Losing Ladd

by Dianne Venetta

  Alarm bells sounded in his head. “You were at your father’s hotel room? What for?”

  She blinked, wary yet unapologetic. “I believed he started the fire. I went to confront him about it, and Travis saw my car parked outside.”

  “You did what?” Nick asked, stuck in the part where she said she went to confront her father. Was she out of her mind? Jack Foster was a dangerous man. Nick didn’t care that Felicity was his daughter. Jack could strike out at anyone, including her! “Tell me what happened,” he demanded, his mild tone barely controlled. “I want to know everything.”

  Sniffling, she clasped her hands around his and held tight. Staring at their entwined hands, she continued, “Unfortunately, nothing much. I went to his room to see if I could find any clues. I thought maybe if I could smell smoke on his clothing, see something charred…” Her voice fell away, as if she realized how foolish she sounded. But firming her tone, she flipped her gaze to meet his. “I had to do something. We found his lighter outside the stables. I know he was involved somehow, and I couldn’t just let him walk around—my mom was lying in a hospital bed! You know what that’s like—it’s awful! Horrible.” She shook her head. “I had to do something but Travis stepped in. He stopped me before I could learn a thing, and now he’s lying in a hospital bed.”

  Felicity was unraveling. Slowly, before his very eyes, Nick watched her come undone and his heart ached for her. She was voicing the same things he himself had felt only hours before. A loved one is lying helpless in a hospital room. It gives rise to an urge to act, a need to set things right. Nick dropped his gaze and clutched her hands more forcefully. So young and delicate, yet he’d always known Felicity was a strong young woman. Hadn’t he told Delaney as much?

  Don’t sell your daughter short. Felicity is made of strong fiber.

  “We need to let the authorities handle the criminals.” He was speaking almost as much to himself as he was to Felicity. “We need to step aside and let them do their job.”

  “He attacked her at the stables and no one listened!” she cried out. “He tried to burn them down—I had to see what I could find out on my own. I figured if I could soften him up, make him think I wanted to reunite, he’d allow me the time to investigate. Then Travis barged in on us. The minute my father laid eyes on him, he accused me of setting him up. I was so angry with Travis... Once we were outside I told him exactly what I thought. I told him to mind his own business and stop interfering with me.” Suddenly she choked up and sputtered, “I told him ‘next time don’t stop.’ I didn’t need his kind of interference on my behalf.”

  Tears swam into her eyes, cutting him to the quick. If Travis hadn’t stopped when he saw her on the side of the road, who knows what could have happened to Felicity.

  “Thank goodness he didn’t listen to me. It could be me in there instead of him!”

  “This isn’t your fault, Felicity.” Nick pulled her to him and held her close, but she resisted.

  “He thinks I hate him! Our last conversation was me rejecting him.”

  “It was a fight. Travis knows you love him.”

  She shook her head vehemently. “No, I didn’t return any of his calls. When he drove up, I hadn’t seen him since the fire.”

  Nick stroked her hair. Satiny, silky, she felt like a child in his arms. Nick had never been a father, never stopped long enough to consider the idea. Truth be known, he never met a woman he’d actually want to father a child with. Not until Delaney.

  But, he realized, sobbing at his shoulder was a daughter. Felicity. She was a part of Delaney, a part of the woman he desperately loved. Settling on the notion, the young woman in his arms, Nick felt strength and determination. Misguided as it might be, she tried to do what she thought was right and he respected her for it. Felicity was no longer a child but an adult woman. She was strong and proud and—emotion swept through him, nearly unhinging him—more like Delaney than he ever imagined possible.

  As Felicity pressed into him, he could hear a muffled, “If he doesn’t make it, I’ll never be able to tell him how I feel.”

  “Shh,” he said into her head. “He’ll make it. You and Travis will have all the time you need to work through the past.”

