“Great, but bring those bags in first.”
Twenty minutes later, Leah was alone with the cat—who seemed to delight in tormenting her dog by stalking his every move—and a quivering canine. She eyed Charlie. “You’re just plain mean. You know that, right?”
The cat narrowed his eyes at her.
“Fine.” She limped to the door. “Out, Barney. Go chase a squirrel or something.”
Her cell phone rang as she headed back toward the kitchen. Hobbling as fast as she could go, she scooped it up just before it went to voice mail.
“Hello.”
“You’ll never guess who just called me.”
Leah rounded the end of the counter and opened the freezer door. “Hi, Grandma. Who?”
“Do you remember Milly Harrington? Your grandpa and I used to play bridge with Milly and Fred.” Her voice lowered. “You didn’t hear this from me, but the Harringtons were swingers back in the day.”
“I remember her.” After searching through two pullout bins, Leah extracted a bag of frozen mangos. Her damn knee had started to ache again.
“Milly’s a widow now, too. A few years back, she moved to a senior community similar to mine up in Astoria to be closer to her daughter.” Gram’s tone filled with a hint of superiority. “I guess everyone isn’t as self-sufficient as I am.”
Leah’s smile faded as she hitched herself up onto a stool, extended her leg across a second seat, and slapped the frozen fruit onto her knee. Her grandma wouldn’t be able to live alone much longer, either, now that she was broke. “Astoria? That’s where Brock lives.”
“He does? I’d forgotten. That man . . . well, never mind. You know my feelings on the subject of your ex-husband.”
“Only too well.”
“Anyway, Milly heard I got taken by that con man back in September. Flo, who does my hair, is the worst sort of gossip, and they’re friends.”
Her knee was going numb, which, Leah supposed, was the point. She wasn’t certain Gram’s rambling narrative had one. “Uh, is there a reason you called to chat about Milly?”
“Well, of course. One of Milly’s neighbors stopped by to tell her all about this handsome young man who’d offered her an investment opportunity she simply couldn’t pass up. Sometime during the conversation, Milly remembered Flo’s story about me.”
Leah straightened and clenched the cell a little tighter. “Investing in real estate?”
“That’s right.”
“What was this man’s name?”
“Eric Hilliard. But Milly’s neighbor mentioned something funny. She said the man reminded her of Ricky Nelson, who was a big heartthrob back in the fifties and sixties.”
The mangos slipped out of Leah’s hand and smacked against the floor. “You’re kidding?”
“I’m not. Do you think there might be a connection to my con man?”
“I certainly do. Did Milly contact her neighbor and urge her to report this guy?”
“Since I gave her an earful, she definitely plans to.” Her grandma chuckled. “She was all atwitter, talking about busting this case wide open. I think Milly’s been watching too many cop shows. Anyway, I called you as soon as I hung up.”
“This could be the break we’ve been waiting for. If Hilliard, or whatever he’s calling himself, makes a second trip to see this woman . . .”
“The police could nab him . . . and I might get all my money back.”
Leah frowned. “It’s a little strange this jerk is hitting another retirement community so soon after robbing you. It was months between his previous cons.”
“Maybe he needs more cash for some reason. I hope it doesn’t mean he spent all of mine.”
“Grandma, can you call our local police station? They should be brought up-to-date since they’re investigating this man . . . if he’s the same person. Just tell them everything you told me.”
“I still have that nice Officer Long’s business card. I’ll call him directly.”
“You do that. I’ll touch base with you tomorrow night after Ryan and I get home.”
“Okay. Bye, Leah.”
She set down her cell then swooped to grab the bag of mangos off the floor. Closing her eyes, she said a little prayer the cops would soon catch the bastard stealing from seniors. When her phone rang again, she answered without checking the display. “Did you forget something, Gram?”
“It’s Brock.”
Her eyes popped open. “I mention your name, and suddenly you call me? Weird. What do you want?”
“I guess the reports of your near demise were exaggerated. You’re your usual snarky self.”
