by Vicki Hinze
Nick had thought so, too. Once. “Don’t cross her.”
“Ah.” Joe waited for details.
“Remember when I went to LA to design AAN’s security system for her dad?”
“Yeah, a couple years ago.”
“Four. Elle was eighteen and had a crush on me,” Nick mumbled, watching her and Peggy fashion the tablecloth and loop the tie until it made an X crossing her chest. “I didn’t act on it.”
“She got hardheaded then?” Joe asked.
“Oh, yeah.” The tassel dangled at her slim waist.
“It looks good, Elle.” Tim didn’t seem surprised. “You’ve done this before.”
Elle smiled. “Clothes go missing pretty often. Craig, my manager here, says the staff sells them.”
“Why do people steal your clothes?” Sam looked totally confused by that.
“She’s a star, Sam,” Tim explained. “Some people collect things that belong to stars.”
“But her clothes?” Sam could care less about stars or their things.
Tim nodded. “Kind of like you with a Civil War relic.”
That, Sam got. “Humph. Surprised the hotels put up with that.”
“They don’t like it,” Tim assured him, “but they have a rough time stopping it.”
“They do try,” Elle assured Sam. “Mostly, they’re successful, but every now and then, someone manages.”
Nick watched her interacting with Peggy and the team. Elle seemed totally at ease, which considering her circumstances was nothing short of a miracle. Maybe having her here indefinitely wouldn’t be as bad as Nick had worried it would be. Looking at the woman still took Nick’s breath away. He had to remind himself to breathe and blink. But he’d focus and get beyond that nictitate, winded predisposition. Odd, but the other guys seemed immune to her. Not one of them seemed the least bit affected or star-struck.
The first time Nick had met her, she’d been working for her father and not singing. He’d been as tongue-tied as a boy talking to a beautiful girl for the first time in his life. She’d pretended not to notice. Her beauty he could handle—even then. It was her disposition that rattled him to the marrow of his bones. Sunny and gracious, like warm breezy air—at least, she had been until he’d started imposing security measures on her to keep her safe. Then she’d morphed into a fire-spitting dragon.
The ferocity of her rebellion had shocked her father and dismayed her mother. It hadn’t surprised Nick at all. But, in fairness, people rarely surprised Nick. He’d learned the lesson of discreet observation from his stepmother, Jacinda, one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen in his life. She’d shocked him. But only once. After that incident, he always expected the worst from people. When you expect the worst and get it, what else is left to surprise you, or to disappoint you, or to knock you to your knees?
“How’s that?” Elle asked, backing away from Peggy and patting the folds at her stomach flat. “Will it do?”
“It’s amazing.” Peggy studied the handiwork. “I’ve made do on a lot of things in my life, but none of them looked like a gown.” She smiled. “Lisa’s going to love this. It’ll go down as one of her best wedding memories for all time.”
“Oh.” Elle stilled. “I don’t have my guitar.”
“The musicians have one,” Peggy said. “Will it do?”
A sideward glance at Nick, then Elle smiled at Peggy. “If it has strings, I’ll play it.”
“I don’t care what she says,” Sam insisted, “that woman’s definitely from the South.”
“Whatever.” Tim let out a shuddery sigh. “Let’s go then before Lisa cries and Mark hunts us down.”
“Good idea.” Peggy nodded, her dark bobbed hair swinging against her chunky necklace. “They get upset and Annie will have our hides.”
“Who’s Annie?” Elle whispered to Nick.
“Lisa’s mom,” he whispered back.
“And upset Annie, and you upset Nora,” Sam said on a gravelly grumble. “No crab cakes.”
The group started toward the door. Elle stepped in beside Nick. “I’m going to do this. But then you’ve got some explaining to do.”
Wise enough to take a win when one dropped in his lap, Nick nodded and held his tongue.
The reception was in full swing but Elle’s entrance created a predictable stir.
Sam aside, everyone in the village recognized her.
She smiled warmly and walked right up to the bride and groom. “Lisa and Mark. Congratulations.” She gave them a joint hug. “I’m a friend of Nick’s, and I wanted to wish you a long and joyful marriage.”
