Perfect Fit (Serendipity's Finest)

Four



From the determined look on Cara’s face, Mike knew better than to offer to drive or go with her on the call. He knew embarrassment when he saw it, and Cara didn’t want him to witness her parents’ issues. Too bad. She might be a tough thing when it came to the job, but she had her vulnerabilities and he’d seen those tonight when she’d talked about the woman at Havensbridge. She might not want him there, but she needed him.

He waited until she’d buttoned her blouse and practically run out the door before grabbing the keys to his truck and heading out. At the very least, the cold night air and the drive to her parents’ place would give him time to cool down. He was still erect from their encounter. When he inhaled, he could smell the luscious scent of her body and remember the feel of her soft skin as he breathed her in deep.

He drove with the window open, the rush of cold air blasting him and tamping down on the heat still flushing him from the inside. By the time he pulled up to the garden apartment complex address he’d gotten from dispatch, his officers were back by their car, one talking to Cara, the other writing up the incident.

She watched Mike climb out of his truck, a scowl on her pretty face. What the hell are you doing here? He could hear her thoughts as if she were broadcasting them out loud, but because he was her superior and there were other officers present, she held back and he admired her restraint. Found it sexy, even as he had no doubt she’d let him have it in private.

“Hey, Chief,” Rob Sumter said.

Mike nodded.

“Any arrests?” he asked, not meeting Cara’s gaze. He didn’t have to. Her glare bore holes right through him.

Rob shook his head. “Mrs. Hartley declined to press charges,” he said, without looking at Cara. “We’ll just write up the incident so it’s on record.”

“Thanks, Rob.”

The other man inclined his head and joined his partner in their squad car. A few silent minutes later, they drove away, leaving Mike and Cara where they’d started. Alone.

“I thought I told you not to come.” Cara’s eyes flashed angry fire.

“Since when do I do what I’m told?” he asked, stepping closer.

He didn’t miss the shiver that rippled through her. Unable to stop himself, he pulled her close. “What happened?”

Stiff at first, she surprised him, letting herself relax into his embrace. “My father was drunk and started ranting at my mother. Apparently he threw dishes at the wall, and the neighbors didn’t appreciate the noise. That and they were worried for my mother’s safety.”

“Is she okay?”

Cara shrugged. “According to Rob.”

Mike paused. “You didn’t talk to her?”

She shook her head, still burrowing into him. “I can’t. I’ve told her I won’t see her again unless she leaves him.”

Mike was considering his reply carefully when without warning, Cara pulled out of his grasp. “I need to go.”

“Wait,” Mike said. It wasn’t a request. He’d laid down the order like he expected her to follow. He wasn’t sure if she’d listen, but he was determined to try. He didn’t dig into why it was so important she not run off alone right now.

She turned back to face him. “What?” Her teeth chattered and she wrapped her arms around herself for warmth.

“Where’s your jacket?”

She blinked at him, startled. “In my Jeep. Is that what you wanted to know?”

He stifled a laugh. “No.” He shrugged his leather jacket off and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Let’s go.”

“Where?” she asked, digging in her heels, literally refusing to walk another step.

“You’re freezing and upset. We’re going to get a cup of coffee and talk, and then you can get in your car and drive home.”

“Bossy,” she muttered, as she pulled his jacket tighter around herself for warmth.

Okay, so she wasn’t bolting, and relief gripped him. He grabbed her hand and led her down the street from where her parents lived, then around the corner to Lynette’s. The small diner on the corner was a favorite of locals and cops assigned here.

He opened the door, allowing her to step ahead of him inside. At this hour it was fairly empty, and they walked to the back, slipping into a booth. Instead of sitting across the table, Mike slid in right beside her, intentionally crowding into her personal space.

“What are you doing?” she asked, still defensive, probably from embarrassment.

He couldn’t hold back a grin. “Using you for body heat.”

She shot him a disbelieving stare.

“What? You have my jacket and it’s January, remember?” That and he just wanted to be close to her.

