A Deadly Love (14 page)

Her lips firmed. “No one else asked me. I’d be happy to go with you.”

“That’s terrific. I guess the talk around town about your involvement with Dillon is exaggerated.”

She looked up and met his gaze. “Why did you ask me out if you thought I was seeing Dillon?”

“Brooke, honey, when I want something, I don’t let a little gossip stand in my way.”

“A man who knows what he wants and goes after it?”

“That’s me, single-minded to a fault. I get the impression you’re the same way. You’re certainly making great progress on the renovations to June’s house.”

“I finished painting the exterior this afternoon. I learned quickly to take advantage of any break in the weather.”

“Well, the place looks superb.”

“There’s still quite a bit of interior work, but we should be ready to open for business in a couple of months.” She looked around the empty dining room and worried her lip between her teeth. “I hope we’ll have a few paying guests when we do.”

“Get the word out, and you’ll be full before you know it.” He pulled his wallet out of his jacket pocket and handed the server a platinum Visa card when she paused beside his chair.

“A website and an advertising campaign are next on my agenda.” Brooke laid her napkin on the table. “Thank you for dinner. It was delicious.”

“You’re very welcome.” He signed the receipt when the server returned and helped Brooke with her coat. His hand lingered, touching the back of her neck. She drew in her breath and waited for a spark that didn’t come. Her shoulders slumped. She was quiet as they walked out to his car. Overhead, stars glimmered in the night sky.

“It’s a beautiful evening,” he said as he opened the passenger door to his black Mercedes.

She slid onto the soft leather seat. “Yes it is.”

He shut the door and hurried around to the driver’s side. After he was seated, he turned to face her. “It’s still early. Would you like to go for a drive?”

“Actually, Carter, I’m a little tired after spending so many hours up on a ladder. Do you mind calling it a night?”

He started the engine. “Of course not. We’ll do it another time.”

Brooke leaned back in her seat as the car rolled smoothly through town. She liked Carter, she really did, but she couldn’t help wondering if she’d made a mistake in agreeing to a second date so readily. She didn’t want to give him the wrong impression, and she had no intention of deepening their relationship beyond a goodnight kiss.

He parked in June’s driveway and escorted her to the front door. The porch light was on. Inside, a curtain twitched.
A goldfish has more privacy.

Carter stopped close beside her. “I enjoyed the evening.”

“It was lovely.”

He hesitated, then touched her cheek. His fingers were smooth and cool against her skin when he tipped her face for a kiss. He smelled of citrus aftershave, and his lips tasted faintly of coffee. She closed her eyes and kissed him back, trying to work up some enthusiasm. When he pressed closer, she stepped back.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, but Grandma is inside waiting for me. Knowing she’s probably hovering on the other side of the door is a bit of a mood kill.”

He let out a breath, and his smile looked forced. “I suppose my timing could be better. Goodnight, Brooke. I’ll pick you up on Friday before the dance.”

“Thank you again for dinner.”

He nodded and strode quickly down the steps to his car, his spine ramrod straight. He backed sharply and accelerated down the road.

“The good doctor left in something of a hurry.”

Her hand flew to her chest. “My God, Dillon, you scared me.”

He stepped out of the shadow of the fir tree in the front yard and walked over to the porch steps. His lips twitched. “Sorry.”

She frowned. “Were you
spying
on me?”

“I was out walking your dog after Zack borrowed him for the evening. I thought it would be more awkward to interrupt the tender moment than to simply stay out of sight. I was hoping it wouldn’t go any further than a kiss, or we’d all three regret my decision.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and spoke through gritted teeth. “We’re on my grandmother’s front porch. What exactly did you think might happen?”

His gaze moved to the porch swing and back. “You never know. I was surprised to hear you’d gone out with Carter tonight.”

She stiffened. “Why would you care whom I date?”

“I don’t know, maybe because you
slept
with me.” He turned away and whistled sharply. A moment later Otis flew across the lawn and skidded to a stop at his side.

Her chest burned. She pressed her hand to her heart. “Not one of my smarter moves. You’ve treated me like I have a communicable disease ever since.”

Running his hand through his hair, he swore beneath his breath. “I didn’t want you to—” He clamped his lips together and shrugged.

“Have expectations? Think that you care?”

