Did he mean Fern Lake or more? “I’m glad. Tell me more about what you’ve done and where you’ve been.”
His body tensed. “Hard to talk about. Was in the Marines. Saw action overseas. Didn’t suit me. Came back.” He drew a breath. "Police academy. Liked being on patrol in the city. Thought I wanted more.”
He stopped speaking. She looked up and saw bleakness in his eyes. “More didn’t work.”
“Did for a time. Undercover in Narcotics. Lived on the street as a burned out vet. Life fell apart.”
She touched the scar on his leg. “How did this happen?”
“On the job. The undercover one. Captain was an asshole. Made a bad decision.” He gulped a breath. “My partner died. I was shot.”
“Is that why you quit?”
He closed his eyes. “Actually I would have stayed if a transfer had come through. Man never submitted my request so I bailed.”
“The way you did at the Club?”
A whisper of laughter tickled her cheek. “More maturely. No broken dishes. No thrown punches. Managed to control my temper.”
“Guess you grew up.”
“Hope so. So what have you been doing?”
Dana wondered how much she should tell him about the years she’d waited before deciding he wouldn’t return. Before she said the words the doorbell chimed in a persistent manner. Who, she wondered. Was there an emergency? She grabbed her clothes dressed and ran down to open the door.
Patricia pushed inside. Dana backed into the wall. “What do you want?”
“Where’s Randy’s baby? I’m here to take it home where it belongs.”
Her slurred words raised gooseflesh. “You’re taking her nowhere. She’s sleeping but your noise will wake her.”
Patricia grabbed Dana’s arm. “I want to see her now.” She waved her phone. “Got to take pictures to prove you’re an unfit mother.”
Dana tore her arms free. “You’re drunk. You need to leave.”
“Not without Randy’s child.”
Dana glared. “She’s not his child. His name’s not on the birth certificate. Randy denied she was his and your father supported him.”
“Patricia go home,” Simon said.
Dana glanced over her shoulder. He stood on the top step of the stairs. Would his presence diffuse or escalate the situation?
Patricia’s laughter rose high and piercing. “How delicious. Come to lick Randy’s crumbs? He laughed when he told me he’d had what you hadn’t been man enough to take.” She staggered toward the steps.
Dana snapped. How dare Randy tell his twin about their wedding night. She grasped Patricia’s arm. “Get out of my house." Dana pushed the other woman toward the door.
“You two are so perfect for each other.” Patricia laughed. “Got you now. I can prove you’re not fit to raise my brother’s child since you’re sleeping with another man.”
Dana’s hands fisted. She would not give into the temptation to slug Patricia. “Get out. You are no more welcome here than I was at your house.”
Patricia’s mouth formed an ugly line. “Wait until I tell Daddy what I find. He’ll take my side.” She turned and staggered from the house.
Dana turned to Simon. “Should she be on the road?”
“No, but I’m not offering to drive her. She wouldn’t accept my help. Your other choice is calling the cops. She’ll like that. She can be vicious and with her father’s influence they won’t take her to jail.”
Dana leaned into the safety of his embrace. “What am I going to do? How can I protect Jenny?”
“They won’t take Jenny from you.” She pulled her into the family room. “I need to call a cab.”
“You could stay tonight.”
“I could but I won’t. Consider your last visitor taking a cab is wise.”
“I suppose you’re right.” While she would love the comfort of his presence and being in his arms by taking a cab he would have proof he left the house if Patricia made trouble.
“What are you going to do tomorrow?”
“House hunting.”
He winked. “Need a man to check the foundation, plumbing and wiring to see if there are problems.”
“I’d like that.”
“What time should I come?”
“The sitter’s coming at twelve thirty.”
“I’ll arrive around eleven thirty with lunch.” He lifted the receiver and called a cab. He walked to the door. “Be sure everything’s locked tight.”
Moments later she stood in the doorway. After a lingering kiss she stepped back. “Cab’s here. See you.”
