Scene of the Crime: Bachelor Moon

by Carla Cassidy

  “It’s not as good as yours,” Macy said to Daniella after the first bite of her chocolate cream pie. “Does your mom make pies, Mr. Sam?”

  “No, honey. My mom is in heaven.”

  Macy’s eyes softened. “Oh, that’s sad. Did you love your mommy as much as I love mine?”

  Sam hadn’t thought about his mother in a very long time. It was always his father the monster that consumed his thoughts. “Yes, I did.”

  “What was she like?” Daniella asked curiously.

  “Quiet and kind.” Memories began to tumble around in his head, pleasant memories that warmed him. “She didn’t ask for much and seemed happiest spending time with me. She was a homemaker. She loved to take care of us.”

  His stomach clenched as he thought of how her life had been taken so abruptly, so brutally.

  “She never considered leaving your father?” Daniella asked.

  “If she did I didn’t know about it,” he replied. “I think she kept hoping he would become the man she wanted him to be.”

  “Mr. Sam, I’m glad you decided not to leave today,” Macy said, and Sam was relieved for the change in topic.

  “But you understand I’m going to be leaving soon,” Sam replied.

  Macy put her fingers in her ears. “La-la-la, I can’t hear you.”

  Sam laughed and knew that whenever he left here, a small piece of his heart would remain behind with the precocious little girl.

  “What about your parents?” he asked Daniella.

  “My father died when I was six, so it was just my mother and I.” She paused to take a sip of her soda and then continued. “My mom was a lot like your mother. She was kindhearted, and even though we didn’t have much she made me feel rich in so many ways.”

  “And how did she die?”

  “When I was a junior in high school she was diagnosed with an aggressive liver cancer. She saw me graduate and marry Johnny, and then she passed away.”

  “Did she like Johnny?” he asked.

  Daniella smiled. “Adored him. Everyone loved Johnny.”

  “But he got lost,” Macy said sadly. “And I don’t think he’s ever coming back.”

  “Someday maybe your mommy will fall in love with a nice man who will make you a wonderful father,” Sam said, surprised by how much he hated the idea of the two of them building a life together with another man.

  “Maybe that could be you,” Macy said with a sly look at him.

  “Macy, don’t start,” Daniella said in a warning voice as her cheeks grew pink.

  “But, Mommy, I already love Mr. Sam, and I know if you try really hard you could love him, too,” Macy replied. “I thought he was going to be a cranky-pants at first, but he put on his big-girl pants and got over that.”

  This time it was Sam’s turn to feel his face warm as Daniella laughed. “I’d like to see you in those big-girl pants,” she said under her breath.

  They finished up their pie. But Sam hadn’t lost track of the fact that somebody was after Daniella. He had eyed each and every person that looked their way, kept them close to his side as they’d walked the streets.

  He was a man enjoying a woman’s company, but he also didn’t forget that he was an FBI agent trying to keep that woman safe.

  When they left the café they made a final walk into the center square where the statue of the town founder and the legend of Bachelor Moon lived.

  “You’re a brave man to stand there,” Daniella observed, as Sam stood before the statue.

  He grinned at her. “Not so brave at all. Notice I’m standing here with the full moon still a week away.”

  Daniella laughed and then sobered. “We really should get back. I’ve still got a lot of work to do for the weekend. The guests will be arriving around noon.”

  “I can’t wait to call Lisa and tell her I got a beautiful dress for my doll,” Macy said, once they were back in the car and headed home. “Maybe she could spend the night tonight?”

  “Not tonight, honey,” Daniella replied. “Maybe one night next week after our weekenders leave.”

  Was it possible one of the guests for the weekend was the person they sought? There was nothing to say that the man was from Bachelor Moon. He frowned at this new thought.

  “Any of the people coming this weekend repeat guests?” he asked casually.

  “No. Why?”

  He felt her curious gaze on him. “Just wondering.”

  “I’m not sure I believe that you just wonder about anything without a reason,” she countered.

  “I think maybe we should have this conversation an other time.” He looked pointedly in the rearview mirror to where Macy sat.

  It didn’t take long after they got home for them to have the conversation. Macy was in her bedroom playing with her dolls. Daniella joined Sam in the kitchen, where they seemed to spend a lot of their time together.

  “What are you thinking, Sam?” she asked.

  He sat at the table while she got out the things she needed to make cinnamon rolls for the morning. “I just wondered if maybe we’ve been wrong in suspecting it’s somebody close to you here. Maybe the man who is after you stayed here at some time in the past. Maybe he lives someplace close enough that he could drive in to leave his gifts for you.”

  She measured flour into a bowl and then turned to face him. “Most of my guests so far have been from out of state.”

  “But there have been some who have stayed here that live within driving distance?”

  “I can think of a few, but I’d have to check my records.”

  “Could you do that later this evening?”

  “I’ll make a point of it,” she said, and turned back around to her task.

  For the next two hours Sam drank lemonade and watched her as she prepared a variety of food for the weekend. He liked watching her work. He enjoyed the way a tiny wrinkle creased her forehead when she was in deep concentration, how she occasionally smiled to herself when she was pleased with the results of whatever it was she was doing.

