“Not a problem. But for now, can we forget all the mystery and suspicion for the time being? How about we concentrate on enjoying the day, together?” she requested.
Without looking at her, he said, “Okay, that’s fine. However, I have a quick question for you. Might any in-house activities come to mind that we can indulge in before we leave?”
She shook her head. “Nooo. I thought that maybe we could do a little shopping.”
A worrisome expression appeared. “Amanda, I have to tell you. I’m not big on this mall stuff.”
An amusing chuckle preceded her response. “Of course you’re not. I understand having a ‘mall-experience’ is not a male thing. But what I have in mind is a little different. It’s more like experiencing an old-fashioned Christmas.”
His reluctance continued. “Shopping is shopping, no matter what. And it’s not very appealing to the male species.”
Her persistence continued, as well. “What I’m thinking is we go to the Georgetown Christmas Market. Ever been there?”
“Monica and Jeff have mentioned it before. I’ve never had the inclination to go check it out.”
“It’s fantastic—reminiscent of a European-style, open market. You can pick up handcrafted gifts and savor a variety of foods from around the world. Doesn’t that sound inviting?”
“Um, no. You know my idea of inviting.” He snickered.
She ignored him. “The streets and shops are dressed with twinkle lights and all kinds of holiday decorations. There’s music, dancing and strolling carolers.”
“I gather you’ve been there before.”
She nodded with enthusiasm. “Ever since I can remember, Poppy would take me every year to see Old Kris Kringle.” She lost herself in a private thought for a few seconds. “It’s one of those once-a-year-family-traditions that are hard to bring to an end.”
Nick rose to clear the table. She stood at the sink to rinse the dishes and load the dishwasher.
“Now reading between the lines, I want to make sure I have this right,” he said. “What you’re telling me, aside from the guilt trip that I would incur if I dare not go, is that this yearly holiday event is about to become a new tradition for us. And we will continue to take pleasure in it from this day forward and all days after the ‘til death do us part’ per our marriage vows.”
She knew he loved to tease her, and she played along. In her best singsong voice, she said, “No guilt intended. No forced traditions. No repercussions.” Then, using her female wiles to take advantage of the situation, she heaved a deep, sorrowful sigh. “And there might be a possibility of no in-house activities later.”
“I am surprised at you, Amanda. That’s a weak and pitiful female technique to manipulate a poor unsuspecting member of the male gender.” His laughter resonated through the room.
Still playing, she moved closer, stood in front of him, and fluttered her eyelashes. “Did it work, Nicky?”
Quick on the take, he embraced her and gently kissed her. “You know I can’t resist a femme fatale even if she is a blackmailer.” He pressed in and brushed his lips over hers. “You had me on your side when you suggested we enjoy the day together. I just like to engage you in playful repartee.”
“So I’ve noticed.” She smiled at him. “And may I so aptly state, you are good at it.”
“As are you, sweetheart. This give and take is going to be fun. We’re going to make a great team.”
On that note, Amanda readied herself for a day out in the crisp Colorado air. She yanked on her snow boots, slipped into her navy blue ski jacket, plopped on a white knitted hat. Before they left the house, Nick gathered Pete’s files and stuck them in the glove compartment of his truck.
“This way, I won’t forget them when you distract me later on this evening.”
Then before they actually started out on their drive, they stopped by Nick’s house so he could change into his warm, casual garb and pick up Maxine.
Amanda and Nick joined the crowds of people, young and old, who meandered up and down the streets of Georgetown soaking up the Christmas ambiance. Maxine didn’t seem to notice anyone—she sniffed and sniffed the new outdoor aromas. The threesome strolled along, enjoying the holiday decorations, carolers, food and drinks and gift stands. By late afternoon, the onset of a heavy snow-shower cautioned them to head back to Crestview.
When they pulled into the driveway, Amanda noticed the opened front door. “Did we forget to shut the door?”
“Don’t think so.”
