He walked over to the women. “Causing trouble as always, Kate?” He hugged his cousin close and reluctantly let her go. Not much more than a month had passed since she’d been kidnapped but sometimes it felt like the horror had only happened yesterday. He knew she understood and even loved him for his worry, but he promised to let Trent be the one to watch over her. Even though she was in the best of hands, he couldn’t help but get anxious from time to time.
“Of course. It’s the good kind of trouble today.” She beamed up at him. “I guess, if I can’t pawn one of these little guys off on Cara then I’d better get them back to the rescue. Unless…” Her smile changed from one of warmth to one of calculation. “Don’t you think—” she nodded her head toward his daughter then finished, “is ready for a dog?”
“No. Hell no. Certainly not a puppy that has to be housebroken and obedience trained. Do not stick me with any of your rescues.” He stepped back when she plucked a pup from the pile and held it up to him. She followed him step for step, stalking him until his back was against Trent’s truck. The little ball of fluff licked his nose. “Can you imagine the chaos?” He heard Kylie’s laughter mix with Cara’s as he stared into a dopey puppy face. Something about the sound settled inside him and took hold.
“We just left the vet’s office. They’ve had their second round of immunizations and will be spayed or neutered soon.”
He took the puppy from her and held it against his chest. “No.”
Kate batted her lashes at him and then put on her sad face.
“Your tricks won’t work on me, Miss Kentucky. Take your critters elsewhere.” The puppy in his arms licked his chin and whimpered. He held it out to her. Its soft body went limp and he could have sworn the thing gave her a conspiratorial grin that said, don’t worry. We’ll wear him down.
“I’ll get you yet, Joe. Just you wait and see.” He wouldn’t be the least bit surprised when she did. He could imagine Kylie’s delight if he surprised her with one. “Come on, boys and girls. It’s time to go back to your momma. Kylie, I think your daddy has some boring work stuff to talk about. Do you wanna help me take these guys out to the rescue?” She took the one from his hands and picked up one more.
“I’ll help you load them up.” Cara began moving the pups in her lap to the grass, only to laugh when the first two crawled back when she moved the third and fourth away. “Let’s go, you little stinkers.” She extricated herself from the pile and stood. When she bent over to pick up a clumsy runaway he almost swallowed his tongue.
He’d seen her in a skirt, jeans and now khaki shorts. It seemed it didn’t matter how dressy or simple her clothes were. That sexy figure was all Cara. When she carefully handed the puppy to Kylie and showed her how to hold it securely, he was reminded that, like Kate, she was so much more than a pretty face.
He put his hands in his pockets and went inside before he made a fool of himself.
Cara watched Kylie carefully walk with the puppy as she followed Kate to Trent’s truck. Assured the little girl was being careful she let her gaze wonder to Joe. Damn. She hadn’t been crazy. His long-legged stride was just as sexy as the first time she’d seen it.
“Maybe you should date my daddy. He’s nice and you’re nice too. He needs a giwlfwiend.” Kylie pulled Cara’s attention from Joe’s ass as the man climbed up the porch steps.
“Um. Well.” What should she say to that?
“Don’t you like my daddy?” Kylie tilted her head as she looked up with a frown on her face.
“I like him just fine sweetheart. I—”
“Then you should date him. You’we not mawwied are you?” Suspicion darkened her face.
“No. Not at all. I—”
“Well, then why don’t you—” The puppy wriggled in her arms and Kate stepped in to take it from her.
“Kylie. You’re being nosy. Leave Cara be. She has work to do. Come on, let’s take the puppies back to their momma.” Kate took Kylie’s hand in hers and opened the door to Trent’s truck. She helped her cousin up to her safety seat. “Cara, Kylie’s idea is not a bad one. Just saying. I may want to strangle him on a monthly basis, but he’s one of the very best men I know.” She waved and climbed in the driver seat. “Let me know if you change your mind about a puppy.”
Well. What would you all say if I told you sexy as sin Joe MacDonald has no interest in dating me?
