Heart Wish

by Mary Crawford

  He pauses and looks over at the family for a long moment. “Though the outcome was positive in this case, make no mistake. This was a serious crime. Not only was Asher kidnapped, he was put in grave danger and his mother was assaulted. Don’t confuse careful police work for inaction. We are not filming some action field crime show here, we are doing real get-your-hands-dirty-and-turn-on-your-brain police work. That means crimes are not solved in an hour with time for popcorn and a soda.”

  A titter of laughter goes through the audience.

  “If there are developments in this case, the public will be updated when it is warranted. Our primary responsibility is to make sure victims are safe and that the criminals responsible for the crimes are prosecuted appropriately.”

  “We’ve heard from other sources that Latrice Rann has already confessed. Can you at least confirm that for us?” an investigative reporter I recognize from the local news asks insistently.

  “At this point, this is an active case. We are dealing with multiple leads — it’s going to take some time to sort through them all. It is our policy to not comment on ongoing investigations —- to do so would be irresponsible. I would like to thank all of you for coming today. The Livingstons have been very forthcoming with you about their experiences throughout this process. I ask that you allow them to return to their private lives as average Oregonians. They have some healing to do and they need time and space in which to do it. For the sake of Asher, let us all respect their privacy.”

  Most of the members of the audience put away their notebooks and pens, computers and tablets, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Maybe, just maybe this won’t turn into a feeding frenzy after all.

  “What are you doing working this hard on a Saturday? I thought with all the wins in your column, you’d be taking it a bit slower.” Jameson rubs my shoulders as he peeks at what I’m reading on the computer. He chuckles softly. “Careful now, you’re starting to be as paranoid as me.”

  “I’m not being paranoid; I’m just monitoring the temperature of the social media feedback to see if we need to adjust our approach.”

  “Do you see anything to worry about?”

  “I don’t think so. Comments seem to be supportive of the Livingstons and news coverage appears unusually accurate.”

  “Funny, I don’t remember that happening much. I’m glad it’s working out for the Livingston’s. They seem like a really nice family. Unfortunately, sometimes being a nice family isn’t enough.”

  I close the browser on my computer and shut it down. I lower the blind on the little window in my office and shut the door. Jameson is propped up against the wall and is quietly observing me.

  I walk over to him and unbutton the top button of his shirt. I take a deep breath before I softly kiss the top of his sternum. I can feel his pulse racing. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

  “Sorry for what?” he asks in a rough voice.

  “I’m sorry we haven’t found Toby yet. Your family deserves a press conference to vindicate them just like the Livingstons. It’s hard for me to be happy for one family when I haven’t been able to solve the mystery on another — especially when you mean so much to me.”

  Jameson puts his hands on my shoulders and pushes me away as he searches my face. “Are you doing less for my family than you would for any other family?”

  “No! Of course not. I lay awake at night trying to figure out new approaches, and new places to search or to post about the search. I wrack my brain over where to ask for new leads. I’ve exhausted all my lists of people to share and to retweet and to ask for posters to be put up in their local communities. I’ve tried reaching out to online communities made up of kids who would be your brother’s age. I don’t know what else to do. It broke my heart to have a press conference for the Livingston’s while knowing your brother is still missing.”

  “Kendall, I can’t expect more than that. In fact, you’ve probably done more for my parents than anyone has done since the day my brother went missing. You treated them with dignity and respect and listened to what they had to say. You didn’t gloss over their pain or take advantage of their vulnerabilities. You didn’t promise them the moon, and you didn’t dash their hopes. I don’t know what more we can ask of you.”

  “If you say so, but I would still feel better if we could give your family some definitive answers — you deserve that.”

  “I learned a long time ago we don’t always get what we deserve in life.”

  “I know that lesson far too well.”

  Jameson pulls me in for a deep lingering kiss. “I’m going to assume you’re off the clock now. You have been working way too hard trying to balance media requests and all the new inquiries about Locate My Heart since the story went national. I think it’s time for you to pay up on what you owe me.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I know it’s been crazy around here, but a while back you and I had a discussion about the proper time and place we could explore the whole dating thing. Somehow, we skipped dating went and right to kissing. Not that I mind — I love kissing you, but I also would like to take you out on a date. A real date. As much as I like hanging out with my family, our friends, or all your coworkers, that’s not technically dating. I want to take you out somewhere where you’re not reminded of your job every other second — that rules out hanging with my family or your coworkers. Besides, I want to spend time with you and only you.”

  “Now?” I ask, as I look down at my tank top, flannel shirt and cargo pants.

  “Yes, now. You look beautiful. What you’re wearing is fine for what I have planned.”

  “Plans? You have plans for us? Why is this the first time I’ve heard about them? You should tell a person about stuff like that. If I’d known we were going on a date, I would’ve dressed entirely differently.”

  “Maybe I didn’t want you to dress up for a date. Maybe I just want you to feel comfortable in your clothes. I just wish my old Harley was running. It would’ve been fun to ride to our date in style.”

