“You’re talking about not wanting Charlotte to be with someone who vowed to be with someone else until death do them part.”
“It was more about not wanting Charlotte to be with anyone but me.”
“Why do you love her, Andrew?”
He caught his breath at the question. “All the usual reasons. She’s beautiful, kind, generous, smart. She’s my girl. The first one I fell in love with. I was just too scared to commit to what I felt back then. I didn’t treat her well.”
“I find that difficult to believe.”
“I didn’t give much to any relationship I was in. I was a taker. Whatever they were giving, I took, but I didn’t give anything in return. I cheated on Charlotte, and as she told me quite bluntly, not everyone gets a second chance.”
“Steve wants a second chance, too.”
“Well, he doesn’t deserve one.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
It wasn’t his place to give an opinion, but he couldn’t help himself. “He did more than cheat on you. He rejected his own child for months, and even now, all he does is send Annie a monthly check. He doesn’t see the kid. He needs to change his life, and until he does, he probably needs to be on his own.” He let out a breath. “And that wasn’t my professional opinion; it was a personal one. Because I consider you a friend.”
She smiled. “I think of you that way, too. So I have to ask a harder question. Do you ever consider the fact that you and Charlotte might not have lasted, even if you hadn’t cheated on her? Some relationships just have their moment in time, you know? And that’s okay. You love, and you live, and you move on.” She tilted her head, giving him a thoughtful look. “When I asked you why you loved her, you didn’t tell me one thing that was unique to her.”
“So it was a trick question?” he asked.
She shook her head. “When I fell in love with Steve, I loved the way he held me at night, like a teddy bear he couldn’t let go of. I loved the way he sang in the shower and the way he cut the crusts off my toast when I was sick. Love is in the details, Andrew. And you don’t seem to have any details about Charlotte. Maybe you don’t know her as well as you think you do.”
“Because she’s not letting me back into her life,” he said, feeling defensive.
“Have you let Charlotte in?”
“Of course.”
“Are you sure?” she persisted.
“Do you think I’m holding back some deep, dark secret?”
She considered that for a moment. “Sometimes when I look at you, I see shadows in your eyes, as if you’re somewhere else, someplace that doesn’t make you happy. But as soon as you realize I’m looking, you cover up.”
Her words were a little more insightful than he liked.
“There are things I haven’t told Charlotte—things I’m ashamed of. It’s all in the past now, but our relationship has been so tenuous, I haven’t wanted to rock the boat. Now I’m a little worried that my secrecy could hurt the one person I’m trying to protect.”
“Then you should tell Charlotte.”
He nodded. “I know. I’m going to do that.”
“Now?” she pressed.
“I doubt she’ll answer her phone.”
“Well, you can try.” She paused as several other members of the choir entered the back of the church. “Looks like it’s time for practice.”
He was sorry to have their conversation end. Tory challenged him in a way that no one else did. And talking to her helped cut through the confusion in his brain. “What are you doing after this?” he asked.
“Going home, making dinner, and taking a bath.”
“Feel like some company?”
“Well, my tub isn’t that big.”
He grinned. “How about the dinner part?”
“Sure. I feel like some company. How about seven-thirty?”
“It’s perfect,” he said.
“But Andrew, if you get hold of Charlotte and want to break the date, I totally understand.”
He shook his head. “Steve was an ass to cheat on you.”
“Yes, he was. I’m amazing,” she said lightly.
She was only kidding, but a part of him wanted to convince her she was exactly that.
SEVENTEEN
After work, Charlotte entered the kitchen and found Jamie inhaling a bowl of cereal. He’d changed out of his uniform and was wearing a T-shirt and baggy gray sweats that hid his cast. “I’m glad to see you haven’t outgrown your love of Cocoa Puffs,” she teased. “Did Mom make a special trip to the market for you?”
He gave her a slightly crooked grin and said, “You bet she did. She got all my favorites.”
“Because you’re her favorite. She can’t wait to spoil you. Not that you don’t deserve it.” Her smile faded as her gaze drifted to his injured leg.
“Don’t think about it, Charlie,” he advised. “There’s no point.”
“I can’t stop thinking about it. I want to see your X-rays. I want to talk to your doctor. And I want to take you to one of the orthopedists in town.”
“Stop,” he said, putting up his hand. “I’ve had my fill of doctors. I’m healing. There’s nothing else to be done.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I don’t need you to be a doctor, just a sister.”
She sat back in her chair. “I can do that. I talked to Gabe a little earlier. I told him that I couldn’t imagine what you’d been through, and he said I was right, I couldn’t. He’s a very cryptic guy.”
“He doesn’t have a lot to say, but when he talks, it’s usually important. He carried me on his back for six hours, Charlotte, and he promised me he’d get me home.” Jamie’s mouth tightened. “That’s exactly what he did.”
“It sounds horrible.”
Jamie shrugged, shaking off the emotion he’d just revealed. “There’s bad and good in every job.”
“Most jobs don’t put you in danger of bullets or landmines.”
He grinned. “Yeah, most jobs are boring.”
