by Beverly Long
“I wasn’t sure what I could do for her,” Blaine admitted.
“Perhaps she purchased some of the state flower,” Josh said.
Blaine frowned.
“Marijuana,” Tilda explained.
“It’s legal here,” Josh said, his mouth full.
“Chew, then speak,” Tilda reminded him gently.
“I didn’t think of that,” Blaine admitted.
“Well, not that I really know anything about it,” Josh rushed to say. “But a guy hears stuff, you know.”
Blaine locked eyes with Tilda. “Right answer,” he said, clearly amused.
They had ice cream at the end of their meal, and it all seemed so right—that she and Blaine should be having dinner with Josh. She reminded herself that this wasn’t natural, that it was a planned activity, in hopes of creating a more normal family experience for Josh.
That threatened the joy she felt, but she resolutely pushed it away. She wanted a couple hours of fun. Light after the darkness.
Blaine drove them home. “Do you mind if I come in?” he asked, as he parked in front of their house.
Josh had already showered that morning, and she didn’t want to delay getting him in his room and settled down. “Tomorrow is a school day, and Josh is going to need to go early in order to talk to his teachers about what he missed today.”
“I’d like to talk to you.”
That sounded a bit ominous, even though he said it easily enough. She glanced at Josh, in the back seat, who didn’t seem to have even heard. He was looking at his phone, laughing at something on it.
“Sure,” she said.
Once inside, she immediately told Josh to head for his room. “Lights out in thirty minutes,” she said. “But give me a hug first.”
He rolled his eyes but wrapped his arms around her. Then he surprised her, and maybe Blaine, too, when he did the same for his father.
“Wow,” Blaine said, sounding a little shocked, after Josh had left the room. “That felt good.”
“I know. Hugs are the best. I don’t even feel badly that I have to ask.”
“I think it’s good that you do. I don’t remember there being a whole lots of hugs in my house. We probably all could have used more.”
She didn’t want to talk about Russ and Mara Colton. It seemed like a good way to end what had turned out to be a very nice night.
“Would you like some coffee?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I need to tell you something.”
He sounded very serious. Tilda said, “Okay.”
“I want you to hear this from me. Not some secondhand version that doesn’t even resemble the truth.” He leaned forward on the couch. His voice was lowered, as if he definitely didn’t want Josh overhearing. “I mentioned that I was picking up some additional responsibilities at The Lodge. What I didn’t say is that I need to do that because a couple employees quit unexpectedly today, after raising a commotion about Coltons getting privileged treatment. Specifically me.”
She had a feeling that she was about to get the details of what Josh had mentioned earlier. She admitted that she was glad, that it had been gnawing at her most of the day. “Because?”
“Because my discharge from the military was changed, from Dishonorable to Honorable. I had an affair with a woman. Her name was Honor Shayne. Unfortunately, the commanding officer took a dim view of the situation and did a full-court press on both of us to make examples out of us. I knew he was wrong, and I was confident that I could get the situation changed. But before I could do that, my father intervened. Called my Uncle Joe.”
“President Colton.”
“Former president, yes,” Blaine said. “Anyway, he did get involved, and what should have happened anyway came about pretty fast. Word of that has evidently gotten out, and the story has become so convoluted that some people think I committed something akin to treason and was let off the hook because of my name.”
She had so many questions including Did you love her at the tip of her tongue. But it didn’t appear that she was going to get a word in edgewise because he was picking up speed.
“I need you to know about this because I saw Honor Shayne’s ex-husband at The Lodge today. He was investigating potential wedding-reception venues. He’s not from this area and, oddly enough, he was using a different name. When I talked to Honor, she couldn’t shed any light on it.”
He’d talked to Honor. Very recently. Today, in fact. That fact was so enormous that it made it harder to concentrate on the other things he was saying. But now he’d moved on to her tires.
“...your slashed tires.”
“What?” she scrambled to catch up.
“I said we can’t ignore the possibility that Davis James has something to do with your slashed tires. To have something so unusual happen on the same day that he’s spotted in the area warrants consideration.”
“I don’t even know him,” she said. “He doesn’t know me.”
“It’s Roaring Springs, Tilda. He wouldn’t have had to talk to too many people before he heard that Josh was my son. That you were his mother. Important to me.”
She was important to him. He’d said it almost offhandedly.
“Am I?”
He had pulled his phone from his coat pocket and was thumbing through it. “Are you what?” he asked, looking up.
“Am I important to you?” she whispered.
He put his phone down. The air in the room seemed very still. She heard the bathroom door open and then Josh’s door open and close. She could hear the tick of the kitchen clock, the sound of a car very far away.
“I would never want anything bad to happen to you, Tilda.”
He hadn’t answered the question. Should she repeat it? Like she would for one of her students. Perhaps move closer, to make sure she had his full attention.
He’d kept their prom picture. That had to mean something.
“I need to know something,” she said. “And maybe it’s not my business. But I want to know if you and Honor are still...together.”