  “I have fond memories of my dad taking me out on his motorcycle — his was a Honda. I remember the logo. My mom would pitch a fit because she thought it was too dangerous for him to take me on his bike. It probably was, but I remember squealing with delight and laughter whenever he went around a corner and the bike tilted.” My heart hurts as I think about how much my dad would have liked Jameson.

  “Maybe someday we can ride together. Unfortunately, my bike isn’t in running condition. It’s sitting in my dad’s garage. Who knows what shape it’s in? I would love to go riding with you — especially now that I know you’re a fan.”

  “You know who else are fans? Denny and Gwendolyn go riding all the time. He likes to restore old cars and bikes. You should see if he could do anything about your bike. I bet you he can. He’s quite mechanically minded and loves to tinker through problems.”

  “Next time we see them, I’ll ask Denny about it. It would be fun to get the old bike up and running. I haven’t had it in working order since before I was deployed overseas — so, you’ll have to ride in my boring old rental car. Are you hungry?”

  I shut down the computer, grab my purse and lock the front door. “Not really. I ate my lunch really late.”

  “Great! That works out even better,” Jameson answers as he takes his jacket off and drapes it over my shoulders.

  “What will work out even better?” I ask when Jameson covers a sly grin like a mischievous child.

  “It’s nothing huge. We’ll get to reward ourselves with dessert after our date, that’s all,” he says as he escorts me out to his car.

  After he lifts me in, I quip, “I don’t know if I trust you. You look a little too much like my brother when he’s about to pull a prank on me.”

  “No prank. We’re just going to have some good clean fun. What’s wrong? Are you chicken?” he teases.

  “You do realize that those are known as fighting words to sisters around the world?”

/>   “The question is on the floor Ms. Kordes, do you trust me?”

  I make the sign of the cross across my chest as I say, “For reasons that escape me, I’m going to say yes. Although every instinct I have screams this is probably a really bad idea.”

  “Well, I guess that’s not an undying pledge of love, but for today — it works.”

  “Why Mr. Payne, I had no idea you were so forward. After all, this is our first official date,” I joke.

  “No one has ever accused me of being shy. If I want something, I go after it with all burners on high.”

  I know Jameson probably meant that as a lighthearted joke, but I have no doubt as I study his intense expression that what he says is not far from the truth. If something or someone stood in the way of what he needed, it wouldn’t take him long to figure out a way around the problem.

  “I’m not sure if you meant that as a promise or a threat,” I reply with a playful smirk.

  Without missing a beat, he responds, “Take it however you wish, darlin’.”

  Suddenly at a loss for words, I stare out the window. As we continue to drive, I start to recognize the neighborhood. “Hey, this is how we get to Aidan and Tara’s house. I thought you said the goal of this date was not to hang out with my friends.”

  “Who said they’re going to be there? Aidan has world-class digs. It’d be a shame not to put them to use.”

  I swallow a burst of laughter “They do, don’t they? I about die of envy when I go into Tara’s kitchen — especially when I found out she doesn’t cook. It’s just such a shame. She could host a whole cooking show in there.”

  “From what I’ve heard, between Kiera and her mother-in-law, they practically do whenever they have get-togethers.”

  “That’s a true statement. I came here once with Colette when we were snowed in at Christmas and couldn’t fly home. It was like a Hallmark card meets Julia Child. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “I bet. Even when they do casual stuff like chili and cornbread, it’s amazing.”

  “Okay, color me confused. Why are we coming here if no one’s here?” I ask. “If you say that you’re going to watch football on one of Aidan’s bazillion satellite channels, I’m going to take away your nice-guy card.”

  “I’m not even sure I want a nice guy card. Haven’t you heard they always finish last?”

  “Not in my book.”

  “Although, I might lose it by default once you figure out what we’re going to do tonight. I swear it’s fun.”

  “Oh Lawdy. I’m not sure I want to hear this.”

  “Relax, I’m just taking you on a date. We’re just not doing it the traditional way. I swear, if you want me to be a gentlemen, that’s what I’ll be.”

  As we drive into Aidan’s driveway I blow out an anxious breath.

  “You all right over there?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I like to be in control. It’s hard for me to just go with the flow.”

  Jameson puts his hand on my knee as he says, “Nothing is going to happen today unless we’re both on board. I promise. This is supposed to be a fun, stress-relieving date.”

  I take a deep breath and shake out my hands. “Thanks. I need some space where I stop thinking about everything. My brain is tired.”

  “What I have planned is perfect. You won’t have time to think about work stuff.”

  Trying to calm myself, I smile and try to just roll with whatever he has planned. “Sounds fascinating. I can’t wait to see what we’re going to do. It’s like a weird twist on a blind date.”

  Jameson fishes a key out of his pocket and unlocks the front door.

  As we step into the large foyer, I exclaim, “Wow! It’s so weird to be here when it’s silent. Aidan’s parties are never quiet.”

  “I know what you mean. It’s weird though; for such a big star, Aidan seems disarmingly normal. He’s a guy I’d play pool with at the neighborhood bar.”

  “I wouldn’t recommend it. He was a traveling musician for several years before he made it big. The guy is a pool shark.”

