Hidden in the Shadows (22 page)

Wyatt had to fight to keep his own eyes dry. The detective’s emotions were raw, and Wyatt hadn’t seen him so distressed since Ethan had learned about Beth being shot.

“The doctor says she’s about six weeks along, and she’s at a slightly higher risk because she’s carrying twins. With her injuries, it was already a little risky to try to get pregnant so early, just with one baby. What the hell was I thinking, getting her pregnant?”

Wyatt felt a pang of sympathy at the fear in Ethan’s voice. “Is the doctor concerned?”

Ethan sat up and exhaled slowly.  “A little, but not tremendously so. She thinks that with some precautions, there’s no reason Beth can’t carry the babies to term.”

Wyatt slipped his arm around Ethan’s shoulders. “It’ll be okay, son. What does Beth say about all this?”

“She’s on her way to talk to her editor to set things up, so that when the time comes, she can transition to work from home.”

“When’s her due date?”

Ethan blew out a breath. “June sixth. God, that seems so far away. How in the world am I supposed to deal with this until June? I’ll have a nervous breakdown.”

“Son, men have been asking that question for thousands of years. The short answer is that you just pray and enjoy the experience. Try to focus on the fact that you’re going to be a father. Congratulations, by the way. I’m tickled for you both.”

Ethan shot him a rueful grin. “Thanks. I guess I’m overreacting a little, huh?”

Wyatt moved his hand in a seesaw motion. “Just a little. You’re entitled, though.” He moved to sit behind his desk again.

“So about this morning… is Sharon another victim?” Ethan asked.

“In a manner of speaking. Apparently, she’s the source of the information about Julie, as well as another recipient. We don’t know which one. Rather, her office is the source, I should say.” He explained what the interview had uncovered, as well as telling Ethan about the information Maria had obtained.

The detective whistled. “Ouch. How much of a chewing out did you give her over that?”

“Enough of one that I’m not sure our dinner date is still on. I tried to keep it impersonal, but I’m not sure I succeeded.”

“That had to be awkward, to say the least.”

Wyatt expelled a long breath. “You could say that. I have to set up a protocol for handling disputes and infractions involving Maria. If by some miracle she doesn’t dump me on my ass, the department needs to have something in place. What about you? Did you get a chance to check anything out?”

“A little bit. After we got out of the doctor’s office, Beth and I went and had a talk with Raven. He received a second note yesterday, demanding more money because he’s been talking to Beth.” He shook his head. “He’s probably Sharon’s second client from the list. I know he’s been seeing her for a couple of years now.”

“You think he’s going to pay?”

“I don’t think so. His partner is going to come out to his family tomorrow, and Raven seems pretty resolved not to let this guy win.”

“Good for him.”

Ethan stood, stretching. “If that’s everything, I’m going to head out. Take some personal time for the rest of the day.”

“I think we can spare you, unless something else comes up in the next few minutes.”

“Then I’m heading out.” He paused, his hand on the doorknob. “So where were you supposed to take Maria tonight?”

Wyatt rubbed the bridge of his nose. “The Lighthouse. Dinner with the mayor and Sammy.”

Ethan grinned. “That’s as good as taking out an ad in the paper. Good for you.”

“Yeah, well, she’s probably not speaking to me now, so it’s a moot point.”

“I doubt it. Maria’s level-headed. She’ll know the difference between you dressing her down for a problem with the job and something personal. I think you’ll be fine.” Pulling open the door, he stepped back quickly in order to avoid being hit by the fist that came crashing through the opening.

“Oh, my God! I’m so sorry, Ethan,” Maria said. “I was just getting ready to knock.”

He laughed. “I noticed. No harm, no foul. I hear you have a fancy dinner this evening.”

“Yes, why?”

Ethan shook his head. “No reason. I’ll see you both tomorrow. Have a good night.”

Wyatt’s glower deepened as the detective mouthed, “Told you,” over Maria’s shoulder before disappearing.

When she stood awkwardly just inside the door, Wyatt stood and went around his desk. “Come on in.”

“No, I don’t want to bother you. I was just wondering about tonight, if we’re still on.”

He sat on the edge of his desk. “You aren’t bothering me, and yes, as far as I’m concerned, we’re still on. Are you concerned about earlier?”

She nodded and took a couple steps toward him. “I know I messed up.”

“Look, what happens here at work? It stays here at work. We have to both agree on that if we have a prayer of a chance of making this relationship work. Do you agree?” He saw relief wash across her face.

“Lord, yes. I’ve been so worried this afternoon.”

When he held out a hand, she came over to him and clasped it. “We are going to have to be very careful, at least for the time being, though. What happened this morning, with the hug? As much as I love holding you, that close proximity affects me in very embarrassing ways.”

She blushed. “Do tell, Sheriff.” Turning serious, she gently pulled her hand from his. “Why don’t we just make it a policy from the get-go, then? No touching in official settings?”

“That’s probably a good idea. Not much fun, but a good idea.”

Going back to the door, she sent him a soft glance. “So I’ll see you around six thirty?”

He frowned. “I thought we said six forty.”

“We did. But I was hoping you’d get there a little early, before I put on my lipstick.”

When he caught her meaning, he stood and took a step in her direction before he managed to stop himself. “Go on and get out of here. I’ll see you around six thirty.”

As her footsteps faded, he rubbed his eyes. That he was coming alive for the first time in years, and that it was happening during the biggest crisis of his tenure as sheriff, only served to show him that God had a wicked sense of humor.

Chapter Twenty Nine

The evening was chilly by the time Wyatt and Maria returned to her condo. As they walked to the door, she asked, “That went well, don’t you think?”

