Close To The Heart (Westen Series Book 5)

by Suzanne Ferrell

  “Because she’s a kitten. They have to eat kitten food, not people food.”

  “But I like waffles. Blizzard would like them, too.”

  “He might like them, but he still can’t have them,” Melissa said. “Remember what Miss Harriett told you when she let you adopt Blizzard?”

  Daniel could’ve kissed her for taking up the conversation just as he was going to give into the little girl’s cute pout.

  “That’s he’s still a baby and I have to take care of him.”

  “And?”

  Lexie dropped her head a little, the pout gone as she had to face the truth. “That he can only have kitten food, and not people food so he’ll grow up strong and healthy.”

  “Just like you need to eat people food to grow strong and not kitten food,” Melissa said as she pulled the first waffle off the maker and poured batter and closed the lid. “Now, put Blizzard down. On the floor, not the counter. We need to teach him the counters and table are not for him to climb on. We don’t want him walking or sleeping where we eat. Okay?”

  “Okay,” Lexie said, putting her kitten on the floor, her lips twisted slightly as she realized there were rules about having a pet.

  Footsteps sounded over head as doors banged open and closed.

  Melissa smiled at Lexie. “Sounds like the boys are up. Go wash your hands, and the waffles will be ready when you get back.”

  Lexie hopped off the barstool and ran for the bathroom, her love of waffles overriding any concerns for the cat’s diet.

  “You know it’s in a cat’s DNA to climb and jump onto counters and tabletops, right?” Daniel pointed out as he went to refill his coffee mug, standing near enough to smell the citrusy scent she always seemed to wear.

  She smiled over her shoulder at him. Her first real smile of the day. “Yes, but if she’s trained not to let Blizzard do it, we might have a chance of keeping him off eating surfaces.” She let out a sigh. “I suppose I’ll need to get one of those climbing towers they make for cat owners.”

  “I can build one,” a groggy voice said from behind them.

  They turned to see Colt standing in the doorway, still in his flannel pajama pants and a scarlet and gray Ohio State t-shirt, hair sticking up in different directions.

  “You can?” Melissa asked, placing another waffle on the stack and continued making more.

  Colt shrugged, then moved aside to let Lexie back into the kitchen. “Joe’s been letting me help him make some cabinets for a job. I think he’d let me use the shop to build it. I’d just need to have the measurements.”

  “Measurements for what?” Lexie asked, taking her cup to the table and sitting in her favorite spot on the bench.

  Colt grabbed a glass from the cupboard, poured himself some orange juice from the fridge and slid in beside her. “It’s a surprise.”

  “Who for?”

  “It’s a secret,” he said in a whisper.

  “I can keep a secret,” she leaned in to whisper to him just loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.

  Trent slid into the seat on the other side of Lexie. “Benjamin Franklin said, Three people can keep a secret, but only if two of them are dead. So it’s best not to ask someone to tell you a secret.”

  Bryan, who was on dish duty for the week, began setting plates at the table for everyone. “And if you have a secret, don’t tell someone little with big ears, or they might drive you crazy wanting to know what it is.”

  “I don’t have big ears,” Lexie said with a bit of a pout. “I have normal ears. See?” She held up her hair on one side to show them her ear.

  “Big ears means you listen to everything said around you,” Geoff said, going for a mug of coffee. He took the plate with the stack of waffles Melissa handed him and joined the others at the table. “Which you do.”

  “How else will I learn if I don’t listen?” she asked as she placed a waffle on her plate and poured syrup over it.

  Daniel joined them at the table, listening to them banter back and forth in good natured teasing, he realized that wisdom flowed from their discussions of secrets. Wisdom gained from years of experience. Experience from their pasts that suggested they held many closely guarded secrets and lessons they hoped to keep Lexie from learning the way they had.

  His gaze met Melissa’s across the table as she set the second pile of waffles on the table and took the empty seat. A sadness softened her eyes and he knew she was thinking the same thing. Her own secrets she kept close for many years but chose to share them with him.

