Agent by Her Side

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  She cooed and Alfie chattered back, the two seeming to have developed a language all their own. Then there’d been the rattle of pots and pans and the entire time Kiely talked to Alfie, even pausing now and again to ask him a question. There were many yes and no responses and an abundance of laughter that brought a smile to his face as he imagined the antics the duo were up to. After a few minutes he cut off his speaker and tried again to go to sleep, but he couldn’t get Kiely off his mind.

  As much as he knew about Kiely Colton, there was probably twice as much that he didn’t know. And he knew much about her father. Graham Colton had been one of Michigan’s best state district attorneys. He was respected in the community, and his legal expertise, commitment to fairness in justice, and his dedication to service made him one of the good guys. He and his wife Kathleen had been pillars of the community. Her philanthropic interests and dedication to their children had made her a role model for many women. Sadly, the two were killed in an automobile accident, hit by a drunk driver as they returned home from the Michigan Governor’s Service Award ceremony where Graham Colton had been honored just hours earlier. The loss to the family and the community had been devastating.

  Their eldest son, Riley, had been with the agency during that time and Cooper remembered well how he had pulled his siblings together to get them through that tragedy and keep them standing. His eventual resignation to open Colton Investigations had been a loss for the FBI. Since then the Colton family had worked with the agency when help had been needed on other cases. Cases that had sometimes put him and Kiely at odds with one another. Now, here she was, in his home, caring for his son, and by default, him, too.

  It probably would have been easier, Cooper thought, if she wasn’t so darn beguiling. Kiely was a beauty and her carefree spirit gave him many reasons to pause. It had been some time since any woman had captured his attention. She had gotten under his skin, threatening to spread like wildfire and he wasn’t sure how he felt about that. He struggled with what could have happened had she gone to check out that tip without him. If she had taken those bullets when things went left. The mere thought cut deep, reawakening feelings of loss he hadn’t felt since his wife had died. Had anything happened to Kiely he would have been devastated.

  He took a slow, deep breath, wincing as the sheer effort of doing so was painful. Closing his eyes, he thought briefly about going back to the family room to sit with his son and the woman who had his child equally captivated. He had questions he wanted to ask her. What was her favorite color? Her favorite food? Did she believe in monogamy? Was she dating anyone? Did she think he acted like a bumbling fool when he was in her presence?

  He thought about her smile and the wisps of bangs that he always wanted to push out of her eyes. He thought about the way she sometimes stood with both hands in her back pockets, her tiny waist accentuating the fullness of her bustline. He imagined the feel of her in his arms. Wondered what she might taste like if he ever had opportunity to kiss her lips. Because he really wanted to kiss her lips and then just like that, Cooper felt himself drifting off into a deep sleep as Kiely walked through his dreams.

  * * *

  When Alfie was down for his own nap, Kiely stood in the doorway of Cooper’s office. The wood-paneled space was reminiscent of an old English library with ceiling-high bookcases stretching across two walls. An oversized desk sat room center and a large globe decorated the corner. Stacks of manila folders covered the desktop, while Cooper’s college degree, Quantico certification, numerous awards and accolades decorated one wall. The space was comfortable and she got the impression that Cooper spent far too much time in that one room.

  There were a half-dozen pictures of Alfie. Newborn Alfie, Alfie at his baptism, the playground, taking his first steps and a formal portrait of Alfie and his daddy together. There was one single image of his late wife in a classic silver frame. The wedding photo of him and her together, the two looking hopeful and happy. She was a beautiful woman and Alfie had inherited her blond hair and wide smile. The rest of him was all Cooper. Their baby boy was a beautiful blending of their best physical attributes. Kiely lifted the image from the desktop and studied it intently before returning it to its resting spot. It was evident that Cooper had loved her immensely and that bond hadn’t died with her.

