by Geri Krotow
“I love you, Gwen.” He didn’t allow her to respond as he kissed her deeply.
It wasn’t about analyzing words or thoughts or physical attraction. This time between them was about living in the moment, appreciating that they still could do this to each other. For each other.
It was about loving.
CHAPTER TWENTY
GWEN KEPT HER preparations for picking up Pax simple. Drew remained determined to stay behind on Whidbey, and Gwen didn’t want her mother coming out, not yet. She was barely a mom herself and wanted time with Pax to reconnect before he was ambushed with overwhelming grandmotherly love.
Which left her best gal pal.
“Thank you for coming with me. And please thank Miles for letting you go.”
“Puuuulllleeeeze. He’ll live one night without me.” Ro drove as they made their way down I-5 to Seattle. Gwen had booked a hotel for the night so they’d be at SeaTac early, at least a few hours before Pax arrived. Otherwise they risked being delayed by traffic, and she wouldn’t be able to stand it if she wasn’t there to greet Pax when he landed.
“We haven’t had a girls’ night in a long time.”
Ro sent her a smile. “We’ve both been busy.”
“Speak for yourself.”
She’d figured out that she loved Drew, more than she ever had. Which was why she had to be willing to let him go, why she couldn’t answer him yesterday when he’d told her he loved her. She couldn’t ever ask him to do something he didn’t want to. His refusal to come with her to get Pax confirmed her deepest fear.
He might love her, but he wouldn’t let himself be part of the family she was creating with Pax.
“Hey, don’t you have a baby to worry about?”
“I’m not worried about him.”
“Liar.”
Ro still made her smile.
“He’s in the best hands until I get him. I’m really getting him, Ro. I’m a mommy!”
“Yes, you are. But until he shows up tomorrow morning, we are going to have some fun.”
“I can’t have too much fun.”
“No. However, we can have a glass or two of the red wine I’ve brought, and we can do our nails.”
“Sounds great.” She didn’t want to disappoint Ro, but she had no idea how she’d get any sleep tonight, much less calm down enough to paint her nails.
* * *
PAX’S ARRIVAL WAS anticlimactic after a long wait in the U.S. Customs office. The State Department Official who’d served as escort was surprisingly young and introduced herself as Stefanie Quinn.
“Thank you so much.” Gwen spoke to Stefanie but her gaze was on Pax. Her stomach flip-flopped as she looked at her son. Her son!
“Come here, sweetie pie. It’s Mommy.” She held out her arms and after a brief, heart-stopping pause accompanied by a stare, Pax giggled and reached for Gwen.
“My baby boy.” She hugged him to her, burying her face in his warm, dark hair.
“Mamamamamama...!” Pax screeched before he giggled again and kicked his legs against her.
“Yes, I’m your mama.”
She was dimly aware of flashes as Ro took the first photos of Gwen and Pax on American soil.
Gwen would never forget the softness of Pax’s skin as she pressed her cheek to his, the way his fingers grabbed at her hair, the solid feel of his little body in her embrace. She had him back.
Yet through all the joy and the tears of reunion, a somber thought raced through her mind and closed tight around her heart. There was one person on earth she wished she could share this with, and he wasn’t here.
Drew.
* * *
DREW GOT INTO the shower after he’d mowed the lawn and cleaned out the refrigerator. He couldn’t pinpoint when, but sometime between his chat with Ramsey this morning and the text from Gwen saying they were on their way home, he knew this was it.
His chance to maybe, just maybe, make things right with her. To show her that he could be a father for Pax, but more important, a husband for her.
He soaped up and tried to relax under the hot water. He’d planned to be the best father for their child one day, and he’d thought he had it all figured out. Gwen would get pregnant on or about their thirtieth birthdays, they’d have three kids, she’d get out of the navy as he had. He’d be able to support her with his job, with the clinic.
Hell’s bells. The clinic. He’d suddenly remembered, and like a wall of ice, the reality of his predicament slammed into him. He couldn’t offer Gwen or Pax anything. Not yet. Not while the case was still open. His clinic was going to close. Even if Dottie’s death was found to be accidental, or if his hunches about Opal proved true, who would ever trust him or his staff again? Gwen believed in his innocence. But it wasn’t enough.
Stay focused. You’ve got to finish it out.
A movement outside the glass shower walls caught his eye and he stilled.
“Gwen?”
They weren’t due back for over an hour, longer with traffic or ferry delays.
“No, Drew, it’s me, Opal. Open up, sweetie.”
* * *
DREW REALIZED THAT Opal had taken the bait. He’d texted her and let her know Gwen was going to pick up the baby this morning, and thanked Opal for supporting them.
Opal had shown up a little early, since he was supposed to be dressed and wired with the equipment Ramsey had given him before she got into the house.
He peered through the steamed window.
She was naked.
Holy freaking crap.
He’d served in the navy. He could do this.
“Get the hell out of here!” He played it the way he and Ramsey had planned. No way on God’s green earth was he going to have her ruin whatever chance he had left in life.
Gwen.
Thank God Opal had shown up while Gwen and Pax were still far away. Far from danger.
