Snowbound Snuggles

by T. F. Walsh

  Dr. Marion moved to the door. “I have other patients to see, so I’ll leave you to get reacquainted with your family.” She left the room.

  “Mommy,” Mandy said, assuming the duties of a hostess introducing the guests to one another. “This is Grandma and Grandpa. You used to call them Mother and Father. Daddy and Grandpa didn’t like one another,” she whispered loudly the way five-year-olds did. “They used to yell all the time. After we moved, Daddy got mad when we went to see them.”

  The look of displeasure on her father’s face made Nikki chuckle.

  I don’t think I like either of them.

  She stared at the taciturn man looking sternly at her child. Nikki hugged her daughter. Before she could say anything to Mandy, her father interrupted.

  “Your father was too outspoken for his own good. Look where it got him. You should watch what you say.” He focused his eyes on Nikki, dismissing the child at her side. “Your husband called us Nadia and Tom. Since we’re apparently strangers to you now, you can, too.”

  Did he think she was faking the amnesia? “I’m sorry that I don’t have any memory of my life before I woke up here. Thank you for understanding.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm and his eyes narrowed.

  Better to set things straight right away. Forcing a calmness she didn’t feel into her voice, she smiled.

  “Mandy tells me you’re selling my home. Don’t you think that’s a tad premature? We’ll need somewhere to live when I leave the hospital.”

  Her father’s face reddened. He must have a blood pressure problem. She was about to speak again when Mandy piped up.

  “Grandma, do you like Mommy’s new face? She looks different, but it’s really her. She’s got her same eyes and she kisses the same. She doesn’t remember a lot about me, but I know she loves me.”

  Nikki’s throat filled with emotion, and she smiled tenderly at the child beside her.

  “Yes, I guess she does,” her mother answered, and Nikki could sense her discomfort. Something wasn’t right. “The doctors did an excellent job, darling.”

  Her mother’s voice sounded tired, as if speaking was a chore. Just how many tranquilizers had she taken?

  “I’m pleased to see you awake, Nicole. You do look considerably different, but considering the extent of the damage, it was to be expected. For a while, we didn’t think you’d make it.” Her father’s voice was deep and gruff, and goose bumps crawled along her spine. He didn’t sound in the least bit sincere.

  “As far as the house in Larosa goes, of course I’m selling it. No sense hanging on to a useless piece of real estate. When you’re well enough to resume your maternal duties, you and Mandy will move into the house in San Francisco where you belong. We’ll have the nursery redone—make it into a private apartment if you like, with an art studio so you can paint. Your mother and I have discussed this matter thoroughly and agreed that it’s the only solution.”

  Nikki’s heart pounded in her chest as anger suffused her. For Mandy’s sake, she fought to control her newly discovered temper. This man might be her father, but she didn’t like his attitude, and she wasn’t going to take it.

  “Well, you haven’t discussed it with me!” Her voice was louder than she’d intended and she felt Mandy flinch. The small gesture calmed her. “You and Nadia may think this is the only solution, Tom, but I don’t. Mandy and I will live on our own as soon as it’s feasible to do so.” If she used the word father, she’d choke on it. “I know my health is precarious at the moment, and apparently there’s a madman after us, but that doesn’t affect my future plans. As for the house in Larosa, please take it off the market. If you’ve removed any of my possessions, have them returned. I have no intention of moving into your home. I’m quite capable of looking after myself and my daughter. I can support myself and my daughter. I understand I have a trust fund, the income from my artwork, and any insurance Sam may have had.”

  A muscle jumped in his jaw, reminding her of the one in Agent Spark’s face, and she swallowed. This similarity between the two men was unnerving.

  “You aren’t thinking straight. Look at yourself, for God’s sake. Your voice may sound the same, but your speech is slow and, with the memory loss, I doubt you’re even competent. No court would give you custody of the child on your own. Isn’t the death of my grandson enough to make you realize you’re incapable of making wise decisions?”

