Fiona had promised to stop by and walk with her to church. Turning from the window, Demi determined to put her fears to rest and enjoy the day.
She crossed the room and opened the door to see Fiona dressed in a khaki skirt and a light pink pullover summer sweater.
“Good morning. Come on in while I get my purse.” Demi grabbed it from the chair.
“Sean and Hunter left a bit early so they could have their ‘man breakfast.’” Fiona laughed. “No girls allowed.”
Together, she and Fiona descended the stairs. “That’s so sweet. Hunter is like a father to Sean, isn’t he?”
“Yes, after my first husband, Jimmy, died, I was crushed, but—” a real smile spread across her face “—Hunter has been an answer to prayer. He loves Sean like he’s his own. And Sean returns the affection. God’s been good to us.”
“Even with all the crazy stuff going on?” She’d heard about the fire at the bookstore and the arsonist who’d been caught just before Demi’s arrival in town.
Fiona smiled. “Even then.”
Outside, they started the short walk to the church and Demi couldn’t help glancing around, and back over her shoulder.
“Are you okay?” Fiona asked.
Demi jumped. “Oh. Yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry, I guess I’m just a bit skittish.”
“Well, who can blame you after what happened at Charles’s house Friday night? And then to come home and think someone had been in your apartment? I’d be skittish, too.” She paused. “So you really think someone was there?”
Demi frowned. “Yes, I do. I just don’t know why.”
Fiona gave her a sympathetic pat on the arm and frowned. “I have someone coming today to reinforce the locks.”
“Might not be a bad idea.” In fact Demi thought it was a very good idea.
And then they were at the church. It was a lovely white-steepled structure with old-world charm. Demi hoped she would be able to find some peace inside.
Fiona led the way and Demi followed her down the aisle, watching as the woman spoke to nearly everyone there. She introduced Demi as a friend and her new tenant.
And then the man who’d been so snarly the other day, Burke Hennessy, walked up and gave her a haughty smirk. “You don’t have much of a self-preservation instinct, do you?”
“What do you mean?”
Burke’s voice carried through the chattering crowd. “I’m just trying to give you some advice, dear. Getting mixed up with the Fitzgerald family isn’t the smartest move in the playbook. Charles is a murderer. His family’s position at the police department is the only reason he’s not behind bars.”
Demi blinked at the man’s audacity.
“Burke, enough,” the pretty blonde at his side hissed. The crowd immediately around them had quieted and now watched the interaction play out.
“It’ll never be enough, Christina,” Burke continued. “Fitzgerald Bay hasn’t had a murder in over forty years and—”
Fiona broke in, “Burke, not everyone believes the vicious rumors being spread about my brother. Leave Demi and Charles alone.”
Fiona pulled Demi away from the man still watching, his eyes burning holes into the back of her. Demi shivered at the underlying menace in the man’s voice.
By the time they walked to the middle of the church, Demi’s mind spun with names and faces and Burke Hennessy’s warning. Was he right? Was she being stupid to get involved with a man under the shadow of a murder investigation?
Her gaze landed on Charles—and the rest of his family.
His huge family, surrounding him, offered a buffer against the cold self-righteousness of members who didn’t believe a man suspected of murder should be in a house of worship. But she was glad to see others treated Charles well, slapping him on the back and shaking his hand. Apparently they’d missed the exchange with Burke.
All eyes seemed to land on her at the same time and panic hit her. What if the Fitzgeralds didn’t like her? Up to this point, the only time she’d had any real contact with his family was when she’d called 9-1-1 and they’d all shown up at Charles’s house.
What if they thought she was crazy because of the amnesia? What if they didn’t think she was good enough to take care of the twins? What if—
Charles lifted his head and caught her eyes. Pushing his way out of the circle around him, he held out a hand. “Good morning, Demi. Let me introduce you to the members of the family you haven’t met yet.”
Once again, Demi took in the names she knew she’d never remember, but was grateful no one seemed to find it strange that Charles had invited her. In fact everyone welcomed her with open arms.
Then the music started and Demi slipped into the pew beside Charles. She was glad she’d come, but she couldn’t help glancing around the congregation.
She continued to scan the crowd, eyes probing, looking for any hint of recognition. But she saw nothing that triggered her internal alarm. She thought of the person on the beach. And then the one who’d tried to get into the building via the back door. Was it the same man?
She wasn’t sure. All she knew was that the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. And somehow, she knew someone was here in this church…watching her.
* * *
Charles glanced at the woman beside him as his mind spun with ideas to help her. He was having a hard time staying focused on the sermon. A problem he had developed shortly after Kathleen left him. If it wasn’t for the children, he wasn’t sure he’d even bother to attend. Might as well figure out a way to help Demi in the meantime.
She seemed so fragile, so needy and yet he’d seen strength in her when her first instinct had been to protect the children from the dog—or protect him from whatever was in her closet.