“Tomorrow.” He waved.
As they cab pulled from the driveway, Dana frowned. Was that Patricia’s car? Looked similar but the lack of a streetlight kept her from being sure. She locked the door and went upstairs to what she hoped was Jenny’s last feeding until five or six am.
As she settled in bed the phone rang. Hoping to hear Simon’s voice she lifted the receiver. “Hello.” Silence. Not again. She hung up.
Chapter 9
The cab pulled up in front of the apartment complex. Simon fished a bill from his wallet. “Keep the change."
“Thanks. You’re new in town.”
Simon grinned. “New and old. Grew up here and left after high school. Recently returned.” As he left the cab he made sure the driver saw his face in case Patricia tried some trick.
He started toward the entrance and saw a red car drive slowly past. He’d seen the vehicle in the funeral home parking lot. He waved. The car sped away.
“Disappointed, Patricia,” he called.
He let himself into his unit. After pulling a beer from the fridge he sank on the leather sofa. The evening had turned out better than he’d expected until Patricia’s arrival had spoiled his reunion with Dana. His cousin’s comments had angered him. Had Randy gloated to his twin? Had the jerk said something to Dana? He would never know. Asking seemed the wrong move. He raised the bottle and swallowed a long sip. Something had to be done about his cousin. He wasn’t sure what but he would discover someway to pull her fangs.
He decided on one thing. When Dana bought a new house he would install a security system. He considered putting one in her current residence but that would benefit whoever bought the place. He considered options. Updating the security on her computer and putting a tracer on her phone to track the hang-ups she’d mentioned was a start.
With his agenda planned he finished the beer and took a shower. Had he really agreed to go house-hunting tomorrow? Much more time spent in Dana’s company and he’d be pushing for marriage. That was his goal but there were obstacles in the path. Mostly his actions in the past. He needed her to believe he wouldn’t walk away again.
He sank on the bed and pulled the sheet over him. Dana’s birthday was next month. There was the ring he’d bought on a whim years ago. Could he wait until then to propose? He wanted to know more about her short marriage to Randy. Would she tell him? How to ask was the problem. No more blurting questions the way he had when she’d come this afternoon to help. If he didn’t play the asshole card, he would have everything he wanted.
* * *
By seven the next morning Simon had dressed. With luck spending today with Dana might produce some answers to his horde of questions. He headed to the coffee shop a block away. Just before nine he reached the local car dealership and found the owner unlocking the door. An hour later he’d paid for a fuel efficient hatchback and for everything needed so he could pick up the car on Monday.
At ten thirty, a taxi left him at Dana’s house. He rang the bell. When she answered he inhaled the floral scent she always wore. He brushed her lips and pulled back before the touch ignited the kindling around his heart.
“You look tired,” he said.
“I am. Three hang-ups spaced to interrupt my sleep. Good thing Jenny slept until almost six.”
He reached into his pocket. “Let me put this on your phone. It connects to the office. We might learn wh
o is making those calls. If the line stays open long enough we’ll find a number.”
Dana shrugged. "Have a feeling it’s Patricia.”
“You could make a mention of my cousin’s harassment to Aunt May.”
Dana stepped back. "I don’t want to upset her. I just wonder why Patricia is doing this.”
“Alcohol. Grief. Spite. Take your pick. Who knows how her mind works.” He entered the family room and took care of the phone and keyed the number into the system at the warehouse. “Next time you receive one of those hang-ups don’t speak and don’t hang up. Maybe the caller will stay on the line.”
“I’ll try. Saying hello is automatic.”
He reconnected the phone and walked to the cradle. “Hello, Jenny.” He bent close. One of her hands connected with his nose. “Been taking self-defense lessons?”
Dana laughed. “I think she likes you.”
The doorbell rang. Dana ran to answer. She returned with the woman he figured was the sitter. The blonde was a few years older than Dana. “Madge, this is Simon. Simon, Madge. He volunteered to give me a man’s view of the houses. Madge is the birthing partner who missed the big event. She’s doing penance. Bottle’s in the fridge. She will drink from it. We practiced.”
