Over time, they had established a routine of sorts, getting together at least once a week to have dinner or see a movie, anything to get out of the house and away from the loneliness. Annie had helped Chase with his newfound "parenthood" of a young cat named Murphy, and Chase liked to think he had helped her cope with finding herself the last friend standing, so to speak. They had gotten to know each other better, and Chase felt they both had come to rely on the friendship more than they wanted to admit.
In a town the size of Leroy, two members of the opposite sex didn’t associate with each other as often as they did without causing comments. By the time Beth had returned in March and married Ethan, rumors were already flying. Everywhere Chase and Annie went, they were greeted by sly smiles and knowing glances. They both tried to pretend it didn't matter, but more often than not, they either left Leroy for their dinners or stayed in at one or the other's home. Neither of them had broached the subject of the rumors or the actual status of their relationship. Chase knew why he didn't want to bring it up, and he had suspicions about Annie's reluctance, as well. He had long since acknowledged to himself that he felt a powerful attraction to her, both physical and emotional, and he knew that someday soon they were going to have to deal with the subject. Until that moment came, however, he was content to pretend ignorance.
“I’m here to ask you a huge, huge favor,” Chase said. He came up to the counter and pulled out one of the stools. As he settled himself down, he picked up the book she had been reading. “Pharaoh’s Dream,” he read. “That sounds interesting. Historical?”
Annie pursed her lips. “You could say that, I suppose,” she answered, as he flipped the book over and read the blurb on the back cover. Chase’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline. The book was a collection of erotic tales written about the women of an Egyptian pharaoh’s harem. He quickly put the book down.
“Oh. Wow. Okay.” When he looked up and caught Annie’s gaze, he squirmed. “So, moving on…”
“Not so fast, Counselor. There is one particular passage you might be interested in.” She picked up the book to thumb through it. “Get it? Passage?” She started reading. “The concubine ran her hands up the Pharaoh’s thighs in a light, practiced movement. She could see his excitement as his cheeks flushed, and his male member—”
Chase reached out and closed the book before she could finish the sentence. He glared, trying to keep a stern face. “Annie, didn’t your mother ever tell you that reading that sort of thing will stunt your growth?” Flustered, it was all he could come up with on the spur of the moment.
Annie’s laughter rang through the shop. The sound drew her assistant, Stephanie, from the back room. When she saw that it was Chase, Stephanie waved, then returned to the other room.
“Is that why I’m only five-three, then?” Annie asked. “Come on, you know you’re dying to find out what his male member did.” She still wore a wide grin, and Chase just sighed, resting his head in his hand.
“God help me,” he said. “What did I do to deserve this?”
Picking up a pamphlet from the stack beside the register, Annie smacked him with it. “You came in here, remember? I was taking a hard-earned break, relaxing after being on my feet all day long, slaving over hot roses…” With a dramatic hand across her brow, Annie sank back down on her own stool.
“So, what’s up?” she asked. “I didn’t expect to see you in here today. I thought you had court.” She reached over and tugged at his tie, and he caught her hand before she could accidentally strangle him.
“I did have court. It let out early.” He released her hand. “No, I’m here to ask a favor.”
Annie cocked an eyebrow. “You mentioned that. Go on.”
Chase hesitated. “I hate to ask this. I should probably just ask Jason.” He started to stand, but Annie waggled a finger at him.
“That’s dangerous, you know,” Chase admonished. “One of these days, you’re liable to lose that finger.” Regardless, he sat back down. “Okay. I need a cat-sitter for a few days, five or six.”
The addition of Murphy to his life had been a huge adjustment. Chase had never been what one could consider a cat person, though he didn’t hate the creatures. He just preferred dogs, and his friends and family knew it, so getting to tease Chase about his cat was one of their new favorite pastimes. It didn’t help that Murphy had several idiosyncrasies.
