by Terri Reed
Relief flooded Adam. “Thanks, bro. I owe you one.”
Joe snorted. “Dude, one? You’re not very good at math.”
Adam laughed. “True.” Joe had been Adam’s rock when Adam’s world imploded five years earlier. Joe had suggested to General Margaret Meyer that she hire Adam for the elite K-9 unit she had put together. To Adam’s surprise and delight she’d offered him a position despite his troubled past. He would always be grateful to his brother for his guidance and support and the general and the K-9 unit’s captain for taking a chance on him. “See you later.”
He put the phone back in his pocket, then reached for Lana’s bag. “We’re all set then. I’m taking you to a very safe place.”
“Where?”
“My brother’s home. He and his family live in military housing. A gated community. The most secure place I can think of. You’ll be safe there.” He held her gaze. “Trust me.”
“I trust you.”
SIX
I trust you.
During the twenty-minute drive from Lana’s apartment complex to the military housing community known as Bellevue, located along the Potomac River and near the navy’s research and development facility, Lana grappled with the realization she did trust Adam.
He may have originally believed the worst of her, but he’d allowed room for her innocence. He was a good police officer, a man dedicated to his job. Which at the moment was protecting her. So yeah, she trusted him.
At least with her life. But she wouldn’t be crazy enough to trust him with her heart.
She kept her gaze trained on the scenery outside the window instead of on the man sitting next to her. The beauty of the community impressed Lana as they were waved through the gated checkpoint and drove deeper into the neighborhoods.
The rain had abated and the sun shone in full force. Rolling hills of green grass, play structures, gazebos and sport courts were filled with activity on this spring day. Mothers out with their children, men and women, presumably military personnel, taking a few moments to grab a game of hoops or picnic with their families. Rows and rows of town houses lined the streets. American flags fluttered in a slight breeze.
The homey scene created an ache deep inside where she held the dream of living in such a place. She wanted a community of her own to belong to. A place to call home that she shared with the man she loved.
Mentally, she scoffed. Love? The concept was so far from her grasp. She’d learned the hard way love could be deceiving, brutal and full of pain. Yet she knew love existed. She’d seen the love between her parents. But opening herself up again, putting her heart at risk scared her too much to think she might try again.
Adam pulled the vehicle to the curb in front of a town house with a red door. Two tricycles stood abandoned in the driveway. A white picket fence closed off the small front yard with a neatly mowed postage-stamp-size lawn. A Yorkshire terrier, only about ankle-high, jumped up and down near the fence, barking. The front door opened and a blonde woman stepped out to wave at them.
Lana smiled back but her stomach rolled. She hated imposing on strangers. But her life was in danger and Adam was convinced she would be safe here. “Are you sure this is okay?”
Adam laid a hand on her arm. “It’s going to be fine. Come on. I want to introduce you to Ruth.” He climbed out and walked around to the back of the SUV. Lana popped open the passenger door and stepped onto the sidewalk. As Ace jumped down from the back the smaller dog’s bark changed to a yapping sound that could only be described as glee. Ace waited for Adam’s okay, before hopping over the fence with ease to frolic with the tiny brown-and-gold one.
“That is so cute,” she said to Adam.
“Ace and Tink love each other.”
“Tink as in Tinkerbell?”
“Yep. The girls named him that.”
Lana laughed and took one of the wheeled bags from Adam.
Ruth opened the gate. She was tall, willowy and her bright green eyes studied Lana and the bandage attached to her head. Concern deepened the emerald depths as she stuck out her hand to Lana. “Hello, I’m Ruth. Welcome to our humble abode. Joe will be home later.”
Lana shook the woman’s hand. “Lana. I appreciate your willingness to open your home to me. I’m sorry to inconvenience you.”
“Not at all. We’re glad to help.” Ruth stepped back to allow them to move past her. “I’m surrounded by kids and a dog all day. Joe works long hours. I’m looking forward to having another grown-up around.”
