“I’ll need you to stay through the night of the banquet. I can bring you back to the school the next morning. Until Toxin is behind bars, I plan to keep you close.”
With his statement, a shudder traveled over her body. She turned to hide her response, shutting down her computer and tucking papers into a drawer until she recovered her composure. “We’re going to have to set some ground rules.” She met his eyes. “No physical contact.” Not that he wanted any from her, but she’d be damned if she’d let him make the rules this time.
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.”
“That’s too bad.” His words shocked her into stillness. He had to be joking. He was the one who had doubts as to whether he wanted her or not. He strode to the door and opened it, pausing to look back. “You’d better get packed. Do you have to stay until all the kids are picked up?”
“Most of them are gone already, but Cheryl and Coach will stay until everyone is accounted for. Just give me twenty minutes to pack.” She’d need ten just to calm her frazzled nerves. It would require all her battered defenses not to make a fool of herself over Holt this weekend.
“I’ll be out front with Theo.”
Sara stopped at Cheryl’s desk and handed her Holt’s bouquet. “These are for you.” The last thing she needed was a reminder who pulled the strings in this puppet show. Toxin was in control of her destiny at the moment, and those kind of strings threatened to strangle her.
Chapter Fifteen
Holt spoke briefly with the security guard posted in a car across the street, then trotted back to his son. Theo unlocked the front door and stood aside as Sara and Holt carried in two bags containing their fast-food dinner. The aroma of fries and greasy burgers mingled with the familiar smell of home. Elizabeth’s bowl of potpourri on the living room table was oddly out of place now. While Holt had eventually donated the items from her side of the closet, there were still touches of her personality and influence everywhere. He hadn’t thought of what it would be like to invite another woman into the home he’d shared with her. A twinge of sadness told him he still had emotions to deal with, but they weren’t as overwhelming as he’d feared.
Theo bounded past him to the kitchen, on a quest for sodas to go with dinner.
“Wash up,” Holt called after him. He turned to take the bag of food from Sara and caught her looking at a shelf, her attention on a picture of him with Elizabeth and Theo, taken a couple of years ago, before Elizabeth had known she was ill. In it, they were smiling as they hugged on Loyola Leone Beach, one of their favorite destinations for family daytrips. “There’s a spare bedroom upstairs. I’ll get you guys settled with some food and then get your things from the car.”
“No hurry.” Sara’s gaze went to him, and his heart twisted at the sadness he saw there, a mirror of the grief he’d been facing down for over a year now. “Is it hard to live with all of these reminders of her?”
“It’s more comforting than sad, I guess. At least, now it is.”
“I was the same way about my parents’ things after they died. It was hard, but certainly not as hard as it has to be on Theo, losing his mother while he’s so young.” She shook her head as if shaking off her mood, like some kind of snow globe in which she could reset her feelings. “Never mind me. This weekend took me by surprise.”
That was an understatement. He’d dumped a load of guilt and pressure on her, told her she was being watched by a killer, and yet she’d taken it on without further argument. Sara was full of surprises as well.
“Maybe eating will help.” Holt said as Theo came in balancing three cans of soda in his hands. Holt smiled, but watched his son and Sara carefully for signs of strain as they sat on the living room rug, around the coffee table. “Hope you don’t mind having a little picnic. Theo has a school project spread out on the kitchen table.”
“No, this is perfect.” Sara tucked her jean-clad legs under her. “I like casual.”
Though there was a formal dining room just off the foyer, Elizabeth’s rented hospital-style bed had been set up there in the final weeks, while she received hospice care and had needed more space. Holt hadn’t had the energy to return the dining room furniture from storage after the room was emptied. He wondered how Theo felt about that—it must be a constant reminder that his mother had spent her final days there.
But, at the moment, Theo was under Sara’s spell. She radiated positivity, laughing with him and talking about his week. Conversation turned to Theo’s interests.
