannah’s eyes and Kendall saw her fighting not to show her desire for the food and warmth Pearl offered.
Pearl leaned closer to Kendall and in her stage whisper spoke in Kendall’s ear. “You really should get her a bra. She’s young and they’re perky but she really ought to wear a brassiere.”
Hannah started to speak and Rick put a warning hand over her mouth. “Not now.”
Pearl turned to Hannah just as Rick released her. “I’ll go get those brownies and bring them over, okay?” Without waiting for an answer, she took off for the house.
“I’m Eldin,” the older man said, sticking out his hand toward Hannah. “And Pearl means well.”
Hannah stared until Rick gently nudged her arm with his elbow. Taking the hint, Hannah shook his hand quickly, then dropped it again. She was probably afraid he’d grab her into a bear hug like Pearl had done. Instead Eldin shook once and dropped Hannah’s hand. Satisfied, he nodded and started back up the driveway, more slowly than his significant other, probably because of his bad back.
Warmth filled Kendall as she’d watched Rick not just taking charge with Hannah, but handling her well. Kendall was merely in a state of complete shock. One she’d have to get over and quickly.
“Bye, Eldin,” Hannah called toward the older man, surprising Kendall.
Maybe she’d be okay here after all, Kendall thought. Then Hannah turned back to face her sister. “No way am I living in this hick town with your cop boyfriend and two old people. And the old lady stares at my chest.” She folded her arms tight. “That’s sick.” She narrowed her gaze, then stormed off in the direction of the guest house.
Kendall looked at Rick and sighed. “She’s a joy.”
He laughed. “She’s a teenager. I’ve seen worse.” “God help me.” Kendall rolled her eyes heavenward. “Her hair’s fluorescent purple.”
He grinned. “Yours was pink.”
“Would you stop mentioning all the similarities?” The truth was enough to drive Kendall mad.
He glanced at his watch. “Much as I hate to leave you on your own, I have to get to work.”
“You’re probably relieved.”
“Kendall, Kendall.” His gaze met hers. She saw the conflict in his eyes as he fought the attraction for a second before, with a groan, he reached out and cupped his hand around the back of her neck, bringing her within kissing distance. “What am I going to do with you?”
His breath was warm and a hint of spearmint teased her senses, making her wish he’d kiss her already. “I don’t know. What did you have in mind?”
“Convincing you I’m a good guy would be a start. Making you believe in sticking around would be an even better ending,” he admitted with obvious reluctance.
Before she could respond, he sealed his lips over hers, initiating a kiss. He tasted more delicious than she’d imagined as his tongue swirled inside her mouth.
“Mmm.” The moan came out without permission but she wouldn’t call it back even if she could because his body shook in reaction and he pulled her closer.
“Oh, gag me.”
Kendall jumped back to see Hannah, her expression set in a grimace, glaring at her and Rick.
“Pardon me for interrupting but the house is locked. Just how did you expect me to get in?” she asked.
Kendall raised an eyebrow Rick’s way. Apparently the honeymoon was over and reality had set in—in all its teenage glory.
Kendall changed into her favorite sleepwear, a matching tank and shorts set, yawned, and crawled into her bed. She’d barely been living with a teenager for a few hours and exhaustion had already set in. Hannah hadn’t come out of the room she’d appropriated as her own, not even for dinner, and Kendall figured she had only herself to blame. She’d not only made the guest room livable, she’d made certain to stop in town today for another air-conditioning unit for her sister. She couldn’t even count on the heat to drive Hannah into civilized company. But even a teenager couldn’t stay in her room forever. Tomorrow Kendall would force her sister to sit down and talk.
Kendall’s eyes drifted shut. Since coming to Yorkshire Falls, she’d gotten into a routine of sorts. She’d turn the air on early and close her door until the room chilled like the Arctic, then she’d shut the unit at bedtime and the refrigeration would last until about midnight when she’d begin the routine again. In silence now, she listened to the sound of quiet, so different from the New York City hustle and bustle she’d heard for the last couple of years. The birds chirping and the peace had grown on her. She’d actually begun to take comfort from expected sounds of . . . nothing. So when the unusual noise of a car motor broke the stillness of the night, sounding close as if in her own backyard, Kendall bolted upright in bed.
She had the distinct sense something was wrong and an even stronger hunch what that something was. Running to the window, she yanked up the old shade in time to see her red car pulling out of the driveway onto the street.
“Dammit, Hannah.” Fear streaked through Kendall and without thinking twice, she grabbed for the phone. Kendall had never been great at memorization and she still hadn’t committed Rick’s various phone numbers to memory so she dialed 911 and was connected to the Yorkshire Falls Police Department. “Officer Rick Chandler, please. It’s an emergency.”
She tapped her fingers against the nightstand while she waited.
“Officer Chandler speaking.”
Rick’s voice instilled some form of comfort. “Rick, it’s Kendall. Hannah took my car. She’s only fourteen. I don’t know if she can drive and I don’t want her in an accident or causing an accident and I don’t know where she’d go. I mean she doesn’t know anyplace or anyone in this town.” Kendall ran a frustrated hand through her hair. “
I
don’t know anyone or anyplace in this town. Well, I know more people than Hannah knows but—”
“Kendall, stop!” Rick’s stern voice halted her rambling.
“Sorry.” She blinked and was startled to realize a tear dripped down her cheek. “I’m sorry. She locked herself in her room for the night. I figured she’d stay there. I never thought to lock up the car keys. I mean she’s fourteen.”
“I’ll take care of it, okay?”
She sniffed and nodded, realizing he’d hung up before she could answer him anyway. Which was fine. She needed him out looking for Hannah, not consoling her. And when he returned her sister home safe, Kendall would absolutely throttle her.
Then first thing tomorrow, she’d head to the bookstore or library for a How-To book on raising teenage hellions.
R
ick had just signed off duty when Kendall’s 911 call came in. Though he’d decided to wall off his emotions where Kendall was concerned, he’d never planned to maintain a physical distance. He enjoyed and cared for her too much.
He drove around town, not in his police cruiser but in his civilian car, looking for Kendall’s familiar red Jetta. Though he didn’t know Hannah well, he recognized an angry kid when he saw one and in the course of DARE, Rick had seen plenty. No way would he let Hannah and Kendall drift so far apart it was too late to mend the rift.
At a loss for any specific area to find Hannah, he started along First Avenue and when he came up empty there, he extended his search to the streets nearer to Edgemont, where Hannah had begun. The elementary school was located a block and a half from Crystal’s, now Kendall’s house, and he wasn’t surprised when he pulled into the parking lot and saw the lone red car parked diagonally between two spots.