He hadn’t gotten over the heat they’d generated in his apartment, and though he wouldn’t make a sexual overture when she was vulnerable, he still wanted her. And his body demanded he stay close. A part of him he didn’t recognize wanted to take care of her now that she was upset, but again he refused to look at that too closely.

“What are you doing here so late?” Lynette, the diner owner, a heavyset woman in her midfifties, came over with a pot of coffee in her hand.

“Just warming up,” Mike said to her.

“Cara, honey, want some coffee?” she asked.

Mike wasn’t surprised Lynette knew Cara by name, what with her having grown up in the neighborhood and being given shifts here.

“Can I get tea? Something decaf?” Cara asked. “I’ll never sleep if I have caffeine.”

“Sure thing. Plain old decaffeinated or chamomile?”

“Chamomile sounds great, Lynette. Thanks.”

“What about you, Mr. Police Chief? Coffee?”

Mike nodded. “Thanks.”

A few minutes later, they each had their drinks and Lynette had disappeared into the back.

Cara wrapped her hand around her cup, closed her eyes, and sighed, clearly savoring the warmth, making Mike glad he’d pushed the issue and brought her here.

After giving her a few minutes of silence, he broached conversation. “So.”

Her eyes popped open. “What?” she asked warily. “Do you want to know how often my father drinks? Loses his temper? Throws things? Hits people?”

Instead of making him angry, her defensive tone melted his heart. “I don’t want to know anything you don’t want to tell me, Cara. I just wanted to give you a few minutes to calm down before you drove home.”

“Oh.” Her eyelashes fluttered down. “I’m sorry. I’m just—”

“Embarrassed,” he finished for her.

“Yeah.”

“Well, there’s no need to be. I’m not judging you by your father’s actions or your mother’s behavior,” he assured her.

“What about judging me for not going in and checking on my mother?” She held herself tight and stiff, backing herself into the corner, as far from him as she could get.

Which wasn’t far. He stretched his arm behind the seat, reaching her hair. Grateful to have some part of her to touch, he wound a strand around his fingers. “Why would I judge you for that?”

She exhaled a long breath, and some of the starch left her shoulders. “I’ve done all I can for her. If I go in, if I beg her to leave, if I make him angrier, all I’m doing is enabling the entire screwed-up situation.” Frustrated tears filled her eyes, and she wiped them away with the back of her hand.

He knew better than to comment about those. “There’s no need to defend yourself to me. You’re talking to someone whose genetics are questionable at best,” he said, bringing up the subject he abhorred. “My real father walked out, never to be heard from again.”

Mike sure as hell wasn’t enough to make the man want to stick around. Nor was he enough for the rest of his family. He’d always figured they were better off without him there.

“And pretty soon you and I are about to investigate something that my gut tells me will end badly for my whole family. So don’t expect me to pass judgment. I’m here, I’ll listen, but I’m sure as hell not going to look down on you for any choices you make.” He paused, then admitted, “Frankly, I think you’re doing the right thing.”

“Really?” She looked up at him, her eyes so moist and big, and he realized how fragile she was deep down inside.

“Yeah, really.” Then, not giving her a choice, he pulled her back beside him. “It takes more guts to stay away knowing someone’s hurting. But sometimes there’s nothing you can do.”

She nodded. “That’s just it. I can’t help her unless she wants help. I can’t fix the situation unless she changes it.”

“Was it always like this?” he asked, hoping the one question didn’t send her into full retreat.

“It’s always been a roller coaster. The lows depended on whether he was holding down a job. If things were good, he’d manage his liquor. If something went wrong, it was everyone else’s fault and he’d dive into the booze. The more he drank, the louder and uglier it became at home.”

Now that Cara knew Mike wasn’t judging, she seemed more willing to open up to him, for which he was grateful. But one question hovered in his mind, begging to be voiced, one he wasn’t sure she’d want him to ask.

He shouldn’t. And yet he couldn’t not. “Did he…did your father ever…”

“Hit me?” She finished the question for him.

