For now she would focus on what mattered. Family. Lila. The investigation.
“I have a little time before I have to go to work. I thought I’d go see Lila. Wanna go with me?”
He nodded. “That’s where I was headed. I need to talk with her doctor.”
“We can update Lila on the interesting roadblock we’ve hit in our investigation, before we’ve even really begun.”
Reyn looked away, shoved his hands in his jeans pockets and drew a slow breath. She watched his expression carefully.
Over the years, she’d learned to be a student of people. She read their body language, interpreted the emotion in their eyes and looked at the whole picture.
Right now, Reyn’s eyes were clouded with conflicting emotions, though he schooled his expression to give nothing away.
“Reyn? What are you thinking?”
He cut his gaze toward her. “There’s a lot of history between me and Horton. Russell too, for that matter. But I can’t think of any reason why Charlie Smith would be so bitter.”
Olivia shrugged. “Some people don’t need a reason to act ugly. Hank says he’s always complaining about something. Don’t sweat it.”
“I honestly don’t care what they think of me. I’m used to their abuse. But even their distrusting me, disliking me doesn’t explain the reaction we got when we mentioned the fire.”
She fingered the ladybug pendant at her throat. “Yeah. I smell a rat.”
“I read your dad’s files last night. I can’t explain his suspicions, but if there is something more to the fire that killed my mother…” He paused, watching her stroke the ladybug charm before turning his gaze to the sleepy town street. “I want to know what it is.”
Hope blossomed inside her. “Then you’re in?”
“Yeah, I’m in,” he said with a grudging tone, his expression grim. He closed her door, and as he walked around to the driver’s side, satisfaction swelled in her chest, warm and fulfilling. His cooperation would make finding answers for Lila easier. And infinitely more intriguing.
She welcomed the opportunity to spend more time with Lila’s sexy grandson, to get to know the man behind the erotic calendar pose. But while getting to know Reyn appealed to her, her practical side warned her not to get too attached to him.
Something had kept him away from Clairmont for twenty years, and although Lila’s emergency had brought him back this time, he had those unknown ghosts to deal with.
She simply couldn’t risk her heart with a man who didn’t share her values and priorities. That commitment to her principles and voice of caution should have been reassuring. So why did it leave her feeling restless and uneasy?
Reyn climbed in the driver’s seat and cranked the engine, his chiseled features bathed in sunlight, and she knew. Priorities or not, she wanted Reyn. She’d never been prone to crushes on movie stars like her friends in high school. Yet Reyn’s sexy picture had stirred a deep visceral reaction in her, a desire that burned hot and left her achy with need. What’s more, believing all the wonderful stories Lila told about his heroics on the job and his caring nature gave her physical longings another dimension, a personal level.
She sat on her hands, squelching the impulse to touch the places where the sunlight kissed his square jaw and sandy hair. Oh, yes, she wanted Reyn to be everything she’d imagined he was. But wanting didn’t make him so. She still had to break down his walls before she could justify deeper involvement with him. Perhaps their search for the truth would even quiet the ghosts that haunted him and kept him away from Clairmont. That thought fired a spark of optimism in her. She swore to give it her best effort. For Lila’s sake as well as Reyn’s.
While she waged her internal debate, she studied his hands, draped casually on the steering wheel as he drove. Light brown hair dusted his wrists, and neatly trimmed nails tipped long fingers. As powerful looking as those hands were, she remembered how gently they’d held Lila’s frailer grasp yesterday. She had no doubt those fingers could be equally gentle when he made love. She indulged briefly in the image of his hands stroking down her bare skin, and goose bumps rose on her arm. Swallowing a moan, she rubbed her elbows.
“Too cold?” Reyn asked, glancing at her. He flipped the switch on the dash to turn down his air conditioner.
Too hot is more like it.
“No, I’m fine. Just thinking about—” You. Your touch.
Liquid fire pooled in her belly.
“Yeah? About?” he prompted.
“Everything. Just wondering what we should do next.”
