About That Man

by Sherryl Woods

  He’d also seen Rodney at the church, clutching his mother’s hand as she determinedly led him past the tiny open casket. Later at the cemetery she had made it a point to come up to Walker just before he left to say that she was going to get through to her boy.

  “You see if I don’t,” she said, tears in her eyes.

  Walker patted her arm. “Thanks. I know you’re trying. And I understand that he’s in a tough spot. He doesn’t want to betray his friends.”

  “What kind of friends would put him in a spot like this in the first place?” she demanded indignantly.

  “Now there’s the million-dollar question,” Walker told her.

  As he drove toward Trinity Harbor, to his surprise he felt his tension beginning to slip away. His shoulders eased. Maybe spending time with Tommy was just what he needed. He needed to be reminded that there were other kids in the world who were growing up in a safe environment. Kids who could laugh and play outside and ride their bikes without worrying about violence snatching away the rest of their lives.

  Walker actually caught himself noticing the blooming pink and white dogwood that splashed the landscape with color. It was such a sunny, warm day that he rolled down the windows. The sky was a peaceful shade of blue with pillows of white clouds. The soft spring breeze brought with it the scent of plowed earth, recently cut grass, and salt air the closer he got to Trinity Harbor. Soon there would be pale green cornstalks poking through the ground and an endless green sea of soybeans surrounding the white farmhouses perched in groves of ancient oaks and cedars. It was hard to believe that such serenity could be had less than two hours away from D.C.

  An image of Daisy crept into his mind, as it had repeatedly during the last week, always at the most unexpected moments. He’d enjoyed her acerbic tongue almost as much as that memorable kiss he’d stolen that had left her flustered and him unbearably aroused. Their brief conversation the night before had filled him with an odd sort of anticipation, a sensation he hadn’t experienced for a long, long time. Serenity gave way to an edgy, purely male neediness.

  That must have been why he was filled with disappointment when he saw another car in the driveway and heard the sound of a man’s booming laughter. Probably one of her brothers, he told himself, then wondered why he jumped to such a conclusion. He had no idea if Daisy had a man in her life. Nothing had led him to believe there had been anybody special since her fiancé, but he knew better than to make assumptions. Cops were supposed to rely on hard evidence before reaching conclusions.

  Only one way to find out, he told himself as he headed for the backyard.

  But the man out back wasn’t either Bobby or Tucker. Judging from the gray threaded through his hair, the neatly trimmed moustache, the already tanned skin and the straw hat perched on his head, this was the indomitable King Spencer, gentleman farmer and—if Daisy was to be believed—all-around pain in the neck.

  Tommy spotted Walker before the others. He started to break into a run, then held back as if afraid of how Walker might react. “Hi, Uncle Walker,” he said shyly.

  Daisy’s head snapped around at his greeting, and something that might have been alarm flared in her eyes. She glanced worriedly at the man who had stilled beside her.

  “Hey, kid,” Walker said, trying to gauge the reason for Daisy’s suddenly wary mood. “I see you’ve lured somebody else into supervising the work on your boat.”

  Tommy nodded. “This is Daisy’s father. He knows lots of stuff about boats.”

  “Is that so?” Walker said, not sure why the news left him feeling vaguely disgruntled.

  When King Spencer finally turned around, Walker noted blue eyes that snapped with intelligence. They had narrowed with suspicion and unmistakable disapproval.

  “Nice to meet you, Mr. Spencer,” Walker said. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  “Mr. Ames,” King said, greeting him with a nod and ignoring Walker’s outstretched hand.

  “Daddy,” Daisy said sharply. “Don’t be rude. And you know perfectly well, it’s Detective Ames.”

  “Walker will do,” Walker told them both.

  King’s gaze shot to the overnight bag at Walker’s feet. “You intending to stay here?”

  “If the invitation’s still open, yes.”

  “Of course it’s open,” Daisy said, frowning at her father. “I’ll show you to your room, Walker. Maybe by the time we get back, Daddy will recall his manners.”

