Every Move She Makes (3 page)

“Forget that.”

Rachel pulled the owner’s manual from the glove box. After reading the section on changing a tire, confidence surged. Not hard at all.

Until she got started. After she released the spare tire from beneath the car, she took out the jack. Grunting with effort, she managed to pump the jack enough times to raise the flat clear of the ground.

“All right!” Her fist pumped the air.

A bird in the granddaddy oak emitted a small chirp.

“Next, off with the old tire and on with the new. Piece of cake.”

Except it wasn’t. The lug nuts must have been soldered on. As hard as she tried, she couldn’t budge them. Tired and frustrated, she admitted defeat and went searching for her cell phone. Finding it on the floor of the passenger side, she entered her brother’s number.

Four rings later, a groggy voice answered.

“Hi, Will. It’s me.”

“Rachel? What’s wrong? It’s almost midnight.”

“I know, and I’m sorry to wake you, but I got a flat coming home from San Francisco.”

“Did you call the auto service?”

“Yes, but they can’t get to me for an hour or more. I took the spare out and jacked up the car, but I can’t budge the lug nuts. I’ve tried. They’re on too tight.”

“They usually are. I’ll come get you.” He sounded slightly more awake. “Where are you?”

“About five miles south of town. I’m really sorry.”

“Yeah, well you’ll owe me. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

“Thanks.”

She leaned against the side of the car and closed her eyes. The world around her was dark and silent, the moon having sunk behind the hills. Minutes later an engine rumbled in the distance. She shielded her eyes as twin beams of light speared through the darkness.

The car approaching wasn’t her brother’s Volvo.

An older pickup pulled to a stop, and a man’s voice called from the open window. “Need some help?”

In the glare of his headlights, she could only make out a shadowy figure wearing a baseball cap and dark glasses.

“No, thank you. I have a flat, but my brother is on his way. I appreciate the offer.”

“A pretty lady like you shouldn’t be out alone this time of night. I don’t mind getting started on the tire while you wait for your brother. Better yet, give him a call and tell him you’ve got it covered. I’ll be happy to change it for you.”

Rachel shifted from one foot to the other and glanced up the deserted road. The guy made her nervous. Who wore sunglasses in the middle of the night? “Really, I’m fine. Don’t let me keep you.”

“I insist.” His door creaked as it opened.

She took a step back, heart racing. Before real fear could take hold, a second set of lights appeared on the road. Her breath whooshed out. “Here’s my brother now.”

“I’ll be on my way then.” The door shut. Truck gears grinding, he accelerated around the branch and headed down the road.

“Who was that?” Will stepped from his car into the glow of its headlights. Ten years her senior, her brother was tall and thin with a shock of red hair beginning to recede. He stared after the retreating pickup.

“Some guy who stopped to help after I called you. I know this isn’t exactly a high crime area, but I was a little nervous out here alone with a stranger.”

“I’m glad you called when you did. It looks like you made good progress with the tire.” He hunkered down beside it.

“I thought I could change it by myself. I was feeling pretty cocky until I tried to loosen those damned lug nuts.”

“They are on tight.” He grunted even more than she had as he threw his weight into the task. Ten minutes later the spare tire was on. Will stowed the flat in the back of her SUV. “Don’t forget to drop it off to be repaired tomorrow. You wouldn’t want to get stuck again without a working spare.”

“God forbid I should have another flat. Fate couldn’t be so cruel twice.”

“You never know. Help me drag this limb off the road so the next driver doesn’t hit it.”

They moved the heavy limb then Rachel gave her brother a hug and slid into her car.

“Thanks for bailing me out. I hated having to wake you at this hour when I know you’ll be up at dawn.”

“No problem. What were you doing out so late, anyway?”

“I had dinner with Grace, and it lasted longer than usual. Her latest boyfriend showed up with a friend, and we talked to them for a while. I should have left sooner.”

“Grace has someone new?”

“When doesn’t our sister have a new guy? You know Grace, but she really seems to like this one. He’s a cop.”

“She hasn’t dated a cop before, has she?”

“No, but I can see why she decided to broaden her horizons. Nolan is very handsome. So is his friend.”

“Interesting. Should I assume you dragged this friend off for a round of mad, passionate sex? Is that the real reason you’re late getting home?”