Blaine shook his head. “It’s been over for some time. I’m not unhappy about that.”
Relief flooded her body. Maybe Blaine wasn’t willing to editorialize about her importance to him but he wasn’t pining for another woman. Knowing that, she could better focus on the more immediate issue.
“Let’s get back to Davis James. How can you be confident it was him if he’s using a different name?” she asked.
“He’s got an unusual face. I’ve seen photos.”
“Describe him,” she said.
“I can do better than that. I found this online earlier.” He picked up his phone and, in just seconds, was holding it out to her.
She looked at it. He was midthirties, straight brown hair, cut short, with a narrow long face and deeply hooded eyes. “I’ve never seen him,” she said.
“Good. Let’s keep it that way.”
“Are you going to tell the police that he’s in Roaring Springs?”
Blaine nodded. “I’m going to contact Liam Kastor, Sloane’s new husband. He’s a detective. Do you remember him from high school? He was good friends with Fox.”
“I do. In the last couple of years, we’ve seen each other at a few community events. Nice guy.”
“I need to congratulate him on the marriage. I wanted to make it back for that, but I was in Washington, the whole discharge thing. Anyway, I think I’ll get his advice.”
“Good idea.”
He stood up. “Just be aware, Tilda. That’s all I’m saying. By the way, how are you getting to work in the morning?”
“I was going to call my parents.”
“I’ll take you.”
She shook her head. “That’s crazy, Blaine. You’d have to drive from The Lodge into Roaring Springs. Didn’t you jus
t say you picked up extra responsibilities, not less?”
“I’ll be fine,” he said dismissively.
“I need to go early.” She wanted to check to see if the sub who had covered her classroom had left any notes. It was likely wishful thinking that they’d made some progress. Undoubtedly, she would have to repeat the lesson.
“Fine. What time?”
“Six thirty,” she said.
“What time does Josh go?” he asked.
“He normally leaves the house about seven fifteen. But he should probably go in a little early, too, to get his assignments that he missed.”
“I’ll drop you both off.”
“Josh walks,” she protested.
Blaine shook his head. “Not tomorrow. Not until I’ve got a better handle on what Davis James is doing in Roaring Springs. Not until we know more about who might have slashed your tires. I can pick you both up tomorrow afternoon, too.”
Oh good grief. “There’s no need for that. I’ve made arrangements to have my car returned to the school parking lot. I’ll have my own wheels back. And Josh has band practice. It’s Isaac’s mom’s turn to pick the kids up after that.”
“Okay.” He walked toward the kitchen, checked to make sure the bolt lock was flipped on the back door and came back. “Is your phone charged?”
She pulled it out of her purse. “Yes.”
“Okay. Keep it close. If you hear anything tonight that makes you nervous, call 9-1-1 and then call me. Do not hesitate.”
“You’re making me a little nervous.”
“I don’t mean to. But sometimes just being mentally prepared to take action gives you that one-second advantage, and that’s the difference between success and failure.” He opened the door, and cold air blew in. He seemed to hesitate.
Was he going to kiss her again?
Time seemed to stand still.
Finally, he gave her a quick smile. “Lock this behind me. Good night, Tilda.”
“Good night,” she managed, as the door closed. She immediately locked it because she suspected he was standing there, waiting to hear it. Then she pulled back the curtain and watched him walk to his car.
Broad shoulders. Straight spine. Easy stride.
Confident. Protective.
Sexy.
But evidently not interested in kissing her again.
Chapter 15
Blaine called Liam on his way back to The Lodge.
“Welcome back. Sloane tells me you’re working at The Lodge.”
“I am. And I got a chance to congratulate her, but I wanted to reach out to you. I’m sorry to be calling you so late.”
“No problem. Sloane is drying Chloe’s hair, and then I’m doing bedtime stories. I’ve got a minute. By the way, congrats to you, too. On being a dad. I’m pretty new at it, but I got to tell you, it’s pretty damn great.”
“Thanks,” Blaine said. “I just don’t want to screw it up too badly.”
“Can’t screw up love. And that’s what kids need.”
“You’re right. Anyway, besides our mutual congratulations, I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Tilda Deeds’s tires?” Liam asked.
“You heard about that?”
His friend chuckled. “It’s a small police department. Responding officer knew of the connection between Tilda and you, and that led him to give me an FYI.”
“Well, I guess I’m grateful that word travels. It saves me some time. Anyway, here’s what I need for you to know. I had a relationship with a woman while I was in the army. Her name was Honor Shayne. Her ex-husband, Davis James, incorrectly blames me for the breakup of his marriage. And today, I saw him at The Lodge, supposedly scoping out locations for a fall wedding reception.”
“His own?” Liam asked.
“Again, supposedly. But he’s using the name Jim Park. I touched base with Honor today, who is still connected with his family, and she’s as puzzled as me.”
“Do you have a recent photo of Davis James?”
“I do,” Blaine confirmed. “I’ll text it to you after this call.”
