Your Eyes Don't Lie

by Branton, Rachel

  “Don’t be too concerned about that,” Makay said from behind them.

  Great, the dog hated him and Makay had shown up just in time to witness it.

  “He hated me the first month I moved to my dad’s after Nate was born,” Makay said, “but now he follows me everywhere. He has no judgment with people.”

  “Thanks a lot,” Lily said. “He took right to me.”

  Makay grinned. “Everyone likes you, Lily.”

  That was the moment Snoop looked up from playing with the boys, caught sight of Makay, and once again came bounding toward them. He made a huge circle around Harrison, pausing to growl at him every so often, as he came to Makay’s other side, jumping up on her. She pretended to grab him and the game was on. Soon, Makay and the boys were wrestling about on the grass. Harrison wished he could join them, but he worried about the dog’s reaction. Makay played with such abandon, and he didn’t want to interrupt.

  “I don’t often see her like this,” Lily said softly.

  “What’s she normally like?” Makay had lived here at Lily’s House. Had it only been to get custody of Nate or had she been one of these wounded girls he’d seen here? A knot formed in his stomach at the idea.

  “Makay’s had a tough life,” Lily said, “but she’s a survivor. She’s been on her own pretty much since she was twelve. And I do mean on her own—food, finding a place to sleep, getting to school. Everything. I don’t know all of it because she doesn’t like to talk about those years, but I know she slept in parks and in abandoned cars. She wore clothes she found in Dumpsters. It was really bad, as bad as any of my girls.”

  Twelve? Sleeping in a park? Dumpsters? He couldn’t imagine any of that. At twelve, he’d been teasing his sisters and playing video games. His biggest decision was whether to play on a soccer team or try out for basketball. To eat a burrito or ask for spaghetti. Wear his name-brand shorts or the designer jeans. Sure, he’d always done his best to avoid Eli, and life had been tense at times, but the man had provided well for him.

  “That’s really tough,” he murmured. “I never would have thought.” Somehow it felt like a betrayal for them to be discussing Makay without her knowledge.

  Lily turned on him, her expression grave and her hands resting on her extended belly. “I’m only telling you this because I want you to understand that Makay isn’t like other people. She’s different. She’s special. She means a lot to me, and I don’t want to see her heart broken.”

  He swallowed hard. “That makes two of us.”

  She nodded but concern still creased her forehead. Harrison wanted to say more, to tell her about the feelings he had, but he was afraid of coming across like . . . well, like the stalker he and Makay had joked about.

  “I’ll look into your alarm,” he said instead.

  Lily relaxed, her hands falling to her sides. “I have enough budgeted for the parts if I buy them online, but getting something installed is like ten times more, so that’s what I’m looking to avoid. My husband would like the kind that sinks into the window frames instead of the ones that attach with stickers. Less chance of falling off or being tampered with. He can help with the drilling, but he doesn’t know much about electronics. Will you let me know what kind I should get?”

  “They’ll just have to be wireless.” Harrison didn’t really have experience with alarms, but he was confident he could make it work. The biggest challenge would be placing the sensors. After that, it would be a simple matter of reading the manual to figure out how to program the control pad. They talked about how many doors and windows for a few minutes until Makay joined them.

  “Okay, I think we’re ready.” Makay was breathing hard, and the sleeve of her sweatshirt had fallen down to reveal her tank top and a bare shoulder. Moisture beaded on her forehead. Harrison felt hot in his short sleeves so he could imagine she must be boiling. “Thanks so much for watching Nate.”

  “He was perfect,” Lily said. “He kept Jonny occupied all night and all morning. Let’s do it again soon.”

  Makay nodded. “Sure.”

  “Yay!” shouted the boys in unison.

  “You can even bring that mutt,” Lily added with affection in her voice. “I do believe he chased away that hedgehog we’ve been having trouble with. At least for today.”

  Nate snapped a leash onto Snoop’s collar, and they made it back to Harrison’s car without incident. Just as he was getting worried about Snoop’s nails digging into his leather seats, Makay spread out the blanket she’d tossed in the back earlier. The dog bared his teeth once at Harrison before hopping delicately onto the blanket as if he’d done it a million times.

