by Cindy Kirk
One Step Away
Cindy Kirk
Copyright © Cynthia Rutledge 2018
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Chapter One
Tonight, Nell Ambrose would embrace the daring nature she normally kept hidden.
“I could have met you at the church.” Nell slid into the passenger seat of Leo Pomeroy’s BMW roadster.
The two-seater Z4 was an impractical car for northern Illinois, but that was part of the reason Nell enjoyed riding in it. Not that she availed herself of the opportunity very often. The last thing she wanted was for anyone in Hazel Green to think she and the mayor were “involved.”
“Since we’re both heading straight to the hotel after the wedding rehearsal, driving separately doesn’t make sense.” Leo, a handsome man with hair the color of rich Colombian coffee and vivid blue eyes, waggled his brows. “Shall I book us a room after we eat?”
Nell only laughed.
She might have agreed if the hotel was a large one in a city like Chicago, rather than an intimate ten-room vintage hotel owned by her best friend. After the rehearsal at the church, the dinner was being held at Matilda’s, a farm-to-table restaurant inside the Inn at Hazel Green.
Leo put the car into first gear and pulled away from the curb. “You’ll wound me eternally if you say you’re not the least bit tempted.” He hesitated for several seconds. “It’s been a while, and I’ve missed…it.”
Smart man. He’d learned not to say he missed her. And Nell was careful not to say words that would tie them together in any way other than physically.
“I am tempted.” It had been several weeks since she and Leo had spent any time between the sheets. He’d been busy running the city. She’d been swamped with legal cases and with prepping for a platform performance as town matriarch Hazel Green. “But I won’t sleep with you in the hotel owned by the bride.”
Daring was one thing. Foolish quite another.
What Leo suggested would be terribly risky, especially since she was determined to keep her relationship with the mayor private.
Nell couldn’t keep her lips from curving as a thought struck her. “What do you think about disguising ourselves one day soon and checking in under assumed names?”
It would be difficult since the staff at the inn were well acquainted with both of them. But if they could pull it off…
Escapades were her weakness. When she was young, she’d learned that being bad could be exciting and getting away with things could be addictive. Being very bad, well, that was thrilling.
Leo gave a good-natured chuckle. “Would you really do it?”
“Yes.” She shot him a wink but could see he thought she was teasing.
She was dead serious. Which showed he didn’t know her nearly as well as he thought he did. If he had any idea of the things she’d done before breaking free of her family…
Well, no matter. If she had anything to say about it, he’d never know all her secrets.
Because, if by some fluke, her past did catch up with her, the only house of cards she wanted tumbling down was hers. She would not let Leo, or any of her friends, be caught in the fallout.
“What’s the matter?” He reached over, and before she knew what he planned to do, he brought her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss in the palm. “Cornelia Ambrose never looks stressed.”
“True.” For Nell, the importance of maintaining internal and external control had been drilled into her as soon as she’d been old enough to speak.
“It’s been a busy week.” She went on to tell him, in very general terms, about several of the cases she’d been working on and about a recent Hazel Green command performance.
“It was at the Palmer House?”
By his tone, you’d have thought she’d jetted off to Cairo instead of simply taking the train into Chicago.
Hazel Green was at the end of the Metra commuter rail. It had taken less than an hour for her to arrive at the front door of the turn-of-the-century elegant hotel off Michigan Avenue.
“It was a luncheon meeting of the Gold Coast Historical Society.” Nell’s brows pulled together when he turned into the church parking lot. How had they gotten here so quickly?
She enjoyed this alone time with Leo and wasn’t ready for it to end.
They never went out together. Granted, there were a number of functions they both attended, but always separately. Tonight, as maid of honor and best man, it made sense for him to pick her up and for them to arrive and leave together.
She pushed open her door while he was rounding the front of the vehicle. “In doing research on their group’s history, they discovered that Hazel Green once spoke to their society.”
Leo stood next to the car. Even dressed simply in gray pants and a blue striped shirt, he looked every inch the successful businessman he’d been before running for elected office. Like her, the young mayor appeared in no hurry to rush inside.
Nell shut her eyes and lifted her face to the sun. When she opened her eyes, she found Leo staring. “I was remembering the meal. We had turtle timbales, kingfish and bonbons.”
The flash of surprise that skittered across his face told Nell she wasn’t the only one who found it an odd combination. “Lucinda Covert, the group’s president, announced quite proudly that these same three items had been on the menu when Hazel Green originally spoke to the group.”
Leo chuckled, seeming to find amusement in the comment. “I assume you gave the same speech to complete the déjà vu moment?”
His sharp mind was only one of the many things Nell liked about him.
“Hazel did a performance as Susan B. Anthony that day, so I spoke as her. Then I switched back to my Hazel Green persona and spoke about the importance of the arts.”
“Two personas in one day.” Leo appeared both awed and amused. “It’s a wonder you can recall who you really are.”
Nell wondered what he’d think if she told him she’d had a lot of practice playing different roles. Wondered what he’d think if he knew Cornelia Ambrose wasn’t even her real name.
