Abrupt Changes: A Second Chance Romance (O-Town Book 3)

by Karen Renee

  “Nope. Two and a half miles if you take Colonial. Normal traffic, I’m ten minutes away. I think that’s the reason Penny was so pushy for me to have a key. Took the responsibility off you girls, and she knew I wasn’t too far away.”

  My head tilted at that. “Yeah, but how would she know where you lived? It makes no sense to me.”

  He hesitated. “She reached out by sending me cards. I returned the favor.”

  I closed my eyes because that was like a knife to my gut. When I’d moved up to New York, I told him we could stay in touch with letters and phone calls, and he flatly refused to send me the first letter. But he could send my mother a card?

  I nodded to myself. “So, she had your mailing address.”

  “Yeah,” he whispered.

  It hit me strange, this newfound knowledge that Mom had kept in touch with a man I’d loved and lost. Well, not exactly lost. More like we pushed each other away in the end.

  How could she do that? It seemed like a betrayal. Not seemed, it was one.

  Then realization washed over me like a cold shower.

  Mom lived to take a long shot. She rooted for the underdog as if she were an underdog herself. When Clint and I split for good, she had been hurt –just as Juanita had been hurt. Which had made Mom even more bitter when I told her about the letter Juanita had sent. Her tirade had been impressive, and I’d wished I’d recorded it but didn’t have the ability back then.

  I shook off the thoughts and memories.

  “So, why did you call, Clint? To check on the peanut situation?”

  He paused, but not for long.

  “Not really. I just wanted to clear the air with you and see how you were doing.”

  Chapter 7

  Tofu, Sprouts, and Coconut Water

  Raegan

  LATE THE NEXT MORNING, I was emptying the dishwasher when Mom shuffled into the kitchen.

  “You need to get ready for Clint, Wynnie.”

  The name slip was fairly common from Mom, and I was loathe to point it out because that only highlighted my sister’s death.

  I checked the time on the microwave before I caught Mom’s eyes. “It’s half past ten, Mom. I’m sure Clint’s working right now. Besides that, why would I need to get ‘ready’ for him?”

  Mom hung her head for a moment before looking up at me. “I’m sorry, Raegan. I shouldn’t have called you by your sister’s name. It’s just, Wednesdays she had an aqua-aerobics class and Clint always came by so she could get there on time.”

  My brows furrowed. “So... Wynnie leaned on Clint to help her out?”

  Mom’s eyes narrowed. “No, Raegan Anne. I set it up so Clint would be here when my daughter most needed to get away from me. Believe it or not, I know how much of a burden I’ve become—”

  “Mom, you’re not—”

  “Do not interrupt your mother,” she said, making me feel like I was ten years old.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

  She jerked her chin mulishly. “It’s not easy dealing with me these days, and your sister had a life to live.” Her breath caught and I thought she would leave it at that, but I was wrong. “And God bless him, Clint did his best to make it so Wynnie could keep some amount of normal in her life.”

  I pulled my upper lip between my teeth and bit it. The pain dulled the poignant ache eating at me from Mom’s words and the realization I’d taken Wynnie’s sacrifices for granted. It seemed I had far more to thank Clint for than I realized.

  Also, I needed to apologize for demanding his key back that first day.

  While I closed the dishwasher, I thought about how I had to ‘get ready’ for Clint.

  The sound of the dishwasher locking pulled Mom from some deep-rooted contemplation. “What are you doing, Raegan? You need to empty that dishwasher.”

  I grinned. “Know that, Mom. But I’m more concerned about what I have to do before Clint shows up. And for that matter are you sure he is going to drop by? He has a job, Mom. And it sounds like it’s less predictable than —”

  Mom slammed her walker to the side so she could face me. “He comes to eat lunch with me on Wednesdays. You mentioned he thought you’d be gone after two weeks, that means he should be here today.”

  I nodded. “All right, Mom. Calm down.”

  She huffed. “I’m perfectly calm, Raegan. But you need to get out three plates. If we’re lucky, he’s bringing fried chicken, potato salad, broccoli salad, and buns. Biscuits if we’re really lucky.”