Rachel laughed. “Not a chance.”

“Too bad.” He gave her door a thump. “Let’s go. Sharon’s probably wondering what’s taking me so long.”

“Thanks again, Will.”

Minutes later, Rachel rolled into her driveway and turned off the engine. The porch light illuminated the pale blue paint on her old Victorian home. She entered the house quietly, flipped off the outdoor light and left her shoes in the entry. Crossing the hardwood floor to the stairs, she stumbled when she tripped over a big, furry shape.

“Geez, Daisy. You picked a fine spot to sleep.”

The golden retriever stood and wagged her tail, wiggling with excitement at this unexpected activity in the middle of the night. She followed, toenails clicking, as her mistress went up the stairs.

Before going to her room, Rachel looked in on each of her girls. Ivy was a small lump beneath her quilt, the top of her blond head shining in the glow of a nightlight. Across the hall, Jade lay sprawled on her bed, blankets in a tangle at her feet. Lark’s door was locked. Sighing, Rachel entered her bedroom as quietly as she could and shut the door behind her then turned on the lamp.

Daisy thumped down on the rag rug next to the bed and let out a groan.

Rachel smiled at the dog. “That’s exactly how I feel.” She stripped off her clothes and dropped them into the hamper. Shrugging on an oversized T-shirt, she walked into the adjoining bath and quickly brushed her teeth. After splashing a little water on her face, she headed back toward the bed to stretch out on cool sheets.

She flipped from lying flat on her back to her side, but couldn’t sleep. Her mind conjured up disquieting memories of Kane Lafferty. Firm lips quirked in a smile, blue eyes piercing and direct as his gaze rested on her. Broad shoulders, strong arms...

“I need to get a life.” Rachel punched her pillow, flopped to her back and closed her eyes.

Still, it was a long time before those images faded…

* * * *

Kane lay in bed, bone-tired but unable to sleep. Sitting up, he punched his pillow then lay back down. Insomnia was just one of the lingering after-effects from
the night
. The night he’d lost his partner and good friend. The night he’d killed another human being.

The night he’d started to ask himself some tough questions.

Was he so caught up in saving the world he’d lost sight of the bigger picture? His kind of work was necessary. Vital. But it had cost him his marriage. Sometimes he wondered if it was costing him his soul.

Gazing at the ceiling, he groaned. A cop who second-guessed himself was a liability, which was why his lieutenant insisted he take all his accumulated vacation time. Maybe after spending a few weeks in the mountains, he’d figure out what was important. If he was lucky, hanging out with Jed again would take him back to his roots and help him remember why he’d wanted to become a cop in the first place.

To serve and protect.

To watch his partner’s head explode.

To kill a child.

“Son of a bitch!”

He stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom where he turned on the light. It wasn’t the wound in his chest that hurt. Surgery had removed the bullet, but not the memories. Staring into the mirror, a man with haunted eyes looked back. Somehow he had to get beyond what had happened and think about the future.

When he lowered his head, an image of Rachel Carpenter drifted through his tortured mind. Unquestionably, she was beautiful. Just the memory of her smile and the touch of her hand on his arm sent an arrow of feeling straight to his groin. He’d sensed a sweetness in her that attracted him. When he got back from the mountains, maybe he’d give her a call. His jumping nerves calmed at the thought.

The love of a good woman certainly hadn’t been his savior the first time around, but it might not hurt to try again. The type of women he’d been dating—women who knew the score and didn’t expect a commitment—satisfied a primal urge, but not much else. Could be it was time for a change.

Kane splashed water on his face then squared up to the mirror again. His eyes looked clearer, more focused.

This time when he went back to bed, sleep took over at last.

* * * *

Lying in bed, he could think of nothing but Jordan. Eyes cautious, her figure hidden by an ugly sweater. Her beautiful hair had been longer before, and those ripe curves were showcased in silk and satin. His breath came quicker as he reached down to stroke himself. He’d almost taken her tonight. He’d been so close to the culmination of all his dreams. Earlier, as the hours ticked by but she hadn’t come home, he’d grown worried and gone looking for her. His timing had been off, and he’d missed his chance on the deserted roadway.

