Gemma didn’t intend to hang around to find out. Turning around, she carefully made her way back along the sidewalk. However, she felt too exposed out on the main road. With her baby due so soon, she was not exactly going to blend in. Ducking down the nearest side road, she flattened herself against the wall, before realizing how idiotic that was. Her baby bump stuck out a mile. Or so it felt.
Taking a deep breath, she turned her back on the main road and kept on walking, sure she was going in the right direction. Having only seen Bear Creek in the dark, she soon doubted her ability to retrace her steps back to Simon’s house. Well, she had wanted to walk and clear her head. But her head was far from clear. In fact, it was filled with images of being cuffed to a bed while she gave birth to her child while Gianni and his new girlfriend watched on and laughed.
“Are you all right?” The voice of a young woman made her stop in her tracks. Gemma looked up, not realizing she’d been staring at the ground as she walked, trying to avoid the ice on the ground while also trying not to be recognized if anyone drove by.
“Am I all right.” She repeated the question, not sure of an answer. “Yes. I’m a little lost.”
“Okay.” The young woman had a big yellow Lab on a leash and looked like a normal everyday mom. Gemma instantly trusted her, she had that kind of look.
“Sorry, I’m new in town,” Gemma explained.
“I’m Dani. I’m a teacher at the local school.” Dani gave Gemma a winning smile, the kind saved for children who have fallen over and scraped their knees.
“Gemma. I’m Gemma.” She returned the smile, forcing it onto her face.
“Hi, Gemma. Can you tell me where you are trying to get to?” Dani asked as the dog pulled forward and sniffed Gemma with great interest.
“Simon’s house,” Gemma said as she stroked the dog’s head.
“Simon. Do you know his last name?” Dani asked.
“No, but he has a cat named Tickles. He was the auctioneer at the museum last night.”
“Ah, Simon Roberts. I know where he lives. I’ll take you there.” Dani hooked her arm into Gemma’s.
“I’m okay, I can walk there on my own if you give me the directions,” Gemma insisted.
“Brimble and I can walk that way. He won’t complain about the exercise.” Dani studied Gemma as they doubled back a little way and then took a narrow road that threaded its way through the houses. “So how long have you known Simon?”
“Since the night of the auction.” Gemma wanted to explain further, but what was she supposed to say?
“And you are staying with him?” Dani asked.
“I am, yes.” Gemma realized that if the sheriff began asking questions then Dani might lead them right to Simon’s door. “But I’m leaving today.”
“I hope you’re not going too far,” Dani said.
“Why?” Gemma snapped back.
“Because you look as if your baby is about to burst out. I’ve had two children and looking at the shape of your belly, I’d say the head is close to dropping.”
“Really?” Gemma asked.
Dani smiled, the smile of a woman who loved children. “Yes. Is this your first?”
“Yes.” Gemma placed her hands over her stomach.
“Is Simon the father?” Dani asked and then blushed. “It’s none of my business, sorry.”
“He’s not. No.” A tear streaked down her cheek. “I wish he was.” She nodded to herself, wishing with all her might that Simon was the person she’d made this miracle child with.
“Are you and Simon...” Dani didn’t finish the question, but Gemma had a good idea what it was.
“Yes, he is.” Gemma jumped as the phone in her pocket beeped. “That’s Simon’s phone.” She plunged her hand in her pocket and pulled out the cell phone, while wiping her tears.
“What’s wrong?” Dani asked.
In answer, Gemma simply held up the phone. It was a text from Simon that read, Don’t come home.
Chapter Ten – Simon
When someone knocked on the door, Simon half expected it to be Gemma, since she didn’t have a key. Something he needed to rectify. This was her home and she should be free to come and go as she pleased.
However as he approached the door, he could not sense her. So when he opened the door, he was not surprised to find it wasn’t Gemma, but he was surprised to find Sheriff Brad on the doorstep.
“Brad, is something wrong?” Simon asked, looking past the sheriff.
“No. Should there be?” Brad asked as he looked over Simon’s shoulder.
