Nick ran his hand over the smooth mahogany mantel. Selling this house could give him the capital to realize his long-held dream of building a shelter for women. After suffering his father’s abuse, Nick had vowed long ago to make sure Rainbow Falls one day opened such a haven. He let out a deep sigh. No matter what he decided, this house would need a major overhaul, but all of that would have to wait until he finished his exams.
He moved to the roll-top desk in the corner of the room where his glance fell on the copy of Lily’s rental agreement. His pulse rate jacked up. Just the excuse he needed to go over and make sure she was OK. Nick grabbed the lease, pulled on his jacket, and raced out the door.
He set out on foot, hoping the fresh evening air would clear the cobwebs from his brain, but his anxiety level heightened two blocks later as he turned onto McIntyre Street and spied the battered Ford in Lily’s driveway. He prayed she hadn’t allowed Marco up to her apartment, not even for an innocent cup of coffee.
Nothing involving that womanizer was innocent.
Nick’s steps slowed at the sight of two people on the front porch, standing much too close together for his liking. He clenched the papers in his hand until they crumpled. What should it matter to him if Lily got friendly with Marco?
The fact that you’re my landlord does not give you a say in my social life. Lily’s angry words flashed through his mind. Though harsh, he couldn’t discount the truth of her accusation. It certainly wasn’t Lily’s fault she brought all his protective instincts to the surface. Then again, she didn’t know Marco Messini the way he did.
Nick debated whether to turn back and bring the papers over the next day, but the unease at the back of his neck intensified. Something about the scene didn’t sit right. Nick moved closer to get a better view. Marco had Lily pinned tight against his chest, and she seemed to be struggling.
“Let go of me.”
The hint of fear in Lily’s voice lit a match to Nick’s temper. The papers fluttered to the ground as he made a wild dash across the lawn and up the few stairs. With the element of surprise on his side, he pulled Marco up by the collar of his leather jacket and flung him onto the grass below. Marco landed heavily on his back. Nick glared over the railing. “When are you going to learn to keep your hands to yourself, Messini?”
While Marco crawled to his knees, Nick turned his attention to Lily, expecting a show of gratitude or relief.
Instead, a dangerous light blazed in her dark eyes. “What do you think you’re doing?”
The adrenaline surge still sang through Nick’s body like a jolt of electricity. “Saving you from that punk’s wandering hands.”
“I had the situation under control,” she snapped. “I don’t need any would-be hero acting all macho—”
“Could I speak to you in private for a minute?” Nick said through gritted teeth.
At the wary look in her eyes, he took a calming breath and made an effort to relax his shoulders. “Please? It’s important.”
Lily darted a glance at the ground where Marco had started to pull himself up. She bit her lip and lifted her chin. “All right. You have five minutes. Then I want you gone.”
Nick nodded and followed her inside, making sure to lock the front door behind them. They made their way up to her apartment in silence. Lily unlocked the door and motioned him inside. He noted she left the door wide open. Was she afraid of him now? A tug of remorse sat under his skin as he walked into the living room and pushed his hands deep into his pant pockets.
“You probably think I’m acting like a lunatic,” he said, “but I have my reasons.”
“Such as?” She flayed him with a scathing glare, arms crossed in mutiny.
“Let’s just say I know all about Marco’s dating techniques.”
“What does that mean?”
Nick faltered, torn between explaining himself and keeping a personal confidence. He walked to the fireplace and stared into the pit of ashes, as though the solution would magically appear.
Lord, give me the right words to make her understand.
He turned back to face her. “Someone I’m close to had an unpleasant experience on a date with him. From that, and from other women I’ve talked to, I know how he operates. He expects…repayment...for the price of the meal he buys.”
Instead of appeasing her, Lily seemed even angrier. She stalked to the other side of the room. “I’ve dated a lot of guys like Marco,” she bit out, “and I’ve always managed just fine.” The last words were fierce in their intensity. “I’ve been looking out for myself since I was ten years old. I don’t need any help from you.”
He took a cautious step toward her, as though approaching a wounded animal. “What happened when you were ten?”
The unexpected question seemed to catch her off guard. She bit down on her quivering bottom lip, before turning toward the fireplace, her face shielded by a curtain of hair. For a minute he thought she wouldn’t answer. “My mother died,” she said at last.
The sorrow in her voice tore at his heart, bringing his own grief roaring to life. “I’m sorry. I know how hard that is.”
He watched her attempt to get control of her emotions, astonished at how much he wanted to take her in his arms and comfort her. “What about your father?” He remembered she didn’t get along with him. Maybe now he’d find out why.
She snapped her gaze upward, boring into his. The anguish on her face nearly undid him. “Any affection he had for me died with my mother. He blames me for her death.” Her chin quivered. “I don’t know why I’m telling you this.”
His ability to hold back vanished. He reached for her and gently pulled her stiff form into his arms. “You were only a child,” he murmured. “You weren’t responsible.”
How could any father burden a child with that type of guilt? Visions of his own father’s face, twisted with rage, came to mind. How could any parent beat their own son?