  Her father’s cruel words pierced her, but instead of beating her down as he must have expected, they strengthened her resolve. Nikki used the feel of her daughter to keep her temper from getting the better of her. She tried to slow her heartbeat and calm her breathing, but it was impossible.

  “According to the psychiatrist, my brain is fine. I’m as sane as the next person. I don’t know what my life was like before, and I don’t know what kind of person I was, but I know who I am now. I won’t be bullied by you or anyone else into doing something I don’t want to do. When this is over, I will manage my own affairs and live where I damn well choose. I hope for Mandy’s sake that we can all be friends, but if not, it’ll be your loss, not mine.”

  “Nicole!” Her mother sounded scandalized. “You can’t talk to your father that way.”

  “I prefer the name Nikki. I can, Mother, and I just did. No one is going to boss me around again. Now, I’m tired, and I’d like you both to leave. Mandy and I wish to be alone.”

  “Nicole, you can’t be serious. You can’t expect to keep the child with you.”

  “I most certainly do.”

  Her father’s face got redder, and if she’d been drawing a caricature of him, she’d have added steam coming out his ears. She captured his eyes and indicated Mandy with hers.

  “Obviously you’re not yourself. You’re letting that incompetent FBI agent fill your mind with crazy notions. You’re all off in la-la land making mountains out of molehills. None of you seem capable of looking at the facts. The persons who attacked and killed your husband and son were nothing more than two-bit druggies, and your FBI agent and his Interpol friend are whistling into the wind believing this is some great Mafia vendetta. It’s bullshit, plain and simple. They broke into the clinic for drugs, got high, tortured Sam for the combination, and stole whatever money and drugs he kept at home. This idiotic plan of his to hide you away has disaster written all over it.”

  Nikki hadn’t asked Agent Spark where he’d planned to take her if she agreed to go, but right now, she’d rather follow a man she wasn’t sure of than one she didn’t trust at all.

  “Sam was irresponsible for taking you and the children out of San Francisco, and all of this is his fault. There’s no conspiracy, no foreign killer. There is an inadequate FBI agent trying to make up for the fact that he can’t find those responsible for this. I assume you’re going to go through with his cockamamie plan. If you feel you must leave here for whatever reason, why not come home or go to a private clinic? I’m quite capable of hiring a private duty nurse to look after you. Mandy can return to the ranch. No one has gone near her since she’s been there.”

  Nikki had been planning to reject the FBI’s request to move her, at least for another week, but there was no way she was going to back down in front of this man. If he was against the FBI’s plan for her safety, then it had to have merit. She refused to believe this creature gave a damn about what happened to her or Mandy. How could such a cruel, unfeeling bastard be her father? The FBI wanted to keep her safe, and while she wasn’t convinced Agent Spark was being honest with her, she’d give him the benefit of the doubt. Better the devil you know . . . She shuddered.

  “I am. I have every confidence the FBI can keep us safe.”

  “Fine. Have it your way, but don’t come crying to me if you lose another child or end up in worse shape than you are. Your mother and I are leaving shortly for the house in Hawaii. I won’t allow her to participate in this farce.”

  Nikki sneered. “Won’t allow her? Doesn’t she get a vote?”

  He glared at her. “I hope i
n a couple of weeks you’ll have returned to your senses. I’ll consider accepting your apology when you tender it. Come, Nadia.”

  Don’t hold your breath. She’d never allow him to dictate to her. At one time, it must have suited her, but it didn’t now. She didn’t think she’d like the person she must have been.

  “Goodnight, darling.” Her mother walked over to the bed in a cloud of perfume that made Nikki’s nose itch until she sneezed.

  “Bless you.” Her mother gave her a quick kiss. “I hope you’ll come back to us soon. I miss my daughter.” She joined her husband, and he opened the door for her.

  Nikki shook her head. She was pretty sure the person she’d been, the dutiful, obedient daughter, was gone for good.

  After Nadia had left the room, Thomas turned back to Nikki.

  “We’ve been advised to say nothing about this to anyone. We’ll do our part to keep you and Amanda safe. I only hope he can do his.” He left the room and closed the door behind him.

