Boxed Set: Intercepted by Love (The Complete Collection): Books One - Book Six

by Rachelle Ayala

  “Fucked with your life? You were the asshole who asked me to hire Andie in the first place.”

  “Except this entire show was part of a grand plan, wasn’t it?” Cade was in his friend’s face by now, trying to smoke him out to see if he was also in cahoots with Dick.

  Ronaldo straightened his lapels and jutted his chin. “All I’ve ever done was help you. Set up this thing with Andie and tested her to see if she’s good enough for you. This is the thanks I get?”

  “You know what I’m talking about.” Cade’s muscles bulged, and it was all he could do to control himself and not slam the twerp against the window. “Roxanne’s baby’s not mine.”

  He watched the expressions flitter over his friend’s face, trying on emotions to determine the one best suited to placate him. Surprise was not in the palette. Ronaldo settled on sympathetic and concerned.

  He placed a hand on Cade’s bicep, and Cade flung him aside. “Fuck off. I get it, now. I’ve always been a project to you.”

  “Look, you got yourself in hot water when you tossed that interception in the Super Bowl.”

  “So, you and Dick come up with a plan to blackmail me? Is that it? Blackmail me into taking some other man’s baby?”

  “I had nothing to do with it. They came to me. Roxanne returned from Itasca and said you were in love with Andie. All I did was help you get the girl you wanted.”

  Cade slapped his own head to keep from punching Ronaldo. “No. All you did was give them more rope to hang me.”

  “So, claim the baby. What’s the big deal?”

  “The big deal is that baby’s coming between me and Andie. I can’t live a lie.”

  Ronaldo’s eyes narrowed and he swallowed hard. “Maybe your whole life is already a lie.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Cade gripped Ronaldo’s shirt. “Tell me.”

  “I’m not the only one who knew about this.” He pried Cade’s fingers one by one. “My advice? Keep your head down if you don’t want to get hurt.”

  “You’re not telling me what you know?”

  “This is much bigger than you, and it could get dangerous, real fast. It’s best you didn’t know. Sorry.”

  “You asshole.” Cade made a fist, shook it, and crunched it into his own thigh, then turned and barreled out of the office.

  Chapter 5

  “You looked awful on the field today,” Coach Settles yelled on the phone a few days later. “I don’t give a shit what’s going on in your personal life. You better get it together. Irvin’s going around saying you don’t deserve the starting job.”

  “Maybe I don’t.” Cade brushed his hand over his sweaty forehead. “Are you sure I earned the spot?”

  “Of course you did. Unless you don’t want it. What’s wrong with you? You want to be traded or what? I know you think you screwed up the Super Bowl, but we’ve reviewed the videos. Yes, you could have thrown it into the sidelines and we would have had another down, but you went for the win. You can’t keep second guessing yourself. Should I book you a couple of sessions with a therapist?”

  “Not necessary. I’ll be in and ready to play.” Cade couldn’t give up the game. Football paid for Andie’s hospital costs, and God help him if she needed long term care. He didn’t have any other skill but football.

  “Good, that’s what I wanted to hear. We have some new sequences to run—keep the defense off balance. See you early tomorrow. No excuses.”

  “No excuses.” Cade hung up and unlocked the door to his house.

  Red and Gollie were there to greet him, and in the distance, the baby was crying.

  “Barbara?” he called for his mother. “Rox? Anyone home?”

  There was no answer, except Bret’s cries grew louder and more urgent once he heard Cade’s voice.

  Cade rushed to the nursery and picked up the baby. His face was red and bathed in sweat, eyes wide, as if he’d been crying a long time. He stunk too, thoroughly, and his baby T-shirt was drenched.

  “You poor thing.” Cade kissed the baby’s head. “Look at you, a full diaper. You’re probably hungry.”

  Cade peeled off the overflowing diaper. It was heavy and filled with both urine and feces. The baby’s skin was blistered. How long had he been left alone and crying?

  True, he was not premature, but dang it all, he was a newborn. Cade cradled Bret’s dirty behind and took him to the sink. There was too much mess to wipe off. Cooing soothing sounds to the little boy, he washed him with warm water, as the baby’s sobs subsided to hiccups.