“Did you show your dad your comics yet?” Sara asked. Theo shook his head. “Why not? They’re really good,” she said, more to Holt than Theo. Holt felt a pang of jealousy. “Well, maybe one day, when you’re ready?”
Theo shrugged. “Yeah, maybe. At least making comic books doesn’t get me in trouble like getting caught under the stairs, right?”
Holt’s parental alarms went off. “Caught? Doing what?” But the pair was absorbed in a discussion of some game involving an assassin.
“Have you really played Death Files?” Theo asked Sara.
“Yes,” she replied. Both Theo and Holt looked at her in surprise. “What? You both play. Why is it a shock that I do?”
“I’ve played the newer games on occasion with Theo,” Holt said. “But those first-person shooter games? Overcomplicated, if you ask me.”
Sara grinned. “Well, you don’t hang out in a school full of video-game experts day after day without picking up some tips.” She winked at Theo. “You’ll have to show me what you’ve got while I’m here.”
Theo gobbled down the last of his burger and nearly launched himself off the floor. “How about now?”
Sara laughed and Holt’s heart clenched. When was the last time this house had been filled with laughter? “It’s all right with me if it’s okay with your dad.”
Holt grinned at their enthusiasm. “As long as there’s no bloodshed. But first, clear your project off the kitchen table. We’ll need somewhere to eat all weekend.”
“I will.” Theo hurried off.
Sara watched him leave. When her blue eyes turned to Holt, her confidence had evaporated. “You’re sure it’s okay? I know some parents don’t like their kids to play.”
“It’s fine.” He cocked an eyebrow at her. “If you’re sure you’re up for it.”
She pretended to look offended. “You doubt my mad gaming skills?”
“Theo’s pretty good.”
“And his dad? Care to show me what you’ve got?” Her eyes sparked with wicked humor and his blood heated.
“I’d love to show you.” He’d dreamed of showing her many things. At this moment, the thought of pushing her down to the carpet and picking up where they’d left off on her couch weeks ago had his interest stirring.
Her laugh pulled at something in his chest, as if she were reeling him in. He tried to resist the pull, but his gaze locked on her lips, then shifted to the long column of throat that moved as she laughed. His lips twitched, wanting to taste that milky skin. Oh, what I could show you right now, Sara Burns... The bolt of lust that shot through him had him looking away.
“Well, you’ve got a couple of days to put your talents on display,” she said, grinning, apparently unaware of his discomfort.
An entire weekend of laughter and fun? As long as he knew SSAM and the CPD had security constantly monitoring the house, and he had the private security guard stationed across the street, maybe he could relax just a bit. “I’m glad you came, even if my methods to get you here were slightly devious. This time, I won’t apologize.”
Her laughter evaporated. “I was going to agree before you told Theo I was coming. You didn’t have to coerce me. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”
“You’re a generous, brave woman, Sara.”
She looked away, balling up her
hamburger wrapper and stuffing it into a bag. “Yeah, right. So generous that men can’t wait to get away from me.” She pushed up from the floor. “Forget I said that. It’s been a long week and I’m tired.”
Disappointment filled him. How had he killed the playful mood? And why wasn’t he relieved that she was keeping her emotional distance? “I can show you to your room. I’ll make Theo understand.”
“Oh, no.” She wagged a finger at him. “Don’t think I’m letting you off the hook that easily. Besides, I think some stress relief via video game is just what the doctor ordered.”
“You go ahead. I’ll be along in a minute.”
A few minutes later, as Holt straightened up the living room, he heard Theo’s and Sara’s cheers and groans. He checked in once more with the guard outside and unloaded the bags from the car, placing Sara’s suitcase in the spare room.
He took Theo’s backpack to his room. The outer space theme made him smile. A mix of the things Theo had had as a baby—the glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling that Elizabeth had carefully arranged into constellations, the pillow she’d sewn in the shape of a smiling half-moon—and the Star Wars posters and figures Theo had asked for a couple Christmases ago. All of it would be gone tomorrow. Theo had asked to entirely redecorate his room for his birthday.
