Noah came in and sat beside her without saying a word. The room was empty now, but he’d chosen the seat right next to hers. Close enough that their arms bumped and she could smell his light cologne, could feel the heat of his body.
Blast it, he could make her feel angry in one heartbeat, and safe in another. But no matter what else he made her feel, her attraction to him never seemed to abate. On a purely physical level she wanted him. It was maddening.
“Noah, I’m sorry I jumped down your throat. You’ve been nothing but kind and I’m…”
“Rightfully stressed,” he said quietly.
“That’s no reason for me to be a shrew.”
He gave her one of those devastating smiles. “Have you ever seen one?”
“What?”
“A shrew.”
His smile was definitely the most dangerous weapon in his arsenal. Sydney found her anxiety draining away, only to be replaced by a whole other sort of tension as she regarded his mouth. What would it be like to kiss him?
“Ugly little animals, shrews,” he offered. “I saw one in a zoo in Germany once. Trust me, you two look nothing alike. Maybe you’re a little short-tempered, but I can deal with that.”
She found herself suddenly smiling back. “Have a thing for zoos, do you? How about dealing with someone who’s a lot short-tempered?”
“No, ma’am. I am not risking my neck on an opening like that one.”
“You were right, you know. Your brother was charming. I didn’t see the other side until after we were married.”
His fingers sought hers. Warm. Offering comfort. Jerome’s charm paled in comparison to Noah’s. She found herself wanting to tell him everything. How Jerome had gradually changed into a person she didn’t like at all.
“We didn’t have a normal marriage, Noah. We were friends who wanted to have a child and create a family unit. But we weren’t…we didn’t really understand each other at all. What I took for protectiveness turned out to be possessiveness. Instead of making requests, he started giving orders.”
“I give orders, too, but I’m not Jerome.” He stared at her, willing her to understand the difference.
“I know you aren’t.”
Satisfied, he broke the contact and stood. “We’d better fill out those forms Jasmine left for us.”
“She’s very pretty.” Sydney could have bitten off her tongue, but Noah didn’t even blink.
“She’s gorgeous. You ought to see the rest of her family. There isn’t a single ugly duckling in the lot. Her brother Garrett was in my graduating class. All the women wanted to know which college he was attending.”
He launched into a couple of stories until the woman and her child left the examining room accompanied by a quiet, friendly, professional woman who inspired instant confidence.
“Noah, you can come back now.”
Noah didn’t move. Instead, he looked at Sydney.
“Go ahead,” she said.
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
Forty minutes later, Sydney left the examining room feeling relieved for the first time since she woke up in the hospital. The doctor had seemed a little upset after her private conversation with Noah, which made Sydney more curious than ever, but she couldn’t exactly ask questions about Noah’s private business.
“I wish I could tell you something really encouraging about your hand, Sydney, but this sort of nerve and tissue damage is beyond my training. From what I can see on the X-rays I took, your surgeon was every bit as talented as he thought he was.” The women shared a smile. “I think you’ll like the specialist I recommended though. The wound appears to be healing nicely and I know a couple of real good therapists I can also recommend when the time comes.”
“And the baby?”
The doctor frowned. “As I said, babies are resilient. Everything looks fine. A few bumps and bruises won’t jar this little one loose, but I want you to start this vitamin supplement right away and let me know if you want the name of a good OB. Continue using the ibuprofen for your headache and pain as needed. Are you certain you don’t want something a little stronger?”
“No. I’m coping pretty well. Hopefully, the worst is over. Even the vertigo seems to be more infrequent.”
“Good. You’re definitely on the mend.”
Noah stood in the waiting room. He wasn’t pacing. Sydney couldn’t imagine him ever giving in to such wasted motion, but he turned from the window and watched them approach with a concerned expression.
“Everything okay?”
“Mother and child are fine. I assume you’re going to keep Sydney out of harm’s way for a while?”
“That’s my plan. Thanks, Les.”
“Leslie.”
The doctor’s firm correction made Sydney smile in sympathy. “Noah likes to keep everything economical, even names,” Sydney told her. They shared another smile.
Noah took an affronted pose. “Oh, that’s great. Gang up on me, why don’t you?”
“Not a bad idea. I suspect it’s the only way to get the upper hand. What do I owe you, Dr. Martin?”
Noah started to speak and quickly closed his mouth again. The doctor observed their silent exchange with obvious amusement.
“Jasmine’s gone for the day,” Leslie said. “Normally we bill your insurance company. If there’s any problem, I have your phone number and address.”
“We’re going to stay at the house for the next day or so,” Noah interrupted.
“Fine. Any problems or concerns, give me a call, Sydney.”
“Thank you.”
“Yeah, thanks, Les…lie. Hey, I’m trainable.”
The doctor gave him a skeptical look. “Dobermans are easier.”
Sydney chuckled. She was still grinning as they walked back outside and over to her car.
“Are you up to driving?” Noah asked.
She shook her head and handed him the keys.
“Hungry?”
“Picture that infamously overweight cartoon cat on a diet.”