  Kiely turned her attention to the oversized corkboard that rested on the floor, leaning against the wall beside the desk. Cooper had laid out all the elements of the RevitaYou case. Images of the players, detailed sticky notes and pushpins covered the surface. Pulling up a chair, she took a seat and studied it carefully. Despite the details that they knew being very straightforward, they still had more questions than answers, no closer to putting all the pieces together and closing the case. Even her brother Griffin’s fiancée, Abigail—who was also Wes Matthew’s estranged daughter—knew nothing.

  Clearly, Cooper brought work home with him and she had to wonder how often and how much. Was he a perpetual workaholic, ignoring family and friends during his off time? Was he compromising his relationship with his son, too often focused on bad guys who’d done bad things? Was quality time not necessarily quality because he couldn’t let his day job go?

  Kiely knew his type and she avoided them like the plague. Men who knew how to work hard but couldn’t or wouldn’t play hard, too. Men more concerned about their pension than passion, unable to configure the two together in their lives. Men much like her father. Kiely blew a soft sigh.

  The renowned Graham Colton had been beloved by all. But his career had sometimes taken precedence over his family. So much so that he rarely noticed how unhappy her mother had been, or he hadn’t cared. Sadly, Kiely would never know which. Her mother had sacrificed much for the man she loved, giving up her own dreams of being a social worker to support his career. She’d dedicated her life to her children and her husband, her devotion to them all undeniable.

  The last years of their relationship had been strained at best. They were cordial to one another in the presence of others, but behind closed doors, they lived in separate bedrooms and barely spoke. Growing up, Kiely had thought their relationship was perfection, their love for each other so abundant that it sometimes felt unreal. Discovering that it was and watching them slowly unravel until they were a semblance of the fantasy Kiely had made them out to be, was why Kiely avoided any man wanting a serious relationship. Casual encounters and having friends with benefits worked well and she couldn’t think of any reason to fix what wasn’t broke.

  She stole another glance at the photo of Cooper and his wife. Joy shimmered in his blue eyes, his adoration for the woman so abundant that it leapt out of the picture. Kiely had never known that kind of love and didn’t imagine that she ever would. But she couldn’t help but wonder what that might feel like.

  * * *

  Cooper woke with a start. For a moment he did not know where he was and he sat up abruptly. The pain through his torso was a swift reminder of where he was and what had happened. He had cursed. Loudly. Inhaling air deep into his lungs he took a moment to collect himself, then had thrown his legs over the side of the bed.

  The house was quiet. Almost too quiet. When he checked the time, he discovered that he’d been sleeping for almost four hours and was surprised. It had been quite some time since he’d slept so soundly. Before Alfie had been born had probably been one of the last times. He moved into the master bathroom to splash cold water on his face and wipe the sleep from his eyes. After rinsing his mouth with mint-flavored mouthwash, he slipped on a pair of sweatpants. With one last glance in the full-length mirror that hung behind the door, he’d pulled his hand through his hair and eased out of the room.

  Alfie’s room was his first stop. His son was sleeping soundly, curled in fetal position beneath a flannel blanket. His favorite stuffed bunny and a plastic Tonka truck lay at the foot of the bed with him. The child snored, his mouth open as he sucked air in and blew it out. Cooper brushed his fing
ers across the kid’s forehead. He too seemed to be more relaxed and at ease, sleeping sounder than Cooper remembered having seen him.

  Both doors to the bathroom were open, the second bedroom dark. Peeking in to make sure Kiely wasn’t there, he felt his stomach flip, concern washing over his spirt. He moved back to the crib, leaning to kiss his son’s cheek before he tiptoed out of the room.

  He found Kiely sitting in his office, evidently lost in thought. She sat staring into space and he wondered what might be going through her mind. She’d changed, wearing oversized cotton pajamas that swallowed her petite frame. She’d pulled her hair back into a ponytail and fuzzy slippers covered her feet.

  He suddenly wondered if asking her to stay with him to help had been a good idea. Because he found himself wondering what it would be like to hold her hand, brush his lips against her cheek and maybe even claim her heart. Thoughts he hadn’t entertained about any woman since Sara. Thoughts he had no business contemplating. He suddenly felt a hint of guilt pierce his heart and he shook himself from the trance he’d dropped into. He cleared his throat to draw her attention.