When Murphy showed up during a terrible rainstorm last fall, Chase had taken him in temporarily. Within days, Beth had predicted Chase would keep him, and though Chase had looked for a good home for the small cat, he hadn't been able to find one that seemed to fit Murphy's quirky personality. Eventually, Chase had given up the search and accepted that Murphy was destined to be his. Unfortunately, Murphy was not a cat who liked being left on his own. Chase had learned this the hard way, and after one particularly disastrous trip, Chase had just stayed home. Used to having his weekends be his own, the confinement was starting to wear on his nerves.
“A cat sitter? Seriously?” Annie asked. “Where are you going?”
“There’s a legal conference out in Vegas,” he explained. “Actually, I was supposed to have attended the last few they’ve had, but I skipped out. This time Gordon found out about it, and he volunteered me for two panel discussions.”
“So Gordon’s going, too?” Galen Gordon was a former classmate of Chase’s from law school. Now an FBI agent based in Louisville, Kentucky, Gordon had reconnected with Chase last fall after having been out of touch for a handful of years. Since Louisville was a relatively short drive from Leroy, they had been able to renew their friendship without any difficulty. Gordon had become one of the gang, hanging out with the Hudsons and their various assorted friends and family on weekends and holidays.
“Yeah, he is,” Chase confirmed. “Annie, I hate to ask. I really do. But with everything that’s been going on lately, I need a break. I’m going to pull my hair out if I don’t get some breathing room soon.”
“Hmmm, and it’s such nice, silky hair, too,” Annie mused. She propped her chin on her hand and eyed him. “Five days, you say? When?”
“Next Thursday through the following Monday or Tuesday,” he said. “I know it’s short notice. If you don’t mind, I’d rather you came to my house than try to bring Murphy here. I don’t even want to think about what he could do to your apartment, and there’s no way I can leave him alone.”
Shortly after Chase had first gotten the cat, he had gone away for his usual weekend out of town. When he came home, he had found a very sick cat and a house that looked like a tornado had hit it. Murphy had undergone emergency surgery, since the digestive tract of a petite cat wasn't designed to process an entire roll of paper towels, a couple of dollars’ worth of loose change, and half a Christmas gift bow.
“So where did you go that weekend Murphy tried to tear your condo down?” Annie asked. “It turned out to be quite the expensive trip for you, Counselor. You never did say where you were.”
“Well, in all the excitement, it just didn’t come up,” Chase said, ignoring her question.
Annie’s eyes narrowed. “You aren’t going to answer me, are you? All these mysterious trips out of town you’ve made over the years. You know speculation is that you have some secret harem tucked away somewhere. All the more reason for you to read this book.” She tapped the cover.
Chase just smiled noncommittally and crossed his arms. There was no force on the planet that would make him tell Annie the truth—that most of those weekends had been spent doing genealogy research and sleeping alone in anonymous hotel rooms. Unless their relationship changed drastically, it was a secret he would keep. He’d worked very hard to build just the reputation she referenced, and he wasn’t about to give up the truth now.
With a sigh, Annie gave up. “Okay, fine. And no, my apartment hasn’t been Murphy-proofed, that’s for sure.” She lived in a loft-style apartment over the shop. She thought about his request for a few moments while straightening the ite
ms on the counter. “I guess I could do it. I can bring my books and take some bubble baths in that big tub I’ve heard you bragging about,” she teased.
He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, that big tub I had put in because my neurotic cat knocked a pail of litter into the old one and punched a hole in it? And what do you mean, bragged?”
“Well, bragged sounds better than pouted,” Annie pointed out with a smile. “Although one is closer than the other.” She stood as the front door opened, and two customers entered the store. “I’d be glad to babysit for you, Chase. Remind me this weekend, and we’ll go over some things.”
Grabbing her hands, Chase bowed. “Thank you, thank you.”
It was Annie’s turn to roll her eyes. “Just make sure you bring me something big back from Vegas. And hope Murphy doesn’t get too upset not having his daddy around. If he does, you’ll end up flying home early, panel or no panel.”
