The Drake House (9 page)

“That’s a shame,” she said. “You have a drinking problem and need help.”

When Mike’s eyes got that dangerous look to them again, Nick could see she was prepared for it.

“You stay in your seat and listen to me,” she ordered. “These are your things. You have two choices, Mike. You can take these effects, move on, continue to be a drunken menace and ruin your life. Or, you can get help.”

She took an unfaltering step toward him. Nick’s hand tensed on the bars.

“Look at my face,” she said.

Nick watched cautiously while Mike did as she asked.

“I took you in, saw something in you. Go get it back again.” She stepped closer until she was right in front of him, nose to nose. “You see this bruise? Don’t ever do it again.”

She stalked away from the cell, heading back to the administrative area. Nick’s jaw dropped. He was attempting to follow her when she barked, “Drop the charges.”

****

“Trisha, wait!” Nick called after her, chasing her through the station house.

“I have work to do, Nick. Let’s go.” Pushing through the door into the parking lot, she marched toward the car without bothering to turn around. She’d had enough of him for one day.

Before she could lift the door handle and climb in the passenger seat, he was there with a hand on her arm. He spun her around. “What do you mean, drop the charges?” His eyes were molten—a fierce Irish storm.

“I would think that was obvious.”

There was satisfaction in seeing those heated eyes dilate as he took a step closer, pinning her to the car, challenging her. Now they were getting somewhere.

“Why,” he clenched through gritted teeth.

“Mike won’t hurt me again. He has the chance to make a solid choice now, everyone deserves that. Brad won’t let him get within ten feet of me anyway.”

Dropping her arm, he instead placed both palms on either side of her against the car door and leaned in. “When I’m dating a woman, she doesn’t date anyone else. Maybe you care to explain why you are involved with both Brad and myself.”

Oh, that’s it.
Now she was seething. “I don’t need to explain anything to you. Our date was not what I wanted. It wasn’t even what you wanted. We had one meal together; that’s it. It was nothing.”

Pushing away from the car, she attempted to edge around him, but was hauled solidly against the door again. He glared at her, paused, then planted that irritating mouth of his over hers.

At first the kiss was angry and stiff, releasing pent up wrath with vigor. But then it turned on her, forcing her to yield to his passion. Gentle pressure, soft sentiment. The combination was dizzying. His hands came off the car to cup her face as he pressed them both into the door with his body.

Oh, his body. Solid and lean. His mouth, clever and taunting. Anger gone, her head spun when she gripped his shirt and opened to him, matching his beat and torrent. He deepened the kiss when she relented, all thought spent now but his mouth. She had just caught the lingering taste of mint when he rapidly backed away and glowered at her.

Chest heaving, his green eyes seemed confused. Hell, she was confused. After several seconds of staring at her like he’d never seen her before, he muttered, “Now we’re involved.” He turned, rounding the car for the driver’s side. “And don’t say that was nothing.”

****

“I still don’t like him,” Brad uttered from a chair in Mike’s old room.

Nancy smirked while passing Trisha the other end of the new sheets for the empty bed between them. Tucking her side in, she straightened. “You don’t have to like Nick, Trish does.”

While unwrapping the new comforter, Trisha glanced at her friend. “I don’t like him most of the time.”

Nancy retorted, “Yes, you do.”
Clever woman
. She took the comforter Trisha passed to her over the bed.

“I can’t believe he kissed me,” Trisha said, and sat on the floor under the window. “You know, someone called him that night we went out. Told him to stay away from me.”

Brad’s gaze searched her face. “Who?”

“He didn’t know.” She shrugged. “Seems odd though. I’ve dated plenty before without it happening.”

“Maybe because he’s new in town,” Brad suggested. “This place doesn’t like change.”

“What difference does it make who I date? Other than you two and maybe my parents, who would care?”

Nancy smoothed out the comforter. “Don’t let it worry you. It was probably just a prank.”

“You’re right.” Trisha sighed and stood when Brad held out a hand for her.

“I’m off to make dinner,” Nancy claimed. “You two take a breather. You’ll need it to gear up for the season.”