  “That’s no way to speak to your father, young lady.”

  “Just following your example,” she said tartly and led Walker inside.

  In the kitchen she turned to Walker. “I’m really sorry.”

  “I gather your father’s not happy about me staying here.”

  She grinned. “Another damned Yankee invasion to hear him tell it. Don’t worry about it.”

  “Didn’t that particular war end a long time ago?” he asked, amused despite himself that he was being blamed for something he’d had no part in, especially not the part King was attributing to him.

  “Long before his time,” Daisy agreed. “The results still grate on him, though.”

  He hadn’t considered the impact his presence might have on Daisy’s reputation in a small town where strangers—especially male Yankee strangers—were regarded with suspicion. “If my staying here is going to cause problems, I can go to the hotel.”

  “Absolutely not,” she said fiercely.

  Walker studied her flushed cheeks. “Because my being under your roof is best for Tommy, right?” he suggested lightly.

  His teasing remark clearly left her more flustered than ever. When was the last time he’d met a woman who blushed so readily?

  “Of course,” she said. “Why else would I want you here?”

  He deliberately allowed his gaze to lock with hers. “Why else, indeed?” His glance shifted to the kitchen counter, where pies, a cake and clear glass jar filled with cookies sat. “Had a sudden urge to bake, did you?”

  “Last night,” she said. “I always bake when I can’t sleep.”

  Walker found himself stepping closer, crowding her. “And why couldn’t you sleep, Daisy?”

  She swallowed hard. “I…I had a lot to think about.”

  He slowly trailed a finger across her lush, moist lips. “So did I,” he murmured, filled once more with that strange sense of restless anticipation. “From the minute I hung up the phone after we talked, all I could think about was kissing you again.”

  Her eyes widened. Her lips parted. And Walker found the temptation far too powerful to be ignored. He bent down and slanted his mouth over hers. A part of him wanted to discover that memory had failed him, that tasting her wasn’t nearly as exciting as he’d recalled.

  But that notion was dispelled in an instant as she swayed into him, clinging to his shoulders, tentatively opening her mouth to him. Her reaction was unpracticed but instinctive, and far more enticing than a bolder response might have been. Desire slammed through him. Only the knowledge that her father—her disapproving father—was right outside kept him from taking full advantage of the moment. Of course, the fear of discovery added an undeniable element of excitement, as well.

  That was it, he told himself as he pulled away. It was the knowledge that King Spencer disapproved of him that made him want Daisy so badly.

  Of course, that didn’t explain why he’d wanted her a week ago, before he’d ever met the man and experienced that scowling disapproval firsthand.

  Daisy touched her fingers to her lips and regarded him with confusion. “Why did you do that?”

  “Just testing my memory.”

  Understanding flared in her eyes, and a smile tugged at her lips. “And?”

  “Right on target,” he admitted with reluctance.

  She nodded. “I thought so, too.”

  Walker was surprised by her ready acknowledgment.

  “You know this is a bad idea, though, don’t you? We can’t keep kissing.”

  A grin spread
across her face. “I’m not the one starting it.”

  “True, but you need to put an end to it.”

  “Why? Because you can’t be trusted to ignore your baser instincts?”

  “Exactly.”

  “Hogwash.”

  He stared at her. “You don’t believe me?”

  “If ever a man had a tight rein on his emotions, it’s you. Something tells me you don’t do anything you haven’t thought over and weighed very carefully.”

  She was right, but Walker couldn’t imagine how she had pegged him so cleverly. For years he’d honed his ability to reveal nothing of what he was feeling, to do nothing without thinking of the consequences. It wasn’t just a professional necessity. He considered it smart self-preservation after the way he’d misjudged everything about his marriage.

  Then again, these kisses he’d been stealing from Daisy were pure impulse. He doubted he could have stopped himself if he’d tried. That was something he needed to sit down and think long and hard about, preferably when her innocent lily-of-the-valley scent wasn’t wafting around him.