  “So, more sodium for your low-sodium diet, eh?”

  She glowered. “Feel free to keep those comments to yourself. He doesn’t have to bring an old lady lunch once a week, but he does.”

  Roughly forty-five minutes later, the back door unlocked, and Clint sauntered inside carrying three grocery bags, the scent of fried food preceding him.

  I reached out for a bag. “Rumor has it, you’ve brought lunch.”

  He gave me a long look, but whatever he was thinking he hid it well.

  “Rumor’s right. Though I don’t know if your mom’s gonna be happy about you eating what would otherwise be her leftovers.”

  I chuckled. “Depending on what you’ve brought, that might be a non-issue.”

  “You turn down extra-crispy chicken and say it’s a non-issue, you and I have got issues, Raegan.”

  I shook my head and took the bag to the counter.

  While he put food on the counter, I grabbed some spoons. “You don’t have to do this, you know.”

  He rested a hand on the counter. “It occur to you this is something I like doing?”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.”

  Even though I didn’t believe him, I pulled down some plates.

  “Your Mom’s a cool lady, Rae. I figure she can use the company. Especially after what happened to your sister.”

  “You’re right,” I whispered. “Thank you.”

  He bumped his bicep into mine. “You’re welcome.”

  That touch sent a wave of warmth through me and I closed my eyes, trying to ignore it.

  Mom shuffled into the kitchen. “You finally bring me some tofu?”

  I stared at her. “You’ve never even had tofu!”

  She winked. “That don’t matter. As much as he accuses me of being a tree-hugging liberal, I figure he should put his money where his mouth is and feed me what my people eat.”

  “You are pretty liberal, Mom.”

  She settled at her spot at the table. “Gonna be like that is it? You’re going to team up with him? I should have known.”

  Clint fixed a plate and put it in front of Mom. “Next week, it’s on, Penny. Tofu, sprouts, and coconut water.”

  Mom grimaced. “You can keep the coconut shit.”

  “Now that sounds more like you, Mom.”

  WHEN HER SOAP OPERA ended, Mom clicked off the television and set the remote down purposefully enough to get my attention away from my laptop.

  “You all right?” I asked.

  She grinned, but it was a little lopsided. “Hunky-dory, dear. Are you?”

  “I am. Is there something you want to talk about?”

  She sighed. “Hell if New York hasn’t rubbed off on you. Can’t slowly lead into anything.”

  I shook my head. “Be my guest, take your time. I just don’t see the point in beating around the bush if there’s something you want to discuss.”

  “Lunch was nice, right?”

  ‘How about you disabuse her of that idea?’ Clint’s words from Sunday came back to me, and I knew it was go time.

  “It was Mom, but it was just lunch.”

  Her chin dipped into her neck. “Did I say anything about it being more? I did not.”

  I tilted my head. “Funny thing is you told your hair-stylist you were hoping he and I would get back together.”

  Her mouth dropped open and I could see her debate if she could deny it or not. She looked away and sighed. “I guess what they say is true. Loose lips sink ships. See
if I tell Joyce anything again.”

  “Mom, that isn’t the point.”

  She stared at me. “You’re right, but it wouldn’t hurt to let me have some hope for something good and decent to come out of Wynnie’s senseless death!”

  That took the words right out of my mouth, and I let it go.

  I noticed the time and set my laptop aside. “When Tanya and her kiddos get here, I’m going to run to Target, Mom.”

  “You just went to the store this morning.”

  I smiled. “I know, but I need to hit Target for things I forgot to get at the grocery store. And, I thought I’d look for some shorts since I don’t know when I’m headed back. Do you need anything while I’m there?”

  Mom tried to hide it, but I saw her grin. “No, I think I’m all set, dear.”

  Clint

  FOR THE PAST NINE MONTHS, I had lightened my workload on Wednesdays. I had been forced to call in several markers with the other investigators, but it was well worth it to see Penny improve week-in and week-out.

  When I joined Brock in his Civic at the strip mall, he looked borderline comatose.

