by Linda Warren
Silence filled the room.
Suddenly Jake set his cup on the table and got to his feet. “I have something for you.”
He was back in a minute and laid a chain on the table in front of Eli. A heart, split in two, was attached to it. Eli stared at the names engraved on each half—Vera on one, Joe on the other. Eli’s lungs felt tight.
“After my mother left, Dad wore that all the time,” Jake said. “He must have had it hidden somewhere because I never saw it before then. And I never saw whose names were on it until he died. When he knew he wasn’t going to make it, he took it off and asked me to give it to someone. I didn’t know who he was talking about and I assumed he was out of his head.”
Eli swallowed. “Who did he ask you to give it to?”
“Someone called Thatch.”
Pain shot through Eli. It took a moment then he tentatively touched the heart with his forefinger. “That’s what he called me,” he murmured, barely able to speak. “I had this thatch of unruly hair when I was born and…”
“I didn’t realize until I found out about you that this heart had something to do with you.” Jake resumed his seat. “I was going to show it to you the other day, but so much was happening that I forgot about it.”
Eli picked up the chain and heart and the years rolled back. He could see Joe McCain clearly. “When I was about four or five, my mom would take me to work with her and I slept in the back room at the bar. Sometimes Joe would show up and say, ‘Come on, Thatch. Let’s go home,’ and he’d take me back to the apartment. I slept on a sofa bed, and he’d pull it out and sit in a chair, waiting on Vera. When she got there, they usually argued, waking me up. He’d tell her that a bar was no place for a kid. And she’d tell him to do something about it. Then they’d go into her room.” Eli took a breath. “Funny how I’d forgotten all about that.”
“You came here looking for answers,” Jake said. “But the answers you’re looking for are inside you.”
“Yeah.” He leaned back. “I’ve been hating for so long that I’d forgotten Joe could be nice at times.”
Jake watched him. “Aunt Vin told me something you need to know. Joe’s mother used to cheat on his father. She’d meet men in motels and lock Joe and Vin in the bathroom. Aunt Vin was too young to know what was going on, but Joe did. I believe it scarred him for life. The only kind of love he understood was physical.” Jake paused. “Don’t let Joe McCain’s inability to love scar you, too.”
“We’re not the sons of Joe McCain,” Eli said under his breath. “We’re the sins of Joe McCain.”
“But we’re better men than he ever was.”
Eli stood. “Yes. I see that now. Thank you, Jake.”
His half brother got to his feet and picked up the chain.
“This belongs to you.”
Eli just stared it, unable to take it.
“He was your father. Not all the memories you have of him are bad.” Jake stepped closer. “If Joe had admitted you were his, he would’ve had to take responsibility. He couldn’t let himself do that because he already had a wife. He probably really loved Vera, but didn’t consider her the marrying type. In his mind every woman was like his mother—a cheat not to be trusted.” He raised the chain higher. “Take it. Maybe in a small way it can help you find a measure of the forgiveness you need.”
Eli reached for it, his fingers closing around the cold metal. He drew a deep breath. “Thank you.”
The two men embraced, and Eli walked to his car, still feeling trapped in a mold he couldn’t break.
Joe McCain kept him shackled to the past, to a little boy who craved the love of his father. How could he change that?
CAROLINE CLEANED the kitchen and threw out the food. They hadn’t taken time to eat last night. Other things had occupied them completely. She let herself feel a moment’s pain, then grabbed her purse. She had to get through this day.
One person was on her mind now: Grace. They were supposed to have dinner last night, but Grace hadn’t called. Caroline knew why.
She took the elevator up to Grace’s office and walked past her secretary.
“Ms. Whitten.” The girl jumped up, but Caroline opened Grace’s door and went in.
Byron was leaning over Grace’s shoulder, staring at some documents on her desk. He straightened abruptly. “Caroline, it’s good to see you. You look great.”
“Thank you. I’d like to speak with my sister alone, please.”
“Of course.” Byron moved toward the door. “I’ll talk to you later, Grace.”
Grace stood, and Caroline walked to her desk with fire in her eyes. “How dare you tell Eli that I was with Colin?”
“I did what I thought was best for you.”
“You’re not my mother, Grace,” she cried. “Stay out of my life.”
“Okay. I overstepped, but Ranger Coltrane has, too. He’s way over the line of professionalism in his dealings with you and he should be reported.”
Caroline’s eyes narrowed. “You do anything remotely like that and I’ll never speak to you again.”
“Calm down.”
“I’m about as calm as I’m going to get,” she said. “You should be happy I’m not pulling your hair out.”
“I’m not sure how to respond to you when you’re in this mood.”
“How about saying you’re sorry and you won’t interfere in my life again?”
Not a flicker of remorse showed on Grace’s face, and something snapped in Caroline. “You know, Grace, you’re just like Dad—so structured and molded that human emotions can’t even get through.”
Grace turned a pasty-white. “You’re being mean.”
“I’m just getting started.”
Suddenly Grace sank into her chair and buried her face in her hand, crying. At the sight, the anger in Caroline subsided. She walked around the desk and sat on it, waiting for Grace to regain control. She never lost control for more than thirty seconds.