She gave a helpless shake of her head. “How can you love what you do?”
“Because I’m proud to serve my country.”
“I’m proud of you, too.”
He gave her a smile. “How are you and Mom getting along?”
“The usual. She criticizes. I try harder. She criticizes. I don’t try at all. She criticizes, and we start all over again.”
“Being critical is the way she loves you.”
“Well, I’d like her to find a different way.”
“Why are you still here if things are that bad?” he asked.
“I brought Annie into the family, so I couldn’t leave her with Mom. Although they get along better than Mom and I do.”
“Mom likes to be needed, and Annie needs her—you don’t. Your independence has always made her feel a little unimportant, so she overcompen-sates.”
“What do you think I should do—move out, break the ties?”
He spooned more cereal into his mouth. “I think your duty is done. You came to Mom in her hour of need; you saved Annie. Now it’s your turn. What do you want to do?”
“I have a few ideas,” she admitted.
“Any of them have to do with the guy you were with yesterday?”
“Some.” She took a breath. “I might be falling in love with him, Jamie. But don’t tell Mom.”
He laughed. “I’m not a snitch anymore.”
“I hope not. You used to get me into all kinds of trouble.”
“I’m glad you finally found someone.”
“It’s still early and a little complicated, and I don’t know exactly where it’s going. He was married, and I’ve never been good at relationships.”
“Don’t start thinking of reasons it can’t work,” he said, shaking his head. “You always do that.”
“I do not always do that, and how would you know, anyway?”
“Doreen writes to me a lot, and she always tells me about the latest guy you
’ve dumped. It makes for entertaining reading.”
“I’m happy to help you pass the time,” she said dryly.
“What on earth is going on in here?” her mother interrupted as she entered with bags of groceries in her hands. “I’m about to make you a lovely dinner, and you’re eating cereal?” She shot Charlotte a scolding look. “Couldn’t you at least make him a sandwich if he was hungry?”
“He was already eating the cereal when I got here,” she protested.
“Well, don’t eat anything else,” Monica said. “I’m making beef stroganoff with a big salad and fresh fruit. I bet you haven’t eaten anything fresh in weeks.”
“It sounds great, Mom,” Jamie replied.
“I just need to make one phone call, and then I’ll get it started. Charlotte, if you want to chop some vegetables, that would be lovely. One thing you were always good with was a knife.”
Charlotte exchanged a look with her brother as her mother left the room. “At least there’s one thing I’m good at.”
Jamie lifted the box of Cocoa Puffs to refill his bowl.
“Stop with the cereal. You’re going to ruin your appetite, and I’m sure I’ll be blamed for it,” Charlotte warned.
“Believe me, I’m going to eat every last bite of Mom’s cooking. I used to dream about her beef stroganoff.”
“Yet you still want to go back? Can’t you get out on a medical disability?”
“I’m going to get better,” he said. “As soon as I’m fit, I’ll return to my unit. It’s what I do, Charlotte. It’s who I am.”
“Don’t you want to get married, have a family?”
“I can do that and still be a Marine.”
“Not if you’re on the other side of the world.”
He grinned. “I’m not as old as you are. I’ve got plenty of time to find someone.”
She crinkled up a napkin and tossed it at him. Then she got to her feet and grabbed a bag of cucumbers to wash and peel.
Joe was heating up a frozen pizza when Isabella walked into the kitchen Friday evening. She gave an appreciative sniff. “Pepperoni and mushrooms?”
“Only big enough for one,” he said. “I haven’t seen much of you this week. What’s been going on?”
“Nick had to go down to Los Angeles, so I’m hanging out with Megan. He’ll he back tomorrow. I just came home to grab some clothes.” She sniffed again. “Are you wearing cologne?”
“I took a shower.”
“And shaved,” she said speculatively. “Do you have a date? It can’t be dinner, unless that pizza is just an appetizer.”
“Charlotte is going to come by later,” he admitted.
“I like Charlotte. She’s real, down-to-earth, very warm and open. She brings out a different side in you. It’s nice.” She paused as he pulled the pizza out of the oven. “I guess you didn’t invite her for dinner?”
“She’s having dinner with her family. Her brother came home this morning.”
“The one who’s in the Marines?”
“Yes, and he had a cast on his leg. It looked like he’d seen some action, but he survived.”
“That’s good. Well, I’d better get my things. Megan and I are going to Dina’s for dinner.”
As Isabella disappeared down the hall, Joe pulled out a plate for his pizza, interrupted by the ring of his cell phone.
“We finally got a break,” Jason said with excitement. “As you suggested, I got Mrs. Garcia down to the station. She was extremely nervous, and it didn’t take long for her to admit that Michaela is her daughter.”
“Nice job.”
“Apparently, Michaela tracked her down about a month ago. Mrs. Garcia said it was the first time she’d seen her since she’d given her up for adoption. She told Michaela about the party, and Michaela applied for the catering job so she could earn some money to rent an apartment.”
“Where is Michaela now?”
