“I thought you’d never get up,” Kate Lavery said when he walked into his kitchen. She stood at the stove, flipping eggs in a skillet. “It’s almost ten o’clock.”
Drew rubbed one hand over his unshaven jaw. “I didn’t sleep too well.”
“You look terrible,” his mother said, setting a plate on the table.
“Thanks, Mom.” He pulled out a chair, then watched his mother cheerfully flit around his kitchen. “You look...great.” It was true. Kate Lavery had a glow about her that he hadn’t seen in a very long time.
“I feel great. I’m leaving on a cruise Monday, and I wanted to fix you a bon voyage breakfast.”
Drew put down his orange juice. “A cruise? Since when?”
Kate smiled as she sat across from him and picked up a piece of bacon. “Since yesterday. Irma and I were talking about how we’d always wanted to see Greece, then decided what are we waiting for? So we stopped by a travel agency, bought our tickets and are going shopping today for cruise wear.”
“Wait a minute,” Drew said, still trying to catch up. “Who’s Irma?”
“Irma Dugan, a great gal. She’s in my support group.”
“What about Frank? I thought you two were an item.”
“Frank’s going, too. He and I have become good friends, but it’s nothing serious. I’m having too much fun to get serious about anyone.” She handed him a cinnamon roll. “You know, after your father died, I believed I couldn’t make it without a man in my life. I married again too soon, and found out the hard way that I was wrong. I don’t want just any man now, I want the right man. Maybe I’ll meet him someday, maybe not. In the meantime, I’m planning to have the time of my life.”
Drew took a sip of his juice, trying to adjust to his mother’s new attitude. “So how long will you be gone?”
“The cruise lasts for a month. Then we thought about checking out Italy.” She grabbed her handbag off the table and began digging around inside. “I’ll leave you my Detroit Pistons tickets in case you want to catch some games. Maybe you can take Rachel.”
He suddenly lost his appetite. “Fat chance. You saw what happened at the auditorium last night.”
She reached over to pat his hand. “I know you’re not used to women turning you down, Drew, but you have one last chance. Have you heard the big news? You and Rachel won the Most Romantic Couple contest.”
He nodded. “Charlie called me last night.”
“Isn’t it exciting?” Kate exclaimed, as she pulled a fifty-dollar bill from her purse. She pushed it across the table to him. “Why don’t you make an appointment for a haircut. You want to look nice this evening.”
“I don’t need a haircut because I’m not going anywhere.” He pushed the fifty back across the table. “And I make enough money to pay for my own haircuts. Thanks anyway, Mom.”
“You’re not going?” Kate looked at him for a long moment. “Drew, don’t let your pride get in the way now. You’ve never given up this easily before.”
“She rejected me, Mom. I’m not a glutton for punishment.”
“You’re not a quitter, either. And neither was your father. I rejected his proposal three times before I said yes. You’ll never know how glad I am that he didn’t take no for an answer. You’ve got to give it another shot.”
He rubbed his hand across his jaw. “What if she’s a no-show? What if she still doesn’t want me?”
“You’ve never backed down from a challenge, Drew. I know you’re hurt, but isn’t Rachel worth a little extra effort?” She pushed the fifty-dollar bill at him. “Now take the money. I’ve never reneged on a bet. You won. The boycott is over.”
He blinked back his surprise. “Rachel’s dropping the boycott?”
She nodded. “That’s right. Irma told me they took a vote on it last night. She also told me Rachel is planning to meet you at The Fireside this evening. Now the rest is up to you.”
He stared down at the fried eggs congealing on his plate. “I’ll have to think about it.”
Kate smiled. “Why don’t you think about it while you get a haircut?”
A rustling sound startled them both. Drew turned to see Russell leaning against the doorway, still in his flannel pajamas.
“Do I smell real food?” Russell asked.
Drew pocketed the fifty, then made the introductions while Russell padded into the kitchen and helped himself to a cinnamon roll.
“So you’re Rachel’s ex-fiancé?” Kate asked, with a concerned glance at Drew.
Russell nodded as he licked frosting off his fingertips. “That’s right. Drew’s been good enough to let me camp out here for a few days, but I’ll be leaving tonight. It’s time to move on with my life.” His gaze leveled on Drew. “Now if I can just find a way to pay him back for everything he’s done.”
Drew put down his orange juice. “You’re finally... I mean, you’re leaving? Permanently? As in moving out?”
Russell nodded. “An interim position came up at Michigan State. I’ll be teaching there for the rest of the semester. I’m sure you’re ready to have this place back all to yourself.”
Even better, he could finally have Rachel all to himself. Drew’s heart began to race. His mother was right. This was his last chance. No more boycott. No more ulterior motives. No more games. He was still determined to win, only this time the prize was Rachel’s heart.
He glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall, realizing how little time he had to prepare for the biggest date of his life. He needed a haircut. And his best suit pressed. Flowers, too. Maybe a huge bouquet of red roses. No, too generic. He wanted to give her a special Valentine’s Day gift. As special as Rachel herself.
He hurried through the rest of his breakfast, then left his mom and Russell discussing insects indigenous to the Greek isles. This time he was determined to do everything right to make Rachel Grant his valentine.
BY THE TIME DREW HAD RUN all his errands and driven back to the house, he barely had time to dress and shave before his big date. He set Rachel’s Valentine gift carefully on the oak floor in one corner of his bedroom. He grinned at the floppy-eared puppy sleeping soundly in his brand-new doggy bed. It was the cutest mutt he’d ever seen and he knew Rachel would fall in love with it.
He laid newspapers across the floor, then set an ottoman between his dresser and the wall, effectively barricading the sleeping puppy in the corner. That should keep her out of trouble if she awoke.
After dressing with meticulous care, he stood in front of the mirror in the upstairs bathroom, running an electric razor over his stubbly jaw. A splash of cologne and he’d be out the door.
“Hey, Drew, could you come in here a minute?”
Drew clenched his jaw. Russell. He still hadn’t moved out yet. How long did it take to pack a knapsack?
“I don’t have a lot of time,” Drew said, hurrying toward the guest room. “What do you need?”
Russell stood in front of his bedroom closet. “I just wanted to tell you goodbye.” He held out his hand. “Thanks for everything.”
Drew reached out to shake hands, then his eyes widened in horror. Russell’s entire hand was covered with bright red blood.
His head grew woozy. He reached out to grab the closet doorknob as his knees buckled. From far away he heard the sound of Russell’s voice. He sounded amazingly calm for a man bleeding so profusely.
“I know I don’t deserve her, Drew. But I won’t let my Lovebug get squashed by a heel like you.”
Then everything went black.
10
Send me no flowers,
nor candy to eat.
A gift from the heart
just can’t be beat.
RACHEL SAT ALONE at the table in the center of The Fireside restaurant, surrounded by television cameras and photographers and news reporters. A huge red banner with the words Most Romantic Couple In Love emblazoned across it hung above the table.
Her mouth hurt from smiling, but she didn’t know how else to hide her growi
ng uneasiness. He was late. Only five minutes late, but the patrons in the crowded restaurant were already starting to whisper. She glimpsed Gina and Pam sharing a table in the corner. They were trying very hard not to look worried.
Rachel ordered a glass of wine from the waiter, then sat back in her chair, her gaze riveted on the door. Any moment now, she’d see him walk through it. And he’d have a wonderful excuse for running late. There was a lot of tourist traffic on Valentine’s Day. The streets were still a little icy, so he had to drive slow. Maybe he even had car trouble.
Seven-fifteen and still no sign of Drew.
News reporter Candi Conrad got out a cigarette and moved to the smoking section of the restaurant to flirt with a muscle-bound waiter. One of the cameramen made a call on his cell phone. The violinist hired to serenade the most romantic couple bellied up to the bar.
By seven twenty-five Rachel had memorized the entire menu. She’d give him five more minutes, then order the bottomless bowl of chicken soup so she could drown herself in it. As the seconds slowly ticked by she realized she couldn’t even wait that long. Not with everyone staring so pitifully at her. With a fake smile to all the reporters, she pushed back her chair and headed for the ladies’ rest room. Gina and Pam followed close on her heels.
“I can’t believe he stood you up!” Gina exclaimed after the door closed behind them with a swoosh.
Rachel checked under all the stalls in case a reporter lurked inside, but they were empty. Then she turned on the heel of her Italian suede pumps. “Me, neither. Now what am I going to do? I can’t go back out there and pretend nothing is wrong.”
Pam held out both hands. “Just stay calm. This is a small crisis. We can handle it.”
“It’s a disaster,” Rachel exclaimed, pacing back and forth. “I’ve just been stood up in front of the entire town. It will probably be the lead story on the local news tonight. How will I ever live this down?”
Gina shook her head, her mouth pressed into a thin, angry line. “You were right about Drew Lavery all along. The only reason he was romancing you was to stop the boycott. But I can’t believe he’d have the nerve to embarrass you in public like this. Talk about poor sportsmanship!”
“And to think I believed him when he asked me to be his valentine last night,” Rachel said, slumping against the sink. “He looked so sincere. I actually felt guilty about turning him down. Was that really just another ploy?”
“Face it, Rach, the guy is a rat.” Gina narrowed her eyes. “And do you know what we do when we come across a rat?”
“Scream and put the house up for sale?” Pam ventured.
“No, we exterminate them,” Gina said. “Do you remember that movie Thelma & Louise?”
“I’m not ready to blow him away. Yet.” Rachel closed her eyes. “Even though hurtling off a cliff sounds preferable to facing Candi Conrad and her cotton candy questions. What am I going to do?”