  Harrison grinned at Makay. “Thanks.”

  “Better than using it for a picnic?”

  He hesitated. “Well, that would be fun, too.”

  “Oh, boy! A picnic!” shouted Nate. His joy only lasted a few seconds. “Aw, but I promised to remind you about getting my haircut.”

  “That’s right.” Makay ran her hands over his blond hair. “It’s long overdue.”

  “Oh, and I thought he was trying out for a rock band or something.” Harrison started around the car.

  “Can I?” Nate looked pleadingly at Makay.

  She laughed. “Maybe in a few years. Now get in.” Over the hood of the car she mouthed at Harrison, “A rock band? Really?”

  “Hey, I’m still going to be in a band someday. Guy’s gotta have his dream.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Puleeese.”

  Inside the car, Harrison noticed that Makay wrapped her arms around herself. “You cold?” he asked.

  “Yeah. Weird, huh? Such a nice day, too.”

  Harrison agreed. In fact, it was such a nice day that he didn’t want it to end. Well, who was he kidding? He didn’t care what kind of a day it was, as long as he could figure out a way to extend their time together. “I know a place that does great haircuts,” he said. “We could stop on the way back.” Afterward, it shouldn’t be too much problem to convince them to share a picnic lunch with him.

  “What about Snoop?”

  Harrison looked around at the dog, who growled deeply. “Right. Back to your apartment then.” Leave it to the dog to destroy his plan. At least he seemed to be behaving in the backseat with Nate.

  “There’s a place in Mesa we go to,” Makay said. “They don’t mind if Snoop comes and waits outside. There’s a pole where we can tie his leash. They’re really fast and you don’t need an appointment.”

  “Makay used to cut my hair herself,” Nate said, “but it looked kind of funny.” Before either of them could respond, he continued, “Hey, this car is like ours. Can we have the top down?”

  “What about Snoop?”

  “Oh, he loves the wind. Just like me.”

  Harrison glanced at Makay for approval and saw that her head lay against the back of the seat and her eyes were a little glazed. Probably the lack of sleep coming back at her with a vengeance. He took her silence as an okay and lowered the top.

  The mid-September day was gorgeous—just enough breeze to make it more pleasant, but still warm enough to do anything they chose. Harrison’s mind raced. Maybe he could take her out on Eli’s boat or to a park for a real picnic. Or maybe they’d go to an amusement park.

  “You up for lunch afterward?” he asked.

  “Yeah. Sounds fun.” Her smile warmed him clear to the tips of his toes. Once he was on the freeway, he reached out and took her hand, holding it in his own. Her skin was warm and oh-so-soft.

  At the hair place while they waited their turn, Harrison and Makay talked about his work and her school, chatting as easily as if they’d known each other forever. Harrison felt a keen disappointment when she arose shortly after Nate was called to the chair. “Keep an eye on Nate, okay?” she said. “I’m going to check on Snoop. Make sure he’s not scaring people.”

  “I’d come with you, but he scares me.”

  She laughed. “You’ll get over it.”

  This might just be i
t, he thought as he watched her go.

  Minutes passed and she didn’t return. Harrison occupied himself by flipping through a magazine. What was taking her so long? Did she need help with the dog?

  He stood up and walked casually toward the entrance. Looking through the huge windows, he saw her talking to a short, thin man with pointed features. She seemed angry, leaning toward him as she talked, her hands clenched at her sides. Nearby, Snoop was barking like crazy. The man said something to Makay in return, his lips twisting in a sneer. Harrison knew the type—the kind of man who preyed on the less fortunate. Strangely, his face was almost familiar, as though Harrison had seen him somewhere before. What did he have to do with Makay?

  Whatever the connection, she definitely didn’t look like she was having a good time. He opened the door to ask if she needed help.

  “So why are the dates the same? And the hospital? Did you put that in just to torture me? You’re sick, you know that?”

  “You just need to do your job. That’s what I pay you for.”

