Ring Around the Rosy

by Roseanne Dowell

  “Listen, Dad’s home. I don’t want him to know we had this discussion.”

  “Why not,” Clare asked.

  “Because he said I can’t do anything without asking you first. I told him I could make my own decisions. We’re going to tell you this together. Act surprised.”

  Susan laughed. “Do you really think he’s going to believe that?”

  “If you play along, he will.”

  “Yeah, right.” Susan took the cola from Kate and poured some in her glass. “You could have offered, you know.”

  “Sorry, didn’t think you’d want any more.” Kate took the bottle and put it back in the refrigerator.

  “Daddy.” Clare ran to the door and hugged her father.

  “Hey, here’s my girls. What have you four been planning?”

  “Well, we thought we’d all move back in.” Susan hugged and kissed her father.

  “Oh, you did, did you?” John Weston smiled. “Don’t tell me your mother didn’t tell you our news.”

  Kate slid onto the stool after she kissed her father. “What news? You have news and didn’t share it with us? Oh my gosh, don’t tell me, you won the lottery.”

  “Ha, I wish,” Martha said. “Actually, dear, I was waiting for you to get home, like we planned.”

  The twinkle in her father’s eye, when he kissed her mother, told Susan he didn’t believe her for a minute. “So come on, what’s the news? Oh no, don’t tell me you’re pregnant.”

  “That would be almost as good as winning the lottery.” Leo sat down and laughed. “You really didn’t tell them?”

  Martha shook her head. “We agreed to tell them together.”

  “All right, enough with the suspense. Tell us what?” Susan hoped she sounded convincing.

  “Your mother and I are looking for a winter house in Florida.” Leo put his arm around Martha. “You really didn’t tell them?”

  “Florida! Really?” Kate jumped off her stool and hugged her parents.

  “Florida? Oh my gosh? When? Where?” Susan hoped she wasn’t overreacting. She glanced at Clare, who sat next to her, a sullen look on her face.

  “I don’t like the idea. What are we going to do without you? How long will you be gone?”

  Susan took Clare’s hand. Poor kid really was dependent on their parents, more so than she or Kate were. Their parents had practically lived at Clare’s after Johnny was born.

  “Now, Kitten…” Leo looked at Clare. “You’ll be fine. You don’t need us interfering in your life. You have that job, now, so we don’t see you much anymore, anyway.”

  Kate yawned. “I’m sorry, guys, I had a long day, and I really need to go to bed. Why don’t we sleep on it and talk more about this in the morning?”

  “Sounds like a good idea to me.” One good thing about Kate, she always knew how to defuse a situation. Susan stood and stretched.

  Gosh, she missed Dave. She tossed and turned most of the night.

  Susan woke the next morning before everyone and sneaked downstairs to call Dave. Although she enjoyed spending time with her sisters and her parents, she missed him. Funny, how she had gotten used to his company in such a short time.

  She looked out the window. A red rose dangled from her car. Shoot! And why wasn’t Dave answering his phone again? “Hey, Dave, it’s me. Guess I’ll talk to you tonight.” No point mentioning the rose. She’d tell him about it later. Someone had followed her again. Somehow, she had to hide it from her parents. She had to get out there and get rid of that rose.

  Kate came down just as she hung up the phone. “Early morning call to your boyfriend?”

  The heat crept into Susan’s face. She hated that she blushed at the simplest thought of Dave. “Actually, yeah.”

  “Oh, aren’t you a pretty shade of red?” Clare followed Kate into the kitchen.

  So what if she had a boyfriend? That’s what they all wanted, anyway. The problem was she wasn’t really sure about Dave. He seemed attentive and caring. And his kisses sure said he wanted more, but...was she just an interesting sideline in an otherwise gruesome case?

  She shook her head. Nah, there was more to it than that. A guy didn’t take you to meet his family if he wasn’t thinking long term.

  Clare grinned at her as if she read her thoughts.

