by Webb, Debra
“A smart, gorgeous, and courageous lady.”
Sylvia smiled. “I did take out the bad guy today.”
“You sure did.” He smiled, pride shining in his eyes.
The door opened again and, dressed in scrubs, Dan appeared. The room fell quiet. He grinned from ear to ear. “It’s a girl.”
Much cheering and hugging and plenty of happy tears took place before Dan made another announcement, “Five people at a time can come in to see Jess and the baby.” He beamed a smile at his parents. “Starting with the grandparents and the aunts and uncle.” He winked at Andrea as he ruffled Maddie’s hair. “I think we can sneak in a couple more.”
Maddie squealed with happiness.
Sylvia felt so warm inside. She couldn’t wait for her turn to see the baby. She couldn’t wait for whatever came next.
She was so glad to be alive. She glanced at Buddy. From this moment forward, she wanted more in her life. Starting with this man.
Chapter 29
Jess stared at her sweet baby girl. She couldn’t believe it. All those years she’d been certain she didn’t have time for children. Her career had been top priority. She touched her baby’s nose and then opened the blanket swaddled around her to count those precious fingers and toes. Tears filled her eyes yet again.
“You are so beautiful, little one.” The baby had a tuft of golden hair. She weighed seven pounds and was twenty inches long. She was perfect. Absolutely perfect. The baby squirmed and stretched. Jess wrapped the blanket around her once more. “Mommy loves you so very much.”
Her heart full, she reached up and fingered the precious necklace Dan had given her. The blue agate mother-child cameo hanging from a delicate white gold chain was a gift she would treasure for the rest of her life. She smiled down at the precious bundle in her arms. How was it possible to love anyone else as much as she loved Dan? Yet, she did. The bond had started to form months ago.
A light rap on the door sounded before it opened. Dan stepped in, still grinning broadly and leading his parents as well as Lil and her family and Wanda. And Andrea! Jess’s tears started anew. She had never been so happy in her life—except for her wedding day—and she couldn’t stop crying.
“Hi, everyone.” Jess wished her lips would stop their foolish trembling.
Lil moved to her side. For a moment she couldn’t speak. She stood there, fingers pressed to her lips, staring down at the angel in Jess’s arms. “She’s beautiful.”
Her sister kissed Jess on the forehead and then lightly brushed her lips across the baby’s sweet little head. “You did good, sis.”
Jess tried to blink back the blasted tears but they refused to slow down.
“Oh my heavens,” Katherine leaned down and pressed a kiss to the baby’s forehead, “she’s perfect.” She turned a watery gaze to Jess. “Perfect and absolutely beautiful, Jess. I am so proud.”
Dan Senior stole a kiss next. “Too precious for words.”
Wanda and Andrea took their turns.
“Your mother would be so proud,” Wanda assured her.
“Thank you,” Jess managed to say.
Dan handed Jess another handful of tissues for the tears that just wouldn’t stop flowing. “Thank you. She is perfect, isn’t she?”
“What do you think of your little cousin, Maddie?” Blake hoisted the little girl up to have a look.
“I want to play with her,” Maddie said without hesitation.
“Soon, sweetie,” Jess promised.
Dan cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. “I’d like all of you to meet Beatrice Irene Burnett.”
“Oh.” Katherine clutched her chest. “She’s named after my mother and yours, Jess. How thoughtful of you.”
Jess looked up at Dan, and he nodded for her to go ahead. “Dan told me your mother,” she said to Katherine, “was called Bea.”
“That’s right,” Katherine said, dabbing at her own new wave of tears.
“We’re going to call her Bea.”
Dan leaned down and kissed Jess on the cheek. “We’re very lucky to be able to share this wondrous event with all of you.”
Jess watched as her family exchanged hugs and cried more tears of joy. In her heart, she wished her parents were here as well. She smiled as she watched Dan’s father hug him and then shake his hand. But she was okay. She and Dan had their own family now.
Bea was a very lucky little girl.
When the first wave of visitors were out the door, she and Dan had a minute or two alone before the next group would arrive. Everyone wanted to see the baby. Jess was more than happy to show her off, but she would be very glad to have some quiet time alone with her husband and baby girl.
Dan sat down on the edge of the bed. “If you’re too tired, we can take a break from visitors for a bit.”
Jess shook her head. She didn’t want to make anyone wait. For now, she was enjoying watching Dan stare at his little girl. Jess lifted the baby toward him. “You want to hold her again?”
Dan had helped cut her cord, he’d washed and diapered her, but since they were settled in this room he hadn’t gotten to just sit down and hold the baby.
“If you don’t mind.”
Jess passed the soft bundle over to him. Seeing the way he looked at her took Jess’s breath. A year ago she wouldn’t have believed this moment would ever come. She was so grateful and so very happy that she and Dan had found each other again.
She looked around the room at the dozens of flower arrangements. There was one from Ralph Gant, her old boss at the Bureau. One from Wesley Duvall, her ex. He truly was happy for her. He’d just gotten engaged and would be married later this year. Jess was happy for him, too. Everyone deserved to find their true love. She hoped this one would be Wesley’s.
