Cara nodded. “I’m good.”
“My baby, a police officer. I’m so proud,” her mother said, tucking Cara’s hair behind one ear.
She blushed. “Mom.” Cara shook her head. “I—”
“Nat, let’s go now!” Cara’s father’s voice interrupted her midsentence.
She’d been about to tell her mother she missed her.
“I have to go.” Natalie’s shoulders had slumped, and she didn’t look Cara in the eye. “I love you.”
“Tell him one minute. We’re just talking.” Cara heard the plea in her voice.
“Baby, move it. It’s time to make lunch,” her father ordered.
Cara looked over at Greg Hartley. Still handsome; his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back off his face, his eyes burned with anger as he looked between Cara and her mother, who’d already taken a step away from her daughter.
It wasn’t difficult not to say hello to her father.
And he deliberately ignored her. He hated that she’d become a cop. He hated it even more that she refused to acknowledge him as her parent, denying him the respect and control over her he craved.
“Nat, now.” Her mother jumped at the low bellow.
She turned her back on Cara and walked away, head down, as she curled into herself.
Cara hated him. She hated how her mother gave in to whatever he wanted without care to her own needs. If cutting herself off from her parents was the only way to avoid seeing this painful sight, she’d continue to do it. No matter how big a hole her mother’s absence left in her chest or how much the fear for her safety ate away at her. Her mother had made it clear she didn’t want Cara’s help. There was nothing else she could do.
Except help those who wanted it, Cara thought. Stuffing the pain down where it belonged, Cara finished up her shopping, took the groceries home, and did cleaning around the house.
On Friday, she’d spent more time at the shelter than she’d planned because Daniella was obviously depressed after discovering that she’d need continuing education courses to update her paralegal license. The timing would take a while for her to get up to speed and capable of being rehired. That meant more time at Havensbridge, and the young woman was lonely, talking about alternatives like going home. As in back to her ex. Cara was nervous and spoke at length to Belinda about keeping Daniella busy and talking, to prevent her from leaving.
Though Cara could relate to many of the women who came and went from the shelter, Daniella and her sad blue eyes reminded Cara of her mother’s. The run-in was still fresh, causing her to miss her mom even more.
By the time Saturday afternoon came, she’d managed to shake off the depression and allow her excitement about her date with Mike to come through. She spent the morning at Consign and Design in town and bought a new April Mancini original skirt at a very reasonable price. The leopard print was gorgeous and the short length showed off her legs, which were normally hidden under a uniform or blue jeans; she added her favorite black patent boots, along with a silk black camisole and a cream-colored blazer.
One last look in the mirror and she was ready to go. Ready to see Mike.
The doorbell rang and, with a last bout of nerves in her stomach, she headed for the door and let him in.
“Hi.” She greeted him with warmth, stepping back to admire the view.
Wearing dark denim jeans and a black button-down shirt and not a speck of razor stubble, he was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen. He smelled delicious too.
“Hey.” He didn’t crack a smile as he stepped inside. His expression looked dark and forbidding, and a sudden chill skittered over her skin. One that had nothing to do with the brief blast of cold air from outside.
“Ready?” he asked.
“I just have to get my purse and jacket.”
He shoved his hands into his front pockets and waited without making small talk and without looking at her at all.
She swallowed hard. His greeting was nothing like she’d expected. Okay, so he wasn’t admiring the view as she’d done with him. She told herself that was fine, even as disappointment welled inside her.
But his closed expression put her off and unnerved her even more. He looked nothing like the man who’d dropped her off yesterday afternoon with a blistering kiss and a promise to stay the night.
“Umm…is everything okay?” she asked as she picked up her small bag from the couch.
“Any reason it wouldn’t be?” he asked in an ice-cold voice.
Her discomfort turned to alarm. “You tell me.”
He glanced at his watch. “We’re going to be late,” he said, without answering her question.
“And I don’t give a damn.” Cara wasn’t going anywhere with Mike in this mood. She tossed her bag back onto the sofa. “Talk.”
He turned to face her, his eyes and expression glacial. “I went to see my mother today.”
Uh-oh. “What did she say?”
Disappointment flashed across his handsome face. “Are you really going to play this game? You know exactly what she said. That she’s been in touch with my father on Facebook and you knew.” He spat the words like an accusation.
Cara’s stomach twisted in tight knots, but she straightened her shoulders, standing by what she had—or hadn’t—done. “It wasn’t my place to tell you.” She’d felt angst about it, felt guilty, but in the end, there was only one choice she could make, and she remained silent.
He shook his head back and forth slowly. “I talked to you about my father. I don’t talk to anyone about him, including my family.” His eyes blazed with anger and betrayal, causing her heart to pound harder in her chest.
“I know.” And Cara had valued every ounce of information he’d given her, no matter how small. “And I appreciate that you let me in.” She stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder, but he stepped out of reach.
She did her best not to shiver at the rejection. “I begged your mother to tell you, but she didn’t want to upset you. She insisted, and I gave my word.”
“That’s it?” He glared at her, not giving an inch. “You saw me after the judge’s house. You knew how conflicted I was. And all you can say is you gave your word?”