  * * *

  Kiely jumped at the noise, drawing her hand to her chest. She had been so engrossed in her own thoughts that she’d forgotten where she was and what she needed to be doing. She hadn’t even considered Cooper might be awake.

  He stood in the doorway of the office staring at her and she suddenly felt like she might have been intruding on space where she had no business being. He was also standing there half-naked, wearing only a pair of gray sweatpants. His abs were nearly perfect, his muscles clearly defined. Spending time in a gym had served him well. Him bare-chested, in his bare feet was disconcerting and admittedly, she thought, sexy as hell.

  She took a deep breath. “You scared me!”

  He smiled. “Sorry about that. You were so focused I wasn’t sure if I should interrupt.”

  “I hope you don’t mind that I was in your office.” She gestured toward the board. “I was just looking at everything you had on the case.”

  “No, it’s fine. I don’t mind at all. Consider this your home while you’re here.” He pushed both hands into the pockets of the sweats, moving the fabric to tighten around his pelvis.

  Kiely tried not to stare. “So, are you hungry? I made dinner.”

  “You cook?”

  “Why do you say that like you’re surprised?”

  “I am. You’ve never come across as that Susie homemaker type.”

  “I’m not, but I can cook. I’m much more than my overwhelming intellect and charming personality, Agent Winston.”

  Cooper laughed. “Well, I’m starved so let’s see if you’re any good at it.”

  Rising from her seat, Kiely moved through the door, brushing past him. “I’ll have you know,” she said as she shot him a sharp look, “I’m good at everything I do.”

  In the kitchen she unwrapped the plate that she had set aside for him and popped it into the microwave. Looking around, Cooper saw for the first time, that she had been busy while he slept. The toys that had been scattered around the space had all been put away. The pillows on the sofa had been fluffed and the carpet had been vacuumed. The kitchen was also spotless, the dishes washed and the counters clean.

  “Wow!” he said. “You’ve been busy.”

  “I had some time after I put Alfie down for the night.”

  “I’m sorry I missed that,” Cooper said. “You must think I’m a horrible father. My son gets kidnapped and I’ve barely had ten minutes for him since we got him back.”

  Kiely shrugged her shoulders. “Not really. Now, had you not been shot, I might feel differently.” She gestured for him to take a seat at the counter as she set the plate down against the marble countertop.

  The aroma of buttered noodles topped with thin slices of ribeye roast seasoned with fresh rosemary, thyme and garlic and a side of peas and carrots suddenly had Cooper salivating. He sat down, grabbed a fork and began to eat. After two bites he nearly purred. “Mmm! This is really good.”

  Kiely smiled, her lips lifting sweetly. “I told you I could cook.”

  “Did you have any problems getting my son to eat? He can be very picky. Or he’s just tired of franks and beans, which is my specialty.”

  “Not at all. He ate a nice portion of the noodles, peas and carrots and probably one or two slices of meat. Then we had peaches and ice cream for dessert.”

  Cooper shook his head. “I’m starting to think I may have gotten the wrong kid back.”

  “Why would you say that?” Kiely asked, her eyes wide.

  “Because Alfie has never been that agreeable about food.”

  “Alfie’s never had my cooking before.”

  “We might have to keep you!” Cooper said before realizing what that might have sounded like.

  Kiely gave him a look but said nothing, instead turning back to the microwave to wipe it down with a damp cloth.

  “Out of idle curiosity where did you get the groceries from? It’s been a minute since I last went shopping. That had been on my to-do list before Alfie was snatched.”

  “You do know there are places that will deliver, don’t you? You never have to step foot in a grocery store ever again.”

  “Groceries?” He looked genuinely surprised.

  Kiely laughed. She pulled open the refrigerator door. “Groceries,” she responded. “And on a good day, you can get your order within an hour.”

