by Terri Reed
Carter shook hands with Tony. The man had been Jordan’s best friend growing up. “Glad to see you.”
“I was in with Noah when you phoned,” Tony said. “I will do anything to help bring Snapper home.”
“I put the call out,” Noah said. “There will be others arriving to help in the search. The park is over 500 acres. Snapper could be anywhere or not even in the park by now, but we have to try.”
Alex grabbed Snapper’s bed from the back seat where he’d placed it before leaving the house and held it out for the dogs to sniff. “I snagged this so the dogs could get Snapper’s scent.”
“Good thinking, Dad,” Noah said.
After Scotty, Frosty and Rusty had taken a whiff, Carter said, “Dad, Frosty and I will take the Zucker Natural Exploration Area.”
Noah nodded. “Tony and Rusty, head toward the zoo.”
As Carter, Frosty and his dad set off, more police vehicles arrived. Carter was glad to have Noah coordinating their search effort.
With the beam of their flashlights bobbing through the dense woods, Carter and his dad called Snapper’s name. Frosty picked up a scent. Encouraged, Carter let the dog lead him and his dad through the park toward the west side. Frosty left the wooded, grassy area and stopped at the one-way road that bordered the park. He whined, indicating he’d lost the scent.
Had Snapper been picked up in a car?
A few moments later, several other dog and handler teams emerged from the woods. Apparently all the dogs had picked up Snapper’s scent but the trail went cold at the road.
Disappointed and discouraged, Carter feared they might never find Snapper.
* * *
Late Friday afternoon, Carter finished up some last-minute paperwork, stalling, really, because tonight was the celebrity ball Rachelle was covering for the newspaper. He wasn’t looking forward to attending. He wasn’t much for swanky shindigs. Give him a baseball stadium or dog park, he felt comfortable. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, not so much.
“Hey, shouldn’t you be headed home?” Noah stopped by Carter’s desk.
“Soon.”
While Carter had resumed his duties, Rachelle had remained safely in his parents’ house with Ellie and his mom and dad. Dad would protect them all.
Carter hated admitting to himself how much he looked forward to going home at the end of every shift, not only because his daughter would be waiting, but also Rachelle.
He liked the way Rachelle’s brown eyes lit up when she saw him, though she’d quickly try to hide her reaction. Just as he hid his own joy at seeing her. He wanted to believe it was only the close proximity heating up emotions between them. Not something deeper. He couldn’t do deeper.
He really needed something to break on Rachelle’s case. The more time she spent with his family, the harder it would be for them all when she left.
“Still no news on Snapper?” Carter asked, hoping to deflect his brother.
Unfortunately, Snapper hadn’t been found at Prospect Park or anywhere in the vicinity despite every law enforcement officer keeping an eye out for the dog. Though Carter had worked his normal shift patrolling the subway system, he’d taken a walk through the park on his own several times hoping to find Snapper. Ellie had seemed so certain.
Noah shook his head. “All we can do is pray Snapper will find his way home if he’s still alive.”
Carter clenched his fist at the thought. “Yes. I’m not... I don’t—” Carter stalled out, searching for words to voice the anguish lodged in his chest.
Noah put his hand on Carter’s shoulder. “I know. Me, too.” For a moment they were silent. Grief snarled in Carter’s chest and he lifted up a prayer to ask that Snapper really was alive and would come home. It would do them all so much good.
Squeezing his shoulder before releasing him, Noah said, “Very impressive article she wrote for the NYC Weekly newspaper about Snapper and the search for him. She has a real gift with words.”
Pride for Rachelle swelled in Carter’s chest. “She did a great job. She’s a skilled writer.” He’d been a bit leery when she told him about the article but when he’d read it before she turned the piece in, he’d wanted to hug her for her kind and compassionate way of asking the public for help while still maintaining the family’s privacy.
Noah grinned. “And I’m sure she’ll do just as excellent a job reporting on tonight’s event. Ellie has been talking nonstop for the last two days about this ball you and Rachelle are going to. I think it’s great you’re willing to escort her.”
Carter snorted. “I can’t very well let her go on her own and she’s bound and determined to go.”
“True. It’s not like she’s under house arrest. She could leave on her own if she chose to. She has to continue to do her job, after all.”
The thought of Rachelle out from under his protection, vulnerable and alone, made Carter’s insides twist.
“I heard Mom say the girls were going shopping today,” Noah said.
“What?” Carter’s spine stiffened. “She left the house?”
“Calm down, calm down.” Noah put up a hand like a traffic officer. “They have a uniformed escort.”
Carter wasn’t placated.
“Plus, Dad’s with them,” Noah added. “You know he’s not going to let anyone near the ladies.”
Taking a breath to calm his racing pulse, Carter let some tension ease from his body. When it came to protection, their father was the best. And Carter trusted him. If Dad felt there was a threat he’d take action. Carter just wished they had a dog with them.
As if reading his thoughts, Noah said, “Plus, I had Dad take Scotty with them. It’s good for my partner to get out and stretch his legs during the day, instead of being cooped up in the office while I’m pushing paper as the interim chief.”
