Chapter 3
Lucy arrived home from her parents’ house. Her mom had made her favorite brisket recipe, and her dad had rented a funny movie. Her older brother had been there with his wife and young boy. They were expecting another baby. He was a lawyer and practiced in Raleigh. He’d stayed close to family the way Lucy wanted to. Family nights were the best. She felt rejuvenated. Happy. Content.
What made the night awkward was how many times Cam had text messaged her. Everyone had noticed. She’d tried to keep up with answering them and then finally gave up. Cam wouldn’t quit. He knew she was with her parents and he kept interrupting her.
Removing her shoes, she checked her phone. There were six more messages, each one a desperate attempt to get her attention. The last one said, Why are you ignoring me?
“That’s it,” she said aloud. Not only would she not reply to any of his messages, she would never see him again. Thank God she never gave him her address.
Maniac.
Her cell rang. Seeing it was Cam, she subdued a rush of alarm and quieted the ringing. Going to her front window, she peered outside into the darkness. No cars were parked on the street and nothing seemed amiss. She went through her 1930s era two-story Victorian house and made sure all the windows and doors were locked. Then she went up to bed. Her phone rang again fifteen minutes later.
Another text message chimed five minutes after that. When he called yet again another fifteen minutes later, she gave up trying to fall asleep and grabbed up her phone, mad as hell.
She answered. “Why do you keep calling me?”
“Lucy,” he answered, sounding relieved. “I got worried when you didn’t answer.”
Worried? What was he? A freak? “Look, Cam. I think you’re a nice guy and all, but I don’t want to see you anymore.”
“What?”
“I told you I was going to my parents’ tonight.”
“I know.”
“You kept text messaging me and calling. You’ve texted and called me about thirty times tonight.”
“Not thirty.” He snorted a laugh.
“I don’t want to see you again. Please stop calling and texting.”
He was silent for several seconds. “Are you serious?”
“Yes.” God. Just get lost, she thought. She normally wasn’t a mean person but he was about to turn her into one if he didn’t listen.
“I don’t understand. I thought we hit it off great.”
“We barely know each other.”
“Then why not give it a chance? Aren’t you being a little rash?”
Lucy sighed. “I’m not interested anymore. I’m sorry.”
“Why not?”
“I need to be able to live my own life without being interrupted every fifteen minutes. I can’t watch my phone and constantly text you. I have a life I’m living here.”
“I won’t text you, then. Come on. Don’t give up yet. Let’s get to know each other. I’m sorry I texted you so much tonight. I’m just...I don’t know...excited to have met you. I didn’t mean to freak you out.” He laughed at himself. “I can see why you don’t want to see me anymore. I’m sorry. Really.”
She hesitated. “All right. It’s late. I need to get some sleep.”
“So, you aren’t breaking up with me?”
“Breaking up with you? We aren’t in a relationship yet.”
He was silent on the other end.
“Look, why don’t you let me call you next time, okay? I’m going to be busy over the next few days.” Then she’d call him and tell him she didn’t want to see him. For now, she just wanted him to leave her alone.
Several seconds passed before he said sadly, “All right. I understand.”
“Thank you.”
“Bye for now.”
She disconnected, not liking the way he said “bye for now.”
* * *
Thad thumbed through a magazine, sitting in a chair waiting for the doctor to come and tell them when his mother could go home. His mother stirred, waking from sleep.
“Ah.” He put the magazine back on the table.
“You’re still here.” She blinked past her drug-induced grogginess, growing more and more alert. Not even drugs could douse the fire in his mother. No wonder she was such a good politician. She kept going and going.
“We need to make arrangements for when you come home,” he said.
“That’s easy. Hire Lucy.”
When she tried to sit up on her own and grunted in pain, he went to her. Stacking her pillows, he helped her sit up and lean against them.
“Lucy has a job.” And he didn’t need her that close to him while he searched for his mother’s shooter. “I’ll call a home care company.”
“I want Lucy.” His mother moved toward the side table where a container of water sat.
Thad reached over and put it in her hand. She held it by the handle and sipped through the plastic straw.