Simon passed Jenny to Madge. “See you later.”
At the car, Dana handed him the keys. “You drive. I’ll co-pilot.”
“Are you sure? I did grow up here.”
“Place has changed.”
“Got you. Where?”
“At the entrance turn left.” She gave directions a street at a time.
The realtor met them at the first house. Before long they moved to the second one. After walking through the house they returned to the car. Dana turned to Simon. “What do you think?”
“Neither. Both need too much work.”
The third house was empty. As they walked through the realtor showed them the small attached apartment. “You could rent it and help with the payments.”
Dana shrugged. “Something to consider.”
Simon had a different idea. At the car he opened the passenger’s door. “The apartment could be converted to office space.”
“That’s a thought. Though I liked the basement family room I wouldn’t want my office down there. I could use one of the bedrooms. Would renovation be expensive?”
“Don’t know.”
The fourth house was smaller and would work if the attached garage became an office. The large fenced-in yard was a plus. “What do you think?” Dana asked.
“Not my place to decide. Depends on if you’re willing to give up the heated garage or sacrifice some of the yard.” He clasped her hand. “You’re the buyer.”
“Tell me, please.”
Simon drew a deep breath. “Both houses are structurally sound. You could turn one of the three bedrooms into an office. The fourth house has that apartment.”
"This house has a fenced yard.”
He nodded. “And part of the yard at house three could be fenced. Could come down to price. What now?”
“Think of pluses and minuses. List the monster house for sale.”
“If you need money for a binder, I have a few thousand I could loan you.”
“I’m fine, but thanks.”
When they reached the house, Jenny was awake and lying on a quilt in the family room floor. Madge rose. “She likes the bells and she took the bottle."
Simon crouched beside the quilt. He picked her up. “She’s wet.” He carried her to the couch and managed to change her.
When Dana returned from seeing her friend off, Simon rose. “I should go.”
“Do you have plans?”
“No.”
“I asked Madge if she could stay while I grocery shop but she can’t. Could you stay? I’ll feed you dinner.”
“What if she cries?”
“There’s a bottle in the fridge. You’ll need to warm it a bit but I should be back in time.”
“I could do the shopping.”
“Not on a bet.” She grinned. “There are things on my list you wouldn’t want to buy.”
“Got you.” The pink on her cheeks made him grin. “Go. We’ll be fine.”
When she left he sat on the quilt and dangled the bells close enough for Jenny to bat. She smiled and his heart contracted the way it had the first time he’d seen her. She played awhile longer and yawned. He carried her to the couch and held her until she slept before taking her to the cradle.
Simon returned to the couch. He knew what he wanted. Dana, Jenny and a family. If only he could keep from making another mistake. He needed patience, something he’d never learned to cultivate.
When Dana returned home Simon helped her unload the groceries. “What do you think about taking a picnic lunch to Fern Lake tomorrow? Temp’s supposed to be in the eighties.”
“I’d like that. I’ll pack the lunch.” She put some packages in the freezer. “You can be in charge of drinks.”
Simon frowned. Why did he think this was a test he hoped he would pass? “Will do. Any suggestions?”
“Your choice.” Dana walked to the family room. “She give you any trouble.”
“She smiled.”
“Probably gas.”
“Naw, she smiled.” He brushed Dana’s lips with a finger. “One thing I want to do is beef up the security on your computer. Take me an hour or so."
“Why?”
“To practice what I learned during training. Also if you’re selling the house you’ll have to leave when people walk through. Someone might become curious.”
“Good thought. Go ahead. While you play I’ll make dinner.” She handed him a card. “Password one and two.” She paused. “Steak all right.”
“Steak’s fine.”
* * *
Dana halted in the doorway. “How do you like your steak?”
“Medium.”