  “Are all of you boys working after church today?” she asked changing the subject before their teasing turned into something else.

  All four heads nodded as the steadily ate their breakfast.

  “Joe and I are finishing up that big house painting project today,” Geoff said. “Since the Knobs & Knockers is closed on Sundays, Colt’s going along to be a gopher.”

  Lexie stopped eating to look puzzled at the youngest teen. “You’re gonna dig tunnels in the ground like a gopher?”

  Everyone laughed. Which made her frown.

  “No, silly.” Colt said. “Not an animal gopher. A people go-fer. Someone who goes and gets things for other people. Go get the bucket. Go get the tools.”

  “That’s silly. You should be a go-getter, not a gopher.”

  Pausing with a forkful of waffle half-way to his mouth, Daniel decided to solve this dilemma for her. “Years ago, people would say go for the bucket. Especially men working on construction sites building houses and things. The words got slurred together and became, go-fer. Eventually those workers who would get things for the bosses or builders were known as gophers. Does that help?”

  “Yes,” she said, then her lips twitched, and a twinkle of mischief sparkled in her eyes. “It would take an awful big hole in the ground for Colt to be a real gopher.”

  They all laughed—even Colt, who ruffled her already messy hair. The remainder of the meal was eaten with good conversation. Finally, Melissa looked at the kitchen clock and rose, taking her dishes to the sink.

  “Church starts in an hour. If you’re going, the SUV is leaving in forty minutes.” She turned and looked directly at Lexie, who had the kitten on the bench between her and Trent now. “And Blizzard can stay in your room until we get back.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Lexie said with a pout, but then scooted off the bench, with her kitten in her arms and hurried off to her bedroom, behind three of the boys. Bryan was busy loading the dishwasher with Melissa doing the pans.

  Daniel pulled the clean dishcloth off the stove handle and began drying the bacon pan.

  “That’s my job, Coach. Dish duty,” Bryan said with a shrug.

  “You going to church?” Daniel asked.

  “Yes, sir. It’s not part of the rules, but I like listening to Preacher Miller talk. Always makes my week go better.”

  “Then you go get ready and I’ll finish up for you.”

  Bryan hesitated, looking to Melissa for permission. She gave him a nod and he nearly flew out of the kitchen.

  “You made his day,” she said handing Daniel the over-sized mixing bowl to dry. “That boy hates being on dish duty. He’d rather take out the trash, cut the grass, do laundry or vacuum than do dishes.”

  “I don’t mind cleaning dishes. Since I can’t cook, it seems the least I can do is help clean up after a good meal.”

  She paused in cleaning the griddle of the waffle maker. “What do you mean you can’t cook? How do you eat meals at home?”

  Daniel shrugged. “I either get take away from the Peaches ’N Cream or microwave something frozen.”

  “Your mother never taught you to cook?” the sadness in her voice took some of the sting out of the question.

  “Mom had her hands full taking care of my dad. When Gramps came to live with us, he took over the cooking. Mostly fried bacon and eggs and frozen meals. It’s one of the reasons I’ve enjoyed all the meals you’ve made this week. Can’t remember the last time I had o
ne.”

  “What about after your father died?”

  “Mom didn’t live too long afterwards. My grandfather said it was a broken heart. I think it was just exhaustion.”

  “And college? I hear most kids learn to at least make Ramen or soup.”

  “Not me.” He couldn’t help feeling cocky. “College was where I learned about nutrition beyond fast food and frozen meals, but never had to cook. I had a food stipend while I was on scholarship and ate all my meals for free.”

  “Let me guess, it was a baseball scholarship?” she teased him and finished putting the waffle maker in one of the slide-out drawers beneath the counter.

  He grinned at her. “Shortstop and utility player.”

  “Utility player?”

  “I played all the infield positions, except pitcher.”

  “Even catcher?”

  “A few times when our regular ones weren’t available. Illness, injury.”

  “That explains how you’re such a good coach.”

  “So, you think I’m a good coach, huh?” he asked, slowly moving in to corner her against the counter.

  “Yes, you’re a very good coach.” Her lips twitched as she fought to keep from smiling.