“Why do you want Lucy?”
“Offer her the job, Thad.”
His mother could be stubborn, and he could see she was going to be regarding this. “Me?”
“Yes, you. Please, do this for me.”
“Why Lucy?” he repeated.
“You yourself mentioned how good you thought she is. I agree. There is no better nurse for me. Offer her the job.”
“What about after you’re better? You won’t need a home care nurse after you heal. She’s not going to give up her permanent job just because you want her for a month or two.”
“Offer her twice what she makes here. And talk to her boss and see that he gives her a leave of absence so she can have her job back when I’m no longer in need of her. If she wants it.”
What was his mother up to? “What do you mean, ‘if she wants it’? Why wouldn’t she?” At Duke University Hospital. She had a great job there.
“Who wants what?” Another female voice joined in.
Thad inwardly cringed as he recognized Lucy’s voice. Facing her, he took in her trim shape in the white uniform and her long, auburn hair up in a ponytail. And those green eyes. He could stare at them for an hour.
“Just the person we need to talk to,” his mother said. Her energy was returning with each passing day.
“Mother...”
“This is my decision, Thadius H. Winston.” She leaned to put the water container on the table.
Thad took it from her and did it for her. If he didn’t suspect she was playing matchmaker, he wouldn’t care who she chose for a home care nurse. But Lucy...?
“What’s going on?” Lucy went about her usual routine in the room.
“My mother is going to need a home care nurse and she’s decided that should be you,” Thad said. If he didn’t say it, his mother would. She was in one of her I-will-have-my-way modes.
Lucy stopped what she was doing over by the IV lines and shot a look at him, and then Kate. “What?”
“I’ll make all the necessary arrangements.” Thad explained the terms on salary and that he’d make arrangements with her boss. “All you have to do is move in with my mother until she can take care of herself.”
“Is that all?”
Hearing a note of sarcasm, he pressed ahead regardless. “Yes. I’ll take care of everything.”
“You’ll take care of everything.” More of that sarcasm came into her tone.
“You won’t have to do a thing. Other than...take care of my mother.” He studied her eyes, those green windows that revealed nothing but patient contemplation, yet he sensed there was more burning behind them.
She folded her arms. “Last I recall, this was my life and I made all the decisions regarding it.”
She was offended. He hadn’t meant to offend her. Why was she so hard for him to predict? With most women he saw what was coming ahead of time. With Lucy, he never knew what he’d get.
“I wasn’t trying to control you. I...” Jeez. What the hell? She’d reduced him to a blithering idiot. Maybe it was that uniform and ponytail.
“What Thad meant to do is ask if you’d be willing,” Kate said, stepping in. “It was my idea. I’m the one who requested you.”
Lucy’s eyes shifted to her and her stance eased. She lowered her arms, uncertain now. Would she agree? Thad almost hoped she wouldn’t.
He was near panic over the idea of having her so close to him, because he’d already planned to stay with his mother after she was released from the hospital. He wasn’t taking the chance that the gunman would try again...and succeed. There was no one else available, no one he’d trust anyway.
His middle brother, Sam, was still recovering from being held captive for three months in a foreign prison while on duty with his army special forces unit. His physical wounds had healed in the six months he’d been back. It was the mental wounds that needed more time. His oldest brother, Trey, was busy running the family business, Adair Enterprises. He was also grooming for a senatorial run and getting ready for his wedding. That left Thad to step up and take care of his mother. His brothers stopped by as often as they could to visit her, but couldn’t be there around the clock.
And now Lucy would be part of that equation, if she agreed.
“That’s a very generous offer,” Lucy finally said, “but I don’t need anyone to talk to my boss, much less take care of everything.”
“Does that mean you’ll do it?” Say no. Say no. Say no.
Dating her was much different from having her living under the same roof, even though it was a big roof.
“Thad isn’t the best at diplomacy,” Kate intervened again. “A politician he is not.” She reached for Lucy. “Come here.”
Reluctantly, Lucy stepped over to the bed.