“I have a few ideas.” He didn’t elaborate, and since they’d reached the hospital, she didn’t ask. She filed her questions away for later and focused on cheering Lila.
Lila greeted them with her usual warmth. Like the day before, Reyn’s mood lightened as well, as if the affection he shared with Lila obliterated the worries of the world. She understood that kind of bond, having shared it with her parents.
She greeted Lila with a kiss on the cheek and listened as Reyn questioned his grandmother about her level of pain, her ability to sleep and her satisfaction with the care she was receiving.
“I brought you something,” Reyn said, presenting Lila with a small brown bag he’d brought up from his truck.
“How sweet of you.” Lila’s eyes sparkled like a child’s at Christmas as she unrolled the top of the sack and peeked inside. “Lemon drops! Oh, Reyn, you remembered.”
He tugged up the corner of his mouth, obviously pleased by his grandmother’s response, and a dimple dented his cheek.
Olivia’s heart missed a beat. A dimple. Proof positive that one could improve upon perfection.
“Lemon drops have always been my favorite indulgence.”
Olivia realized Lila was talking to her and had caught her staring at Reyn.
“He used to bring them to me on special occasions like Mother’s Day or my birthday, before…” Lila sighed, and the light in her eyes dimmed. “Before his mother died, and he went to live with my sister.”
Reyn took his grandmother’s hand in his. Olivia saw the shadow that crept into his eyes and knew before he spoke he was ready to tackle the topic of the fire.
“I’m working on getting the answers you want, Gram. But…” He hesitated, and a muscle in his square jaw twitched. “We’ve already met hostility from folks when we mention what we’re doing. They made it clear they don’t want us investigating.”
Lila clutched the bag of lemon drops to her chest and frowned. “Which people?”
Olivia scooted her chair closer to the side of Lila’s bed. “The firemen who responded to the call. I thought they’d be a good place to start, but even Hank discouraged us from opening the case again.”
Lila sighed, and her disappointment was palpable. “Does that mean you can’t get the answers we want?”
Olivia mourned the joyful mood that fled with the change of subject. She hated seeing the concern that filled Lila’s eyes.
Reyn shook his head. “Not at all. I’m not quitting because a group of stodgy old men don’t like what I’m doing.”
“Hank’s not stodgy.” Olivia echoed her protest with a scowl.
Meeting her gaze, Reyn quirked an eyebrow. “Regardless, he’s not happy about our investigation. My question is, why.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. He tends to worry about me. Understandable since he’s family. Since my mother died and he took over raising Katy, he’s suffered a lot of hardship. It makes him protective. Frankly, I admire him for it.”
Reyn raised a hand, conceding her point. “That doesn’t explain the reaction we got from the rest of them.”
She nodded. “Okay, so we forget about the firemen. For now. My dad’s main interest seemed to be the coroner’s report. Let’s find a copy and see what his concerns were.”
“I agree. Gram, did you—” He paused and ran a hand along his jaw, clearly looking for a delicate way to broach the painful subject with his grandmother.
&nb
sp; Olivia’s heart went out to both of them. She was no stranger to pain and loss, and she sympathized with the awkwardness Reyn clearly felt discussing tough issues with his grandmother. But she knew Lila was stronger than he gave her credit for being.
“Lila, did you get a copy of the report back when it was issued?” she said gently when Reyn continued to hedge.
“I…I don’t recall.” Lila pressed her fingers to her lips, her brow scrunched in deep thought. “I know they told me the cause of death was smoke inhalation. That was expected. But I… Oh, I don’t remember!”
The old woman’s frustration speared through Olivia.
Reyn, too, seemed disturbed by Lila’s upset. “It’s okay, Gram.” He patted her hand and shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. We’ll get a copy another way.”
“I was in such shock over Claire’s death and worried about you and…it’s a blur to me now. I just…”
“Gram.” Reyn leaned forward, clasping Lila’s hand more tightly. His own face reflected a deep regret. “It’s okay. I don’t want you to worry about this.”
