by Kaylea Cross
Rafe kept his hat and his fake glasses on as he walked into the administration office at the hospital, making sure he didn’t look directly into the security cameras mounted along the hallway. He’d changed clothes before coming here, since his previous appointment had gotten messy at the end. But he’d secured the money, and that was all that mattered, because he was now a desperate man.
Only five more days remained until the deadline. And he was still two-hundred grand short, after squeezing every dime he could from anyone he could. He either found the remainder by next week, or died.
It was just near the end of business hours. Some of the admin staff had already left for the weekend. He smiled at the woman seated behind the reception desk, confident with his disguise. “Is Janet still here?”
“Yes, she’s in her office. Let me page her for you.”
He stopped her as she reached for her handset. “No need. I know the way and she’s expecting me.”
His attempts to locate Molly Boyd had gone nowhere since she’d left for North Carolina. Even when he’d found out she’d flown back, she’d been frustratingly elusive, and he’d been too busy taking care of other cases to expend the time for an intensive surveillance. The easiest place to take her was when she arrived at the hospital for her next shift.
The rest of the cubicles were deserted as he headed for the office at the back. He knocked once and pushed it open. Janet spun around in her chair, a bright smile lighting up her face when she saw him. “Oh, it’s you.”
“It’s me.” She thought he was the guy she’d met on an online dating site ten days ago.
He shut the door behind him, slid his hands into his pockets. “I know we said we’d talk over the phone, but I was in the area and thought I’d stop by in person instead. Hope that’s okay.”
Her smile turned shy. And hopeful. “Of course. You look just like your picture.”
She wasn’t the brightest bulb. That’s why he’d chosen her. “You look even better.”
She flushed. “Are you here about your cousin’s schedule?”
“Yes. And to find out if you’re busy next weekend.”
“Oh.” She flashed him a sweet smile. “The updated schedule just went out this afternoon, and no, I’m not busy next weekend.”
“Good.” He put on his most charming smile.
Still blushing, Janet cleared her throat and typed in a few commands on her computer. “I’m just pulling it up, give me two seconds.”
“Great.” The security on the system was surprisingly formidable for such a small hospital. Rafe could have had one of his tech guys break in after hours to try and access what he needed, but he’d thought this would be easier and he’d been right.
He’d fed Janet a bullshit story about how his late grandfather had credited Molly Boyd’s care after his heart attack to his survival, and how the family wanted to thank her by delivering a gift in person. Janet had eaten it up without any questions. “I’d rather surprise her at home than at work, but if this is the best I can do, I’ll take it.”
She shot him another smile. “I’d love to help you with that, but when I looked up her info on payroll, there was no address listed. She must have moved after her husband died.”
“A terrible thing for such a good person,” Rafe said.
“Yes. Okay, here’s the schedule.” She clicked on a screen and scanned it. “She’s working ER, so… Here,” she said, turning the monitor so he could see it and pointing to the schedule. “She’s booked to start her next shift cycle on Monday night, starting at seven.”
Perfect. Monday it was. “I can’t wait to see her.”
“She’s going to be so surprised,” Janet gushed.
“Oh, I sure hope so.” He straightened and rocked back on his heels, watching her for a moment until that blush started up again. “Do you like Italian, Janet?”
“It’s my favorite.”
“Fantastic. I’ll take you out to a great place I know next Saturday night. I’ll call you during the week to set it up.”
“Okay.” She looked so hopeful he almost felt sad for her.
She’d never hear from him again, and when the police questioned her later to find out what had happened to Molly, his disguise and fake online ID would throw them off the trail. He’d done it before. He’d no doubt do it another hundred or more times. “Thanks for your help.”
“Anytime.” Her voice was slightly breathless.
Rafe let himself out and walked out a different exit, making sure to avoid the cameras as best he could. He had only a few days left to close this file. He was prepared to do whatever it took to get that insurance money. He would never again feel the shame and helplessness and the pinch of hunger in his belly.
