by T. L. Haddix
After a final nip on her lower lip, he stood back and moved her aside. “Lock up after me.”
“I will. John?”
He stopped on the porch and turned. “Yeah?”
“Thanks for tonight. I enjoyed it.”
The grin he answered her with was more boyish than anything she’d seen from him in a long, long time. “Me, too. Night.”
She closed the door after he pulled out of the driveway, then locked it as she’d promised. Making her way through the house, she turned off the lights and let the quiet of the empty house settle around her. John had given her a lot to think about. She kept coming back to the fact that he was wearing her wedding ring on a chain around his neck and to how protective he’d been when she’d tried to touch it.
She’d wept for days when that ring disappeared, and he’d known it. Emma had mentioned it to him, she knew, and it had disappeared when she was at Owen and Sarah’s. He must have found it somewhere and had kept it all this time.
Surely a man who was unhappy in his marriage wouldn’t be so sentimental over such a trivial thing. That had to mean something.
Chapter Fourty-Six
The next morning, John was so cheerful that he was the recipient of a harsh, annoyed stare from Emma as he moved around the kitchen, getting his lunch together. That he was whistling didn’t help.
“I made a pot of decaf for you,” he said as he cleaned up the mess he’d made. “Do you need anything else before I go?”
Emma grunted. “You’re awfully damned cheerful this morning for someone who didn’t get in until after two.”
“I told you to not wait up.”
“I didn’t.” She flipped her heavy hair back off her face and rubbed her belly. “I couldn’t sleep. This one didn’t want to let me rest.”
John bent down and placed a kiss on her head. “I’m sorry, sis. Zanny was always more uncomfortable going into the homestretch, too. Just a few more weeks.”
She sniffled wetly. “At least tell me I don’t have to go into work today and face my best friend, knowing that you spent the night somewhere else, and have to pretend nothing is wrong. I know why you’re so happy, Johnny. Only one thing takes a man from where you were last night to where you are this morning.”
John’s face flushed with heat. “She, um, she’s aware of my whereabouts last night. And that’s all I’m saying. Have a good day.”
She grabbed his hand before he could escape. “What does that do for things? For the two of you, I mean?”
“I don’t know. We’ll see. I really do have to go. Hershel has a woman coming in that he’s hoping to do some big-time business with, and I have to get debriefed first.”
“Okay. Have a good day.”
“You, too.”
At the office, he gathered pen and paper, then headed to his boss’s office. He knocked on the door, and Hershel motioned him inside.
“This is a pretty big deal we’ve got in the works here. It’s going to take a little time, even though Ainsley is in a hurry to close.”
“I’m familiar with the family name.”
“Most people around here are. Her father, Sol Brewer, was pretty big potatoes. Had his fingers in a lot of pies. And then when the old man died ten, fifteen years back, his wife took over. She wasn’t a pleasant woman, but she knew her way around the businesses. Ran ’em with an iron fist.”
“And the daughter?”
Hershel sat back and made a steeple of his fingers. “Sweet girl. Got married and moved to Lexington four, five years back. I guess she was widowed about a year ago.”
John whistled. “And then she lost her mother this past fall? That’s rough.”
“Very. Ainsley’s quiet, but she’s just as sharp as her mama. Thing is, she has no interest in running the Brewer ‘empire,’ you see. I don’t think she much cared for the old woman, and they hadn’t seen each other or spoken in years. I can’t say as I blame her, given what I know about Geneva. The few times I had interactions with her, I damned near had to thaw myself out afterward.”
They went over the list of holdings Hershel was looking at buying, with John making notes and asking questions. They’d just finished when the phone buzzed, and Hershel’s assistant let them know Ainsley and her attorney had arrived.
“We’ll be right out.” He and John went to greet them, and when Hershel introduced John, Ainsley had a physical reaction. Her hand was still clasped loosely in his, and he felt the little shock that went through her.
“John Campbell.” She studied him closely, with her eyes narrowed a bit, then let his hand go. “Do you have a brother named Ben?”
“I do. He’s a couple of years younger than me.” John returned the perusal. Tall and slender, Ainsley Brewer Scott was so coolly composed that John wondered if anyone ever knew what she was thinking or feeling if she didn’t tell them. “Do you know Ben?”
A slight, telling hesitation preempted her answer. “I did, a lifetime ago.”
“I’ll have to mention you to him,” John said as they followed Hershel into the conference room.
That got a visible reaction that was so subtle, John would have missed it if he hadn’t been watching. “He’s here? In town?”
“Came back last fall.”
“Oh.”
That was all. The conversation was strictly business for the next hour and a half, and John put her curious reaction to the back of his mind. He would certainly be asking his brother about Ainsley, though, as soon as he could.
Zanny had to dress carefully for work, digging through her clothes to find a high-necked sleeveless top to cover the love bite John had left on her neck. The top she found was wrinkled, and she cursed. In her robe, she sprinted to the basement to dampen it and throw it in the dryer to tumble while she finished getting ready for work.