Nick gathered their packages, and they made their way to the front porch. As they approached the steps, he noticed the fresh footprints stamped in the new snow. Their path led toward the back of the house. He took hold of her arm, stopping her from going any further.
“Back to the truck. Now.”
She picked up on the urgency of his directive and didn’t hesitate, just turned and followed his lead. In the truck, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed 9-1-1. It happened so quickly that she wasn’t sure of why, but when everything became clear, her body went numb with the memory of the Aspen Peaks attack.
“Police assistance.”
“Break-in. Maybe an attempted robbery. Don’t know if anyone is still in the house.” He gave the address and both their names. “No, we won’t attempt to enter. We’ll stay in my truck in the driveway. No sirens? Okay. Thank you.” Click.
Terror encompassed Amanda. Her body involuntarily trembled as the vivid details of her attack returned. Nausea, dizziness and a chilling fear overpowered her. The guarded scream and the death grip on Nick’s arm alerted him to her immediate distress.
“Not again. Not again. Not again, Nick.”
“It’s okay Amanda. I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you.” He held her close, trying to calm her and reassure her she was safe. He could feel her accelerated heartbeat. He caressed her hair, offering comforting words. “Listen to me, Amanda Jean Conifer. You’re going to be all right.”
Nick tried to mask his worry. He called her by her full name to ease the tension of the moment.
Amanda attempted to speak between her uncontrollable sobbing, but nothing legible came out. She clung to him, feeling secure in his arms. She couldn’t and didn’t want to move. Nick made no further attempts with words. He sensed his presence and the silence to be what she needed at that moment. He held tight, too, until gradually, her breathing slowed, the tears subsided, and the trembling ceased. By the time the Crestview police arrived, she had calmed down enough to be lucid.
The two officers approached Nick’s vehicle.
“Stay here until we check the premises. We don’t want you to become victims if anything goes wrong.”
Both men drew their weapons. One moved toward the house. The other followed the tracks leading round back. Several minutes passed before one of the officers emerged and approached the truck.
“The house is secure. It’s safe to go in now.” He escorted them into the house. “We found one set of footprints coming in from and leading back out to Ponderosa Estates beyond the wood behind your house.”
Bewildered and confused, Amanda glanced at Nick and whispered, “Yet another one of those extraordinary coincidences.”
The police officer stepped in front of the doorway. A few minutes later, he reappeared.
“Looks like the perpetrator threw one of the wrought iron chairs from the deck through the sliding-glass-patio-door. It’s not a pretty sight, Miss Conifer. The intruder seemed to be looking for something. Everything is turned upside down. Best you prepare yourself.”
Oh, Poppy, why would somebody break into your house? I’m so sorry.
What they discovered after entering the house brought about feelings of disgust and a strong, sickening distaste for the person responsible. Drawers and cabinets emptied onto counters and tables. Clothing, papers, books, chairs, pillows, cushions were strewn helter-skelter. A broken lamp dangled from an end table. The television set, Poppy’s computer screen and all the framed
photos had gaping holes in them. The intruder had ransacked the entire house, leaving it tarnished with his mean spirit.
She wondered if her condo had looked like this after the break-in. If it had, she was so glad not to have seen it. Thanks to Poppy, who had taken care of the clean-up, everything had appeared to be normal when she had returned to make plans to move back to Crestview.
“Our investigative team should be here any minute. They’ll be here to check for prints, canvas the area, and get your statement.”
Amanda nodded in a meaningless way. What could they do? Just like the Denver Police, they’d never find out who did this or why. It was all a waste of time. Suddenly, she became aware of several disturbing ideas. What if she’d been in the house? Would she have assaulted again? Killed? Was this connected to the Aspen Peaks attack?
Intuitively, Nick sensed her growing feeling of fear and anxiety. This house triggered a past memory that had no place in her life now. He knew she had to get out of there.
