It was only a matter of time until he pounced. Rick knew it as well as he knew his own face, maybe better. He’d come looking for revenge, and the best way to punish Rick would be to hurt those he cared about. Anyone with two brain cells could see that meant Leigh and Addie were the most likely targets.
Rick would be ready and waiting when the asshole showed.
Thoughts of Leigh and Addie came to mind as he stretched out, lying flat on his back. He closed his eyes and hoped they’d been able to get some rest. The heavy pressure, that he’d expected to lift when they’d found the girl, continued to squeeze his heart.
He’d vowed to give the girls everything they could ever want or need. They deserved it.
Apparently, Addie expected the one thing he couldn’t give. Him.
Or more accurately him and Leigh together.
As they’d driven up the driveway, James had coughed quietly to get his attention. He gave a subtle, single nod to indicate Rick should look in the backseat. Curious, Rick glanced in his rearview mirror. They’d sandwiched her between Cara and Pete, who’d done their best to occupy her with friendly chatter. When they passed the gates to the property, she looked around wide-eyed, french fry paused a mere inch from her open mouth. She remained silent until they’d walked through the front doors.
Once they’d entered the kitchen, Addie said her first words since they’d gotten in the cars for the long ride home, her quiet voice filled with awe. “This is where you and Leigh live?”
Not giving much thought to it, he’d answered honestly. “We don’t live together. We’re not a couple or anything like that. I just purchased this farm recently, but you two can stay here until we can be certain that everyone is safe.”
Confusion colored her equally beautiful and filthy face. “You mean we’re not all going to live together?”
Shocked by her assumption, and hating to disappointed her, he gave her a single word reply. “No.”
She shutdown, ignored him and barely acknowledged Cara’s friendly chatter.
Leigh had to be upset, likely seriously pissed at him. He couldn’t say he blamed her, but he didn’t regret his broken promise. Even in the midst of anger, upset and upheaval, she focused on the most important thing. Really, the only thing that mattered. Addie.
He owed her an apology. But it might be better if he didn’t give it.
A sliver of dim light raking across her face woke Leigh from a dead-to-the-world sleep. As she struggled to clear the fog from her mind, a small figure tentatively entered the room. Her surroundings registered about the same moment she identified her late night visitor.
“Addie? Honey, come on in.” She sat up and the last of the fog cleared away. “What’s up?”
Dressed in comfortable pajama bottoms and matching t-shirt, the girl stared at her feet.
“Are you hungry?” She’d figured the poor girl would be starving. She should have checked on her after her shower. Instead, she’d collapsed and fallen into the deepest sleep she’d had in months.
Addie stepped inside and closed the door behind her. She was just visible in the dim glow coming from the bathroom nightlight. “No. I’m okay. Cara brought the groceries. We made sandwiches and had cookies before she left.”
“That’s good.” She paused, wondering what must be going through Addie’s mind. “Sweetheart, what is it?”
Slim shoulders rose and fell in defeat. “I can’t sleep. I mean. I’m really tired, but it’s too quiet. Can I stay in here? I’d rather sleep outside, but I think he would get mad.”
Of course. She felt like a total heel. Addie had been sleeping outdoors for close to a month, if not longer. “Absolutely. Come on in. Rick just wants us to be safe. Where do you—?” Before she finished her question, Addie crossed the room and climbed in the bed. Not in eagerness, but as if she was afraid she’d lose her courage.
Oh, poor girl. I’m such a selfish idiot.
“Sorry, sweetheart. I should have checked on you. I must have been more tired than I thought. This bed is huge, and there’s plenty of room.”
Addie tucked a pillow under her cheek, frowned and looked accusingly at Leigh. “This pillow is wet. Were you crying?”
Leigh tried for a lighthearted joke. “Would you believe me if I told you that I drool in my sleep? Here, let’s toss that one, there are about five more to choose from.” She carefully pulled the tear soaked pillow free and handed her a substitute from the large pile she’d knocked to the floor when she’d gotten comfortable.