He ducked his head and raked his fingers through his short hair, leaving it slightly ruffled. Like she imagined it might look first thing in the morning. Or right after sex.
A delicious thrill spun through her, but Olivia tucked that thought away, saving it for another time. Right now, she needed to concentrate on the matter at hand. “We can check my attic for more papers. I haven’t had a chance before now to go back up and look, but I’ll make the time later today.”
“I’ll help you. And we can always get a copy of the coroner’s report from the state. Surely as her family we have the right to request a look at the report.” Reyn faced his grandmother, focusing on her. “But the important thing is that you rest. Let us handle this. I don’t want you worrying. Okay?”
Lila raised a frail finger and shook it. “It’s a grandmother’s job to worry.” She gave him a small smile and stroked his cheek. “But I’ll let you take care of this as long as you promise to be careful.”
“Deal.” He gave his grandmother a tender smile.
Olivia absorbed the warmth of his smile and stored the memory with everything else she was learning about Reyn. His affection for Lila was endearing. Still, it just didn’t make sense that a man who cared deeply for his grandmother could have refused to return home to visit her for so many years. That incongruity glared like a warning light. Until she got past the layers of mystery surrounding Reyn, she had to be cautious.
Glancing at her watch, Olivia winced. “I hate to say it, but I’ve gotta get to work. Would you mind dropping me by the church, Reyn? My car’s still there.”
“Go on, darling, and take Olivia to her car. I’m feeling rather tired.” Lila patted Reyn’s hand, and he gave her a worried frown.
“You’ll be all right?”
“Of course. I just need a nap. You’ll be back later?”
He kissed her cheek. “Save me some lemon drops.”
“Maybe,” Lila chirped.
Olivia laughed and hugged her friend before following Reyn out to the hall. His body radiated tension, and she slipped her fingers around his fist while they waited for the elevator. “I know this is hard for you.”
He gave her a startled glance. “I’m all right.”
She sandwiched his hand between hers and squeezed. “If you ever want to talk—”
The elevator opened with a ding, and he jerked his hand away. “I said I’m fine.”
He stepped into the elevator and jabbed the button with more force than necessary. Crossing his arms over his chest, he stared at the lit numbers marking their descent. His body language was clear. He was shutting her out.
Disappointment settled in her chest like the morning fog. It scared her how much she wanted to earn his trust, have his respect, form a friendship. None of which he seemed ready to give her. A tiny voice deep in her soul told her Reyn was worth a little patience, a little extra effort. But could she trust that voice until she’d seen for herself what kind of man Reyn was deep inside?
For now, she would settle for helping him uncover the truth about his mother’s death. Perhaps by working together on the investigation, he’d grow more comfortable with her, learn to trust her, know she was there to help when he was ready to talk.
Once in his truck, she filled the silence between them by chatting about her job as Lou’s assistant at the pharmacy, her classes twice a week and the upcoming Founders Day festival and fireworks. “Would you like to go with me to the festival?”
His sharp glance said she’d surprised him with her request.
She cocked her head, inviting his reply. “I figured you didn’t have a date yet, since you just got into town.”
He kept his gaze on the road now. “Doubt I’ll go. That sort of thing’s not my style.”
“What is your style? A movie? A home-cooked meal?” She dropped her voice an octave. “Moonlight walks? Breakfast in bed?”
That got his attention. He gave her a long, penetrating stare, arched one light brown eyebrow, and then turned back toward the windshield. “Strip clubs. Hard liquor. Kinky one night stands. They’re more my style.”
She narrowed a suspicious glare on him, twisting her lips as she watched his face. Sure enough, when he flicked a sideways glance at her, the corner of his mouth twitched.
She slugged him in the arm and laughed. “You’re full of it, Erikson.”
“Think so?” His expression held a challenge.