  “You were going to show me to my room,” he said, deliberately changing the subject and injecting a flat, even tone into his voice.

  “I was,” she agreed, her gaze searching his. “But I think I’ll just tell you where it is, instead.” That penetrating look never wavered. “In case I’m wrong and you can’t control those baser instincts, after all.”

  Walker caught the hint of amusement in her voice and the flicker of something in her eyes—a dare, maybe? Apparently Daisy intended to be more of a handful than he’d imagined.

  She gave him very precise directions to his room, but when she turned to go, he snagged her hand. She froze in place, as if she found that contact more intimate, more disturbing than the kiss.

  “What?” she asked in a voice that held a telltale quiver.

  “I don’t know what’s going on here, Daisy, but it can’t get in the way of me getting to know my nephew. We have to put Tommy first.”

  “Well, of course, we do,” she retorted. Exasperation darkened her eyes to an even deeper, more intriguing shade of violet. “I’m not an idiot, Walker. I know the only reason you’re here is because of the debt you feel you owe to your sister and her son.”

  “That’s right,” he said forcefully.

  But he was beginning to wonder.

  “Foolish man,” Daisy muttered as she went back outside to deal with her father. She had to stop him from trying to make Walker feel unwelcome.

  Unfortunately, King had left.

  “He said he had business to take care of,” Tommy told her. He regarded her worriedly. “How come he doesn’t like Uncle Walker?”

  “He doesn’t dislike him,” Daisy said. “He doesn’t even know him.”

  “But he’s mad ’cause he’s here, isn’t he?”

  Daisy gave the boy an impulsive hug. “It’s nothing for you to worry about, sweetie. He’s not going to drive your uncle away, not if I have anything to say about it.”

  Tommy, who’d generally held himself aloof when she’d tried to hug him in the past, suddenly hugged her back. The gesture brought tears to her eyes. Naturally Tommy spotted them at once.

  “How come you’re crying? What did I say?”

  “You didn’t say anything,” she reassured him. “And these are happy tears.”

  Tommy looked perplexed. “I don’t get it. You’re crying ’cause you’re happy, not sad?”

  Daisy nodded. “It’s something women tend to do. And, trust me, men never get it.”

  “You’ve got that right,” Walker chimed in, joining them.

  Daisy wondered how long he’d been standing just inside the screen door eavesdropping.

  “Women are an enigma,” he added.

  “What’s that?” Tommy asked.

  “It means men can’t figure us out,” Daisy explained. “Their brains can’t grasp the workings of a superior mind.”

  Walker grinned. “Careful, Daisy. You’re outnumbered here.”

  “You seem to forget I was raised in a houseful of pig-headed men. You can’t intimidate me.”

  Tommy looked from Daisy to his uncle and back again. “So, are we gonna work on my boat or what?”

  Daisy chuckled. “You two go to it. I’m going for a walk on the beach.” She needed the exercise, but more than that, she needed to put some distance between herself and Walker.

  “Want us to tag along?” Walker asked.

  She wanted exactly that, more than she should. She forced herself to shake her head. “No. That boat’s going to take a lot of time. You shouldn’t waste a second. I’ll probably end up in town, though, if you’d like to meet me at Earlene’s for lunch around twelve.”

  “How about it, Tommy? Does a burger sound good?” Walker asked.

  “Can I have a milk shake, too?”

  “Anything you want,” Walker told him.

  “Within reason,” Daisy amended.

  “Spoilsport,” Walker accused.

  She met his twinkling eyes. “Someone around here has to do what’s sensible.”

  “And you’ve designated yourself for that role?”

  Though her every instinct was to give Tommy anything and everything he wanted, yes, that was precisely what she had done. She nodded. “I have.”

  “Then I guess I’ll just have to think of some way to make sure you learn to lighten up,” Walker told her. “We’ll start at lunch.”

