“Then what are you doing here, lover-boy? There’s nothing here we can’t do without you. Go get your girl—although God knows she’s too good for you.”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” he acknowledged and turned to go.
“Hang on, O’Leary.”
He stopped and turned, impatient to leave. “Yeah?”
“You might want to take this with you.” McCabe pulled a small box from the pocket of his fluorescent vest. “I think it’s more important you guys deal with its contents. It doesn’t belong here.”
Nate lifted his brows and opened the box. His blood chilled.
A cluster of necklaces blinked in the light. From sheer simplicity to jeweled glam—the sign of the cross was the only common denominator. Each was tagged with the name of the owner—proof Hodgkins was no copycat. Lifting his head, he found the dark eyes of McCabe watching him. “Where did you find it?”
“In a wall-safe, hidden behind a large crucifix. Ingenious, I thought.”
Nate glanced nervously around the room. They were alone. He shoved the box into his pocket. “Why are you giving it to me?”
“Because Kelly deserves a little bit of happiness, and if I can’t be the one to give it to her, I can at least pave the way a little for the one who can. And,” he lowered his voice. “Those families have been through enough. They don’t deserve to be dragged through another media circus.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
McCabe shrugged. “Don’t say anything. But know that if you stuff this up and break her heart, I will beat the shit out of you.”
Nate grinned. “Fair enough. Thanks man, I owe you.”
“You better believe it.” Reece slapped him on the back. “Now get going. Didn’t your mother tell you that you should never keep a lady waiting?”
With a final grin, Nate turned and flew out the door, his mind racing. He had a couple of stops to make before bringing her home.
****
Nate stood in front of the full-length mirror in his bedroom and smoothed down the front of his dress shirt. Turning this way and that, he checked to make sure he hadn’t missed a patch during his hasty shave. The bathroom had been scrubbed by professional cleaners employed by the police, but the memory of finding the woman he loved so close to death on the cold floor couldn’t be erased so easily. His decision to put the apartment up for auction had been a no-brainer. There was already considerable interest in the property, and it was with relief he realized he’d be homeless sooner than he’d anticipated. He grabbed his keys, shut the door on his old life, and strode quickly to the elevator. He was impatient to reach what he hoped would be the start of his new one.
As he pulled into the hospital parking garage, nerves suddenly got the better of him. He swallowed down the tide of fear that threatened to choke him and smoothed down the unruly strands of hair back the way the hairdresser had styled it.
When he reached her floor, déjà-vu greeted him, but with roles reversed. Sharon, the receptionist argued with Kelly, her florid cheeks burning bright flags of color, and her voice rose in a strident tone. He hid the bunch of flowers behind his back.
“Kelly,” he admonished with a grin, pulling her snugly against his side. “Let the poor woman do her job, and we’ll have you out of here in no time.”
“You!” Sharon exclaimed her tone less than thrilled. “What have I done to deserve such ungrateful wretches? I tell you—I don’t come to work to be treated like this.”
Nate pushed Kelly behind him with a gentle prod and leaned on the counter, gifting the frazzled woman with a smile. “Please let me apologize for my inexcusable behavior the last time you saw me. I wasn’t myself. I bought these for you.” He produced the bunch of roses from behind his back. “I hope they’ll go some way to express my regret and thanks. You do a wonderful job.”
The woman opened her mouth then blushed like a young girl under his attention. She reached out for the flowers and smiled at him. “You’re forgiven, but I’m really hoping neither of you come back in for care anytime soon.”
He laughed aloud. “Me too, Sharon. Let’s sign those papers and we’ll be out of your hair in no time.”
Order restored and ignoring the huff behind him, Nate signed with a flourish, placed his hand on the small of Kelly’s back, and led her outside. Her back was rigid under his touch. He’d noted her cursory glance, taking in his appearance before she averted her head, keeping her silence the whole trip home. He raised a brow but figured he’d find the source of her unhappiness soon enough.
Twenty minutes later, Nate pulled into Kelly’s driveway and whipped around to the passenger’s door to open it for her.
“You don’t have to do that for me—I’m not an invalid.” She ignored his outstretched hand and climbed out of the car unaided.
He chuckled at her scowl and watched her stalk up to her front door. They had more in common than he’d thought. She was just as bad a patient as he’d been.
“Believe me, an invalid is the last thing I think of when I think of you Kelly.”
She answered with that same little huff she’d used at the hospital. “Well. I’m home now. You can go, although I would have thought it was a bit early for a hot date.”
Confused, he creased his forehead. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play the innocent with me.” She gestured at him. “Look at you. You’re all fancied up and you’ve been edgy all morning.”
His smile slipped as he realized the moment had come upon him. Never mind butterflies—elephants had taken up tap-dancing in his guts, and his mouth went dry. He refrained from wiping damp hands on his carefully selected dress pants and cleared his throat. “I’ll go if you want, but before I do, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
She stared at him briefly, her gaze clouded with pain. “Fine,” she finally answered with a sigh and led the way into her compact lounge, her movements stiff and awkward. Sinking into an overstuffed chair, she closed her eyes and rested her head against its support.