She scowled. “Someone told you I was in a car wreck?”
“Pete mentioned it. I know we aren’t on the best terms, but I didn’t like hearing you’d been hauled off to the hospital in an ambulance.”
A long breath hissed out. “I appreciate that. Apparently someone else isn’t nearly as concerned for my health.”
“Huh?”
“The crash was no accident. Someone shoved my car off that cliff on purpose.”
“Why the hell would anyone do that?”
She pressed a hand to her forehead as her head began to throb. “Long story. This person thought I had incriminating evidence from an old crime. Some photos.”
“Do you?”
Leah hesitated for a moment as her mind flashed to Ryan handing over the remaining pictures and negatives to Detective Stannard the previous morning. “No, I don’t, thank God.”
“Then why—”
“As I said before, long story. But hopefully word has spread by now, and this freak will leave me alone in the future.”
“I really don’t wish you ill, Leah.”
He probably believed every word of his declaration. In Brock’s small mind, emotional wounds didn’t count for much.
“Great. Thanks for calling.”
His voice rose. “Wait. Why’d you mention my name?”
“What?”
“When you answered the phone, you said you’d just mentioned my name.”
“Oh, yeah.” Leah massaged her temples. “My grandma called. I don’t know if you heard, but some bastard scammed her and robbed her blind.”
“If you think I—”
“That’s not what I was implying. Gram would have recognized you, so don’t get your shorts in a knot. Anyway, this loser is now preying on elderly women in Astoria. I mentioned you live there.”
“Oh. Evie isn’t exactly a fan of mine, so I thought . . . Never mind. Someone stole all her money?”
“Damn near every cent. She’s going to have to move in with me.”
“Unfortunate.” Brock’s tone dripped sarcasm. “I guess that’ll kill your sex life with good old Ryan.”
“You’re a jerk.” Leah hung up the phone. “Ass.”
Charlie strolled into the room and jumped up onto the stool next to her injured knee. When she reached out to pet him, he batted her hand with his paw, claws extended. A faint line of blood appeared.
Leah rolled her eyes. “Perfect.”
Chapter Twenty-four
Leah sat across the table from Ryan, picking at a plate full of chiles rellenos and black beans, while he worked his way through a giant burrito. She glanced up when a blonde, a redhead, and a brunette walked into the restaurant and sat at a table a short distance away. The redhead’s gaze zeroed in on the back of Ryan’s head before she said something to her companions. All three women looked their way.
“Leah.”
“Huh?” She jerked her attention back to Ryan.
“What happened when this bastard’s latest victim called the cops in Astoria?”
“Hilliard had promised to meet the woman at her home with the contract to sign and asked her to have a check ready. The cops were waiting for him, but he never showed.”
Ryan set down his fork and frowned. “That’s odd. You’d think he’d be punctual when it came to cashing in on his scam. Did he contact her about a different meeti
ng time?”
“He hadn’t when I spoke to Chris Long. Chris filled me in on the details while you were in the shower. The police think maybe the guy was tipped off.”
“Who would have told him? No one knew Hilliard was under investigation except your grandma and her friend, the cops in Siren Cove, and the police in Astoria.”
“It doesn’t make any sense. I’m sure Milly didn’t blab the news around town.” Leah poked at her relleno as her appetite faded. “I’d so hoped they would nail the jerk. By the way, I looked up this new alias online. What do you know, Ricky Nelson’s real name was Eric Hilliard Nelson, so the crook in Astoria is definitely the same guy who conned my grandma.”
“Idiot. He must think he’s clever using these old singers’ names. Hopefully it’ll trip him up eventually.”
“Now would be good. Later isn’t going to help us a whole hell of a lot since we can’t pay my grandma’s November rent.”
“I could—” Ryan let out a breath and glanced away. “This conversation is obviously upsetting you.” Reaching across the table, he squeezed her arm. “Let’s talk about something else. You need to relax.”
“Not much chance of that happening.” Leah dropped her napkin beside her plate and stood. “I’m going to use the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.”