  Nick could only pray it was true. Living with words unspoken could eat away at a person, living inside a heart with no chance for release. Nick closed his eyes and centered on Felicity. He didn’t want that for her. She didn’t deserve it. She’d only tried to assert her independence, to spread her wings and fly free from the watchful eyes of those who loved her. She shouldn’t be punished for it. Whispering a silent prayer, Nick held her until the tears subsided. He couldn’t erase the pain but he could ease it. When Casey returned, he excused himself and headed up to Delaney’s room. It was time to reconnect with his wife and speak his own words that burned for release.

  Nick stood by the open doorway, taking in the sight of her. The head of her bed had been raised slightly, allowing her to read more comfortably beneath the glare of fluorescent light. Her head was wrapped in white bandages, her gown a faded blue. Beneath the sterile lighting, her sun-kissed skin had lost its glow. But none of it prevented him from seeing her beauty. “What are you doing?” he asked, struck by the absurdity of her reading a brochure post brain surgery.

  “I’m looking over my instructions for discharge.”

  “Discharge? And where do you think you’re going?”

  “Home.”

  Flat, determined, her response pulled at something inside him. “You’re insane, you know that?” Walking into the room, he went to her bedside, removed the pamphlet from her hands and tossed it onto a nearby table. “You’re not going anywhere.”

  “Nick, I’m fine. The doctor said I could go home in a day or so if the swelling subsides.”

  Nick wanted to shake her. He wanted to strap her to the bed and make sure she didn’t leave this hospital until her body was fully recovered. “Your doctor should be fired. What kind of physician allows a patient to go home with a hole in her head?”

  She smiled. “It’s a tube and he’ll remove it before I go.”

  “Your head has been shaved.”

  “Only in the back. I have plenty enough everywhere else to make up for it.”

  Dropping to a seat on the edge of her bed, Nick took her hand in his, savoring the feel of her warm skin within his palm. “What if you’re not ready?”

  “I am ready. I’ve been ready since I woke up.”

  “What if your brain isn’t ready?” Staring at her, he wondered what would happen if she had a relapse and they were too far from help?

  As though sensing his concern, she gripped his hand firmly. “I’m fine. I’ll be fine.” Grief slid into her gaze, carving a dent in her ease. “I need to get back to my horses.”

  “Your horses are fine. Troy has been making sure of it.” Delaney smiled, a fondness filling her dark brown eyes. Nick knew the mention of Troy would alleviate her worry. “There’s nothing for you to do at the stables. The staff has been working twenty-four-seven, the police are working their investigation. We’ve suspended trail rides for the interim. Your job is to get well,” he said, leaving out the matter of Jeremiah’s arson attempt, Travis’ gunshot wound. There was no need to undermine what seemed to be a remarkable recovery underway. “Please, stay an extra day or two for me.”

  “I don’t want to, Nick.” She expelled a sigh. “I want to go home.”

  The satiny tone of her voice roused a visceral need. There was nothing he wanted more than to get Delaney back home and into his arms where she belonged but he couldn’t jeopardize her recovery. “I’ll stay with you here. We’ll watch television, play cards… It’ll be great.” He chuckled at her look of disgust. “What? You afraid I’ll beat you in a game of Crazy Eights?”

  “Is there something you’re not telling me?” she demanded. “Why are you trying to keep me here?”

  “Nothing other than I love you.” Flooded by a sudden tide of emotion, Nick’s heart lurche
d. He meant it. There was nothing she needed to know other than he loved her. “I want you home. As soon as you’re ready to safely come home, trust me, I’ll take you. I’ll take you home on horseback if it’ll make you happy, but not yet. Besides, there’s something I want to talk to you about.” Delaney’s gaze sharpened, as if she knew there was something he’d been hiding. Tapping a finger to her nose, he said, “Stop. You’re so suspicious. It’s nothing bad.” Drawing her hand onto his jean-legged thigh, he stroked the length of her fingers, her nails. He wanted to feel and experience every inch of her, reassuring himself she was here and she was okay. Would stay that way. Gazing into her expectant eyes, he teetered on how to begin. “I want to talk to you about where we go from here.”

  “Where we go?” she asked, appearing confused.

