by Cate Beauman
“I remember waking up to Becky crying as she ran with me downstairs. And the world as I knew it ended.” He snapped.
“Alyson was taken from her bed. Someone walked into your home and took your sister.”
Noah shrugged again.
Chase stared at the cold man looking back at him. “You hate her, but you don’t even know her.”
“My sister stopped being my sister in nineteen ninety.”
“Well she’s back. In the room right across the hall.” He pointed to the gym. “You know it, Neve knows it, and so does she—deep down. This sucks all the way around, but a week ago you were Noah. This week you still are. Julie can’t say the same thing.”
“Maybe.”
“Don’t give me that bullshit.”
“You get her to swab her cheek and we’ll see what we see. Until then, she’s nothing. After that, she’ll still be nothing.”
Chase clenched his jaw, more than tempted to punch the bastard. “Maybe we should swab your cheek. You appear to be the only fucker in the gene pool.” He moved toward the exit. “You should probably get out of my way before my fist ends up in your face.” He yanked the door farther open and stopped short of slamming into Elaine, grabbing her by the arms to keep from knocking her over. “Excuse me.” He let her go.
“No. Excuse me.” She moved out of his way, her eyes wide as she looked from the library to Chase again.
He kept moving down the hall, struggling with frustration. He needed to convince Julie to take that test, and he needed Noah to stay the hell out of his way.
~~~~
Chase sat next to Julie at the table, finishing off the last bite of the chocolate torte Ferra had spoiled them with after an amazing lobster dinner. He smiled as Julie laughed at something Neve said. She and Neve had had a good day. Julie’s eyes were bright, and her usual energy was back. When she changed for dinner, telling him about their shopping expedition, eating French onion soup at some swank little restaurant, and their one-on-one yoga session, he’d elected not to share the information he gathered this afternoon, wanting to keep those pretty smiles on her face. But he needed to talk to Neve.
“Well.” Julie sighed, as she took the napkin off her lap and placed it on the table. “I think I’m going to head up for a long, lazy bath.”
“That sounds lovely.” Neve set her napkin on the table as well. “I need to change for my evening out. Tonight’s party is for the adults. Tomorrow’s breakfast with Santa is for the children.”
“Have fun.” Julie stood, facing Chase, taking his hand. “Are you coming up?”
He saw the invitation in her smile and fully intended to take advantage. “In just a minute.”
“Okay.” Julie walked off, and Neve stood.
“Enjoy your evening, Chase.”
He got to his feet. “Actually, can I talk to you for just a second? I know you have to go.”
“Sure. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, everything’s fine. I have a random question.” He crossed his arms. “Today on the way back from my meeting, I realized I’ve never asked you your thoughts on the kidnapping—who you think took Alyson, initial impressions.”
She frowned. “Oh.”
“Did you ever feel like her abductor was someone you and Jay knew, or did you get the sense it was a random stranger?”
“For a long time, I thought Becky had something to do with Ally’s disappearance.”
“And now?”
She shook her head. “Becky wouldn’t have hurt Ally any more than I would.”
“So a stranger then?”
“Yes. I’d have to say so. There’s never been any evidence to suggest otherwise, other than the balcony doors being unlocked, but Ally or Noah very well could have done that at some point and we never noticed.” She shook her head again. “I can’t think of anyone close to our family who would ever do anything to hurt Jay and me the way Ally disappearing did.”
He nodded, uncrossing his arms, sticking his hands in his back pockets as he led her to the actual question he needed her to answer. “Does the name Dawn Summerman ring any bells?”
“Dawn Summerman?” Her brows furrowed again. “Dawn Summerman,” she whispered. “No.”
“What about Donnie Dorman?
“I can’t say I know that name either. Why? What’s going on, Chase?”
And this is exactly why he didn’t come right out and ask. Neve wasn’t an idiot; she had a right to know the path his investigation was taking, but he wasn’t ready to share information until he had more. “Someone mentioned their names in passing. I wasn’t sure if they were friends.”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Okay. Well, thanks. Have fun tonight.” He started toward the stairs.
“Chase.”
He turned.
“What—does Julie remember anything about that night?”
He shook his head. “She has flashes of small things, but for the most part, there’s nothing concrete.”
She nodded, the disappointment in her eyes obvious. “There was a blanket Jay’s mother made—quilted pink and purple squares. It vanished when Ally did and was never found. I’ve always wondered if Julie might have been able to keep it—a part of her past. I wanted to ask her but…” She shrugged.
In all the years he’d known Julie, he never remembered seeing a pink and purple blanket. “I don’t think so.”
She nodded again. “I think there’s a lot we’re never going to know.”
Unfortunately she was right. Twenty-five years had passed—too much time. Even Ethan’s excellent hacking and research skills weren’t finding them the answers they needed. They would more than likely never know Miranda Keller’s whereabouts during her four-year absence from Bakersfield—before she wound up in Newton, Massachusetts—without a social security number to trace, which she had somehow managed to exist without during that timeframe. It was also highly unlikely they would ever figure out whom she paid off to get Julie one hell of an authentic-looking birth certificate, or what happened to a blanket made lovingly by a grandmother for her grandchild. “That may be so.”