Kate took her hand. “Please, Lucy. I mean it when I say I think very highly of you. You’re the best nurse I’ve seen at this hospital. I need someone I can trust while I heal. You’d be doing me and your country a great service if you agree to be my home care nurse.”
“But...”
Thad heard the wavering in her tone and refrained from clenching his fist.
“You’ll have your own private room with a bathroom and a balcony,” his mother continued. “You can come and go as you please, as long as you take care of me.”
How could anyone refuse that plea? Thad had to hand it to his mother. When she wanted her way, she could be very persuasive. But she did have two valid points. She did need someone she could trust until she was well enough to take care of herself, and Lucy would be serving her country by helping her.
Lucy slid her gaze to Thad. “Are you sure about this?”
Not in the least, but he kept that to himself. “If twice your salary isn’t enough, just tell me what you require and I’ll see that you get it.”
“No...” Lucy hesitated again. “That sum is...quite adequate.”
“Good.” Kate let go of Lucy’s hand. “Then it’s settled. All we need now is the doctor to tell us when I can go home.”
Lucy stammered without saying anything. Shell-shocked, she stared at Kate, whose exuberance was clear. She wanted Lucy as her nurse, and not just to set her up with Thad. She recognized Lucy’s skill, and Lucy could see that.
She didn’t refuse. She hadn’t agreed, either, but Thad would make sure that she did.
Her cell phone vibrated. Thad heard it going off in her pocket. She took it out and read the message. Her brow lowered and her mouth pressed subtly tighter. She also stared at the message longer than normal and then didn’t respond to it.
At last, Lucy looked at Kate. “We’ll talk about the home care work later.”
“I’m so happy it will be you taking care of me.” Kate ignored what she’d said. “I feel like I’ll be in such capable hands.”
Lucy smiled awkwardly, but Kate’s genuine praise softened her. Kate did want Lucy, not only for Thad, but because she did truly believe she was the best choice.
Without further comment, Lucy finished up in the room and said goodbye to them both. Thad heard her cell vibrate again. She stopped in the hall and read it, another frown clouding her profile. Who had just tried to contact her? Was it the same man who’d text messaged her before? She didn’t appear to welcome it.
He followed her out into the hallway. She saw him but barely acknowledged him, her attention returning to the phone and her brow creasing deeper.
“Someone you’d rather not hear from?” he asked.
She merely looked up at him.
“Who is it?” he asked, holding out his hand.
“Cam. The man I went out with.”
“Do you mind if I take a look?” When she didn’t move to hand him the phone, he said, “It’s the cop in me. I can tell when something isn’t right.”
Breathing a sigh he had to call relief, she handed him the phone. He read the first text message asking how she was. And then the second, and then the third. The fifth asked why she was ignoring him.
“How many of these does he send you?” He memorized the cell number.
“I lost count.”
“Have you told him you aren’t interested?”
“Yes, but he talked to me about it and I agreed to give it more time...sort of. I need to tell him in no uncertain terms that I don’t want him to contact me again.”
“Why haven’t you?”
She looked off into the distance, down the hall. A doctor walked by and then a nurse pushing a wheelchair. Someone was paged over the intercom. Lucy was oblivious to all of it. She was concerned over this Cam person.
“Are you afraid of his reaction?” he asked.
She turned back to him. “No. Well...I...”
“Would you like me to tell him?”
Now she laughed. “No.”
“Not used to anyone doing things for you, are you?” She had a fierce independent streak, something he found attractive.
“It’s not that.” She waved a hand up and then let it slap against her thigh, a very slender, long thigh. “Not to the point where it feels suffocating. I’m a capable woman.”
“What did Cam do to make you feel suffocated?”
“Some things he said over dinner, but then he backed off. It made me feel funny. Like he’s a control freak.”
And then he’d text messaged her excessively. “I don’t like control freaks, either.” Women who wanted to control him into marriage.
“I’ll tell him tonight that I don’t want to see or hear from him again.”
Thad didn’t get a good feeling from this. “Let me know how that goes, okay?”
She nodded. “I’ll be fine. If he doesn’t stop calling and texting, I’ll change my number.”