When her breath hitched, Nick gathered her closer, reaching up to caress her soft hair. The subtle scent of her perfume invaded his senses. He fought to keep a clear head, relieved when her muscles relaxed and the trembling subsided. He held her silently, enjoying the sensation of closeness, and the fact that he could help in some small way.
“Did your father…mistreat you?” he asked after a few minutes.
As if coming out of a reverie, she blinked and moved away from him. He crossed his now empty arms as she took a seat on the couch.
“Yes.” She pulled a cushion against her like a shield. “I tried to run away several times, but he always had the police bring me back.”
Harsh memories from Nick’s own childhood rose up inside him as he joined her on the sofa. “I know that helpless feeling. My father used to beat me when he drank.” He couldn’t keep the bitterness from his voice. “I tried to run away, too, only the beatings got worse when he found me.”
She reached over to lay a tentative hand on his arm. The sorrow in her eyes told him everything she wasn’t saying.
“I guess that’s why I can’t take it when a man is abusive in any way, especially to a woman.”
She nodded, seeming to understand. “Who was it that Marco…?”
“My cousin. She’s like a little sister to me.”
Even now, his gut tightened with the memory of her hysterical phone call, begging him to come and get her at the edge of town where teenage boys liked to park after a date. Only sixteen at the time, she’d gone out with Marco, who was several years her senior, against the express orders of her mother.
“Was she OK?”
“Yeah. When she wouldn’t give Marco what he wanted, he abandoned her out in the country. Good thing she had a cell phone.”
Lily remained silent for a moment. “I understand now why you reacted the way you did. I’m sorry I got so angry.”
The knot of tension in his stomach loosened. “I’m just glad you’re all right.” He paused. “You won’t be going out with him again, will you?”
She shook her h
ead.
He released the breath he’d been holding. “Good.”
The velvet depths of her eyes held him captive. He found it hard to tear his gaze from hers, but he knew he had to go—before he did something stupid, like kiss her. He squeezed her hand and reluctantly pushed up from the couch.
She followed him to the door. “Thank you for looking out for me. I guess I’m not used to dealing with a genuinely nice guy.”
Before he could respond, she raised herself on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. Silky strands of hair brushed his face. He held her gaze for a second, fighting the overwhelming urge to kiss her. But to take advantage of her vulnerability after what she’d been through would be lower than low. He’d be sinking to Marco’s level.
“Call me if he gives you any more trouble.”
“I will.”
“And lock this door when I leave.”
“I always do.”
They stood in the hallway with the door open.
“Good night, Nick.”
He paused, wanting to stay longer but unable to find another excuse to linger. “’Night, Lily.”
On the landing, he waited for her to close the door behind him, listened for the click of the dead bolt, and started down the stairs. When he exited onto the porch, Nick was relieved to find the Ford gone and no sign of Messini. At the same time, an unmistakable prickle of guilt nagged at his conscience. As a future minister, he couldn’t go around losing his temper and manhandling people—even if they did deserve it. His behavior needed to be above reproach, a shining example to his parishioners.
He sighed and began the walk home, mentally preparing an apology for the morning.
****
Lily sank back in the bathtub, allowing the hot water and fragrant bubbles to soothe her frazzled nerves. What a disastrous night. Not only was Marco a boring date, but he had expected compensation for their meal. She should have known better. A plate of spaghetti was not worth getting groped.
All she’d gotten for her trouble was one tidbit of information about Chloe Martin. Marco told her that Chloe lived with her frail, widowed mother, a devout woman who kept Chloe on a tight rein. From his description, Mrs. Martin sounded surprisingly similar to Tobias. For Chloe’s sake, Lily hoped not.
Lily laid her head against the tiled wall, her thoughts turning to Nick Logan. She didn’t know what to make of him. Could he really be as genuine as he seemed? Of all the men she’d encountered in her life, only Hank had ever treated her well. Working at the tavern, she’d mastered the art of deflecting men’s advances.
Lily pulled the plug, and the soft gurgle of draining water filled the room. Once dried, she pulled on sweatpants and a T-shirt and shook her hair out of its clip. With a large hairbrush, she began the nightly ritual of untangling.
As she did so, she contemplated her image in the slightly warped bathroom mirror. What did Nick see when he looked at her? Did he find her attractive? Her dark eyes and her long, thick hair had always been her best features. Yet many men preferred blue-eyed blondes. Was he one of those?
Most males found her curvy figure desirable, a fact she’d used to her advantage over the years to survive living on her own. She shuddered to think how Nick would view her less-than-stellar past. All the more reason she should put Nick Logan right out of her mind.
Still, she couldn’t deny her attraction. Nick’s novelty was a big part of his appeal, yet after the time she’d spent with him tonight, the danger he posed became very real. The safety and comfort she’d experienced in those few, brief moments in his embrace were nothing but a beautiful deception. She’d learned the hard way never to count on a man to bring anything but trouble.
Nick Logan was an illusion she could not afford to believe in.
****
“Hey, Mike. It’s Nick. Sorry to bother you so late.”
“It’s not late. Not for a cop anyway.” His friend laughed at his own joke. “What can I do for you?”