  The man’s response held Harrison in place in the doorway. Makay worked for the creep?

  “No way! I’m not working for you ever again. Not unless you tell me the truth.”

  Go girl! Harrison thought. Maybe she didn’t need him after all.

  “Well, you know the consequences of that.” The man gave a laugh. “Your choice.” With a final glare, he turned and strode down the walk.

  “That’s right!” Makay called after him. “It’s my choice, and I’m making it!”

  Harrison was about to move outside to talk to her, but Nate appeared behind him, his hair considerably shorter. “All done,” he said. “Where’s Makay? She needs to pay.”

  “I’ll take care of it.” Harrison looked down the sidewalk at Makay as he pulled out his wallet. She was squatting next to Snoop, her dark hair falling forward to cover her face. Maybe she hadn’t been as in control of the situation as he’d first thought. Harrison could tell by the slump of her shoulders and the frantic way she ran her hands over the dog’s fur that the exchange with the man had impacted her greatly.

  Letting the door close, he hurried to the counter and held out a bill to the woman there. “Keep the change.” In seconds, he was back outside, with Nate trailing close behind.

  Makay looked up at them as they reached her side, her brown eyes luminous. “You okay?” he asked.

  “I’m not sure. I feel a little dizzy.”

  Not exactly the response he’d expected. But it wasn’t as if she would ask him to swoop in and resolve all her problems. Lily had indicated that there were things Makay didn’t share easily, and this situation with the creep—whatever it was—was obviously one of those things. He’d have to gain her trust before he could do anything to help her.

  Chapter Ten

  Harrison’s face seemed to wobble as he reached down and took her hand, but Makay suspected it was her vision. In the past hour, she’d started feeling increasingly ill. Seeing Lenny so unexpectedly had only made things worse. What had she thought? That he would tell her he’d finally found her birth mother?

  Yes.

  She shut her eyes. Even after so long, did she really think that finding either of her birth parents would solve her problems? The idea, once she thought it out, was ludicrous.

  “You’re burning up.” Harrison rubbed a thumb across the back of her hand.

  That was odd because she was shivering. Part of her wanted to lie down on the warm sidewalk and take a nap. “I’ll be okay,” she murmured. “I just need to rest a moment. Where do you want to go for lunch?”

  “You’ll see.”

  Makay sighed with relief. It scared her how much she liked this man. He was funny, intelligent, and she couldn’t remember ever being so attracted to anyone. He almost made her forget the many reasons she avoided getting physical.

  “Can you get Snoop?” he asked Nate.

  Makay tried to look around at her brother to make sure the haircut was short enough, but her neck felt too stiff. “I need to pay.”

  “It’s taken care of.” Harrison led her to the car they’d left in front of the shop, the top down. After making sure Nate and Snoop were inside, he drove from the parking lot.

  Makay felt her eyes droop. Why was it so cold? As if from far away she heard Nate say, “Aren’t we going to eat?”

  “First we’re going to get your sister inside. She’s got a fever. Can you manage Snoop?”

  “Where are we?” Makay asked.

  “Home. You need to get into bed.”

  Bed. It sounded so nice. Maybe she would even be warm. Yet fear sliced through her as she remembered a time as a teen when she’d had a fever and had awakened in the night to find her friend’s brother groping her. She reminded herself that she didn’t know Harrison well. As he guided her inside, she started to unzip the pocket of her sweatshirt where she kept her gun.

  After two steps, Harrison picked her up and carried her the rest of the way to the apartment. Nate and Snoop followed, the dog growling impressively. He really seemed to hate Harrison. Was that a clue for her after all? They fumbled for keys and practically fell inside the apartment as the door opened.

  Harrison laughed, a warm sound that penetrated her fear. “That’s one way to do it.”

  “I can walk,” she said.

  “I like carrying you.”

  Maybe he’d put something in her food that morning. But no. She’d been feeling cold for days, and she hadn’t gotten enough rest for months. Staying up all night dancing and stewing about Lenny had been pure stupidity, if she was honest with herself. And while she was being truthful, having Harrison’s arms around her made her feel safe.

