by Liz Shoaf
He nodded and they retraced their footsteps to the kitchen. Mary Grace flipped on a light and the two-hundred-year-old patina oak floor shone dully in the reflection. Like everything else in the house, the floor needed resurfacing.
After pulling Tinker Bell out of the dog carrier and placing her on the floor, she immediately went to the pantry and pulled out a small bag of dog food.
“Gram always keeps a bag of food here for Tinker Bell in case we pop in for a visit.”
Ned eyed the tiny bag askance, probably thinking Krieger could eat the whole bag in one meal, and Mary Grace giggled, then closed her mouth in horror. She never giggled. She definitely wasn’t a woman who giggled. She was a White House press correspondent, not a Georgian debutante, although her grandmother had done her best to turn her into one. She felt her chosen profession was a gift from God. She’d always stood strong for the underdog. She slid a sideways glance at Ned as she took two dog bowls from a lower cabinet. He didn’t appear to be an underdog, but she’d do her best to help him find justice. After proving her brother was innocent.
She poured food into the bowls and Tinker Bell pounced, but Krieger sat on his haunches, his gaze on Ned and saliva stringing out both sides of his mouth.
“Eat,” Ned commanded, and the dog slowly approached the food.
Mary Grace filled the bowl twice more before the dog finished and went to lay down beside his new best friend. Tink growled, but allowed Krieger to snuggle up against her small dog bed.
Opening the refrigerator door, Mary Grace’s stomach rumbled and she clapped her hands together when she spotted leftover lasagna. “Yes! We’re in business.” Pulling out the casserole dish, she made quick work of placing food on two plates and sticking them in the microwave one at a time. The aroma of Gram’s homemade meat sauce titillated her nose and she placed both plates on the kitchen island after they heated. Grabbing silverware out of a drawer in the cabinet near the sink, she tore off two paper towels and motioned for Ned to sit. “Dig in while it’s hot.”
He slid onto the stool beside her and tucked into his food.
Mary Grace spoke between bites. “I can’t believe I’m so hungry, but if you think about it, I haven’t had anything substantial since before climbing your mountain. I had snacks for Tinker Bell, but only a few energy bars for myself, and those don’t really count.” She stopped chewing when he just stared at her.
“What? Haven’t you ever seen a woman eat before?”
He raised a bushy brow. He might have shaven all that hair off his face, but his brows were still bushy.
“I like a woman with a healthy appetite.” He then lowered his fork to his plate, rose and placed the plate in the sink, his broad back to her. “We should get some rest. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.”
Her stomach plummeted. In the past, Mary Grace had been accused of acting like a dog with a bone, never giving up until she had ferreted out every tiny piece of information there was to be found on a story, but somehow Ned had become more than a story.
She slid off the bar stool and placed her plate in the sink next to his. They stood shoulder to shoulder, staring out the small window overlooking the side of the house.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly, regretting what could never be. “Your private life is none of my business. We’ll catch whoever is trying to kill us and then you can go back to your mountain and your privacy.”
He moved so fast, she was startled when he turned, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. She melted into his arms when his lips gently touched her own. For a man so large and gruff, he was gentle as a lamb. Pulling back, he dropped his forehead against hers, as if deep in thought. She had no idea what was going on in his mind.
She smiled weakly and pulled away, her heart saddened. She could never date a man who was convinced her brother had betrayed him, and then there were the trust issues.
Avoiding his searching gaze, she headed out of the kitchen. “We should get some sleep. There are plenty of bedrooms. You can take your pick.”
As soon as she had Ned settled in his room, Mary Grace wearily made her way to her old room. Sitting on the quilt-covered mattress, she snapped on the table lamp and pulled Bobby’s letter out of her pocket.