She went inside and found Rick, Joe and Trent gathered around the table. They had Mary’s drawing and a large paper map spread out in the middle. On the TV screen someone had pulled up satellite images of the quarry.
She’d gone from puppies and laughter to grim-faced doom in the blink of an eye.
“I’ve tried to be patient. I wanted her to come to one of us for help. I worried that if we try to corner her that we’d do more harm than good.” Rick stood with both palms braced flat on the table as he stared down at the sketch.
“You wanted to earn her trust.” Trent frowned at the map on the table.
Joe leaned back in his chair and looked at the quarry image. “Things have changed. This is deadly. We have no idea if this was a one-time occurrence or God forbid, something worse, but we can’t leave her there to stumble onto it again.”
“Or worse, go looking for it. With this sketch, I think she’s trying to turn them in.” Rick’s brow wrinkled as he concentrated, trying in vain to pull something useful from the piece of paper.
“When do we go after her?” All eyes looked to her as she stepped into the group.
“Mayhem, babe. This one’s personal. It’s not an official Dark Horse op but I can put you on the payroll. I’d welcome the extra help.” Rick stood straight.
“Take your payroll and shove it. I can read between the lines. I know Mary has your heart clenched in her little fist.” God, he could be such a dumbass at times. “You are the most loyal man I know, but has it ever occurred to you that others might feel the same toward you? That you might have earned it? This is a family op and I want in.”
Trent remained silent, but he winked at her.
Joe looked at her like he expected her head to spin and expel pea soup. “Cara, we’ll be going into some pretty rough terrain. It won’t be a walk in the park. It’ll likely be a sweaty, bug-infested hike. We may have to lie in the heat, waiting for hours.”
“Uh oh. Joe?” Trent tried, bless his heart. He knew what was coming.
Rick straightened, crossed his arms and smiled, ready for the show.
“I know you have a soft spot a mile wide, but I’m really not sure you know what you’re getting into. Maybe you can take Pete’s place at the computer.” And his mouth kept going.
She didn’t know whether to laugh at the absurdity of his words or strangle him for the unintended slap. She knew that he’d die before he knowingly hurled an insult, but that’s exactly what he’d just done. Had he forgotten everything they’d discussed or had he not believed her?
She took a deep breath and told herself that he had an adorable daughter who thought he hung the moon. She couldn’t hurt him too badly.
“Do you jog?” She kept her tone light, hiding her temper.
Trent snorted. She didn’t dare look at Rick. She knew without looking that his grin had only spread wider.
“I do. I don’t as often as I used to, but I do.” Confusion slowed his response as if he didn’t know what to make of her.
“Good. When can you go next?” Oh, how she looked forward to this.
“Kate would love to have Kylie stay the night this weekend.” Trent helpfully volunteered a trusted babysitter. She pinned Joe in place with her smile, but she heard her friend’s glee.
“The evening after next. I can be free by 6:30.” Suspicion crept in as his brown eyes met her gaze.
She tilted her head to ask a question, but held Joe’s gaze. “Trent? Can we use the Walker pond?”
“Sure. You know you’re always welcome, but with everything that’s gone on this summer, we’re behind on the mowing. The gra
ss is a little high.”
“Perfect. Joe, I’ll meet you here. Bring your running gear, but wear pants.” Part of her hated to kick his ass in front of his daughter, but then again, he’d asked for it. And maybe the show would be good for Kylie.
“Now. When and how exactly are we planning to get Mary? I can’t stand the thought of her being so near to danger any longer.” She stuffed down her pride and focused on the most important thing—a child in need.
“Daddy, why awe you sad?” Kylie, fresh from her bath, snuggled into his side. He’d never know or understand why he’d been gifted with such a blessing, but he had. In addition to having enough energy for five children, she had his cousin’s gift of empathy. He wrapped his arm around her and changed the channel from sports to animals.
“I had a rough day at work, but I’ll be okay.” He wouldn’t outright lie to her, she was far too intuitive for that, but there was no way he was explaining to his six-year-old daughter that he’d had one of the worst days of his career. He prayed he’d never again have to notify another parent that their child had overdosed and was on the way to the hospital in an ambulance.
