The Running Series Box Set: Books 1-3

by DeLaine Roberts

  We signed the papers, and there were no surprises. The process was started, and soon, we would become a family. After we said good-bye to Nadia, Harrison left me with Pamela to see a client in his office.

  I visited with Pamela for a while, before Cole Howard, the firm’s detective, came in. That was a perfect opportunity for me to chat with him. I asked if he and I could grab coffee, and he arranged to meet me the next day.

  ***

  I wasn’t thrilled about keeping a secret from Harrison, but I needed to help him find closure. Something he hadn’t been willing to do himself.

  “It’s great to see you, but I’m puzzled at what you’d want to discuss with me?” Cole asked.

  “I know about the accident six years ago with Victoria. I don’t know if you’re aware, but envelopes continue to show up at various times. Here’s one we got two days before Christmas.”

  He took the photos and studied them. Then he read the article from the paper to refresh his mind. “It’s harassment for sure. Has Harrison tried to contact them to stop it?”

  “No. What’s concerning me is this was supposed to be a clear, cut and dry head on with a tree. Yet, there’s damage to the rear that you can see in this photo, and this one here shows damage to the rear panel. Who drives around a wrecked BMW?”

  “I see your point. What are you asking me to do?”

  “I think there’s a completely different story than what we know. Would you investigate it? I’ll pay you for your time and also your expenses. Confidentiality is non-negotiable.”

  “How can I reach you?” Cole asked.

  We exchanged numbers, and he planned on starting immediately. If Harrison found out, I wasn’t certain that he would forgive me, but it was a risk I was willing to take. I hoped the payoff was worth it.

  ***

  Within a couple of days, Cole sent me a text saying we needed to meet. He had a full report of the evidence he’d collected.

  I ordered a cup of coffee and sat down at the table with him. He brought me up to date on that family. Collin, the son, had gone off to Washington to college, but John still lived in the area. The car was located at a nearby salvage yard. It indeed had damage to the driver rear quarter-panel, and the damage had scrapes of red paint, which tested out to belong to a Dodge. John Hurte had driven a red Dodge Durango during that time. There were no insurance claims for damage or police reports indicating an accident with the VIN number of Victoria’s car.

  John had told the police he was home all evening the night Victoria had her accident. When he sold the Durango, it had minor damage on the passenger side front bumper and grill.

  “I’ve got my own conclusion, but I’ll let you fill in the blanks. What does all of this mean?” I asked.

  “I think John followed Harrison that night, and I think he waited and ran Victoria off the road. I believe John Hurte killed his wife.”

  “Oh my god, that’s not what I expected to find out. What happens now?”

  “We have to talk to Harrison. He has to know, and the next steps could get ugly. If I’m right, we’re talking murder.”

  I gasped at the thought. My head dropped to my hands, and fear convulsed through me. I didn’t want to talk to Harrison. Things were escalating way beyond my control.

  “I can call him. Ask him to meet us for lunch,” Cole said.

  “No, not in public. Can you come by our house tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  I tried to prepare dinner, but I was so nervous I kept dropping things. When Harrison got home, he went for a run. Cole arrived before Harrison returned.

  “Hey, Cole, what brings you by?” Harrison asked while catching his breath.

  “Man, I need to talk to you about something. It’s deep. You want to grab a shower first.”

  “I suppose. I’ll be right down.” He looked back as he walked away with a very puzzled expression on his face. He clearly knew something was wrong.

  He returned a few moments later freshly showered with a pen and paper in hand, ready to do business. Cole went through all of the information with him from the receipt of the latest envelope to information he’d uncovered. Harrison went ballistic.

  “How could you do this behind my back? I opened up my soul exposing my darkest secrets. You couldn’t let things rest, could you? Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” He shoved the plate and glass in front of him to the other side of the bar where it crashed, shattering on the floor.

  “When the envelope came, I could only think of clearing your name. I only wanted to help you,” I shouted back.