“You’re the sheriff and you are standing at my door. That’s not something that’s ever happened before.” Simon’s heart hammered in his chest. Had something happened to Gemma? Had she gone to see Brad and...what?
“I wondered if you could help me with something.” Brad put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a notebook. “Did a diamond and ruby necklace and matching earrings go through the auction?”
Simon shook his head. “No, there was no jewelry in the auction.”
Brad pressed his lips together. “A young woman came into my office this morning and said she donated it to the shelter, but it didn’t seem to go through the auction.”
“A young woman? A local?” Simon asked.
“No, someone from out of town. She said she’d heard of the auction for the shelter and it had...” Brad looked at his notebook once more. “Pulled at her heartstrings.”
“And she just sent the necklace and earrings to where? The shelter?” Simon’s stomach churned. Someone was implying the necklace and earrings never made it to the auction because they had been either intercepted by someone or simply stolen. So this is the game Gianni played. But Brad was talking about a woman. Had Gianni gotten his girlfriend to lie for him now?
“So she said. She even claims to have a postage receipt.” Brad raised a skeptical eyebrow.
“You don’t believe her?” Simon asked.
“Let’s just say she did not strike me as being the kind of person who would do something like this.” Brad wrinkled his nose. “There was something demanding in the way she spoke. Just between you and me.”
“Of course. So what happens now?” Simon asked.
“I told her I’d make some inquiries, but I’ve also asked her to produce some kind of proof the necklace and earrings exist.” He tucked the notepad back into his pocket. “Sorry to have bothered you, Simon. But if you do remember anything, or have any further news, let me know.”
“Will do.” Simon frowned as he watched Brad leave.
“Oh,” Brad turned around. “She mentioned something about a pregnant woman.”
“A pregnant woman? She sent one of those, too?” Simon asked, keeping his voice light.
“No, she said the pregnant woman was a fence for stolen goods.” Brad shrugged. “See you around, Simon.”
“Sheriff.” Simon stood at the front door and waited for Brad to drive away. Even then he didn’t want to text Gemma with the all-clear. If Gianni had already connected Gemma to Simon, then the house wasn’t safe. Simon needed to stop her from coming back here.
Can we go rip his head off now? his wolf snarled.
That will not help any of us, Simon told him firmly.
No, but it sure will make me feel better, his wolf answered.
We have to work smart, he replied. He also needed to ask for help. If Gemma wasn’t safe here, then where could they go?
The museum. Where it all began.
He put his hand in his pocket, he needed to text Gemma and warn her not to come back here until he knew it was safe. Damn it, he’d given her his phone. What to do?
Grabbing his keys, he went outside, trying to keep calm as he walked across to his neighbor’s house. Beth was a mother of two who had lived next door to Simon and Tickles for a few years. When Simon went out of town, she and her daughters would come over and feed Tickles. Tickles loved Beth and the children and would visit their house for a second breakfast, or dinner
. It was as if Tickles had decided to acquire a second home so that she would never be a stray again.
“Hi, Beth,” Simon said brightly as she opened the door.
“Hi, Simon, I was expecting Gus, he’s delivering our Christmas tree today. What can I do for you? Are you going out of town for Christmas?” Beth asked. “It’s no trouble to feed Tickles.”
“No. I’m not sure.” He stumbled over his words. “I wondered if I could ask a different favor.”
“Sure.” Beth stepped back. “Do you want to come in?”
“No, I have to meet someone. I loaned them my phone and now I realize I need to change the arrangements.” He smiled apologetically. “Can I borrow your cell phone, please?”
Beth looked surprised for a moment and then handed over her phone. “Sure.”
“Thank you so much.” He paused, trying to figure out what to say. Quickly, he tapped the screen. Don’t come home.
He sent the text while deciding where he could meet her. This could all be solved if he could prove the necklace and earrings were Gemma’s and that Gianni and his girlfriend were lying maliciously. He tapped the screen and sent the next message.
Can you meet me at the museum?
Yes, came back the reply.
Go there now.