  “Tons of action, eh, Sullivan?” I asked, closing the door.

  He gave me his side-eye. “Yeah.”

  I scanned the parking lot. Both of their vehicles were parked, which meant both of them were working.

  Brock sighed which for some reason made me smile.

  “You ever a smoker?” I asked.

  He groaned. “Tried that shit once in the Navy. Didn’t last. Why?”

  I sighed. “Just thinking, if they’re working and we know he’s smoking even though the wife thinks he’s quit... maybe they’re hanging out in the back?”

  Brock looked at me. “But we wouldn’t catch them in the act back there.”

  I nodded. “Right, but multiple shots of them tongue-wrestling works better than just the one we have.”

  Brock was dressed for business, since he was on his probationary term, but it didn’t help me for what I had in mind. Then I realized what I had in mind wouldn’t really work.

  “How about you drive through the parking lot over to the grocery store?”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yeah. For one thing, you’ve been sitting here, how long? Hours, right?”

  He nodded.

  “Drive over there, but you’re gonna circle back so we can get a good view of the backside to the strip mall.”

  “Roger that,” he muttered.

  After two hours watching the backside of the strip mall, we still had nothing to go on. Deanne had emailed me the other woman’s name based on her license plate, Skylar Ibanez. She went out back to smoke, but our man never made it out to chat with her or anything.

  My cell rang with Penny’s ring tone. Brock gave me a look.

  “Sorry, I have to take this.”

  “What’s up, Penny?”

  “Tell her I said ‘hello,’” Brock muttered.

  Her breathing sounded labored. “Clint. Raegan’s not home.”

  A weight hit my chest, but I fought letting it take hold.

  “All right, Penny. How long has she been gone?”

  “Well, Tanya’s been here with her boys since just after two, and she’s got to get going. Raegan didn’t say she’d be out very long. She was just going to Target.”

  I inhaled deeply. “Okay, Penny. It’s nearly rush hour, and she probably had to hit the interstate to get home. Did you try calling her cell?”

  “Yes. Tanya tried on her phone too. I don’t like this, Clint.”

  I ran my hand down my stubble, then pulled the phone from my ear before I spoke to Brock. “Call Otero, see if someone else can join you. Doubt there’s anything here to see today, but I gotta run. Let Paul know you’re alone.”

  Brock lifted his chin, and I put the phone back to my ear as I angled out of the Civic.

  “Listen, Penny, I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. I’m sure by the time I get there, Raegan will be home, and it’ll be fine. If Tanya has to get back to her place to start dinner or whatever, tell her you’re okay.”

  I heard Penny relay my message, but then I heard Tanya’s outraged voice, “I am not leaving when you don’t where Raegan is. Has he lost his mind? My husband can bring home dinner for a change. I’ll text him right now.”

  I climbed into my SUV. “Penny, I gotta hang up now, but don’t worry about Raegan. I’m sure she’s fine and just lost track of time while she tried on new clothes.”

  Even to my ears that sounded lame, because Raegan had left discount clothing behind once she hit the big leagues of Madison Avenue.

  “You might be right, Clinton. She said she needed to get some new shorts since she wasn’t sure when she was headed back.”

  I grimaced, hearing her call me Clinton. Rae had called me that as a joke and then she turned it into the nickname ‘Parliament’, since the lead singer for the group was George Clinton.

  “All right, Penny. Let’s hang on to that. You haven’t called the police yet, have you?”

  “No, but I really want to.”

  “Don’t, sweetheart. We don’t have enough to go on yet. I’ll be there soon.”

  I slid my phone into the hands-free dock, then I drove to Penny’s.

  RATHER THAN PARK IN front of the house, I circled the block and parked my SUV a couple doors down. I jogged up the walk making note that the rental car Raegan had been driving was nowhere in sight. That didn’t make me feel good, but it still wasn’t enough to call the cops.

  With my key just in the lock, the door opened, and Penny stood there with a hopeful expression which fell to disappointment.

  I yanked the key free of the lock. “I’m sorry I’m not who you want to see, Penny.”

