Belonging

by Samantha James

  It wasn't until the officer requested a DMV check on the vehicles involved that Matt gave it a second thought. And then he broke out in a cold sweat. His stomach lurched sickeningly.

  One of the cars belonged to Angie--and an ambulance had just been summoned.

  ***

  Matt was never sure how he got to the scene of the accident in one piece. Over and over, agonizing thoughts ran through his mind. How badly was Angie hurt? Had she been thrown from the car? Through the windshield? His stomach tightened. What if she was...

  He yanked the steering wheel toward the curb. With a spray of gravel, a whining squeal of the brakes, the car screeched to a halt.

  Matt jumped out, his eyes quickly scanning the area. The street had been blocked off. There was a small city park on one side, a grocery store on the other. The site was teeming with police vehicles and bystanders.

  Then he spotted Angie's car. The front end of the vehicle resembled an accordion; the rear door on the driver's side was almost completely caved in.

  The ambulance was nearby, parked beneath a tree. Two blue-shirted paramedics were just sliding a stretcher through the double doors. There was a white blanket draped over the stretcher, but Matt could see that the victim was a woman.

  Matt felt his heart stop. He rushed over to the ambulance just as the driver was closing the second double door at the rear of the van.

  "Wait!" He was dimly aware of his voice cracking. "The woman inside... how serious is it?"

  The man shrugged. "Likely a concussion, I'd say. She smacked her head on the steering wheel pretty good. Fractured arm, too. Don't know about internal injuries yet. Have to wait till we get to Emergency to find out." He started around the side of the vehicle, then turned back. "You know her?"

  Matt nodded tersely.

  "You can follow us to the hospital if you want."

  There was a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach, a kind of fear he'd never known before. He took a moment to gather himself, watching as the ambulance pulled onto the street. The sight of the overhead lights flashing in the brilliant sunshine seemed almost obscene.

  He felt a tap on his shoulder. "Why is it you're always a little too late to get in on the action?" a voice behind him asked.

  He turned and for a second he thought he was dreaming. But when a warm, yielding form walked straight into his arms, he knew that he wasn't.

  "Angie. Angie, I thought..." He couldn't go on; he could only look at the flashing lights of the ambulance rounding the corner, his throat clogged with emotion.

  She ran her fingers over the sharp angles of his cheekbones. "I'm fine. See?" She pointed to a small bruise on her right temple. "My only battle scar." Her slight smile faded. "Todd sideswiped that car--" she pointed to a mangled sedan behind him "--and the driver's the woman they just took to the hospital." She didn't tell him that, before she had blacked out, they had spun around on the sidewalk and narrowly missed hitting a tree.

  Matt hugged her fiercely, then drew back to gaze down at her. His hands rested lightly on her shoulders. "Todd's behind this whole thing, Angie," he began.

  "I... I know. He told me. He vandalized the yard, took Spooky and dumped her miles out of town. And you were right, Matt. It was all for money." In a low voice she told him of Todd's plan. She ended with a shiver. "He threatened to do something to Kim and Casey if I didn't vote for the new building."

  Matt froze once more. "They're fine," she assured him quickly. "A dispatcher has already checked with Janice."

  Her smile was brave, but there was a telling glaze of moisture over her lovely blue eyes. Matt aimed a silent curse at Todd Austin.

  At precisely that moment he saw a uniformed officer leading Todd toward a police cruiser. He then decided voicing his outrage would be much more satisfying.

  "I'll be back in just a minute," he told Angie. Dropping a light kiss on her forehead, he moved away.

  Briefly noting the name tag worn by the officer, he dropped a hand on his shoulder. He nodded pleasantly toward the caged back of the cruiser. "Mind if I have a word with the suspect, Officer Stevens?"

  The man turned with a frown, but the look changed to one of respect as he saw who had made the request. "Sure thing, Chief."

  Sullen and stony, Todd Austin stared straight ahead, handcuffed wrists dangling on his knees. Without a word Matt opened the door, grabbed him by his lapels and unceremoniously hauled him from the back of the vehicle.