~ * * * ~
It happened that Chase did indeed end up flying home earlier than he had planned, but not because of anything Murphy had done. As he drove through the downpour that had been just ahead of him all the way from Louisville, a fine tension settled across his shoulders with every swipe of the windshield wipers. It was early Sunday morning, still night really, and his mind kept taking him back to the phone call that had brought him home two days sooner than expected. His mother had phoned Saturday afternoon to tell him that his paternal grandfather had died. It wasn't completely unexpected news, but it was still shocking, and Chase had immediately made plans to return home.
He couldn’t help feeling some resentment toward his grandfather that he had chosen this particular weekend to meet his maker. Oh, intellectually, Chase knew that John Hudson, or J.R., as he preferred to be called, hadn’t had a choice in the hour and minute of his death. Emotionally, however, he was ashamed to say the resentment was there. He had finally gotten out of town for a few days, a chance to relax, to regain his perspective, and he had been called back before he could even begin to unwind.
The Hudson family as a whole had an interesting dynamic. The relationship between Chase’s parents and grandparents wasn’t a close one and was often strained, to say the least. Chase was closer to J.R. than his father was, but it was more of a professional relationship than a personal one. That hadn’t even existed until Chase had shown an interest in becoming an attorney. So while he felt a certain loss at the news of J.R.’s death, it was more a sadness than actual grief. As he pulled the car into his driveway, the reality of what his grandfather’s death meant started to sink in. He knew the next few days were going to be difficult.
The rain had slowed from a downpour to a steady drizzle, and Chase sat looking at his condo for a few minutes. The lights were off, so Annie was probably asleep upstairs in his bed. He would crash on the couch when he got inside, but for a little moment out of time, Chase allowed himself to imagine what it would be like to unlock the front door, head upstairs, and crawl into bed next to her. To have someone waiting for him, arms and heart open....
With a reluctant sigh, he abandoned that line of thought and reached for his cell phone. The last thing he wanted to do was startle or scare Annie when he came in. Just as he started to dial, a light came on in one of the upstairs windows, so he decided to just get his bag and go in. As he reached the door, he heard a soft, plaintive mewling on the other side, and he felt the corners of his mouth kick up in a smile. As bad as the reasons for his early return were, it was still good to be home.
Chapter 2
Annie wasn’t sure what had awakened her. She hadn’t been sleeping all that soundly to begin with, but she thought Murphy’s excitement might have been what roused her from a fitful sleep. As she came more fully awake, she could hear his excited mrr-eow echo down the hall as he headed downstairs. She reached for the lamp beside the bed and called to him.
“Murphy, it isn’t time for breakfast. Where are you going?” She lay there for another minute to let her eyes adjust to the light, and then she heard the slam of a car door outside. With a good idea of who it might be, Annie’s suspicions were confirmed when she peeked outside and saw Chase’s car sitting in the driveway. A warm rush went through her at the sight, and she hurried to pull on a pair of lounge pants before heading to the top of the stairs. By that time, Chase was inside and greeting Murphy, whose loud purring was audible even at a distance. As she listened, Chase greeted the cat with much nearly as much enthusiasm as Murphy was showing.
“Hey, buddy, did you miss me? Yeah? Daddy missed you, too.” His words were muffled at certain points, which Annie figured meant he was getting nudged in the face by his happy cat. Sure enough, when Chase appeared at the foot of the stairs, Murphy was cradled in his arms and rubbing his face on Chase’s chin. “Aw, that’s a sweet boy. Yes, he is. Good—”. Chase stopped abruptly when he saw Annie standing at the top of the stairs, and even in the dim light from the hallway, she could see his cheeks turn red. She sent him a wicked grin.
“Don’t stop on my account. I was enjoying the mutual love fest,” she said, laughing outright at the glare he sent her way. She started down the stairs. “You’re home early. I thought you weren’t going to make it until tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I caught an earlier flight.” He watched as she stopped a few steps away. “I didn’t mean to wake you up.”