  He moved in closer, until they were touching at the arms and thighs. “What else do you think I’m good at?”

  Her cheeks pinkened. “I think you’re very good at making people feel safe.”

  His chest puffed out slightly. His male ego liked knowing her safety and those of her kids were secure in his hands. “That’s good, because I really want you to feel safe with me,” his voice dropped a little. “Anything else I’m good at?”

  She licked her lips, her eyes widening and growing a deeper brown. “Oh, you’re very good at kissing.”

  “That’s what I was hoping you’d think,” he said, gently pulling her to him and lowering his mouth to hers.

  Her soft lips still tasted of a mixture of maple syrup, coffee and hazelnut cream. More intoxicating than any exotic spicy perfume, it teased his senses and tightened his cock. Tilting his head to deepen the kiss, his tongue danced with hers, wanting more, so much more between them. He pulled her tighter, until her breasts pressed against his chest and her hips melded into his, cradling the thickness in his groin.

  A little moan escaped her as her hands tightened on his arms.

  A thud sounded above them, breaking the heady desire between them.

  Slowly he eased his hold on her, their lips still clinging for a moment, before he released her and smoothed his hand over her face.

  “How do married people do it?” she asked shakily.

  “Well, they’re married, so they have their own room,” he said with a bit of a smile to cover his own shakiness. Kissing her always rocked him to the core.

  She laughed and the sound was just as sexy to him as the taste of her—especially since he’d made her laugh, given her that joy.

  “I meant, how do they find time for the little bits of intimacy. Time for each other not interrupted by the needs of kids?”

  He took a step to the side, putting some distance between them. Being too near her was not helping ease the ache behind the fly of his jeans. “I suspect it’s just like this. Small moments of focused interest in each other. A touch. A glance at the table. A stolen kiss.”

  Another laugh escaped her. “Oh, you deputy are quite seductive.”

  He reached for her, suddenly needing to show her just how seductive he could be. With a gentle swat at his hand she scooted around him towards the door.

  “Oh, no you don’t. I need to get ready for church. Are you coming with us?” she asked, a little hopeful gleam in her eyes.

  “As much as I’d like to, I can’t. Since I have to leave early tomorrow for the first baseball game of the season, I’m going in for half a day today.” He straightened and followed her into the living room. “I’ll follow you and the kids to church. But you’ll be in good hands after the service. Cleetus and Sylvie are planning on coming over today. Something about Sylvie wanting to meet Blizzard.”

  Suddenly, Melissa hurried back into the kitchen, opening the refrigerator and taking stock. “Oh, dear. I hope I have enough to make lunch for them.”

  “Don’t worry. If I know anything, it’s that Sylvie will have enough food for a small army already made to bring with her.” He said, leaning against the doorway. “She’s marrying Cleetus. He loves to eat, she loves to cook. It will be okay.”

  “I’m not used to people coming to visit,” she said, closing the fridge. “But they really aren’t coming to visit, are they?”

  His heart broke a little at her words. She couldn’t see how much she was worth. How much people—Gage, Bobby, Wes, Chloe, Sylvie, Cleetus, the Landons, Glenna, Lorna, and especially him—wanted to get to know her. Enjoyed her company. They all saw the butterfly emerging from the cocoon.

  Stepping forward, he took her hands in his. “Cleetus is coming to ensure your safety until I get back. Sylvie is coming because she wants to. She wants to get to know you and Lexie. No one is forcing her to come.” He glanced at the clock. “And if you don’t hurry, you’ll be the one making everyone late for Pastor Miller’s sermon.”

  “Oh, Lord. The last thing I want is someone gossiping about why we’re late,” she said, pulling her hands from his and hurrying down the hall.

  As he sat on the couch to pull on his socks and shoes, he checked his phone.

  No messages.

  Which meant no one had spotted Gary, or as they were now calling him, Snubnose. No further dead bodies found, and the abandoned property searches had yielded no new information or drugs. Did that mean he’d left the area? Would he give up the investment he’d made in making Lexie an orphan?