His son was ready to move forward. Bittersweet emotion had Holt’s throat shrinking. Elizabeth should have been here for this milestone. She would have been coordinating the décor, as well as planning a big Thanksgiving feast for the entire family. But she wasn’t. And he was tired of waiting for her to come back. The love he’d felt for her had become a deep, tender love during her months of illness. With Sara, he’d felt a spark of passion he hadn’t expected. An echo of what he’d suppressed a decade ago. It scared the shit out of him. “What do I do, Elizabeth?”
There was no answer from his dead wife. And since there would be no concrete answers, he’d do what he always did. He’d go with his gut. He’d sworn to protect Sara while she was under his care this weekend. But once Toxin was finally behind bars? Would he be happy Sara was out of his life, no longer stirring unwanted emotions, or would he miss her laughter and passion? Either way, he’d proceed with caution. Theo came first. And Theo was enough to fill his life.
But as he stood in the doorway of his den, watching the play of lights across Sara’s and Theo’s intent expressions while their cyber characters locked in virtual battle, he was worried his son didn’t have the same reservations. Theo had already made room in his heart for Sara. Perhaps Holt’s heart was expanding as well. Game on.
* * *
Despite the number of children in her life, Sara hadn’t been to a children’s birthday party since...well, since she’d been a kid. As an only child, she didn’t even have nieces or nephews to dote on. Theo knocked on her door as she was pulling her hair into a ponytail.
“Happy birthday,” she said.
He sat on her bed. “I can’t believe I’m ten. Double digits.”
She laughed and sat down next to him. “Take it from someone who’s been there for a while, double digits aren’t so bad. So, tell me what’s on the agenda.”
Theo shrugged. “I don’t know. Dad’s got a whole thing planned, I guess.” She hid her surprise. When had Holt found time to prepare a kids’ party? “He’s in the kitchen making my favorite brunch—French toast and bacon. He says we’ll need our energy to survive today.”
“It does sound like he’s ready for some serious partying.”
“Yeah. We should start fueling up.” He led her downstairs to the kitchen, where Holt was removing a jug of milk from the refrigerator. A birthday cake took up an entire shelf inside.
She recognized the symbol, a mask that looked as if it were made of metal. “Transformers. Any friends coming?”
Holt shot her a look and a short shake of his head. It was obvious she’d said something wrong.
Theo didn’t seem upset, though. “Nope. Just Dad, and Grandma and Grandpa Patterson. And you.”
“Theo didn’t want to invite anyone outside of family,” Holt explained. Family. Sara tried hard not to feel like a third—or fifth—wheel. “But the cake’s for later, bud. We’ve got breakfast and then the hunt begins.”
“I know, Dad.” Theo rolled his eyes like a proper ten-year-old.
“Hunt? That sounds ominous.” Sara surveyed the food on the table. A plate heaped with slices of steaming French toast. A decanter of syrup. A small dish of powdered sugar and another of fresh berries. Holt had put on an impressive spread.
Holt rubbed his hands together. “And when we get back from the hunt, we’ll have the cake and ice cream. Today is all about seeking the perfect sugar high.”
As they enjoyed the brunch, Sara observed this new, boyish side of Holt with wonder. Perhaps the video games had unlocked something last night. He’d certainly had a wicked gleam in his eye when he’d trounced her on the virtual battlefield.
As they finished their food, Holt sat back. Sara licked a dab of syrup from her fork. “Who knew your mad skills extended to the kitchen?”
When she looked up, her chuckle lodged in her throat. His gaze was on her lips, and she could feel the air sizzling between them. She set her fork down, aware that Theo was still in the room and she couldn’t lean over and kiss Holt the way she wanted to at that moment. It didn’t look like Holt would object.
“But it sounds like you’ll be showing us a lot of your hidden talents,” Sara said. “What, with re-decorating an entire room. That should take up a large chunk of the day.”
“Don’t forget time for presents,” Theo added, then slanted a look at her. His grin stretched from ear to ear. “What’d you get me? Another journal?”