  Where they would be in full view of half the town, Daisy realized with dismay. Walker’s tactics weren’t likely to be subtle or unobserved. What had she been thinking when she’d suggested they meet her at Earlene’s?

  She knew the answer, of course. She was thinking that for the very first time in her adult life, she was going to feel as if she were out with a family of her own. Maybe it was a fool’s illusion, but she wanted it to last as long as possible.

  Daisy’s face was far too revealing. Walker had watched the expressions shift during his teasing, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t seem to pinpoint exactly what was troubling her so. Clearly, he’d said something. Was it the accusation that she was being a little too sensible for Tommy’s good? Was it the taunt that he was going to get her to lighten up? He hated not being able to get a fix on her the way she seemed capable of doing with him.

  “Hey, Uncle Walker,” Tommy said, drawing his attention.

  “What?”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure you can. You can always ask me anything.”

  “What’s pot?”

  Walker felt his heart slam into his ribs. All thoughts of figuring out Daisy fled. If Tommy had asked him to explain the birds and bees, he couldn’t have been any more disconcerted. He forced himself not to overreact, to keep his expression and his tone neutral.

  “Why do you want to know about pot?”

  “I heard some kids talking outside the high school.”

  Walker was more shocked than he should have been. He would have anticipated it in Washington, but not in Trinity Harbor. He had managed to delude himself that this place was far removed from the influence of drugs.

  “What were they saying?”

  “That really cool kids use it.”

  Walker sat on the edge of the boat and drew Tommy around to face him. “Really cool kids do not use it,” he said adamantly. “Kids who try marijuana—that’s the actual name of the drug—could really mess up their lives. For one thing, it’s illegal, and you can get in a lot of trouble. For another, it can lead to using more dangerous drugs, drugs that could kill you.”

  Tommy’s eyes widened. “You mean even a kid could die like Mama?”

  “Exactly.” He met Tommy’s gaze directly. “If you ever see any pot, I don’t care who has it, I want you to tell me or Daisy or Tucker at once, do you understand me? That’s very important, Tommy. I know that tattling on your friends isn’t considered cool, and in most instances, I’d agree, but not about this. Okay?”r />
  Tommy’s head bobbed up and down.

  “When you heard this at the high school, do you know if the kids had any or were they just bragging?”

  “I guess they were just talking. I’m not really sure. They didn’t try to give me any or anything. I don’t even think they knew I was around. They don’t pay much attention to younger kids like me.”

  “Were these kids you know?”

  “Not really. They’re in high school.”

  “Is this the first time you’ve ever heard anyone talking about pot?”

  Tommy looked at the ground and scuffed the toe of his sneaker in the dirt. “No,” he said softly. “But I never had anybody to ask before. Mama was really sick the last time I heard about it. And then I guess I forgot.”

  “That’s okay. You did the right thing by talking to me now.”

  “Are those boys gonna get in trouble?” he asked worriedly.

  “If they’re caught with marijuana, yes, they could get in big trouble.”

  “Don’t they know that?”

  “They should, but it’s not up to you to tell them. You come to me or Daisy or one of her brothers next time you hear anything like this, okay?”

  “Okay,” Tommy said, apparently satisfied with Walker’s responses. “Could I have a cookie now?”

  “Sure. Bring me a couple, too.”

  As soon as Tommy had gone, Walker released a sigh. He needed to talk to Tucker about this and find out what the hell was going on down here. In a town this size, they should be able to keep a better watch on drugs, especially around a school. He vowed to track Daisy’s brother down before the weekend was out.

  And he needed to tell Daisy herself, to warn her that she was going to have to be incredibly vigilant about the kids with whom Tommy spent time. That was not a prospect he was looking forward to. She was bound to jump to the conclusion that he was criticizing her ability to keep Tommy out of trouble. He’d already discerned that she was highly sensitive on that subject, anticipating disapproval of her parenting skills at every turn. Too bad. This was a talk they needed to have.