  A number of spectators looked on with interest at the spectacle that was about to unfold.

  Matt towered over the other man. With his feet braced slightly apart, big hands curled into fists at his sides, Matt was indeed a formidable figure. "Do you have any idea what I'd like to do to you, Austin?"

  Todd sneered. "I almost got away with it, Richardson. You had no idea it was me who was terrorizing your precious little—"

  "Shut up." The incredibly soft tone belied the savage light in the police chief's eyes.

  "Oh, come on," Todd taunted. "Are you afraid somebody's gonna find out about you two?" His laughter was malicious as he jerked his head toward Angie, who was watching silently a short distance away. "Instead of bragging about what you'd like to do to me, why don't you tell us what you wanna do to her? What you've already done—"

  But Matt had heard all he wanted. He lunged toward the other man.

  "Matt, don't!" Angie pleaded, determinedly tugging at his arm. "He's only goading you. Don't you see that?"

  The harshly threatening expression slowly faded from Matt's face. He stared down at Angie, suddenly aware that there was something different. She looked rather scared, undeniably concerned, but there was also a depth of emotion in her eyes that hadn't been there before—at least when she looked at him.

  He released Todd so abruptly the other man fell back against the trunk of the car. He nodded briefly to Officer Stevens. "Get him out of here."

  A wave of intense feeling swept through him as he caught Angie's hand in his. "You're right," he said softly. "He's not worth it. But I will say he's damn lucky you weren't hurt, or it wouldn't be the jail he'd be spending the night in."

  Right now all Angie wanted was to forget this whole mess. "Let's go home," she murmured. The smile she directed at him was weary yet tender.

  Matt's eyes dropped to where her hand had settled into the crook of his arm. He was just about to tease her when a voice called, "Hey, can we get a shot of you two?"

  They both turned to see a photographer from the Bulletin waving at them. Angie gave a tiny moan, but Matt grinned devilishly.

  "Sure thing," he promised. Before she had a chance to protest, he pulled her into his arms and ducked his forehead down to hers. "Ms. Mayor and the Chief may make the front page yet," he whispered just before he gave her a kiss guaranteed to knock the socks off anyone who cared to look on.

  Angie didn't mind in the least.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  The episode didn't quite end there.

  Janice, of course, had to hear all about it. At nine o'clock that night Angie, Matt, Bill, Janice and four youngsters were still gathered around the kitchen table at the Crawfords' house.

  "I can't believe it. It was Todd Austin all along!" she exclaimed for what seemed like the hundredth time. "When the police called to see if Kim and Casey were all right, I couldn't imagine what was going on." She shook her dark head and grinned at Angie. "Didn't I tell you once that having a big-time cop from Chicago was like having Kojak in town?"

  "Ex-cop from Chicago," Matt reminded her. His fingers curled around Angie's, as if to remind himself that she was really okay. "And I'd hardly call myself the hero in this story, anyway," he added wryly. "As usual, though, there's never any shortages of bad guys."

  He was talking about Todd.

  Beside him, Angie found herself lost in thought, scarcely listening to the conversation. In spite of the contempt she had for Todd's planned manipulation, she felt rather sorry for him. He was bright and intelligent, and he'd had so much g
oing for him. He should have been grateful; instead, he'd found himself blinded by the need for more.

  She had also discovered something else tonight. She suspected she was very, very lucky. Matt loved her, but instead of accepting and nurturing that love, she had chosen to turn her back on it, and him, because she was afraid. She could only hope it wasn't too late. But from the warmly possessive light shining in Matt's eyes the past few hours, she didn't think it was.

  "Mommy." Kim cast a worried look at the puppy, who was sniffing around the corner of the kitchen. "I think Patches needs to go outside."

  At the sound of her name, Patches began wagging her tail. Matt laughed and got up. "I'll bet she does, too." He scooped the pup up in one big hand, then glanced at Kim. "Coming, Kim?"

  Not only did Kim tag along on the trip outside, but Casey, Nancy and Bill went, as well. Janice took Eric up to bed, and there was a rather smug expression on her face when she came back.