He smiled back. “Yes, very well. Much less painful than I feared it would be.”

Unlocking the door, she stepped inside. “Will you come in for a while? I know it’s late, but—”

“I’d love to,” he interrupted.

His eagerness caused her to laugh, and after moving back so that he could enter, she closed and locked the door. Maria’s heart pounded with excitement and trepidation as she turned to face him. Before she could speak, he kissed her.

After several heated minutes, Wyatt pulled back. “I’m sorry. I just couldn’t wait another second.” His voice was husky.

“Don’t apologize,” she said, using his tie to pull him back for another kiss. “I feel the same way.”

He settled his weight against her, pressing his hips into hers as he cupped her bottom. “If I told you that I don’t know if I can walk out of here tonight or not, would that scare you?”

Maria laughed, breathless. “Yes, but since I’m not sure I can let you go, I think we’re even.”

“You told me you weren’t ready the other night. I don’t want to rush you.”

Placing her hands on his cheeks, she gave him a deep kiss, nibbling on his lips. “I know. And the idea still scares me. It’s been a long time, Wyatt. But I’m starting to want you more than I’m scared.”

He straightened away from her. “Then why don’t we just spend some time on the couch, talking? I think I can restrain myself.”

“Are you sure?”

“No, but I’ll try. Seriously, I enjoy talking to you almost as much as I enjoy kissing you.”

“Only almost?” She grinned. “I guess this means we’ve had our first official date. I—” She stopped as a vicious cramp rolled through her abdomen, its gurgling progress audible in the quiet hallway. “Oh, no, not now.” Hurrying around him, she headed for the stairs. “I’m sorry, I have to excuse myself. Make yourself comfortable.”

Reaching the second floor, she ran flat out for the bathroom and slammed the door shut, barely making it to the toilet in time. Embarrassment rolled over her in waves, much like the cramps that gripped her gut.

“Of all the nights for this to have happened,” she moaned. The debilitating bouts had been occurring more and more frequently of late, usually accompanied by the odd flank pain. She vowed that she would call Richard Hudson first thing in the morning to get an appointment to have things checked out. Thinking about how mortifying it would have been if the cramps had hit her in the middle of lovemaking, she cringed. It was impossible to feel like a powerful, sexy woman when she spent half the date chained to the toilet.

When the bout was over, long minutes later, she changed into her pajamas. Even if Wyatt hadn’t fled, the tightness of her dress across her abdomen was unbearable, and she couldn’t stand wearing it a minute longer. “This is not how I expected this evening to end,” she told her reflection. Grateful for the strong fan in the bathroom, she lit a scented candle and headed back downstairs.

She was relieved to see that Wyatt was still there. He was pacing, his concern evident, and he hurried over to meet her at the bottom of the stairs. “Are you okay?”

Maria’s face felt as if it were on fire as she nodded. “I’m so sorry. My stomach is upset. You probably guessed that already.” She eased down onto the couch and pulled a small throw pillow over to her, hugging it against her belly.

Wyatt sat down beside her. “Do you think it was something you ate?”

“I don’t know. Unfortunately, this happens to me from time to time. I’m sorry. I didn’t expect the evening to turn out this way.”

He rubbed a soothing hand over her back. “Stop apologizing. It’s hardly your fault.”

She sighed, the ache starting to diminish. “That feels so good, I’ll pay you to not stop rubbing.”

He pressed a soft kiss to her neck. “No payment necessary. Turn around here and let me have more access, and I’ll rub you as long as you want.” He took off his jacket and shoes and sat back on the couch. Guiding her into his arms, he snuggled her against his chest and resumed the rubbing.

“I was so looking forward to getting more kisses.”

“You still can,” he assured her.

“No. I wouldn’t enjoy it as much now. It’s like eating cake when you have a cold. The idea is nice, but you just can’t enjoy the treat.” Maria felt him smile against her hair.

“Are you saying you enjoy my kisses?”

She snuggled a little closer, drawing her knees up toward her belly. “I adore your kisses.”

Wyatt tightened his hold for a minute. “Thank you. That’s nice to know.”

Something in the way he spoke made her pull back and look at him. She wasn’t expecting to see sadness on his face. “What’s wrong?” He tried to shrug it off, but she persisted. “Wyatt? Talk to me, please?”

“It’s nothing. Just… one of the points of contention in my marriage was my… lack of romantic skills, I guess you could say.” He cleared his throat. “I can’t believe I just told you that.”

She pulled back further in order to get a better look at his face. “You aren’t serious?”

He shrugged and looked toward the cold fireplace.

Shaking her head in disbelief, she reached out and touched his cheek, forcing him to look at her. “Your wife was a freaking idiot. This is embarrassing to admit, but your
kisses
? Wyatt, they do more for me than any intimacy I’ve ever had. That’s the God’s honest truth. I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like when we finally do make love. It’s almost too much to bear, and I mean that in a good way.”

Cupping his hand around hers, he kissed her palm. “Thank you.”

“Why? It’s the truth. How could she not love your kisses?”

He gave a self-deprecating laugh. “To be fair, I didn’t kiss her the way I kiss you. I’ve done some studying since she died.”

Maria raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh, really? What kind of studying?”

He blustered for a few seconds, then said, “I read a few romance novels.”

She was stunned, and a chuckle escaped, despite her efforts to keep it in. “Romance novels? I know you’re kidding now.”

“No. I’m being perfectly honest. For kissing tips, I read romance novels. The rest of it, I’m hoping I learned from the really racy ones. All I can say is, thank God for eBooks because I’d have had to turn in my man card if I’d been caught reading books with those kinds of covers.” He grinned, but his cheeks and ears had flushed bright red.