Jake dawdled a little on the way home. He drove around Whitwell, pointing out places to Nikki: the church where they were married, her beauty salon and the old drive-in theater they went to before it closed down last winter. She laughed and professed a desire to go to the church and a need to go to the beauty salon.
Jake pulled up the driveway and announced, “The welcoming committee has arrived.”
Catherine and Zeke waited in the driveway, along with Darcy. Darcy bailed out of her car first.
“Where have you guys been? Do you not know that it’s November? We’ve been waiting on you for the last fifteen minutes!” She shivered as a cool wind whipped her blonde hair in her face.
“Well, it’s your own fault.” Jake glanced at each of them before he reached to unlock the door. “You all know where we hide the spare key.”
Three pairs of eyes went to the little green frog nestled in the flowerbed and they laughed. He held open the door and ushered them inside. His mother carried a casserole dish, Zeke brought a big bouquet of wildflowers, and Darcy was lugging flowers and a photo album. Jake was feeling guilty that he hadn’t gotten Nikki anything for her homecoming when he heard Catherine exclaim, “Oh, what lovely roses!”
Catherine disappeared inside the dining room and Nikki stopped in the doorway behind her. Since Zeke and Darcy were still in the foyer with him, Jake was confused as to what Catherine meant until Nikki shot him an alarmed look over her shoulder. Jake shoved past Zeke and Darcy to stand beside her.
A huge vase of roses sat in the center of the mahogany table.
Pink roses, Nikki’s favorite flower.
They weren’t there when they left for the police station. He had wiped the table himself after they finished lunch.
The bastard had been in his house.
Jake stalked to the table and ripped open the card.
I MISS YOU
Scrawled like a child’s handwriting, those three little words mocked him. The card fluttered to his feet. With a heart that pumped as much cold fury as blood, Jake snatched the vase off the table and hurled it against the wall.
One of the women cried out as it crashed against the paneled wall.
***
Jake stormed out of the house through the backdoor. Nikki started after him, but Zeke caught her arm.
“Let him alone for a minute, Nicole. Let me check on him.”
Nikki gazed at the doorway, torn, but then nodded at Zeke. He hurried after Jake and she knelt to pick up the card lying on the floor. Catherine and Darcy immediately huddled around her.
Nikki shivered as she read those words, words that somehow sounded not like a sentiment, but a threat. She silently cursed herself again for the mess that she had gotten them into. Nikki’s hand jerked and she dropped the card.
Darcy retrieved a wastebasket from the kitchen and gingerly started picking up the pieces of broken glass.
Zeke stuck his head back inside the door and yelled to her. “No! Maybe the police can salvage a print from that glass.”
“Where’s Jake?” Nikki asked.
“He’s checking the windows and doors for signs of forced entry. He’ll be back in a moment.” He gave her a reassuring wink before he went back outside, but Nikki felt cold inside.
Nikki’s thoughts snapped back to the phone call she’d gotten in the hospital.
Could she have plotted to kill her husband?
The recollection of that call had hit her like a slap in the face when Sheriff Garrettson mentioned checking phone records. Nausea gripped her as they sat in his office, but she was too terrified to tell them. Her marriage teetered on the edge of destruction right now. Jake was a good man, but how much could she expect him to forgive?
She was trying so hard, and he was, too. She wished they could just leave the ugliness of the past behind and start over, but someone was determined to keep that from happening. It seemed cruel that this faceless man was trying to knock down their fragile new beginning as if it were a house of cards.
Nikki brought Catherine and Darcy up to speed on what the sheriff had told them about the wreck and could see the worry in their faces.
“I’ve got to remember who it was before he tries to hurt Jake again.” Nikki leaned against the table. “Did either of you see me with anyone, or hear me say anything you thought was suspicious?”
Catherine shook her head, then Darcy cleared her throat.