“I’m sure of it.” She flashed him a smug expression as he parked next to her jalopy in the church lot. Unbuckling her seatbelt, she turned on the seat to face him. “I have an hour at lunch. If you want to pick me up, we can—”
She stopped abruptly when she noticed the addition to her car. A large rock sat on her windshield, pinning a piece of paper. “What the…? Damn! They broke the glass.”
Yanking open the passenger’s door, she hurried around the front bumper of Reyn’s truck. She snatched the rock away to examine the new cracks in her windshield with disgust and anger roiling in her stomach.
Reyn climbed out and moved up behind her. He reached around her and plucked the paper from her hand.
Raking the hair back from her face with her fingers, Olivia groaned. She couldn’t afford to fix the cracked windshield now. Not with fall tuition due at the end of the month and a set of new tires to finish paying off.
With a sigh, she turned toward Reyn, watched his face darken as he studied the paper in his hand. He swore under his breath and raised an iron stare to her.
“What is it?” she asked.
His eyes were the color of a storm cloud, and she braced for the lightning strike.
“It’s a death threat.”
Chapter Four
Reyn studied the hand-written letters while fingers of dread crawled up his spine. He gave Olivia a grim stare, and she trembled, the color draining from her face.
“Tell me you’re kidding,” she whispered.
“Wish I were.”
She snatched the paper back from him and read aloud the short message written in red, “Curiosity killed the cat.”
With a grunt, she balled the note up and tossed it at his chest. “Give me a break. It’s just a prank, an idle threat at worst.”
Reyn bent and picked up the wad, careful not to touch it more than he had to. “You shouldn’t have done that. They might be able to get prints off it.”
“Prints?”
He set the wad on the front seat of his truck. “Yeah, fingerprints. Whoever left this might also have left his fingerprints.”
She scoffed. “You’re not taking that ridiculous cliché seriously, are you? Someone’s just trying to scare us. I’m more ticked that they broke my window.”
He pinned her with a hard look. “It might be an unoriginal warning, but I think the message behind it is sincere. We’d be crazy to blow it off. Just in case.”
“Are you saying you’re going to give up looking for an
swers about the fire because of this?” Olivia’s tone was incredulous, her gold eyes wide with disbelief.
“Hell, no. But you are.”
She snorted contemptuously. “No way. I’m not letting some crackpot scare me off. This is important to Lila, and I owe it to her to find the answers she wants.”
He shook his head. “You don’t owe her anything. This is my fight. My investigation. You’re officially out as of now.”
“You can’t do that!”
“I just did.”
She huffed angrily and crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t need your permission to do this. I’ll work by myself if I have to. Besides, you need me for my access to my dad’s old files.”
Frustration torqued his muscles tighter. “Damn it, Olivia. This isn’t a game. Someone is issuing threats. There’s serious foul play at work here, and I want you out of harm’s way.”
“What about you? You’re at risk too.”
“It’s my job to take risks. I face life and death danger on a regular basis.”
“But not like this.” She stepped closer, wrapping her cool fingers around his wrist. He wished like hell she wouldn’t touch him all the time. Her sometimes casual, sometimes comforting touches made it extremely difficult not to put his hands on her in return.
“At a fire,” she said, “you know the dangers and can go in prepared. Assuming the threat is real, we don’t know where this danger is coming from, who we can trust, who has something to hide.”
“I’ll give you five guesses who’s involved.”
She blinked. “Pardon?”
“Who knows that we are looking into the fire? Five people.” He counted off his fingers as he listed the names. “Horton, Russell, Charlie Smith, your pharmacist friend Lou, and Hank.”
She gave him a harsh laugh. “Don’t be crazy. Lou wouldn’t hurt a flea. And you can’t tell me my own stepfather would threaten to kill me!”
“Willing to stake your life on it?”
“Yes. He’s family. I know Hank. He didn’t do this.” She huffed her frustration and waved her hand at her broken windshield. “This isn’t happening. This is Clairmont, for crying out loud, not New Orleans or Atlanta.”
Reyn's Redemption Page 6