  Harrison carried her to the bedroom and settled her on the mattress. Snoop was barking and growling. “I’ll put him on the balcony,” Nate said. He didn’t sound worried, and for that Makay was glad. Last year when she’d been sick, she’d been in bed with a fever for four days, and Nate had survived by opening canned food and watching TV. They’d both been afraid.

  “I’m just tired,” she said to no one in particular.

  “No, you’re sick.” Harrison sounded sympathetic and not annoyed. He looked so sexy and caring and she felt bad that she just wanted him to leave her alone so she could die in peace.

  He pulled a blanket over her. “You still cold?”

  “Yeah.”

  He left the room and returned to pile more blankets on her. Makay felt herself drift into blessed warmth and oblivion. Not even dreams dared to disturb her sleep, though she was vaguely aware of someone making her drink water and of Nate’s excited voice.

  At some point her fever broke, and she pushed off blankets that felt suddenly hot. The room was completely dark as she drifted back to sleep. Then the fever returned and she awoke again, feeling cold. She looked around for Nate and, not seeing him, sat up too quickly. Her head spun.

  “Nate?” she called.

  No answer.

  Pulling herself from the bed, she made her way to the bedroom door. “Nate?” she called again. It was obviously some time during the night, so where was he?

  I left him with a stranger. Her stomach heaved as she staggered down the hall, her hands on the walls for support. “Nate?” A note of panic in her voice now. Where had Harrison taken him? How could she have been so stupid? She should never have let the man inside her apartment no matter how he made her feel. Nate had to come first. He always came first. If she didn’t protect him, there was no one else to do the job. Her heart pounded erratically.

  She came into the living room and saw them, man and boy, asleep on the couch, the television frozen on a DVD screen showing Play and Extras options. Harrison slumped over one padded arm of the couch—the side without the broken springs—while Nate lay with his feet sticking off, his torso and head resting against Harrison’s side. They looked as if they’d been watching a video and had dozed off. Snoop was nowhere to be seen, and she suspected he was still out on the balcony.


  Biting back tears made of both relief and nostalgia, Makay walked unsteadily to the couch and collapsed on Nate’s other side, pulling him toward her in a fierce hug. He stirred and settled himself against her as they sank deep into the broken side of the couch. She lay her head on the arm, arranging Nate beside her and pulling up her legs onto the middle cushion where Nate had previously been. That left poor Harrison still crowded by her feet at the far end, but she was too dizzy to worry about that now. Feeling the weight of Nate on her arm made everything right again.

  When she next awoke, the room was light and her head clear. She felt weak and fragile, yet so much better than she had before that the difference was pure relief. Nate was still curled up next to her, sleeping soundly. The slant of light through her living room blinds told her it was late morning, and her growling stomach confirmed the guess. A delicious aroma wafted through the air, and for a moment she didn’t move, breathing it in. Maybe one of her neighbors was having a breakfast barbecue. She’d make Nate something nice today, too. Kissing his head, she smiled and pushed her feet to the end of the couch.

  Wait. Something was missing. A reason why stretching out her legs spread alarm. Harrison! He’d been there when she’d fallen asleep. Where was he now? She looked around and found Nate’s twin mattress on the floor, topped by a blanket. She had two blankets on her and someone had obviously put that pillow under her neck. A good thing or she might be in more pain than she was last night—or at least her neck would be.

  Something clattered in her kitchen. He’s still here. She twisted her head to see, and sure enough, Harrison stood with a black spatula in his hand, frowning at the stove that was out of her sight. Sliding her arm out from under Nate, she sat up, moving her legs under Nate’s so his were curled on her lap. The motion alerted Harrison and he set down the spatula and came over.

  “How do you feel?”

  “Good, actually. Sorry for zonking out on you last night.”

  He laughed. “Oh, Nate and I had a great time. Well, once we kicked Snoop out onto the balcony. He’s been whining to get back in for hours, but I haven’t dared to let him. I’m sorry to say that he still hates me. I hope that’s not a deal breaker.”