Running her finger along the sealed edge, she pulled the handwritten note from the envelope. She skimmed it once, then slowly read it again and closed her eyes, her heart saddened beyond belief. “Dear Lord, please, I’m asking that You help Ned through this impossible situation.” She opened her eyes and read the note a third time. Bobby pretty much repeated the same thing as he did in the letter Ned had read—about Chief of Staff Hensley—but he added one more important, earth-shattering piece of information that Ned didn’t know about. If Bobby was right, Ned’s world, and faith—if he had any left—was getting ready to be blown to smithereens, right here at Christmas, because Bobby mentioned a second name in her letter: Finn.
THIRTEEN
Throwing his duffel onto the floor next to the bed, Ned pulled out his cell and checked the time. Three a.m. in the States meant it would be eight o’clock in the morning in Scotland. Finn should be awake. Before he made the call, he sat there, weary to the bone while memories assailed him. He’d met Finn in Jackson Hole when his family spent part of the school year in the family home where his sister and niece, Sylvia and Fran, were now temporarily residing. Ned had tutors when they traveled, but his parents wanted him to spend time with other children and made sure they were in Jackson Hole for at least half of the school year.
He and Finn had pretty much grown up together, then they both joined the military and served the country that had been so good to them.
He stared at the phone in his hand and thought about his best friend. The reason Finn always tagged along to Scotland with him was because his childhood family life had been less than ideal. His father drank a lot and there was always dissension and quite a bit of yelling in his household.
With a short sigh, Ned made the call. He’d love a hot bath, but that could wait until morning. Finn answered on the third ring.
“Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick about you.”
“Good morning to you, too.”
“I can’t believe you’re not keeping me in the loop. I should be helping you, not tucked away safely in Scotland where no one can find me.”
Ned rubbed his tired eyes with his free hand. “Finn, we’ve been over this before. I can’t be worried about you while I’m trying to find the people responsible for putting you in that wheelchair.”
“I’m not helpless, you know.”
“I realize that. I can share a few things. I’m with Bobby Lancaster’s sister. I’m hoping we’ll be able to find Bobby. He’s gone off the grid, but we’ll catch up to him. Hopefully he’ll have some answers.”
Ned chose not to tell Finn about the letter Bobby had left at the shack. He didn’t want his friend to worry because this thing went to the top in Washington. Ned assured himself Finn was safe in the cottage he had rented for him but cautioned him, nonetheless.
“You’re staying out of public view?”
“Yes, Daddy,” Finn said snidely, “but I’m going stir crazy. It’s time to wrap this up so things can get back to normal.”
Ned overlooked Finn’s testiness. He’d have been irritated, too, if the situation were reversed.
“Did you get the money I sent?”
“Yes, thanks,” he replied grudgingly.
Ned rubbed his forehead. He knew it was hard for Finn to take money from him, but after he caught their betrayer, Finn could find a job and his ego would be restored. At least Ned hoped that would be the case. Finn had always been good with technology. He shouldn’t have a problem finding work.
“So this sister, Mary Grace Ramsey, what’s she like?”
Ned stiffened. He was exhausted and just wanted to crawl into bed. H
e didn’t want to discuss Mary Grace, but if it would give Finn something else to think about, he’d share a few details.
Ned smiled for the first time during the call. “The woman’s a pistol. She chatters a lot and owns a rat dog named Tinker Bell.”
“What does she do for a living?”
Ned gripped the phone harder. This wasn’t going to go over well. “She’s a reporter, a White House press correspondent.”
“What?” Finn practically screamed into the phone. “Ned, you have to dump her. Most of what we do in the CIA is classified. If she finds out about some of the stuff we’ve done, it’ll be all over the news. You can’t let that happen.”
Ned stiffened again. He was tired and Finn was grating on his nerves. “I’ll handle it. You don’t need to worry.”
Finn paused. “You like her. I can hear it in your voice. Ned, you can’t have a relationship with a reporter.”
Ned rubbed the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. “I know. Listen, it’s 3:00 a.m. here. I’m going to bed.”
“I’m sorry, buddy,” Finn said, sounding contrite. “Life sometimes throws us curveballs and we just have to learn to deal with them.”