“Stay in here until the restaurant closes?” Pam suggested. “I have a deck of cards in my purse.”
Rachel shook her head. “No, I’ve got an even better idea.”
“A Twinkie binge?” Gina guessed.
“No more Twinkies for me.” Rachel kicked off her shoes. “I’m going out the window.”
“Rachel, no!” Pam exclaimed, grabbing her by the arm. “I won’t let you throw your life away. Especially over a jerk like Drew Lavery.”
“Relax, sis,” Rachel said, “we’re on the first floor this time. I’m only going out the window to avoid all those reporters. I don’t want any distractions when I track down Drew. Especially when I tell him exactly what I think of him.”
“Track him down? I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” Pam warned. “Why don’t you just try to forget about him? He’s not worth the effort.”
“But I am.” Rachel reached up to unlatch the window. “When Russell left me last year, I just let him go. I never tried to find him or contact him. I never demanded any answers. Instead I wallowed in Twinkies for six months trying to figure out why he didn’t want me anymore. I’m not going through that again.”
“But you were engaged to Russell,” Pam countered. “He did owe you answers. Drew is a different story. You two have only gone out on one date.”
“Pam’s right,” Gina said. “Drew never should have humiliated you in public this way, but just think how much more embarrassed you’ll be if you go chasing after him.”
Rachel considered their arguments. It would be so easy to give up. To go home with some of her pride still intact. But her heart wouldn’t let her surrender so easily. Especially since she’d fallen in love with the man.
“Look, I can handle rejection.” Rachel looked from Gina to her sister. “But I can’t handle not knowing the truth. I need to find out if I ever meant anything to him, or if our date and that kiss, and last night were all part of the game.”
Pam looked as if she might cry, and Gina looked even more homicidal than usual.
“Don’t worry,” Rachel assured them, as she swung one leg over the windowsill. “I’ll be fine. Just try to distract all the reporters until I make my getaway.”
She dropped down into a snowdrift on the outside of the building. Shivers coursed through her as Gina passed her shoes through the open window. But they were shivers of anticipation. She couldn’t wait until she got her hands on him. Literally speaking. By the time she was through with Mayor Lavery, he’d wish she’d stuck to snowballs.
Rachel waded through the snow until she reached the parking lot, then slung her shoes on her frozen feet. “Ready or not, Drew. Here I come.”
DREW OPENED HIS EYES, wincing at the bright, bare lightbulb shining above him. He blinked twice, his head still foggy. A faint hint of mothballs mingled with the musty odor invading his nostrils. He sat up on his elbows and looked around. He was in the closet.
It was actually a small dressing room that he’d converted into a walk-in storage closet. The lightbulb illuminated the shelves lining the walls, piled full of boxes. He lay on the dusty wood floor, wondering how he got in here. Then he remembered Russell and all that blood. His head swam again for a moment, then cleared.
He had a date with Rachel.
He swore under his breath as he checked his watch, then lunged for the door. It was locked.
He frowned at it for a moment, trying to make sense of the situation. Why was he locked in the closet? How did he even get in here? And where was Russell? Drew pounded on the solid oak door with his fist. “Russell, are you out there? The door’s locked. I’ve got to get out of here right now.”
“Give it up, Lavery,” Russell called from the other side of the door. “It’s no use.”
“What are you talking about?” Drew shouted. “Open this damn door before I break it down.”
“No way. I locked you in there to keep you away from Rachel. So you might as well get comfortable. You’re not going anywhere for a while.”
Drew gave the door a vicious kick, barely making a dent in the wood but almost breaking his big toe. He hopped around inside the closet, gritting his teeth at the pain. Breaking down the door was not an option. He’d have to use his brains instead.
“Listen, Russ, just open the door and We can talk this out. I know you’re upset about losing Rachel...”
“You don’t know anything, Lavery,” Russell said. “Rachel Grant is the most decent woman I’ve ever known. And I won’t let her be hurt by a user like you.”
“Hey, I’m not the one that left her for a dung beetle,” Drew shouted, his temper overcoming his good intentions. “Why didn’t you just stay lost, Baker, instead of coming back here to stir up trouble?”
“It’s a good thing I did come back,” Russell countered. “To save Rachel from making the biggest mistake of her life.”
“You were the biggest mistake of her life. You hurt her once, and now you’re determined to hurt her again. How do you think she’ll feel when I don’t show up on our date tonight?”
“Relieved,”
Russell exclaimed, “once I explain the reason.”
“You’re planning to tell her you kidnapped me? That will be hard to do from a jail cell. Think it over, Baker, you’re a smart man. And kidnapping is a crime.”
“This isn’t kidnapping,” Russell said, not sounding at all worried at the prospect of studying insects behind bars. “You fainted in the closet, the door accidentally closed and I’m looking for the key. Don’t worry, I should find it in a couple hours.”
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