There was a delay before the message came back, OK.
He quickly deleted the messages and handed Beth her cell phone. “Thanks, Beth. I’ll text you if I need you to feed Tickles.”
“Okay, have a good day, Simon.” She waved as he walked calmly across the road to his own house.
Simon went to the kitchen and fed Tickles, stroking the purring cat and assuring her that he would be back soon. Even though Simon didn’t know what the immediate future held for any of them. “Beth will come and feed you if I don’t get back,” he assured the cat as she ate her food.
With Tickles taken care of, Simon went to the safe and took out the necklace and earrings. He didn’t want to leave them here. The safe was good, but no safe was infallible. He also wanted the chance to have a really good look at them, both for identification purposes and so he could value them.
Of course, carrying them around also posed a risk. He hadn’t exactly lied to Brad, the jewelry was not part of the auction, but he would have some explaining to do if the sheriff found the items on Simon.
Taking them out of the safe, he held them up to the light. The diamonds were clear, not quite flawless, but valuable, nonetheless. He didn’t have a loupe in the house, so he couldn’t take a closer look, but the rubies looked good, too. Next, he moved onto the goldwork that held the gems in place. It had been made by a master craftsman. However, the gold was worn in places, which indicated the jewelry was old.
Often, there was a maker’s mark somewhere on the necklace and he took a closer look at the clasp.
“Oh my, Tickles!” Simon exclaimed. Going back to the kitchen, he rummaged around in the drawers for a small sharp knife. Then he wedged the tip into the clasp and levered off a small device of some kind. If he’d had any doubts about Gemma’s story of persecution, they were now gone. If he wasn’t mistaken, this was a tracking device. Small, state of the art, and made to look like part of the clasp.
Bastard, his wolf spat.
Gemma could never outrun the father of her child. Not unless she gave up the jewelry that was so important to her. Gianni must know this. So what should he do? Put it on a bus and send it on its way, with Gianni chasing after it?
No, this needs to end now, his wolf said fiercely.
Simon had played it safe all his life, he wasn’t exaggerating when he told Gemma he lived a boring life. Was this the time to take a risk?
If he could set a trap for Gianni and catch him red-handed, he could end this once and for all. But first, he needed a few hours to try to prove that the necklace and earrings belonged to Gemma. He needed to keep the tracker for later use, but he could not keep it on him. Simon looked at Tickles. The obvious solution was to attach it to his cat and let her run around the neighborhood. However, after eating, Tickles looked as if she was about to head to her favorite chair for an afternoon nap.
He didn’t have time to stand around thinking about it, so he put the jewelry in one pocket and the tracker in the other and headed out the door, hoping inspiration would hit him on the way to the museum.
As it happened, inspiration hit him as soon as he stepped outside his front door. Gus from the hardware store was delivering a tree to Beth. Even better, he had a truck full of Christmas trees. He’d be driving around town all afternoon and if someone wanted to follow him, then they would be on a wild goose chase. And if someone wanted to mess with him, they would be on the receiving end of a couple of big fists or long, sharp bear claws.
“Hi, Gus.” Simon experienced a twinge of guilt as he crossed the street and slipped the tracking device onto the open bed of the truck. “Looks as if you have a busy day delivering these.”
“I do,” Gus said as he walked back toward his truck. “Don’t tell me you want to order one?”
Simon shook his head, then he frowned. “Yes, I do.”
“Really? I didn’t think you bothered with Christmas trees and ornaments since you’re on your own.” Gus slammed the back door of his truck shut and secured it before walking around to the driver’s door.
“I’ve changed my mind this year.” Simon indicated the trees. “I’m going out now, if I call you later, can I come by and pick one up?”
“I can deliver it for you,” Gus offered.
“Let me figure out what’s best and let you know.” Simon waved as he walked back to his car, leaving Gus with a bemused expression on his face.
“Whatever suits you, Simon.” Gus got in his truck, “And one more thing, Simon.”
“Yes?” Simon asked as he reached his car.
