by Casey Dawes
“I’m okay. I was just kidding—you know, making a joke.”
Kelly Anne studied him seriously.
“Me, too.”
“Forgive me for scaring you?” he asked.
She nodded. “Sorry I said . . . what I said.”
“It’s okay. We’re friends, right?” He held out his hand.
She shook it then slid off his lap.
“Do I have to have scammi?’ she asked Findlay. “I hate shrimp.”
“You’ve never had shrimp.”
“I know I hate it,” she said.
Everyone laughed.
“It’s okay,” her mother said. “Come sit by me. You can have some of my bread, and then I’ll make you hot dogs. Okay?”
“’Kay.”
Casual chat framed the rest of the meal. Findlay’s shoulders relaxed, and she warmed with praise for the meal from her mother and Reese.
This was how it should be. Happiness. Maybe it was something she did deserve.
• • •
Once the dishes were done and Kelly Anne was safely tucked in front of the television with her grandmother, Findlay brought out the chart she’d developed.
Reese looked over what she had written and nodded.
“I agree, Grace and Roger are non-starters,” he said. “Their lives are pretty much open books. They’ve been here all their adult lives and are involved in the community. I’ve seen them at Caras Park events any number of times.”
“And my father had only good things to say about them.” She tapped on the leather journal cover.
“You’ve said he didn’t really like Sam, brought him in only because they needed the cash infusion and the man’s corporate expertise. He regretted having to do that. Anything in there about Wayne?”
“He didn’t really mention Wayne. Just a young man in passing. One comment . . . ” She pointed to the chart. “He said the guy seemed entitled—like he deserved more than he was getting. He tossed it off as youth needing to settle down.”
“Who do you think it was?”
“It doesn’t seem to fit anyone we know about,” she said. “But I still think Wayne was here back then. I remember someone who looked like a younger, less worn, version of him.”
“Then why wasn’t he on the employee list?”
“I don’t know.” Reese’s sigh was loud. “I wish we knew things for sure.”
“You expecting a large note with all the answers from heaven?” she joked.
“Would be nice. Do you think your dad could arrange for that?” Reese smiled.
How nice he got her jokes. Chris had shaken his head and told her she was weird.
“I don’t think he knew,” she said. “I’ve combed through all the journals and come up with what’s on this chart. Nothing substantial. It’s like he was afraid to write it down.” She added a sigh of her own. With her finger, she traced a crack in the old oaken table. It needed to be oiled. “It could be someone who left.”
“We’re pinning our hopes on it being the same person who’s causing the trouble now. Let’s keep focused there. Where did you find the information on Deborah?”
She opened her electronic notebook, brought up the page, and turned it toward him.
He scanned it then clicked on one of the links on the page.
“Did you read the follow up?” he asked.
“Didn’t see it.” She leaned to look over his shoulder. “What does it say?”
“Says she’d had a fight with her boyfriend before she’d gone driving off in a huff. His name was withheld by his request. Look!” He jabbed at the screen. “It says they both were Montana transplants.”
“So what?” She slumped back into the chair. “That probably means he’s still down there. Not our guy at all.”
“Maybe.”
“And we’re not even sure she was involved in the original embezzlement. It was only my dad’s hunch.”
“She left right after he settled, didn’t she?”
“That doesn’t make any sense either. She should have been safe then.”
Findlay closed her eyes, breathing in the lingering aroma of dinner. Maybe they should let it go. Someone obviously didn’t want her at the company. If she found another job, she and Reese could continue to date. Maybe then she’d be able to recapture happiness on a more permanent basis.
“Not if she’d gotten what she wanted. Maybe she decided it was too risky. Maybe the boyfriend made the decision. Wait. Your father said the bookkeeper was dating someone.”
“Yes.”
“That seems random. I mean why would he make a note of it?”
“Because he thought the person she was dating was an odd choice,” she said.
“What if it was one of the original guys?”
“But you said they’d all been here from the beginning. It’s more likely someone she met who wasn’t from the company.”
“I said they were here at the same time your father was—when the problem happened. But what if they didn’t have continuous employment? I didn’t ask that question. I only asked about people who were there then and stayed with the company until now. That request wouldn’t have brought back anyone that came and went.”
“Computers only give you what you ask for,” she said.
“For now. World’s changing so damn fast they’ll probably accurately tell you what you want for breakfast and serve it up in bed pretty soon.”
“Could that have been why Wayne didn’t show up on your list?”
“Could be. Then he could be—”
“The one dating the bookkeeper.” She snapped her fingers. “Li told me at lunch that Wayne’s current marriage is his second. What if the bookkeeper was the first?”
“Did the article say anything about a husband? Or just a boyfriend?”
She scanned the article. “Boyfriend.”
“They could have gotten it wrong,” he said.
“True. But why Arizona?” she asked.
“Maybe one of them had a connection there? Maybe that’s where the next opportunity was?”
“You mean they were intent on pursuing a life of crime.” She added air quotes and a grin to the statement.
He grinned back.