  “Yes. I’ve been doing some thinking, and I’m not sure I want to fly halfway across the world looking at properties.”

  “What? Why not?”

  He shrugged, mildly amused. “You won’t come with me...and I want to stay here with you.”

  “Nick. You can’t give up your hotels because of what happened. You have to go. You love your job. Shoot, it’s not a job, it’s your life.”

  She was his life. If he’d learned anything in the last few days it was that. Nick would gladly give up his hotels if it meant keeping Delaney safe, secure. “It’s not worth it.”

  “Nick. I’ll go. If this is your way of forcing me to go with you, I’ll go.”

  He laughed softly. “That easy, huh? Forcing you? And what about your stinky horses?”

  Delaney screwed her expression. “Leave my stinky horses out of this. If you want me to go with you, I will. I’m your wife, it’s what I want.”

  Nick laughed heartily. “Wow, you’re a bad liar!”

  And he loved her for it. He loved that she wore her emotions like she wore her ratty jeans. In your face, I don’t care what you think. Her ferocity was one of the things he liked best about her. “You couldn’t stand to be away from Sadie for more than a week. No, make that less than a week,” he said, instantly regretting the mention of her mare.

  Delaney’s fire went out, replaced by longing. “How is Sadie? Is she okay?”

  Nick wondered how much Felicity had told her mother. She’d said she kept her report brief and to the point, assuring her mom that all the horses were fine. Did Delaney know that one had been burned? Her stables were in complete ruin? That it would take months to get them back up and running? Shaking the supposition from his mind, he replied, “Sadie’s fine. I’m sure she’s chomping at the bit for your return.”

  “And the others?”

  “They’re fine,” he said flatly. “The horses are fine, the hotel is fine. Everyone is fine.” Except him. He wasn’t fine. He was having odd feelings and desires and he wanted to know if he was alone. “I understand Sadie is your baby and you’re worried about her, but maybe you need another one to distract you.”

  “Why would I get another horse?”

  Nick didn’t say a word. He simply stared. Delaney stared back. She snapped her mouth closed, an uneasy realization flitting across her sable-soft eyes, erecting a wall in its wake.

  “Is it so bad an idea?”

  Delaney slapped her glance to the opposite side of the room in a complete dodge. Her hand within his tugged slightly for release.

  Nick tightened his hold. “Have you ever thought about it?”

  “About a child?” she blurted.

  He nodded, pleased to hear her say the words.

  “Now who’s insane?” she asked, flipping her gaze to the ceiling, then down again to face him. “Do you know I’m almost forty years old?”

  “And in excellent shape. Why, you just had brain surgery and you’re already chomping at the bit to go home. Don’t know many twenty-somethings who could do the same.”

  “Nick.”

  “Delaney.”

  She paled. “You want a baby?”

  “I do,” he replied, surprised by a sudden rush of warmth flowing through him. Swimming, sweeping, it filled him with a wonderful joy. He didn’t realize how much he wanted a child until now. “I want your baby.”

  Plucking her hand from his hold, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Maybe I’d better stay in this hospital bed a few more days after all.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Cal strolled into the hotel lobby, his heart lighter than it had been in days. Jeremiah was in jail. Travis and Delaney were on the mend. The Ladd boys had been picked up and would be charged with the robbery, provided the hair sample belonged to one of them. But Cal didn’t have a single doubt they were responsible. The front clerk and gift shop cashier both identified the photos on Travis’ phone as the man they’d seen in the hotel. All the police had left to do was connect Jeremiah to the arson and they were finished. Except for the ugly business of Jillian Devane. But she was Nick’s problem. Cal’s problems were over.

  Carrying the cardboard box around the front desk, he nodded good morning to the clerks as he headed for the office. Nine o’clock, he’d already taken his customary stroll around the property, this time with Emily in tow, the two sharing memories of Arizona as they admired the Tennessee landscape. Despite everything that had happened during her stay she was already planning her next trip and he couldn’t be more pleased. Rounding into the office, he stopped suddenly. Malcolm and Nick were in the middle of what appeared to be a meeting. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning,” Malcolm returned, his gaze cheerful but curious.