By the time she got to the studio, she was a little frazzled. Traffic had been much heavier than usual, and even in a small town the size of Hazard, that could mean a slow drive. She usually beat Emma by at least ten or fifteen minutes, but Em was there first that day.
“Sorry I’m late,” she called out as she rushed in.
Emma popped her head out of the darkroom, her eyes sharp as she took in Zanny’s outfit. “No problem. We’ve still got twenty minutes until we open.”
Emma stood in the doorway, watching as Zanny bustled around, putting up her lunch and getting things ready for the day. Zanny figured she knew about John’s visit.
Straightening, she turned to Emma. “Is something wrong?”
“I don’t know. Are you okay?”
“I am.”
“Then no, nothing’s wrong.”
Emma watched her closely, though, throughout the rest of the morning. After she caught Zanny staring off into space for the third with a silly grin on her face, Emma spoke up.
“John was awfully cheerful this morning, too.”
Zanny’s grin widened. “Was he, now? That’s interesting.”
“Uh-huh. Do I dare to assume that his more passionate nature made an appearance at long last?”
Debating how much to divulge, Zanny lifted her hands to cover her hot cheeks. “Let’s just say that it’s a good thing the boys weren’t home and that I’m stiff and sore this morning. In a good way. And leave it at that.”
“As long as you’re okay.”
“I am.”
Later that afternoon, Zanny looked up when the bell over the door chimed softly. A tall, burly man stood there, glancing around, looking completely out of place. Though he was wearing civilian clothes, Zanny immediately pegged him for law enforcement.
“Hi. Can I help you?”
He stepped inside, a faint smile on his face. “You don’t recognize me, do you?”
Zanny smiled back. “I’m afraid I don�
��t. Am I supposed to?”
A gasp came from the opening in the tall screens that separated the reception area from the back. “I’ll be damned. Burke Lockhart.” Emma stood there, her hands on her hips, her eyes lit with an unholy glee.
“Emma Campbell. Look at you.” He grinned back at her. “I guess it isn’t Campbell now, though.”
Emma laid a hand on her baby bump. “No, it’s still Campbell. How are you, Burke? It’s been what, since eighth grade?” She stepped into the room and held out her hand.
Zanny raised an eyebrow, wondering if Burke would shake or not, given that he and Emma had loathed each other all through grade school. She let out a silent, relieved breath when he did.
“Eighth grade it was. You didn’t turn out too bad, all things considered. Neither of you did, as a matter of fact.” He winked at Zanny.
“Flattery will get you a cup of coffee and maybe a muffin, if there are any left,” Emma told him. “What are you into these days? When did you get back to town?”
“Protecting and serving. And I’ve been here since I was twenty.”
As best as Zanny could recall, Burke’s parents had divorced, and his mother had moved him away to Ohio. Divorce had still been unusual enough back then that all the kids had felt sorry for him.
“So you’re in law enforcement?” she asked, standing to go check on the coffeepot. It was empty, but she’d stashed some iced tea in the fridge, and she offered him some.
“That’d be nice, thanks. Yeah, I’m with the state police. I kept seeing the signs for this place after work, and thought I’d stop by. I have a little girl who needs a nice portrait done. Looks like you know what you’re about.” He walked around the room, looking at the photographs on the wall.
“How old is your daughter?” Zanny asked as she handed him the tea.
“Three. She’s shy, doesn’t much like having her picture taken, but they grow up so fast…Anyhow, so what about you? I never did know what happened to you. I owe you an apology, by the way.”
Zanny laughed, a little uncomfortable with the warm way he was eyeing her. “Whatever for?”
“I wasn’t very nice to you when you moved to town.”
Emma snorted. “That’s putting it mildly.”
“Emma, hush,” Zanny scolded, though her lips were twitching. “And I’ve not thought about that in years. There’s no need for an apology, but thank you.”
“You should let me buy you dinner, make up for it,” he offered.
Zanny froze, and to her everlasting relief, Emma didn’t laugh. “Um, I appreciate that, but it’s not necessary.”
“Then go out with me because it isn’t necessary.” His grin was charming, and if Zanny had been single, she would have considered it. As it was, she was flattered. “But as flattered as I am, I don’t think my husband would be so happy.”
“Damn. I should have known someone would have snatched you up.” Burke’s words were teasing, but there was a little disappointment in his eyes. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
“Do you remember my brother John?” Emma asked.
Burke laughed. “That figures. Though I’d have picked Ben first. Always did think he had a crush on you. Oh, well. Maybe next life.” When he eyed Emma with speculation, she laughed and went over to him, sliding her arm around his.
“Come on, Casanova. Let’s see when the next appointment is. Unless that was just a ruse?”
“No, I really do have a daughter who is growing up much too quickly.”
“What about her mother?” Emma asked boldly.
“We’re divorced.”
Zanny winced. “I’m sorry, Burke.”
He was philosophical about it. “It happens.”
They made the appointment and chatted a little longer, until the next client arrived. Zanny could tell Emma was dying to tease her about the visit, but she was tied up for the next two hours with back-to-back appointments.
After they closed up shop, though, Emma was breathless with giggles. “I wish I could have gotten a shot of your face. Oh, Zanny.” She had to sit down in Zanny’s chair because she was giggling so hard.