  Nikki stared at the closed door and sighed. That didn’t go well.

  “Grandpa’s really mad, isn’t he? Why would you lose me, Mommy? I thought you said we were staying together.”

  “Of course I won’t lose you, sweetie. Grandpa was talking silly. He’s mad at me because I don’t want him to sell our house. We might decide we don’t want to live in it again, but it should be our choice, not his.”

  The thought that her father might use his power and influence to take Mandy from her was frightening, but she wouldn’t let it happen.

  “You called me sweetie, like you used to before. Are you remembering, Mommy?”

  She didn’t want to crush the hope she saw in the child’s eyes. “Maybe.”

  The door opened, and Cassie and Dr. Marion entered the room.

  “I saw your father storm down the hall. He didn’t seem happy.”

  Nikki hunched her shoulders in a what-can-I-say fashion.

  The doctor smiled and shook her head. “I don’t envy you. He can be a difficult man.”

  “It seems I can be difficult, too. No one is going to tell me what to do unless I want them to.”

  The doctor nodded. “It’s that aspect of your character that kept you fighting.”

  “Well, I hope it works for me now. Cassie, Agent Spark said you could contact him. Can you please call him now? I’m ready to listen to his proposition.”

  Chapter Ten

  Nikki sat in the wheel chair reading to Mandy.

  “And Drummer Hoff fired it off,” Mandy giggled.

  The door opened. Nikki looked up to see Agent Spark step into the room and the bodyguard leave.

  “Good afternoon, Mrs. Hart. I didn’t know you could read, Mandy. I’m impressed.”

  Mandy giggled. “Mommy reads the book, I just know that part. Mommy used to read this to me all the time. I think she remembers ‘cause it sounds exactly the same.”

  Nikki watched the way the agent gave Mandy his full attention. It was an unexpected side to his character that surprised her.

  “It must be a great book.” He turned to Nikki. “Cassie said you wanted to speak to me.”

  As if on cue, Cassie entered the room. “Mandy, how would you like to have a chocolate shake? I found one in the lunch room with your name on it.”

  “Really?” The child’s eyes were huge in her face. She turned to Nikki. “Can I, Mommy? I’ll eat all my supper, I promise.”

  Nikki chuckled. “Go with Cassie. I’ll see you in a little while, and we’ll finish the story.”

  “Promise you won’t go back to sleep for a long, long time like before?” She looked solemnly at her.

  “I promise, sweetie. Now go and be a good girl for Cassie.”

  Mandy nodded, leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek, and left the room with the nurse.

  “I’m glad you reconsidered, Mrs. Hart.”

  “Call me Nikki. The more I learn about Sam Hart, the less I like him, and since it might not even be his name, I’d rather use my own. Let’s get something straight right now. No one orders me around, and my daughter does not leave my side.”

  “Agreed. And you might as well call me Jason. It’ll make things easier. Can I ask what changed your mind? I was pretty sure you were going to refuse my suggestion when I was here earlier.”

  Reluctant to say that her father’s attitude had goaded her into it, she smiled. “I had time to think about what you said, and since keeping Mandy safe is my top priority, this is my best option.”

  He nodded. “Understood.”

  “So, where are you taking me, and how will you look after my medical needs?”

  “I’m taking you and Mandy to a safe place in Colorado while we bait a trap for the killer here.”

  “Won’t that put the people here in danger?” she interrupted.

  “No. We’ll have plenty of our own agents in place to make sure nothing happens to anyone. Dr. Marion will announce to the media that you’ve had an unexpected complication, and she’s been forced to put you back into a drug-induced coma. Cassie, and her husband, Nathan, who’s a doctor, will look after your medical needs. Angie, and Troy from Sentinel Security will assist me with your protection.”

  Knowing there’d be people she knew with them eased her mind. There was safety in numbers.

  “Why won’t the FBI be providing my security?” she asked, the distrust she’d felt earlier nagging at her.