“It’s someone both you and Jake know, because you were mad when he first came on to you. Even then, you wouldn’t say his name, but you were livid that someone who knew Jake would make a pass at you like that. You went from being mad to being a little amused at his persistence. All I know is that he has a lot of cash,” she paused. “In fact, he gave you those diamond earrings that you’re wearing now. You told Jake that they were from Sara.”
Horrified, Nikki yanked them out of her ears. She pushed them across the table to Darcy and said, “Get rid of them! I don’t care what you do with them, but I don’t want them.”
Nikki stumbled to the sink and twisted the faucet. She washed her hands over and over in the steaming water, as if the earrings had imprinted her betrayal on her palms.
“Nikki,” Catherine said softly. “Nikki!”
Catherine reached around her and cut off the faucet. She wrapped her arms around Nikki and hugged her like a child.
Darcy initiated a light conversation about the first time she heard Nikki mention Jake. “You said he had the bluest eyes this side of heaven. You rattled on about him for an hour and you’d only talked to him for a minute. I never heard you moon so much over a guy. It was so funny, because you didn’t even know his name.”
“Jake was the same way.” Catherine smiled at Nikki. “You both knew from the start that you had something special.”
Nikki managed a smile, but inside she wondered how much more their relationship could withstand.
***
Had Nikki given him a key?
The thought incensed Jake as he rechecked the windows. Finally, he had to face the fact that she had, or this man had figured out where he hid the spare key. He prayed that it was the latter. A blue Mazda swung up in the drive and Jake was relieved to see Matt Garrettson climb out.
He told Matt what happened and they walked back into the house. Jake regretted smashing the vase now. His temper had probably cost them a chance to recover a print off it.
Matt nodded at Catherine and said, “Hey, Cat, you think you could find me a couple of freezer bags?”
She vanished into the kitchen and returned with a handful. Matt took an ink pen out of his front pocket and gently nudged the card and envelope into the baggie. He then took a garbage bag and began picking up some of the larger chunks of glass.
Jake glanced at Nikki. She was staring off into space, her arms hugged tightly to her chest. Her face was pinched and pale, and Jake was sorry he’d reacted so violently. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. With a sigh, she relaxed against him.
“I’m sorry, babe,” he whispered in her ear.
“You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“Jake was the only one who touched the vase?” Matt asked.
“I touched some of the pieces,” Darcy said.
“What about the card?”
Nikki told him that she had touched it also, and Matt sighed.
“Well, I don’t think we’ll get any prints off this, but we’ll give it shot. Our best bet is to find the florist that fixed these for him. Hopefully, we can get a description. I’m going to check around and make sure Jake didn’t miss anything, but he said that he didn’t see any sign of forced entry. Now, who else has a key to this place?”
“Just Nikki and I.” Jake shot the sheriff a glance. Matt nodded in acknowledgement of Jake’s unspoken statement.
Unless Nikki had given him a key.
“To be on the safe side, call a locksmith and get your locks changed. Don’t give out keys to anyone.” Matt winked at Jake. “And
for Pete’s sake, son, get yourself a burglar alarm. I know you big-shot contractors can afford them. I can’t believe you don’t already have one.”
They lived in a good neighborhood. It never occurred to Jake to worry about their safety here until now.
“Do you keep a spare outside?” Matt walked around to the front and they all trailed behind him. He frowned when Jake nodded.
He sighed. “Bet I can find it in five minutes.”
It took less than that before he picked up the frog and tossed the key to Jake. “These guys know where to look for this stuff,” he chided gently. “I advise you not to keep a spare lying around here, but if you must, you’ve got to take greater pains to hide it.”
Jake nodded, feeling like an idiot. Matt scanned the area, then strode over to the huge oak in the front yard and bent down to take a closer look. A natural recess dented it at the base. It was scarcely noticeable and the perfect size for a key.
“Bingo!” Matt said. “I don’t think your average bear would think to look in there. Jake, call Sonny at SM Alarm. He’ll fix you up with a system. I’m going to talk to some florists.”