“Mrs. Garcia says she doesn’t know. She thinks Michaela got scared after the robbery, because she went upstairs to collect glasses and plates right around the time Mrs. Monroe was attacked. She didn’t tell us about Michaela earlier because she wanted to protect her daughter.”
“What about the biological father? Is it Worthington?”
“That’s when she clammed up. She said she wouldn’t say any more without a lawyer.”
“Okay, good. We’re getting somewhere. Stay on it.”
“I will.”
As Joe hung up the phone, he felt a wave of relief. Poking holes in Constance’s story would be to Charlotte’s benefit. They were still a ways off from solving the crime but much closer to getting Charlotte in the clear.
Andrew was finishing up some paperwork when Pamela strolled through the door of his office. He hadn’t seen her in two days and had hoped she’d gone home. Apparently not.
“What do you want?” he asked, getting to his feet, because where Pamela was concerned, he always felt he needed an advantage, even if it was only height.
“You’re never happy to see me,” she said with a pout. “I don’t understand why.”
“We’ve said all we had to say.”
“That’s true.” She walked to the front of his desk, a sly gleam in her eyes.
Pamela had always been easy to look at. She had a great body, nice hair, and a way of looking at a man that made him think she’d do anything he wanted. And most of the time, she did. But now, he couldn’t remember why he’d ever wanted her. Because underneath her pretty exterior was a selfish, calculating, ruthless woman who loved to manipulate and destroy people’s lives, including her own.
“Like what you see?” she drawled.
“Just thinking about how far we’ve come.”
“I’m glad you’re thinking about the past, because you owe me, Andrew. And I’m here to collect. I need help.”
Is this about money?
“I could use some cash, but that’s not what I meant.” Her mouth tightened. “I’m in trouble.”
He sat down in his chair, his stomach turning over. “What kind of trouble?”
She hesitated. “What if I said that Mitch was involved in the robbery at my sister’s house? What would you do?”
“Go to the police.”
“Just like that? He was your friend, too, once.”
“A long time ago. I certainly don’t feel any need to protect him.” He stared back at her. “Mitch couldn’t have done it alone. If he got into the house, you helped him. One of you cut the lights. The other one stole the jewelry.” As he said the words, he was almost positive he was right. “Did you almost kill your sister?”
Pamela paled. “Do you think I’m that much of a cold-hearted bitch?”
“It could have been an accident. Then maybe you decided you might as well grab her jewelry on your way out.” He tilted his head. “Have you been waiting around to see if she remembers?”
“I never said I did any of that.”
“But you’re hiding something. I knew it from the beginning. I just didn’t want to believe it.”
“Or maybe you didn’t want to get involved because I might tell everyone about your past?”
“I might have hesitated when I shouldn’t have,” he admitted. “But I won’t be blackmailed or held hostage by my past. You should come clean, Pamela. Whatever you’re hiding, it’s only going to wreck your life.”
“My life is already wrecked,” she said flatly.
“Not true. You have a lot of years ahead of you. Find a way to make something good out of them. I know where you’ve been; I was there, too. But I got out. I changed. You can do the same thing.”
“You had God on your side.”
“So do you.”
“He gave up on me a long time ago.” She paused. “Is your life now really what you want it to be? Or did you just settle? Because I remember when your dreams were big.”
“I didn’t settle. I like what I do. I’m happy now; I feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be.”
“Li
ke you finally found the right pair of shoes,” she said with a sigh.
“Exactly.”
“I tried so hard to corrupt you, Andrew, but the good in you came back. You need to be with someone good, don’t you?”
“I need to be with the right person.”
“Are you avoiding me now because you’re afraid you’ll want me again, and history will repeat itself?”
“I don’t want you, Pamela. I don’t think I can be more clear about it.” She flinched, but he couldn’t take the words back. Pamela only saw what she wanted to see, but he needed her to see the truth. “If you’re in trouble, I’ll try to help. But I won’t break the law for you.”
She got up and walked toward the door. “I wonder if one day you’ll regret that.”
EIGHTEEN
Joe tried to catch up on paperwork while waiting for Charlotte to arrive at his house, but his mind kept wandering. He hadn’t felt so distracted by a woman in a very long time. He couldn’t get Charlotte out of his mind, couldn’t stay away from her. Every time she left, he started thinking about when she’d be back. Maybe it was crazy to move so fast into another intense relationship, but it also seemed crazy to spend any more time apart. Since the first time he’d seen Charlotte, he’d been fighting an attraction to her.
He was relieved when the doorbell rang just before ten. Rufus immediately jumped to his feet and started to bark, and Joe smiled. Old Rufus was falling for Charlotte, too.
“Sorry I’m here so late,” she said when he opened the door.
“It’s fine.” His gaze swept across her pretty face, her sparkling blue eyes, her long golden hair, and his gut clenched in a familiar ache of desire.
She set a small overnight bag on the floor. “Change of clothes,” she said. “I hope this is all right.”
“Of course. I wanted you to stay last night.”
“I know, but now I’m coming with a bag. It feels a little awkward.”
“The last thing you need to feel with me is awkward. How about some wine?”
“Sure,” she said with a smile.
“I’ll meet you in the living room.”
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