  “There, there,” he calmed his son, er, well, at least he still thought of Bret as his son, since no way was he going to let Dick get his dirty hands on the boy. He found a tiny jersey, the Warthogs one his mother had bought for Andie to gift, and slipped it over the baby’s head, replacing the urine soaked shirt.

  Bret squealed and gurgled as Cade wiped diaper rash ointment over his behind and taped on a clean diaper.

  “Okay, time to get you some grub.” Cade cradled the baby in the crook of his arm. The little guy fit entirely on his forearm.

  At the mention of food, Bret’s mouth made sucking motions. His face turned red as he squeezed his eyes and opened his mouth, preparing to cry.

  “Shhh … I’ve got you, buddy.” Cade ruffled the baby’s fine wispy hair and took him to the kitchen.

  Poor baby had to settle for formula since Roxanne wasn’t going to inconvenience herself with sagging boobs and expressing milk during her lunch breaks. Not that Cade had anything to say. Except he was sure if Andie were the mother, she’d put her baby as first priority.

  Cade stirred the formula powder into warm water and tested it on his wrist. Nice and warm. He shook it up, but there were too many bubbles.

  Bret’s arms and legs were kicking and punching, and he wagged his head back and forth. His mouth was wide open, about to let out a large yowl when Cade stuck the rubber nipple in it.

  He latched on immediately and sucked heartily. The baby’s eyes were glued to Cade’s. They were so blue and innocent, so trusting, as if all the sum of his happiness lay in Cade’s arms and that bottle he held.

  Cade rocked Bret gently, stroking his head as he suckled and finished the bottle of formula. A funny feeling squeezed its way into Cade’s heart. He held the baby over his shoulder and rubbed his back, bringing up a loud, satisfied burp.

  Soon, Bret was asleep, but Cade didn’t slip him back into the bassinet. Instead, he walked around his empty house, followed by his two dogs, whose noses were working overtime.

  “I don’t stink, do I?” Cade asked Red, who emitted a tiny growl, even as his nose twitched.

  Gollie was also sniffing a trail. Cade inhaled and detected a musty odor. Was it a skunk? Something faintly pungent and vinegary. He opened the refrigerator, but there was no casserole or any other food.

  “Barb?” he called his mother. How long had she left the baby alone?

  Gollie barked and bounded toward the French doors leading to the backyard. Red scampered after her.

  Right, she probably hadn’t let the dogs out either. Cade opened the door and stepped into the backyard. The odor of weed was unmistakable. Shit. There was something else, like burnt sugar or tar?

  The dogs scrabbled up the path toward the side of the house where the garbage cans were kept. Cade turned the corner and his heart skidded to the floor. His mother lay sprawled among the garbage cans with a used syringe at her side and a band wrapped partially around her arm.

  Damn. How could she? Cade stomped his foot and bent over to check for a pulse.

  It was faint. She was bluish and didn’t look like she was breathing. His heart racing, he set Bret on the grass in front of the dogs and administered CPR, while calling 911 in between breaths.

  Come on, Mom. Don’t die on me. Not now. Come on, breathe.

  # # #

  Andie heard voices. A firm hand caressed her cheek. He loved her. He said he wasn’t leaving. Her heart reached for him—the man who’d followed her to J
erusalem—the man who wasn’t King David.

  “She’s coming out,” a woman said. “She may be disoriented and agitated. Her brain scans are clear, and she should make a full recovery, but there could be memory loss.”

  “Dear God, please hold Andie in your hand and keep her,” another voice prayed.

  Mom? Why would her mother be in the movie? And why was the first woman talking about brain scans?

  “Andie, darling, you’re going to be okay.” A man spoke into her ear. “I’m here now. You’re going to wake up.”

  “W-wake?” Her mouth was dry, and her eyes were heavy as if someone pressed sandbags into them. She concentrated and lifted her eyebrows, commanding her eyes to open.

  “There, she’s coming around,” the first woman said.

  A light shone, pinpointing her eyes, and she shut her eyes, twisting away from the harsh glare.

  “Please, doctor, can’t you let her open her eyes first?” the man’s voice soothed. “Come on, Andie. You can do it.”