He lifted his chin and met her gaze. His eyes narrowed. “I care.”

“You have a funny way of showing it.” She exhaled deeply. “Sleeping together was a mistake. We should have kept our relationship on a friendly basis.”

“Maybe I handled it wrong afterward,” he said gruffly, “but I don’t want you to get hurt.”

She held out her arms. “Do I look hurt? I had a terrific evening with Carter. Get over yourself, Dillon.”

“Oh, I will. Apparently making love with me wasn’t that big of a deal.” He turned on his heel and stalked away.

“Can we discuss this?”

His pace quickened. “There’s nothing left to say.”

“Fine, be an ass.” The solid thud of his front door closing was his only response. Fighting tears, she stared down at her dog’s furry face. “Well, that’s that. Let’s go inside.”

June sat in the parlor watching a police drama. She glanced away from the TV when Brooke entered the room. Her thin, white eyebrows drew together over worried eyes. “I heard raised voices. Did you have an argument with Dr. Shaw?”

“No, Dillon and I exchanged a few heated words.” She dropped onto a chair and sighed. “He was angry I went out with Carter.”

“I told you he would be.”

“You were right.” Brooke scowled down at the toes of her black boots. “Dillon should have decided what he wanted from me a little sooner.”

June clicked off the TV with the remote. “I’m sure you two can work it out.”

“I burned that bridge, Grandma. Anyway, it isn’t like our relationship was going anywhere.” She swallowed against the hot lump in her throat. “Not that I wanted it to.”

“Oh, honey, you don’t fool me.” Her eyes softened. “You care about that man.”

Brooke blinked back tears. “I’ll get over him. Eventually.” She squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. “I accepted Carter’s invitation to the black and white ball.”

Her grandmother’s lips firmed. “When I was young, girls didn’t keep company with one man when they had feelings for another. It made things simpler.”

She squeezed her eyes shut. “I don’t know why I make it so hard. I really don’t.”

June stood and walked over to her chair. She laid her hand on Brooke’s shoulder. “You’re afraid of being hurt again. Carter is safe.”

“Maybe so.” She rested her cheek on her grandmother’s frail hand. “Men are overrated. Who needs them?”

June chuckled. “I’m afraid we do. The dishwasher was making a funny noise when I ran it earlier. I was going to ask Dillon to take a look at it.”

Brooke jumped to her feet. “We don’t need him. I’m a whiz with kitchen appliances.” She draped her arm around her grandmother’s thin shoulders and headed for the kitchen. “That dishwasher is no match for the two of us.”

****

He clutched his head and stared down at the dirt floor, his ears ringing. Marnie’s incessant nagging frayed his nerves. The woman
would not shut up
. He almost preferred the comatose Cybil by comparison. Tricia was perfect. She played the game with driven frenzy and never spoke a word. At least not to him.
Some things never change.

Too bad her time was almost up, but he had high hopes for the next one.

“You aren’t a cruel man. Please won’t you let us go?” Marnie reached up and stroked his cheek with a shaking hand as he released the shackle around her ankle. Her face contorted in a smile. “We won’t tell anyone it was you.” Her gaze cut to the stone-faced woman on the other cot. “Will we Tricia?”

He swatted her hand away, his cheeks flaming. Tempting and taunting him.
She’s nothing but a whore!

He shoved a gag in her mouth, cutting off the lies, then quickly bound her hands. “I’m in charge.” He stabbed a finger against his chest. “Me, not you. I make the decisions.”

Muffled squawks emerged.

“Shut up. Just shut the hell up!” Pulling out his knife, he waved it toward the ladder, the lantern light gleaming along the length of the blade. “Up. Go. Move it! Let’s see if you can run your legs as fast as your mouth.”

Scrambling up the ladder, Marnie rolled onto the ground, heaved herself to her feet, and ran.

****

“I hear Carter is taking you to the dance tonight.”

Brooke stared at Stephanie over her BLT and scowled. It was overly warm in the diner. Dishes clattered in the kitchen, a Beatles song played too loudly through the speakers, and two senior citizens exchanged heated opinions at the front counter. “How does news like that spread?”