When she left, Brad turned to her. She could see the gears spinning in his mind. “I’m heading into town. Do you want me to have Eduardo or Chuck watch you?”

She frowned at him. “Don’t be stupid, I’m fine.”

“You’re the one who let him go.”

“Mike won’t bother us again, Brad.” She hoped.

Turning on his heel, Brad said, “He better not.”

****

“I need a word with you.”

Nick lazily glanced up from his desk to the pest in front of him. “What can I do for you, Brad?”

Brad peered around the empty station. “Trisha told me about the phone call you got after your date.”

“And?”

“And her parents got some threatening ones like it thirty years ago.” Brad sat down in a folding chair across from Nick’s desk and crossed his arms.

“What does a crank call years ago have to do with now?” Except the tiny hairs on his neck were standing at attention.

Brad turned his mouth into a thin line before answering. “I don’t know. I only know about those calls because my parents are good friends with the Eatons.”

“Did Wayne investigate?”

“No. Hank never told anyone. Steve wasn’t on the force until a few years later.” He edged forward in his seat. “Her nightmares act up again, she goes out with you, then the calls start. Not to mention the nasty note after her tree was chopped down and the guy she saw standing in the orchard that night. Something’s off.”

“You’re over-reacting.” But Nick didn’t think so. Too coincidental.

Brad must’ve sensed knocking heads with him wasn’t going to work, because his tone softened. “Look, something happened to her when we were little, something they covered up. Hank got calls, something about staying away from her. They thought it was in reference to Alexandra Drake. Now, I’m not so sure.”

“What does the Drake house have to do with this?”

“Trisha had a curiosity for the place. She was always wandering over there. Christ, we were only kids…I don’t know!” Brad let out a harsh sigh and leaned back again. “I don’t want any harm to come to her.”

Nick’s jaw clenched as he rose from his chair. “That’s apparent.”

“I don’t have feelings for her, not like that. She’s my friend and nothing more.” Brad stood and strode to the door. “Now, get off your jealous high horse and check this out.” Looking directly into Nick’s eyes, he emphasized, “
Quietly
.”

****

It was always a sad sight to see them go. Trisha watched from her front porch as her parent’s car departed from view down the long driveway; she wouldn’t see them again until fall. She pulled the sweater tighter to her body, warding off a chill. The sky was clear and the air crisp, but fresh. Turning to Nancy next to her, she beamed a phony smile. “I’m hungry. Let’s go eat.”

Nancy tilted her head toward the driveway. “We have company.”

Trisha darted her gaze to where Nancy was looking and let out an audible groan. “What does
he
want?”

A corner of Nancy’s mouth quirked. “Invite him for lunch.”

“Do I have to?”

Nancy went inside, but not before giving her that motherly scowl. Trisha watched Nick climb out of his car. “What can I do for you, Deputy?” she called out to him.

Hiking up her porch steps, he rammed his hands in his pockets. “Came to apologize.”

She feigned surprise very much like the day she first met him. “There are so many things…of which would you like to apologize for?”

“I was wrong about you and Brad. I’m sorry.”

He was studying her for a response and a slow, conceited grin spread across her face. He had balls coming here and apologizing, even if she knew he didn’t mean it.

“Forgiven,” she said and sank into one of the rocking chairs. “Nancy wants you to stay for lunch. I must warn you; they’re a rowdy bunch.”

“I’ll stay if you want me to, not because Nancy does.”

His tone had that gruff quality to it again, the one that grazed the hairs on her neck and lit her nerves on fire. After contemplating only a moment, she said, “I’d like you to stay.”

“I
will
kiss you again.” When he said that, something flashed in his eyes, part determination, part hesitation. “Next time I’ll warn you first.”

“Rather sure of yourself, aren’t you? What makes you think I
want
to be kissed again?”

Carefully, he sat in the chair next to hers and slid a finger down her bruised cheek. Those green eyes of his hardened at the sight of Mike’s damage and then widened when she shivered. His grin was fleeting, but in complete satisfaction. “You do.”