As she followed Adam inside, the smell of fresh-baked cookies hit Lana’s senses and made her mouth water. The house was a great room style so the living room flowed into the dining area and kitchen. Blond hardwood floors stretched the length of the first level with colorful area rugs providing warmth and texture.
Toys were strewn all over in a messy clutter. A large plasma television dominated the long wall. A piano sat in the far corner. Bookshelves filled with books and DVDs stood next to the large picture window overlooking the front street. So different than her own apartment. She liked this messy, homey house. A place where a family lived.
Lana’s gaze was riveted to the two little tow-haired three-year-old girls sitting at the dining table. Identical cherubs if ever there were any. Both girls were covered from head to knee with frosting as they attempted to decorate cookies.
The girls noticed them at the same time and in unison squealed in delight. “Uncle Adam!”
They scrambled from their chairs to race toward Adam. He squatted down, opening his arms wide. The girls launched themselves into his embrace with giggles and laughter.
“They love their uncle,” Ruth said with an affection-filled smile.
“I can see that.” Lana could also see the girls were smearing yellow-and-pink frosting on Adam’s shirt. She stifled her own giggle.
Ruth clapped her hands. “Girls, we have a guest.”
Adam relinquished his hold on his nieces and straightened. Reaching out a hand to snag Lana’s he tugged her forward. “This is Lana. Your mom and dad have invited her to stay with you for a few days.” He turned to Lana with a twinkle in his eyes. “These two ragamuffins are Tara and Kelsey.”
Lana stared at the two children, wondering how to tell them apart. The girls gave Lana shy smiles.
“It’s nice to meet you two. Looks like you’re having fun with the cookies,” Lana said.
“We are,” one of the twins said.
“We’re decorating Easter cookies,” the other twin said.
“Come on, we’ll show you,” the girls said in unison.
Both girls grabbed one of Lana’s hands. Surprise raced over her as they pulled her toward the table. She’d never been around children much. Didn’t know how to interact with them.
Looked like she was going to have a crash course in how to relate to children. Probably a good thing if she hoped to become a mother to her nephew. She threw a panicked glance to Adam. Why did the amused approval in his gaze make her want to succeed?
*
Adam couldn’t believe the change in Lana as she and the twins decorated cookies. She glowed. Her dark eyes gleamed from within and the easy laughs and giggles were nothing like the stoic and aloof person he’d met last month.
“She’s good with the kids,” Ruth commented.
“Yeah, she is.”
“You sound surprised.”
He turned to his sister-in-law. “I am. She said she hasn’t been around children.”
“Well, she’s doing fine.” Ruth grabbed the handle of one of the rolling suitcases. “Let’s put these in the guest room.”
Tugging the other case and Lana’s large bag, he followed Ruth upstairs to the room he’d used when he’d landed here after his FBI career died a flaming death. The room looked the same. A full-size bed, dresser, TV, nightstand and chair in the corner. The blinds were open, letting the sunlight splash across the flowery bedspread. Too frilly for his taste but comfortable.
Ruth leaned against the doo
rjamb. “So spill. What’s going on? Why is she in hiding?”
Adam explained the situation.
Ruth whistled. “That stinks. I like her.”
“You just met her.”
With a shrug and grin, Ruth countered, “I have good people instincts. If you recall I warned you that Shelia wasn’t a good fit for you.”
He did remember. Ruth had tried to tell him Shelia wasn’t the right woman for him. But he’d had to discover that his college sweetheart hadn’t wanted to be the wife of an FBI agent. She’d broken off their relationship when he was accepted into the academy. He decided then not to get involved again until he was ready to settle down. So far he’d kept that vow and intended to until he returned to Colorado.
“Lana is a nice woman.” Though he hadn’t thought that at first. A good lesson in not judging a person on first impressions.
“She’s pretty, too.” Ruth’s eyes gleamed.
“And she lives here. You know I’ve put in for a transfer back home.”
Ruth sighed. “I know. I’m not happy about it.” She pushed away from the door. “I hope you find the arrow and nail the jerk to the wall for hurting Lana.”