She nodded, pulling her walls back up because she wasn’t getting through to him. “My word is everything. It’s what defines me.”
He raised an eyebrow. “That cut-and-dried?” he asked.
“You’re damned right. Want to know why? Because I know what it means not to keep it.”
He narrowed his gaze.
Cara went on. “Every time my father swore he wouldn’t touch my mother again, he gave his word. He promised over and over he wouldn’t hit her again. He wouldn’t belittle her. Demean her.” Cara’s thoughts went back to the scene at the grocery store the other day. “Order her around, demand she walk away from her own daughter at his command.” Cara’s voice caught, but she forced herself to go on. “He makes her feel like she’s nothing. And every time he promised not to do it again, he did. He broke his word. And each time was worse than the last.”
She felt rather than saw his shock. The atmosphere changed between them, chill turning to warmth, but Cara didn’t want Mike softening toward her because of pity. He needed to understand why she’d keep a promise no matter what.
“I learned early on, the only thing that matters is whether a person can keep their word. That’s what defines who I am as a human being. That’s what makes me different from him.” Her voice cracked, but she wasn’t going to fall apart on him. “So no, I didn’t tell you what I knew because I promised your mother I wouldn’t.”
This time he came to her, his body heat bracketing her where she stood. “Cara.”
She shook her head, unable to believe that the night she’d looked forward to had gone so far off course. Yet she didn’t blame him for being hurt or angry with her.
“Look at me,” he said, his voice gruff and a lot warmer than when he’d walked in.
She wasn’t ready, but he turned
her to face him. “I, of all people, know what it’s like to not want to be like my father. I was pissed at everything, and I overreacted. Took it out on you because I couldn’t have it out with Rex.” His half-grin disarmed her own anger and hurt.
She sighed. “I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t.”
“I get that now.”
And Mike did. Talk about blindsided. All his righteous anger dissolved in the face of her admission. This woman had the ability to twist him in knots, making him feel things completely foreign to him. They had more in common than he realized, wanting not just distance from a parent they despised but proof they were nothing like them.
He ran a hand through his hair. “Should we go?” he asked, eager to put the discussion behind them. No good could come of talking about it anymore.
She eyed him warily. “That’s it?”
“Do I look like the type to hold a grudge?”
She burst out laughing. “Yeah, as a matter of fact, you do.”
He rolled his eyes, knowing the tension had broken. “Let’s go, okay?”
She inclined her head. “Okay.” She seemed happy to let it go too and reached for her bag.
With his anger gone, he exhaled long and hard, finally getting a real look at the enticing female he’d picked up for a date. Her long, dark hair, normally pulled back in a ponytail, fell over her shoulders; bangs skimmed her forehead; and she’d put on more makeup than he was used to seeing on her. The effect, combined with the sexy outfit she’d chosen, blew his mind.
This wasn’t Cara the cop. It wasn’t Cara who filled out a pair of jeans and looked damned good in a worn T-shirt. This was a sexy siren who’d dressed with him in mind, and he’d shown up here blasting her for hiding things from him instead of admiring her.
“I’m an ass.”
“You said it, not me.” Her lips twitched in amusement.
“I’m sure you thought it,” he muttered. “You look beautiful.”
She blinked, obviously startled, before smiling widely. “Thank you.”
“It’s what I should have said from the beginning. Can we start over?” he asked, extending his arm for her to take.
He knew they’d have to discuss the case sooner or later, just as he’d have to decide what to do about looking up his old man. But those weren’t things he needed to dwell on now.
She nodded slowly and licked her glossed lips. “I’d like that.”
That easily, they were back to normal, leaving Mike to marvel yet again how different Cara was from other women he’d been with who chose arguments for the sake of arguing. Tiffany especially had liked tantrums in order to get something she wanted out of him. No woman he’d known had just simply stated her feelings instead of keeping them inside until they boiled over. Cara made it a habit. There was no guessing where he stood with her, and he liked it.
Twenty minutes later, they’d pulled into the driveway at the house on the hill. Cara, eyes wide, marveled at the twinkling lights coming from on high and the large mansion rising in front of them.
“It’s a town landmark, but I never get used to seeing it,” she said in awe.
He knew what she meant. He and Cara came from working-class families, and though Mike grew up in a nice house in a decent neighborhood, their four-bedroom home could probably fit in the pool behind the mansion.
“It is something,” he agreed.
They parked and walked to the door, and Mike rang the bell. A few seconds later, the door swung wide and a teenage girl stood before them.
“Hey, Tess,” Cara said to the girl.
“Ooh, you got yourself a hot one,” the teenager said, glancing at Mike.
“I most certainly do.” Cara winked at her, shocking Mike completely.
He opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out.
“Mike, this is Ethan, Dare and Nash’s smart-mouthed sister, Tess. Tess, Mike Marsden. The police chief,” Cara said, emphasizing his job description.
“Oh. Shit.” This time Tess grew silent, and Cara burst out laughing.
“Are you going to invite us in or let us freeze to death out here?” Cara asked.
“Come on in,” the teenager said grudgingly.
“Gee, thanks.” Cara’s light laughter washed over him.