  She shook her head and slowly shuffled out of my way. “It’s all right, Clint. Maybe you should call her. She’s answered your calls.”

  “Whatever makes you feel better, Penny.”

  I pulled my phone out and cued up Raegan’s number, but I knew it wasn’t going to result in anything. As I moved into the living room, I noticed Tanya packing up a diaper bag and settling her baby into a carrier.

  When the call went to voicemail, I tucked my cell back in the holster. “Sorry, Penny. It went to voicemail.” I looked to Tanya, “Thank you for staying with her.”

  She set the diaper bag on the arm of the loveseat. “What makes you think I’m leaving? Kyle’s working late, but he promised to bring us dinner and I’m holding him to that. So, I’m not leaving yet.”

  I nodded, but deep down I felt like Tanya amped up the drama level, and nobody needed that right now. When I looked at Penny, she was settled in the couch, snuggled up with Tanya’s oldest child. If the feeling in my gut was anything to go by, Penny needed to get whatever comfort she could, wherever she could.

  A heavy thud came from the front of the house, followed by the screech of tires, and I raced to the front door. Throwing the door open, I couldn’t see any vehicle, but at my feet was Raegan’s body wrapped in a ratty blanket.

  “Shit,” someone hissed, and it wasn’t until I pulled my phone out, I realized it was me.

  When the 911 dispatcher answered, I gave my name, the address and all the pertinent details by rote. Part of me felt like I was back on the force, and another part of me felt like I was living a nightmare.

  My eyes closed when I touched Raegan’s neck to check for a pulse because I couldn’t bear to see her body if she was dead. A steady beat met my fingers, and I exhaled before telling the dispatcher she was alive.

  Putting my phone on speaker, I set it aside so I could unwrap the blanket to make sure Raegan hadn’t been wounded. When she was fully unwrapped and I knew she wasn’t seriously harmed, I threaded my fingers into my hair with relief. Which was the very moment Raegan spoke.

  Chapter 8

  Love It That Much?

  Raegan

  AS I OPENED MY EYES, I saw Clint pulling at his hair. “Don’t pull your hair, honey. At least not until I get the
chance to run my fingers through it.”

  I didn’t know what hit me first. The quick shift in his expression or the sound of my voice uttering those thoughts.

  He let his hair go, leaned over, and stroked my cheek with his thumb. I thought he’d do more, but then he lunged and grabbed his phone. With the press of a button, he put it to his ear and recited something about me being conscious and a unit was on the scene.

  Immense pain in my head took me to the brink of tears. I turned my head to the other side hoping to alleviate it, but Clint made a tsk-ing sound at me. “Rae, stay still. We gotta have you checked out, baby.”

  My breath hitched. I told myself to resist the feelings that ‘baby’ brought on. I closed my eyes, and Clint’s strong hand gripped my shoulder urgently.

  “Do not go to sleep, Rae. You gotta stay awake for the paramedics.”

  “Okay,” I whispered.

  “Okay,” he whispered back.

  It seemed like moments later, two young men crowded around me. They helped me sit up before examining me.

  After they got my vitals, the paramedics asked me if I wanted to go to the hospital for a more thorough examination, and I said, “No.”

  The paramedics left, and the police officers started in with their questions for me. I didn’t have much information for them. As I was putting the last bag in the trunk at the Target, I’d sensed someone behind me, but before I could turn around, it was lights out.

  Clint had asked if they were going to send a unit out to check for my rental car, but I didn’t catch their response.

  Twenty minutes later, I walked into Mom’s kitchen feeling like a bag of rocks was rolling around in my head.

  Mom sat at the kitchen table with a frozen dinner. Tanya puttered around the kitchen, offering to make me dinner, but Clint convinced her to leave. He fixed me a can of chicken noodle soup, and I figured I was doing Mom a favor by eating it instead of her.

  He sat down across from me, and I gave him a look. “Where’s your bowl?”

  “I don’t need one, Rae.”

  I nodded. “You ate already?”

  He turned his head a touch and sighed.