“That’s the plan.”
They headed downstairs. Lana stood at the back patio door watching the twins playing with Ace and Tink. She turned as they approached. The softness in her gaze and the tender smile on her lovely face smacked Adam in the chest like the business end of the expandable baton hanging from his utility belt.
Silhouetted by the sun, her long dark hair shone and her curvy figure made his mouth go dry. She was beautiful. He wished he could snap a photo of her. But using the camera on his phone probably wasn’t a good idea. Not only would it be creepy, but would wipe away her smile in a heartbeat.
“They are so cute,” Lana said, turning back to watch the girls chasing the dogs.
“Adam tells me you’re taking some vacation time from your job,” Ruth said.
Lana nodded but didn’t turn around. No doubt the subject hurt. Adam could see her smile fading and he hoped she didn’t withdraw into herself.
Ruth gestured to Lana and then to herself and mouthed, “We’ll be fine.”
He hoped so. He didn’t analyze why he was so worried about Lana’s emotional health. He didn’t normally go in for mushy stuff. He touched Lana’s shoulder. “I’m going to head out. I have a meeting at headquarters. Do you have my card?”
She faced him. “Yes, I do.” For a moment a flare of panic glittered bright in her eyes before cooling. “Thank you, Adam, for all you’ve done.”
He didn’t like the tone of dismissal in her voice. And if he hadn’t seen the momentary vulnerability that told him she was putting on a brave front, he’d have felt a bit put out. But he had seen the look and knew she was uncomfortable with him leaving. It couldn’t be helped. He had every confidence she’d be okay with Joe and Ruth and the girls. Lana just needed to believe that, too.
Ruth cleared her throat. “I’ll get the girls so they can say goodbye.” She slipped out the sliding patio door.
Gathering Lana’s hands in his, he said, “I see you’re fretting. Don’t. You’re safe here. We’re doing all we can to find the arrow and the thief.”
She gave him a trembling smile. “I know you are. And I know I’ll be safe here. I just—” She licked her bottom lip. “When will I see you again?”
“You said the custody hearing is tomorrow?”
She nodded.
“I’ll escort you.”
She blinked. “You will?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
The girls barreled through the door and wound themselves around each of his legs. Tink raced a circle around them and Ace stood beside Lana, leaning into her leg. Laughing, he walked stiff-legged, carrying the twins toward the door.
“No, no. Don’t go,” the girls chanted between giggles as they hung on.
At the door, Ruth extracted the twins and hustled them back to the kitchen. Tink followed his people, leaving Adam alone with Lana and Ace. The dog didn’t seem to want to leave her side. Adam didn’t blame him. He would rather stay with Lana, too.
He whistled and Ace snapped to attention. Adam opened the door, gestured for Ace to go outside.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” he said to Lana. Why did this suddenly seem like such a long time?
Before he closed the door, she stepped close, putting a hand on his arm. “I appreciate everything you’re doing for me. No one’s ever had my back like this before.”
Her words made him feel ten feet tall. He covered her hand with his own. The heat of her skin burned through his palm. “I’m doing my job.”
But deep inside he knew there was more than duty driving him to want to protect her, to be there for her in her time of need. He’d let his guard down enough for her to create confusion within his heart and mind. If he wasn’t careful his attraction to the appealing and beautiful art curator would turn into something emotional, something he had no intention of pursuing. This wasn’t the right time.
The sooner he found the arrow and the person who’d hurt Lana the better. Then he could move on with the plans he had for leaving Washington, DC, and returning to Colorado. Plans to start a new life. One that wouldn’t include the beautiful and puzzling Lana.
Or him risking his heart.
*
The next morning, Lana picked up the mug of coffee in front of her. Her shaky hand caused the liquid to slosh. Afraid she’d spill it, Lana quickly set the cup on the kitchen counter.
“Nervous?”
Returning Ruth’s smile with a wry one of her own, Lana nodded. “Yes.”
Ruth arched an eyebrow. “Because of the custody hearing or because Adam will be here in a minute?”