“Elle!” Lisa squealed. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I’m here, and I apologize for crashing your wedding. Nick wanted to surprise you and thought you might enjoy a song. I’d be happy to—“
“Crash it? Are you kidding? We’re thrilled you’re here, and I’d love to hear you sing.” Lisa smiled at Nick. “What a surprise, Nick. “ She gave him a quick hug. “You’re awesome.”
Elle held her thoughts on that. “What song would you like to hear?”
“Anything you like,” Mark said.
“New Dawn,” Lisa said over him. “If you wouldn’t mind. The first time I heard it, it spoke straight to my soul, Elle.”
“Thank you for that.” Elle blushed prettily. Clearly, the song was special to her. “New Dawn it is, then.” She clasped Lisa’s forearm. “I’m so happy for you.”
Why did she say that? Nick wondered. She didn’t even know Lisa or Mark. But Elle sounded sincere. Even a jaded cynic could see her authenticity. How did she do that? Why did she do it?
Whatever Elle’s reason, Lisa and Mark liked it. They liked Elle.
“People skills,” Joe whispered from beside Nick.
“What?”
“You were wondering why she said that to Lisa.” Joe shrugged. “People skills.”
“How did you know what I was thinking?”
“I could see your confusion, Nick. You wear it like a sleeve on your jacket.”
“Coat.” He shrugged snippy at having his thoughts invaded and at being called out. “It’s not a jacket, it’s a coat.”
“Your coat, then.” Joe moved away.
“And stay out of my head.”
“Keep it off your sleeve, bro.”
Elle crossed the broad floor and stepped onto the stage. The musicians clearly were ecstatic to meet her. They spoke briefly and her easy laughter carried back to Nick. That grating, irritating tinkle. He had to give her credit, though. She’d been through a lot and yet rolled with the punches and just took to the stage like she’d planned to be there, in that spot, in this room with these people, all along.
He respected that. He didn’t know exactly what it was. He did know he didn’t have it, and he wasn’t sure he wanted it. But it suited Elle and he respected it.
Maybe if he watched her he could learn to project whatever she projected that made people open and friendly to her. That skill could come in handy in his line of work. It wouldn’t be easy for him—alien to his nature, actually—but it wasn’t impossible to learn to interact on a less than formal footing with people. He’d already proven that with the team. They were his family. Well, as close to family as he got.
The music started and Elle began singing. The room went silent. Expressions altered, softened, enthralled. She’d captivated and enchanted them.
Fascinating. Definitely a handy asset to have in one’s personal toolbox, and not impossible at all. Provided he kept her out of NINA’s clutches.
And alive…
Sara Jones, co-owner of the successful software company, SaBe, caught Lisa’s bouquet, setting off a flurry of speculation and good-natured teasing about her and Detective Jeff Meyer. According to Lisa, Sara and Jeff had been a couple for about as long as Joe and Beth, Sara’s partner. Elle watched them together, and the hint of a smile curved her full lips, her mood a little wistful. Just once, to have a man look at her with that—
> “Elle?” A silver-haired, senior woman whose bright red lipstick stained her teeth walked up, holding the hand of a gangly blonde girl about ten.
“Yes?” She turned to face them and smiled a greeting at the child. “Hi, there.” The girl waved.
“I’m Nora,” the older woman said. “I understand you’re here with one of my boys.”
Ah, Nora. The village mother everyone adored. “Yes, with Nick.” Elle said, opting for the simple rather than explaining what she didn’t yet understand herself.
“Nick?” Nora seemed surprised, then her gaze turned sharp. “Well, then. No flittin’ around like some stars do.”
“I’m not one for flitting.” Elle wasn’t positively sure that flitting was even a word, but Nora had to be talking about a woman who flits from man to man. At least, Elle hoped that’s what the woman meant by her remark. She hadn’t heard the term before.
“Glad to hear it.” The look in Nora’s eyes steady, turned flat. “You be good to him, Elle. My Nick’s had enough.”
Her Nick? Enough what? How did Elle respond to that? A sixth sense warned her with that kind of warning in Nora’s tone, she had to be worried, and that meant only honesty would do. “So have I, Nora. An absolute gut full.”