Though Nell knew she should hold back, tonight she didn’t stop herself. After a quick glance to make sure they were alone, she gave in to temptation and brushed his lips with hers.
His lips were warm, and the citrus scent of his cologne teased her nostrils. Everything inside her yearned for the honest closeness she could never allow. “I’m enjoying being me this evening. Being me…with you.”
“That’s how I like it.” His voice held a curious intensity.
The look in his vivid blue eyes had Nell shifting focus. She lifted a hand to his cheek and brushed her knuckles against the scruff.
Leo’s tactile nature made him an amazing lover. The simple touch had the desired effect. Heat flared in his eyes.
“Are you growing a beard, Mr. Mayor?” Nell cocked her head and spoke in a teasing tone. “Or did you forget to shave this week?”
“That’s two days’ growth.” His eyes never left her face. “I was thinking about letting it grow a little longer. What do you think?”
“Will it be scratchy?”
“If it is, I’ll shave it off.”
The coquettish smile she shot him was worthy of Hazel Green. “I
don’t mind it rough.”
“Nell.” Leo surprised her by taking her hand, tightening his fingers around hers. “Let me come home to you after the dinner tonight. We can—”
“I can’t.” Genuine regret filled her voice. “We’re doing a girls’ night at the hotel.”
“I could rent a room.” His tone turned persuasive. “You could sneak away and join—”
The sound of an approaching car had Nell jerking her hand free. A second later, a red sedan driven by a pretty blonde with a mass of curly hair rounded the corner and swung into the lot. “Looks like Jonah’s sister is early, too.”
“Think about my offer.” Leo’s devilish smile could tempt a nun to doff her habit.
Though she and Leo loved to banter, they were both conscious of their positions in the community. Or rather, she was conscious of Leo’s position. Not only as mayor, but his position as part of what she thought of as the Pomeroy dynasty.
The Pomeroy family was one of Hazel Green’s founding families. Jasper Pomeroy had been Richard Green’s closest friend.
When Nell socialized with Leo in character as former town matriarch Hazel Green, it was as if she was part of the inner circle. Her lips curved at the thought.
“I can see you’re tempted.” Leo’s low voice was a pleasant rumble.
She met his gaze, and her heart lurched. Truth was, she was always tempted by Leo. Nell had learned from the best just how fun it could be to take what you wanted. But, like the toys of childhood, she’d done her best to leave that life behind her.
However, sometimes that past came calling, even when not welcomed. She narrowed her gaze at the black Land Rover pulling in beside Jackie’s sedan.
What the heck was Dixon doing here?
Dixon Carlyle cut an imposing figure as he stepped from the ebony vehicle. From his stylishly cut hair—dark as a raven’s wing—to the tips of his Italian loafers, everything about the man screamed wealth and privilege.
Thankfully, Nell had learned from an early age that appearances could be deceiving. In Dixon’s case, she knew for a fact his persona as a successful wealth management adviser was a false front.
She knew his past.
Worse, he knew hers.
Nell still hadn’t discovered the real reason Dixon had come to Hazel Green. He’d arrived out of the blue last fall and never left. Supposedly, he had an office in Chicago on Michigan Avenue, but that could be simply another lie he’d spun.
Ever since last month, when he’d taken an apartment in Hazel Green, Nell had done her best to keep her distance. She’d insisted he keep his—but he’d never been good at following orders.
“What’s he doing here?” Annoyance laced Leo’s words.
“I have no idea.” Nell kept the irritation from her voice. Any sign of displeasure would indicate Dixon’s presence mattered. That was definitely not the impression she wanted to convey.
When he walked over to Jackie and flashed his charismatic smile, Nell knew the groom’s twin sister didn’t stand a chance.
Jackie Rollins had arrived last week, surprising everyone by announcing she was moving to Hazel Green.
The blonde emitted a full-throated laugh. No doubt Dixon was dazzling her with his charm. Something he possessed in abundance and knew how to use to his advantage.
She felt, rather than saw, Leo staring at her while her gaze was riveted on Dixon and Jackie.
Nell surprised Leo, and herself, by looping her hand through his arm. “We should say hello. Jackie doesn’t know many people in town yet.”
“Appears she’s getting acquainted.” Leo slanted a glance at her. “Tell me again how you know him.”
“College friends.” Nell kept her tone offhand. “Eons ago. Or at least it feels that way. Do you remember a lot from those days?”
“I remember some, but like you, it seems so long ago.” An easy smile lifted Leo’s lips. “Were you and Dixon ever romantically involved?”
“No.” Nell nearly shuddered at the thought. “He never appealed to me in that way. Now, you, well, let’s just say you captured my attention from day one.”
“Good to know.” He shot her a wink, and together they crossed the short distance to where the couple stood talking. Deep in conversation, Jackie and Dixon didn’t turn immediately. When Dixon did look up, he glanced at the hand she rested on Leo’s arm. One of his dark eyebrows rose imperceptibly.
Nell caught the gesture only because she knew him so well. Her chin inched up just enough to tell him she didn’t care what he thought.
Irritation surged as amusement danced in Dixon’s slate-gray eyes.