His gaze ran over her as he sat on the edge of a chair across from her. She looked tired. Maybe he’d be better to do this another day. Even as he thought it, an inner voice taunted him. Coward. Man up and get on with it!
As if sensing his stare, her eyes snapped open, all emotion carefully blanked from her gaze. “Say what you need to say and then go. I’m strong enough to take whatever it is.”
He shook his head and grasped her hand, forcing her attention. “I’m not, Kelly. I’m far from it actually.”
Her brow furrowed but before she could pose the question he saw forming, he thrust the small jewelry box he’d taken out of his pocket towards her. Cringing at his lack of finesse, he explained in a gruff voice, “I had a new chain made to replace the one I broke. I hope you accept it.”
Kelly’s face softened as she gazed up at him and a smile teased the corners of her mouth. “Oh, Nate. You didn’t need to do that.”
She opened the box and pulled out the chain to inspect it, then froze.
He went ice cold. That wasn’t the reaction he’d been hoping for. His heart forgot to beat and his mouth dried with fear. She hadn’t repeated the words she’d told him in the heat of the moment. His cheeks heated and he cursed himself for all kinds of a fool. What an arrogant ass thinking he’d ever have a chance with her.
“Nate,” she whispered. “Is this what I think it is?” She held the chain up in the air and a white gold band with a diamond solitaire threaded onto it swung around. Sparks burst from the center of the diamond, dazzling in its brilliant fire.
Keeping his gaze firmly on hers, he straightened his spine and steeled himself for rejection, promising himself he wouldn’t bawl like a baby if she did. It was the hardest thing he’d ever done in his life. He swallowed the lump in his throat. “If you think it’s an engagement ring, you’d be right.”
When she just continued to stare at him open-mouthed, he sank down to his knees before her and gri
pped her hand, unable to bear the silence and uncertainty any longer.
“I know I don’t deserve you, Kelly and it’s selfish of me to want you so much—but you make me complete. You mean everything to me. When I thought I’d lost you…” he briefly closed his eyes at the memory. “God—in that moment I thought about what I’d do to join you. The world suddenly seemed so empty and meaningless. The world is better for people like you. I’m better because of you.” He took a deep breath then laid himself bare. “So what I’m saying is—I love you, Kelly Appleton. I love you and I was a fool for pushing you away. Will you marry me?”
Tears filled those beautiful, soulful eyes, and she bit her lip. When she pulled her hand out from his, his stomach plummeted and his shoulders drooped. Despite the promise he’d made to himself, he was dangerously close to bawling.
She slid the ring off its chain, held it between her thumb and finger, and stared at it as if she couldn’t believe what she was holding. Lowering her hand slightly, she caught his terrified gaze and broke into a radiant smile. “Would you help me try it on Nate?”
His breath rushed out in a loud exhale. He’d been holding his breath but he didn’t think that was the reason he suddenly felt so dizzy. With trembling fingers, he took the ring from her and slid it onto her slender digit.
“It looks pretty good on there, huh?” she asked, holding her hand towards him so he could admire the ring. Her smile was wide and teasing.
Taking her hand reverently, he rubbed his thumb over the finger displaying his ring, and his soul soared along with his smile. “It looks incredible. Are you going to put me out of my misery?”
Her teasing manner disappeared as she stared at him solemnly. “Nothing would make me happier than to marry you, Nathaniel O’Leary,” she declared. “Now, hurry up and kiss me before I cry, damn it!”
Laughing aloud, he stood and pulled her up into his arms. “You and me both, sweetheart,” he admitted gruffly and followed her orders with pleasure.
Tightly clasped, hands and mouths entangled, neither of them noticed the sudden rush of air as a shadow lifted from the room, and swept out an open window and beyond.
Epilogue
“You are a terrible man, Nathaniel O’Leary. What am I going to do with you? I’m never going to be able to squeeze back into this dress and fix my hair in time. Everyone is going to know what we’ve been doing!”
Nate sent her a lazy grin as he straightened his clothing, his gaze on the rounded swells of her breasts. He couldn’t help himself. Since their daughter had been born six weeks earlier, he’d been counting down the days until they were able to reintroduce lovemaking into their lives.
Over the last couple of days, the inviting sway of her hips seemed more pronounced, and he noticed the amorous looks she gave him when she thought he wasn’t looking. Then today, while they dressed for their daughter’s naming ceremony, she had dragged her fingertips over his chest and stared at him with hot desire in her eyes. Every nerve in his body stood at attention, and most of his blood shot straight to his groin.
What was a man to do? It had been all the encouragement he needed.
“I didn’t hear you complaining at the time, Mrs. O’Leary,” he reminded her. He grinned at her outraged expression and gently turned her around until her back was to him. “Relax,” he murmured as his hands found the zipper and his lips nibbled the nape of her neck.
