Yuletide Defender (11 page)

Matt grasped Rachel's hand, stood and pulled her to her feet. “You go pack a few things. I'll follow you to your mother's house.”

Rachel's lips trembled with a weak smile. “Thanks, Matt. I appreciate it.”

He watched her go down the hallway. When she entered the bedroom, he turned to the officers. “Larry, how long you guys going to be here?”

“I don't know. We'll go door to door and question the neighbors about anybody they might have seen in the building tonight.” He sighed and glanced at his watch. “I doubt if they'll be glad to see us at this time of night, though.”

Matt nodded. “I understand. If you don't need me, I'll go with Rachel to her mother's house and see she gets there safely. It looks like we've got a guy after her. He phoned her tonight and told her he was going to kill her.”

Larry nodded. “That's what she told us.” He glanced at his notes. “Then there was the car in the parking lot.”

Matt's mouth gaped open. “What are you talking about?”

“The car with the dented fender and the chipped paint on the trunk.”

Matt stared at the officer. “I don't know anything about that.”

“I was going to tell you.” Rachel emerged from the bedroom with a small suitcase in her hand. Her face was pale but she held her head high.

Matt's frown deepened as she told him about the young
man and the dented car that she had now seen twice. When she finished, he shook his head in disbelief. “Why didn't you tell me?”

Her face flushed. “I tried to convince myself it had nothing to do with the stories I was writing. Now I think I might have been wrong.”

She should have told him when she spotted the car earlier. Perhaps he could have gotten a license number. One glance at her frightened face melted his anger. All he wanted was to make her feel safe.

He exhaled in hopes of putting her at ease. “It's okay, Rachel. Larry will notify dispatch to keep a lookout for a car matching that description.”

Rachel walked to the officers and shook each one's hand. “Thank you for all you've done.”

Larry smiled. “Glad we could help.”

With a nod in the officers' direction, Matt followed her from the apartment. They didn't speak on the ride down in the elevator or when they exited the building. In the parking lot, Matt turned to her. “Do you want to drive your rental or do you want me to drive you?”

She hesitated for a moment. “I'd better drive. I'll need my car.”

He wanted to tell her that she shouldn't be driving anywhere by herself but now wasn't the time for that. She was scared and all she wanted was to get to safety. That's what he wanted, too.

Matt watched her get in her car and lock the doors before he jogged to his vehicle. As they pulled out of the parking lot and drove through the late-night streets, Matt stayed close behind. His thoughts returned to the decision he'd made earlier to give up any idea he might have had about a relationship with Rachel. Now he felt more confused than ever.

His head had told him she was only interested in money but his heart kept insisting that wasn't true. He wished there
was some way to know for sure. For now, he would have to concentrate on keeping her safe. There would be time for other answers after the vigilante was caught.

R
achel glanced in the rearview mirror from time to time on the drive to her mother's home. When she spied the house where she grew up and turned into the driveway, her emotions calmed with the safe feeling she always had when she returned to the place that would always be home.

Even with the dark house bathed in the shadows of the night, the warmth inside those walls radiated into her soul. Peace flowed through Rachel. She could hardly wait for the protective hug of her mother.

Matt climbed from his car and stepped onto the driveway. She pointed to the house. “My mother and sister have already gone to bed. I hope my coming so late at night doesn't alarm them.”

He reached in the backseat and pulled her suitcase out. “I'll walk you to the door and wait until you're inside.”

They walked across the snow-covered front yard and stepped onto the porch. Rachel rang the bell and waited. After a few seconds a light came on from the direction of her mother's bedroom. Rachel waited, hoping her mother wouldn't be scared.

The front porch light flashed on, and a curtain covering the glass at the top of the front door moved. “It's just me, Mama. Rachel.”

The door flew open and her mother stood there in the robe
Rachel had given her last Christmas. She clutched the robe at her neck and her frightened stare fastened on Rachel's face. “What are you doing here at this time of night?” Her gaze darted to Matt and her eyes grew even wider. “I don't think I know you.”

“Mama, this is my friend Matt Franklin. He's a detective with the police department.”

Her mother hesitated for a moment before she reached for Rachel and drew her inside. She pulled her into a fierce embrace, then held her at arm's length to study her. “Are you hurt?”

Rachel shook her head and motioned for Matt to come in. “No, but something has happened. My apartment was broken into tonight. Matt followed me here. We thought it might be better if I stayed with you for a few days until the superintendent can change the locks.”

Her mother nodded. “Of course. You can stay here forever if you want.” She turned to Matt and stuck out her hand. “Thank you, Mr. Franklin, for helping my daughter. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to her.”

Matt set the suitcase down and smiled. “I understand, Mrs. Long. Rachel is quite special. She's a great newspaper reporter.”

Her mother's eyes clouded and she faced Rachel. “Does this have something to do with those stories you've been writing about the gangs?”