  “Thanks for the warning. That would explain the professional pool table in their basement. But, we’re not here to play pool.”

  “So, why are we here?”

  Jameson puts his arm around my waist as he says, “Come right this way.” He escorts me through the family room and across the patio. “Welcome to your mind clearing activities.” We stop in front of the recreational center that Aidan built for the kids he hosts at his day camps.

  “We’re going rock climbing?” I squeak. “Oh my gosh! Every time I come here, I’m always tempted to ask Aidan if I could try the wall. I’ve never quite managed to work up the nerve. Are we seriously going to do this? I don’t have any gear or anything.”

  “We are. Aidan and Tara have all the gear anyone would ever need. They have groups come through here all the time. They keep a warehouse of equipment and clothing in different sizes. The only thing you’ll need to do is put your hair back and get some climbing shoes. The rest of what you’re wearing is fine. Have you done any rock climbing before?”

  “Only once. In a leadership class in college, we did it as a team-building activity. After I did it, I added weightlifting to my running routine. I had the weakest arms in the whole class. Maybe I’ll do better this time.”

  “I’ll let you get changed. The locker rooms are behind the wall. What size shoes do you wear?”

  “I wear size eight and a half.”

  When I enter the room serving as the women’s locker room, the only thing that resembles a traditional locker room is the name on the door. It looks like a spa inside. I notice there is a stack of clothing on a chair. There is a note on top with my name on it.

  When I open it, I see Tara’s elegant handwriting.

  I’ve heard rumors about Tara’s ability to predict the future; I wonder if she’s just being friendly or knows something specific about my life. I guess it doesn’t matter much. Either way, I’m determined to make it all the way to the top of the wall. This is going to be an interesting test. Sometimes, Jameson and I work well together, and other times we seem at cross purposes. I hope we are on the same page today. If we aren’t, it could be downright scary.

  CHAPTER 12

  JAMESON

  AS I SEARCH THE SHELVES in the “shoe shed” as Aidan calls it, I breathe a sigh of relief. I wasn’t sure how Kendall was going to react to my unusual choice of date locations. Aidan was the one who suggested it. He said the experience really brought him closer to his wife when they first started dating. I’m hoping it helps us too. I have a lot of ground to make up.

  I’ve dug myself a pretty deep hole with all my assumptions about Kendall’s character. I watched her over the past few weeks as she’s been dealing with crisis after crisis. I was flat-out wrong. Kendall is the most open, transparent and giving person I’ve ever met in my life. It is obvious Quinn’s death affected her deeply, but I no longer believe it’s impaired her ability to do her job or created a twisted agenda. I think Kendall Kordes is about as real and authentic as anyone gets on this planet. I may have found the one person on the whole planet who really isn’t too good to be true.

  When I return to the locker room area to deliver her shoes, she is already waiting for me. “Excited?”

  Kendall grins at me. “You have no idea.”

  “Scared?” I ask as I search her face for clues.

  “Probably not as much as I should be. I trust you to hold the rope for me. You are ridiculously strong. Although, I am a little worried about my ability to do the same. I’m not as strong as you are, and you’re bigger than me.”

  “It doesn’t take as much brute strength as you think. It’s a bunch of levers and pulleys. The weight thing is not such an issue.”

  “That’s good, because I’d hate to drop you and break your heart — or something else.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I can climb the wall without ropes. I used to do the real thing as part of my job. So,
this is just good conditioning for me.”

  Kendall rolls her eyes. “Of course, you did. Now I’m going to feel like a big fool when I can’t make it up the wall.”

  “I’ll make sure you make it. I won’t let you fall.”

  I hand her the climbing shoes. “Make sure you tie those securely and thread the ends back through the laces. I’ve seen loose laces complicate more than one climb.”

  “This is so cool. I’ve wanted to do this for a long time,” Kendall says as she sits down on the floor and puts her shoes on.

  “I’m glad you approve. I worried you might want to do something more traditional.”

  “Anyone can take me out for a candlelit dinner, but not everyone can offer me a chance to do something on my bucket list.”

  I blush. “I try.” The next time I see Aidan, I’m going to buy the man a beer.

  I take Kendall’s hand and lead her to the climbing room.

  I position us in front of the left-hand side of the wall as I hold up a safety harness. “You put this on like your pants. I can help you tighten it if you want.”

  “Yeah, I bet you can. I’ve worn one of these harnesses before. They land in some pretty private places. How about if I put it on and you check it for the proper fit?”

  I try to shrug nonchalantly. “That works too.”

  Pulling on the safety rope, I test it for tension and slack.

  As I step into my harness and buckle it, Kendall puts her own harness on and tightens her straps. “I think I’ve got it; but I’d feel better if you double check my work.”

  I run my fingers under the straps to make sure she doesn’t have them too tight. “Everything looks good.”

  I take Kendall’s hand and turn her around so she’s facing the wall. “Let me tell you about Aidan’s challenge wall. A wide variety of people come through here. Many of them are teenagers or preteens with no climbing experience. So, he’s divided his wall up into four sections.”