Addie took the new pillow, curled on her side, and looked at Leigh oddly. “You’re not a very good liar, are you?”
Leigh could only laugh. “No, I’m not. I rarely lie. There’s no point in it. I guess I haven’t had much practice.”
Addie inched closer, reminding Leigh of a starving, but wary pup. “That’s not a bad thing. My dad was an expert liar. Why were you crying?”
Leigh pretended not to notice the way Addie crept closer and tucked the small ray of hope it brought her close. She’d have something happy to savor later. But, the little stinker had boxed Leigh into a corner. She’d just told the girl that she didn’t believe in lying. Now she had to answer her difficult question.
Damn and shit.
“It’s been a stressful couple of months. I’ve had a lot of worries bottled up for a long time. I think it was past time to let all the worry and stress out.”
“Did it work? Do you feel any better?”
She thought for a moment then realized she did. “Yeah. I do.”
Addie stayed quiet, mulling things over. Maybe Leigh should ask a question or two of her own. “What really happened with you and Rick? I’m no dummy. You can’t tell me all the tension was because you needed to shower. He might be a clueless man, but there has to be more to it. I told you my secret. It’s your turn to tell me something.”
Addie flopped onto her back and stared at the ceiling. She sighed heavily. “It’s stupid.”
Leigh reached out and tucked a lock of silver blond hair behind the girl’s ear. “No, if it upset you, it’s not.”
“How can you say that? You don’t even know what it is.”
“If it involves your feelings, his feelings, or both combined, then it has the potential to be something serious. Your feelings are important.”
“I had this stupid little girl dream. He shot it down. It’s not a big deal”
“Addie. Dreams are not stupid.”
Covering her face with one arm, Addie admitted, “I asked him if you guys lived here together. Like, I thought maybe we could be a family and live happily ever after and stuff. Like I said, it’s stupid.”
“No. It’s absolutely not stupid. Dream are important. What you need to focus on are dreams and goals that you can work toward. Your dream job. Places you want to see when you’re grown, stuff like that. Those dreams turn into goals you can accomplish. When you hang your dreams on other people, well, those are just wishes. There’s a difference.”
“Like, no matter how hard I wished my dad would stop doing bad things, he never did?” Her sullen words were an ugly smack of reality.
She owed this girl honesty. Addie spent her entire life in a nest of ugliness and lies. The least Leigh could do was vow to always tell her the truth, even when it stunk to high heaven. “Yes, like that. I wish with all my heart things had been different for you, but there’s no power on this earth that can change that. All I can do is vow to do the very best I can to be there for you from this point forward.”
Addie whispered her quiet acceptance. “Okay.” She didn’t sound convinced, but Leigh took heart when she pulled the sheet up over her shoulder to get comfortable. Addie closed her eyes and eventually fell asleep while Leigh lay awake and stared at the dark ceiling for hours.
Chapter 13
Rick woke at dawn, ready to tackle the day’s agenda. As he quickly showered, he decided not to wait on the coffee maker’s timer. He’d double the amount he’d added last night in preparation for this
morning and a full day of computer searches, phone calls and about forty other random items that came along with hosting two women in his virtually unfurnished home.
He left his room, but instead of heading right, toward the kitchen, his feet carried him the opposite direction. He stopped in front of Addie’s room. He knew logically that she should be in her bed asleep. He’d brought her home himself the day before. He’d seen Cara make her an evening snack and coax a small smile from her.
But the fear that she wasn’t real nagged him. Just one quick peek. Just this one morning. That’s all he would allow himself. Not wanting to disturb her, he opened the door just a fraction. The moment he caught a glimpse of her sleeping, he’d close the door.
Through the minute gap, he saw rumpled bedding. He chanced opening the door another few inches. Nothing. Concern took hold, forcing him to open the door wide.
Her bed was empty and the room was silent. Alarm beat in his chest. He stepped inside and listened. No noise coming from the bathroom and the lights were all off.