No matter. He’d have to be patient a little longer. He was good at being patient. After all, he’d waited fourteen long years. He’d wait an eternity if need be. But he didn’t think it’d be much longer. His reward was near. He could feel it. In his heart, Jordan already belonged to him.

Someday soon, she’d know it, too.

“Wake up, girls. Last day of school.” Rachel gave a perfunctory knock on Lark’s door before pushing it open to poke her head inside. “Rise and shine.”

Standing with her back to the doorway, hair damp from a recent shower, her daughter wore nothing but a pair of panties and a bra. Soft light from the bedside lamp highlighted the small blue tattoo on the white skin of her left shoulder.

Rachel gasped and closed her eyes. Surely she was seeing things. When she opened them, the tattoo was still there, a delicate bird perched on a leafy branch.

“Oh, my God.” She started to speak again then stopped, struggling for words. “What have you done?”

Lark spun, eyes defiant as she stared at her mother. “It’s just a tattoo. It’s no big deal.”

Stomach churning, Rachel shook her head. “You’re wrong. It’s a very big deal.”

Don’t yell. Stay calm.

She took a breath. “Cutting and dyeing your hair was bad enough. Hair will grow out. That tattoo is permanent.”

“Lark got a tattoo?” Jade peeked around the doorframe wearing a pair of pajamas with
Girls Rule
emblazoned across the front. Her red hair hung down her back in tangles. “Wow, do you have a death wish or something?”

Ivy floated up in a long white nightgown. “I want to see. Can I see it?”

“Get lost, both of you.” Lark’s voice quavered.

Neither of her sisters moved an inch.

“Turn around, Lark. Let me see what you’ve done to yourself.”

Slowly her daughter turned, presenting her back for inspection. Rachel examined the tattoo. Thankfully the skin around it appeared to be healthy.

“At least it’s not infected. Why did you do it?”

“Don’t be so dramatic, Mom. It’s just a little bird. Rose got a rose, and I got a lark. Get it?”

“Cool.” Jade’s voice held awe.

“Can I get a tattoo of some ivy when I’m older?” Her youngest flipped her long, blond hair over her shoulder with a mischievous smile.

Rachel turned to glare at them. “Shouldn’t you two be getting dressed for school?”

“We have to miss all the good stuff.” Jade pushed her sister in front of her as they headed back to their rooms.

Rachel forced her hands to unclench. “When did you have this done?”

“Last weekend in San Francisco. Rose’s brother drove us.” Lark dropped her gaze and ran a toe through the carpet.

“You didn’t ask me first?” The final word ended on a screech. “You said you were spending the night at Rose’s house. You didn’t think I needed to know where you were?”

“If I’d asked, you would have said no.” A spark of her usual defiance surfaced. “Anyway, Rose’s mom knew where we were going.”

“She knew about the tattoos?”

“Maybe not, but she knew about the haircuts. She likes them. She said they rock. She’s not stuck in the Stone Age like you.”

Mentally, Rachel counted to ten before she spoke again, trying to regain some control. “I don’t understand how this happened. No reputable shop would tattoo a couple of fourteen-year-olds. There are laws against it. You could get in trouble.
I
could get in trouble.” Her voice grew louder. “Did you let some deviant on the street poke you with a dirty needle? For God’s sake, Lark, people contract HIV that way.”

Her daughter’s eyes widened. “It wasn’t like that, honest. Rose’s cousin did it at his house. Everything was very clean, I swear.”

“Why would her cousin do such a thing? He’d lose his license—”

“I don’t think he has one. It’s just a hobby.” Lark stared down at her feet.

“I should press charges.”

Her daughter’s head snapped up. “Mom, you wouldn’t! It isn’t Rusty’s fault. He’s only a little older than Gavin, but he’s an artist.” She touched the tattoo. “His work is amazing, and we told him we had our parents’ permission. I’ll die if you call the cops. Rose would never forgive me.”

“I don’t care what Rose thinks. You let some little punk stick you with a needle. It doesn’t look infected, but—”

“I swear I’m not going to get a disease. He’s Rose’s cousin not some stranger. Rusty made sure we knew it was safe.”

“Illegal, Lark. Getting a tattoo is illegal.”

“So’s underage drinking. Kids do it all the time.”

Rachel massaged the back of her neck. “Unfortunately, we don’t have time now to discuss this further. Get ready for school.”