Lost Innocence

by Jannine Gallant

  “Good night.” He put a hand on Keely’s shoulder to usher her down the walkway to his pickup. “Climb in.”

  She obeyed without comment and was silent for the first half of the drive. Figuring out her best line of defense, he assumed.

  “It wasn’t my fault.”

  He glanced up at the review mirror and noted his daughter’s mutinous pout as they passed under a streetlight before turning off the main road into their neighborhood. “What, Alexis forced you to skate down that hill?”

  “No, but some lady wanted to talk to us. She waved at me to come down to her.”

  Teague frowned. “Did Alexis know her?”

  “I don’t think so. It was starting to get dark, so we couldn’t see her very well. We skated down the hill, and then I crashed. It hurt a lot. I cried even though I tried hard not to.”

  He wasn’t falling for her poor me tone. “Did the woman come help you?”

  “No, but other neighbors came running outside. Then Alexis’s dad carried me back to their house, and her mom fixed me up.”

  “I owe them for their stellar first aid efforts.” He pulled into the driveway and sat for a moment before turning in his seat to face her. “I still don’t understand why you would skate down a hill you were told to avoid in order to talk to a stranger. That’s reckless and dangerous.”

  “Don’t you think I’ve been punished enough already?” Her voice escalated. “I bled all over the place.”

  “We’ll discuss your punishment tomorrow.” He opened the car door. “Right now, I want you to go to bed. It’s late, and I’m sure you’re tired after your traumatic experience.”

  “I’m a little tired. I bet Coco will be happy to see me.”

  “I’m sure she will.” As he stepped out of the truck, he glanced over at Nina’s house. This certainly wasn’t how he’d envisioned the evening ending. She’d said she understood why he had to leave, but he wasn’t sure she did. He rubbed the back of his neck where tension grabbed hold.

  “Does your head hurt?”

  “Huh?” he glanced down at Keely. “No, I’m just . . . never mind. Let’s go take a look at your knees.”

  “They’re going to be all scabbed up.” His daughter took his hand and skipped beside him toward the house. “Alexis’s brother said they’ll look gross.” Her trusting gaze met his with a questioning look. “Will the kids at camp make fun of me?”

  Apparently I’ve been forgiven . . . or she’s trying to make me feel sorry for her.

  “No. With all those wounds, I imagine they’ll treat you like a war hero.”

  “Cool.” She leaned against him as he unlocked the front door. “I’m sorry.”

  He glanced toward Nina’s dark house once more before entering his own. “Yeah, I’m sorry, too.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  The bouquet came at her with the accuracy of a sinker hurled by a major league pitcher, sailing through the crowd of women and girls to nearly smack her in the face. Nina raised her hands in self-defense . . . and caught it. The crowd clapped and cheered. Feeling a little self-conscious, she waved the flowers over her head and executed a curtsey.

  “Nice snag.”

  Turning, she smiled at Paige. “I wasn’t trying to catch it.”

  “Why not? Maybe flutter it in Teague’s face to give the man a few ideas.” A frown wrinkled her brow. “Speaking of Teague, I haven’t seen him in a while. Where—”

  “He left during the dancing.”

  Paige’s jaw hung open. “What? Why?”

  “His daughter fell and hurt herself, so he rushed off to pick her up.”

  “Oh, no. I hope she didn’t need to go to the ER.”

  “Nothing like that.”

  Paige touched her arm. “You were pretty quiet during the cake cutting. You aren’t upset, are you?”

  “No. Well, maybe a little. Teague and I were talking about our relationship and what we need from each other, so the timing of the call kind of sucked.”

  “I’m sure you’ll finish your conversation later.”

  “I guess so. I was just feeling so . . .” Nina waved one hand. “I don’t know . . . complete, having him here with me. No guy I’ve dated since Keith has broken through my protective barriers. But Teague’s daughter will always be his top priority, and I understand that.”

  Sympathy registered in Paige’s eyes. “But?”