Those were things he wasn’t likely to forget any time soon.
And the children had been asking about her this morning as he got them ready for church. They’d already fallen in love with their new nanny. Charles knew that if she decided to quit because of all the things that were happening to her—things that were happening because she was involved with him and his family—the children would be heartbroken.
A little voice in the back of his head said he would be, too.
Then he’d seen Burke say something to her at the start of the service and figured it wasn’t good. She’d looked spooked, then worried, but her expression had smoothed as the music had started.
Whatever had been bothering her at the beginning of the service seemed to slide from her shoulders and her mood lightened.
Was she a believer?
He made a mental note to ask her. Then scoffed at himself. She had amnesia. How would she know?
Charles leaned back and relaxed, glad to be in the company of his family. They shielded him from the dark looks the good people of Fitzgerald Bay shot him even in the church.
Movement from behind the pulpit grabbed his attention. Long heavy blue velvet curtains hung behind the pastor. One fluttered.
Then stopped.
Charles frowned as he watched for more movement. He looked for the air conditioning vent, but didn’t see one.
Nothing else happened over the next several minutes and he started to relax.
When the congregation erupted in laughter, Charles jerked. He’d been so preoccupied with the movement of the curtains, he’d missed the joke.
He tuned back in.
Pastor Larch said, “And now we have a video that will show you a little bit of what our young people will be doing on their mission trip to the mountains of North Carolina.”
The lights dimmed.
The curtains parted and the music started.
As the curtains pulled apart, Charles gaped at the words that were revealed on the lighted screen.
YOU DON’T BELONG HERE.
Beside him, Demi jerked and gasped.
The congregation muttered and pointed.
Aiden Fitzgerald popped to his feet as did Ryan, Owen and Keira. “Turn the lights back on!” Aiden shouted.
The sanctuary lit up.
Aiden, followed by several other members of the Fitzgerald Bay Police Department and leaders of the church, strode to the screen.
Charles joined them, heart thudding, listening to their speculation even as he studied the message.
Was it meant for him?
“Don’t touch anything,” he heard his father order.
Keira said, “Everyone back up, please. Can you all please return to your seats?”
But all Charles could do was stare. And it became very real to him that there were people in this town who not only thought he was a murderer, but hated him. Hated him enough to attack him in his own church. Hated him enough to vandalize his home and terrorize his family.
Anger bubbled just beneath the surface and he turned. He’d get his kids and get out. Turning, he saw Demi staring at the words, her face pale, her eyes wide. Scared.
His gut clenched. Would she now tell him that she no longer wanted anything to do with him? With his children?
The thought stabbed him in the heart.
“Demi?”
She turned her gaze on him, shook her head and walked toward the back of the church.
Ryan Fitzgerald, Deputy Chief of Police, came to stand beside him. “You think this was because of you, don’t you?”
“Don’t you?” Charles gritted out.
The uncertainty that flashed across Ryan’s face was answer enough. Then Ryan shrugged. “Probably, but I wouldn’t let it get to me. You know how people are, bro. Let it roll off your back.”
“Not everyone feels that way, Charles,” Pastor Larch said from his left. Charles turned to see the compassionate gaze of the man. “Don’t let this run you off. You belong here just as much as the person who left that message.”
“Thank you, Pastor, but I think it’s best if I just leave for now.” He appreciated the man’s reassurance, but the only thing he was interested in was getting his children and finding Demi.
Charles touched Fiona’s arm to get her attention in the chaos. “Will you get the twins? I need to take care of something.”
Concern reflected in her gaze, but instead of questioning him, she nodded. “Sure. We’re going to Dad’s for lunch.” She looked again at the front of the church where the message still blazed. “At least we were.”
“I’ll be back in a minute.”
He ran after Demi.
* * *
He means me, she thought. It was the same message as the one in the coffee can. I don’t belong here. He’s right. But how did he know that? And why make such a public display of it? To send her running?
Did she belong anywhere? To anyone?
Sobs crowded her throat as she made her way down the front steps of the church. She’d tried so hard to be brave, to believe the amnesia would go away and her memory would return.
But it hadn’t.
Tears slipped down her cheeks and she ignored them.
Anger, self-pity and fear all swirled inside her. Why had she even bothered coming to church? Did she somehow think that by doing so she could make God happy and He would miraculously restore her memory?
Maybe.
Her sandaled feet slapped the sidewalk as she hurried toward her apartment. She would have to use the phone in The Reading Nook to call Charles and—
Charles.
She stumbled to a halt.
And felt a heavy hand land on her arm.
Gasping, she spun and saw Charles.
“You s-scared me to death,” she stuttered.
His grim mouth tightened even more. “I know. I seem to have that effect on most of the townspeople these days.”
“I’m sorry.”
His brows drew even closer together as he frowned. “What do you mean? Sorry for what? I’m the one who needs to apologize to you.”