“That hungry, huh? Then let’s try the Perrywrinkle. It’s right across the street and Officer Jackstone recommended it.”
“Fine with me, but the service better be fast or the tablecloth will be in jeopardy. What about the house? Do you think those men are gone?”
“They’d better be,” Noah said grimly.
The Perrywrinkle was a restored mansion whose large rooms had been gutted and refitted, forming warm, cozy areas. While the restaurant was surprisingly crowded, they were seated right away. The service proved impeccable. As soon as Sydney bit into the first flaky roll, she understood the crowd. Good food, good service and a degree of intimacy not usually found in restaurants anymore.
Noah watched her devour two rolls, his eyes crinkling with humor.
“I told you I was hungry,” she said defensively, reaching for a third roll.
“No problem. We can always order more.”
She relaxed under his easy smile. “You should smile more often.”
“I’m a major. We aren’t allowed to smile. It scares the enlisted men.”
Noah was so easy to like. “Why aren’t you married and raising your own family?”
His amusement faded. He lifted the last roll and began to butter it. Once again she was drawn to his hands. Steady, graceful hands with neatly trimmed nails. They were working hands, all the same. She noticed a callus on his index finger.
“I am married, Sydney. To my career. I command a Special Forces unit. We can be called up at any time on a moment’s notice. When that happens, we drop everything and go, no matter what. It doesn’t matter if it’s your kid’s birthday or a wedding anniversary where you have tickets to Hawaii. We go. Not too many families cope well with that.”
She mentally substituted women for families and then decided his choice was probably just as correct. No wonder he was so concerned about her baby. Obviously, he had no plans to create his own family, although she suspected he’d make a wo
nderful father. Depressed, she swallowed another bite of roll.
A tall, dark-haired man moved unobtrusively through the rooms, pausing at tables every so often to greet a guest. Noah came to attention without really moving. Sydney would have sworn they communicated in that split second, but both men looked away without showing the slightest trace of recognition.
“Do you know him?” she asked.
“No, but I heard someone call him Jake,” Noah answered. “I think he’s the owner here.”
“I thought maybe you two knew each other.”
His face had no readable expression. “Officer Jackstone said he was new in town. I’ve been away so long, I barely recognize the people I used to know.”
“Good evening. Welcome to the Perrywrinkle.” The man appeared beside their table. His silent approach startled her so much she jumped. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m Jake Collins. Is everything to your satisfaction?”
Sydney watched the men’s impersonal exchange and wondered at the undercurrent she sensed between them. Jake Collins was a good-looking, quietly aloof man who carried himself with the same military precision she’d noticed in Noah.
“The food is wonderful,” Sydney told him honestly. “I don’t know who your chef is, but he’s a keeper. These rolls are fabulous.”
Amusement muted Jake Collins’s stern expression. “I’m glad you think so. Enjoy your evening.”
“We are. Thank you.”
Noah nodded politely. Jake Collins turned away with an almost feline economy of motion that once again reminded her of Noah.
“I wonder if he’s retired Army.”
“What makes you ask that?”
“He moves like you do. No wasted effort.”
“Thanks. I think. For your information, Les…lie told me the town thinks he’s with the Mafia.”
Sydney nearly choked on a swallow of water. She set down her glass and laughed out loud. “You’re joking, right?”
“That’s what she says. He appeared out of nowhere, bought this place and started renovations. Perfect fodder for the gossip mill in Fools Point.”
“What do they say about me?”
His lips turned up. “I’ll let you know tomorrow. By then we should be news all over town.”
“I thought the purpose of coming here was to keep a low profile.”
“From the bad guys. Don’t worry. The townspeople don’t talk to outsiders.”
“I hate to point this out to you, but I’ve only been in town a matter of hours. I think I qualify.”
His eyes smiled. “Ah, but you married a hometown boy. That puts you on the protected list.”
“I see.”
“Want some dessert?”
“I’d love some dessert. They have coconut cake on the menu, but I don’t have any more room at the moment.”
“We’ll get it to go.”
Before she could object, he placed an order with their unobtrusive waiter for a slice of cake and a slice of pecan pie to go. She had to remember she was dealing with a decisive military sort.
“Good timing,” Noah said with a glance at his watch. “We should beat Officer Jackstone back to the house by just enough to bring your suitcase inside and turn on the lights.”
Sidney felt a tremor of unease at the thought of going back to the house after that earlier scene. She was glad the policeman was meeting them there.
The sun had vanished completely, leaving a hot, muggy evening behind. She longed for a shower, but a yawn caught her almost before she could complete the thought.
“Tired?”
“Exhausted. The doctor assures me this is normal for pregnant women.”
His eyes skated down her form, making her vividly aware of her body. “We’ll be at the house in just a minute.”
Since the house was in walking distance, he didn’t exaggerate. That was good because she’d become much too aware of Noah in a way that was very unnerving.
They turned onto the court and Sydney marveled at how dark the street was. The streetlights were far enough apart that they failed to dim the stars beaming brilliantly overhead.