“Yeah.” His voice sounded harsh, gruff to his own ears.

“No.”

Mike released the breath he’d been holding.

“But not because he didn’t want to. It was the one thing my mother managed to control, at least when I was younger. She said she’d have stabbed him if he touched me, and I think he believed her. But she couldn’t do it for herself. He said she deserved it, and she came to believe it.” Cara shook her head. “And as I got older, I stayed out of the house as often as possible.”

She stared at the table, and yet he knew what she was thinking.

“Don’t feel guilty for taking care of yourself,” he said quietly. “That was your parents’ job. Your mom obviously did the best she could for you, if not for herself. And your dad failed as a parent. So did mine. I’m just lucky I had Simon.” Even if he’d never live up to the man and his legacy, Mike thought.

“How did you know what I was thinking?” Cara asked.

Because he was coming to know and understand her. But that wasn’t something he wanted to share. “Lucky guess.” He forced an easy grin. “Feeling better?”

“I didn’t even touch my tea, but yeah, I am. Thanks for being a friend.”

He didn’t miss her emphasis on the word friend, and he didn’t understand why the distinction bothered him so much. They’d been frantic for each other earlier, but that was just sex. Wasn’t it?

Mike paid, and, to his surprise, Cara didn’t argue. He walked her to her car, pausing by the Jeep, unwilling to part ways with her just yet. Though he knew they’d have to get together to discuss strategy on looking into the cold case and Simon’s involvement, it wasn’t something he wanted to bring up now.

“What are you doing tomorrow night?” he found himself asking instead.

She blinked up at him, her eyes wide-open windows to her soul. “Nothing special. Why?”

“I thought you might like to come to my parents’ house for dinner.” Had he really just asked her to join him at a family event?

She worried her bottom lip, making him want to lean in for a long taste. Not the time, he thought. She’d gone back to skittish.

“Are you sure your parents wouldn’t mind?” she asked, bringing his thoughts back to where they belonged.

He raised an eyebrow. “Are you kidding? My mother loves to cook, and we both know she adores you.”

Cara flushed. “She’s sweet. But aren’t Sunday nights for family?”

Was it his imagination or did he hear longing in her voice with that word?

“You’re like family to them.” Not that he felt the least bit familial toward her, which made him wonder why he wasn’t letting her off the hook for this dinner gracefully.

“Well, if you’re sure.” She looked up at him with grateful blue eyes, and he had his answer.

She wanted to join him as much as he wanted her there. “I am,” he said gruffly.

She nodded her thanks. “I’ll call your mom and see what I can bring.”

Mike already knew Ella would just tell Cara to bring herself. “Come by their house around five.”

“Okay.” Her smile lit up something inside him. She reached for her door handle.

“Cara.”

She pivoted back to face him.

Unable to stop himself, he lifted his hand and stroked his knuckles down her cheek. “Get a good night’s sleep,” he said gruffly.

At his touch, her cheeks turned a rosy red that had nothing to do with the cold air. “I will. Night, Mike.” She ducked her head, opened the door, and climbed inside.

He waited until she started the truck and pulled away from the curb. What a complicated woman, he thought, watching as she drove away.

There was much more to Cara Hartley than he’d realized before. And he was drawn to the many facets of her personality: the strong cop, the vulnerable woman, and everything in between. She aroused warm and protective feelings he didn’t recognize. Ones that would normally send him running. Hell, as much as he’d liked going out with Tiffany back in the day, her constant phone calls and neediness nearly choked the life out of him. She’d always told him she relied and counted on him, but Mike didn’t want to be needed that way. By anyone.

Just like his old man, Mike thought in disgust. Which was why with every job and woman, Mike made a point of being up front with his intentions. Even Mike’s sergeant in New York knew that when a case ended, if Mike felt the need to go—he would. Luckily the variety of assignments in the city kept him interested. The women? Not so much. But Mike wasn’t bolting from Cara, despite the bouts of awareness that told him he should be panicking.