Guilt weighed even heavier on his shoulders. Finn was in that wheelchair because of him and would be for the rest of his life.
“I’m sorry, Finn.” He’d apologized a hundred times, but it would never be enough.
“Don’t feel sorry for me,” Finn snapped. “Just catch these guys so we can move on.”
“I’ll do my best,” Ned said and ended the call.
He had one more uncomfortable phone call to make before he could rest. He needed help and there was one person he trusted more than anyone. He punched in the number and waited. It rang twice.
“Aye,” a smooth Scottish burr answered in his ear. The butler’s all-too-familiar voice placed a yearning in Ned’s heart for the home of his forbearers. Over the years, he’d spent more time in the United States than in Scotland, but his ancestry sometimes called to him, like now, when he was confused and tired. Tired of carrying the guilt over Finn and confused over the woman sleeping several doors away from him.
He stretched out on the bed and grinned. “Aye, Alfred,” he said, slipping into his comfortable Scottish burr. It felt right. “’Tis the middle child calling.” Alfred had been with the family since Ned’s father was young. No one knew exactly how old the man was, but Alfred always knew everything that went on inside Dundar Castle.
“Is Angus taking care of himself?”
Alfred sniffed. “Nay, ye grandfather is a stubborn man. He won’t adhere to the special diet the doctor placed upon him for the touch of diabetes he’s developed. Would ye like to speak to him? I believe he’s breaking his fast.”
Ned would love to talk to the old man, but that would have to wait until later. “Nay, let him eat in peace. I’ll speak to Ewan if he’s available.”
A pause, then, “Aye, he’s in the library. I’ll get him for ye, and, Ned, it’s time for ye to come home.”
Ned waited on the line for his brother to answer and smiled, thinking about his grandfather eating breakfast. The old man had probably bribed the kitchen staff to serve him something that would make his doctor scream and yell in frustration. He’d visit the castle when this was over and encourage Angus to eat better. Ned wanted his grandfather to stay healthy for a long time to come.
“Yes?” a curt voice answered.
“Hey, bro, didn’t Alfred tell you it was me?”
Ned heard the old office chair creak as Ewan leaned back. The furniture in the castle was almost as old as the castle itself. The place was loaded with antiques and art.
“No, he said it was a surprise. What’s wrong?”
That was Ewan, straight to the point. “What? I can’t call my brother to say hello?”
“No, not since you decided to carry the weight of the world on those broad shoulders of yours.” Ewan paused again. “Listen, Ned, it’s not your fault that Finn was injured.”
“Stop! I don’t need a lecture.” He paused and sorted out his thoughts. “I’m close, Ewan. I’m going to catch these guys, but I need a little help. I need use of the political connections you’ve made through the art gallery and that Machiavellian mind of yours to help me come up with a plan. I heard your last bestseller made quite the stir in Germany.”
“It’s all fiction, Ned, you know that.”
“Aye, if it’s fiction, why did the German chancellor lose her position?”
Ewan signed. “Tell me what’s going on.”
Ned caught him up to speed and they started working on a plan to trap Chief of Staff Hensley. Ned ended the call when Ewan got a little personal, asking questions about Mary Grace.
He lay there a minute, going over both conversations in his mind. Something niggled at the back of his brain, but he was too tired to figure it out. Sitting up, he pulled his boots off and lay back on the bed without even removing his clothes.
* * *
Waking up the next morning, the first thing Mary Grace noticed was her dry mouth. She grimaced when she realized she’d been so tired the previous night, she hadn’t even brushed her teeth, much less taken a shower. At some point she’d crawled beneath the quilt, but when she tried to move, she found herself completely penned in.
Lifting her head off the pillow, she laughed when she realized Krieger was laying across her legs and Tinker Bell was snuggled against his back. She tried to pull her legs out from under the huge dog, but it was useless until he roused and stood, stretching on all fours. The massive dog padded his way to her head and licked her on the chin. Not to be outdone, Tink barked and scooted up and over Mary Grace’s body to take prime position.