They watched him leave, and then Jake gave Nikki a quick peck on the cheek and went in to make his calls.
***
“That’s some guy you’ve got there,” Darcy said. “Jake’s a doll, inside and out.”
“Takes after his mother,” Catherine said and they laughed. She gave Nikki a reproachful look. “You don’t even have a coat on! What am I going to do with you and Jake?”
She shook her head and Nikki impulsively kissed her mother-in-law’s cheek. Catherine gave her a pleased smile.
“I’ve always wanted a daughter of my own,” she said.
Darcy turned her head, mouthing another ‘wow’ to no one at all.
After Catherine and Zeke left, Nikki and Darcy went in the kitchen to make hot chocolate. They carried cups to Jake and the locksmith and went back into the kitchen to talk.
“Why do you think I did it? Why did I have an affair?” Nikki asked.
Darcy sipped her chocolate before answering. “You and Jake were arguing over a few little things. You hated Catherine and thought she interfered too much, he was ready to start a family and you didn’t want kids. You guys fought over money a lot. I think this guy knew about some or all of these things and helped stoke your resentment about them.” She looked at Nikki for a long moment, as if choosing her words, before she said, “You told me you were leaving Jake, that this guy was going to get a divorce and marry you. When Jake confronted you about the socks, you panicked. You denied it, but it freaked you out so much that he knew you were lying. Jealousy has always been an issue between you and Jake, and frankly, I’m surprised the two of you are doing as well as you are.”
“I can’t imagine cheating on Jake with anyone. If Jake will just give me one more chance, I swear I’ll never hurt him again.” Nikki caught a movement out of the corner of her eye and sucked in her breath when she saw Jake standing in the doorway, watching her. He gave her a tremulous smile and walked away.
After Darcy left to go to work, Nikki decided to do what the sheriff suggested. The first step would be to go through her things. She started up the stairs when Jake’s voice stopped her.
“Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to go out to dinner. I could cook, but you’d be taking your chances. Chili dogs are pretty much all I know how to do.”
“Okay – oh, but remember, your mom brought that casserole.”
Jake startled her with a look of pure merriment. “Ah, I hate to say it, but Mom’s a rotten cook. I hate to take my chances, with you just getting out of the hospital and all—”
“Jake!” Nikki laughed. “That’s so mean.”
“It’s true. But if you wanted to stay in…we could order in a pizza.”
“I’d love that,” she said.
Jake smiled and went to call in their order. They ate in the living room floor, laughing and talking and Nikki felt at peace for the first time since the accident. She couldn’t stop staring at Jake.
When he carried their plates into the kitchen, she took another sip of her soda and noticed the globes. Nikki wiped her hands on a napkin and walked over to the pine mantel. It was bare except for the rose globes. Their placement seemed odd. They were aligned all the way to the left, side by side, as if there had once been more of them. Nikki carefully lifted the first one and stared at the blue-violet rose that floated inside.
She heard Jake’s footsteps behind her and exclaimed, “Oh, this is beautiful!”
Jake leaned over her shoulder. The hair on the back of her neck stood up as his warm breath tickled her ear. He chuckled, a warm, husky sound that made her stomach tingle.
“I can’t believe you still like this thing, even with amnesia.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. The warm, woodsy scent of his cologne enveloped her.
“I gave the first one to you on our wedding day. I bought it the day before, on my way back home from a business trip to South Carolina.” Jake’s hand covered hers, tilting the globe. “First of all, I wish you could’ve met my old man. He was a real tough guy, except when it came to Mom. He melted around her and was always bringing her roses and little gifts. He eventually built a greenhouse for her and somewhere down the line, I learned more about flowers than I guess any man should know.”
Nikki smiled and turned to face him.