His eyes darkened as he met her gaze. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Grandma will be, too. Everything will work out somehow.” She limped a little as she made her way past the table where the three women sat drinking cocktails. Once she reached the restroom, she used the toilet, then washed her hands at the sink. Worried brown eyes stared back at her as she glanced in the mirror. When the door opened, her gaze shifted, and she gave a little nod to the redhead who walked into the room.
The woman joined her at the sinks and studied her reflection in the mirror for a long moment, opened her mouth, then pressed her lips tightly together.
Leah pulled a paper towel out of the dispenser and dried her hands before wadding it into a ball. Turning, she met the woman’s gaze head-on. “Did you want to say something to me?”
“I don’t know why I followed you in here. It was a mistake.”
“Okay.” She tossed the towel in the trash and took two steps toward the door.
“Curiosity, I guess. Or maybe the need to poke a wound that isn’t completely healed.”
Leah pivoted slowly and eyed the woman, from her red hair twisted into an elegant knot, past hazel eyes that held a hint of defiance, over a tidy suit jacket and pencil skirt, to a pair of heels that made the most of her long legs. “Since I’m pretty certain I’ve never seen you before, I have to assume you know Ryan.”
“We broke up last month.”
The breath left her in a rush as she reached out to hold on to the edge of the counter. “He’s never talked much about a recent relationship.”
“Why am I not surprised? I don’t want to cause trouble. I’ll go back to my table now.” She drew in a couple of quick breaths but made no move to leave. Finally her gaze rose again to meet Leah’s. “It’s just that you’re the exact opposite of me, so I couldn’t help wondering if the problem all along wasn’t Ryan’s issues with commitment and intimacy but the fact that I simply wasn’t his type.”
This lady had a point. She exuded elegant sophistication. Leah had dressed for comfort in a bright pink sweater over black leggings tucked into heelless suede boots. Subtle makeup made the most of the woman’s quiet attraction, while Leah hadn’t bothered to do much more than dab a little foundation over the worst of the scabs on the side of her forehead. She still looked like she’d come out the loser in a street brawl.
“Ryan’s not into battered waifs, if that’s what you’re thinking. I was in a car accident a couple of days ago.”
The hazel eyes widened. “I just meant you don’t look like the uptight sort. I hope you weren’t badly injured.”
“Scrapes and bruises. I’ll live. I’m Leah, by the way.”
“Ursula.” She held out a hand.
Leah shook it. “Nice to meet you. Commitment and intimacy issues, huh?”
“Look, Ryan’s a great guy, but I got the feeling some woman did a real number on him in his past. Trust doesn’t come easy for that man.” Ursula shrugged. “Maybe you’ll be the one to heal those old wounds. I certainly wasn’t.”
Leah swallowed hard. Any possible response stuck in her throat.
“Unless you only want no-strings fun. Then Ryan fills the bill.” Ursula’s smile looked forced. “Anyway, have a nice evening.”
Leah nodded. “Yeah, you, too.”
After the other woman left the room, Leah took a few moments to compose herself. If Ryan had trust issues, she was more than likely the cause. Closing her eyes, she pressed her fingers to her lids to hold back tears. Maybe she’d done more damage to him than she realized all those years ago. The knowledge cut deep.
But there wasn’t much she could do about it now . . . except try to make it up to him.
* * *
Ryan finished his burrito and pushed back his plate, wondering what was taking Leah so long in the bathroom. She’d been visibly upset talking about the con man evading arrest. Tight lines had bracketed her lips, and the hand she used to push her hair behind her ear had been a little unsteady. He’d almost offered to give her a chunk of cash to pay her grandma’s rent but had stopped himself at the last second. If he’d learned one thing in his experience with his old college roommate, it was that mixing money into a personal friendship could end in disaster. As much as he wanted to ease Leah’s financial concerns, he wouldn’t risk screwing up their developing feelings. He cared about her too much.
