Wrong Place, Wrong Time (43 page)

Devon blinked. “That’s not likely. What secret are you two hiding?”

“No secret,” Blake assured her. “I ran into Lane in midtown the other day. I asked his opinion. He gave it to me. I was supposed to discuss the idea with you last night. By the time I left my office, it was after midnight. The timing was wrong. So I decided to wait until tomorrow, when things here settled down. That’s what I was referring to before.”

“Oh.” The pieces fell into place, and Devon’s heart skipped a beat.

“You wanted Lane’s take on the idea of your moving in with Devon?” Monty sounded incredulous. He turned to his son. “And
you
thought it was a good idea?”

“Pete — enough.” Sally had abandoned subtle for direct. She kept her gaze lowered, and she gestured at the bowl of scalloped potatoes on the other side of Monty. “Could you pass me those, please?”

“Yeah.” Monty handed her the serving bowl. “Here.” He was still glaring at Lane. “Before I shut up, I’d like an answer.”

“Okay, as a matter of fact, yes. I thought it was a good idea.” Lane reached for the green beans. “Now can we change the subject?”

“No, we can’t change the subject.”

“Yes, Monty, we can.” Devon underscored each word with as much emphasis as she could. “This is not a topic for family debate.”

Monty didn’t reply, but a muscle was working in his jaw. “Blake, your sister Cassidy’s a pretty girl. How would you feel about her shacking up with a guy she met less than a month ago?”

Devon dropped her head in her hands and groaned.

“Not too happy,” Blake admitted. He sounded more amused than intimidated. “Like Lane, I’m a little overprotective where my sister’s concerned.”

“Is that what you call it? You could’ve fooled me. At least when it comes to Lane. He’s suddenly become the epitome of broad-mindedness.”

“No, Detective Montgomery, he hasn’t. Not about his sisters.” Blake chuckled, then waved away Lane’s attempt to cut the conversation short and spare him the public display. “It’s okay, Lane. I didn’t plan on this being a roundtable discussion, but I’ll risk it. I think the cat’s out of the bag, anyway.”

Lane frowned. “I feel terrible.”

“You should,” Monty informed him.

“He’s right. You should.” Devon shot her brother a look. “But not for the reason Monty thinks.”

“I have an idea,” Sally said brightly. “Why don’t you and Blake go into the kitchen and have a word alone?”

“That depends on what that word is.” Blake’s stare was fixed on Devon. “Will you?” he asked, searching for his answer.

“Yes.” Tears glinted in her eyes, but she didn’t miss a beat. “I will.”

“Wow.” Merry’s eyes were damp, too. “I can’t believe how romantic that turned out.”

“Me, either.” Lane exhaled sharply, watching in relief as Blake pushed back his chair and walked around the table to tug Devon to her feet and kiss her. “It was one for the books. And it really saved my ass. Talk about open mouth, insert foot.”

“Yeah,” Devon agreed from inside the circle of Blake’s arms.

Monty frowned as Sally rose and went around to hug Devon. “This isn’t just about moving in together, is it?”

“Nope.” Lane answered his father’s question with a grin, simultaneously giving Blake a congratulatory handshake. “You know what a consistent guy I am. Blake’s crazy about Devon. So I told him to make an honest woman out of her. Those words ring a bell?”

Devon reached over and playfully punched her brother in the arm. “Quit while you’re ahead.”

“Good idea,” Monty echoed. He stood up and walked around, folding his arms across his chest as he eyed Blake. “Just so we understand each other, we’re talking about marriage, right? Rings, vows, the whole nine yards.”

Blake’s lips twitched. “That’s exactly what we’re talking about.”

“Good.” Monty nodded. “You know you’ll answer to me if you hurt her.”

“Monty,” Devon warned.

“Somehow I expected that,” Blake replied. “But I’m not going to hurt her.”

“I know you won’t.” Monty nodded again, a hint of emotion glistening in his eyes. He stuck out his palm, shaking Blake’s hand. “Congratulations, Blake. You’re a lucky man.”

“Thank you, Detective. I know I am.”

“Cut the formalities,” Monty instructed. “Call me Monty.” He turned to Devon, wrapping her in a tight, paternal hug. “Be happy,” he said roughly.

“I will, Monty.” Devon hugged him back.

“Hey.” He recovered himself, emotions back in check. “See? I told you that our being partners would be worth your while.”

“You were right.”

“As always,” he prompted.

Devon smiled. “As always.”

“Good. Now that we’ve got that settled, let’s eat.”

As always, I owe thanks to a handful of people who devoted their time and expertise to me and to the creation of
Wrong Place, Wrong Time
. Their input was invaluable.

Peggy Gordijn, my guide through the world of professional equestrian show jumping — I still can’t get over the depth of your knowledge, from breeding and training to showing and Olympic events. My appreciation abounds!

Special thanks to Adrie Gordijn for supplying firsthand details of running a warmblood farm, for the names and lineages of his magnificent horses, and for Gran-Corrado, the ultimate last-in-his lineage champion.

The founders and staff of the Veterinary MRI + Radiotherapy Center of New Jersey, whose cutting-edge technology, dynamic personalities, and caring hearts make miracles happen.

Dr. Paul Sedlacek, who’s way too humble to know what an incredible doctor he is, and to his entire staff at the Animal Clinic of Morris Plains. I created “Creature Comforts & Clinic” with all of you in mind. Dr. Joel Sedwell’s name is a fitting tribute to two great vets: Dr. Paul Sedlacek and Dr. Joseph Powell.

Detective Mike Oliver, who helped make the sights and sounds of Brooklyn’s Seventy-fifth Precinct come alive by taking me on patrol through East New York and providing me with a firsthand look at a day in the life of an NYPD detective, and whose quick mind and dry humor helped me create Monty.

Hillel Ben-Asher, M.D., always my quintessential source of medical information.

Andrea Cirillo, quite simply the finest and the best.

Carrie Feron, for being there in the clutch with editorial and conceptual direction, and for supplying the color, flavor, and back roads of Dutchess County.

Caroline Tolley: Welcome back, CT. You haven’t lost your touch.

And last but always first, to my family — you’re my foundation, my strength, and my inspiration.

ANDREA KANE’s first blockbuster hardcover romantic suspense thriller,
I’ll Be Watching You
, was released by William Morrow in January 2005. Her breakthrough into the genre came with her
New York Times
bestsellers,
Run for Your Life
,
No Way Out
, and
Scent of Danger
. Prior to that, she wrote fourteen suspense-filled historical romances. She lives in New Jersey with her family.

www.andreakane.com