“Theo.” Holt’s voice held a warning, but reminding him his son was in the room seemed to do the trick. The heat was gone.
Sara hadn’t had the opportunity to get a gift, so she’d had to improvise. She thought she’d done well, considering her limited time and resources. “You’ll have to wait and see.” Holt looked at her in surprise, but she ignored him. He wasn’t the only one capable of surprises.
“Grandma and Grandpa will be here any minute,” Holt told Theo. “Why don’t you go find the first clue to the hunt? It’s somewhere in the blackness of outer space.”
Theo rolled his eyes. “That’s got to be my room. Blackness...probably my closet.”
“Then I’ll expect you back at the table in T-minus-two minutes with an idea of where we lift off to next.”
Theo hurried out of the kitchen, leaving them alone.
Holt turned to her. “Don’t get his hopes up.”
“Excuse me?” Her good mood evaporated like a drop of water hitting a hot skillet.
“He’s attached to you. Promising things you can’t deliver will only crush him later.”
“And who says I can’t deliver?”
Holt arched an eyebrow.
“It’s a surprise.” The silence dragged on, but she refused to give him an explanation. He was suddenly determined to think the worst of her—like he had of the old Sara. Why? To put distance between them? Too late, Holt Patterson. If the look in his eyes a moment ago was any indication, he was fighting his attraction as much as she was.
“It had better be the good kind of surprise.”
Her temper heated. “You drag me here, insist I take part in your family activities—” A twinge of guilt nagged at her. She’d actually found herself wanting to participate in the family fun.
“Only because you’re here anyway—”
Ouch. “—and then accuse me of making Theo become attached to me?” She huffed out a laugh. “You are un-freaking-believable, Holt Patterson.”
“Are we interrupting?” Betty and Ron Patterson pushed their heads inside the kitchen doorway. Apparently deeming the territory sa
fe, Betty stepped forward and gave Holt a peck on the cheek. Her gaze surveyed him with a mix of concern and interest before swinging to Sara. “Good to see you again, Sara.”
Sara recovered her manners. “Good to see you too. Thank you for sharing Theo’s special day with me.” She turned to Ron and smiled, struck as always by the resemblance between father and son. Studying her were eyes nearly identical to Holt’s and Theo’s—hazel with gold flecks.
“Holt told me he’d invited you for the weekend,” Betty said. Did he now? That was interesting, considering he didn’t want her to form attachments to his family. “I can’t tell you how nice it is to see he’s brought someone home.”
“Mom.” Like a growling dog, Holt had a way of warning people with a simple word.
“What? I’m not allowed to comment?”
“She’s here because of a case.”
“Well, a mother can hope, can’t she?” Betty grinned at Sara. “I haven’t seen this much spark in him in two years.” She linked arms with Sara and pulled her toward the living room. “Let’s have a chat, shall we?” Helpless against the momentum of the tide, Sara went with Betty.
“Hi, Grandma.” Theo came down the stairs and accepted the hug Betty offered. His eyes went to the coffee table where a large box wrapped in navy paper and a red bow sat. “For me?”
“You are the birthday boy, aren’t you?” Betty gave him a smacking kiss on his cheek. “But I’ve been warned that you’ll have to wait until after you return from your outing.”
“Outing? The treasure hunt’s going to be outside the house?” Sara asked.
Theo held up an index card. “Yep. I found the next clue in my closet.”
Ron came out of the kitchen with Holt following behind. Judging by the creases in Holt’s forehead, the two men had engaged in a brief but intense discussion.
“Happy birthday,” Ron said, moving to Theo and offering him a handshake. When Theo gripped his hand, Ron pulled him in for a hug. A brief flash of pain passed over Holt’s features and Sara realized that Theo allowed affection from everyone but his father. In fact, she couldn’t recall seeing Theo initiate an embrace. Or Holt, for that matter. Holt had patted him on the shoulder once, but she hadn’t seen the father and son hug.
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