  “No buts. His integrity is part of why I lo . . . like him so much. Keith had it, as well. I took a back seat to his career. Always.” She pressed a hand to her chest to rub the ache. “I feel like I’m facing the same obstacles all over again. Just in a slightly different form.”

  When Paige reached out to hug her, holding back tears became an effort.

  “A child isn’t the same as a job, no matter how important.” She pulled back to look at Nina. “Do you love him?”

  “I . . . probably.” Her shoulders slumped. “We’ve avoided using the L-word so far. Not to mention we haven’t been together all that long.”

  “What does time have to do with your emotions? You either feel something or you don’t.”

  “I guess so, but love won’t solve all our problems. Sometimes love can make you feel worse rather than better.”

  “Yeah, it certainly can.” Paige’s gaze drifted across the room to where Quentin and his date stood, apparently deep in conversation. She turned back. “Look how long it took Leah and Ryan to make their love work. But they were able to get past her failed marriage and his feelings of betrayal. Seems like you and Teague need to talk about your concerns and address them. Communication is key.”

  “True.” Nina smiled. “You know, you really should have taken your psych degree and gone into therapy instead of opening an antique store.”

  “What can I say? I’m a woman of many talents.” Paige grinned as the band broke into a striptease number. “Hey, check out Ryan. He’s pulling off Leah’s garter with his teeth. My guess is that man still has a few surprises in store for our lucky friend.”

  “I hope so.”

  Nina clapped along with everyone else until the garter was removed. When Ryan turned his back and tossed it over his head, the scrap of satin and lace slipped through Quentin’s fingers to be scooped up by Chris Long.

  “Dodged a bullet there.”

  “Huh?” Nina glanced over at Paige. “What do you mean?”

  “Never mind. Hey, Chris is trying to get your attention. The photographer probably wants a shot of you two together with the bouquet and garter.”

  “He’s waving me over. I’ll talk to you later, Paige.”

  “Okay. I think I’ll go find Tom. Ryan’s rock climbing buddy is a hottie, and right now I don’t care much that we don’t have a whole lot in common.” She gripped her arm before Nina could walk away. “Talk to Teague. You two have a good thing going, and I don’t want to see you let it slip past you.”

  “You’re right, but I need to figure out a few things first. Thanks for listening to me whine.”

  Paige smiled. “Anytime.”

  Nina was still thinking about her friend’s advice when she joined Chris Long and the photographer for a couple of quick pictures before the man hustled off to shoot a few final photos of the bride and groom as they prepared to depart.

  “I guess the party’s over.”

  Nina gave Chris a brief smile. “Yep. I need to tell Leah goodbye before she and Ryan take off.”

  “I couldn’t help noticing your date disappeared. If you need a ride home . . .”

  “Actually, I do. I was going to ask Paige, but she may have other plans for the end of the evening. If it isn’t any bother, I’ll take you up on that offer.”

  “Of course not.” His steady gaze held hers. “Go talk to Leah. I’m ready to leave whenever you want, but no rush.”

  “Thanks, Chris.”

  The police officer really was a nice guy. As Nina waited for Leah to finish her conversation with a pair of older relatives, she glanced back over her shoulder
and discovered him still watching her. With Teague, a tingle would have shot straight through her the minute they made eye contact. As it was, she didn’t feel even a hint of a spark. After a moment, she turned away.

  When the elderly couple moved on, Leah reached out to snag Nina’s wrist. “I’ve been trying to get two minutes alone with you for a while now. Being the bride is busy work.”

  Pulling Leah in close, Nina hugged her. “You’ve made a spectacular job of it. I’m so happy for you.”

  “I’m happy for me, too. Ryan’s chomping at the bit to get out of here, and honestly, I’m ready for some alone time with my husband.”

  Nina smiled. “Does saying that feel awkward?”

  “Maybe a little new still, but exactly right.” Leah pulled back to regard her closely. “Where did Teague disappear to?”

  “His daughter had an issue, so he had to leave.” Nina rushed on, “Nothing major, so don’t worry. I want you to have the best honeymoon ever.”