  Their conversation was light, the kind that two people who had just begun dating might have—favorite foods and movies, stories from their youths, and local people and places.

  He could be happy here, he thought. If he believed in real happiness. But Sam had stopped believing in happiness the day that his mother had died, the day his father had tried to kill him.

  It was after Macy was in bed for the night that they sat down together at the table to look over her records of previous guests. “When we first opened the doors, I remember that several local people booked for a night just to see what it was all about.”

  As she leaned forward over the paperwork her hair fell forward, a sheet of golden shine that made his fingers itch with the need to touch.

  When he could stand it no longer he reached out and tucked the errant strand behind her ear. She looked up and smiled gratefully then focused again on the papers.

  In that moment Sam felt oddly vulnerable, half crazy with emotions he’d never felt before and knew he would never feel again.

  Focus, he told himself firmly. The only reason he’d decided to stay here was for her safety and nothing else. Within a few days of leaving here he’d be back immersed in his job, back into the darkness that had in many ways become comfortably familiar.

  DANIELLA FELT A STRANGE energy wafting from Sam as she finally came up with the names of the people who had visited the bed-and-breakfast and lived within driving distance.

  She assumed his thoughts centered on trying to figure out who might be the man in the shadows who was threatening her. She also wondered if he was regretting his decision to stay longer than he’d anticipated.

  There was no question that he was putting his life on hold for her, and although she was grateful for his presence, she also felt more than a little bit guilty.

  “Matt James and his wife, Damon Cole and his girlfriend, Susan Boyd and her boyfriend, James.” She leaned back in her chair. “Those are the people who have v
isited here and live within driving distance, but I can’t imagine any of those men focusing some sort of sick obsession on me.”

  “Why not? You’re beautiful and sexy. You have a great sense of humor, and any man would be a fool not to be attracted to you.”

  His words stunned her and made her wonder in the depths of her heart why he couldn’t love her enough to throw caution to the wind, to forget that at some point in his life he’d decided to live his life alone.

  “I appreciate the nice words, but it doesn’t change the fact that I can’t believe any of these men are responsible for what’s been happening.” She looked down at her records once again. “Besides, the gifts started arriving before Matt James and Damon Cole even visited here.”

  She sighed. “We’re spinning our wheels, Sam. We have to face the fact that we don’t have a clue who this man is or why he’s focused his attention on me, and the truth of the matter is that it might take weeks or months for us to finally figure it out.”

  Her heart beat the rhythm of dread. “Sam, I don’t want to keep you from your life. I don’t want you here because of some strange sense of duty you might feel toward me.”

  What she wanted was him to be here because he couldn’t stand the thought of leaving her, because he’d fallen in love with her as she had with him.

  There had been times when she’d thought she’d seen something like love in his eyes when he looked at her, times when he touched her as if unable to stop himself.

  “Daniella, I’m still here because I want to be. It’s more than duty. I care about you and Macy.”

  “And I’m in love with you.” The words blurted out of her. He winced, and she quickly looked down at the table, both embarrassed and oddly relieved by the confession.

  There was a long silence and when she could stand it no longer she looked back at him, her heart beating faster than usual.

  He cleared his throat as if uncomfortable. His eyes were as distant as the stars in the sky, impossible to read as he leaned forward. “Daniella, I think maybe you think you love me because I’ve been the only one you can trust, because you’ve been going through a bad time and I’ve been there for you.”

  She shook her head, unsurprised that he’d attempted to somehow justify and minimize her feelings for him. “Sam, I know what love feels like. I know how it tastes in my mouth, how it feels inside my skin. I know love, and I know that I’m in love with you.”

  He held her gaze for a long moment and then released a weary sigh and ran a hand through his hair. “I didn’t mean for that to happen. I didn’t want that to happen. Maybe Jeff was right. Maybe I took advantage of you.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” she scoffed. “You didn’t take advantage of me. I’m a big girl. I made my decisions about you based on what I wanted, what I needed. I didn’t expect to fall in love with you, but I did. And I guess I just wanted you to know how I felt.”

  “You know it doesn’t change anything.” His voice was deep, his tone holding an apology. “I’m still leaving here. I never intend to marry. I don’t want a relationship.”

  “Why not?” She wanted to understand, needed to understand what would forever keep him alone in his life. “Even if it’s not me? Why not somebody else?”

  His eyes grew dark and a knot pulsed in his jaw. “It doesn’t matter why I’ve made the decision. It is what it is and it isn’t going to change. I’m sorry if I led you on.”

  She shook her head, feeling a heavy weight where her heart should have been. “You know you didn’t. You’ve been up front with me about everything from the very beginning. I’d just hoped…” She allowed her voice to trail off.

  “I’m sorry.” His voice was husky with emotion.

  Her heart fell to her feet. Until this moment she hadn’t realized that she’d entertained a wild hope that somehow, someway, they’d end up together. Now that hope had been stripped from her, and she felt slightly sick.

  “I think on that note it’s time for me to call it a day,” she said, suddenly eager to escape him. She got up from the table and gathered her papers. He halted her by placing his hand on her forearm. His very touch hurt. Because she wanted it, because she wanted him.