Annie waved away his words. “I wasn’t sleeping that well, anyhow,” she said. “Have you had food?”
Chase set Murphy down and straightened, stretching his back a little. “In Minneapolis. I grabbed something at the airport between flights.” He started toward the kitchen. “I could use something to drink, though. You want anything?” he called over his shoulder.
“Maybe some water.” Annie trailed behind him. “Have you talked to your parents?”
As he poured a glass of juice, Chase sighed. “Just briefly. They’re okay, all things considered. You know they didn’t have a great relationship with J.R.”
Annie sipped the water Chase handed her and nodded. She was familiar with the Hudson family dynamics. “I know. That’s why I figure it’s probably going to hit your dad a little harder than people expect. When you have that kind of relationship with someone, it hurts in a different way when you lose it.” Chase met her gaze and held it for a moment before Annie looked away.
“I know what you’re saying. I hope he’ll be okay. He has Mom, and they’re a pretty tough package. So how’s my boy been?” He leaned back against the counter, and when Murphy jumped up beside him, he sighed. Downing the juice quickly, he set the glass aside and scooped up the cat. Flipping Murphy upside down, he cradled him in one arm.
“He’s been a little lonely, definitely missing Daddy,” Annie said with a soft smile, as Murphy twisted so that he could curl his paws around Chase’s arm in what passed for a cat hug. “But he’s been pretty good otherwise.”
“And the tub? Was it to your liking?”
Annie studied her fingernails and faked a nonchalant attitude. “Well, I might possibly be planning to call a plumber next week and see how much it would cost me to have one installed in the loft. I mean, it’s an okay tub, if you like bathtubs.” She sent Chase a grin that didn’t last long. “You look tired.”
Chase nodded, his own smile full of regret. “I am. I don’t think I’ve gotten more than five hours’ sleep any night I’ve been away.”
“Ooh, Counselor. Sounds like Vegas was fun, then.” She set her glass in the sink. “I’m sorry, Chase, I shouldn’t say that. Not given the circumstances.”
“You’re fine,” he said. “That’s part of who we are—we can say anything to each other. And Vegas was… interesting. Lawyers, booze, casinos, and so forth. Mostly, though, Gordon and I hung out with the geeks and talked. Again, lawyers and booze. Good Lord, we can chatter on like gossipy old hens.”
Annie snorted. “You said it, not me. Although I have to go on the record and state that you and Gordon are the two of the least geeky men I know.” Chase just grinned.
“So anyhow, you probably want to get to bed.” She yawned. “I’ll grab a blanket and pillow and take the couch.” She turned to leave the kitchen.
Chase, still carrying Murphy, followed right on her heels. “Oh, I don’t think so,” he said. “I’ll take the couch. You don’t honestly expect me to run you out of bed, do you? My mother would have my hide if I did something like that.”
“Are you planning on telling her?” Annie stopped on the first step and turned to look at him. She cocked an eyebrow and gave him a quick head-to-toe. “Darlin’, you won’t fit on that couch comfortably. Not to sleep, anyhow.”
Chase shrugged. “Well, I’m not taking the bed, so that leaves the couch. Besides, it’s a very comfortable couch.” His smile was triumphant and self-satisfied as he put Murphy down on the floor. However, Annie’s next words wiped the smile right off his face and caused her to release a grin of her own.
“I guess I could head home, but it’s three in the morning, and it’s raining. So you’re stuck with me for tonight. If you aren’t taking the bed, and you won’t let me take the couch, that leaves one option. We’ll just have to share the bed.” Not waiting for his response, she turned and headed back upstairs. Murphy followed along in her wake. Once she reached the top of the stairs, Annie turned back to look at Chase, who still stood scowling at the bottom. “Oh, for pity’s sake, Chase. We’re adults. We’re tired. Come to bed. I promise I won’t jump you as soon as you lay your head down.”
Shadows from the Grave Page 2