  The door to her room opened and the little girl crossed the hall with her hairbrush in hand, dressed in a purple and pink dress. Sweet. Innocent. Full of promise.

  Daniel clenched his hands into fists.

  He wouldn’t rest until he knew she was safe, until they were all safe. Until they’d found Snubnose and put him away—forever.

  Just after noon Daniel’s phone rang. He looked at the caller ID.

  Harriett? Why the hell was Doc Clint’s nurse calling him? The woman never called if it wasn’t important. Was someone hurt? Melissa? Lexie? One of the boys?

  “What’s wrong, Harriett?” he asked, rather than give a polite greeting.

  “Come out to the creek about five miles north of my place. You’ll have to walk. I’ll be waiting. Bring gloves and the camera.”

  Before he asked any questions, the line went dead.

  Grabbing his keys and jacket, he headed out of the office, meeting Bobby, dressed in a maternity top and skirt, probably what she’d worn to church, coming in from the rear parking lot.

  “Harriet called you, too?” he asked holding the door for her.

  “Gage.” She shrugged and made an exasperated face. “Yes, and you know her. Come now, no time for talk. The woman makes a mime look chatty.”

  “So, no idea what she wanted?”

  “No, but you can bet she knows exactly how long it will take you to get there, so you’d best be on your way. If Harriett called…”

  “…it must be important.” He finished for her.

  Twenty minutes later he tromped through fresh undergrowth towards the river five miles upstream from Harriett’s place, just like instructed. Frankly, given her mysterious background, he was afraid she might’ve booby-trapped it and he’d blow up a leg or something worse if he veered off in another direction. Yeah, she was that scary.

  Up ahead he saw Gage and Wes, along with Harriett dressed in what looked like a neoprene wet suit and florescent flotation jacket standing next to a yellow and green kayak, the colors matching Harriett’s outfit.

  As he approached, a body on the ground came into view.

  “Is that him? Snubnose?”

  “Wrong guy,” Gage said with a shake of his head.

  “Body looks more like
the twitchy guy Earl described the other night,” Wes said, reaching out for the camera Daniel had with him.

  “Shit,” Dan squatted down a few feet away to study the dead man.

  Wes had filled them all in on his chat with Earl about Snubnose Gary’s crew, giving them the description of an emaciated man, with long dirty blond hair, a tat on his neck and one missing tooth. Looked like this was the dealer they’d named Twitchy. A hole in his left temple, and massive exit wound on the right side of his head left no doubt to the cause of death.

  “I’ll bet you a buy-in to next week’s poker game that ballistics are going to come back to a thirty-eight snub-nosed special,” Daniel said straightening up. “If we find a bullet.”

  Wes shook his head. “Ya think? Given our suspect’s nickname, I’m not touching that bet.”

  “We’ll know for sure after the crime lab guys get here,” Gage said. “Until then we’re going to get our own photos and work the crime scene carefully.”

  “Once you find it,” Harriett said. “No blood on the ground, no footprints. No tire tracks.”

  “You think he floated down here?” Dan asked, nodding at the kayak and paddle a few feet up river. “Kayaking?”

  “Good way to spend a Sunday morning,” Harriett said.

  No one really knew her age. No one dared ask. She’d served as a nurse in Vietnam, so the best guess was around seventy, but she was in great physical shape and passed for twenty years younger.

  Harriett pointed north of where they stood. “Didn’t see him my first time up the river. But up around the bend, a brown Cadillac is half in and half out of the creek. Remembered Bobby telling me you were looking for one.”

  “So you went to have a look, even though you know we consider the owner dangerous,” Gage said.

  Harriett lifted one brow in his direction as if to say, puhleeze-danger-doesn’t-frighten-me. “Someone rolled it in from the farm road, thinking it was hidden by the trees and overgrowth in that spot. Probably didn’t think anyone would be on the river.”

  “Which of course, you would be. Alone,” Gage muttered.

  Again, she lifted a brow his direction.

  Daniel wondered if he should warn his boss he might be pushing it.