A Bid for Love (11 page)

“Cassi, stay away from him!” Linden’s voice sounded loud in her ears. “Don’t go anywhere near him. I don’t care if he goes to a hundred churches. Many wrongs have been committed in the name of God. Just come back, and I’ll take care of the mess with the Buddha.”

Fear clutched Cassi’s heart. “But what mess? You still haven’t explained.”

“Will you listen? It’s dangerous. Please, Cassi, I’ll explain later.”

“Okay. I’m leaving tomorrow. But for the record, I do know Jared isn’t leaving until Wednesday. He’s staying for a funeral.”

“Oh? What will he do with the Buddha?”

“I didn’t ask, but everyone has to pick up purchases from the auction by tomorrow morning, so he’ll probably put it in the hotel safe. Oh, that reminds me. I did buy two pieces that will bring a good profit, but I’ve really have fallen in love with one of them.”

Linden chuckled. “A woman after my own heart. You’re going to end up with more art pieces than money.”

“Just like you? That’ll be okay. Well, can I have it at cost?”

“Of course. But remember what I said—stay away from that man!”

Cassi hung up the phone, trying to reconcile Linden’s fear of Jared with the man she had begun to know. Was he involved somehow with the Buddha, or was he an innocent caught in between like herself?

She dressed in a long white nightgown made of silky nylon and turned off the lights. Instead of going to bed, she lay down on the couch next to little Sandy, who smelled like the soap Cassi had used to wash her small body. She snuggled closer and sighed contentedly. The bed’s comfort held nothing over cuddling with this precious toddler—at least as long as she had a diaper on.

Half an hour passed, yet it seemed only minutes until someone was banging on her door. Cassi jerked awake, her earlier fear returning. She felt her way to the door in the dark as quickly as her sleep-filled mind allowed. “Who is it?” she called. One hand reached out to flood the small entryway with light.

“It’s Jared. Cassi, are you okay?” he said urgently. “I need to talk to you.”

“I’m fine, but I was sleeping. Come back tomorrow.”

“I can’t. I need to make sure you’re okay.”

“Of course I’m okay.”

“Then open the door and let me see.”

Cassi remembered Linden’s warnings, and her heart began to thud heavily. “I’m not dressed.”

“Well, put on some clothes, for heaven’s sake! I’ll wait.” His voice clearly showed frustration and impatience. “But I’m not leaving until you open the door. Even if I have to kick it down or get hotel security here to open it.” He was silent a minute then added, “Please, Cassi. I was attacked when I went to my room—by two men with guns. They said something about the Buddha. I was worried they might come here because we were together this evening. Is that why you’re not opening the door? Are they there now? I swear if you don’t open the door, I’m calling the police.”

His voice sounded so worried that Cassi’s own fear subsided. Throwing on her robe, she unlocked the door, leaving the upper locking bar still in place. She cracked the door and saw Jared outside waiting anxiously, and she gasped when she saw his bruised and battered face. He was dressed in the same outfit he’d worn earlier, except that now a Levi jacket topped his shirt. His eyes were even more startling than before against the dark blue color of the jacket.

Cassi closed the door again and unhooked the top bar, hoping that her impulsiveness wasn’t getting her into trouble. “Come in,” she said.

“Thanks.” His eyes traveled over her robe, and Cassi’s face burned, though the two layers of silk gave her enough coverage. His eyes also roamed over her hair, and she wondered if he noticed how disheveled it was. Jared turned his gaze momentarily to the sleeping children before he began searching the apartment, with Cassi staring after him. He wasn’t satisfied until every possible hiding place had been inspected, including under the beds, the closet, and the bathroom.

“I’ll wait outside until morning,” he said when he’d finished, not looking at her directly. Cassi had the distinct feeling that he was embarrassed.

“What if they come back and jump you again?”

He opened his jacket to reveal a handgun in a holster under his arm. Cassi gaped, but he only shrugged. “I’ve got a license for it. I’m armed so I can take care of the art items I buy.”

“My brother’s a police officer, and he made sure I know how to shoot,” Cassi said, “but I don’t like guns. I usually send the things I buy with a security company. They guarantee delivery.”