Shit. I don’t even know where to look. He’d have to check with Noah, then they’d go over the security footage of all the areas surrounding the house. He turned on his heel and when Leigh’s door came into view, his pounding heart stopped. He wrenched her door open in one hard yank.
In the dim light of the room, her head popped up, looking to him in alarm. Nestled into her side was Addie.
He mouthed a silent, “I’m sorry,” and raised his hand in a signal not to worry. Concern shadowed her features as she pulled a tangle of hair from her face. He whispered in the heavy silence, hoping to ease her fear. “I didn’t know where she was. Sorry to wake you. Go back to sleep.”
She lay back on the pillow, but didn’t look convinced.
He closed the door and hoped she’d be able to get back to sleep.
He needed coffee and work.
He spent nearly two hours checking his email and organizing a list of the day’s tasks. His caffeine buzz had faded and he needed something in his stomach to soak up the next round of coffee.
He knew his time was limited. He wouldn’t be able to keep the girls locked up indefinitely. Leigh hovered on the edge of stir crazy, and he didn’t give her much longer before their captivity pushed her over. He needed a sharp mind like he needed his next breath.
As he opened a cabinet, he heard bare feet padding across marble floors. He set a bag of bagels on the counter beside the newly unboxed toaster and then turned. Addie stood in the large arched entryway, mussed braid over her shoulder and big eyes sparking accusation.
Shit. I hoped we were past yesterday’s drama.
He hated to disappoint her. Hell, he’d give her the very moon if he could, but she’d asked for the one thing he’d forbidden himself.
Not knowing what else to do, he acted as if it was a perfectly normal morning in the Brady Bunch household. “Hey, squirt. Come on in. I was getting ready to fix something to eat. What would you like?”
She shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Not hungry.”
He split two bagels and put them in the toaster. “So, were you looking for company? Leigh will probably be up soon. She’s an early riser, too.”
There was a definite edge to her voice when she snapped at him. “Probably won’t be today.”
Alarmed, he turned to her. “Is something wrong?”
“I don’t think she got much sleep last night.” She crossed her thin arms over her chest and lifted her chin in the air.
Unease prickled at the base of his neck. “What makes you say that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because she cried herself to sleep yesterday.”
A kick to the balls would have hurt less. “How do you know that?”
A battle waged in the lines of her face. Coming to a decision, her little chin lifted even higher in the air. Her shoulders squared and her spine stiffened. “I freaked last night. Okay? Your house is too quiet, like a museum. It’s creepy. I went to her room. She let me stay in there. Her bed is big enough for ten people. Anyway, her eyes were all red and puffy and the pillow I grabbed was wet. Like, really wet. She joked about it, but…” She paused, taking a deep breath. Then she stabbed him in the heart with her final words. “I know a thing or two about wet pillows and crying myself to sleep.”
He felt about six inches tall.
“Sweetheart.” Holy shit, how do I handle this one? He looked to the ceiling for a moment then focused on the pale eyes shooting daggers at him.
Then he heard the voice that never failed to grab him by the balls with its silken grip. “Hey, guys. Good morning. What are we having for breakfast?” Leigh walked up behind Addie and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Considering I don’t have any pots or pans yet, our choices are limited. Cara had enough forethought to get us a toaster yesterday, so there’s toast, bagels, cereal and milk. I think she also got yogurt and juice. She also brought us a supply of disposable dishes and silverware.”
“A bagel and coffee sounds good. What about you, sweetheart?” Leigh asked Addie as she nudged her further into the kitchen.
Addie scrunched up her nose in disgust. “Never had a bagel. I can eat cereal though.”
He removed a plastic cup from a cupboard and filled it with cereal. From the front of the blue box, the giant orange tiger’s smile mocked him. He added milk and a plastic spoon. “Here you are, my dear. A meal fit for a queen, served in the Evans family’s finest china.” When the bagels popped in the toaster, he removed one and asked, “Cream cheese or butter?”