  Cole grabbed Harrison and held him, while I ran upstairs. I didn’t know what to do. He was so angry. It reminded me of the Harrison I’d seen a little over a year before at the restaurant when I was having lunch with Stuart.

  This was about broken trust. I fell apart on the bathroom floor. I didn’t know how long I was there, but when I woke up, Harrison was sitting on the floor across from me.

  “Where’s Cole?” I asked.

  “Gone.”

  “I’m so sorry. I was only trying to help.”

  “The bigger question is what happens next,” he said with visible angst.

  “What do you mean?”

  “If we let this go, he gets away with murder. If we make it public, my name is tied to this, and it’s going to be ugly.”

  “Did you have any idea about him running her off the road?”

  “Yes. I saw him outside the restaurant when I left. He was in his car.”

  “That’s why you never contacted him.”

  Harrison nodded.

  My actions had awakened a sleeping lion, and I feared our lives were going to turn upside down.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Two days later, John Hurte arrived at the Prosecutor’s office, as requested, with his attorney. Harrison was represented by his partner, James Forte. Two police detectives were there, as well as Cole and me. Harrison brought all of the envelopes he’d received. He also had Cole’s detailed reports.

  “What is this about?” Hurte asked, rather curtly.

  “On June 7, 2007, I met Victoria Bronson on a flight to London. I had no idea of your existence Mr. Hurte. Ms. Bronson and I had a relationship until I received this envelope at my apartment by courier.” Harrison paused to pull out the first envelope and spread its contents on the table.

  “After receiving these photos, I asked Mr. Howard to investigate Victoria. That is when I discovered your existence, Mr. Hurte. I immediately broke it off with her when she returned from a trip to China on December 23, 2007. Victoria was alive and well when I left the restaurant that evening. I remember seeing you sitting outside the restaurant in your red Dodge Durango, Mr. Hurte, when I pulled away. Later that evening, Victoria ran off the road and died instantly in an accident when her car struck a tree. Since then, I’ve received envelopes hand delivered to my apartment, my penthouse, my bar, my office, and my home on the anniversary of her death, her birthday, and Mother’s Day. I believe they came from you, Mr. Hurte.” Harrison paused again, while he spread Cole’s report out on the table.

  “Recently, it has come to our attention that clues were overlooked. Seems that Victoria’s car suffered damage right before her accident. Damage consistent with a red Dodge. Damage consistent with the red Dodge Durango you sold just after her death. I can put you at the restaurant, and the damage puts you at the scene, Mr. Hurte,” Harrison said with a stern voice.

  John Hurte dropped his head and covered his face in exasperation. For six years, he thought he’d gotten away with murder and probably would have had he not continued to send his hate mail.

  The prosecutor slid a piece of paper over to him. “In front of you is a plea agreement. If you sign a formal confession and accept the charges of vehicular manslaughter, you will serve less years and have more probation. If you don’t take the offer, you’ll be arrested today and charged with murder in the first degree. We’ll step out and give you time to speak with Mr. Cowan,” the
prosecutor instructed.

  We all left the room, and Harrison and I embraced out in the hallway. I knew his confrontation with John Hurte was the hardest thing he’d ever done, but if it could be over, it would be worth it.

  No more than ten minutes passed when the door opened, and the prosecutor was summoned back into the room. Next, the detectives. After about five more minutes, Mr. Hurte emerged in handcuffs as the detective escorted him away.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Brooks,” he uttered as he walked past us.

  Harrison pulled me close to his side and whispered in my ear, “Thank you.”

  I was very grateful his nightmare was finally over.

  On the way home, all he could talk about was putting the baby bed together. It was apparent he never wanted to speak of Victoria again.

  While I undressed in the closet, I looked up and saw the empty space where the box had been. No more reminders of the pain that haunted us. I hoped soon he would feel the same way.