Carter wanted to hug his brother. Except they weren’t the hugging sort. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
“Of course. You would do the same for me.”
“You know it. And I’ve no doubt the commissioner will make you the permanent chief. There’s no one better suited after—” Carter swallowed back the sharp stab of grief. “Jordy would be proud of you. As am I.”
A flash of surprise, then acceptance and brotherly love shone in Noah’s eyes. “Thank you.” Noah cleared his throat. “You better get on home. You have a penguin suit to squeeze yourself into.”
Chuckling at the reminder, Carter said, “I do. You think they’d let me bring Frosty if I put a bow tie around his neck?”
Noah laughed. “You’re both on guard duty. I think you should.”
* * *
Rachelle sat on a stool in the middle of the Jameson guest bathroom wearing a belted robe as Katie and Ellie fussed with her hair. She winced slightly when Ellie tugged a little too hard. But she bit her lip, refraining from saying anything.
Today had been one of her most treasured experiences. She and the Jameson women had spent hours looking for the perfect dress and shoes for her to wear tonight to the celebrity ball. Though they’d had Alex and another patrolman, along with a beautiful rottweiler dog named Scotty, as their escorts, Rachelle, Ellie, Katie and Ivy had giggled their way through several shops until they’d found success and Rachelle had purchased a new gown.
Rachelle had planned to wear her one good dress, a long, black tank style she wore with pearls. Nothing fancy, just serviceable. But Katie and Ellie had taken one look at it and declared the dress wouldn’t do. So now there was a stunning red dress with lace overlaying silk hanging on the back of Rachelle’s bedroom door and a pair of new sparkly sandals waiting to be worn. She’d put it on a credit card, deciding the expense was worth the price.
All the attention and pampering was overwhelming. She could be the heroine of her own Cinderella story.
Ivy walked into the bathroom and clapped her hands. “Oh my, you
look lovely.”
“They won’t let me look,” Rachelle complained with a smile.
“Almost there,” Katie said around a mouthful of bobby pins.
“Just a few more flowers,” Ellie said.
Rachelle had the sinking feeling she might look like a wood nymph when they were done. Ellie had insisted on putting baby roses in her hair.
Katie had done Rachelle’s makeup, and again she hadn’t let her take a peek.
“Okay,” Katie said as she stepped back, holding her hand out for Ellie. The little girl skidded around Rachelle’s knees with a big smile on her face. “It’s time for you to take a look.”
Rachelle stood up gingerly so as not to dislodge whatever they’d done with her hair. As she gazed in the mirror, she swallowed past the lump in her throat. Her makeup was dramatic, yet not heavy. And Katie and Ellie had done some sort of a fancy twist around the crown of her head and gathered her hair into a long ponytail going over her shoulder. Little red, baby roses were embedded in her hair along the twist with a few woven into the ponytail. The effect was stunning.
Tears burned the back of her eyes. She blinked rapidly so she didn’t ruin her mascara. She turned to the others. “Thank you. I don’t know what to say.” She looked in the mirror again. “I barely recognize myself.”
Katie and Ellie and Ivy beamed at her.
“Carter’s upstairs getting ready,” Ivy said.
“Let’s get you dressed,” Katie said.
They hustled Rachelle to her bedroom. As Rachelle slipped into the red dress, she felt compelled to say, “I’ve never had anything like this before.”
“It’s a striking dress,” Katie said while zipping up the back.
“It is, but that’s not what I mean.” Rachelle faced her new friends. “This girl time. I can’t express how special today has been.” Her throat grew tight. “I was an only child. My mother wasn’t the touchy-feely type.”
Katie put a hand on her shoulder. “You’re one of us now. No matter what happens going forward, you will always be our friend.”
Choking back tears, Rachelle smiled. “Thank you. I really am so grateful to all of you for everything you’ve done for me over the past week.”
Ellie clapped her hands. “I can’t wait for Daddy to see you.”
A knot of anxiety formed in Rachelle’s tummy. Would Carter think she was pretty?
They heard Carter’s deep voice talking with his father in the living room.
“I guess I should go.” Rachelle smoothed a hand over the front of the gown.
“Wait,” Katie said. She picked up a jewelry box she’d placed on the dresser. “This will complete the look.” The box held a sparkly strand of crystals and a matching bracelet. “These aren’t real. They were a gift and I never wear them, but they would look lovely on you.”
“Thank you.” Touched by the other woman’s thoughtfulness, she turned so Katie could close the clasp on the necklace.
The Jameson women walked ahead of Rachelle, giving her a moment to collect herself. She picked up the little sparkly black bag Ivy had lent her, which now held her flowered notebook and pink pen, her ID and some cash. She took a deep breath and walked into the living room.
“Here comes the princess,” Ellie announced with much fanfare.
Rachelle caught sight of Carter and her heart stuttered and then pounded. She’d thought him handsome in his uniform and his casual clothing but in the tux, wow. His dark hair had been styled back off his forehead and his jaw was clean-shaven. Sitting beside him, Frosty wore a black K-9 police vest and a black bow tie rested beneath his chin.
They made quite a picture.
Carter’s blue eyes collided with hers. They were icy and unreadable. A flutter of uncertainty made her want to look away. Instead, she lifted her chin and smiled.