When Addie looked at him liked he’d grown a second head, Leigh chose for her. “Try cream cheese. That’s how I like mine.” She went to the coffeepot and poured a cup. “You really need to get some dishes. All this plastic and foam makes me cringe.”
“That’ll make a great project for you girls today. I’ll give you my card and you two can pick out whatever you think the place needs. Start with the kitchen and any personal items either of you will need for the next week or so.”
“I need to contact my office and talk to my supervisor. She’ll want to speak with Addie, and there’s a mountain of paperwork to fill out. I need to start on that as soon as possible.”
He and Addie spoke at the same time.
“No.”
“No.” If possible, the girl’s response had even more bite than his.
Unfazed, Leigh tried reason. “Guys, this is really important. Rules have to be followed. School will start soon and, sweetheart, you’ve missed out on so much. We can’t waste—”
“I’m not going. I’ll run so far and fast you’ll never find me. Not ever.” Putting on a brave front, Addie planted her fists on the bar, but he didn’t miss the fear in her eyes or the tremble in her lower lip.
Shit.
“Leigh, give me some time. You can order some home study courses or whatever testing materials you think she’ll need. Hold off on anything that will put her name in connection with either of ours. Give me a little time, and we’ll find him.”
“You don’t think there’s any chance that he’s fled the country?”
“No, I don’t. I know Marcus well. Above anything else, he’ll want revenge against me. He’ll target you.”
“I’m not going to some stupid foster home.” Addie appeared to be on the verge of panic.
Leigh’s face softened in sympathy as she opened her mouth to speak.
He overrode her. “No, you’re not. You are staying here with Leigh until I know you’ll both be safe. As soon as any and all threats are gone, I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that you can move in and stay with her permanently.”
“Rick.” Leigh’s words ached with longing and fear. “You can’t promise something like that.”
“Is that what you want?”
Her answer came quick and easy. “Yes. It is.” Or at least that was part of what she wanted. He witnessed the unspoken dreams die in her eyes. “But it’s a long, complicated process. And with my job? I just
don’t know if I can make it happen.”
“It’ll happen. I’ll see to it. I have more lawyers than you have family. We’ll find a way. Give me what I want, time. In exchange, I’ll get you what you want. I swear it.”
She glanced down and took in the fear on Addie’s face. The girl looked up to her as if her very life lay in Leigh’s hands. “Okay. I can buy the books she’ll need.”
“Nope. I want you two to outfit this kitchen with whatever you think it needs, down to silverware and napkins. Throw in some cookbooks, spices, the works. Maybe you can show her how to cook or something. Make some fancy desserts. Add the school books and anything else. Have everything shipped overnight. I’ll have Trent or Holloway go over the packages with me before you open them. No arguments.” He focused on Addie. “Cream cheese or butter, sweetheart?”
A small ray of hope bloomed in her sweet face. It wasn’t enough, but it was a start. “I’ll try the cream cheese. Thank you.”
He suspected her thanks had more to do with much more than the bagel, but he simply nodded and handed her the rest of her breakfast.
Leigh closed the refrigerator door and looked across the kitchen just in time to see Addie’s hand tilt the measuring cup midair. “Wait, no. That’s not the powdered sugar!” Then she cringed as the girl dumped a cup full of flour into their icing.
“I’m sorry.” She couldn’t bear the crestfallen look on Addie’s face. Over the past two days Leigh had tried her best to occupy the girl. Often, she acted as though she’d be punished for the slightest thing.
“Sweetheart, it’s not a big deal. I promise. We’ll just make another batch.”
“But it’s the second time I’ve messed it up.”
She fought to find a way to make light of the mistake. Then she heard Rick’s voice in the next room over as he spoke with Holloway. Inspiration struck. She whispered her plan. “I know. We’ll see if we can talk Rick into doing a taste test. We’ll ask him which recipe he likes best.”
Addie’s face scrunched up with doubt. “You don’t think he’ll get mad? It’s gonna taste horrible.”
Finding Leigh: Dark Horse Inc. Book 3 Page 13