  Susan hated that grin.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Dave arrived right on time, and ran his fingers along his shirt collar and wiped his hands on his pantswhile she introduced him to her father. Susan almost giggled. Never had she seen Dave look so uncomfortable, so nervous. Of course, her father’s gruff attitude didn’t help. And the way her mother gushed over Dave embarrassed Susan. She could well imagine how he felt.

  He said a quick hello to Clare and Kate and looked at her. “Ready?”

  “Just let me get my purse.” Susan grabbed her purse, looked at her family, and smiled. “Don’t wait up. I might be late.” She grabbed Dave’s arm and hurried him outside. She was almost sorry they were going to Emily’s. She’d much rather spend the evening with him alone.

  “So what did you call me about this morning?” He opened the car door for her.

  “There was another rose on my car.”

  “Shit, did you see anyone?” He went around to the driver’s side and slid inside.

  “Nope, but when I woke up and looked out, it was there. Just like last time.”

  “We’ll get this guy, Susan. I promise.”

  How many times had he said that? She wondered if they’d ever get either of these guys. If, in fact, there were two, which she doubted.

  “So, did you miss me?” Dave changed the subject.

  Susan sent him a sideways glance. Silly, it was only one day, but she had. He must be growing on her. “Yeah, actually, I did. I guess I’ve gotten used to you being around. How about you — did you miss me?”

  May as well see where she stood.

  Dave raised her hand to his lips and brushed a light kiss over it. “I missed you immensely. I had to eat fast food again.”

  “Oh, so it’s my cooking you miss, not me.”

  His kiss sent tingles of excitement through her. Just his nearness set her on fire. This man did things to her she had never experienced before.

  Dave laughed. “Well, that and a few other things.”

  Susan had a pretty good idea what those other things might be. Luckily, they arrived at his sister’s.

  Josh and Jake met their Uncle Dave at the door. Josh jumped on his back.

  “Whoa.” Dave steadied his balance and picked up Jake. He brought Josh around to the front, grabbed Jake by the seat of his pants, and laid him on the ground, setting Josh on top of him. Both boys giggled while they struggled to get up.

  “Boys! Give your uncle a chance to get in the house.” Emily laughed and hugged Susan. “And don’t forget we have a guest.” She took Susan’s jacket and hung it in the closet.

  “I have to apologize for them. But it is your fault, David.”

  “I know, I know.” Dave chased the boys into the living room.

  “I swear I don’t know whose worse — him or the kids. Come in the kitchen. You can give me a hand.” Emily linked arms with Susan.

  Squeals and laughter came from the other room. Susan looked around the warm kitchen, a chef’s dream, Rich cherry cupboards lined three walls, and a center island with a sink took up most of the space. A professional six-burner range sat recessed in a brick enclosure, making it look like a fireplace.

  “Something to drink? Wine, soda, beer, or I can make a martini?” Emily took a beer out of the refrigerator. “If I know my brother, he’ll be in here any minute looking for this.”

  “Wine sounds good.” Susan pulled out a stool and sat down. “I love the countertops. What are they?” She ran her hand along the smooth surface.

  “Actually, they’re concrete. I saw it on a television show, and I was hooked. Rob and I did some research, and believe it or not, there’s a wide variety of people who make them. And
they come in a choice of color, or they can be made to look like granite.” Emily poured the wine.

  “I’m sorry. I tend to get carried away when people ask about it. Come on, let’s go find the guys. I’ll see if I can rescue Dave from my monsters.”

  Dave jumped up and hid behind Susan. “I’m on safe territory. No fair behind this line.” He drew an imaginary line in front of her with his hand.

  “Hey, don’t get me involved.” Susan stepped around behind him and pushed him toward the boys, who immediately pounced on him.

  “Traitor!” Dave picked up each of the boys and piled them on top of each other, and lay on top of them, pinning them to the floor. “Give, say uncle.”

  “Uncle, uncle,” they squealed beneath him through their giggles.

  “Okay, boys, that’s enough. Where’s your father?” Emily pulled each boy up by his hand. “Come on, time to settle down and let Uncle Dave catch his breath. He’s not as young as he used to be.”