Rachel's gaze darted to Matt. “Well, yes, but Matt needs to get home. I can explain everything after he leaves.”

Her mother turned back to Matt. “I think I'd like to have a hot cup of cocoa. Can you join us, Mr. Franklin?”

He shook his head. “No, thanks. I'll give you and Rachel some time together. And please call me Matt.”

“And you can call me Emily.”

Rachel smiled at the look her mother directed at her. She
knew that the questions would start the minute Matt left. Had they been dating? Was he a Christian?

She took Matt by the arm and walked with him toward the door. “Thank you for everything, Matt. I guess we'll have to put off lunch and decorating my Christmas tree tomorrow. Maybe we can do it later this week.”

“Oh, maybe not,” her mother's voice interrupted. “Cara and I are planning to decorate our tree tomorrow afternoon. If you'd like, Matt, you can join us for lunch and then help with the tree. We'll eat after church.”

Matt smiled. “I'd like that, Mrs. Long, I mean, Emily. I'll come when I get out of church.”

Her mother headed toward the kitchen. “Good. We'll see you then.”

They stopped at the front door and Rachel stared up at Matt. “Don't feel you have to accept my mother's invitation if you don't want to come.”

His eyes widened. “I'd really like to come if you want me to.”

She nodded. “Oh, I do, but you may get more female attention than you can stand. After all, we're a family of three women.”

He laughed. “There's nothing wrong with being surrounded by beautiful women. I'll see you tomorrow.”

Rachel watched as he hurried back to his car. Before he opened the door, he turned and waved to her. As he backed out of the driveway, she closed and locked the front door.

Was Matt just being courteous or did he really want to come to lunch? The last time she'd brought a man home with her was in college. It had only taken one afternoon of being with her family to convince him he couldn't deal with Cara.

Now she faced the situation again. Maybe it was a good thing Matt was going to be here tomorrow. She already knew Matt was becoming more important in her life each day, and
she had to find out if he could accept her sister before it was too late.

She shook her head. Why was she kidding herself? It didn't make any difference how Matt felt about her family. That still didn't change the responsibility she had to provide for Cara. She needed to remember what she'd told Mindy—she had no time for love and marriage. Those things were for other people, not her.

She wiped at a tear and walked toward the kitchen. Every time she'd faced a problem in her life, her mother had insisted they could solve anything if they'd discuss it over a cup of her cocoa. This time, however, Rachel doubted if it would work.

 

Rachel laid her fork on her plate and groaned in satisfaction. “Mama, I don't know if you've outdone yourself with that meal or if I was hungry for home cooking.”

Across the table from her Matt smiled. “I know it's the best I've had in a long time.” He glanced at Cara who sat next to him and winked. “Why didn't you tell me your mom was such a great cook, Cara?”

Cara, who hadn't left Matt's side since he had arrived an hour earlier, stared up at Matt and grinned. Rachel's heart constricted with the adoration that she saw in Cara's eyes. It had been the same when she brought Justin home from college, and it had made him uncomfortable. Matt, on the other hand, appeared to be enjoying the attention. But then, he was used to working with the kids at the Youth Center. He'd probably learned how to mask his feelings long ago.

Rachel's mother stood. “Well, let's get the table cleared. I have chocolate cake for dessert.”

Cara frowned and glanced toward the living room. “I want the Christmas tree.”

Matt leaned back in his chair, groaned and smiled at Cara. “I'm with you. I'm so full I don't think I could eat cake right
now.” He leaned closer to her. “Why don't you ask your mom if we can decorate the tree and have dessert later? That way we can work off some of this good food we've had.”

Cara clapped her hands and bounced up and down in her chair. She turned a beseeching look in her mother's direction. “Please, Mama.”

Her mother laughed. “Very well. Let's get the dishes done. Then we can get to the tree.”

Matt pushed back from the table and reached for his plate but Cara grabbed his arm. “No.”

His eyes widened. “What?”

Cara pointed to her chest. “Dishes my job.”

“Oh, I see.” He scooted his chair up to the table and faced Rachel. “Then maybe your sister would keep me company while you do the dishes.”

Cara bounded to her feet and waved her hands in the direction of the living room. “Go, Rachel. I do the dishes.”

Rachel's heart warmed at the joy she saw in Cara's face. “All right. We'll get the tree inside.”

Matt followed her to the front door of the house and glanced around the room as Rachel pulled a sweater from a coatrack. “Where's the tree?”

“It's in the carport. Mama bought it yesterday and left it out there until she could get it up today. I can't tell you how excited she and Cara are that we're here to help.”

He pulled the door open and waited for her to step outside. “I'm glad I could come. Maybe this will make me want to put up a tree at home.”

She laughed and led the way to the carport where a six-foot fir tree leaned against the wall. Matt heaved the tree to his shoulder. “Where's the stand?”