Noah turned the car into the driveway and the headlights illuminated a vehicle already sitting there.
Sydney tensed, her relaxed calm instantly shattered. Visions of Noah facing down those three toughs in the front yard had her gripping the armrest.
“Scrunch down,” Noah said. “Press the lock as soon as I get out of the car and drive back to the restaurant—”
“No. Wait! That’s Laura’s car!”
Noah froze. “Laura Gooding? Are you sure?”
“Positive. That’s her license plate.”
“While you were in with Leslie, I called her apartment and left a message on the answering machine to let her know where we were staying, but I never thought she’d come up here.”
Noah sat still, scanning the dark area. No lights showed in his house or the ones on either side.
“Something must be wrong,” she told him.
“Why don’t you wait here?”
“I’d rather come with you.”
Noah didn’t argue as he stepped from the car, his long stride carrying him quickly to the small green compact. Sydney hurried after him.
Noah came to a sharp stop. “Get back in the car.”
Frissons of fear raced through her. “What’s wrong?”
“She’s not inside.”
“Maybe she went around to the back.”
He came forward, standing so close they were practically touching. Sydney realized he was shielding her as much as possible with his body and that really frightened her. The darkness of the night suddenly concealed all sorts of hidden dangers.
“Get in the car, Syd. Please.”
The please was added as an afterthought, but Sydney didn’t care. His tone was low and soft and all the more scary for those very reasons. She turned to obey when they both heard a low moan.
Noah shoved her against the car and spun around. A tiny, bright flash of light appeared in his hand, aimed at the bushes. Abruptly, he headed in that direction.
Sydney’s eyes took longer to make sense of what they saw in the small bright circle. Someone lay in a crumpled heap on the ground beside the porch.
CHAPTER SIX
“Oh God, it’s Laura.”
Her face was bruised and cut and she whimpered when Noah touched her. Envelopes, magazines and other mail lay scattered around her.
Headlights swept up the long driveway, blinding Sydney. Noah yanked her down beside him and stood protectively over her, all in one blur of motion. He relaxed just as quickly.
“Jackstone! Call for an ambulance!”
Noah obviously had far better night vision than she did. Only when the car door opened did Sydney realize it was a police car.
The next several minutes passed in a haze of activity. The police officer radioed for backup and an ambulance while Sydney crooned to her friend, vainly offering words of meaningless comfort, unsure whether Laura could hear her or not.
Horror and fear gnawed at her stomach. The ambulance crew arrived in minutes and she found herself waiting impatiently inside the police car while Noah and another officer searched the grounds and then the house for whoever had assaulted her friend. And all the while, guilt built inside her.
Dry-eyed, she watched Noah and Jackstone return to the vehicle. “You doing okay?” Noah demanded.
She nodded, feeling detached and scared all at the same time.
“Sydney,” Jackstone said kindly, “do you know of anyone who would hurt your friend like this?”
Sydney shook her head and tried not to shiver. “No one.”
“No jilted lovers, ex-boyfriends?”
Her gaze flicked to Noah.
“I told him about Yosten.”
“But she never even went out with him.”
“He was here today,” Noah reminded her.
Sydney wrapped her good arm protectively against her body.
&
nbsp; “No one else, Sydney?” Jackstone asked.
Sydney shook her head. “Laura has a lot of friends, but she isn’t dating anyone special right now.”
“Okay.” He turned to Noah. “Why don’t you follow me to the hospital. Maybe Laura can give me a statement.”
But Laura wouldn’t be giving any statements that evening. Her jaw had been broken and the doctors had rushed her into surgery to repair the damage. They waited until Laura was in the recovery room and the doctor assured them that no permanent damage had been done. Laura would sleep until morning, but she’d make a complete recovery. Noah thanked the doctor and then drove the two of them to a nearby motel.
Sydney was thankful for his silent presence. His frequent light touches while they waited had been a comforting communication worth more than idle words. A sort of “I’m here, you’re not alone” reassurance that calmed the demons inside her.
Sydney knew he’d planned on spending the night at the house, but she was glad when he chose a motel instead. Maybe it was cowardly, but an impersonal motel felt safer than that large unknown house with its multiple ways in and out.
By the time they checked in, she could barely keep her eyes open—until they reached the room. Room singular. There were two double beds, no connecting door.
She raised her eyes in silent question.
“I’m not leaving you alone tonight, Sydney. Not until we know who attacked Laura and what she was doing in Fools Point.”
The set of his features told her he was braced for an argument. She didn’t have that sort of energy left. Besides, she wasn’t sure she wanted to argue. After last night, sleeping alone in a strange room would have been terrifying.
Sydney headed straight for the bathroom. When she returned, she found Noah had set her suitcase on one of the beds and spread it open for her.
“Turn around, Syd.”
“What for?”
“So I can undo your zipper.”
Her stomach gave an unexpected flip. Until now, she’d been trying not to think of the two of them together in this small room all night. But the thought of his hands removing her dress started a quivery sensation low in her belly. It would be safer to tell him she could do it herself—but it would have been a lie.
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