“Okay. I’ll share it around and let it be known to watch out for him. How’s Tilda?”
“She and Josh are home. House is secured. She knows the importance of taking precautions.”
“I can make a call,” Liam told him, “and have the overnight officer take a couple drive-bys, just as an added precaution.”
“Thanks. I’m taking Tilda to work tomorrow, since her car is out of commission.”
“Okay. Let me know if you see Davis James again, or if he makes contact in any way.”
“Will do. Thanks again, Liam. I appreciate your help.”
“No problem. You’re family, Blaine.”
* * *
Tilda got up extra early the next morning. She told herself that it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Blaine was taking her to work. If she took an extra ten minutes on her hair and an extra five on her makeup, and put on her nicest pink button-down and gray dress pants, it wasn’t a crime to want to look nice for her job.
Right?
When she heard a knock on the door, she pulled back the curtain to make sure Blaine’s vehicle was at the curb before going to open the door. She unlocked the deadbolt, her fingers fumbling. “Morning,” she breathed, as if she’d just completed a 5K.
Get a grip. She was acting as if she was the thirteen-year-old in the house.
“Morning,” he said, his voice a little husky, as if he hadn’t yet used it much. “You look nice,” he added. He stared at her for an extra-long second. “I don’t remember any of our teachers looking so hot.”
She waved a hand, but she could feel the heat build in her body. It was going to be embarrassing if she had to step outside to cool off. “Josh isn’t quite ready. Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“Sure. I didn’t take time to get a cup before I left.”
She poured coffee for both of them, and they sat at the table. “Hungry?” she asked.
He shook his head. “You don’t need to feed me, Tilda. I’ll grab something at The Lodge.” He took a sip of his coffee. “I spoke to Liam last night. He’d already heard about your tires getting slashed. I let him know about Davis James and sent him a photo. He’ll keep his ear to the ground.”
Her toast popped up. She buttered it and took a bite. “What are you going to do if you see this man?”
Blaine shrugged. “Well, that depends. If it’s possible, I’ll talk to him. Try to make him understand that he should have no beef with me. If he’s confrontational, well...he and I are going to have a problem.”
“Don’t get yourself in trouble over him. He’s not worth it.”
Blaine smiled. “I won’t. But I’m also not going to sit back and let him wreak havoc on me or my family.”
She was confident that Davis James wouldn’t stand a chance against Blaine. “Doesn’t seem all that bright of him to pick a fight with you. He has to know that you were a Green Beret. That you could, I don’t know, break him apart.”
“Think I’m a tough guy?” he teased her.
No doubt about it. In excellent shape, he was six feet of pure muscle. “If I was a betting woman, I’d put my money on you.”
“Wouldn’t want you betting against me,” he said, brushing the pad of this thumb across her lower lip. “And don’t want you going to school with crumbs on your face.”
She let out a sigh. What about going to school in a highly agitated state, because it had only taken that light touch to manage that? “My hero,” she said weakly.
He nodded. “Now back to business. I think Davis James is smart enough. Honor said that he was an electrical engineer and super good with new technology.”
She heard Josh’s bedroom door open. She got up to put bread in the toaster and pul
led a box of cereal from the cupboard.
“Hey, sport,” Blaine said.
“Morning,” Josh mumbled. “It’s barely light outside.” He sat down, groaning as if he was ninety-three.
She ignored that. After pouring his cereal in a bowl and buttering his toast, she brought his breakfast over to the table. “It’s warmer today, but you’ll still need your winter coat.”
“Ski season over?” Josh asked, looking at Blaine.
“It’s a matter of days,” he confirmed. “The temperature difference between here in the valley and on the mountain might enable us to make it through the weekend.”
“Can I go Saturday?” Josh asked, switching his attention to his mother. “That’s probably going to be my last chance.”
“We’ll see,” she said noncommittally.
Josh looked at Blaine. “Universal parent response when the parent isn’t prepared to make the decision or doesn’t want to fight about the decision.”
Tilda tried but failed to hold back her smile. “Eat up. We need to get going.”
Josh rolled his eyes but started shoveling his cereal in. Five minutes later, they were walking out the door. She sat in the front, and Josh took the back. “Your car is so clean,” she said.
“I suppose. The military makes you neat.”
Tilda made a mental note to pick up any trash in her own vehicle. She wasn’t a slob but had been known to have a discarded coffee cup or two rolling around in her back seat from time to time.
Josh leaned forward, stuck his head over the seat. “Why is it, exactly, that you’re taking Mom and me to school, Blaine?”
Blaine gave her a sideways look. “What did your mom tell you?”
“She said that you didn’t want us to have to bother Grandma and Grandpa for a ride.”
“That’s true,” he said. “Remember what I told you the other night—that there are some people who’d like to see the Coltons run into some trouble? Well, with your mom’s tires getting slashed, I think it’s important that we all be a little extra watchful.”
“Do you think that’s because she’s a... I mean, she’s not a Colton, but she’s kind of close.”