  “I’m sorry, Daniella. I’m so damned sorry.”

  She forced a smile and pulled her arm away. “Don’t worry about it. It’s my problem, not yours, and I’ll be fine.” She raised her chin a notch. “I’m always fine. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Don’t be a crybaby, she told herself as she left the kitchen and went into her private rooms. There was absolutely nothing to cry about. He’d been a guest who got too close, an FBI agent she’d depended on, and when he left she’d be okay.

  Still, she couldn’t halt the sting of tears that burned her eyes as she stood in the doorway to Macy’s room. It was just her luck that she’d first fallen in love with a man who decided not to stick around—or couldn’t—and then made the mistake again of falling for another man who wouldn’t stick around.

  It had been unrealistic of her to even think there might be a happy ending in store for her. Even if Sam was in the market for a relationship with her, he was in Kansas City and she was in Louisiana. She could never ask him to leave his work and relocate here, and she would be reluctant to uproot Macy from this place that was so deep in Daniella’s heart.

  She turned away from Macy’s bedroom and went into her own, where she sat on the bed and stared blankly at the wall. She shouldn’t have told him how she felt, but there had been a little piece of her that had thought maybe he’d jump out of his chair and pull her into his arms and tell her he loved her, too.

  She had one man she wished was just a little bit obsessed with her and another who was dangerously over-the-top obsessed with her. Sometimes life was just a crazy ride.

  Weary and more than a little bit heartbroken, she changed into her nightgown and got into bed. Tomorrow, hopefully, she would be too busy with the new guests to even think about Sam or love or anything else.

  She squeezed her eyes closed tightly. She wanted her life back, the life where she didn’t have to worry about some demented person wanting her, the life where her heart was fully guarded against any invasion by a man.

  Sleep. She just wanted to sleep and forget for now how badly her heart hurt.

  She was dreaming about Sam, the weight of his body on top of her, his lips pressed against her own. The pleasant dream transformed as his weight on top of her pressed harder and she realized she couldn’t breathe.

  It was then she woke up but her brain screamed as she realized the sensations she’d felt in the dream were real. Somebody was on top of her and a hand was pressing a cloth over her nose. The cloth was big enough to cover her entire face and panic arced through her.

  She tried to scream but the cloth was so tight against her nose and mouth the sound was muffled. The heavy weight on top of her made it impossible for her to escape.

  Help me! Her brain screamed the words as she tried to flail her arms, tried to move her legs. She held her breath, knowing that any air she drew in would be poisonous.

  They’d thought she would be safe in the house, in her own room. She’d never considered that danger could get to her here.

  Sam and Matt were just up the stairs, Macy was in the other room.

  Macy. Oh, God, don’t let anything happen to Macy.

  Daniella could hold her breath no longer. Her air-deprived lungs screamed in agony. She didn’t want to breathe, knew that when she did she’d be lost.

  Just like Johnny.

  Never to be seen again.

  Tears burned her eyes as she finally drew in a breath and then another and then another and then she was lost.

  Chapter Ten

  Sam awoke before dawn but was reluctant to get up and face Daniella. One of the most difficult things he’d ever been through was listening to her profess her love for him and then having to break her heart.

  And he had broken her heart. He’d seen it in her eyes, heard it in h
er voice when she’d finally told him good-night.

  He should have never slept with her. He should have never spent time with her other than what was necessary as a guest in her house. He’d involved himself not only in the crimes that were taking place here, but also in Daniella’s and Macy’s lives, and that had been his biggest mistake.

  Finally getting out of bed, he stood beneath the spray of a hot shower, his thoughts racing in a thousand different directions.

  Macy wanted him as her new daddy, and a part of him would have loved that role in her life. But she deserved better.

  Daniella deserved better than him, as well. The best thing he could do for both of them was remain firm in leaving here. And maybe it was time for him to go.

  He shut off the water and grabbed the towel, and as he dried off he considered his options. He’d told Daniella he’d remain here until the danger had passed, but he’d made that decision in the heat of the moment when she’d received the card from the unsub. Unidentified subject.

  Who in the hell was behind all this? And how long would it be before he was caught?

  Maybe the best thing he could do for Daniella and Macy was leave now, before the emotions got even messier. Despite whatever baggage had once been between the sheriff and Daniella, Sam felt confident that Jim was doing everything in his power.

  He could even hire a professional bodyguard to stay here for the duration, he thought, as he dressed and headed downstairs. He knew a couple of retired agents that would jump at the chance for some extra cash.

  As he reached the bottom of the stairs he frowned as he realized he didn’t smell coffee. A check of his watch let him know it was almost seven. Daniella always had the coffee brewing by now.

  Walking through toward the kitchen he glanced out the window and saw Frank in the distance weeding one of the flower beds.

  It was like any other day, except Sam didn’t smell the coffee, and that concerned him just a little bit. He went into the kitchen and saw that it didn’t appear as if Daniella had been there that morning.

  The door to her private quarters was closed. Was she reluctant to face him this morning? No. Daniella wasn’t the kind of woman to hide in her room. Maybe she’d overslept? He didn’t believe that either, not on a morning when new guests were arriving.