Grace pulled out a bottom drawer and reached for a Kleenex. Caroline noticed that everything in the drawer was orderly—nothing out of place. Just like her sister, a sister she knew so well, and loved despite her proclivities.
“Why don’t you like Eli?” she asked.
Grace wiped her nose. “It’s not that I don’t like him. I just think he’s taken advantage of the situation.”
“You remember how he was when we went to see him in the hospital?”
“Yes. Standoffish.”
“He’s been that way from the start. I have literally pushed myself on him.”
“Why would you do that?” Grace asked, puzzled. “You were in love with Colin a few weeks ago.”
A dreamy look came over Caroline’s face. “When the nanny read us a fairy tale about Prince Charming, you and I were enthralled. Later we wondered how we’d recognize our prince. Well, now I can tell you it has to do with a feeling. When Eli touched me, I knew something magical was happening. There’s no doubt in my mind.” She pressed her hands together. “He’s my other half, my soul mate, my prince. I love him.”
Grace’s eyes opened wide. “You’re serious.”
“Yes. I am.”
“No wonder you’re so angry with me.” She wiped her nose again.
“Eli said you were just trying to protect me.”
“He stood up for me?” Grace asked in shock.
“Yes. He’s that kind of person. I wish you’d let your guard down just a tiny bit and let yourself get to know him.”
“I’m sorry, Caroline.” Grace stood and Caroline did, too. They hugged.
“Let’s have that dinner tonight,” Grace said after a moment. “I was too scared to call you last night.”
“Okay.” Caroline knew there wasn’t any chance of seeing Eli tonight and she had best keep herself occupied. But she wondered how long she could wait.
“You look sad,” Grace stated, watching her.
She blinked. “Remember that saying about love never running smoothly?”
He
r sister nodded.
“Well, it’s true.”
“Then you and Ranger Coltrane aren’t…”
“We are, but he just doesn’t know it yet, and I may spend the rest of my life trying to convince him.”
“Caro…”
“I’ve got to go.” She hugged Grace again and turned away. At the door she stopped. “When you see Eli, please apologize.”
“I will.”
“And if you happen to see Jeremiah Tucker, could you do the same? His name means a lot to him.”
Grace lifted an eyebrow. “Anyone else?”
“No. That covers it.”
As Caroline hurried to her car, her cell phone rang.
“Caroline, your mother and I are in town. Please meet us for lunch.” Stephen Whitten didn’t bother with introductions.
She didn’t want to meet them. She wanted to go to the hospital and see Belle.
“Okay.” She found herself agreeing.
Walking into the restaurant, she dreaded every moment she was going to have to spend with her parents. She knew exactly what her father wanted to talk about.
She hugged them both and took her seat.
“You look great, darling,” Joanna said. “I’m happy you’ve recovered so quickly.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
“If the Buford case was going that well, we wouldn’t be here,” her father said.
The waiter came and took their order, giving her a small reprieve. Caroline placed her napkin in her lap, bracing herself.
“I talked with Greg Sherr and it seems your past has come back to haunt you, Caroline,” Stephen continued a moment later.
“Yes. I heard.”
“You seem very calm about this.”
“Stephen,” Joanna interjected. “Don’t lose your temper.”
He took a deep breath.
“I can only tell my story and hope a jury believes me.”
“Hal Gooden will be contacting you,” Stephen said as if she hadn’t spoken. “He’s an attorney and will coach you on your testimony. He will tell you what to say and what not to say. Sherr will work with him, and I don’t want to hear one word of objection out of your mouth.”
Caroline stood and placed her napkin on the table. “I’m not twelve years old and I resent being treated that way.”
Her father’s eyes narrowed. “And I resent all this negative publicity.”
“Then go back to Washington and let me run my own life.”
He got to his feet. “You’re my daughter, Caroline, and what you do reflects on me. Years ago you thrived on defying me, but I thought you’d matured.”
“I have. I’m not trying to be difficult, but this has been very hard for me, and for just this once I’d like your support.”
“Oh, darling, your father is only trying to help you.”
“It doesn’t feel like help. It feels like criticism and manipulation.”
Joanna got up and put her arm around her daughter. “Sit down and let’s talk this out. We only want to help you get through this.”
Caroline knew that they did, but her father’s controlling nature was hard to handle. She sat back down. “Okay. I’ll speak with the attorney. I’ll do anything to keep Buford behind bars. I don’t want him to hurt another woman.”
“That’s my girl,” Stephen said, taking his seat. “Strong like me.”
After that the meal was eaten in relative peace, but Caroline was glad to finally leave. Her father had an appointment with Sherr and Gooden, and she agreed to meet with them when they called. Giving in wasn’t so bad. After all, everyone wanted the same thing.
ELI HURRIED TO his appointment with Greg. Tom and Bill were already there when he arrived.
“What’s up?” he asked, seeing their stern faces.
“Buford’s been taken to the hospital,” Greg said.
“What the hell for?”