And with that, he darted a glance toward the apple trees. “I came over for something else.” He leaned forward in his chair and dropped his elbows on his knees, lacing his fingers together. “That call I got warning me to stay away from you? Apparently, your parents got some like it years ago. Now calm down,” he cooed quickly with raised palms at her startle. “I’m checking this out
off the record
and I want it kept quiet. I think it’s nothing.”

She was certain he didn’t think it was nothing. “Then why investigate? And what kind of calls? I know nothing about it.”

“Same as mine.
Stay away from her
, that kind of thing.”

“You think it has something to do with my biological parents?”

He sat back. “It’s possible.”

“I don’t know anything about my real parents.”

“I don’t see the connection between your parents then and me now. I’ll just keep an ear open. Probably just small town pranks.”

Nick was placating her and she didn’t like it one bit. “That’s what Nancy said. You are all so quick to coddle me and hide things.”

“We’re hiding nothing but our obvious concern. I’m including you now, so relax.” He glanced at the front door. “Like I said, I’m just checking this out under the table.”

Now was not the time for this and she knew it. “Fine, let’s go eat, and we’ll discuss it more tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“Yes. I’ll be at your place at seven. My terms now.”

****

Trisha left Nick to fend for himself against her men. He supposed if he wanted to be involved with her—and he wasn’t so sure he did—he would have to get used to their torment. He looked at her from across the table and swallowed. If he was being honest with himself, he did want her. Wanted all the things her life represented. But that probably wasn’t possible, so he just watched her from a distance. For now.

That kiss outside of the police station earlier was the biggest mistake he ever had the pleasure of making. Strangely enough, there was no radiating pain afterward. It was just a kiss. Okay, maybe not
just
a kiss, but it was an enjoyment he hadn’t had in so long. He very much wanted to test himself again. Perhaps Trisha was the one to help him. She already had in so many ways. But she was not a toy, nor a guinea pig to try experiments on. She deserved so much more than he could ever offer. He should stop this whole charade now.

From across the table, Trisha nudged Eduardo with her elbow. “I think we should start the pruning and do the usual mildew, rot, and insect checks.”

More shop talk Nick didn’t understand, but he enjoyed listening to her when she spoke about the orchard. The pride, the joy, was evident with every syllable. He wished he could be that passionate about something again.

Eduardo considered her suggestion. “It’s a little soon, but we can if you want.”

“I do. Spring’s coming early. It’s been unseasonably warm for early April.”

Eduardo nodded. “You want a tree by tree, or soil only?”

“Both,” she said.

Eduardo stood. “Let’s go then. That’s a lot to do before month’s end and the Bunny Hop.”

Bunny Hop? He was pretty sure a Bunny Hop had nothing to do with apple trees. Nick asked, “Um, Bunny Hop?”

“I’ll meet you out there,” Trisha said to Eduardo and stood. “I’ll let the guys tell you about it,” she answered Nick. “Chuck, I need you to…”

Chuck belted out an enormous laugh and patted his full belly. “Well heck, Trish, about time you came around. I need you too, but I don’t think it’s nice to discuss this in front of your boyfriend.”

Trisha shook her head and covered her face while she laughed. It couldn’t hide her blush though. “I was saying I need you to round up the pruning equipment and lifts. We’re going to do the rot, mildew and insect checks early. Check for the usuals.” She held Nick’s gaze. “And he’s not my boyfriend.”

“Whatever you say, boss.”

She waited until they left before turning to Nancy. “Is it too late to say dinner should be late tonight?”

Nick patiently waited for his moment alone with her before she went to work, admiring the respect she showed for her supposed housekeeper, enough to ask if it was okay to have a late dinner. He was curious to watch her in action, see what she did with her trees.

“No, that’s fine,” Nancy answered. “It’s just corn chowder which will keep. Are you staying Nick?”

Trisha piped up before he could respond. “No, we’re having dinner at his place tonight.”

Nancy bit her lip. “Mmhm.”

“I heard that,” she muttered to Nancy’s back.

He watched Nancy disappear into the kitchen. “I am too your boyfriend.” Actually, he wasn’t, and they both knew it. Whatever this was, this heat, it wasn’t a relationship. Nick should know better than to even hint at it, but Trisha got to him. Niggling her way inside his mind so she was all he thought about. She glared him with an adorable irritated look.