  “I intend to.” Leah glanced over Nina’s shoulder. “Looks like Ryan needs me. I’ll call you from Austria in a few days, maybe text you some pictures.”

  “You do that. Safe travels.”

  With a wave and a swirl of her skirt, Leah ran to meet her man. When he greeted her with a quick kiss and a hand at her waist, Nina’s heart ached.

  “Ready to go?” Chris stopped beside her and gave her an enquiring look.

  “Sure. Let’s get out of here.”

  Nina shivered a little as they hurried through the chilly night air to his car and waited while he unlocked the classic Mustang. Once she was seated inside, he shut the door before running around the front to slide onto the driver’s seat.

  “Thanks for offering me a ride.”

  He started the engine and let it idle for a minute. “No problem. Kind of shitty of O’Dell to ditch you at a wedding. Did you two have a fight?”

  Nina gritted her teeth, sick to death of explaining Teague’s absence. “No. His daughter hurt herself, so he went to pick her up.”

  “Oh.” He was quiet for a moment. “I just assumed . . . Guess I was wrong.” He shifted into gear. “I’ll take you home.”

  Nina leaned against the seat back. “I don’t suppose you’ve had any luck tracking down the person who broke into my house.”

  “I’m afraid not. Since you haven’t been bothered . . .” He raised a brow. “At least I assume you haven’t?”

  She shook her head. “Not since he tied me up.”

  “Maybe the perp found whatever he was after. I hope he won’t return again.”

  “While it would be nice to see the creep arrested, at this point I’ll take simply being safe.”

  Chris glanced over as he slowed to turn up the street leading to her neighborhood. “Exactly, but don’t let down your guard.”

  “Oh, I won’t. Still, it’s damn inconvenient trying to find someone to run with me.”

  “Give me a call. If I’m not on duty, I’d be happy to go.”

  When he stopped in front of her house, she turned on the seat. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks again for the lift home. I appreciate it.”

  “No problem.” He turned off the engine. “I’ll walk you to your door.”

  “You don’t have—”

  “Yes, I do. It’s late, and you forgot to turn on your porch light.” He opened the door and stepped outside. “Safety first.”

  “I’m not going to argue with that.”

  She stumbled on the brick walkway, and he took her arm. “Careful.”

  “I really should have remembered that light.” When they reached the porch, she turned to face him. “That’s what happens when you’re in a rush.”

  “Which is why I don’t want you to become inattentive. Being a little late never killed anyone. Being careless has.”

  A shiver that had nothing to do with the chill in the air slid through her. “Good point.” After she unlocked the door, flipped on the light, and turned off the alarm, she leaned against the wall and smiled. “Safe and sound. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He hesitated for a moment then stepped backward. “Good night, Nina.”

  “Night, Chris.” Shutting the door behind him, she pressed her fingers to her eyes as exhaustion weighed on the lids. It had been a long evening, emotionally draining and filled with highs and lows.

  When a knock sounded on the door, she frowned as she reached for the knob to swing it open. “Did you forget—Teague.”

  “Expecting Officer Long to return?”

  She eyed him steadily. “You would rather I had hitchhiked home?”

  “Sorry.” Teague stuck his hands in the back pockets of his jeans. “I shouldn’t be sarcastic since it’s my fault you needed a ride.”

  “Are you coming inside?”

  “Keely is home asleep, so I—”

  “How is she?”

  “Fine. She’ll have a few scabs, but she doesn’t seem terribly traumatized.”

  “Well, that’s good.”

  “Yeah, it is.” He reached out to touch her cheek. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay and say I’m sorry for leaving you at the wedding.”

  “I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  He shifted from one foot to the other. “I was out on the porch when Long drove up, and I couldn’t help noticing you stumbled up the walk.”

  Her lips tightened. “I tripped. I didn’t spend the rest of my evening drowning my sorrows, if that’s what you’re implying.”

  “Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.” He moved in closer until his breath brushed her face. “I blew it tonight. I hope you aren’t angry.”