“You shouldn’t have to do that. If he doesn’t stop after you tell him to, let me know. I won’t say I’ll take care of it, but I can arrange to make him stop contacting you.”
“I don’t want it to get to that point. I’ll tell him to get lost.” Although she smiled, he sensed her dread. She’d rather never talk to the man again.
“You could just ignore him. Eventually he’ll get the idea.”
The flattening of her smile and another distant look said she wasn’t convinced. The cop in him urged to protect, even if she wasn’t the type to like being protected.
* * *
Lucy left work a little after nine and headed for her Subaru. It was dark and chilly outside, having rained all afternoon. The temperature had sunk below fifty once the sun had set. She dug into her purse for her keys. Reaching her car, she unlocked it just as she heard a car door open behind her.
Someone had parked in the space beside hers. She turned and saw Cam get out of a black Honda Accord.
Alarm snapped her heart into a frantic shudder.
He held up his hand. “Before you go ballistic, let me say that I just came to talk to you.”
“I was going to call you,” she said, not really sure if she would have. She wasn’t the type of woman who blew people off to avoid confrontation, but she may have become one temporarily because there seemed to be something peculiar about him.
“I couldn’t wait. You still going to volunteer at your literacy program tomorrow night?” He took a step toward her.
Lucy moved back against her car. “Yes.”
He controlled his disappointment but it flashed across his eyes for a second. “Are you free the following night?”
She was, but she wasn’t going to see him again. “Cam...”
Brushing the lapels of his suit jacket aside, he put his hands on his hips, looking belligerent and on the verge of losing his temper. “What did I do to make you change your mind about me?”
“It’s not something I can itemize.” Not without offending him. “It’s just a feeling.” That you’re a jerk—a Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde jerk. She’d stay far away from a man like that. “Sometimes it just doesn’t work out between two people.”
“Why isn’t it working with me anymore? We hit it off when we first met.”
“Yes, we did.” But then I got to know you a little. “But then something changed. I’m not interested in you anymore.” Even more so now.
“Why won’t you tell me why?”
Plain English wasn’t working on him. “Look, I don’t have to tell you a damn thing. All you need to know is I’m not interested. I’m not going to date you. I’m not going to talk to you. We aren’t friends. So, stop calling me. Stop texting me. I can’t make it any clearer for you!” Turning, she opened her car door.
A meaty hand clamped around her upper arm and spun her around.
“Nobody talks to me like that.”
She yanked her arm free and shoved him. He only stepped back a foot or so, anger storming his blond brow.
“Keep your hands off me!” she shouted, turning for her car again.
“Who do you think you are?” He yanked her around as before, scowling like a whining six-year-old who wasn’t getting his way. “You pretend to like me and now you’re turning on me?”
Lucy tried to wrench her arm free. His grip was painful. “I never pretended to like you. I don’t even know you. The only thing I know is that I never want to see you or hear from you ever again!” If she had a shred of doubt before, she had none now.
“You are interested.” He looked down at his hand on her arm as though only then realizing he held it and then let go. “We just talked about some things that should have waited. You’re interested.”
No didn’t mean no to this man. “If I ever see you outside this hospital again—or anywhere near me—I’m calling the cops!” She turned to her Subaru once more.
“Don’t you turn your back on me,” he growled, pure evil spitting from him.
She began to get scared. This situation was beginning to feel as if it was headed toward becoming a crime. She prepared herself for a fight, ready for him to grab her again, vowing to slap or punch him, only he didn’t get the chance. She heard him grunt. Looking back, she saw Thad pushing him against his car, slamming his back over the rim of the back window.
“I’m only going to say this once. If you don’t leave now and stay away from her, I’ll have you arrested.” Thad’s tone was calm but ferocious as he leaned over Cam, a good three inches taller than him.
“Who the hell are you?” Cam grabbed ahold of Thad’s wrist that clamped over his throat.
“Someone you don’t want to mess with,” he answered.
“He’s a cop,” Lucy said, happy to provide that piece of information.
That got Cam’s attention. He stopped struggling to be free and stared at him. Thad let him go, and Cam smoothed his suit jacket.
