by Gina Wilkins
Andrew nodded. “No, sir. We won’t involve you. Thank you for the information.”
“Well, that was a waste of time,” Aaron said when they were in the car again.
“Maybe not entirely. Maybe the old man will tell Chuck someone’s looking into him, which could serve as a warning in the future. And we’ll definitely follow up. In the meantime, you need to get those closed-circuit cameras installed ASAP.”
Bryan had agreed that one of the cameras would record the area around the trailers, while others would be aimed at the houses, at the main building, the motel parking lot and a couple of places in the campgrounds for a total of six units. Signs would be posted that the resort was monitored by security cameras.
“Bryan and I are going to start on that this afternoon,” Aaron agreed. “Tomorrow we’ll reinforce the barrier at the end of the old road. We’re thinking concrete blocks.”
They had been somewhat surprised to discover that the chain was still in place and the road looked undisturbed. They’d agreed that either Cavender had somehow come in through the gate or had walked in on the old road, a long trek over rough ground, but certainly doable. He’d have gone to a great deal of trouble just to sabotage Hannah’s porch, but hatred and bitterness could lead to extreme acts, as Andrew had seen on more than one occasion in his career.
“So, you know my schedule for today. What are you going to do the rest of the day?” Aaron asked when Andrew parked again in Steven’s driveway.
“I have some work I can do from here. And I promised C.J. I’d run a standard background check on Lori’s boyfriend. If you and Bryan need me to help with the camera installation, give me a call.”
Aaron chuckled. “This family does have a way of keeping you busy, huh?”
“I volunteered for the latest assignments. I’m not expecting to find much about the boyfriend, though. Not without a full surveillance operation.”
“I don’t even want to think about how Lori would react to that,” Aaron said with an exaggerated shudder.
Andrew frowned. “Lori.”
“Yeah, what about her?”
Suddenly remembering the tense exchange he’d interrupted earlier, Andrew said, “She and Hannah were quarreling earlier today. I didn’t catch it all, but I think it had something to do with Lori’s boyfriend. You don’t think—”
“That Lori would do anything to hurt Hannah?” Aaron asked incredulously. “You can’t mean that. I’ve known her only a couple of weeks and I still don’t believe it.”
Andrew considered it a few moments, then shook his head. “No, I don’t know Lori very well either, but I can’t accept that. The boyfriend, though—if he thinks Hannah is working against him with the family, maybe...”
“Still iffy. Hannah only found out about Lori and Zach when she got back from Shreveport. As far as I know, she’s done nothing to interfere with them, other than maybe offering some advice Lori didn’t accept.”
“You’re right,” Andrew said with a shrug. “Just considering all the angles.”
“You always do.”
“I try.” Andrew climbed out of the car and pushed a hand through his hair. “Doesn’t mean I always get it right.”
He’d been trying to consider all the angles in his convoluted relationship with Hannah, for example. And he couldn’t begin to predict what would ultimately happen between them. Or even tomorrow, for that matter. All he knew was that he was far from ready to say goodbye to her.
* * *
The three men Hannah had secretly dubbed “the stooges” checked out Saturday afternoon. Nathan Burns, the one who’d made the reservations, handled the key exchange, while his buddies picked up sodas and snacks from the store for their drive home. He assured her that their stay had been quite satisfactory, that they’d caught some fish, hiked nearby trails and engaged in some quality buddy-bonding time. “All around great time,” he concluded.
Handing him his receipt, she smiled. “I’m glad you had fun. We hope you’ll come back and visit us again in the future.”
“I’m sure we will.” Touching the brim of his ball cap in an old-fashioned gesture, he turned to join his friends, who waited for him at the big glass exit doors. Hannah hid a smile when the one she’d dubbed “Skinny Romeo” glanced her way, flushed, then turned to leave, obviously still embarrassed that he’d hit on her so clumsily upon arrival and had been so firmly shot down. She’d seen him once or twice since, and wasn’t sure he’d been sober the whole time. Although he hadn’t actually caused any trouble, that was one guest she’d just as soon not see again anytime soon.
She glanced toward the grill, noting that business was still heavy with late lunchers, even though it was almost 2:00 p.m. She’d bet her aunt Sarah would appreciate the brief slowdown they’d probably see after the weekend, though business would get crazy again as the Independence Day weekend approached. From her desk, she could see one corner of the inside of the diner. Customers mingled, chatted, ate, laughed. At a far table, Patricia Gibson ate alone as always, her attention focused on her food, her hunched posture discouraging any friendly overtures. Perhaps she’d thought she’d avoid a crowd by dining later, but Hannah could have told her that on a summer Saturday, the place was always hopping.
Maybe the stooges had enjoyed their stay, but she saw no evidence that Patricia was having a good time. She wondered why the woman even stayed when her entire schedule seemed to be split between staying in her room and occasionally eating a meal here. How much longer would she stay? Hannah felt as though she should offer to do something to make the visit more pleasant, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say or do. Patricia had been fairly clear that she wanted to be left alone.