  “Angie and Troy are both ex-military. They worked as U.S. marshals before forming their own security company. They know what needs to be done, and they’re damn good at their job. They volunteered for the assignment. I can get you their dossiers if it’ll help make you feel better. FBI agents will be on duty here to make it look as if you’re still in this room. Like it or not, with all the government cutbacks, we don’t have the manpower for more. My team will continue to work the case here, and if we need backup, there’ll be agents available to us from the nearest field office.”

  Nikki nodded. She trusted Cassie and liked Angie and Troy. “Okay, so fill me in on the details.”

  She listened attentively as Jason laid out the plan, stopping him here and there for clarification. When he’d finished she frowned and pursed her lips. “What does Dr. Marion say about your plan? Does she think I’m up to this?”

  He reddened. “I’m about to find out.”

  Her mouth fell open. “You haven’t cleared this with my doctor?”

  “No. There wasn’t much point in discussing the matter with her when you didn’t seem willing to go along with it. We’ve spent the last couple of hours trying to come up with something else. I’m glad we won’t have to. This plan is good and sound, the location isolated. We’ll keep you safe.”

  Before Nikki could comment, Mandy bounced back into the room. She smiled at her daughter and fixed her gaze on Jason.

  “I swear if anything happens to her, I’ll haunt you for the rest of your life.”

  Cassie opened the door. “Agent Spark, Dr. Marion’s in her office. You said you needed to see her?”

  “I do. I need you as well, Cassie.” He turned back to Nikki.

  “I will keep you both safe. You have my word on it.” There was sincerity in those gray-blue eyes, but the guilt was there, too. “I’ll be back shortly.”

  Nikki watched the door close behind him. His plan had merit. She relaxed. While she might not trust him, convinced he was still holding something back, she could admire his attention to detail.

  She picked up the book and let Mandy get comfortable beside her. “Now where were we?”

  • • •

  Jason closed the door to her room and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. He leaned against the door to get his breathing and heart rate back to normal. Her agreement was the last thing he’d expected. He couldn’t imagine Thomas Lincoln supporting any aspect of the FBI’s plan. He’d give his eyeteeth to have been a fly on the wall for that confrontation. If Nikki had been as stubborn and outspoken with her dad as she’d been
with him, there would have been fireworks for sure.

  He knew she didn’t have a lot of faith in him. He’d get Brad and Ivan to drop by before they left to reassure her. He didn’t blame her for not trusting him—hell, at least half the injuries she’d sustained could be laid on him and his refusal to take the 911 call seriously. He’d have to earn her trust. He sighed and pushed off the door, nodding to the security guard on duty. Now, all he needed was Irene’s cooperation, and they’d be good to go. Once the doctor understood the danger Nikki faced, Jason knew she’d understand and support the plan.

  He knocked on the door and entered the small, tidy office. Cassie was right behind him. The doctor sat behind her desk and smiled, surprised to see the nurse by his side.

  “What’s up?”

  “We need to move Nikki Hart out of the hospital tonight.”

  He quickly filled in the details of his plan. When he was finished, Irene stared at him, her mouth agape.

  “You can’t be serious!” She pounded her fist on her desk in frustration. “You want to take my patient out of the hospital tonight and spirit her into hiding? My God, Jason. Are you insane? She’s barely out of the coma. Her hand can’t come out of the cast for at least another two weeks. How are you going to do it? She can’t even walk. This hospital is a secure facility. What makes you think she’ll be safer elsewhere?”

  He ran his hand through his hair.

  “This killer is a pro, Irene, capable of obtaining information from a variety of sources. We need to keep them safe, and as far away from here as we can get them, and damn Thomas Lincoln’s ostrich-with-his-head-in-the-sand mindset. You’d think he’d want to do everything he could to keep his daughter and granddaughter safe. I’ve pulled rank on this, and when this is over, I’m sure he’ll see to it that I’ll be lucky to get a job as a meter maid.” Jason shook his head and tried to control his frustration. It wasn’t Irene’s fault Nikki’s father was such an ass.