“Well, goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” He headed upstairs to find Julie, burying the guilt of keeping secrets from her as he walked to her room. She deserved one peaceful night. Unfortunately, that was all he could afford to give her.
Chapter Thirty-one
Chase typed up the key points Ethan wanted him to address at his meeting three hours from now. His fingers flew over the keys as he added a few topics of his own. Don’t forget updated maps! he put for his final thought as Julie stepped out of the bathroom. He flicked a glance her way as she tied her hair back in a ponytail, wearing black yoga pants and a charcoal-gray sweatshirt. His gaze wandered back to his computer when his laptop beeped, alerting him to a new e-mail. He flipped screens, reading the latest couple of paragraphs from Ethan.
“Work, work, work,” Julie said.
He made a sound in his throat, adding more information to his notes.
“I have to go soon.”
“‘Kay. Have fun. See you tonight,” he mumbled, focusing on the concerns Jackson had pointed out for the one o’clock site survey at TD Stadium where several scenes of an upcoming motion picture were set to be shot.
Julie crawled on the bed and pulled the laptop off his thighs, taking its place.
He smiled. “Jules, I have to get ready—”
“I’ll be out of your way in just a couple of minutes.” She slid her palms down his naked chest and stomach, stopping at the edge of his boxers. “When you say goodbye, you should say it like you mean it,” she whispered against his lips, smiling mischievously. She brushed her fingers through his hair and kissed him, her tongue diving deep, making him instantly hard.
Groaning, he gripped her butt, pulling her closer, grinding her against him. “Are you looking for a quickie, Jules?”
She stroked the back of his neck. “Tempting, but I don’t think we can be that quick.�
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“I’m willing to try.” He nipped her jaw, raring to go.
“I have less than ten minutes.” She tugged on his ear with her teeth and slipped her hand under the elastic of his underwear, gripping him.
He clenched his jaw, sucking in a sharp breath and yanked on her pants, struggling to push them and her panties down to her knees.
“Chase—”
“You started it.” He freed himself, lifted her and pushed himself inside her.
She tipped her head back on a quiet moan. “I really don’t think I have time for this.”
“Just for a couple of minutes.” He snuck his hands beneath her sweatshirt and palmed her breasts through her bra.
“Okay.” She wrapped her arms around the back of his neck and moved up and down, whimpering as her cheeks pinked up and the little blotches on her chest and neck appeared, a sure sign she was turned on. “But the limo’s going to be here any second. Elaine said nine sharp. I’m already imposing, so I don’t want to be late.”
He had every intention of finishing them both off before she went anywhere. “How are you feeling about today?”
“Really, really good, especially right now.”
“Good.” He rubbed his fingers over her and she moved in longer strokes, moaning.
“We had a great time yesterday.” She sunk her teeth into his shoulder.
“I think today is just what you need.” He played her the way that always sent her flying.
Her breathing grew increasingly unsteady as her hips gyrated more frantically. “Chase. Oh, God, Chase I don’t have time to come.” She pressed her lips to his.
He increased his pressure and speed. She was almost there. “There’s always time to come, Jules.”
She gasped, wrapping her arms tighter around him as she muffled her cry against his mouth.
“See?” He gripped her hips, sinking her deeper, and thrust up, watching her eyes go wide as she came again.
“Your turn. Your turn,” she moaned, moving like lightening until he groaned next to her ear, clutching his arms around her waist.
He kissed her once, twice, as they both panted. “This was a great goodbye.”
“Agreed.” She tried to move away. “Now I have to go.”
Shaking his head, he held her against him. “You have another minute. We accomplished all of that in record time. I’ll miss you today.” He kissed the corners of her mouth, watching her eyes soften.
“You will?”
He pressed a kiss to her nose. “Definitely.”
She outlined his beard with her fingers. “I guess I do have another minute.”
He smiled.
Smiling back, she traced his ears. “You have meetings until five?”
“Right around five—maybe a little later. Probably more like five thirty or six.”
“We won’t be back until quarter to five or so. I’m actually looking forward to this.”
“You’re going to have a great day. You and Neve are finding your way.”
“She’s pretty easy to talk to. She seems to like yoga.”
“I think she likes spending time with you.” He winked.
“Maybe. But I know one thing’s for sure: All of this has been so much easier having you here.” She hugged him. “Thank you.”
He moved his hands up and down her back as his mind wandered to his conversation with Donnie and Noah. “Have you thought any more about what we talked about yesterday?”
She kissed his cheek. “You mean about sex in the bathtub being amazing?” She kissed his other cheek. “Although I have to say this wasn’t bad either.”
“I couldn’t agree more, but that wasn’t exactly what I was thinking about.”
She kissed his chin. “What did we talk about yesterday?”
“The testing.”
The easy light left her eyes. “I thought we weren’t talking about that.”
“I think it’s time…to at least start considering it.”
“I’m not ready.” She pulled herself off of him and yanked up her pants. “I told you that already.”
He got up, adjusting himself in his boxers as she reached for the doorknob. “Jules, wait.”
She whirled, her cheeks pink now with temper. “You’re pressuring me.”