“Jackie.” Nell greeted Jonah’s sister, then made a great show of widening her eyes when they landed on Dixon. “And Dixon. This is a surprise. What are you doing here?”
“Frank Partridge came down with the stomach flu.” Dixon pasted a sympathetic expression on his face. “I’d been consulting with Pastor Schmidt on several church financial matters. He knows I’m a pianist, and when Frank canceled, he asked me to step in.”
Jackie smiled warmly at Dixon. “That was sweet of you.”
“Frank Partridge?” Nell paused. “The mailman?”
“Postal carrier.” Dixon’s lips quirked. “That question tells me you don’t attend services at Hazel Green Community. Frank is at the piano every Sunday.”
Leo studied the man through curious eyes. “I didn’t realize you played.”
Dixon shrugged. “I’m not a classical pianist, but I’m accomplished.”
“It was kind of you to step in and help.” The grudging quality to Leo’s compliment had Nell hiding a smile.
“What can I say?” Dixon winked at Jackie. “I’m a nice guy.”
It took every ounce of control Nell had not to roll her eyes when Jackie giggled. Instead, she gestured carelessly with one hand toward the church doors. “We should go inside. I’m sure Abby and Jonah are wondering where we are.”
Just before they reached the entrance, Henry Beaumont roared up on his Harley. Henry—known as Beau—groomsman and son of the editor of the Hazel Green Chronicle, would walk down the aisle with Jackie.
Nell knew the attorney-turned-trial-consultant superficially and had no intention of becoming better acquainted. From a young age, lawyers and police officials had been on her list of those to avoid.
Thankfully, because her practice specialized in child advocacy cases, her interaction with law enforcement was minimal. Her contact with other lawyers, well, that was often unavoidable.
Like now.
Chapter Two
“Tomorrow, I get to scatter real rose petals.” Eva Grace Fine, daughter of the bride and ecstatic flower girl, spun in a circle and favored Nell and Jackie with a blinding smile.
For tonight’s rehearsal, Eva Grace had chosen to wear a red tulle skirt with a sparkly top covered in poppies. Her curly blonde hair was held back from her face by a thin red satin band.
“If I didn’t know better,” Nell said to Jackie, “I’d think you were her mother.” When Nell had first seen Jonah’s sister, she’d been shocked at the resemblance between Jackie and her young niece.
“That’s quite a compliment.” Jackie smiled. “Since I think Eva Grace is adorable.”
Nell was careful who she let into her inner circle. Even those closest to her—such as Abigail Fine—were not privy to her secrets.
Still, she found herself cautiously liking Jackie Rollins. She sensed the woman hid her own secrets behind that sunny smile. Uprooting herself from Springfield, where she’d lived her entire life, to move to Hazel Green didn’t make any sense.
Especially when, other than her brother and Abby, Jackie knew no one in town.
“I’m so happy you’re both here.” Abby stepped into the bride’s waiting room and gave each of them a hug.
As was Abby’s habit, she’d chosen a vintage dress for tonight’s event. The sleeveless brown and white polka dot A-line dress with the white patent leather belt had been popular in the 1960s.
It was perfect for someone with Abby’s cute figure and big brown eyes.
“I love the dress.” Jackie stepped forward and gave her future sister-in-law a hug. “You have such interesting clothes.”
“As a merchant in a town that promotes itself as a place where history comes alive, it’s practically a requirement.” Abby jerked a finger in Nell’s direction. “I’m still trying to convince that one to add more vintage to her closet.”
“I’m an attorney, not a merchant.” Nell ran her fingers through the blonde hair she was in the process of growing out. “I have quite enough vintage in my closet, thank you. Not to mention an entire Hazel Green wardrobe.”
For a second, Jackie appeared confused. Then she laughed. “I keep forgetting that Hazel Green isn’t just the name of the town. She was a real person.”
“Wait until you see Nell in her Hazel Green persona.” Pride filled Abby’s voice. “You’d never guess it was Nell.”
“The first time I saw her, I thought Mommy had made a new friend.” Eva Grace quit twirling. “I asked Mommy who she was. When she told me it was Aunt Nell, I said, ‘No way, Jose.’ But it really was her.”
Nell laughed, charmed by the childish chatter. No matter what persona she took on, it was a source of pride that she never broke character. Her mother had once dubbed her a chameleon, able to blend in no matter the surroundings.
“When do I get to walk down the aisle?” The six-year-old’s pretty face pulled into a frown as she fixed her gaze on her mother. “Daddy told me if he knew I wouldn’t have real flowers to toss, he’d have brought some for me.”
“Daddy” was Eva Grace’s biological father, Jonah Rollins. Abby had been a surrogate for Jonah and his then-wife, Veronica. When doctors warned the baby would likely be born with severe birth defects, Veronica pushed for an abortion. Abby stood firm and continued the pregnancy, breaking the surrogacy agreement. Eva Grace had challenges, especially during those early years, but none as severe as the doctors anticipated. Abby had spent the first five years of Eva Grace’s life as a single parent before Jonah was back in the picture.