“Well, I’m sorry to hear it but glad you ain’t all glitz and glamour. My Nick needs a woman with substance.” Nora stared at her a long second and, from the look that lit in her eye, she truly understood just how honest Elle had been with her. “Fine, then. I’m saying we understand each other.”
Elle didn’t understand Nora at all, though her meaning and intent were clear enough. She was in full-fledge protect-him-mode. Not that Elle deluded herself for a second that she had the power to hurt Nick. She didn’t. She never had. “Neither of us want to see Nick hurt, Nora. If that’s what you mean, then, yes, we understand each other.”
“Glad that’s settled. Now.” She tugged the girl’s arm, drawing her closer. “This young lady wants to meet you.” Nora glanced at the girl. “Lizzie Montgomery, this is Elle. Lizzie’s a big fan of yours.”
“Hi, Elle.” Lizzie’s voice sounded faint, reverential.
Humbled, Elle lifted her hand. “It’s good to meet you, Lizzie.” She was a pretty girl, but the haunted look in her eyes reminded Elle too much of her own. “I’m in the mood for a good chat. Would you two mind if we got some food and grabbed a table? I’m starving.” She pressed a hand to her stomach. “I feel as if I haven’t eaten in days.” Could be true. She had no idea. That rattled her.
The normalcy in that admission had Lizzie’s feet out of the clouds and back on the ground. “I get that way sometimes. Mom says it’s because I’m growing.”
“Is your mom here, too?”
“No. She, um, couldn’t make it.” The haunted look returned. “I’ll, um, get some napkins.”
Nora sighed.
Elle worried. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, not at all. Lizzie’s mom, Sue Ellen, had to take an unexpected trip. She’ll be gone a few days and she left Lizzie to keep me company.” Nick joined them and Nora dropped her voice. “Her mother didn’t want Lizzie exposed.”
“To what?” Nick asked.
“No idea.” Nora laid a flat look on him that spoke volumes. “Probably has something to do with her brother and an intervention.” She blinked. “I ain’t met the man but I heard he has…issues.”
Elle watched Lizzie. She clearly missed her mom. “Where’s her dad?”
“Near as I can tell, she ain’t got one. Never met him. Never seen him. Never heard a word about him.”
Growing up, how many had thought that same thing about Elle? Feeling a bond with Lizzie, she kept her thoughts to herself.
They got their food and sat down at a table, then Elle engaged Lizzie in conversation. She was bright, funny, and when she forgot to be sad, she seemed thoughtful and sweet. Nick didn’t have much to say, but he didn’t miss a thing. That could be good. Elle had no idea what his plans were for her, but he was less likely to toss her out on her elbow to fend for herself with Lizzie around. Two groups of men bent on abducting her… she wanted protection and answers, and since she’d ended up here, Nick likely had them or he could get them—if he would. That was the big question. Would he?
For the next hour, Elle and Lizzie talked about music and fashion and dogs. Then about school and their favorite subjects—math for them both—and smoothies, a favorite they also shared, though Lizzie preferred chocolate and Elle strawberry.
Nora talked with them, seeming to enjoy the conversation, though as time wore on she looked a little peaked. Elle excused herself and went the restroom.
On her way back to the table, a woman she hadn’t yet met bumped into her, passed her a begonia. “I enjoyed your new song, Elle.”
“Thank you.”
The woman’s smile faded. She leaned close, and her tone turned serious. “Take care. These days, you never know who’s watching you or why,” she whispered, then rushed away.
“Wait.” Elle called out after her, instinctively certain her words weren’t idle. “Wait.”
But the woman kept going, hastening her steps.
Surprised and not sure how to react—should she go after the woman?—Elle watched her rush straight to the exit and leave the building. Did the woman know something, or had hers been an innocuous, general comment after all? Was even wondering just Elle jumping at shadows? Reacting because of what had happened?
The woman couldn’t know what had happened, of course. Yet her intuition warned even now the words were deliberate. The woman shared a message. Elle’s intuition had been right on the street in London. She’d been wrong about dying in the van, but the incident had cost her two days of her life that remained a mystery to her. Too much odd had happened to ignore the woman’s warning—if that’s what it was. It’s what it felt like it was, but in her present state, she couldn’t be sure.