  The weight held her still, and she drifted away, feeling for the man who’d followed her in the trail of tears. Where was he?

  “Andie,” her mother called, squeezing her hand. “Open your eyes, baby.”

  “M-ma?” Andie’s throat cracked dry. “Wh-where am I?”

  “You were in an accident, a car accident. You’re in the hospital, but you’re going to be okay.”

  Her mother’s face was fragmented, as if the parts didn’t match. Andie blinked and couldn’t focus. “Dad? Where’s Dad?”

  “He couldn’t come, sweetie.” Mom kissed her forehead, smoothing her hair back.

  “Why?”

  “He’s back home in New York. You’re in California.”

  “California?” Andie blinked as two more faces came into focus.

  The woman took her hand. “I’m Dr. Sotelo. How are you feeling?”

  “I-I don’t know.” Andie stared at Declan, her fiancé.

  He flashed her a smile and took her other hand. “You know who I am?”

  “Dec. Why are we in California? Did you get the part?”

  Declan’s eyebrows rose as he kissed her hand. “Yes, I did, and guess what? So did you.”

  “Me?” Andie’s mouth was dry, and her throat hurt. She coughed and pointed to her throat.

  Immediately, Declan handed her a cup of water with a straw. The coolness soothed her throat and eased the dizziness. She closed her eyes to get her bearings.

  “We should let her rest,” the doctor said. “I’ll run a few more tests, but I see no reason why she can’t be released. She might be weak from lying in bed for a week, but she’s young and in good health. She should bounce back.”

  “That’s great news,” Declan said. He leaned over and kissed Andie on the cheek. “I’m so glad you’re back. I missed you.”

  “But how did I get here? I thought we were going to Vegas.” Andie didn’t want to speak too loudly, in case her mother was listening.

  “We’ve already been to Vegas. Don’t you remember?”

  She opened her eyes and stared into his gaze. Something was off, but she couldn’t pinpoint it. “Did we get married?”

  “We did.” He stroked her hair. “You’re my wife, Andie Reed.”

  “Andie Reed,” she whispered as he covered her lips and kissed her.

  Why did that name sound wrong? Totally wrong?

  Chapter 6

  Cade paced the hallways of Celebrity Highland Hospital. He’d taken his mother to emergency, and was waiting for the doctor’s report. He held onto Bret as he tried Roxanne yet again on her cell phone, only to get her voicemail.

  “Where the hell are you? My mother’s in the hospital, and Bret was left all alone. This arrangement isn’t working out. You’re going to need to hire someone more reliable to watch him while you work. He’s a newborn, only a week old.”

  The damn woman was technically still on disability, but she couldn’t wait to go back to work. As for his mother, he’d thought she’d stopped using. She’d seemed clean, although one never knew with addicts and how well they hid their addiction.

  A nurse paged him, and he hung up the phone. They let him into the ER.

  “How is she?” Cade asked the attendant.

  “She made it, thanks to your CPR. She should be okay, but she was shooting heroin—strong stuff.”

  Cade followed the attendant into his mother’s room. The doctor looked up. “From the looks of her veins, this is the first time she’s shot up in a very long time. As you know, a relapse is especially dangerous since her tolerance is lower than when she was using regularly.”

  “Thanks, Doctor. I thought she kicked it. Things were going so well. She moved into my house. I entrusted her with my baby.”

  “We’ll never know why she started again. She must have either misjudged the purity of the drug or she has a new supplier.”

  Cade’s heart jolted like he’d been electrocuted. “You think someone tried to kill her off?”

  The doctor shrugged. “It’s not for me to speculate. Anyway, you should transfer her to rehab. I have a few clinics I can recommend.”

  “Thanks, I’ll make the arrangements.” Cade stared at his mother and took her dry, leathery hand.

  Why? Why now? She’d been overjoyed with caring for Bret, doting on him, and now this? Someone had to have introduced her to the drug again.

  The question was, who, and why?

  # # #

  Every muscle in Andie’s body was stiff as she eased herself into a wheelchair with the help of the nurse. She was going home, except she couldn’t remember where home was.

  Her mother had lent her clothes. According to Declan, she’d lost her luggage in the car crash.