Nick swiveled at his desk in the living room, tapping a pen to his lips. After his encounter with Lily, he was churned up and restless, haunted by the feel of her in his arms. He needed to know more about this woman who continued to wreak havoc with his emotions.
“I’ve got a new tenant I’d like you to check out for me. The name’s Lily Draper.” He ignored the unease in his chest. He wasn’t snooping. Merely protecting his interests—in more ways than one.
“I wondered when you’d get around to that. Folks are talking about what a looker she is.”
Nick gripped the arm of his chair, thankful Mike couldn’t see his face. “What’s that got to do with anything?”
“Nothing. Except you usually get me to check out tenants before they move in.”
Mike’s tone had Nick’s defenses kicking in. “Look, I felt sorry for her. I got the impression she was a bit desperate.”
“Un-huh.”
Mike implied something Nick didn’t want to hear. “Are you going to help me or not?”
Mike chuckled. “Don’t I always?”
“Yeah.”
“OK. So where is Lily Draper from?”
“Up north. Bismarck, I think.”
“A city gal. Wonder what she’s doing down here?”
Nick leaned back in his chair, which squeaked in protest. “I wondered the same thing.”
“I’ll see what I can find out.”
“Thanks, Mike. Oh, and keep it under your hat, will ya? No need to spread her business around town.”
“Always do.”
6
The next afternoon, Lily juggled two bags of groceries on the front porch while trying to pry her keys from her pocket. To her surprise and relief, the door flew open.
Maxi poked her head out. “Need a hand?”
Lily blew wisps of hair off her forehead. “Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.”
Together they lugged the groceries up the flight of stairs to Lily’s apartment. Maxi set her load on the kitchen counter and strolled into the living room.
“Hey, I love what you’ve done with the place. Where’d you get the fantastic artwork?”
Lily peered around the corner where Maxi eyed the paintings Lily had hung on the walls. “They’re mine.”
“Yours, as in you painted them?” Maxi’s mouth gaped as she pulled a stool up to the pass-through counter.
Lily gave a casual shrug. “It’s a hobby.” She turned and opened the fridge. “Want a soda?”
“Sure.”
Lily handed her a cola and pulled out a can of her own. This was the first chance she’d had to talk to Maxi since meeting Chloe. Lily itched to pump her for information but wasn’t sure how to bring up the topic without arousing Maxi’s curiosity. “You working tonight?”
“Nope. Tonight’s my youth group meeting.”
Lily popped the lid and took a sip from her can. “What’s that?”
“A group Nick started to keep kids out of trouble. We meet in the church hall every other week.”
Nick volunteered with teens? This guy really must be a saint.
Maxi’s eyes widened. “Hey, you should come with us. It’s a great way to meet people.”
Lily bit her lip and set down her can. “I don’t think I’d feel comfortable. I’m a little old for that.”
Maxi laughed. “There’s no age restriction, Methuselah. The older volunteers mentor the younger kids.”
Lily’s shoulders stiffened. “I don’t think so. I’m not into religion.” More like allergic to it.
“Oh, it’s not religious.” Maxi waved a casual hand in the air, bangle bracelets clanging. “We just use the church basement as a meeting place.” She pursed her lips. “Well, Nick does say a prayer, but that’s about it. We have discussions, go on outings, raise money for charities, that sort of thing.”
Lily turned back to her task. Maxi didn’t strike her as the type to be interested in such mundane activities. There must be another incentive. “Does Jason go to these meetings?”
“Sometimes. B
ut I usually go with Chloe. You met her at the shop the other day.”
Lily’s heart rate kicked into overdrive, knocking as loud as the old motor in her refrigerator. She focused on keeping her hands steady as she put away her eggs. “The brunette?”
“That’s her.”
Lily closed the door with a careful click. “How are you friends? Isn’t she still in high school?”
Maxi sipped her drink. “She’s very mature for her age. Probably because she’s been through so much—losing her dad, and her mom getting sick.”
“The poor kid.” Lily had hoped Chloe was having a glorious, carefree life, unlike her own horrible childhood.
“Yeah. She has a lot on her shoulders helping out at home.”
“Does she have any…siblings?” Lily tried not to choke on the word.
“Nope. An only child.” Maxi looked at her funky silver watch. “I’d better go eat and get ready. Let me know if you want to tag along.” She threw Lily a wicked grin. “I’m sure Nick wouldn’t mind.”
Lily turned away to hide the warmth that rushed into her cheeks.
Maxi hopped down from the stool. “That reminds me. How’d your date with Marco go?”
Lily hesitated, remembering Marco was Maxi’s friend. “Not so great. He got a bit too…friendly…for my liking.”
Maxi only laughed as she opened the front door. “That’s Marco for you. Don’t take it personally.” She paused to wink over her shoulder. “Let me know if you change your mind about tonight.”
After Maxi left, Lily finished putting away the last of the groceries, her mind returning to the fact that Chloe would be at that meeting. If Lily joined the group, she’d have a perfect opportunity to get to know her sister better. As a friend and peer.
Only one huge obstacle held Lily back. She swore she’d never go near a church again. But how could she pass up this chance?
Betrayed Hearts Page 6