Glancing over his shoulder, he wondered if he should go check on her. A movement caught his attention, but his relief faded as the woman leaving the restroom turned his way. Not Leah. Ursula. Their gazes locked as she approached. She paused for a moment at a table where two other women sat before continuing toward him.
Slowly he stood. “It’s good to see you, Ursula. How are you?”
“Busy as usual. I haven’t bumped into you since . . . well, in a while.”
“My mom broke her arm. I’ve been staying in Siren Cove to help her out.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Is that where the woman you’re with is from?”
“Leah? Yes.” He gripped the back of his chair. “Did you—”
“We spoke in the restroom. She seems nice.”
“She is. Ursula, I—”
“I won’t intrude on your evening. See you around, Ryan.”
She walked away before he could respond, and when he tore his gaze from her stiff shoulders, Leah was halfway across the room. He offered a hesitant smile when she reached their table. “I guess you met Ursula.”
Leah nodded, her eyes sober. When she glanced down at the food remaining on her plate, her lips twisted. “If you’re finished eating, maybe we can go?”
A knot of dread tightened in his stomach. What the hell did Ursula say to her? “Sure.”
He stopped at the cashier’s stand on their way out to pay the bill, then took Leah’s arm as they walked outside and crossed the parking lot. A cold wind sent dead leaves scattering across the pavement ahead of them. After he unlocked his Jeep and helped her inside, he ran around the front. By the time he was seated, his nerves were completely shot. He started the engine but made no move to leave.
“Are we going to sit here or drive?”
At Leah’s words, he shifted into gear and pulled out of the lot. The minutes ticked by with only the sound of the tires on the asphalt to break the silence. When he couldn’t stand the suspense another moment, he spoke. “What did she say to you?”
Leah glanced over. “Ursula? Just that you used to date her. Nice woman.”
“Oh.”
“And that you have intimacy problems.”
He nearly drove off the side of the road. “Are you kidding!” He jerked the wheel and breathed hard through his nose. �
��Okay, maybe we didn’t spend all our time in bed, but—”
“Eww, stop right there!” Leah’s voice rose in a screech. “I don’t want to hear about that. How would you feel if I told you about my sex life with other men?”
His stomach protested, and he wished he hadn’t eaten all of his giant burrito. “A little ill. It’s not something I want to think about, but you said—”
“Ursula meant you weren’t open about your feelings, not that you couldn’t . . . Eww, just eww.”
“Okay, I get it. Sorry.”
“Are your trust issues my fault?” She turned to stare out the window into the dark forest. “Did I destroy your confidence in women?”
He wanted to deny her words, to take away the misery coloring her voice. But he couldn’t lie. “Maybe I’m more cautious than I would have been if you hadn’t dumped me our senior year. I don’t think that’s such a bad thing.”
“Closing your heart to love isn’t bad?”
“The door isn’t completely shut. Maybe just not wide-open.” He slowed to turn onto the dirt track leading to his house. “If you hadn’t taught me a lesson in relationship reality early on, someone else would have. I learned not to have unrealistic expectations.”
Turning in her seat, she dropped a hand on his thigh. “If you won’t allow yourself to be vulnerable, you aren’t able to experience the joy of totally surrendering your emotional well-being to another person. How can you be happy holding part of yourself back? How can you make the person you love happy?”
“Does it seem like I’m holding back with you? I’d have to say I’ve been pretty damn open.” He pulled up in front of his home and cut the engine. In the silence that followed, the motor ticked as it cooled. “You didn’t ruin me for other women, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“I’m not that egotistical.” Her lashes fluttered across her cheeks before she opened her eyes and seemed to stare straight into his soul. “Anyway, if I did, I sort of screwed myself in the process. Ironic, don’t you think.”
He covered the hand still resting on his leg and squeezed. “This is me, putting myself out there. I love you, Leah. If I held back with Ursula, it was because my feelings weren’t . . . engaged. She didn’t twist me up inside like a pretzel the way you do. Are you happy?”
Buried Truth Page 23