Tess stepped back, and Mike noticed she was wearing a fitted top over jeans, her clothes too tight to be comfortable, but a typical teenager outfit from what he’d seen around town.
“Tess, did you get the door?” Ethan asked, the sound of his footsteps coming closer.
“Duh,” she muttered.
Ethan met them in the foyer with a smile, but he glanced at his sister and asked, “What’s with the attitude?”
“You said company, not the chief of police,” Tess hissed at him, her cheeks pink.
“I’m not here on official business,” Mike said, hoping to put her at ease.
Ethan laughed. “I should hope not. She’s been off probation for a while now.”
“What?” Mike asked, sure his friend was kidding.
“A long story for another time,” Ethan said.
Tess looked at him, narrowing her eyes. “I can’t believe you!” With a solid foot stamp, she took off, heading back upstairs.
“Bye, Tess,” Cara called out.
“Bye,” the teen yelled back.
“What was that all about?” Mike asked.
Ethan shook his head and laughed. “That was Tornado Tess. Come on into the den and I’ll tell you all about it.” He gestured for them to follow him into a large room with a bar in one corner and a big-screen television in another. “Faith is upstairs with the baby. She’ll be down soon.”
“Ooh, can I go on up and take a peek?” Cara asked.
Ethan grinned like a proud father. “Sure. Just follow the smells,” he said, making Mike wonder how the hard guy he’d known in high school had gone from rebel to parent with seeming ease.
Mike shuddered.
Cara laughed and headed out the door. He watched her walk out, her tight behind swaying in that little skirt and short jacket.
“Damn, you have it bad,” Ethan said.
Mike raised an eyebrow. What could he say? He’d been caught.
“So what’s it like being a father?” He changed the subject.
Ethan grinned. “I wasn’t ready for it either.”
“Hell, you’re old enough to know if you’re potentially getting your wife pregnant.”
Mike shook his head at his friend, and Ethan burst out laughing. “I was talking about love, not kids.”
“Who the hell said anything about love? We’re just having fun.”
Ethan walked to the bar. “At least you didn’t say it was just sex. Scotch?” he asked.
Mike nodded. “Thanks.” He already knew it wasn’t just anything. Not that he’d get into that with Ethan.
“It’s amazing being a father.” Ethan poured two glasses of alcohol and handed one to Mike.
The man switched subjects like a pro. “Are you talking about Tess or baby diapers?” Mike asked, joking.
“Both.” Ethan met his gaze, his expression as serious as Mike had ever seen it. “I thought I’d grown up when I moved back here, and I had, but Tess, she turned me into the man I wanted to be. Faith did the rest. Then she gave me our daughter.” Ethan raised his glass. “To women,” he said, the foolish grin of a man in love on his face.
Mike wasn’t that far gone, but he had to admit Cara had him in an unfamiliar place that had him reeling. Mike raised his glass and took a large gulp, needing it to feel more centered.
“Want to see my princess?” Ethan asked with pride.
“What’s her name?” Mike asked.
“Allie. After my mother, Alicia.”
Mike nodded, understanding the sentiment. He followed Ethan out of the den and up the long circular stairs.
Soft female voices sounded from a room at the end of the hall, where a light glow illuminated the darkened hallway. Music played from another room, t
he heavy rock telling him where Tess, the teenager, had gone.
Mike paused outside the baby’s room and, with Ethan, looked inside. To his shock, Cara, not Faith, held the tiny bundle in her arms. Before he could process the warmth spreading through him, Cara leaned in and pressed her nose to the baby’s head. “I love the smell of baby,” she whispered.
“It’s the Johnson’s Baby Shampoo. Makes you want to eat them up,” Faith agreed.
“She’s so precious,” Cara said in awe. “I was afraid I’d break her.”
Faith waved a hand dismissively. “From the way you changed that diaper, you’re a natural. All ready for when you have one of your own.”
Ethan stood beside him, the silence charged. Mike felt as uncomfortable listening to the women’s dialogue as he did having his old friend undoubtedly put his own spin on what he thought Mike was feeling. Hell, he barely knew himself.
“I don’t know if that’ll ever happen,” Cara said, surprising him. “I’d need to believe that relationships can last and that there’s someone out there who I’d trust with my whole heart not to hurt me.”
The way her mother had been hurt. Mike heard the unspoken end to her sentence, her quiet words and painful thoughts a sucker punch to his gut.
She didn’t think she believed, but she so obviously yearned for what Faith had—and Cara deserved that kind of love and devotion. He wasn’t the guy to give it to her, and for the first time in his life, Mike was disappointed that he couldn’t be what a woman needed.
Not a woman.
This one.
No hearts involved, wasn’t that what he’d told her? If that were true, then why did his chest ache so badly now?
Ethan cleared his throat, and the women glanced up. “Hi!” Faith said. “Come on in.”
The quiet spell that enveloped Mike broken, he followed Ethan into the room, but Mike knew this night would stay with him for a long, long while.
After they put the baby to bed, Faith and Ethan said good night to Tess and checked in with the housekeeper, Rosalita, who would be babysitting for the evening. They had dinner in a neighboring town at a steak restaurant, where they were seated in a small booth.
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