“Officer, we’re going to pack a suitcase and leave. Amanda will be staying at my house. When your team finishes what they have to do, please call me. I’ll come by and board up the sliding door so no animals can get in.” He handed the officer his business card with his cell phone numbers.
“Amanda, let’s go up to your room and gather the things you’re going to need.”
She wouldn’t let go of his hand and followed him in a trance.
At Nick’s, she relaxed knowing she was safe and secure curled up on the sofa in front of a warm fire. She rested against him. There wasn’t any need for conversation. Maxine seemed to know she needed comforting. The dog jumped up next to her and laid her head across Amanda’s lap and settled in. The three of them snuggled without incident. His phone rang. He listened.
“Police…they’ve completed inspecting the house. We can go in to secure the premises.”
“I can’t go back there tonight, Nick.”
“I know. I’ll take care of it.” He moved toward the kitchen.
“Please don’t leave me alone,” she pleaded.
“Ah, sweetheart, I’m not going anywhere.” He leaned over the back of the sofa and kissed the top of her head. “Thought that maybe, you could use a hot cup of tea.” He slid his hand along her cheek. “Hot tea always soothes the nerves.” He nodded toward Maxine and smiled. “It looks like you’ve inherited a guard dog.”
She reached for the dog, gently petted her. “Yes, I have.”
“Do you want anything else?”
“No. The tea will be great.” She continued to pet the dog and stare into the fire.
“I’m going to make a call to get that door boarded up while the tea is brewing. I’ll be right back.”
Once in the kitchen, he picked up his cell phone and dialed Charles Wharley. He filled him in on the events of the day and Amanda’s emotional state. Charles fired a slew of questions at him, not giving him a chance to answer. Finally, he did get a word in.
“I know you’re concerned, Charles, but I don’t know the answers to anything yet. The police just phoned. They’ve finished their preliminary investigation. I had planned to go back tonight and board up the sliding door to the deck and clean up a bit. But she’s too upset. She’s afraid to be alone. Do you know someone who does this kind of work?”
Charles disclosed how he’d helped Pete restore Amanda’s condo then assured him that he would do the same for her house. “It should only take a few days.”
“Thanks, Charles. I owe you.”
“No owes, Nick. You just concentrate on taking care of our Amanda.”
“That’s a given.” Nick thanked him again for his help, but before hanging up added, “Charles, you and I need to talk, a.s.a.p.”
Nick tried his hardest to convince Amanda to take a few days off to relax at his house. “To rest, relax and regroup while I’m looking into these never-ending episodes inundating your life.”
She adamantly refused. “I need to be at the restaurant now. Working will keep my mind occupied. I won’t have time to dwell on break-in number two.”
He wasn’t sure her going back to work idea was the best therapy. Instead of addressing the issue at that moment, he said, “We’ll talk more about everything in the morning. Right now, why don’t you go upstairs, take a hot shower, and turn in, sweetheart? It’s been a long, hard day. I’ll be right there after I take Maxine out for her bedtime ritual.”
Nick followed Maxine out across the field behind his yard. Deep in thought, he knew what kind of a business week awaited him with all the usual holiday madness and frenzy. Most of his clients prepared for holiday celebrations, family gatherings, office parties or with those customers out shopping and not wanting to cook. Last week’s harried calls for him to fill the demands for their increased food needs had sent him scurrying to find good deals to pass on to them.
As usual, he planned to run specials so everyone involved could reap the benefits. That meant he’d be on the phone all day. That meant he’d need to be at the office. That meant he couldn’t stay with Amanda as he wanted. The more he thought about it, the more he realized she was probably right. Keeping busy would be the best scenario now. She’d be comfortable and safe with Charles on the scene. He’ll be on her like the big brother he professed to be. And if she needed a break, she could always come here to nap, read or play with Maxine.