“A lavender rose means love at first sight. My plane had been delayed, so I was wandering around the gift shop at the airport when I spotted it. I gave it to you after we settled into our hotel room that night, along with a jade necklace that cost a small fortune. You practically ignored the necklace and fawned over this little thing like I’d given you the Hope diamond or something. You freaked me out. It was the first time I’d ever seen you cry, and it was over some little trinket that hadn’t cost twenty bucks. Since you liked it so much, I decided I’d get you one every year on our anniversary.”
Nikki was touched by this romantic side of Jake. “What does the red one mean? And why do they all look different?”
He glanced at the other globes and smiled. “They’re real roses. I thought, if I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it right. I found a guy in Lexington who makes these for me. I can take him any rose and he dips it in wax to preserve it. Red roses mean true love and desire.” He pointed at the second one. “But an Austrian red rose also means ‘You are all that is lovely’.”
“Oh, Jake,” she said softly. “That’s beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful,” he replied, and handed the third one to her. Its bright orange color reflected against the glass, creating the illusion of a ball of fire. “This is a rare rose, a Marechal Niel. See how many layers it has, like those toilet paper roses kids make at camp. It means ‘I’m yours, heart and soul’. The color means fascinated. Captivated. I’ve been both of those since the day I met you.”
Jake inclined his head as if to kiss her, but the shrill ring of the telephone jolted them apart.
He stroked her jaw. “I’d better get that. Maybe Matt’s found something.”
She nodded and Jake disappeared into the other room. His conversation was muffled, but as Nikki replaced the globe on the mantel, she heard Jake’s voice raised in anger. Hesitantly, she stepped inside the doorway.
“How many people are in there?” Jake demanded. “Where’s Hank?”
Her movement caught his attention and he turned to face her. Nikki was startled by his sudden pallor.
“I’m on my way.” Jake slammed down the phone and wiped his face with his hand. He was shaking.
“Jake, are you alright?”
He pushed past her and jerked open the hall closet. Jake thrust a coat at her and said, “We have to go.”
“What’s wrong?” Nikki caught his arm and made him face her.
The fear in his blue eyes paralyzed her.
“One of my buildings is on fire. A crew is trap
ped inside.”
Chapter 6
An emergency services worker in a reflective vest stood off the side of the highway. His truck was parked crookedly to block half the secondary road behind him. The pulsing red light on its dash illuminated Jake’s grim face as they pulled beside him.
He motioned for them to turn around and Jake rolled down the window.
“You have to find an alternate route, sir. We’ve got a fire right down the road, and this road is closed to everyone except rescue personnel.”
“Those are my men trapped in that building. You have to let us through,” Jake said.
“I can’t do that. Please give the rescue workers space to work. Your vehicle would just be in their way.”
“Then we’ll walk. Come on, Nikki.” Jake backed the BMW off the road and bailed out of the car before the man could protest. He opened Nikki’s door and together they hurried down the narrow road on foot.
Nikki wasn’t used to the fast pace. “Go on, Jake,” she gasped, out of breath. “I’ll catch up in a minute.”
“No. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push you.”
She could see the anxiety in his eyes. “Go. I’ll be fine.” The fire cast an orange glow in the skyline ahead. “It’s just ahead. I’ll be right behind you.”
Jake gave her a hesitant look, then sprinted off ahead. Feeling suddenly weak, Nikki bent over to catch her breath.
“Nik?”
The man’s voice startled her and she jerked upright so fast her head swam. She staggered drunkenly and a strong pair of hands caught her.
“Eliot, what are you doing here?”
“My office is nearby. As I was leaving, I saw the fire trucks go by, and then I saw your car and turned around. Where’s Jake?”
“I couldn’t keep up. Told him to go ahead.”
“Are you okay?”
Nikki realized she still clutched Eliot’s arm. She released him and said, “I’m fine. Just got a little winded there.”
“Would you like me to carry you back to the car?”
“No, I need to check on Jake. He’s frantic. Some of his men are trapped in there.”
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