A shadow fell over her desk and she looked around with a professional smile that quavered just a bit when she saw Andrew standing there, looking delectable as always despite his bandage and bruises. Memories of the night before slammed through her, making her have to swallow before attempting to greet him breezily. “Hi.”
He leaned comfortably against the end of the reception desk. “Hi, how’s it going?”
“It’s been busy. Between the phone and guests, I haven’t been able to get to the marketing work I wanted to do today.”
Andrew shook his head. “You’re trying to do too much.”
“I agree,” she said wryly. “I think it’s time we hire a couple more people for office work. We thought we’d hold off a couple months until Lori goes back to school, but that’s not working out. I’m going to run a help wanted ad next week.”
“But you could take off next week if you decide to accompany me to Dallas?”
“I suppose I could,” she reluctantly conceded. “But I—”
“Don’t decide just yet,” he cut in. “Think about it some more, okay?”
She nodded, relieved to have a respite. “Did you talk to Chuck?”
“He’s out of town. Left last night, won’t be back for a week. Visiting his mother, reportedly.”
“In Beaumont?”
He nodded. “That’s what I was told. Do you know her name and address so I can check that?”
“I have it in my files. She lives in an assisted living facility. Wade was never particularly interested in visiting his grandmother, but I met her a couple of times. She’s a little vague.”
He nodded. “I’ll look into it.”
“Do you think leaving town rules Chuck out or makes it even more likely that he broke my porch, then ran?”
“Could be either. But at least he’s not around to bother you for a few days, assuming he really is in Beaumont.”
“Then there’s no need for me to leave. I’d be fine staying here,” she pointed out.
Andrew frowned. “You’re still assuming Chuck was behind the incidents. I haven’t proven that. I’m not going to be completely comfortable leaving you unprotected until I know for certain.”
She resisted an impulse to roll her eyes. “I’m hardly unprotected. My sister and cousins have stopped
by every ten minutes or so today to check on me.”
“I’d still rather have you with me,” he said, his voice dropping to an intimate level that made a little shiver course down her spine.
“I’ll, um, I’ll think about it,” she told him again.
He nodded and straightened from the desk. “I assume you’ve already eaten lunch?”
“Yes, I had a sandwich earlier.”
“Maybe I’ll just get a cup of soup to hold me until dinner.” He glanced toward the diner. “Your aunt makes good soup.”
Following his glance, she saw Patricia leaving the diner, directing a hooded glance toward Hannah and Andrew on her way out. Hannah offered a little wave, which Patricia returned with a glum nod.
“She’s still here?” Andrew seemed surprised. “I haven’t seen her since I moved out of the motel.”
“Still here. I’m not sure how much longer she’s staying.”
“Wonder what her story is.”
Hearing the thoughtful curiosity in his tone, Hannah laughed softly and shook her head. “You can’t run checks on everyone in the resort, Andrew. You’re already looking into Chuck and Zach. Have you found out anything about Zach, by the way?”
“That’s what I’ve been doing since I got back from Cavender’s place. Zach’s juvenile records are sealed and he’s kept his nose clean for at least the past couple of years. His band has a few upcoming gigs, and he works part-time giving guitar lessons. He spends a lot of time in bars and clubs, but considering his career aspirations, that’s to be expected.”
Hannah frowned. “Hardly the most secure career he could pursue. Not to mention the lifestyle that goes along with it—constant travel, uncertain income, groupies, drugs...I’d hate to see Lori get wrapped up in all that.”
Andrew chuckled. “Now who’s being overprotective? Not to mention that you’re stereotyping every young guy who ever played in a band. I have a couple of cousins who went through the band stage, and they’ve all turned out okay. Your cousin’s just going through the typical rebellion stage, I wouldn’t worry about it too much.”
“You’re probably right,” Hannah conceded sheepishly. “I guess it comes from being the oldest. I tend to think I have to look after the others.”
“My cousin Jason would identify with that,” Andrew said with a chuckle.
“Is he an eldest cousin, too?”
“Well, technically, he’s the second of the fifteen Walker cousins, but there’s a sixteen-year gap between him and my oldest cousin, Brynn. He’s always seemed like the first of our generation, while Brynn seems more comfortable with our parents.”
Her baby was going to have a lot of relatives, Hannah thought a few minutes later, after Andrew left to eat. She had to occasionally remind herself that the child was as much a Walker as she was a Bell. Just as her parents were going to have to get used to the idea of sharing their grandchild with another set of grandparents. She sighed, telling herself that the sooner she and Andrew broke the news, the sooner everyone could start adjusting. It seemed clear that tonight at dinner would be the natural time, which meant she would warn Andrew to be prepared for the resulting fallout. She had only a few hours to brace herself and decide exactly what she wanted to say.
Chapter Eight
Andrew just happened to be hanging around when Hannah was ready to go back to her place before the planned dinner with her parents. Resisting an impulse to sigh, she climbed into a golf cart with him and allowed him to drive her the half mile home, though she had planned to walk for the exercise. It just seemed easier not to argue. This time.
He insisted on checking her steps and newly constructed railing before she climbed the stairs to her front door. Only when he’d confirmed that everything was solid did he move aside to allow her to enter.