Carter bent down to give his daughter a kiss. “You can stay with Aunt Katie tonight. We’ll be home late.”
“Okay, Daddy.” With her little hands, she turned his face back toward Rachelle. “Doesn’t she look pretty?”
“Yes. Very pretty.” His voice was devoid of any inflection.
Rachelle swallowed the hurt of his nonreaction. She didn’t need his approval or appreciation. This night wasn’t about them. This night was about her career. She had a job to do. He was just her bodyguard. And she would repeat the phrase to herself over and over again all night long.
ELEVEN
Carter’s heartbeat was so fast in his chest he was surprised Rachelle didn’t hear it as he escorted her up the red carpet at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Cameras flashed. People oohed and ahhed over the guests arriving. He really didn’t like all this pomp and circumstance. But it was part of the deal. And Rachelle deserved to be fawned over. She was gorgeous. The red dress fit her to perfection and made her warm brown eyes shine. The crown of roses on her head made him think of one of Ellie’s fairy tales. Rachelle was indeed a princess.
Inside the famed art museum, they followed the crowd to The Charles Engelhard Court in the American Wing. Twinkle lights dangled from the ceiling of the glass-enclosed courtyard and danced off the stained-glass windows. At the far end of the courtyard, in front of a facade of the Bank Branch of the United States, a band had been set up, complete with a dance floor.
Amid the large marble and gold-plated American sculptures, linen-clad tables with gold-rimmed china and sparkling crystal stemware created an intimate feel for the myriad guests squeezing into the space.
Carter usually didn’t suffer claustrophobia, but he was beginning to understand the feeling as he and Frosty trailed in Rachelle’s wake. She appeared comfortable among New York and Hollywood’s elite. She stopped to talk to women in stunning and sometimes awful gowns, jotting down names of designers and accessories that made his head spin. More than one man paused to admire Rachelle as she moved through the throng. Carter had never considered himself the jealous type but as the night wore on, he found himself wanting to push a few overly eager men off their feet for getting too chummy with Rachelle.
After the dinner of chicken smothered in sauce alongside rice and vegetables, the band struck up their first set and people moved to the dance floor. Tired of the small talk with those at their table, Carter settled Frosty near a statue away from the crowd, snagged Rachelle’s hand and drew her to the dance floor.
They moved to the music, a classical piece that permeated the air and for a moment made Carter feel as though they were the only two people on the dance floor.
Holding her close, he said against her ear, “How soon can we get out of here?”
She leaned back to look at him, her eyes sparking with amusement. “It took longer than I expected.”
“What?”
“I figured you’d become bored much sooner.”
“Not bored.” Just tired of sharing you with everyone. The thought made him stumble.
He twirled her in a circle and then steered her away from the dance floor toward a side exit leading to an outside balcony. He let out a soft whistle; a moment later Frosty joined them, trotting along at Rachelle’s side.
“I need some fresh air,” Carter explained as they left the revelry of the celebrity ball behind them.
She stepped out of his arms to lean against the handrail. He wanted to pull her back into his embrace.
“It’s a beautiful night,” she commented, gazing up at the stars.
“You’re beautiful.” In the moonlight he could see the surprise in her eyes.
A slow smile, different than any other he’d seen on her face, appeared. “I didn’t think you noticed.”
“Oh, I noticed. So did every man here.”
She shrugged. “I’m here to do a job. I don’t matter to any of these people beyond getting their name in the paper.”
“You matter to me. More than I care to admit.” Before he could stop himse
lf, he fingered the long strands of her hair draped over her shoulder. Silky, smooth and so pretty.
“Carter?”
His name on her lips was like an elixir, taming the riot of emotions bouncing through him. “This thing between us can’t go anywhere.” The words were directed more at himself than her.
She stepped closer. “Why?”
“I’m not prepared to replace—” His chest hurt with grief. “I care for you, Rachelle. But I’m not free to—I can’t offer you my heart.” He hated to be so blunt, but he had to make sure she understood. He needed to keep his heart safe. He couldn’t imagine going through the kind of pain he’d experienced when Helen died. Better not to love again than risk heartache.
She breathed in and slowly exhaled. “I understand. But we have this moment in time. It may be all we’ll ever have.”
The deep, honey tone of her Southern voice spread through him, overrunning his walls and making him believe her words. Giving in to the yearning for closeness, he cupped her face and lowered his lips to hers to kiss her the way he’d wanted since the moment he’d held her in his arms after her near miss with the subway train.
* * *
Rachelle couldn’t breathe. But who needed air with Carter kissing her, curling her toes inside her little strappy sandals. Only this moment on the museum’s ballroom balcony mattered. She clutched at the lapels of his tux to keep from melting into a puddle at his feet. A sense of rightness, of belonging, of being noticed, filled her every cell.
When they broke apart, they were both breathing rapidly as he touched his forehead to hers.
“Wow.” His voice was husky and deep as if he, too, was having trouble catching his breath.
“Hmm, yes,” she murmured, wanting so badly to repeat the experience but too shy to initiate another kiss.
He took a breath and lifted his head. “I didn’t mean—”