He couldn’t. Because Cara had a grip on Mike that wasn’t letting go. Which meant he was in it for the duration.

Besides, there was no downside, he reasoned. When Simon recovered, Mike would step down as chief of police; he would leave town as he’d planned all along.

Cara always felt a mix of admiration, gratitude, and envy when she visited the Marsden house. She appreciated the sense of family they shared and wished with all her heart she had the same for herself. But she’d long since stopped pining for things she couldn’t have. Instead she appreciated the fact that they included her on occasion. Today felt different because she wasn’t coming at Sam’s request, but Mike’s. She didn’t know why he’d asked her or what it meant, but she’d promised herself she’d take the invitation at face value. Dinner with a family she’d always felt close to, that was all.

She rang the doorbell and Ella Marsden greeted her almost immediately. “Cara! I’m so glad you could make it,” she said, opening the screen door to let her inside.

“I appreciate you having me on such short notice.” Cara stepped into the foyer.

“Nonsense. We love having you. Now what’s that?” Ella asked, glancing at the foil-covered pan Cara was holding.

“Lasagna. I thought you and Simon could freeze it and eat it on a day when you aren’t up to cooking.” When Cara had called, Ella insisted Cara didn’t need to bring anything tonight, not dessert or side dishes. As usual, she had it handled.

That was fine, but Cara knew how tired the older woman had to be, taking care of and worrying about her husband. Flowers seemed like a useless thank-you, so Cara had gone shopping early that morning for the ingredients and made the dish when she got home.

She held out the pan for Ella to take.

“Thank you.” Ella accepted the food and tipped her head, indicating that Cara should follow her into the kitchen. She passed through the family room where Simon dozed in his recliner and caught a glimpse of the wall of family photos, pausing for a closer look.

She had to smile at the variations on the family photo that changed over the years as the kids grew up. Sam and Erin were lighter in coloring than Mike, both resembling their mother and Simon. For the first time, Cara wondered what Mike’s real father looked like, whether his hair was as dark as his son’s, his eyes like delicious hot chocolate.

“Cara?” Ella called.

“Coming!” Cara headed for the kitchen, a smile still on her face. “I was just looking at the pictures on the wall.”

Ella smiled too, but Cara noticed the strain around her eyes and mouth, small lines that hadn’t been there last time she’d seen her. “They make me happy too. Let’s sit. The boys aren’t here yet, and Erin said she’s running late.”

Cara joined Ella at the table, declining her offer of a soft drink.

“So how are you?” the older woman asked.

“I’m good. Busy, which I like. Between work and volunteering at Havensbridge, I don’t have much downtime.”

Ella nodded. “I’m thinking of doing some volunteer work myself once Simon’s back to himself. Maybe driving cancer patients to the hospital for treatment or reading to the children who are inpatient there.”

“That’s sweet,” Cara said. “What do the doctors tell you about Simon?”

“That he’s progressing nicely. He tolerates the treatments well, and he’s been able to have them consistently. They hope he’ll be in remission soon. And once he’s finished with this part of the treatment, he should start to feel stronger and want to do more.”

“I’m glad,” Cara said.

They talked for a few more minutes about small things before Ella cleared her throat, looking suddenly serious. “Cara, honey…”

“Yes?”

“When Michael called and told me you were coming for dinner, he mentioned the incident at your parents’ last night.”

Everything inside Cara ran cold. Since driving away from her parents’ apartment, she’d deliberately not let herself think about them. She didn’t want anyone else thinking about it either. Knowing. Judging.

Mike obviously was doing one or more of the above. “So he invited me out of pity, then,” she said without thinking.

Ella’s frown told her she didn’t agree. “You know better than that. You’re comfortable here and we love having you, and I’m sure you can use being around people who think of you as family at a time like this.” The older woman paused, not breaking eye contact. “Although, family’s more Sam’s way of thinking about you than Michael’s.”

Cara knew she blushed a deep red, and she couldn’t think of a witty reply.