Stephanie grinned. “I heard it from Janet Nyland when I dropped Dale at school yesterday. She heard it from Gloria Roberts, who works part time for Dr. Shaw in his office. Apparently Gloria saw a notation in his day planner. She is without a doubt the biggest gossip in town. Nothing gets by that woman.”

Brooke bit into her sandwich and rolled her eyes. “Small towns, God love them.”

Caroline Farnsworth idly stirred her vegetable soup before sipping a dainty spoonful. “Small towns are horrible when it comes to everyone knowing your business, but at least people care. Sometimes they care too much,” she added with an edge to her voice.

Stephanie’s eyes opened wide. “Do I detect a note of irritation? Who in our fine town is guilty of caring above and beyond?”

Caroline glanced toward the counter where the waitress handed the elderly gentlemen separate checks. She lowered her voice. “Last week when Elliot and I had dinner here, Irene told me I should reconsider ordering the apple pie. Apparently Renée Carlisle, the woman who is altering my wedding dress, said if I gained as much as a pound it won’t fit.”

Stephanie choked on a swallow of diet soda. “That’s priceless.”

Brooke dropped the BLT back onto her plate. “I hope you ate the pie anyway.”

Caroline’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink. “No, because as much as I hate to admit it, she was right.”

“Have Renée let the dress out a little. A couple of extra pounds wouldn’t hurt you.”

“That’s sweet of you to say, Steph, but I want to hear more about Brooke’s date with Dr. Shaw. I thought you and Dillon had something going. It’s news to me you’re seeing Carter.”

Brooke pushed her plate away and wiped her hands on a paper napkin. “Dillon and I are just friends. I see a lot of him because he lives next door, and Grandma watches Zack after school.”

Stephanie stared at her across the Formica table top. “Good try, but word has it the two of you were spotted coming out of the movie theater in Crescent City a couple of weeks ago. Zack was nowhere in sight.”

“Unbelievable! The gossip network really is a marvel. Dillon and I have been on exactly two dates, but our relationship isn’t serious.” She held up her hand. “And before you ask, Carter and I are just having a bit of fun. You two may be wildly in love with the men of your dreams, but I’m not in the market.”

“Well you should be. Lord knows none of us are getting any younger.”

Caroline smiled. “Come on, Steph, Brooke isn’t exactly over the hill.” She smiled across the table. “You look terrific.”

Stephanie eyed her thoughtfully. “You may have a few good years left before everything begins to sag.”

“Lord, I hope so.” Brooke dropped the napkin onto her plate. “Are you two done with your lunch? If I get busy now, I’ll be able to finish stripping the dining room wallpaper this afternoon.”

Caroline pushed away her soup bowl. “I need to go, too. I’m meeting Elliot. He wants to take advantage of the minimum school day and go for a hike before the next round of storms blows in.”

“And I have a huge pile of laundry that I’m pretty certain isn’t washing itself.” Stephanie raised her voice. “Irene, we’ll take our check now.”

They paid the bill and left the diner, pausing outside on the sidewalk. Brooke inhaled the moist afternoon air and tucked her hands into the pockets of her fleece jacket. It felt like rain.

“Oh, there’s Elliot,” Caroline said, pointing down the street. Her fiancé stood in front of Carter Shaw’s house next to Harley’s patrol car. He raised his hand in a salute and stepped back as Harley drove off.

Caroline tucked her purse firmly under her arm and smiled. “It looks like I’m right on time. Elliot hates it when I’m late.”

“He’s a different man these days, Caroline. You sure have changed him.”

Her brows rose as she stared at Stephanie. “What in the world are you talking about?”

“He’s much more self-confident and outspoken. He was as quiet as a mouse when we were growing up.” She looked at Brooke. “You see the difference in him, don’t you?”

“I think he was just shy when we were kids. He always made a point of talking to me when I was here visiting my grandparents.”

Caroline frowned. “That’s odd. He’s never been the least bit shy around me. I’m a little on the timid side, especially with strangers, and Elliot’s forthrightness is one of the many things I love about him.”

“Now there is a man who doesn’t lack confidence.” Stephanie nodded toward Carter, who had come out of his driveway to talk to Elliot. “The good doctor has always been a go getter. If you don’t watch yourself, Brooke, he’ll sweep you off your feet.”

She rocked back on her heels. “I think I can handle Carter.”