Now, he was the master of his own fate. Once this debt was paid off, he was free to start making money again, enough for him to live the lifestyle he deserved instead of the one that had been forced on him as a kid.
Except for his own, most mothers had an inherent weak spot when it came to protecting their children. That was something he could exploit.
On Monday night Molly Boyd would either pay with the insurance settlement, or her unborn child’s life.
Chapter Eighteen
Sierra and Beckett’s wedding day dawned bright and beautiful. The fine mist covering the ground that formed a blanket on the sea slowly burned away beneath the early October sun, turning the yellow, red and orange leaves into panes of stained glass made all the more vivid with the backdrop of dark evergreens surrounding them.
“I made pancakes,” Poppy announced on her way in the side door of the Victorian house, carrying a big basket in both hands. “I do know how to make other things, but I know these are your favorite.”
“You’re the best,” Sierra gushed, rushing over to help her.
“I’ll get the plates,” Molly said, and hurried to the cabinet.
She’d been staying here for the past three nights. It was bad timing with the wedding, but it was for her own safety and her friends didn’t mind putting her up. While Beckett and Sierra were on their honeymoon this coming week, she would split her time between Poppy and Noah’s, and Aidan’s.
It sucked that she couldn’t go home, but her baby’s security was paramount, and given the way things were with Jase, she didn’t want to be back at her house right now anyway.
She chatted with Poppy and Sierra over pancakes at the sun-drenched kitchen table while the stylists did their hair and makeup. Ella arrived partway through and was treated to having her own makeover before putting on her flower girl’s dress.
Walter watched it all from his position spread out flat on the floor nearby, his protruding tongue trailing across the hardwood and those droopy, red-rimmed eyes staring up at them. He wore a snazzy black and white tuxedo vest that was completely at odds with his perpetually mournful expression.
Time passed in a blur of activity, and when Molly zipped Sierra into her gown and stepped back to see her friend in the full-length cheval mirror in the corner of the master bedroom, she got choked up. “Damn, look at you, girlfriend.”
Sierra’s smile was pure radiance. Her thick brown hair was done in a sophisticated updo with just a few elegant tendrils framing her face and neck. The off-white dress was organza, the cap sleeves framing a sweetheart neckline and a formfitting bodice that belled out into a beautiful, full skirt. “Right? I clean up pretty good.” She fiddled with a fold of the veil that fell past her shoulders.
“Your bouquet just arrived, fresh from my garden—ohhh,” Poppy breathed, pausing in the doorway to stare, one hand pressed to her chest. Then she grinned. “I can’t wait to see Beckett’s face when he lays eyes on you.” She handed over the mixed bouquet of sunflowers and roses.
“Me too,” said Sierra, accepting the flowers. “These are gorgeous, but the thing I love most is that we all helped plant them when they were babies.”
Finally, it was time to go. “You ready?” Molly asked Sierra with a smile as she helped the
bride down the stairs, carrying the back of her friend’s train.
“So ready.”
“Wait!” Ella cried, running from the kitchen. She came back in thirty seconds later holding something. “We almost forgot Walter’s bowtie.” The dog was sitting patiently by the side door, watching all the commotion with a completely disinterested expression.
“Oh, we couldn’t forget that,” Sierra said, bending to play with the dog’s long, floppy ears. She helped Ella put the bright red plaid bowtie on him and clipped the leash to the ring on the back of the tuxedo vest. “He’s going to steal the show, I just know it.”
“You’re so handsome, Walter,” Ella gushed, coaxing him up on his stubby legs. The dog groaned and climbed to his feet with a weary sigh, pausing to look back at Sierra with a why are you doing this to me expression.
Molly helped adjust Sierra’s veil and stepped back. “You look so beautiful,” Molly said, her voice a little hoarse.