“I think it's inside.”

He followed her back to the front of the house and carefully carried the tree through the front door. She pointed out the
stand that her mother had set in a corner of the living room earlier that morning.

He stood the tree up straight and motioned for her to hold it. “Keep it upright until I can get the stand ready.” He dropped to his knees and unscrewed the clamps for the trunk. Together they fitted the tree into the stand. Rachel held it in place as he tightened the clamps.

When he finished, he placed his hands on his hips and his gaze drifted over the tree. “That looks about right, don't you think?”

Rachel nodded, but before she could say anything, a squeal sounded behind her. Cara ran into the room and stopped beside Rachel. “Look, Rachel. It's a Christmas tree.”

Rachel put her arms around her sister's shoulders and hugged her. “I know. Now we have to decorate it.”

Their mother, carrying several boxes, walked in at that moment. “And here are the decorations.”

While Matt and their mother draped the strings of lights around the tree, Rachel and Cara sat on the floor and pulled ornaments from the boxes. Cara's excitement grew as she laid the homemade decorations out on the floor.

Rachel surveyed the assortment of construction-paper ornaments covered in glitter. These were likely foreign to Matt, who'd probably grown up with the most expensive decorations on his tree. She glanced up and caught him studying her and Cara. Her breath caught in her throat.

“Cara and I made all of these when we were children. Mama wants only them on our tree since she says they're so special to her.”

Her mother smiled. “Yes, they are.” She pointed to a small cardboard square with a picture of a Christmas tree on it. “That's the first one Cara ever made. Her teacher said she looked through three magazines before she found the perfect picture for her ornament.”

Rachel held up a construction-paper candy cane with glitter on it. “And I made this one in third grade.”

Matt's dark eyes clouded and he turned back to the tree. “I can see why they're so important to you.”

Two hours later they sat in the living room and gazed at the decorated tree. The white lights winked on and off in rhythm. Rachel studied each of the ornaments she'd loved for years and let out a contented sigh.

“That's a beautiful tree.”

Her mother nodded. “More cake anyone?”

Matt set his empty plate on the coffee table and groaned. “I couldn't eat another bite. It was all delicious.”

Her mother glanced at her and Rachel detected a gleam in her eye. “Then maybe you'll come again.”

“I'd love to.” Matt glanced at his watch. “But I'd better be getting home now. I don't want to wear out my welcome.”

Cara jumped to her feet, a frown on her face. “No. Stay.”

He laughed and chucked her under the chin. “I'd love to, Cara, but I have some things I need to do for work tomorrow. I'll come back soon. I promise.”

Cara stuck out her bottom lip. Rachel put her arm around her. “Don't pout, Cara. Matt will come again.”

He turned to her mother and shook her hand. “Thank you for the wonderful afternoon, Emily.”

“We were happy to have you.”

Rachel followed him to the door and grabbed her sweater. “I'll walk you to the car.”

As they started out the door, Cara ran to them. She tugged on Matt's arm. “You promised.”

He smiled and patted her hand. “I'll see you soon.”

When they stepped outside, Rachel stuck her hands in her pockets and walked beside him to his car. “I hope you didn't feel like Cara was monopolizing you today.”

His eyebrows arched. “Oh, no. I think she's wonderful.”

“I think so, but I never know what someone else will think.”

He glanced back toward the house. “You should have more faith in your friends.”

She lifted her chin and took a deep breath. “Maybe it's the faith I placed in my friends who dropped me after meeting Cara that has colored my attitude.”

“What do you mean?”

She shrugged. “When I was growing up, nobody wanted to come to my house because Cara scared them. And then my college boyfriend changed his mind about marrying me after he met Cara.”

He shook his head. “Then he wasn't worthy of you, Rachel.”

“I know that, but it doesn't change what my life is.”

He tilted his head to one side. “And what is that?”

She struggled to hold back the tears. “From the time I was a child I've known that someday I would be totally responsible for Cara. I've seen how hard it's been for my mother. She's worked two or three jobs just to make ends meet, and she's getting older way before her time. If I'm going to take over, I have to have more money than I have now.”

His lips thinned. “So money is important to you.”

“Not for me. For Cara. I have no idea how I'm going to provide for her. I can't on the salary I make now. The only thing I know to do is to try for a higher paying job.” She paused for a moment. “I thought about this a lot last night, and I filed a story about the vigilante this morning for tomorrow's edition. I can't let him scare me off. This may be the ticket I need to move up.”

Matt stared at her for a moment. “If you're dead, you can't do Cara any good.”

“Please understand, Matt. That's a chance I have to take.”

He shook his head and pulled the car door open. “I can
see there's no convincing you differently. I'll pick you up for work tomorrow.”

She shook her head. “I'll drive to work tomorrow. I'm not going to change my life.”

He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. “I just hope this doesn't cost you your life.”