The girl’s father probably outmatched him by three inches in height and fifty pounds of muscle. He’d had to catch the bear of a man and help his wife get him to the couch when his grief had been too heavy a burden to carry. Like Joe, their daughter, their only child, starred as the center of their universe.
Kylie released a heavy sigh. “Is it bad gwownup stuff?”
“Yeah. It was a bad day. Do you want a story for bed?” On nights like this, he’d be content to hold her to him until the sun rose, but bedtime waited. All too soon, she’d been in school again.
“Not tonight. Can I pway the fish game on your phone for a few minutes?” Normally he’d insist on the story, but he didn’t have it in him to deny her anything.
“Ten minutes.”
“Okay.” He unlocked the passcode then handed her his phone. He kissed the top of her hair then lay his head on the back of the couch as an alligator slid from the swamp bank to the river on the TV. Or maybe or it was a crocodile? He didn’t have a clue.
“Baby? Crocodile or alligator?”
She looked up from the phone’s glow to the TV. “Gator. He’s got a fat head and he’s bwack. Cwocs have pointy heads and gween or gway skin.” She delivered the information in a matter of fact tone, as if she viewed the animals every day. Her focus returned to the phone.
He didn’t even have it in him to remind her to pronounce her words correctly. He held her close, savoring each second she was his. She shifted against him a bit and turned her head away.
How sad is it that the only shoulder I have to cry on is my six-year-old daughter’s? He’d vowed to always put Kylie first, but he’d be lying if he said there weren’t times that he longed for someone to share both the good days and the bad.
“Hello? Hi. Daddy had a bad day. He’s sad and needs a fwiend.” She faced him with a solemn little face. Big green eyes looked to him, all too serious. “Daddy, I’m going to bed. Hewe’s Cawa. You can talk to her about the bad day. I love you.” She carefully pronounced love. She handed him his phone and hopped off the couch. In the time it took his slow brain to process what she’d done, his daughter made it to her room and shut her door.
A hitch caught beneath his sternum and bucked.
He put the phone to his ear. “Hello.” His voice broke on the word.
“Joe? Is everything okay? Let me get my keys, and I’ll be right over.” Cara shut the dishwasher then turned to look for her purse.
“No. Not necessary. I mean, yes, we’re fine. I’m fine. Don’t come over.” His voice sounded strained through the phone.
“Are you sure? I’m not doing anything but dishes. Momma is set for the night.” Heart racing, Cara stood in the middle of the kitchen, not sure what to do.
“I’m sure. My darling daughter is too smart, that’s all. Never, ever underestimate the intelligence of a child.” His voice evened out and strengthened, sounding more like the Joe she knew.
“No kidding.” Kylie said he needed to talk, so she’d talk. About what, she didn’t know, but she’d wing it. “I’ve had more than one child at the hospital shock their parents with words wise beyond their years.” She went out the front door.
“You’re going to school to be a nurse? Is that what I heard?”
“I am a nurse. I’ve had my RN license for a couple of years now. I’m one semester away from becoming a Nurse Practitioner. It’s hard sometimes, but I love my job.” She leaned against a post at the top of the steps and looked up at the night sky.
“Yeah.” He sounded utterly defeated, making her heart ache. How bad must it be for Kylie to call for help?
“Joe, what happened today?” She picked a peeling fleck of paint on the porch railing.
A sigh whispered over the connection and his words sounded like he spoke more to himself than her. “Ah, why not?” His voice strengthened again. “I went out on a call. When it came through dispatch there was a lot of confusion and I happened to be close by. The call was all panicked crying with yells for help in the background. No one knew what to make of the situation. I arrived first at the scene and found two shell-shocked teens staring at a third on the floor having convulsions. The bedroom floor was covered in vomit.”
Her throat tightened around her words. “Oh no. Overdose. How old?” After years of working weekends in the emergency room, the image sprang to life in her mind.