The sound of laughter in the corridor brought Dan’s head up. “Here we go.” He passed little Bea back to Jess. “I love you.”
Jess looked into those gorgeous blue eyes of his and smiled. “I love you.”
Chapter 30
Lori was on cloud nine as she, Chet, Sylvia and Buddy were allowed their turn to see Jess and the baby. The moment they stepped into the room, Lori clamped her hand over her mouth. Tears spilled down her cheeks.
Jess smiled and motioned her on over.
“You look so beautiful.” Lori’s voice trembled.
“Thank you.”
Jess literally glowed. And the baby...
“She’s beautiful.” The child looked like an angel. All that pink skin made Lori want to scoop her up and hug her tight.
“Wow.” Chet shook his head. “She’s so tiny. Chester was eight and a half pounds.”
Corlew gave Jess a nod. “You did good, kid.”
Sylvia hugged Jess. “She really is beautiful, Jess, and so are you.”
“Thank you.”
Corlew shook Burnett’s hand. “Danny boy, you two sure did it up right. That’s one gorgeous little girl.”
The time they could visit passed far too quickly. Lori wished they had more time but Hayes, Cook, and Gina Coleman were still waiting.
Lori gave Jess a hug. Chet gave her a pat on the arm and then shook Burnett’s hand. Lori could hardly contain herself as they said their goodbyes.
In the corridor, she tugged Chet toward the nursery. “I want to see the babies before they turn out the lights.”
Corlew and Sylvia headed back to the waiting room. Lori was pretty sure those two were an item. “Did you see the way Corlew was holding Sylvia’s hand?” she asked in a whisper meant only for Chet.
He nodded. “Hey, I heard how he refused to leave her in there with that bomb. He’s got it bad.”
Lori moved up to the nursery window and gazed across that sea of babies. She felt giddy. She couldn’t wait to have this baby. She wrapped her arms around Chet’s. “Can you believe it? We’re going to have one of these this year?”
He kissed her on the temple. “It’s a dream come true.” He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I think w
e should go home and celebrate.”
Lori tiptoed and kissed him. “I’m ready.”
They had plenty to celebrate. They’d solved their case and no one on the team had been injured in the process.
Life was good.
Chapter 31
The Garage Café, 10th Terrace South
Saturday, April 4, Noon
Sylvia sat in her car for a few minutes before going inside. She and Buddy had talked long into the night last night. Thankfully, her parents had been fast asleep by the time they made it home from the hospital.
She hadn’t asked her father about his dealings with Wilson Hilliard and he hadn’t volunteered any answers. The truth was, it didn’t matter. Whatever happened between her father and that man was in the past. Robert Baron was a good man. Whatever he had done it was for the greater good, of that Sylvia was completely certain.
He would be a fine grandfather as well.
Sylvia gazed across the leather seat and smiled. Buddy parked his Charger and shut off the engine. She had officially introduced him to her parents this morning. Her mother had looked a little uncertain at first but then she’d smiled and given Buddy a hug. Her father, on the other hand, had shaken his hand again and then hugged him as well. Somehow, over breakfast, Buddy had charmed her parents completely.
“Let’s do it,” Buddy suggested. He got out and came around to her side of the car.
Sylvia willed her body not to shake as Buddy opened the door and she climbed out. He had made the call this morning. Addison had agreed to meet with Sylvia. According to Buddy, she had been pleased that Sylvia wanted to know her.
“Deep breath.” Sylvia drew in two or three for good measure, and they entered the café Buddy had chosen.
He ordered a couple of beers and escorted her to a table. The waitress left the order at their table.
Sylvia made a face. “I’m not a big fan of beer.”
Buddy grinned and pushed the Corona toward her. “You’ll learn to like it.”
“The way I learned to like you?”
He winked. “Exactly.”
Sylvia fingered the label. “Is she here?”
He scanned the small crowd. “Not yet. But she’ll be here.”
When Sylvia looked up, he added, “I don’t mind a little alone time with you.”
Warmth spread through her. They’d almost made love last night. He’d had her so hot and bothered she’d nearly ignored the fact that her parents were right down the hall. He’d been the one to hold back. The way he’d kissed her goodnight still made her lips tingle whenever she thought of those few seconds. Buddy Corlew was a master kisser. As well as an inordinately skilled lover.
“I’ve grown attached to you, Sylvia.”
There was something about the way he said the words or perhaps it was the words he chose that made her giggle. She hadn’t meant to... couldn’t remember the last time she’d made such a silly sound.
“You find that amusing, do you?”
He gave her a stern look but all Sylvia could think about was removing that leather tie from his hair and running her fingers through that silky length. “No.” She cleared her throat. “Really. I guess I’m just giddy.”
“As I was saying,” he began again, “I have feelings for you. Feelings I don’t quite know how to handle.”
Sylvia bit her lips together. She would not make another sound. Her heart was racing and she could hardly sit still.
“If you don’t feel the same way, I totally get it. I just wanted you to know how I feel and that I would like to take our relationship to the next level. Especially since you introduced me to your parents.”