  Andie’s mind was cloudy. The last she remembered, they were eloping to Vegas on their way to Hollywood. Except, she’d forgotten her own wedding.

  Declan told her it was at an Elvis Presley Chapel, and he even showed her the cheesy videos, but it seemed so long ago. In fact, it was over two years ago, according to her mother and the nurse.

  “Mom? Where’s Declan? Isn’t he coming to take us home?”

  “He had a meeting, but he’s on his way.” Her mother’s brow furrowed. “Do you remember anything more? I’m afraid to tell you too much because the doctor said it was better for you to fill in your own blanks than for me to inject memories for you.”

  “I’m drawing a blank. You told me Daddy’s sick and had a stroke, but I can’t get on an airplane until I stop having headaches.”

  Andie’s mother patted her hand and kissed her temple. “The last thing I want is for you to have a stroke. You had bleeding in the brain. Let’s wait a few weeks and see how you feel.”

  “I miss Daddy though.” Tears welled in Andie’s eyes. It seemed that after she’d woken up, all she wanted to do was cry. “I can’t imagine him lying there helpless.”

  “He’s getting better, saying a few words, and we can video conference him. He’s got a new gadget that speaks for him. It uses autocorrect technology to predict his words.”

  Gadgets? She couldn’t even remember using anything called ‘autocorrect.’ Could she have really blanked out on two years of her life? No wonder her heart felt strangely hollow. Although thoughts and glimmers of that man on the road hugged and comforted her. Maybe all wasn’t lost. At least she’d relived part of Michal’s story and knew love, even if it was fictional. Or maybe the man signified her father. She really did truly miss him.

  “As soon as I’m better, I’ll go home for a visit,” Andie declared. “I’m sure Declan will understand.”

  Her mother’s mouth tightened. “We’ll go home as soon as possible.”

  “Ready?” the nurse asked. She pulled out a plastic bag. “Most of your clothes were ruined, but here are a few items we saved. The police already delivered your purse and other things they found in the car to your husband.”

  “Thanks.” She took the plastic bag and dug through it. A bright, sparkly pendant d
angled on a golden chain. A pair of ruby red slippers from the Wizard of Oz movie, something a tourist would buy for a souvenir. How kitschy.

  Whatever. It must have been special because she’d been wearing it.

  She fumbled with the clasp, but her fingers felt too large and clumsy. “Can you put this on me? Maybe it’ll help me remember what I was doing.”

  “Sure,” the nurse chirped. “This one looks like real rubies. Your husband probably gave it to you. Good luck, and I hope you remember your wedding.”

  Andie glanced at her empty left hand. “Did you guys find my wedding ring?”

  “No, miss. You weren’t wearing one when you came in.”

  # # #

  “Okay, little dudders, I know you’re hungry again.” Cade slipped the diaper bag off his shoulder with one hand while rocking Bret with the other. He’d arranged for his mother to go directly to rehab the next day, but there was nothing more he could do.

  Except check on Andie. She was at the same hospital.

  Cade filled a baby bottle at the drinking fountain and shook the powdered milk until it dissolved. “We’re going to take a slight detour. I’ve got someone I want you to meet.”

  He walked out of the emergency room and strolled across the courtyard to the ward with the private rooms. Turning the corner to the nurses’ station, he almost ran into a wheelchair. Bret’s bottle dropped and rolled under it.

  The woman in the chair glanced up at him, sweeping her red hair aside.

  “Andie.” Cade jolted as fireworks lit his heart. “You’re awake. Thank God.”

  Her eyes went straight through him, her brow furrowed and questioning, but she didn’t say anything.

  Behind her, the nurse picked up the baby bottle. “Glad you made it. Your wife was worried about her wedding ring. Did the police give it to you?”

  “Me? Er, no. I’m—” Cade’s tongue felt thick and heavy. This nurse obviously didn’t know who he was.

  “Oh well, here’s the baby bottle.” The nurse handed him Bret’s bottle. “I wouldn’t stick that back in his mouth if I were you. The nipple might have touched the ground.”

  “Oh, yes, sure. Thanks.” Cade took the bottle and stuffed it in the diaper bag. Fortunately, Bret had sucked down almost three quarters of the bottle and appeared to be satisfied.