“Well done on the auction. I can’t tell you how good it feels to know the sanctuary is safe.” Gus waved as he drove off, and Simon got in his car, started the engine and headed to the museum.
Everything was coming together, and Simon told himself he had to trust in fate. Somehow, this would all end with Gemma and her baby safe from Gianni.
It was just a pity not everyone was going to get a happy ending this Christmas.
Chapter Eleven – Gemma
Gemma stared at the messages on the phone and then looked up at Dani. “I have to go to the museum.”
“I’ll walk with you.” Dani looked down at Gemma’s swollen stomach. “If you think you can walk that far.”
Gemma nodded. “I’m fine, honestly. As long as I take it slow.” She gave a short laugh, trying to relieve the tension. “Slow is my only speed. I’m way past being able to run there. Or anywhere.”
“You’ll soon get into shape once you’ve had the baby. You should join the local mother and baby group.” Dani gave a sheepish smile. “We get together and have a good gossip. And once a month we get together, without the children, and drink lots of wine.”
Gemma warmed to Dani even more. She was a warm and giving person and she hoped her child would go to school here in Bear Creek and be lucky enough to have Dani as a teacher. “That sounds great. It must be easy to become isolated when you have a child.”
If Gemma still lived in her old apartment, she would go days without seeing anyone. That wasn’t going to happen here. And she found herself ready to throw herself into life in the Bear Creek community. If she got the chance
“Thanks, Dani.” Gemma stopped walking for a moment as she tried to compose herself. If they were going to get through this, she needed to get a grip and summon all her strength. “I’d love to meet other moms.”
“Is there anything else I can help you with?” Dani had seen Simon’s text, she must be curious as to what was happening. “You know my husband is Army trained. I could loan him to you if you want.”
Gemma gave a short laugh. “That is a tempting offer. But I think Simon can handle it.”
“I’m sure he can,” Dani agreed as t
hey continued walking. “Or else fate would not have put you two together.”
“You believe in that, too?” Gemma asked. “Are you a shifter, Dani?”
“No. But my husband, Jamie, is. We found each other at just the right time in our lives. He’d come back to town to care for his best friend’s children. I came here looking for a second chance at love, I just didn’t know it. I thought I could be self-sufficient.” Dani dropped her hand down to stroke Brimble on the head. “This guy brought us together. I adopted him from the shelter. He was the family pet of Jamie’s friend who died.”
“That’s an incredible story,” Gemma said, beginning to believe things truly could work out if she and Simon worked together.
“And you will have an incredible story of your own as well,” Dani assured Gemma as Simon’s car drew up by the side of them. “And here is your knight in shining armor.” Dani leaned forward and kissed Gemma on the cheek. “Christmas blessings. Just remember, you are not the damsel in distress. As much as Simon is saving you, you are saving him.”
Dani waved at Simon as he got out of the car and came around to check on Gemma. “Thanks, Dani.”
“Take care of each other and call me when the baby arrives. I love cuddling babies.” Dani and Brimble left Simon and Gemma alone, but her words would stay with Gemma always.
“Hi, what happened?” Gemma asked as Simon opened the car door for her and she got in.
“Sheriff Brad came to the house. He was asking about the necklace and earrings.” Simon waited until Gemma was securely in her seat before he ran around to the driver’s side of the car.
“Why did he come to you?” Gemma asked once Simon had closed his door.
“Good question.” He pulled out into the traffic. “Apparently a woman went to the sheriff’s office this morning and complained that there was a necklace given to the shelter for the auction that didn’t appear on the night. And since I was responsible for collating all the items for the auction, Brad came to see me.”
Her face paled. “He accused you of stealing it?”
“Not exactly. Brad has been the sheriff of Bear Creek for some time. He smells a rat, I’m sure of it, but he needs proof.” They drove slowly along the crowded main street as the townsfolk of Bear Creek went about their normal lives. Would she ever get the chance to be part of the town and live a normal, carefree life?
The Wolf Wants a Wife (A Second Chance Christmas in Bear Creek Book 2) Page 7