“I mean it, Opal, you have to leave.”
He shut the shower off and reached outside the stall for his towel.
“Looking for this?”
Opal stood just out of reach, the towel dangling from her fingers.
He gritted his teeth and kept his eyes on her face. He hadn’t been wrong to think she’d killed Dottie. She was insane.
“Get. Out.” He stalked over to the linen closet and grabbed a towel off the shelf, nearly shoving her aside as he wrapped it around his waist.
“Drew, that’s not very nice.” He heard the excitement in her voice. Just like Ramsey had predicted. Sociopaths thrived on the distress of others. Perceived or real.
“You know I can’t be with you, Opal.”
He held open the bathroom door and waited for her to walk into the bedroom where, he noted, her clothes lay in a pile in front of the bed.
His and Gwen’s bed.
Get her to talk.
“Can I please have some privacy to get dressed? And would you do the same?”
“You don’t have to be such a jerk, Drew.”
She took her time putting her clothes back on. He stood, covered by the towel and waited. When she wasn’t looking at him, he dared a glance at his clothes. The wires were concealed; she hadn’t seen them unless she’d messed with his clothes on her way into the bathroom.
“Do you like watching me get dressed, Drew?”
He didn’t answer but instead walked to the bedroom door and opened it, motioning for her to leave.
“Go.”
As soon as she was in the hallway, he threw his clothes on, taking care with the tiny recording device. He couldn’t risk texting Ramsey. It would take too much time. He’d have to trust that Cole’s equipment was catching everything.
* * *
APPREHENSION TRILLED INSIDE
Gwen as she carried Pax the brief distance from the car to the house. She’d dropped Ro off at home; Ro had insisted that the first time Drew met Pax, it should be as quiet as possible, with little fanfare.
For all concerned.
Gwen knew Ro was praying this would be a true family event, one that included Drew.
She was afraid to hope....
Still, her hands shook as she unlocked the door and called out. “Drew?”
Pax squealed in her arms, trying to get down.
“Just a few more minutes, sweetie.” She walked over to the sofa and dumped everything but Pax onto it—the oversize diaper bag, a toy, her purse, a water bottle.
“I’m going to have to get a little more organized for you, aren’t I?”
Pax strained against her arms and she laughed.
“Okay, big boy, here you go. Nappie, good girl, stay there.” She set Pax down on the living-room rug and sank down next to him. He immediately started to crawl, checking out every nook and cranny around him.
“You’ve learned to do a lot while we’ve been apart.”
She angled her face toward the upstairs loft. “Drew?”
Still no answer. His car was in the driveway, so he was here somewhere. Maybe in the shower, or in the basement on the treadmill.
She’d texted him to let him know when she’d be back.
He hasn’t guaranteed you anything.
In fact, he’d seemed relieved when she’d mentioned finding a place for her and Pax. He clearly hadn’t wanted to engage in any conversation about Pax or her future plans.
Neither of them owed each other anything.
It’s not about that. It’s about love.
“It’s always about love, Pax.” No man made love to a woman the way Drew had to her unless his feelings were real. Unless the possibility of a future existed.
She leaned over to grab the elastic waist on Pax’s baby jeans and stop him from investigating the electrical cord under one of the end tables.
“No, you don’t, buddy.”
He cried out in distress and she laughed.
“I know this won’t be funny in a few days when we’re both tired, but right now you are the most adorable kid ever.” She lifted his little T-shirt and planted a kiss on his belly, which made him giggle.
Nappie trotted up to them and Gwen realized the old dog was jealous.
“I’ll get your belly next, Nappie.”
The sound of voices upstairs made her pause in midtickle.
Voices.
Male and female.
Oh. God.
Not again.
Before she could react, the upstairs master bedroom door burst open and Opal came out, face red, hair in disarray.
The bedroom door slammed shut behind her.
Please tell me Drew threw her out.
Opal saw them and headed down the stairs.
Nappie leaned her warm body against Gwen’s calf. She held Pax in her arms, the overwhelming urge to run out of the house making her legs shake.
“Gwen, what the hell are you doing here? Don’t you know Drew needs his own life?”
“It’s okay, Pax,” she whispered in his ear, her gaze never leaving Opal. It wouldn’t surprise her if Opal pulled a weapon. The crazed, haunted shadows in her eyes weren’t unfamiliar to Gwen; she’d seen them in her captors’ eyes. “Opal, leave Gwen alone and go.”
Opal paused halfway down the stairs and turned to face Drew, who’d emerged from the bedroom in a polo shirt and jeans. Gwen noticed that his hair was dripping wet.
What the hell? Had he been in the shower with Opal?
“It’s always been about her, hasn’t it, Drew? You led me on.”
Drew held up his hands as if in surrender as he walked to the landing and started down the stairs.
“No, I didn’t lead you on, Opal. You’ve made up your entire version of my life, haven’t you? You’ve invented your own life and mine.”
Opal backed down the stairs as Drew closed the gap.
“Maaaaama!” Pax squirmed in her arms.
Opal reached the bottom step and turned toward Gwen.
“Aren’t you the perfect little mother?” Her lip lifted in a snarl and Gwen tightened her hold on Pax, taking a step backward.