“He began vomiting and started running a high fever. The doctor looked at him in his cell and said he had to get him to the hospital to get his fever down. He’s on an IV with antibiotics and now we just wait.”
“I assume he’s under heavy guard.”
“You bet. Lansing is eating this up.”
“I have a bad feeling about this,” Eli said. “A lot can go wrong in a hospital.”
“We’re hoping to get him back in jail as fast as we can, but Lansing will try to do just the opposite.”
“And he’s in the same hospital as the dark-haired woman.” Tom joined the conversation.
“Why did they take him there?”
“That’s where all the inmates are taken,” Tom explained.
“Damn.” Eli felt anger churning inside him. “If she gets even a glimpse of him, she’ll shut down and we won’t get anything else out of her. We have to protect her. We owe her that much.”
“I’ve already contacted Ranger McCain,” Greg said.
“He’s making sure she won’t be taken out of her room today, and maybe we can get Buford back in a cell before tonight.”
Caroline.
“I’ve got to go,” Eli said, and rushed out the door. He tried her apartment, then her cell phone, but she didn’t answer. Where was she? He had to warn her.
CAROLINE PARKED at the hospital, reached for her cell phone and realized the batteries were dead. Damn. Damn. Damn. Her father was going to think she’d done this on purpose. She put the phone on charge and got out. Hurrying inside, she found a pay phone and left a message for her father, then went up to Belle’s room.
There was a uniformed officer outside the door. He hadn’t been there yesterday. Had something happened? She walked up to him. “Could I see Belle, please?”
“Just a moment.” He tapped on the door and Caleb opened it.
“Caroline!” he said, clearly startled.
“I came to see Belle,” she told him.
The ranger stepped outside and she noticed he glanced down the hall. “Sure, go on in. She could use some company. I think she’s tired of me.”
“Thanks, Caleb.” Caroline wanted to ask what was going on, but decided they’d tell her if it was anything serious. Inside the room she stopped suddenly. Belle came out of the bathroom in the navy slacks and yellow-navy-and-white top Caroline had bought her. They fit perfectly. Her long hair was hanging down her back. It took a moment for Caroline to recognize her. Belle was beautiful.
Almost at a loss for words, Caroline finally managed to say, “They fit.”
“It feels so good to be in regular clothes,” Belle said, sitting on the bed.
Caroline took a chair. “Do you like to shop?”
“I don’t know. I think I would.”
“My sister and I love to shop—that’s the only thing we have in common, except that we love each other.”
“Must be nice to have a sister.” Belle caressed the fabric of the slacks.
“Sometimes it is. At other times I want to strangle her.”
Belle frowned. “I know that feeling, but I don’t know how I know it.”
“Do you have a sister?”
Her brow creased painfully, then she grabbed her head.
“Nothing is there. Why can’t I remember? Who am I?”
Caroline moved over to the bed, careful not to touch her. “Don’t push it. Give yourself time.”
“Everyone is so nice, not like…”
“We all want to help you.” After a moment of silence, she added, “I want Amos Buford to pay for what he did to me, to you and to others.”
“He should pay,” Belle whispered. “He’s evil.”
“Yes. The rangers could use your help.” Caroline pushed on. “But no one is forcing you, so do only what you feel you can.”
“Like what?”
“Tell them what you know so they can put Buford away. I’m afraid and I know you’re afraid, but together we can make sure no other woman is victimized by him.”
Belle didn’t answer, just stared at her feet, which were dangling off the bed.
“Hi.” She smiled, her heart doing a wonderful flutter at the sight of him.
“Hi.” He didn’t smile back and her heart stilled. Was it going to be like this between them now?
“Could I see you outside?” he asked.
“Yes.” She slipped from the bed. “I’ll see you later, Belle. Think about what I said.”
“I will, and thank you for the clothes.”
Eli took Caroline’s arm and ushered her from the room, down the hall, around a corner to a small waiting room.
“Eli, what’s wrong?” she asked, noting his solemn expression.
“I glad you’re okay.”
She shot him a confused look. “Why wouldn’t I be okay?”
“Buford has been admitted to this hospital.”
The confusion quickly turned to disbelief. “What? Why?”
“He became ill and they brought him here.”
“Oh, God.” She trembled in sudden fear.
“I’ll take you to your car. I don’t want you to return to the hospital until he’s back in his cell.”
Caroline could see the concern and anxiety in Eli’s eyes, but that wasn’t what she wanted to see. She wanted so much more from him. For the first time she realized that might never happen. Eli was a prisoner himself, and she didn’t know how to free him. That hurt worse than anything she’d ever felt in her life.
Through the pain she heard him say, “Don’t worry. Everything will be okay.”
But it wasn’t. Life would never be the same again. She couldn’t concentrate on that now, however. Later, when she was alone, it would torture her. Now she had to be on guard against the events going on around her.
“Oh, no,” she cried.
“What?”
“Belle. She’s doing so much better, and if she sees him it will—”
“We’re taking care of her.”
Caroline’s courage crumbled. “Is this nightmare ever going to end?”