“I’ve never had any problem until now, and the extra pay is usually worth the effort.” He sighed and began to walk stiffly toward the door.

“Uh, you could stay here and sleep on the couch.” Cassi could hardly believe her own words.

He shook his head. “I want to be awake if they come back.”

“We can push the couch in front of the door, and they’ll wake you up if they try to get in.”

Jared shook his head again, but Cassi was already picking up baby Sandy and carrying her to a bed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Jared. If they do come back and find you guarding my door, they’re going to assume I’ve got the Buddha, and then I’ll really be in danger.”

He sighed and nodded wearily. “Okay, thanks.” After helping her push the couch lengthwise in front of the door, the only way it would fit into the entryway, he immediately sank onto it, grimacing as he moved.

“Does it hurt?” she asked unnecessarily.

“Yes,” he said with a groan.

“I have a first-aid kit.” Cassi went to the dresser, opened the bottom drawer, and pulled out a small backpack. She brought it to the couch, where Jared’s lanky form spread out submissively. “Good, I still have some butterfly bandages.”

Gently, she washed and bandaged his face. Some of the wounds looked pretty deep, particularly the inch-long horizontal cut above his eye, but the special bandages should close the wound efficiently. His lip was also swollen and the left eye was going black, but there was nothing she could do for either, or for the bruises she knew must cover the rest of his body.

“I guess the note really was a warning,” she said lightly.

Jared grabbed her arm and held it in a viselike grip. “What note?”

Cassi hurriedly explained. “Sam Boader got one, too.”

“I wonder if those men sent them,” Jared said.

Cassi wasn’t about to admit that she’d suspected him. “It doesn’t matter now. You’re safe. That’s the main thing. Just hold still. I’m almost finished.”

As she repacked her supplies, Cassi saw Jared’s eyes droop. She smiled faintly, no longer feeling any fear about him. Whatever Jared was, he wasn’t a danger to her or the children.

She stood up and went to the lights, but only dimmed them. If something happened during the night, the lights could come in handy.

Before climbing into bed with Sandy, she went around to the children, making sure each was covered with a thin blanket.

“Cassi?” Jared’s voice came hesitantly in the silence.

“Yes?”

“You look really beautiful. I just wanted you to know.”

Cassi was flabbergasted at the unexpected compliment. She didn’t know what to say.

“Thanks,” she said finally. A comfortable silence filled the room as sleep overcame them.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The next morning, Jared awoke to the sound of giggling. For a brief moment he didn’t remember where he was, but the laughter of children reminded him of home. A smile stretched his sore lips, the pain rousing him completely as the laughter had failed to do. He sat up, his head pounding and remembering vividly the events of the night before.

Scotty, Andrea, and Janet were on the floor in front of the TV, laughing at the cartoon animals that filled the screen. Janet saw him and came toward the couch.

“See, Jared? See that rabbit? He’s sooo funny.”

Jared watched for a moment. “He sure is, honey.”

Janet stared at him with the curiosity of a child. “What happened to your face?”

“I ran into some men in the hall,” Jared said, not wanting to lie, but not wanting to tell her about the fight.

“You should watch where you’re going.” Her eyes wandered back to the TV.

“That I should,” Jared agreed. He was grateful at least that he had come across the men in the hall instead of in his room, where they could have beaten him without interruption.

“How come you and Cassi don’t sleep together?” Janet asked suddenly. Once again her innocent face was turned toward him. “Are you in a fight?”

Jared shook his head. “No, Janet. Cassi and I aren’t married.”

“Oh, yeah. But when you get married and have a baby, can I come sleep over at your house, like today? This is real fun.”

“I . . . uh . . . well, yes.” Jared took the easy way out. The relationship developing between him and Cassi was hard enough for him to understand. He wasn’t about to try to explain it to a four-year-old.

“Jared, I’m hungry and Cassi’s still sleeping.”

“Okay, you go watch TV while I use the bathroom. Then I’ll get you something.”

Jared settled Janet at the TV with her siblings and went to the bathroom. His body felt even more sore than the night before, but at least nothing was broken. Sandy’s clothing hung over the shower rod, now clean and dry, and Cassi’s dress was folded on the counter. He touched the mauve cloth briefly before turning his attention to his face in the mirror, wincing at his appearance. At least Cassi had done a good job with bandaging the deepest wounds.