“Thank you,” she said, her sarcasm either sailing over his head or simply going unacknowledged as he followed her in.
“Are you kidding?” she murmured when he then made a show of checking all the windows and the back door for signs of entrance. “Don’t you think you’re carrying this a little too far?”
“Not where your safety is concerned,” he replied, unperturbed by her tone. “Everything looks good.”
“Of course it does.” Shaking her head, she motioned toward the kitchen. “There’s iced tea in the fridge if you want a glass. I want to freshen up before we head to Mom and Dad’s house. Or, of course, you could meet me there later.”
“I’ll have some tea,” he said, not at all to her surprise. He wasn’t leaving her alone even for the half hour remaining before they were expected to join her family for dinner. She was going to have to discuss this with him of course. She would be smothered if she couldn’t have even a few minutes to herself, and she needed to convince him that she was perfectly capable of using caution on her own behalf. It was just one of the many things they were going to talk about after she washed her face, freshened her makeup and brushed her hair—all an excuse to give her a few minutes alone to compose her arguments.
He sat on the couch when she returned, a half-filled glass of tea on the coffee table, his ever-present phone in his hand. More work emails, she suspected. His responsibilities in Dallas had to be weighing on his mind as much as his concerns here.
She sat on the other end of the couch, half turned to face him. “Andrew—”
He set his phone aside. “You want me to back off. I’m trying.”
He had a real knack for knowing exactly what she was about to say. Still, she said, “You can’t be my full-time bodyguard.”
“I know,” he conceded with visible reluctance. He reached out to cover her hand on her knee with his. “I just want to take care of you.”
Something inside her melted in response to his words and the gentle tone in which he’d said them, but she made herself stay strong. “You know, since I found the backbone to divorce Wade a year and a half ago, I’ve gotten into the habit of taking care of myself. I like it.”
“I know that, too. And I have to admit, it makes me wonder if there’s a place for me in the life you’ve made for yourself.”
She moistened her lips, trying to decide what he meant. Was he saying he wanted a place in her life? Permanently?
The baby gave a particularly vigorous kick to her rib cage, probably because she was twisted on the couch, and she shifted into a more comfortable position, her free hand going automatically to her side. Andrew followed that movement with his eyes. “Is she kicking?”
“Yes. Do you want to feel her?” After their lovemaking last night, he had been fascinated by the hard little lumps and bumps beneath her skin, the rolling, kicking movements of their child inside her. Hannah had fallen asleep very quickly, but she wondered how long Andrew had lain awake, thinking about the future, visualizing the daughter he would be meeting in a few months.
“Of course,” he said, pressing his palm to her side, just where the baby’s foot was performing a little tap dance. “Wow, she’s really getting her exercise, isn’t she?”
“Getting stronger every day.”
He slowly moved his hand away, as though he would have liked to leave it there longer. “I haven’t even thought to ask if you have a name for her yet.”
“Not really. After all, we just found out yesterday that she’s a girl.” It made her head spin a bit to realize how much had happened in the past few days. It was no wonder she hadn’t found time to make lists of potential names. “Um, do you have any favorite girls’ names?”
Looking a little dazed, he shook his head. “I haven’t thought about it yet, either. I mean, choosing a name for our kid makes it all pretty real, doesn’t it?”
It had been real for Hannah for several months now, but Andrew still had a way to go to catch up. “Yes.”
“She’ll probably have dark hair, because you and I both inherited our mothers’ dark coloring. My dad’s hair is lighter, and his eyes are light blue. So our daughter’s eyes could be any color, but I hope she gets your jade-gree
n. You have beautiful eyes.”
From Andrew, that was almost a poetic speech. It made her cheeks warm in instinctive pleasure. “She may well have your brown eyes, because I believe brown is dominant, but we’ll see.”
“Whichever, she’ll still be beautiful.”
“Yes.” Hannah had no doubt that their daughter would be beautiful to them. She already loved this baby so much her heart ached with it. She suspected Andrew was quickly feeling the same way. Family was as important to him as to her, and he made no secret of his affection for them.
As for their feelings for each other...
She loved him, she thought with a hard swallow. She had loved him almost from the beginning. He’d come into her life at a time of turmoil, bringing with him sanity, certainty and reassurance. He’d listened to her, respected her, comforted her and deferred to her—all things she and her battered ego had needed at that time. She’d fallen for his compassion, his competence, his quiet humor, his undeniable physical appeal. The whole package. She’d loved him when she’d invited him into her bed in Dallas, even though she’d been convinced then it wouldn’t last. Now she knew she would love him the rest of her life.
Maybe he was trying to convince himself he loved her, too. But despite her own certainty, how could she trust his feelings to last, considering the current circumstances? He wouldn’t even be here with her now if it were not for her unexpected pregnancy. Yes, she had been the one to ask him not to contact her after that night in December, but she’d had good reasons then, and still thought her decision had been valid. Maybe just as valid now.
“Hannah—”
“Claire,” she blurted in a sudden panic at what he might say. “I’ve always liked the name Claire. Do you like it?”
He blinked, then nodded. “I like it.”