  “What’s got you so chipper today?” Nick asked, eyeing the box in his hands.

  Cal grinned. “Only everything.” Setting the box of letters on top of a file cabinet, he blew a breath of air and replied, “Not the least of which being I’ve solved Troy’s legal problems.”

  “What?” Nick stood in a sweep of motion. “What do you mean, solved them?”

  “My mother is dropping her support for Jack, which means he’ll drop the charges like a hot potato fry,” Cal quipped merrily.

  “Explain.”

  Looking into the eyes of his boss, Cal said, “I convinced my mother her reasons for supporting Jack were misguided and she need no longer continue the charade.”

  “And she listened to you?”

  “What changed?” Malcolm asked, rising from his seat behind the desk.

  Cal tapped the box and said, “Let’s just say I used a little personal persuasion.” Growing more serious, he addressed Nick. “This box is for Delaney. They’re love letters between her mother and my father. I have his permission to share them with her,” Cal added, amused by their mouth-agape stares. “They tell a beautiful story and I thought she’d like to have them.” Cal didn’t mention the one he removed for his mother, the one that had changed her heart.

  “Where did you get them?”

  “My daddy had them in the attic. I went looking for my—things,” Cal said, sliding over any explanation as to his guns, his desire for revenge. They were no longer pertinent. Jeremiah was safely stowed away in jail and his family was safe. “I found this box of letters.”

  “Your dad kept them all these years?” Malcolm asked, stunned by the revelation.

  Cal nodded. “He did. Said he forgot they were there when I told him about them.” A confession he felt compelled to reveal after his mother’s about-face. She would go to her husband and he had to be prepared. Cal had never considered himself a matchmaker before, but getting his parents back together felt good. Real good. Better, it felt right. Theirs was a love that should flourish and prosper. They had a family to think about, a future, and their past had no place in the family portrait.

  Nick and Malcolm exchanged a glance, a mutual doubt regarding an old man’s memory. Cal shared their skepticism but didn’t much care whether his daddy had been pining away all these years or not. So long as he was doing what was right by his momma today was all that mattered. “Is Troy around? I’d like to give him the good news in person.”

 
; “I think he’s up at the barn,” Malcolm said.

  “Good.” Not scheduled to work today, Cal turned to go

  “Cal,” Nick stopped him.

  “Yes?”

  “Thanks.”

  Clasping Nick’s hand in a firm handshake, he grinned, pleasure filling him clear up to the brim. “You’re welcome. Give Delaney my best, will you?”

  “Sure thing.”

  “Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to deliver the good news.”

  “Where’s Cal?”

  Nick, Malcolm and Cal stilled as the familiar voice bellowed through the lobby. A sliver of rancor split Cal’s excitement as the anticipated confrontation with his brother Jack loomed front and center. Inhaling a deep breath, he winked. “I’ll take this one.”

  Walking out of the office, Cal settled his gaze squarely on his brother’s shoulders across the lobby desk. Jillian Devane hovered by his side, her cat eyes smoldering with carnal pleasure. “What do you need, Jack?” Unwilling to allow any barriers between them, Cal circled out from behind the desk, noting Nick and Malcolm did the same. For the moment they hung behind him.

  “What the hell did you do to Momma? She’s dropping her support for my case and threatening to pull her money if I don’t drop the charges against the Parker kid.”

  “Wise woman.”

  Jack stepped toward him and shoved a finger in Cal’s face. “You’re the cause.”

  “What? Momma finally came to her senses and you’re giving me the credit?” Cal shook his head and knocked Jack’s finger from his personal space. “I’m only glad to see she finally tossed you and your lies into the garbage where you belong.”

  “Don’t get cute with me,” Jack hissed, bridling on the verge of losing control. “I know you had something to do with it, and I want to know what.”

  Cal laughed, mocking him openly. “Looks like you’ve lost your touch, brother. Soon enough, Ms. Devane here will see through your façade as well, though it won’t matter much, not with you in jail and all.”