  Angie shook her head. "All right, Janice Crawford. I've seen that look before. What's on your mind?"

  Janice grinned. "I was just thinking of that night you went to the dinner at the Sheraton right after Matt was hired."

  "You gave me a big lecture on needing a man in my life again," Angie recalled dryly. "And you said something about going out and making something happen—snagging a rich husband, I think it was."

  "I really never thought that you would!" Janice said with a laugh.

  "But I haven't!" A smile began to blossom. "At least not yet," she added. "And Matt isn't rich."

  Janice waved a flamboyant hand. "One out of two isn't bad." She eyed her friend slyly. "He has asked you to marry him, hasn't he?"

  She nodded.

  "And this time you're going to accept, aren't you?"

  Angie shook her head. Janice knew her very well— almost as well as Matt. "If he asks me again, I will," she confided rather breathlessly.

  At that moment Kim and Casey ran through the door, the others trailing behind. "Mommy!" Casey shrieked. "Mommy, look who we found!"

  A ball of dirty, scraggly fur was dropped into her lap. Startled, at first Angie thought they'd dragged in a stray cat, but as she glanced down at the animal, she noticed a familiar-looking streak of silver beneath the grime.

  "Spooky! Spooky, how did you ever find your way home!" The cat yowled indignantly as Angie hugged her tightly. She wasted no time in wriggling free and jumping to the floor. For all her dishevelment, the way she preened while walking across the kitchen was no less than queenly.

  When Patches ran after her, yipping playfully, Angie glanced over at Matt, who had resumed his place beside her. "We may have a slight problem here," she murmured. "I don't know if Spooky will like sharing the house with a dog."

  Matt laughed. "I wouldn't worry if I were you." He nodded toward the two animals. Spooky had turned golden eyes toward Patches, her tail waving lazily in the air. Then with a bored yawn she padded from the room. Patches sat down on her haunches and stared after her, but the next minute she was playing happily under the table once more.

  "One big happy family," Angie commented with a secretive smile. "I hope you're right."

  As if Matt sensed what was on her mind, he said quietly, "I think it's time we headed home." His eyes dropped to where Casey had crawled up on his lap, her lids drooping wearily.

  Once they were sitting in his car, he asked, "You don't mind spending one more night at my place, do you? It's a little late to get all your things together now, anyway."

  Angie murmured her agreement, but she smiled to herself in the darkness. Did she mind one more night with him? Quite the contrary. She was counting on it- very definitely counting on it!

  Nor was she the only one with that thought firmly in mind. Still, he knew that when they were finally alone, they had some talking to do first.

  He was sitting on the top step of the stairs when she closed the bedroom door. He'd left her alone to put the two girls to bed, knowing she needed some time with them to reassure herself that they were safe and well.

  "Everything okay?" he asked as she approached.

  Angie nodded and sat down beside him. "I'm still finding it hard to believe this whole thing wasn't a nightmare. When I think of what Todd did..." She shivered. "It's scary to realize that I honestly thought him capable of harming Kim and Casey. Never once did it occur to me he might be bluffing."

  She was silent for a moment. "But then I'm grateful he wasn't put to the test. I'm not sure I really want to know just how far he would have gone to get what he wanted."

  "At least it's all over now."

  "Not quite," she reminded him. "The city council still hasn't decided the fate of city hall."

  Matt's eyes gleamed. "Don't you have any faith in your powers of persuasion?"

  Her heart began beating a little faster. There was the faintest hint of suggestion in his voice. "Maybe what I need is a trial run."

  "Maybe." He smiled his approval. "Looking for a guinea pig?"

  "I think I've already found one." Somehow she managed to match his light, bantering tone. "Do you think I could possibly persuade you what a fool I've been--especially concerning matters of the heart?"

  He crossed his arms over his chest and propped a shoulder against the wall. He couldn't believe his ears. His heart skipped a beat, but then it began to soar as the budding hope within gained momentum. "I think it could be arranged," he murmured.