A flush of heat tiptoed up her neck. She could hedge, deny that Adam affected her in any way, but she decided honesty would serve her better. “Both.”
Yes, the thought of appearing before a judge who would decide her and Juan’s fate had her nerves stretched tight like a rubber band. And seeing Adam again, being close to him, having his support, simultaneously thrilled and scared her.
She wasn’t looking for an emotional attachment to the man. She’d had her fill of romance and been disappointed. She wasn’t planning on going down that road anytime soon.
However, she couldn’t deny her attraction to Adam. What woman with a pulse wouldn’t be attracted? Those broad shoulders, that square jaw, those intense blue eyes…
“I thought so.” Ruth wiped down the counters with a rag. “Adam’s a great guy.”
“He is,” Lana admitted. “But it’s not like that.” Ruth gave her a dubious glance. Lana rushed to explain. “We aren’t romantically involved. Never could be. He’s just doing his job. After the breakin at the museum and then my apartment, he feels that I’m in danger. I’m grateful for his protection and his support.”
“Right.” Ruth’s dubious expression belied the single word. “Why never?”
A gnawing ache built in Lana’s chest. The need to talk about her past pressed at her but she forced it back into the compartment inside her mind, stuffing all the garbage down and securing the lid. “I can barely handle the idea of becoming a mother to my nephew. The thought of adding a man to the mix terrifies me.”
A thoughtful gleam entered Ruth’s eyes. “It’s probably just as well.”
Miffed that Ruth would agree that Lana and Adam shouldn’t get involved made Lana’s tone sharp. “Why do you say that?” Before Ruth could answer a thought occurred to Lana. “Is he already in a relationship?”
She’d never thought to ask him. It was none of her business, anyway. Then why did the idea of him with someone else make her chest ache?
Ruth’s mouth quirked as if she heard and understood the conflicted emotions going on inside of Lana. “No. The last serious woman he dated was before he went to Quantico.” She moved to the sink and rinsed out the rag, then turned to lean against the counter. “Did Adam mention he’d
put in for a transfer to the Colorado Springs police department?”
The news hurt deep down inside. Lana’s mood deflated like an airless balloon. “He hadn’t mentioned it.”
“He hasn’t heard back so it’s not a done deal.”
“They’d be crazy not to snatch him up.”
“Yeah, well, I hope they don’t.” Ruth pushed away from the counter. “We like having him around.”
Lana could understand that. Adam was a great guy.
“Adam mentioned you haven’t had much experience with kids.”
Trying for another attempt at getting some caffeine in her system, Lana picked up the mug. Her hands were steadier. “No, I haven’t.”
“I wouldn’t have known that after seeing you with the girls,” Ruth stated. “You’re a natural. I know you’ll make a great parent to your nephew.”
“From your lips to God’s ears,” Lana said, meaning the words as she sipped from her cup.
She’d been praying for the past month, from the moment she’d learned that her sister had left behind an orphaned boy. Rosa apparently hadn’t confided in anyone who the child’s father was, and the birth certificate was left blank where the father’s name should have gone.
If God’s plan was for Lana to be a mother to Juan, she prayed God would give her the know-how to be a good parent. And protect her and Juan from Mark. She wouldn’t put it past him to use Juan against her in some way.
But first the court had to agree to allow her to have custody. “I never babysat like my friends in high school. I worked in my parents’ restaurant along with my sister.”
Mentioning Rosa sent a shot of grief piercing her heart.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Ruth said. “Rosa was her name?”
“Yes.”
“I heard about her fall off the cliffs in President’s Park.” Ruth shuddered. “I’ve never liked that part of the hiking trails. Too high up.”
Rosa hadn’t liked heights either, which made her presence on those cliffs even more puzzling. According to what Adam had told Lana, Rosa hadn’t been dressed for hiking; so why was she there that night?
Her cell phone and wallet were missing, which had led the police to believe her death was a mugging gone wrong. But was Adam correct in thinking that the attacks on Lana were somehow connected to Rosa’s death?