  Dave sat next to Susan, put his arm around her, leaned over, and kissed her.

  Heat crept along her neck and into her cheeks. Darn, she hated that. And she swore Dave did things in front of people just to make her blush.

  “So, you’re done wrestling for the evening.” Rob came in and turned off the television. “Come on boys, settle down now. You heard your mother.” He ruffled the boys’ hair.

  Josh and Jake threw mischievous looks at Dave. “Aw, okay. Can we have some pizza now?”

  Emily shook her head and gave the boys a look. Susan almost laughed. She remembered that look from her own mother when she and her sisters acted up. Now that she thought about it, Clare used the same look sometimes.

  After a fun evening, learning to play dominoes, Dave took her back to her mother’s. Susan relaxed in the car on the way home, content and happy. It was fun being with Dave, and she enjoyed his family. Rob and Emily treated her like part of the family.

  Back at her mother’s, Dave took her in his arms. He ran his finger along her cheek and across her lips, leaned down, and brushed his lips across hers.

  Something stirred in her, and she melted into him, desire flaring deep inside her. It was a good thing they were at her mother’s. She’d be half tempted to invite him in.

  She wanted him, no sense trying to deny it. But, until she knew where she stood, she couldn’t, wouldn’t give in. She knew Dave desired her. It was written all over his face. It was in his eyes when he looked at her. And it was in his kiss when he devoured her, like he was doing now. But was it only desire? She wanted more than that. For the first time in her life, she wanted a relationship, one that led to marriage. And until she had that ring on her finger, desire or not, she wouldn’t give in. She pulled away.

  “I had a great time.” She opened the door, not wanting to leave. She’d much rather be wrapped in his arms. But her inner instinct told her it was time. “I really like your family.”

  Dave stared at her.

  A shadow of indecision or something flickered across his face. She stood up on tiptoe, pulled his head down to meet hers and kissed him, a quick brushing of her lips over his. “Goodnight.”

  She went in and closed the door before he could reply. What was it she saw flash in his eyes? Doubt? Whatever it was, she had to give him time to deal with it. An inner instinct told her he was about to tell her he wasn’t going to see her anymore. She wasn’t about to give him that chance. At least, not yet.

  * * *

  Dave stood looking at the closed door for a minute, then turned and hurried to his car. What the hell was wrong with him? All evening, he couldn’t keep his eyes off of her.

  It was a good thing when they arrived at his sisters. He had been half tempted to turn the car around and take her back to her place, forty-five minute ride or not. The truth of the matter was he had missed her. He missed everything about her, had grown used to having her around and stopping at her place. And, yeah, he missed her cooking and even missed helping her clean up after dinner.

  Maybe he should make this relationship permanent.

  He almost laughed aloud at the idea. Him, confirmed bachelor, Detective Dave Morgan, wanting a permanent relationship. Was he nuts? Look what happened to Mike when he tried.

  Nope. Marriage wasn’t in the cards. Women didn’t understand a cop’s life, couldn’t handle the danger of it. He’d better put the thought out of his mind and enjoy what he had, take it to the next level maybe, but marriage was out of the question. Besides, what made him think she’d even have him? Where was this going? He wanted to take her in his arms again, wanted to go home with her, yet was glad she had pulled away. Something tugged at his heart. Was he falling in love with her?

  Hell, he knew better than that. Maybe it was time to end this here and now, before it went any farther. Let Greenwood stay on the case. Stay away from her. He almost told her that at the door. But when he brushed his hand over her cheek, just the feel of her smooth skin drove him crazy with wanting. Problem was, there was something else. If it was only a physical attraction, that’d be one thing. But it was more. He wanted her, all right. But he wanted to spend time with her, too. He enjoyed her company. Hell, he even liked helping her in the kitchen. He liked their easy camaraderie.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Susan got up early, and, after writing a note for her parents, left for home before anyone else got up.