His smile wended its way through her soul. Life was still a mess, but occasionally a ray of hope battled its way through the fog.
Like now.
She gripped his hand. He pulled her close and kissed her.
“It’s my mother’s house,” she whispered when he was done.
“I’ve always wanted to do it in your parents’ house.”
She giggled.
He squeezed her hand and leaned back in his chair.
“We’re going to figure this out. I’ll check the non-continuous employment records. Can you talk with Wayne to see what else you can find out about him?”
“I’m not Wayne’s favorite person at the moment.”
“Ask him when he thinks your exile will be up. Then you can move the conversation to your father.”
“I’ll try,” she said.
“You can do it.” He checked the kitchen clock. “I should be going, but we need to talk about the trip to Seattle first.”
“You don’t have to come.”
“I said I would buy the tickets. I’m already working on it.” He smiled at her. “Someone has to keep you in line.”
“I should go by myself. I can drive.”
“That’s an eight-hour drive in good weather. Let me do it.”
“I’ll be fine.” She’d driven it in winter before. Not pleasant, but once she got over the pass into Washington, it was doable as long as a blizzard didn’t roar in.
“Let me manage this.” Reese took her hand and stared at her long enough for her to look up.
The fierceness of the expression in his eyes took her by surprise. Almost possessive.
Her pulse raced. What would happen if she gave into him? Fell into the abyss?
“You’re asking for more than I have to
give,” she said.
“Trust me.” His voice was husky.
“I don’t know if I can.” Could she trust anyone?
“Are we talking about airplane tickets here? Or something else?” The intensity hadn’t left his gaze.
“You tell me.”
“Maybe a first step,” he said. “Let me do this for you.”
“And then you’ll own me.” She pushed back her chair. The scrape on the floor echoed in the small kitchen.
“Findlay.” His voice stopped her.
He stood and pulled her from her chair. Tilting up her chin, he studied her expression.
She kept it neutral.
“They’re just plane tickets,” he repeated. “No obligation. I want to do it. For you. And that little girl. She shouldn’t have to go anywhere with strangers. Not so young.”
Her heart cracked open.
He was right. It was only tickets. Not like he wanted a lifetime commitment.
Yet.
Chapter 17
Reese had pictured an ogre in his mind, but the man who walked across the lobby of the Grand Hyatt was as normally nerdy as a man could get. Dark eyes behind black framed glasses darted around the room, and his gait was like a cowboy who’d been on a bony horse for too long.
As soon as Chris spotted him though, his back stiffened a tiny bit, and a frown downed his lips. It could easily morph into a sneer, but it didn’t.
Kelly Anne broke free of Findlay’s hand and raced across the gleaming floor.
“Daddy!” She launched herself into Chris’s arms.
He caught her easily and spun around, his face wreathed in a smile that totally transformed the superior demeanor into warmth and love. Settling his daughter on his hip, he walked to where they were standing next to a group of sofas and chairs. His gaze darted to Reese then landed back on Findlay.
“Thanks for bringing her,” he said to Findlay. “It wasn’t necessary. I had a companion arranged for her flight.”
“She’s too young to fly alone. Too much chaos. Change.”
“You baby her too much. I get that she has difficulties—”
Reese cleared his throat.
They turned toward him with identical annoyed expressions.
As tempting as it was to burst out laughing, he looked pointedly at the little girl in Chris’s arms.
The fight left their shoulders.
“You must be Reese,” Chris said, no warmth in his voice. He didn’t bother holding out his hand.
“That would be correct,” he said.
“Kelly Anne has mentioned you.”
“I’m seeing Findlay.”
She stiffened beside him.
He clasped her hand with a firm grip. Her fingers immediately wrapped around his and held on tight.
“I see,” Chris said.
Reese made a big show of looking around.
“What is it?” Chris asked.
“I was wondering if you’d brought your fiancée along.”
The hand in his released its death grip.
“Can we go, Daddy? I don’t want to stay here. It’s boring.” Kelly Anne squirmed in his arms. “I want to go to the zoo like you told me.”
“Just a minute, sweetie.” He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. “Cheryl is meeting us at the zoo. She had some things to finish up at work. And she thought it might be too much for Findlay.” His chin jutted out. “I hadn’t expected you to be here. In person.”
“Reese bought the tickets for our flight,” Findlay said.
“I suppose he’s paying for these digs, too. Isn’t it a little soon to be cohabitating?”
“Let’s go, Daddy.” Kelly Anne’s voice was close to a whine, and she tugged on Chris’s sleeve.
“Separate rooms. I wouldn’t do that to Kelly Anne. Too confusing.” Hopefully, his point was clear. He didn’t need Chris to have added fuel for the custody battle. “And you and Cheryl are . . . ?”
“None of your business.” Chris focused on Findlay. “I’ll have Kelly Anne back at seven-thirty.”
“I’ll be here.”
“Enjoy your day.” He turned so Kelly Anne could look at Findlay. “Say bye to your mother.”