She continued to the kitchen and mixed the marinade for the steak. She zapped two baking potatoes to partially done. Some smaller ones along with eggs were set on the burner for potato salad for the picnic. She started a three bean salad. With deft movements she seasoned and breaded pieces of chicken. When the oil in the fryer reached the right temperature she fried the chicken and stored the ingredients for potato salad in the fridge. With preparations for the picnic almost finished she put the steaks and potatoes in the oven.
Once the food was done she called Simon to dinner. He stared at the food on the counter. “We having a feast?”
”That’s for tomorrow.” She placed salad and plates with steak and baked potatoes on the table. “This is dinner.”
“Keep this up and I’ll gain a hundred pounds.”
Dana laughed. “There are ways to burn off calories.” She lowered her gaze.
Simon ran a finger over her hand. “Are you tempting me?”
“Is it working?”
“Yes.” He cut his steak and took a bite. “This is delicious.”
“It’s the beer in the marinade.” She filled two glasses with iced tea.
“After I explain what I did to your computer we’ll work on calorie reduction.”
“A little later than that. By then Jenny will be hungry. Then I’ll get her ready for bed.”
“I’m a patient man.”
Laughter rolled from her gut. “Patience and you is an oxymoron.”
“I swear I’ve changed.”
“We’ll see. There’s strawberry shortcake for dessert.”
He groaned. "You’re killing me.”
“Hope not.” She dotted her potato with butter and sour cream. “Do you think we could visit one of the houses before we go to the lake?”
“Sure. The fourth one?”
“Three. I liked it the best.” When they’d toured the place she’d imagined Simon living there with her.
“So did I.”
Dana hid a smile. Maybe there was a chance.
Once they’d finished dinner, Simon cleared the table while Dana made
the potato salad. They finished at the same time and walked to the family room where Simon booted the computer. Step by step he led her through the new levels of security.
Dana jotted notes. “Will take me weeks before the steps are automatic. Could I accidentally erase a file if I make a misstep trying to open a file?”
“Won’t happen. If you forget, call and I’ll tell you again.”
After the second trial Jenny woke. Dana carried her daughter upstairs to bathe and feed her. When she returned to the family room Simon sat on the couch. He’d turned on the television. She curled beside him. “I’m glad you’re back. I wish things had been different years ago.”
Simon tugged her closer. “I was a dumb, angry kid.”
“Not dumb. What the Grantlans did to you was cruel. You had a right to be proud and have your family see what you had achieved. Robert Grantlan saw a chance to show how important he was by arranging that gala for the private school on the same night as graduation. You were hurt.”
“Yah, I was. And immature. My temper used to control me.” He stroked her hair. “You have the coloring everyone one thinks means temper. I’m the one who erupts. Joining the Marines and working as a cop forced me to grow up. Tell me what you did after high school.”
“Went to college and earned a BS in Nursing. Loved the classes. Came home and worked at the hospital. Hated being a nurse. Left the hospital and worked at the nursing home. Didn’t like the work any better. Discovered I liked filling out forms and chasing figures better so I took courses in billing. Learned a bunch of codes.”
Simon frowned. “What was wrong with being a nurse? I think you would have been a good one.”
“Sick people, dying people, complaints and demands. Relatives trying to interfere. My new career suits me. Best of all I can work from home.”
Simon clasped her hand. “Did you meet Randy at the nursing home?”
She drew a deep breath. Though she didn’t want to talk about that time if she and Simon were going to be a couple he needed to know.
“I met Rob. We dated a few times. One evening we met Randy. Somehow he was the one who took me home.” Her grip tightened.
“It’s all right.”
She stared at their clasped hands. “He was charming and I was a fool. I thought I’d be alone forever. We dated for three months, he proposed and I accepted. A few days into the honeymoon and I knew I’d made a mistake. Then my parents died in the accident. Randy was supportive until he learned my parents didn’t leave me much money.”
Rekindled Dreams (Moon Child) Page 8