Sierra made a sound of distress and whacked her arm. “Stop it! How dare you make me cry ten minutes before my wedding.” They both laughed as Sierra pulled her into a hug. “I love you.”
“Love you too. Now let’s go get you hitched.”
“Let’s.” She accepted her bouquet from Poppy and together they headed out of the house and up the path that led to the lighthouse perched atop the cliff.
Molly carried the back of Sierra’s train so it wouldn’t drag on the dew-damp ground and Ella led Walter in their comically slow procession up the path.
“Walter, you’re gonna make us late,” Ella complained, clicking her tongue and trying to make the basset-mix move faster.
A salty tang filled the air. The breeze picked up along with the sound of the waves as they finally neared the cliff where everything was set up, and the closer they got, the more Molly’s insides tightened. She still hadn’t talked to Jase.
During the rehearsal and dinner everyone had been busy, and he’d stayed well clear of her whenever he could, making it impossible for her to talk to him. When it finished, he’d already been on his way out the door talking on his phone, so she hadn’t bothered going after him. Maybe today things would start to change for the better between them. She hoped.
They paused at a group of mixed evergreen and colorful deciduous trees that hid the wedding site from view. Sierra’s father was waiting there for her, dressed in his tux.
Mr. Buchanan’s eyes grew damp when he saw his daughter. “Well, baby girl, you look gorgeous,” he said, drawing her into a gentle hug. “Sure you want to be given away? You know I love Beckett, but I’d rather keep you as my little girl forever.”
Sierra laughed. “I’m sure, Dad.” She put on a mock frown. “Wait, he showed up, right?”
“They had to drag him the last fifty yards or so up to the altar, but yeah, he’s here, waiting for you.”
Sierra’s face turned all sappy. “I waited a long time for him, but it was worth it.”
Molly shared a smile with Poppy, who bit her lip, her eyes glistening. Then Mr. Buchanan disappeared around the screen of trees for a moment and the strains of a violin carried on the early autumn air. He came back to get Sierra, smiling down at her as he offered his arm and tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow.
With an excited smile, the bride turned to Poppy and Molly and gave a nod. Let’s do this, ladies.
Poppy held her bouquet at waist level and started the slow walk down the aisle, a strip of trimmed grass that led down the center of the outcropping where an arbor had been set up with the old lighthouse framed in the background. The view was spectacular, but Molly only had a moment to take it in as she followed a few seconds behind Poppy, because her gaze slid past Beckett and Noah and locked directly on Jase.
He stood beside Noah, hands folded in front of him, and the sight of him in his tailored tux took her breath away. Then his aqua gaze shifted from Poppy to her and for a moment Molly felt like time stood still. Every emotion she’d been fighting to suppress hit her all at once as she stared back at him for those endless few seconds—loss and regret and a yearning so strong it made her whole chest ache.
She turned her gaze straight ahead, afraid he would read everything she was feeling, and continued up the aisle to stand across from Noah on the other side of the arbor. Knowing he was seeing someone was eating away at her insides.
The violinist began the bridal march. Molly faced back the way she’d come.
A ripple of laughter rose from the guests when Ella stepped out at the end of the aisle leading Walter in his little tux and bowtie, the saddest ring bearer that ever bore a ring. She’d looped the end of the leash around the same wrist that held the basket, and tossed petals as she walked, a big smile on her sweet little face.
Walter, of course, didn’t seem quite as happy about the whole thing, but he did wag his tail a few times. When Molly glanced at Beckett, his lopsided grin told her he liked his surprise.
Then it was the bride’s turn.
Molly bit the inside of her cheek and swallowed past the lump that formed in her throat as Sierra appeared from behind the trees. A murmur rose up from the guests and when Molly glanced over at Beckett, the proud smile on his hard face almost did her in.
Sierra all but floated down the grassy aisle to stand in front of the man she was about to marry. Beckett reached for Sierra’s hand, symbolically taking her from her father.