Mary Grace loved on both the animals before shoving them aside. “I’ll take you both out in a few minutes. Let me at least brush my teeth.” She made her way to the bathroom and smothered a scream when she glanced in the mirror. Her hair looked like a rat’s nest and she had a huge pillow crease on her cheek. Thankfully Gram had remodeled when they still had a good bit of money and installed private bathrooms in all the bedrooms. Before that, there had been a shared bathroom at the end of both halls that housed the bedrooms. There was no way she wanted Ned to see her like this.
She eyed the shower with acute anticipation, but Tink barked and Mary Grace knew she’d have to let the dogs out first. Maybe Ned was still asleep and wouldn’t see her looking so horrible, but then again, what did it matter? Yes, the man had kissed her, but when she shared Bobby’s letter, that would never happen again. She was sure of it.
With that depressing thought in mind, her untied robe flapping around her legs, she left her bedroom and trotted down the left stairway with the dogs on her heels. Just as she reached the bottom stair, Ned stepped out of the kitchen with a steaming cup of coffee in his hand. He was clean-shaven, had on jeans and a khaki shirt, and his hair was much shorter than it had been.
She stopped in front of him and scrutinized the new look. It was a little jagged on the ends and Mary Grace grinned. “I see Gram got her scissors out.”
He grimaced, then shrugged. “I was due for a trim.”
It tickled her how a woman as small as her gram could wield so much authority over such a large man, but then she became aware of the way she looked.
“Yes, well, I have to let the dogs out.”
She turned to go, but Ned gently grabbed her elbow. “I’ll handle the dogs, go take your shower.”
They stood frozen, gazing into one another’s eyes. For a moment in time, Mary Grace mourned the loss of what would never be—there was too much standing between them. He was a man full of secrets and she was a journalist—a person who revealed secrets to the world. And most of all, there was Bobby. She doubted Ned would ever fully trust her brother, even after she had proven his innocence.
On her way to her bedroom, she thou
ght about Bobby’s letter. She really wanted to show it to Ned—be completely honest with him—but maybe she should do some research first and find out more about the other name listed in her private letter. Even Bobby admitted he could be wrong, which is why he hadn’t mentioned Finn in the letter left on the table at the shack.
She knew Ned would never forgive her for not being completely upfront, but if Bobby was wrong, she had a chance to prevent a lot of heartache for Ned. By the time she had whirled into her bedroom, more than ready to grab a shower and wash off the swamp stink from the previous day, she had formed a plan and knew whom she could call for help. A man who’d done work for her in the past.
She almost skidded to a stop when she saw her gram coming out of her bathroom. Dressed in slacks and a silk blouse, with perfect hair and a full face of makeup, her grandmother looked horrified when she lifted her head as Mary Grace stopped in front of her.
“Young lady, I was looking for you. Please tell me you didn’t go downstairs without dressing first. Did Eli see you looking like something a stray dog dragged up?”
Mary Grace loved her gram, but the older woman really was steeped in outdated traditions. Then again, Mary Grace’s love life was in the pits, so maybe she should listen to her grandmother. Make some changes. It sure couldn’t hurt.
She did her best to appear abashed. “Yes, ma’am. The dogs had to use the bathroom. I know that’s no excuse, but it’s the only one I’ve got.”
Her grandmother smiled and opened her arms. “Come here, baby, give your gram a big hug.”
Mary Grace flew into her arms and all the fears and frustrations of the last couple of days came tumbling out. “Oh, Gram, I’m so worried about Bobby, and Ned thinks Bobby may be mixed up in what happened to him and Finn. And Ned kissed me, but it can’t come to anything because Ned thinks Bobby is partially responsible for putting Finn in a wheelchair and the whole thing is just awful. There’s some powerful politicians involved in this mess and it’s dangerous. I really wish you would move in with your friend Sadie until this is over.”