  Her thoughts turned to Dave on the drive home. What had she seen in his eyes? Doubt, indecision. Definitely not a look she liked. Maybe it would be best to end things before they got too out of hand. Spending time with his family probably wasn’t a good idea. Getting too familiar, too involved. Nope, not a good idea. She had to end this. But the thought of not spending time with him made her ache. Made her feel empty inside. Still, if he didn’t want a permanent relationship, where would that leave her. Pretty much in the same boat as Kate. Could she handle that?

  She parked her car and hurried into her building. Horace caught her at the elevator.

  “How’s it going, Susan?”

  “Good, Horace, how about with you?” Susan tapped her foot While she waited for the elevator. Why wasn’t it ever on the ground floor when she came in?

  “I can’t complain much. Things have been pretty slow around here. Even Mrs. Anderson hasn’t been calling me. Probably, because she’s been keeping company with that new guy, Mr. Forester, who moved in a couple weeks ago.” Horace smiled a toothless grin.

  Something about it gave Susan a creepy feeling. Why a man wouldn’t wear false teeth amazed her.

  The elevator finally came and the doors opened. Glad she didn’t have to continue the conversation, she smiled. “See you later, Horace.”

  Four roses lay outside Susan’s apartment door. She bent down and picked them up, opened her door, and tossed them in the garbage. She was almost to the point where they didn’t bother her anymore.

  Almost, but not quite. She could handle them at her door, but when they started appearing at her mother’s… Well, that was a different story.

  She pushed the play button on the answering machine and listened. A recording tried to sell her a new roof. At least there weren’t any messages from him. Still, a niggling fear crawled up her spine. Of course there wouldn’t be a message from him, he knew she wasn’t home. If he was the one who left the roses, that is.

  So who watched her? And from where? Dave said her apartment had been staked out since the beginning. No one strange had been hanging around, and Dave said no one with roses had come in, either. Did that mean he lived here? How else was he getting in and out? Obviously, whoever it was hid the roses. Dave had interviewed just about everyone in the building. What or who was he missing?

  She hadn’t heard from Dave since he left her at her mother’s last night. He usually called first thing in the morning. Maybe he wasn’t going to call her.

  Maybe he hadn’t enjoyed her company as much as she thought. Or maybe he didn’t think she fit in as well with his family as during their visit
in Florida. She had enjoyed playing dominoes. Sure it took her a while to learn the game, but once she caught on it was fun. She even won a couple games. Well, nothing was stopping her from calling him. She picked up the phone and dialed his number.

  “Dave, hi, just wanted to let you know I’m home.”

  “Good, what’s for dinner?”

  Susan laughed. Stupid imagination. She had to quit seeing things that weren’t there. Dave was probably just tired, and she knew this case had taken its toll on him. “I’ll see what I can whip up. I knew I was good for something.” They hung up and Susan took stock of her refrigerator and freezer. It looked like a trip to the store was in order.

  Later, while they cooked steaks on an indoor grill, Dave told her he finally convinced the captain and Greenwood to drop the investigation. “Now, if we can just catch this guy.”

  “So why so tense?” Susan had seen the tension the minute he came in. She hoped it wasn’t her.

  Dave rubbed the back of his neck. “My mother is scheduled for surgery tomorrow.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? When did they come back?” Why would Dave hold back on something that important? She had known since they left Florida that Mrs. Morgan had planned to have the surgery here, at the Clinic.

  “They came back last week. I only found out on the way here. I mean, I knew she was scheduled for it. I didn’t know when. They called her this morning and told her to come to the hospital in the morning. She had her pre-op tests done a couple days ago.”

  “Are you going to the hospital in the morning?”

  Dave nodded. Fear filled his eyes. She wished she could say something. Open heart surgery wasn’t something to be taken lightly.

  “Do you want me to go with you?”

  “No, it’s going to be a long day.”

  “You’ll call me the minute you know anything.” She stroked his hair. How difficult this was for him. She couldn’t imagine if it were her mother going through this. No wonder he was so quiet tonight.