She shuddered and sighed softly, arching her head to the side. His mouth curved against her skin at her instant response. Lifting his head, he zipped her back up and stepped away with a slap to her bottom. “You are insatiable, woman. We really will be late if you don’t get a wriggle on.”
Kelly spun around with a dark frown at his teasing, pious tone, and he laughed aloud. He’d been doing that a lot since she’d entered his life, and it felt damn good.
Her lips twitched in response.
“I’ll go wake and change Thea while you redo your hair. We’ll be good to go in fifteen minutes.”
Reanimated, Kelly’s hand reached for her hair, her movements rushed. “Don’t forget her bottle. I won’t be able to nurse in this outfit,” she instructed. “And her day bag is sitting on the rocking chair.”
“I know, my love. I’ve got it. You go and see to yourself. Off you go. You don’t want people to know what you’ve been up to all morning, do you?”
She flounced off, setting her rear swaying side to side. As she moved down the hallway, she sent him a withering glare over her shoulder.
Witch. The motion turned him on and she knew it. He never should have let her in on that little secret.
Nate shook his head at his beautiful wife, wandered towards his daughter’s room, and poked his head around the doorframe. A content baby, Thea was awake and happily gurgling to herself.
He must have made a noise because she turned her head towards the door. At the sight of her father, her face creased into a gummy smile, and Nate’s heart swelled with joy. He closed his eyes and sent out a prayer of thanks for being blessed with his two beautiful girls. Lord knew, he didn’t deserve such happiness, but he was forever grateful to whoever had deemed he was.
He reached into the bassinet and lifted Thea into his arms. “It’s time to get you ready for your party, my little princess. There are so many people who can’t wait to meet you. Can’t say I blame them.” He paused as he thought of the people who’d be there and of the ones who wouldn’t.
He bent his head as a wave of sorrow washed over him then breathed in the baby-soft scent of innocence. “Your Aunty would have been so proud of you. She’d have loved you so much.”
****
Kelly watched from the doorway as her husband cradled their daughter in his arms and whispered into her ear. Her heart swelled with love at the sight of them together. She knew this day, although wonderful, also held great sadness for Nate. His sister wouldn’t be there to celebrate with them, and no matter how much time passed, he still felt guilty. Just one of the crosses he’d learned to bear.
It had been her idea to name their daughter Thea, in honor of his loss and to mark the wonder of new life. It was a beautiful name, and its meaning neatly encapsulated everything she meant to them. God’s gift.
Kelly sighed as she gazed at the perfection of her family. She often wondered what Nate’s sister would have thought of her, whether she would have approved of the woman her brother had chosen to spend his life with.
Her thoughts were interrupted as something buzzed gently in her ear. Startled, she shook her head and glanced around. Seeing nothing, her attention zeroed back on her husband and child, just in time to see Thea’s hand reach out for something just beyond her father’s shoulder. Kelly’s eyes sought what it was that caught her attention. For the briefest of seconds, she thought she saw the outline of a woman with fiery red curls, blowing a kiss in their direction.
“Thea,” she whispered reverently.
The apparition turned towards her as it faded away, a smile lighting up the lovely features. A hand raised in farewell—or benediction—Kelly couldn’t be sure which. And then she was gone, and Kelly’s soul filled with joy.
Tears blurred her sight as she stepped into the room and wrapped her arms around her family, her precious gift.
“All right?”
Kelly bit her lip and nodded. Trust Nate to notice every nuance of her emotions. He knew her so well. “I’m incredible,” she replied huskily, her heart so full at that moment, she was surprised tears didn’t seep from her pores.
Securing the baby into the crook of one arm, he tilted her chin up with his free hand and gazed adoringly at her. “You got that right sweetheart, and I’m the luckiest man in the world to be able to call you mine.”
Her palms snuck under the hem of his dress shirt and traced, by heart, the pattern of the dragon’s head in the lap of the maiden. Her mouth curved as she likened the figures to themselves. The fierceness of the dragon was still etched deep in Nate, but he was a different beast from the wounded o
ne she’d met all that time ago. She liked to think she’d helped heal him.
She lifted her chin to receive his kiss and at the touch, felt the difference in the man she loved beyond life. Contentment colored his soul. Nate had finally taken the step out of the shadows and joined her in the light.
A word about the author...
LaVerne Clark is a Kiwi (New Zealander—not the flight-less bird or strange, hairy fruit!) writing stories of romance, fantasy and suspense. She is a keen reader and loves to relax with a good book when not plotting murder and mayhem, or running around after her two children, rescued greyhound, and husband.
She loves to hear from her readers, so feel free to drop her a line at:
[email protected]
or visit her at her online home
http://www.laverneclark.blogspot.co.nz
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Beyond the Shadows
Copyright
Praise for LaVerne Clark
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Beyond the Shadows Page 20