Nappie growled in warning, the vibration reassuring against Gwen’s leg.
“Oh, what a cute baby,” Opal cooed and she smiled at Pax.
More like leered, Gwen thought.
“We’re just on our way out.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“Wait, Gwen.” Drew was beside her, anger rolling off him. And something else. Was he guilty?
No. He’d never do this to you.
“What do you see in her, anyway?” Opal stared at Gwen with her crazy eyes, speaking as if Gwen and Pax were inanimate.
“Okay, Opal, you win. Let’s tell Gwen everything.”
Opal’s head snapped toward Drew.
“What do you mean, everything?”
“Why don’t you start with Dottie Forsyth, Opal? The truth or I’ll never be able to trust you.”
“The truth?” Opal laughed. “The truth is you and I had a smooth road ahead of us, Drew. But then you—” she poked Gwen with her finger, hard “—had to come back from the dead, didn’t you?”
Drew frowned but didn’t make a move.
Gwen angled Pax away from Opal. Her gaze fell on a window, where a familiar shape surprised her.
Uniformed agents.
This was some kind of setup.
Trust Drew.
“Don’t touch me, Opal,” she said.
“Don’t touch you? I wish I didn’t have to.”
“Opal! You haven’t finished your story.” Drew was closer, close enough to grab Opal if need be. But he didn’t.
What was Drew up to? Gwen had seen him in plenty of high-stress situations. He had that edge of adrenaline; she saw the vein at his temple jumping. But his demeanor remained calm, in control.
Like he’s holding back his anger.
“What story?” Opal crossed her arms over her chest. “Do you want me to spell it out for you?”
“Just tell me the truth, Opal.”
“I only did it so you’d see that we belong together, Drew. We got along so well before she came back.”
“What did you do, Opal?”
“I only meant for Dottie to have a little accident. I never meant for the old bat to die. She was in good shape for her age!”
“What did you do? I have to know.”
Opal frowned. “If I tell you in front of her, we’re going to have to take care of her.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll sort it out. Tell me, Opal.”
Great. She had to stand here and trust that Drew knew what the hell he was doing, that he’d get her and Pax safely through this, SWAT team or no.
“It’s your fault, really. You never asked for the clinic keys back. It was easy to go in through the back door of the aquatracker room. All I did was turn up the motor a bit. Dottie wasn’t supposed to be under that long, Drew.”
“How did you keep your fingerprints off the equipment?”
“Oh, I didn’t. I wiped the knobs down after I turned them back to normal, after she passed out.”
“But she hadn’t passed out, had she? You killed her!” Gwen couldn’t keep it in any longer. Opal threatened her whole future.
“Gwen, stay out of it!” Drew yelled.
Before Gwen could respond, the back door burst open and Cole Ramsey walked in with two deputies. There was a commotion in the foyer as the front door opened, as well, and more uniformed officers poured into the house.
“You lied to me!” Opal screamed at Drew, who wa
sn’t even looking at her.
He was staring at Gwen.
“Opal Doyle, you’re under arrest.” Cole read her Miranda rights and one of his deputies had Opal in cuffs as she ranted and raved at all of them.
“Take her out of here.” The deputies followed Cole’s orders and in a matter of minutes the house was empty again except for Cole, Drew, Gwen and Pax.
Gwen wasn’t sure what she wanted to do more—run upstairs and cuddle Pax all night, punch Drew or hand Pax to Cole so she could kiss Drew.
“Let me guess—you’re wired.”
“Cole and I will explain. But first...” Drew’s hair was still wet, dripping water onto his shirt, but his gaze was steady on the newcomer. He leaned over and grasped Pax’s hand.
“Hello, Pax.”
* * *
PAX SLEPT QUIETLY in the portable playpen Gwen had purchased on her way up to SeaTac. She needed to go furniture shopping for the little guy—her son! Maybe tomorrow, after she’d managed a good night’s sleep.
Judging from the anguished expression on Drew’s face, that might be impossible.
“I wish you’d told me you were planning to catch her at her own game, Drew. She’s crazy. She could have killed you!”
“I couldn’t tell you. I didn’t know for sure she killed Dottie, not until after you and I came back from our overnight. I went by the Koffee Hut this morning, and she was downright mean about you. I called Cole, and we came up with this plan.”
She looked at him and was unable to look away. His gaze was inscrutable.
“I never meant for you and Pax to be involved. It was all supposed to be over by the time you got back home.”
“She could have taken us all out if she’d been armed.” Gwen spoke the words he wouldn’t.
“Opal is crazy, and a murderer, but to the best of our knowledge, she hadn’t progressed to buying a weapon. Cole’s team checked it out. If we thought she had a gun of any kind I wouldn’t have lured her into our home.”
“Our home?”
“We had a great night—nights—since we went to Seattle. I believe it could be a new beginning, and I think you do, too.”
He hadn’t said anything about love.
Or about Pax.
He stood up, pacing the room before he came back and sat next to her on the couch. She saw him steal a glance at Pax, to make sure he was still sleeping. Hope sparked deep in her heart.