  Cooper stared at the once-bare refrigerator that was now fully stocked. There was a gallon of fresh milk, a jug of orange juice, eggs, yogurt, an assortment of fresh vegetables and multiple snacks. The freezer was equally stocked and Cooper stared in awe.

  “Remember what I said about keeping you?” he said. “I think I may have meant that!”

  Kiely laughed.

  After Cooper had finished his plate, literally licking it clean, she filled two bowls with a scoop of butter pecan ice cream and peaches that had been oven roasted and then tossed with cinnamon and sugar.

  She climbed onto the cushioned stool beside him. Conversation between them flowed like water from a faucet. Kiely discovered his affinity for sweets and his dislike for green vegetables. She shared that she was not a fan of cottage cheese, but potato chips, the lightly salted wavy ones, were her Achilles’ heel. They talked about their families. His mother had died years earlier from breast cancer and his father was living in a senior community in Florida. They video chatted weekly but Cooper hoped to take Alfie to visit his grandpop one day.

  He offered his condolences for the losses of her parents and listened as she talked about how she and her siblings worked daily to honor their memories. She was close to her siblings and called them her best friends. He was an only child and slightly envious, not knowing what it was like to grow up with family so close. Cooper was impressed with how well-rounded she was, not at all as flighty and reckless as he had once thought.

  * * *

  Almost two hours and a second helping of dessert later, Kiely realized he wasn’t wound as tightly as she’d initially thought and he had a keen sense of humor.

  “I should head to bed,” Kiely said, reaching for his empty plate.

  Cooper stopped her, his fingers gently grazing the back of her hand. “I’ll clear the dishes. You’ve done enough. Thank you.”

  “You’re supposed to be resting.”

  “I don’t think putting a plate in the dishwasher will hurt me.”

  “Well,” Kiely said as she stood up, “if it does, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  He smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind. Good night, Kiely.”

  Her eyes shimmered as she met his stare. Her lips lifted in a bright smile. “Good night, Cooper.”

  * * *

  Kiely stared down into the crib as she straightened the blanket around Alfie. She trailed a light hand
against his back, patting him gently when he stirred. She found herself in awe of how peacefully he slept. He really was the sweetest little thing, she thought. Everything about him tugged at her heartstrings. She could only begin to imagine the fear Cooper had felt when he’d been missing because she knew that if anything were to happen to him now she’d be beside herself.

  If she had to explain her sudden bond with the little boy she didn’t know if she had the words. He had somehow wrangled a tight grip on her heart and she was feeling very protective of him. Maybe her sisters were wrong, Kiely thought, and her maternal instincts had simply been late to bloom.

  She gave the baby monitor one last check to ensure it was on and at full volume. Moving through the shared bathroom to the other bedroom she sat down on the edge of the bed. It had been a nice evening. She’d enjoyed her time with Cooper. He’d been easy to talk to and had even made her laugh a time or two. She liked him more than she had expected and liking Cooper Winston had never been part of her plans.

  Slipping beneath the covers, Kiely settled down against the pillows. She pulled an arm up and over her head, her other hand playing with the buttons on her pajama top. She hoped that thoughts of Cooper weren’t going to haunt her dreams, but she had a feeling she wasn’t going to be able to get him out of her head anytime soon.

  Chapter 5

  The next morning when Cooper woke he was surprised by the late hour. He was also surprised that he had not heard Alfie because the youngster would usually have been crying for something to eat by now. Then he remembered he had turned off the baby monitor and his heart dropped into the pit of his stomach.

  Jumping from the bed he made quick work of his morning routine and headed straight for the nursery. He found the crib empty and for a moment he panicked, hurrying toward the family room.

  Alfie and Kiely were together. She sat cross-legged and they were playing a game of peekaboo. The toddler ran in circles around her as she pretended to cover her eyes and then surprise him over and over again. The little boy exploded with laughter every time she uncovered her eyes and said boo.