“I just think—”
“I’m not ready, Chase. I can’t take it back once I know for sure. I can’t say my mother didn’t have something to do with all of this. I won’t be able to say Gram and Gramps are mine.”
“They’ll always be yours.”
“It won’t be the same. Nothing will ever be exactly the same again.”
“I understand—”
She shook her head. “No, you don’t. You can’t. You know me better than anyone, but still, Chase, you will never understand what this is like.”
“Okay. You’re right.” He took her hand.” I want to help you. I’m doing everything I can, but eventually I have to go back.”
She pulled her hand from his. “So go. Go back, Chase.” She yanked open the door and left.
“Damn it.” He pulled on his sweatpants, intending to run after her when he heard a car honk. He moved to the window, looked down, and seconds later spotted Julie rushing out the front door with her coat half on.
Neve helped her put her other arm in and gave her a quick hug as she said something to her daughter.
Julie nodded, sending Neve a small smile as she got in the back of the limo with her two companions, and left.
“Damn it,” he said again, turning away. That wasn’t how the conversation was supposed to go. They were running out of time. Julie needed to be back in Washington tomorrow, and today was his last round of meetings. Tuesday he would be in LA, and in two weeks, he would be overseas. Once he was back at work full-time, Julie’s case wouldn’t be the priority. Wrapping up a twenty-five-year-old kidnapping in six days was hardly likely to happen, but until he could prove to Donnie Dorman that Alyson Porter had been found, Donnie wouldn’t be saying a damn word.
~~~~
Julie stripped down to her panties and put on her robe, breathing in the scent of Chase’s soap still clinging to her skin. She belted the soft fabric closed, thinking back to their argument, and swallowed. She pressed a hand to her unsettled stomach, wondering if he would still be there when she and Neve went home.
Closing her eyes, she sighed and rested her head on the corner of the cabinet, regretting the way they’d left things. She’d told him to go, and maybe he would. This wouldn’t be the first time they parted ways on bad terms. But they weren’t supposed to end things this way again.
She stood straight and folded her pants as Neve and Elaine’s voices and laughter mixed in the next room. She picked up her sweatshirt and tossed it back down. Why wouldn’t Chase stop pressuring her? Didn’t he understand that she wasn’t ready to know, to face the reality that her life had been a lie for the last twenty-five years? Eventually she would have to, but certainly not right now when she was supposed to be enjoying her day at the spa.
“Julie, are you coming?” Elaine asked with a knock on the doorframe, leaning against the glossy wood in her baggy capri sweats and a snug white t-shirt that accentuated her gorgeous figure and well-endowed chest.
“Yes.” She plastered a smile on her face and nodded. “I just wanted to fold my clothes real quick.” She accepted the mimosa Elaine offered. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Julie walked out with Elaine, and the three of them stood in the pretty, private room overlooking the city bustling with Friday business.
“I think we should toast.” Elaine held up her glass. “To one of the best days each year. It’s going to be a good one.”
They clinked glasses and sipped.
“Welcome, Julie,” Neve added and they touched glasses again.
“Thank you so much for inviting me. I feel honored to be included in your special day.”
“You bet, Buttercup.” Elaine winked.
; There was a quiet knock at the door.
Elaine beamed. “Let the relaxation begin.”
Neve opened the door.
“Ms. Porter.” The woman who’d welcomed them in the elegant receptionist’s area stepped inside, slightly pale. “Ms. Porter, I’m afraid we’ve had a terrible mix up.”
“Oh?” Neve asked.
“Yes. A terrible, terrible mix up,” she repeated and cleared her throat. “The three-bed suite has been double-booked.”
“What?” Elaine set down her glass with a snap. “When I called last night to make sure today was all set, I was assured we were good.”
“I remember, Ms. Wilcox. I’m Aimee, the one you spoke to.” She smiled apologetically. “I’m not sure how this happened, but the matter is being looked into as we speak. If the other party wasn’t already settled in the room—”
“What do you suggest we do?” Neve asked.
“We have our couple’s suite available for massage. We can also start one of you off in our treatment room with a botanical mud wrap.”
“This is unacceptable. Completely unacceptable.” Elaine steamed out a breath.
“I agree,” Aimee said. “Unfortunately with the holidays upon us, we’re booked. For our inexcusable blunder, your entire day will be on us and another complimentary package of services will be added for each of you.”
“This is a tradition. Eighteen years,” Elaine continued.
“I’m more than happy to start with the wrap,” Julie said, looking from Neve to Elaine. “This is your special day.”
“No.” Neve shook her head. “I’m sure Elaine won’t mind starting with the botanical wrap. Hopefully we’ll do this again next year, and all three of us can be together as we originally planned.”
“I’ll book your appointments this moment,” Aimee assured.
Julie nibbled her lip, aware that her being here was what ruined the plan. “I really don’t want to mess up your day.”
“You’re not.” Elaine smiled at her. “Today’s your last day in Boston. I want you and Neve to enjoy yourselves.”
“I just don’t feel right—”
“I’ll make it up to her.” Neve smiled at Elaine, taking her hand. “Elaine and I will have another day all to ourselves after she gets back from her trip to Hawaii.”