“Stop laughing. He seemed nice enough. Not at all like he was when we were kids.”
That made Emma laugh harder. “Well, wait until John finds out about this. Burke Lockhart, of all people.”
“Don’t you dare tell your brother about this. I don’t think he’ll see the humor.” Zanny had no faith that Emma would be able to keep it to herself. The news was too delicious, and it was Burke Lockhart. “Besides, it’s his fault. Do you know that he has my ring?”
Emma wiped her face with a tissue. “Your wedding ring? How’d he get that?”
“I don’t know. But he has it. Wears it on a chain around his neck. And he wouldn’t let me touch it last night, either.”
When Emma’s eyes widened, she realized what she’d let slip. But Emma surprised her again. “That’s the most romantic thing I’ve heard in a while.”
“Maybe. Depends on why he’s keeping it.”
“You’ll have to ask him. So, on to business before I let you go. We’re still planning a run tomorrow, right?” Emma wanted a special lens, and the closest retailer was in Lexington. They’d decided to take a day for themselves, since they had to make the trip, anyhow.
“Yes. I’ll pick you up around nine.”
“Sounds good.”
“I think I’ll offer to let John stay at the house Saturday with the boys, since we’re going to be spending the night and all. They’d be more comfortable there.”
“Probably.”
Since John had the boys, Zanny decided to pick supper up on her way home. The house was unnaturally quiet, but it gave her time to think. A lot had happened in the last twenty-four hours. She wasn’t sure if anything had changed, really, but she had plenty to think about.
Chapter Fourty-Seven
John was with the boys, his father, and Ben in the barn on Sunday afternoon, working on the truck and the tractor. Owen and Sarah owned close to six hundred acres of land, and he used the small tractor to clear the three meadows on the property. They were just changing the oil in the vehicles, but they were using the task to escape the giggling mass of females in the house. With Rachel home for summer break and Amelia having had a sleepover with three friends the night before, the men were feeling decidedly outnumbered.
“I’m telling you, you should have just had boys,” Ben teased Owen.
Owen grunted. “Yeah, well, I warned your mother about that. She didn’t listen.”
“It might be nice to have a daughter,” John mused, watching as Noah let Eli chase him around in a large empty stall.
“Well, I think we’ll have another girl in the family soon,” Owen said as he scooted out from under the truck. “Hand me that wrench?” After John complied, Owen rolled back to resume working.
“How come you think that?” Ben asked.
“Just a feeling. Your mother was always sicker with boys, and so was Zanny. Emma hasn’t had a lot of morning sickness. So I’m thinking pink, not blue.”
Eli came out of the stall and climbed up on a crate next to where John stood. “Up, Daddy.”
John obliged him, and Noah, without anyone to chase, came out into the aisle, as well. “Are we gonna have another girl to play with?”
“Grandpa thinks so,” Ben told him, lifting him up to settle him on his shoulders. “I think we need more boys. We have too many girls already.”
Noah nodded with a solemnness that had John struggling to hold back a laugh. “They’re just trouble. All except for Moira. She’s fun to play with.”
A thunk from under the truck was followed by a string of virulent, if quiet, curses. Owen rolled out into the open and stared up at Noah, his face blank with astonishment. A trickl
e of blood was making its way down the side of his forehead into his hair, but he ignored it.
“Noah, what did you say?” He kept his voice carefully neutral, but he was obviously upset. “Who’s fun to play with?”
“Moira. She’s my cousin.”
“Dad, are you okay?” John sat Eli on his feet and grabbed a clean paper towel. “You’re bleeding.”
Owen took the towel and swiped at the blood, then applied pressure with a clean section. He looked from John to Ben, then back at John. “Where’d he hear that name?”
“What, Moira?” John shrugged. “I don’t know. Noah, who’s Moira?”
Noah huffed out a put-upon breath. “I told you. She’s my cousin. We play when we come up here to Grandma and Grandpa’s.”
John saw his brother’s eyes widen.
“Moira. That’s Kathy’s daughter. I’d forgotten that was her name,” Ben said.
“Well, someone’s been mentioning it,” Owen muttered, brushing at his forehead.
“Here. You’re just smearing it.” John used some of the water from the thermos they’d brought out with them to dampen a fresh towel, then stepped over to take care of the cut. When Owen reached up, John batted away his hand. “I have it. And I don’t know where he would have heard the name.”
“Daddy, I told you. Moira and I play. Can I get down, please?”
Ben lifted him off his shoulders. “Sure.”
Noah crossed to Owen and frowned up at him. “Grandpa, Moira said you shouldn’t be angry at me. She hasn’t had anyone to play with in a long time, and it’s fun. She has a little brother, but he isn’t big enough to play.”
The men were shocked into absolute silence. The only sounds were the buzzing of insects outside in the hot afternoon sun and Eli’s happy babbling. John carefully lifted the towel from Owen’s wound, then stepped back when it didn’t bleed.
“Dad? Is it possible?” John spoke quietly, but the sound was still harsh.