Sylvia couldn’t bear it any longer. She stared directly into his eyes. “I have feelings for you, too, Buddy. I’m not sure how to handle mine either, but I do know that I want to explore them. I want to spend more time with you... if that’s what you want.”
He grinned. “That’s all I think about night and day.”
He kissed her and the weight of the world lifted from her shoulders. Somehow being with Buddy made her completely happy.
When the round of applause started, they pulled apart.
Buddy waved off the cheers. “Most folks who know me have been waiting a long time for this to happen.”
“I know I have,” Sylvia confessed.
The bell over the entrance door jingled and her attention swung in that direction. Addison wandered in, her gaze sweeping the crowd. Sylvia’s breath caught. She turned to Buddy. “I don’t know what to say.”
He squeezed her hand. “Say what’s in your heart.”
Sylvia scooted from the booth, smoothed her sweater, and took a deep breath. She walked up to the gorgeous young woman who was her daughter and thrust out her hand. “Hello, Addison, I’m...” And then her jaw locked.
Addison accepted her hand. “You’re my mother.”
Sylvia nodded. “I’m sure you have a lot of questions.”
Addison drew her hand away and shrugged. “A few. Mr. Corlew answered most of them.”
Sweet Jesus, Sylvia owed Buddy big for this. She gestured to their table. “Join us. Have you had lunch?”
Addison shook her head. “I hear they have great burgers.”
“I’m sure they do.”
Sylvia and her daughter spent the next two hours getting acquainted. They both cried and laughed... and cried some more. Eventually, they would discuss other painful topics like the truth about her biological father, and they would talk about Chad. For now, getting to know each other was enough.
Buddy was next to Sylvia, squeezing her hand under the table whenever she needed a little backup.
Right there in that eclectic pub her feelings for Buddy deepened just a little more and they were only getting started.
Look for my next romantic suspense novel, SEE HIM DIE, coming June 25, 2015! You can order it now by clicking here! Meanwhile, did you miss Jess and Dan’s wedding? Have you had a chance to read the story about Jess’s first encounter with serial killer Eric Spears? Read on for my gift to you – both Faces of Evil short stories are included with this novel!
THE WEDDING
A FACES OF EVIL Short Story
Debra Webb
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2014 Debra Webb, Pink House Press
Edited by Marijane Diodati
Cover Design by Vicki Hinze
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.
PINK HOUSE PRESS
WebbWorks, LLC
Huntsville, Alabama
First Edition November 2014
Chapter 1
Birmingham Police Department
Birmingham, Alabama
Friday, December 18, 4:00 p.m.
Lost in thought, Deputy Chief Jess Harris removed the crime scene photos from her case board. Her team had caught a double homicide early in the week. The case had appeared cut-and-dried at first. An intruder had entered the home and murdered the homeowner and his best friend. The house had been ransacked and any items of cash ready value such as jewelry had been taken. Sadly, the wife and two teenage daughters had arrived home later to find the awful scene.
Jess studied the photo of the wife and daughters before taking it down. The case had turned out to be anything but a random break-in. The father had been leading a double life that included drug dealing for extra income. The slow economy had driven him to make bad decisions. He and his friend had paid the ultimate price for his mistake.
Within forty-eight hours Jess and her major crimes team had uncovered the truth. None of it was
pretty and finding justice for the murdered father and his friend hadn’t made any of them feel one iota better. The wife was still a widow and the two daughters were still without a father.
“You know,” Lori Wells moved up beside Jess and took the photos from her hands, “this was an unfortunate case to catch this week.”
Jess smiled at the detective who was her good friend as well as her maid of honor. “Everyone has secrets, some are just worse than others.” Jess removed the final photo. “Tomorrow I’m marrying the man I’ve been in love with for most of my life. I know him better than most women know the men they marry. More importantly, I trust him completely. That said, it’s impossible to know everything.”
“She knows all my secrets.” Sergeant Chet Harper grabbed the eraser and started removing the written timeline from the board.
Lori narrowed her gaze and issued a warning, “I’d better.”
From his desk, Lieutenant Clint Hayes tossed in his two cents worth. “That’s why I’m never getting married.”
Jess laughed as she turned to the lieutenant. “Because you won’t trust anyone with your secrets?” She’d long suspected he had a few.
“I’ll never tell.” He grinned. “Some secrets should stay that way.”
Chad Cook, newly promoted to detective, joined them at the case board. He still walked with a bit of a limp, but he was doing great. His up-close encounter with a follower of the depraved serial killer Eric Spears hadn’t kept him down. Thank God. Chad had been back to work for a month now. Jess imagined those eight weeks of recovery and physical therapy had been the longest of his life.
“By this time next year,” Chad said, “I plan on having a wife of my own with a baby on the way—if I’m lucky.”
Jess grinned at him. Chad and Dr. Sylvia Baron, who was Jefferson County’s associate coroner and closer to Jess’s age than Chad’s, had decided they were better at being friends than lovers. Jess was immensely grateful the break-up had been an amicable one. Chad was wise beyond his years. Having just turned twenty-four he had plenty of time. His recent brush with death had obviously made him decide not to waste a moment of it.