That stopped her. Drawing in a deep breath, she said, “Oh. Why?”
“I suppose after that little surprise in the church, you’ve rethought your decision to work as the children’s nanny?”
“What?” she blurted out. “No! I figured you wouldn’t want me anymore after…wait a minute. You think that message was for you?”
“Well, of course, who else…” Realization dawned on him. “And you think it was for you.” His frown lightened a fraction. “But why?” When she didn’t answer right away, he said, “I think we need to talk.”
She glanced behind him. “Where are the children?”
“With Fiona.” His gentle hand swiped the tears from her cheeks leaving a heated trail behind.
She flushed but hoped he would contribute that to the emotion of the moment. “Who would do such a thing?” she whispered.
“I don’t know. I thought I saw the curtain moving before the lights went low, but I didn’t think much about it.” He swallowed hard. Looked away then back at her. “I have a confession to make.”
“What?” Should she be worried?
But his eyes were kind. Gentle. And sad. He lifted his shoulders in a slight shrug. “I haven’t been to church in a while. I got tired of the stares, the accusing looks, the mamas hiding their children when I passed by.” He blew out a breath. “But today, I wanted to be there—” He met her eyes. “With you.” He gave a wry smile. “I fought in Iraq, toe-to-toe most days with some pretty harsh guys. But going to church, facing those people intimidated me.” Now he looked away. “I felt weak. And don’t ask me to explain this, but going to church today, knowing you were coming, knowing there was one person besides my family who believed in me…” He pulled in a deep breath. “That made me feel strong.”
“Oh, Charles.” She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist and offered him a hug right there on Main Street. In front of God and anyone else who cared to see. When she pulled away, the surprise in his eyes made her flush. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” His voice was husky as though holding back some deep emotion. “I needed that.”
“There you are.”
They jumped as one as the voice echoed across the street. Demi turned to see Aiden Fitzgerald bearing down on them, one brow raised. He didn’t say anything about the embrace he just witnessed. “We’ve got that mess taken care of back there. Now, can we put all this unpleasantness behind us and go eat? I’m starved.” His father eyed Charles who still had a hand on her upper arm. “You’re coming for lunch, right?”
“Sure, Dad, wouldn’t miss it.” Demi could hear the forced cheerfulness. “Who’s cooking?”
“Keira and Fiona threw something together last night. Just need to heat it up.”
Charles glanced at Demi.
“Demi’s welcome, too,” his father said.
“Thanks.” He looked at her. “Will you join us?”
“I’m…um…” Uncertainty filled her. She should probably say no. But she wanted to go. “Yes, I’d love that, thank you.”
“Great. You can ride with me and the kids.”
“I just need to get my purse. I’m afraid I ran off without it.” She ignored the embarrassed flush she felt climbing her cheeks.
“You get your purse. I’ll get the kids from Fiona and meet you at the truck.”
Demi nodded, excited at the prospect of spending more time with Charles and his family. And yet that excitement was tempered by the knowledge that while Charles thought that message was for him, she felt quite sure he was wrong.
Although she was unable to explain the reasons beh
ind it.
SEVEN
“Thanks for inviting her, Dad.”
“No problem. She’s a pretty girl.”
Charles felt a flush at the back of his neck. “Don’t go there, Dad. Lunch would be a great way for her to get to know the family. I mean she is the kids’ nanny, so everyone should get to know her. And she should get to know them. I mean—”
His father gave a hearty chuckle and slapped Charles on the back. “You can stop that painful explanation any time now.”
In spite of the morning’s incident, Charles found a grin. “Right. I’m just going to get the kids from Fiona.”
“Do you mind if I walk with you?”
“Sure, I never turn down an extra pair of hands.”
As they walked, his father said, “I know you’re anxious to hear about the DNA test results.”
“I am.”
“I called the lab yesterday and they said it would probably be another few days to a week. We should know something soon.”
Charles’s jaw clamped tight. He knew his family was doing everything they could to clear his name. And he knew that getting DNA results back in a reasonable amount of time was next to impossible. So he would wait. Maybe not patiently, but he would wait.
They arrived at the nursery to find Fiona gathering Brianne and Aaron. When Brianne saw her father, she squealed and opened her arms to him. He scooped her up, smelling her little-girl scent and thanking God for blessing his life with the two little ones.
“Daddy, I’m hungry. Want some ice cream,” Brianne said.
“Me, too,” Aaron agreed.
“Let’s go eat some lunch first,” Charles said. “Then we’ll talk about ice cream. You have to eat veggies.”
“No veggies.” Brianne frowned. “No, no, no.”
“Yes, veggies. Yes, yes, yes.”
His father carried Aaron while Charles continued his dialogue with Brianne. At the car, he found Demi waiting, her smile welcoming, but the strain of the morning still stamped on her face. His father handed Aaron over to her and she helped him load the kids into their car seats.
The Black Sheep's Redemption Page 6