As he washed his hands, his eyes searched almost idly for the secret gel that made Cassi’s ringlets. He found nothing. With wet fingers he rubbed his undamaged eye, and immediately felt more awake and ready to face the unexplained problem concerning the Buddha.

Jared left the bathroom feeling better than when he’d entered. He nearly whistled as he made his way to the refrigerator. From there he could see across the room where Cassi and Sandy were sleeping together on one of the double beds. The covers were kicked partially on the floor, and Jared could see that Cassi still wore her robe over her nightgown. She looked like a sleeping angel. The Mother and Baby statue that Cassi had purchased flashed through his mind.

Amazingly, her hair looked the same as it had when she had gone to bed.

A feeling of tenderness swept through him, its intensity taking him by surprise. Could a woman like her be what Trudy Martin had in mind when she told him to open his heart? Jared didn’t know if he was able.

Cassi stretched, coming awake, and Jared quickly averted his eyes, busying himself with the food he found in the refrigerator. Only when he sensed her stand up and walk around did he dare look over at her.

“Good morning. Care for something to eat?” he asked.

She smiled. “I think I do. I was going to shower first, but all of a sudden I’m really hungry.”

“Me too!” said a chorus of voices. The children suddenly appeared around the table where he’d spread the food.

Jared whistled. “Amazing, the gravitational pull of food.” The kids giggled and Cassi shook her head.

“You’re funny,” she said with a smile, “but you look like something the cat dragged in.”

The children laughed even harder, and Jared chuckled ruefully. “I do, don’t I? I feel like it, too.”

As if on cue, both Cassi and Jared stopped smiling. His eyes met hers, and in them he could see the remembrance of what had happened to make him look the way he did.

The children gobbled up their breakfast as fast as they could and sprawled in front of the TV again. Jared shook his head in amazement. “Was that only four point six seconds?” he asked Cassi. “I swear they never even chewed!”

“It’s yogurt, you don’t have to chew,” Scotty said, tearing his gaze away from the cartoons long enough to defend himself.

“He’s certainly got a point.” Cassi said, winking at Jared. Then she turned back to the children. “You guys had better change into your clothes. Your parents will be here to get you soon. You get to take your new brother home today.”

“Goodie!” they shouted.

Cassi’s smile returned. “That reminds me, I have to pack Renae’s things. But first I’ll take a shower. Last night I had time for spot cleaning, but today I need to wash my hair.” Jared watched as Cassi hesitated, looking over to where little Sandy was still sleeping. “She’s so precious,” she murmured.

“Wet underwear and all?” Jared asked.

She focused her dark eyes on his. “That dress needed dry-cleaning anyway.”

Jared laughed, genuinely amused. “For someone without much experience with kids, you’re doing pretty well.”

“I’m a quick learner.” She was about to say more when a knock sounded at the door.

“It must be Daddy,” Scotty said. He and the girls ran to the door, still blocked by the couch.

Jared bounded after them, one hand already on his hidden gun. “Wait!” he ordered. Cassi pulled the children back and hovered behind him, her eyes large and scared. The children’s stares showed their confusion, aware of the adults’ concern but not understanding the cause.

“Who is it?” Cassi called.

There was a slight paused. “Uh, I’m looking for Cassi Mason? Is this her room?”

“It’s Trent,” Cassi said to Jared. She raised her voice. “Just a minute, Trent.”

Jared motioned for the children to help him move the couch. Janet complicated things by sitting on it. “I want a ride,” she said. “Whee!”

Cassi was already opening the door a crack to make sure Trent was alone. Jared noticed her caution and silently applauded her for it.

“I read spy novels,” she whispered, bringing a grin to his face. She always seemed to affect him that way.

“Is everything okay?” Trent asked as his children enveloped him with hugs and kisses. His eyes took in Jared’s face and Cassi’s robe, his eyebrows arched questioningly.

Cassi grimaced. “There was a problem. Not with the children, though. Someone wanted something from Jared, and they jumped him. He was worried they might have seen him with me and the children, so he came to make sure we were safe.”

“Did you call the police?” Trent asked.