He bent his head and murmured something to Sierra too low for Molly to catch, but it made her friend’s smile grow even more. Together they faced the minister, hands joined, and the ceremony began.
Molly studiously kept her gaze on them as she listened to the vows, avoiding looking at Jase and thinking of all the years and tragedies that had shaped Sierra and Beckett’s love story, but her mind floated back to her own wedding.
Though it had been an elopement it had been such a happy day, so full of promise. Jase had stood beside Carter throughout the ceremony, and she’d been completely oblivious of his feelings for her. She was afraid to look at him now.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the minister announced at last. “You may kiss the bride.”
Molly stifled a laugh as Sierra gleefully threw her arms around Beckett’s wide shoulders. The guests whistled and yelled in encouragement as Beckett slid one hand into Sierra’s hair and wound an arm around her waist to dip her backward as he kissed her…and kissed her.
Molly laughed too, overjoyed for her friends, and surprised. Beckett wasn’t one for public displays of affection, but he seemed to be relishing this moment, and it was heartening to see. Finally, he righted Sierra and lifted his head, his lipstick-marked grin telling everyone how pleased he was with himself.
The violinist played for them as they proceeded up the aisle. She spared a quick smile for Noah as he offered her his arm, but the entire walk to the end, she was conscious of Jase standing right behind him with Poppy.
The receiving line was next, followed by pictures. Molly put on her best smile and posed with the bridal party for all the shots, aware with every heartbeat of exactly where Jase was, and how he barely looked at her. She got that he was hurt, but his distance felt like a punishment.
It hurt. Hurt so much she wasn’t sure she could stand it. She glanced around, hoping no one else was noticing the strain between them, but everyone’s attention seemed to be occupied elsewhere.
She’d been agonizing over their kiss and wrestling with her feelings for weeks, but knowing he was seeing someone made her wish she’d found the courage to get over her fears and take a chance with him earlier. Even now the thought of losing Jase was unbearable, and she was…okay, she was miserable and jealous.
What choice did her current position leave her? She’d already fallen in love with a Green Beret she had trusted with her whole heart, and it had all gone to hell. She was afraid. Afraid of what people would think or say. Afraid what might happen if she gave into her feelings.
And even more afraid of what would happen if she didn
’t. That it might already be too late for them.
She breathed a sigh of relief when the photographer finally dismissed them and they all walked back to Beckett and Sierra’s house for the reception.
You’re halfway there.
All she had to do was make it through the next few hours with a smile on her face, and then she could go upstairs and hole up in the guestroom for the rest of the night, alone.
****
Weddings weren’t Tiana’s thing. The idea that you could find and marry your “soul mate” then entrust your heart and dreams to them for a lifetime was nothing but an illusion.
As well as a surefire way to get your heart and life destroyed.
She was totally out of place here. She wouldn’t have come at all except she adored Beckett and Sierra, and her daughter loved them even more.
The ceremony had been gorgeous and the dinner lovely, but it was hard to like weddings when you no longer believed in fairytales and happily ever afters. Tiana was far better acquainted with stark reality and the perils of letting a man into her life. Ella was her whole world now, and that was enough.
She scanned the buffet area and spotted her daughter’s blond hair as she fed Walter a few treats from a platter of cold cuts on the table. Tiana couldn’t help but smile. That girl was an animal nut and it wouldn’t surprise Tiana in the least if she wound up being a veterinarian like Sierra someday. Lord knows she worshipped Sierra, and Beckett too.
“What are you doing over here all by yourself?”
She twisted around as Molly walked up and sat next to her in Ella’s empty seat, the pale violet fabric of her dress pulled taut over the growing mound of her belly. “Just taking it all in,” she said with a smile.
“Don’t know too many people here?” Molly asked.
“The ones I do know are really busy.” The bride and groom were making the rounds and Poppy was running around ensuring none of the food platters ever got close to empty.
“Well, I know Beckett and Sierra are happy you came. They’re seriously in love with Ella.”