Nick had more experience at deciphering. Letting him know she could still be at risk could encourage him to help her. Of course, she had to tell him. How could she not? Bent on immediate disclosure, Elle walked back to the table, purpose in her step. “Nick, I—“
Nora stood up and swayed on her feet.
“Nora!” Elle grabbed her arm to steady her. “Are you okay?”
Nick stood at her side. “Sit down, Nora, and tell me what’s wrong.”
“Don't be fussing, Nicholas. I ain’t checking out. I’m a wee bit dizzy is all.” Nora sat, then dragged in a steadying breath.
Lizzie licked at her ice-cream spoon. “She has the flu.”
“The flu?” Elle looked at Nora. “Why are you here?”
“No choice. Annie and I had too much to do for the wedding.” Nora sat down and exhaled a deep, stuttered breath. “It ain’t the flu—I wouldn’t deliberately infect anybody else. But I don’t feel perky, and that’s the truth.”
Nick motioned to Sam. “Get Annie. Nora needs to go home to rest.”
“What I need,” Nora said, looking at Nick, “is for you to take care of Lizzie for me for a spell. Just until I feel better.”
Nick opened his mouth to object, but Elle cut in. “Of course, Nora.” She looked at Nick. “Your boys will take care of her for you.”
Nick pulled Elle aside. “We can’t take her with us. It’s not safe.”
“You’re a security specialist, Nick.” Elle smiled at him. “Make it safe.”
Nick shot a worried look at Sam, Joe and Tim—all of whom surrounded Nora and bombarded her with questions about her well being.
Nora patted Sam’s forearm. “I knew I could count on my boys.”
Nick’s mouth flattened to a slash. That sealed it. All of her boys would rather face a firing squad than to let down Nora. Nick looked at the guys. “I’m going to need some help.”
They nodded in unison.
Sam told Nora, “Annie’s getting her purse and keys. She’ll be here to take you home in just a minute, okay?”
Nora nod
ded.
“You’re sure you don’t need a doctor?” Joe asked. “Lisa’s gone but Harvey Talbot’s still here. Why don’t I call him over to take a quick look and make sure—”
“Don’t you be bothering Harvey. I don’t need nobody poking at me, Joseph. We’re going to have a normal, non-eventful wedding in this village today if I have to . . .” She glanced at Lizzie and turned the subject. “I just need some rest and I’ll be fine.”
Annie rushed over and bent to Nora. “Oh, Nora. I told you not to overdo today.” She looked at Nick. “She’s been feeling poorly since yesterday. I told her to stay home, but would she listen to me? No.”
“You through talking about me like I ain’t even sitting here, Annie Harper?”
“I am.”
“Then let’s go.” Nora stood and swayed.
Sam scooped her up. “Put your arm around my neck, Nora. I’ll carry you to the car.”
Nora winked, clearly reassuring the child and her boys. “Lookie here, Lizzie. I got my own white knight. Ain’t that grand?”
“If he don’t drop you on your head.”
Sam looked affronted. “I won’t drop her.”
“Course he won’t,” Nora said. “Lizzie, stop being so cynical.”
“He ain’t even got a horse. How can he be a white knight without a horse?”
“He’s got a white truck. Well, I think it’s white under the mud.”
“It’s white,” Sam assured her.
“A truck ain’t a knight’s horse, Nora.”
“It is, I’m saying. Now button it up.”
“But it ain’t the same.”
“It is cuz I said so, girl, and that’s that.”
“Don't—“ Elle whispered and put a staying hand on Lizzie’s arm. “You can’t win. She loves them.”
The girl raised her brows but didn’t utter a sound. When they stepped away, she whispered to Elle, “White knight, my left foot.” Lizzie grunted. “Sam tricked her. Dr. Talbot’s waiting at the car.”
“They want to make sure she’s okay, that’s all. They love her, Lizzie.”
“I know when she says ‘that’s that’ nobody argues with her.”
“You can’t fight them all and, if you upset Nora, you’re going to have to.”