Then he looked at Lucy. “If we could just talk sometime...”
He kept saying that. And tonight he’d attacked her. “What makes you think I’d ever want to talk to you again?”
“You know. We really do have something special. I don’t understand why you’re fighting it. We just have a misunderstanding. We can get past this. I promise. You won’t regret it.” His sick, pleading face unnerved her.
“You’re the one with the misunderstanding.” Thad reached out and shoved Cam, jabbing his fingers on the man’s chest. “She doesn’t want to see you anymore. Didn’t you hear her? She should only have to say it once. How many times has she told you now?”
“This is none of your business.” Cam’s lightning temper flared again. It didn’t take much.
“It is now.” Thad moved closer, intimidating and fearless.
“I don’t have to take this from you.” Cam took a swing at him.
Thad easily deflected that and slammed his fist to Cam’s jaw. Then another punch drove into his sternum.
Cam gasped for air as he went down onto his knees.
“That’s it. You’re under arrest for assaulting an officer of the law.”
Lucy put her hand on his shoulder. “No, Thad. Let him go.” This was bad enough. Arresting him would only escalate things and prolong her dealings with Cam.
Leaning down, Thad pushed Cam’s head back, forcing him to look up at him. “Leave her alone or I’ll make you.”
Cam met Thad’s fierce eyes and didn’t say anything—for once. Finally, he was forced to accept that he could not control this situation, that he could not control Lucy, a woman he’d imagined in his crazed mind belonged with him.
Giving Cam’s head a harder shove that sent it banging back against the Honda, Thad rose and stepped back.
Cam glared at Thad as he stumbled to his feet. Thad had given him one more chance than he deserved.
Standing up, Cam walked around the front of the black car. Over the hood of the Honda, he looked at Lucy with such resentment that it gave her a shiver.
When Cam drove away, Thad went to Lucy. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” She was now, thanks to him.
He touched her arm where Cam had grabbed her. She might be bruised. She’d never had anyone defend her the way he had tonight, never had a reason to need that from anyone. But tonight she had, and Thad had been there for her. Appreciation mushroomed into more, warmth that her undeniable attraction fueled.
“Maybe you should stick to the traditional method of meeting someone,” he said.
His logical solution to her scary encounter chased the rest of her tension away. She stepped closer to him. “Okay, Officer. Traditional it is.” She played with the collar of his shirt. He wasn’t wearing a badge. She never saw him actually wear it. “Does this qualify as traditional?”
“We’re in a parking lot, and I almost arrested someone.”
Hardly traditional. Just then she realized he must have waited for her in the parking lot. “What are you doing here, anyway?”
“I’m a cop.” Giving her a grin, he stepped back and then headed toward his blue Charger.
That was the reason he gave her, but Lucy was certain there was another reason he’d waited. He’d been concerned. And more than the cop in him had compelled him to stay and keep an eye on her. He liked her, and he’d protected her. And, strangely, she loved that he had. Not only because he’d saved her from whatever Cam would have done. If anything, he’d cared enough to ensure she made it home safely.
“Hey,” she called.
Thad stopped at his fast car.
She was going to take a plunge headfirst. “I have to volunteer for a literacy program tomorrow night. Would you mind going with me?” She had two motives for this. One, she was afraid of what Cam would do, and two, she wanted to torture Thad with children. What better way to see just how interested he was?
There went that grin again. He had a really nice grin. “Not at all,” he said. “What time?”
“I have to be there at six.”
“I’ll pick you up.”
“But you don’t know my address.”
“I have your address.”
Cop. He was starting to sound like Cam, except there was no comparison. Thad’s reasons for hanging around and looking up her address were completely different from Cam’s. They were two completely different men. Still, she couldn’t let Thad’s boldness go without at least a little teasing...
“You’re not a stalker, are you?” she asked. “Should I be worried?”
He took her seriously. His grin went flat. “No, not you. But Cam should be real worried, because if he ever comes within ten feet of you again, he’ll have to answer to me.”
Sexy, handsome, protective cop...
The way her heart thumped gave her second thoughts about inviting him to one of her most cherished pastimes.