  At his playful tone Angie's eyes began to gleam, as well. "You're very agreeable tonight, aren't you?"

  "I should hope so." His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "Actually, I'm hoping to snag myself a wife. Know anyone who might be interested?"

  For a moment Angie just stared at him, trying to absorb the reality of what he was saying. She had hurt Matt, hurt him deeply, struck a blow to his pride. In a way, she had proved herself no better than Linda. Because of that there was a part of her that was afraid he would be unable to forgive her.

  Her fears, it seemed, were groundless. She was scarcely able to believe she'd been given a second chance with this man.

  "What?" Matt cocked an eyebrow at her. "Not so agreeable now that the shoe is on the other foot?"

  A rush of blinding joy swept through her. "Matt," she finally choked out. "Matt...." She was laughing, she was crying.

  She was in his arms, and nothing had ever felt so right. All the pain, the doubt and uncertainty of the preceding days disappeared like mist beneath the burning rays of a blazing sun. The touch of his hand as he smoothed strands of hair from her tear-dewed cheeks was so tender, so filled with love, that she felt her eyes glaze over once more.

  "Oh, Matt," she whispered. "How can you ever forgive me?"

  Matt shook his head. "It doesn't matter—" he started to say.

  "But it does." Looking at him, she saw all that he was—an intensely masculine man whose warmth and sensitivity equaled his strength. The man she loved.

  "In the short time I've known you, you've given me so much," she told him. She hesitated but an instant. "Remember the time you said that someday soon the day would come when there were no secrets between us?"

  There was a time--was it only hours ago?—when he had suspected he was very, very wrong. But he nodded, sensing how important it was for Angie to say what she had to tell him.

  "When Evan died, I was very bitter," she said quietly. "I tried to remember the good times, but somehow all I remembered was how terrible it was at the end." Hard as she tried, she couldn't control the painful catch in her voice. "It was easier after a while, but I know now that all along I've been running. Running away from facing up to my feelings about Evan, and then lately—" her eyes held his "—running from the way I felt about you."

  Matt understood her need to explain, the need to let go once and for all. The need to make peace with herself and with the dark shadow of Evan's memory.

  "You're a strong woman, Angie," he told her gently. "A survivor."

  "I'd like to think so," she agreed with
a faint smile. "But it's taken me a long time to put aside the bitterness and realize that Evan is a part of my past while you--" she turned slightly and slipped her arms around his neck "--are my future."

  Matt didn't delay sampling the lips she offered so temptingly. Still, he eyed her quizzically when at last he raised his head. "What made you change your mind?" he asked.

  "It wasn't what so much as who. You've had allies in Georgia and Janice almost from the start." Her fingers toyed with the dark hair just above his collar. "But it was Georgia who really started the ball rolling. We had quite a conversation several days ago."

  "Oh?" He raised an eyebrow. "About me?"

  "It didn't start out that way," she confessed. "But that's how it ended up." She went on to tell him of Sam's proposal, Georgia's uncertainty and how she had told Georgia that, if all else failed, she should listen to her heart.

  At that, Matt shook his head. "Don't tell me she threw that little piece of advice right back at you."

  Angie nodded.

  "A woman of wisdom," he murmured, pleasantly surprised. "I'll have to make sure I never tell her I first thought of her as an old battle-ax."

  A faint frown had appeared in Angie's eyes, and he knew she was still thinking of Georgia and Sam. "They'll work it out," he reassured her softly. "Which reminds me, you still haven't told me whether or not you'll marry me."

  She laughed, that unrestrained tinkling sound he so loved to hear. "What do you think?"

  Light as her tone was, there was a world of emotion reflected in her eyes. Matt's arms tightened around her, and for a moment he simply absorbed the wonder of her nearness, the warmth of her body.

  "I think—" he planted nibbling little kisses along her jawline "—I may have to rely on my own powers of persuasion." His mouth finally reached hers.

  She smiled against the deepening pressure of his lips. "I think they're working already," she murmured.

  Matt's laugh was shaky. "Let's hope so." He raised his head, and their eyes melded. "Do you love me, Angie?"