After that last thought, he gave a loud whistle, signaling his dog to come. Within a few seconds, Maxine bounded across the field, past him and straight to the backdoor where she waited for him to catch up with her. When he let her into the house, she made a beeline up the stairs right to the bedroom. By the time he got there, Maxine had taken his place next to Amanda and didn’t appear to be ready to leave. He smiled at the sight of his two favorite girls.
“Friends forever,” he whispered and headed to the guest room.
As he lay in bed, his thoughts turned to Charles. Amanda loved him like a big brother. And Nick believed his affection for her was genuine. But could he be trusted? Right now, he had no choice. He’d have to defer to her feelings and enlist his help. For when it came to Amanda’s safety, Charles was the only one Nick wanted on his side. If she trusted him, then so it must be.
* * *
“Did you find the HDC Proposal or anything incriminating about the Crestview Plans?”
“No. Nothing that resembled what you described.”
“She told me she had papers.”
“They weren’t at the house. I searched everywhere—thoroughly.”
“If that material were to reach the wrong hands, it could be the end of all of us. We have to find them. They have to be somewhere.”
“Maybe they’re at the restaurant?”
“Pete did promise to read them. I don’t know if he ever did get around to it or just threw them away. We’ve got to get in there and look around.”
“Obviously, we’ve got our next target.”
“You’re right. But we need a plan. Can’t barge in there helter-skelter.”
“I’d never make a move without the Committee’s approval.”
“This is getting complicated.”
“Agreed. Maybe we should back off for a while, let things settle down.”
“We can’t. Timing is a major factor. This has to proceed promptly. I’ll call an emergency meeting.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
When Charles arrived at the restaurant early Monday morning, he couldn’t hide his surprise to see the lights on, smell coffee perking, and find Amanda in the kitchen setting up the salad bar for lunch.
“Amanda?”
“Unless I have a twin sister, it’s still me.” She turned to face him. “Good morning, Charlie. Where’s Sarah?”
He pointed to the outer room and rushed towards her with open arms. When she held up her hands for him to slow down, he came to a standstill and nodded.
“Are you okay? I’m so sorry for what happened. Are you sure you want to be here?”
She forced a weak smile. “I’m upset, Charles, but I’ll be okay in a day or two. Work is exactly where I have to be today. I can’t go home yet.”
Charles couldn’t control his urge to comfort her. He edged his way next to her and put his arm around her shoulders. “If that works for you, it works for me.”
The day proceeded much as any other at the restaurant without incident. Amanda kept busy with light kitchen food preps and out in the dining room mingling with customers and making up payroll slips in the office. By mid-afternoon, she needed a change of scenery.
“Charlie, I’m going to borrow Sarah for an hour. I need to get some fresh air.”
She found Sarah, and the two of them strolled Main Street. They discussed the cost of the town’s Christmas decoration but agreed, “They’re worth every penny.” They browsed Calamity’s Boutique and had the salesperson put a few things aside for them. Then before heading back to work, they stopped for a steamy hot chocolate at Digger’s Deli & Café.
“Need to talk about last night?”
Amanda shrugged. “Not much to say, Sarah. Quite a shock to find someone violated your private space. I almost didn’t recognize my own house, Poppy’s house. The vandal did so much damage. The sad part is that they’ll probably never be caught, just like the condo incident.”
Sarah put down her drink. “Nick asked Charles to make arrangements to have everything cleaned up. He was happy to do it. Luckily, he kept the contact numbers of the people who worked on your condo. He called them immediately.”
“Charles? Clean up? Condo?”
“I thought you knew, Amanda.” She reached for her friend’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Yes, your grandfather was so distraught over that incident, he asked Charles to take charge of the arrangements.”
“Charlie never said a word.”
Sarah smiled. “He is amazing at times.” She went on to tell Amanda they’d gone over to the house as soon as Nick had called. “We had hoped to board up the sliding door and clean up a bit, but our effort seemed futile. We stayed until the work crew arrived.”
Matters of the Heart Page 19