  “You did what you needed to do.” When he threaded his fingers through her hair and tipped her head back, a tremor shot through her. “I don’t think I’m ready for a serious conversation right now. I just want to go to bed.”

  “With Keely home, I can’t stay here, but you could—”

  “I’m tired. Can we put this on hold until tomorrow?”

  He let his hand fall back to his side. “Sure.” He gave her a half-smile. “Go get some sleep.”

  “Thanks for understanding. I’ll stop by in the morning.”

  “I’m working tomorrow.” His voice held an edge.

  “Okay, later in the day, then. Good night, Teague.” With a nod, he stepped back. “Good night.”

  Nina slowly shut the door behind him, but not before a quiet expletive echoed in the stillness. She winced. Obviously, he wasn’t happy.

  She straightened her shoulders as she locked the door and set the alarm. She needed some time to think, and she certainly couldn’t be objective about the situation snuggled up with Teague. If he didn’t like going home by himself, too bad.

  Her steps were heavy as she climbed the stairs to her room. After taking off her dress and hanging it in the closet, she pulled a long T-shirt over her head and shrugged on her fleece robe, feeling the need for warmth. Or maybe I just want familiar comfort I can count on. She stuck her feet into her slippers, then made her way to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. After removing the strand of flowers from her hair, she flipped off the light. Standing at the window overlooking the street, she gazed toward the light still shining in Teague’s bedroom window.

  Did I make a mistake, pushing him away? She bit down on her bottom lip as she searched conflicting feelings swirling inside her for an answer.

  “What the hell?”

  Leaning on the sill, she peered through the darkness illuminated only by intermittent moonlight as clouds shifted across the sky. A shadow moved near Teague’s shed. After a moment, a muted glow appeared.

  Someone checking a cell? The same person who tied me up?

  Grabbing her purse off the dresser, she pulled out her phone and tapped the screen to call Teague. While it rang, she ran down the stairs.

  “Nina?” His voice was hesitant.

  “Someone’s outside. I’m going to find out who the hell has been stalking me once and for all.” />
  “Jesus. Hold on while I put on some pants. Don’t you dare confront him on your own!”

  “Then hurry, because I don’t want him to take off.” She hit the foot of the stairs and skidded on the soles of her slippers, then raced across the entry.

  “Stay where you are, Nina. I’m on my way.”

  When the connection went dead, she stuffed her phone in her robe pocket, threw the dead bolt, and unlocked the door. She would just check to make sure the creep was still there then wait for Teague. She eased the door open and stepped outside. Staying in the shadows, she peered through the darkness. Surely the shifting movement near the trees edging the road was the pervert.

  When the alarm went off behind her with a shrill peal, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

  “No!” She ran across the porch and down the walkway.

  Out on the street, footsteps slapped against pavement and faded in the distance before she could cross her yard.

  “Go turn off the alarm. I’ll go after him.” Teague’s shout stopped her cold.

  As he sprinted down his driveway and took off after the stalker, she turned back.

  “Damn it! How could I have forgotten to turn off the stinking alarm?”

  Reaching the house, she punched in the code, and blessed silence ensued. When her landline rang, she hurried to the kitchen to answer it.

  “Hello.”

  “This is Ted at Armor Security Company. Our remote data shows you’ve had a break-in at your residence.”

  “I forgot to turn off the alarm.”

  “I’ll need your name and password to cancel a response.”

  Nina provided the information and apologized. As she hung up, she wondered if she should have let the service call nine-one-one for help. If Teague caught the person who’d tied her up—

  “He got away.”

  “What?” She spun around.

  “He disappeared, probably through someone’s backyard into the woods. A couple of dogs were barking up the street, but I couldn’t see worth shit. All I had for a light was my phone.”

  “Oh, no. I can’t believe this!” She slumped against the counter.

  “I could have kept looking, but the chances of finding him weren’t great, and I was worried he might circle back around while I was searching and grab you. The front door was still wide open, and I walked right in.”