“Bye-bye, Mommy.” The waving of her little hand as they walked the length of the lobby nearly broke his heart.
Findlay’s eyes were wet.
As soon as the pair was out of sight, she turned. “Why does he have to do this? Can’t he see she needs extra care? She’s going to come back all upset. He’ll do damage with every word.” She sounded like his father watching the news.
“Don’t you think you’re overreacting a little?”
“Not you, too! You don’t know what he’s like!”
Well, that didn’t go as planned. He’d hoped to open her eyes to the possibility that Chris wasn’t a bad guy and perhaps they could find a way of working together for her daughter’s sake.
She opened her purse and rummaged around. “I’m going to my room. Read a book or something.”
And stew.
“C’mon, let’s go. Pike Place Market isn’t far.” He looked out the glass-plated windows at the mercifully sunny day. “It’s too nice to be cooped up.”
“I don’t want to.”
“What are you?” he said with a smile. “Five?” He poked her in the ribs. “Lighten up. There’s nothing you can do for Kelly Anne right now.” And she was probably fine.
“Except worry.”
“Let’s walk while you worry.”
After helping Findlay with her coat, he took her arm. She was silent for the first few blocks, but the sun and cool air provided their healing effect. Store windows were crammed with holiday decor. What had been lumbering steps turned light, and the muscles in her face relaxed.
“Before Kelly Anne was born, I used to come here as often as I could,” she said as they entered the market. “I tried bringing her a few times, but the confusion overwhelmed her. I never came back.”
Many of the early-rising seafood and produce crowds had slowed down, but hallways still held a riot of color. Seasonal vegetables, mainly a variety of oddly hued and shaped squash, contrasted with the showy blossoms of fall.
The profusion woke Findlay up, and she almost skipped from one vendor to another, exclaiming over bright floral arrangements and sampling varieties of apples and preserves. Soon he was carrying a collection of jars and pastry boxes.
“Remember, there’s a weight limit on the plane back home,” he said.
“I’m Christmas shopping.” She smiled and studied the packages in his arms. “We’ll just have to eat some when we get back to the hotel.”
She gave him a spontaneous hug then resumed her exploration.
The open markets and small shops of Paris would enthrall her. He had to take her there. Everywhere. Just to see the expression on her face would be worth every penny he paid. And it wasn’t like he didn’t have the money. His salary was decent, and his father had given him shares of the company stock for his twenty-first birthday.
He trailed her for about an hour.
“How about coffee and a pastry? The original Peet’s Coffee is nearby, isn’t it?”
“Yep.”
“Let’s go.” Balancing her finds, he followed her through the maze to the iconic coffee shop filled with holiday greenery and Christmas tunes. After plopping her treasures on the table, he ordered their drinks and snacks. Sinking into the wooden chair with relief, he smiled as she sorted through her prizes.
“My mother loves these chocolates,” she said. “I used to send them to her all the time.”
“Sounds like you loved living here,” he said.
“I did. It was my Paris.”
He understood. Montana always pulled a person back home, but it was fun to get away and explore for a bit. Made him appreciate the state when he wandered back in.
“Why did you tell Chris we were dating?” Slight lines indented her forehead.
“We are, aren’t we?”
&
nbsp; “Dating implies something more than what we’re doing.”
“Like what?”
“A future. We’re just old friends.” Her eyelids dropped, hiding her soul from his gaze.
“Are we? I thought we were something more. You don’t respond like an old friend when I kiss you.”
“That’s just hormones,” she said, waving her hand dismissively but not looking up.
“Not in my book.”
“Aw, c’mon, are you telling me you never had mad monkey sex with anyone?”
“Actually, no.”
That brought her attention back to him.
“You’re joking, right?” she said.
“There were only two women I really cared about in my life.”
She stared at him like he had two heads.
“Right after I went to college,” he said, shaking off her disbelief, “my dad had an affair. Missoula’s rumor mill reached its tentacles to Washington D.C. through an old acquaintance. My mother was in agony.”
He swallowed the remembered hurt.
“But she stayed.”
“She stayed.” He drained his coffee. The effect of his dad’s casual sex had nearly destroyed his parents’ marriage, and had certainly changed the dynamics forever.
“I’m sorry.” All the tension was gone from her voice.
“I don’t believe in casual sex for that reason. Not that waiting until marriage is necessary for me, but I need to be serious about a person. And I need to know they feel the same.”
“Oh, Reese.” She bit her lower lip as she stared at the barista. Then she straightened up and looked him in the eyes.
“Funny. I’ve only been serious about two men in my life,” she said when she returned her gaze to him. “And I’ve only had sex with one. You left me before we could grow up together, and Chris was a big mistake. Why would I get serious about anyone again? How can I know I could get it right? Especially with a man who’s already hurt me so badly once?”
He swallowed. What was he doing with her? She was right.
But now he could make up. He was older, hopefully wiser. He took her hand.
“I can’t change the past for you, much as I want to. But I can be here for you now.”
“Why should I believe you?” she asked.
“Haven’t my actions shown you anything over the past few months?”