  ***

  I sat in the rocker in Chase’s room and watched Harrison as he put the bed together. He told me the story of how long it took Grayson to put the twin’s beds together. He proclaimed to be more “tool” friendly than Grayson, but with all the pieces spread out everywhere, I suddenly had my doubts. The phone was a great tool to have, and I took some photos of the baby bed in progress.

  “Don’t you dare text those to anyone.” He smirked.

  “I’m not; it’s for the baby book.”

  “We have a baby book?”

  “Yes, I started it with the photos Nadia had from her ultrasounds. When he’s a little older, we can show it to him.”

  With the bed assembled, we placed all of the bedding in the crib and piled it with the stuffed animals we’d already accumulated.

  I looked around the room and smiled. The wall mural of a scene from the Jungle Book was so cute. The artist had done a great job with it.

  “I can’t wait to tell the family.”

  “I know, but we decided not to, until after the two weeks. Part of me still worries she will change her mind once she holds him,” he said.

  “Nope, she won’t. You’ll see when we’re at the doctor’s office tomorrow.”

  “Shit, that’s tomorrow. Damn, I’ve gotta start checking the calendar better. All this heavy stuff has wrecked my brain.” He ran his fingers through his hair in exasperation.

  “Nah, you’re just getting old.” I laughed.

  My laughter ended when he scooped me into his arms and took me next door to our bedroom and laid me on the bed.

  When he hovered over me, the strong look in his eyes said his heart was free of the burden that had chained it for so long. I finally saw peace and was happy I could be the one to give it to him.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Logan’s had been totally transformed, like something out of the Victorian Era. The florist had created a venue that looked like an exquisite movie set. Who would’ve guessed it would make a beautiful venue for a wedding?

  The flowers arrived early and even more gorgeous than we’d planned, and Nola was on the piano rehearsing a new song she’d written for Kaci and Luke.

  For the second time in so many weeks, I got to see my handsome honey in his monkey suit. Harrison Brooks could rock a tux that was for sure. When he put it on, all I could think about was ripping it off and seducing him right there in the bar. It wasn’t like we hadn’t done that there before.

  Since it was Valentine’s Day, Kaci wanted red roses and red dresses, so Bianca had designed us floor length red silk dresses. As we got ready in the loft with Kaci, I could hear the crowd of people gathering down below. Nadia came upstairs and sat with us while we finished primping.

  Kaci’s dress was really beautiful, and it fit her perfectly.

  “You look breathtaking, Kaci.”

  “I wish my mom and grandpa could be here to see me so happy,” she said, wiping her eyes.

  Even though she didn’t have any family there, I thought she was right in her choice for Logan’s. It was her home for so long and held a special meaning for her.

  “They see you, and they’re happy for you, I know it.”

  “Hey, ladies, I hate to break this up, but little Miss’s presence is requested downstairs,” Harrison bolstered.

  The photographer took several photos, and we slowly descended the dark wooden stairs to Nola’s new song. Harrison escorted Kaci down and then took his place beside Luke.

  It was a sweet ceremony, and I was shocked to see so many people attending. Even Zeik and Pamela came. We’d been seeing a great deal of them lately with Pamela handling the adoption.

  During the cutting of the cake, Nadia came and pulled me to the side. “It’s the baby,” she said.

  “Ah, is he kickin’? You want me to feel it?”

  “No, he’s pushing his head out and it hurts. My water broke.”

  “What? Baby? It’s time for baby?” I squealed and the room got quiet.

  “Baby?” Harrison asked.

  “Yes,” I answered, nodding.

  Tate quickly brought the car around front and drove us to the hospital. After they got her settled, Nadia explained to the nurses about our adoption, and they quickly came to get us, so we could be there to witness the birth.

  The nurses were great, explaining to us the skin to skin bonding after the baby was born and what to expect. It was a long night, and Nadia was a trooper.

  After several hours of natural delivery, Nadia delivered a four-pound, two-ounce little boy who was perfect in every way, right before midnight. I couldn’t think of a better Valentine’s Day gift ever. Chase Edward Brooks immediately brought us more love than I could ever imagine.