“She turned fifteen last month. Good student, rarely got into trouble. According to her friends this was the first time any of them had tried any drugs at all. Of all the horrible choices out there, they had to try smoking heroin. Why?” His grief-scraped voice cracked. “Her parents were devastated. Crushed.”
Of course he’d shouldered that burden. She sat on the top porch step and leaned against the post. The sky was crystal clear and much too pretty for such a heartbreaking night. Tragedies happened, but the world kept spinning with cruel insensitivity.
“Did she make it?” Her words slipped out before she could pull them back. His pain was already too great and she dreaded his answer as much as she wanted to hear it.
“Last I heard she made it to the emergency room where they got her stabilized and she was being transferred out to a larger hospital.”
“So there’s hope. That’s something.” She looked at the half moon above and sent a wish into the dark sky for them all.
“Yeah. It’s a slim chance, but yeah. There’s hope.” She liked to think the grief in his voice lessened, but she wouldn’t bet on it. Maybe she could distract him? At least for a few moments?
“So are we still on for our run tomorrow? You’re not going to wimp out on me, are you?” She didn’t know if she could lighten the mood, but it was certainly worth a shot.
“We’re on. You’re going to make me eat my words aren’t you? Will pulling my foot out of my mouth and taking back my words get me off the hook? What I said was stupid. It was a knee-jerk reaction, but still incredibly small-minded.” His admission made her like him all the more.
“Absolutely not. I’m looking forward to kicking your ass, Mr. MacDonald.”
“Shit. Well, at least watching you smoke me will come with a great view.” She heard the wry smile in his voice and choked on her laughter.
Chapter Five
“I have ten on Mayhem. Who’ll take that bet?” James Holloway announced as Cara bent over and stretched. And yes, she couldn’t help herself. She made sure her backend faced Joe.
“No way. That’s a sucker’s bet. What about times?” Noah twisted the top off a bottle of beer and leaned over Trent’s porch rail.
“Witch.” Joe, who suddenly sounded closer than she’d originally thought muttered low enough that only she could hear. Then he chuckled and casually brushed against her in a way that no one could see and patted her ass. And considering she tried on two pair of track pants before settling on her old ACU pants she probab
ly deserved the remark. Yes, they were camo and practical, but, they also cupped her curves nicely. She’d be a liar if she told herself that hadn’t been the deciding factor.
They’d also protect her lower legs from scratches and bug bites when they ran through the tall grass surrounding the pond.
“Mayhem, what kind of course are you going to drag his sorry ass through? We need the details before we place our bets.” Trent stood at his grill and opened the lid.
“Daddy, are you gonna let Cara beat you? You run fast too. You used to—”
Joe cut in suddenly and turned to Kylie, who sat in a chair on the porch beside Kate. “Pickle, I’ll try my best, okay? It’ll be a fun race. You can cheer me on from here.”
Was something there in the odd look on Kylie’s face? Likely, the little girl was only unflinchingly loyal to her father. Cara couldn’t blame her. Everything about Kylie screamed daddy’s girl. After losing her father at the age of four, she barely remembered her own and had always envied her friends’ close relationships with their fathers. When she’d butted heads with her mother the emptiness had only doubled.
Leigh walked to the rail and looked down. Her voice was light, teasing even, but again… there was something in the way she met Joe’s eyes briefly before she smiled at Cara. “Try not to hurt my brother too badly. I need him to help me move around some furniture this coming weekend.”
“Okay. I thought we’d run down to the pond, around the far side and back up the hill. Twice.” The Walkers had a large picnic shelter down where they held their annual family reunion. Years ago, when they all came back from Afghanistan, Sandy Walker adopted the entire unit. From the day that they stepped off the plane and onto American soil they’d all been welcome members of the family. Cara had been to more than one “cookout at the pond.” The day long events usually included enough food to feed a small country and enough laughter to supply them all for the year. It had been something that they’d all needed.
Catching Cara: Dark Horse, Inc: Book 2 Page 8