  Nadia was amazing, but even after holding him, she held firm to her decision about the adoption. There was no sadness. It was all about the gift she was giving us, and that brought happiness to us all.

  We did the skin to skin bonding, and the nurses were amazing, getting us a room to stay in. Since Chase was early, they had to keep him longer, but he was doing fine in the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit, and we could hold him at certain times.

  Harrison couldn’t stand it and decided we should call the family. So, we set up a FaceTime call to share our great news.

  “Hey, strangers, where’ve y’all been hiding out?” Alexandra teased.

  “The hospital.”

  “What? Who’s hurt?” Alexandra was about to get in a tizzy.

  “No one. Wake up Grayson. We have some news,” Harrison ordered. After a brief pause for Alex to do what he asked, Harrison made our announcement. “Guys, we’d like you to meet our son, Chase Edward Brooks.”

  I panned the phone down over Chase’s incubator. “We’ve adopted a little boy born tonight. He’s a little early and weighs four pounds, but he’s perfect.”

  After they congratulated us and we answered a gazillion questions, we were able to hold Chase again.

  ***

  We spent the next few days at the hospital until Chase gained enough strength to go home. Thank goodness we’d had a bit of experience with Levi and the twins because even the car seat was a challenge.

  When we arrived home, I sat downstairs in the den for the longest of time, just holding him and staring at him, completely and utterly smitten.

  “Do you want to try out the new crib and monitor?” Harrison asked.

  “Not really, but I know what the doctor said about constantly holding him.”

  When we got upstairs, I realized something was off. I walked into the guest room and checked the closet. It was empty; Nadia had moved out. She said she’d planned to, but I thought she might change her mind after he was born.

  I looked at Harrison, and he nodded in observation, but he didn’t say anything.

  We laid Chase in his crib and stood, staring down at him while he slept peacefully. When I finally looked up at Harrison, he was gleaming.

  “I never imagined I’d feel like this. I’m at a loss for words,” he said.
r />   “I know, it’s amazing. I love you so much, thank you for this life.”

  “Ditto.”

  ***

  Hard to believe that six weeks had passed since Chase was born. Spring was beginning to creep out in Chicago. We packed a few things for ourselves and the house for Chase and flew to Dallas.

  The doctor had suggested waiting until Chase’s first shots before blending the entire family; although, Grayson and Alexandra had flown up the first weekend we were home, so they could meet their new nephew. During this time, we’d also had the official adoption proceedings, and the judge signed off on our adoption, making Chase officially ours.

  I was not surprised when Nadia said she wouldn’t come. We were keeping in touch by phone and text, but she wanted to focus on her schooling, and she requested time for closure.

  When we entered Grayson and Alexandra’s house, there was one big celebration in progress. Everyone was there, including Al and Gretchen, Cooper and Mark, and even Millie. We had much to be thankful for and family was at the top of the list.

  “You getting the all-night feedings down pat?” Grayson asked Harrison.

  “Yep, I just kick her out of bed when I hear the monitor?” Harrison uttered.

  “He’s lying. He races me to the nursery,” I exclaimed.

  “Don’t worry. That’ll wear off quick,” Alex chimed in before making a face at Grayson.

  It was quite the celebration, adoption combined with Grayson and Harrison’s birthday. When we drove over to my mom’s house, I realized we would need a crib and was shocked neither of us had thought about it. We had everything else.

  Harrison ran to the store and bought a real crib and a port-a-crib.

  “The port-a-crib will get us through the night and the real crib I’ll put up tomorrow.”

  “Do you always think of everything?”

  “No, if I’d thought of everything, I’d made Grayson do it earlier.” He laughed so hard he woke up Chase.

  He took Chase from my arms and gently rocked him back and forth, singing a song I didn’t recognize. The sight of the two of them melted me. I was forever in love.