“I think Michael just wanted you here,” Ella mused.

Cara shook her head. This conversation was getting awkward on every end. “I don’t know what to say to any of this.”

Ella patted her hand. “I just wanted you to know that if you need someone to talk to about your parents, I’m here. And if you’re worried I might not approve of you and Michael, well, you’d be wrong.”

Cara’s eyes opened wide. “Mike and I aren’t…we’re not—”

“No worries, dear. We’re all grown-ups.” Ella winked at her, and Cara prayed for strength.

“Right. Well, thank you for the offer to talk about my parents.” Wow. Her family had suddenly become the easier conversation, Cara thought, still reeling from Ella’s frank words.

“I mean it, honey. It can’t be easy for you,” Ella said, in a purely motherly way that put Cara at ease.

“Thank you. I appreciate it, but there’s nothing to say. My mother made her choice to stay years ago. And I made mine not to see her unless she leaves him.” She waited for Ella to condemn her for her choices, but instead she nodded in understanding.

“I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision.” Like Mike, Ella and her compassion and understanding made Cara feel more secure and at ease about her course of action than she’d been before. Maybe it did help to share, to have someone to talk to.

“It was a hellish choice,” Cara admitted. “But anything short of sticking to it will only enable an ugly situation or make me so angry I get physically ill.” She glanced down, embarrassed.

“Oh, honey, there’s no shame in taking care of you. That was their job, and for whatever reason they fell short.” Ella leaned in close, reassuring as only a wise, loving parent could.

“That’s what Mike said.” Cara managed to meet Ella’s gaze.

“I knew I raised that boy right.”

Cara nodded at that. Mike was a really decent guy.

“But you still feel guilty,” Ella said, not dropping the subject.

Cara sighed. “I alternate between feeling like an awful daughter for taking care of myself and a self-righteous one for not understanding where my mother’s coming from. I volunteer with women just like her, and I understand her world isn’t simple.”

“And yet you beat yourself up over something you can’t control,” Ella said, covering Cara’s hand with her own.

The warmth she offered caused a lump to form in Cara’s throat.

“I, of all people, know what it’s like to doubt myself and my choices,” Ella said softly.

“You do?” Cara would have thought Ella Marsden was so certain in every decision she made.

“Oh, Cara. You must know the story of how I ended up married to Simon, right?”

Cara didn’t know which part of the story Ella was referring to. “I know you were involved with someone before Simon,” she said delicately.

“I got pregnant and he left me,” Ella said bluntly.

Not expecting such frank talk, Cara blinked in surprise.

“Simon was my best friend and he stepped up immediately to take care of me—as in he offered to marry me and adopt the baby as his.”

“And that wasn’t an easy decision to make?” Cara asked.

“No, it wasn’t.” Ella glanced down. “It didn’t seem fair.”

Cara’s heart clenched at the other woman’s honesty. “You loved Mike’s real father a lot, didn’t you?”

Ella nodded. “At one time, but he wasn’t the man I thought.”

And Simon was, Cara thought.

“But Simon? It’s true and real. A love born of shared lives and children and appreciation for what a good, solid man he is. I love the life we’ve shared.”

Cara smiled. The Marsdens had always been an example to look up to, a couple to be envious of and to emulate. “So no regrets?” Cara asked.

“No regrets,” Ella answered immediately. “But lately I’ve had cause to wonder…” She trailed off with a shake of her head. “Never mind.”

“No, it’s okay, you can tell me,” Cara assured her. Ella had been so sweet about Cara’s own parents, so understanding, Cara wanted to return the favor by letting the other woman unburden herself.

Ella turned her wide eyes on Cara. “I’ve been corresponding with Mike’s real father,” she whispered.

“What?!” Cara knew that as far as Mike was concerned, nobody had heard from his father since he abandoned a pregnant Ella.

“A few weeks ago, he found me on Facebook. He friended me out of the blue. I accepted before I could think about it, and apparently that’s what he wanted. Once I accepted, he was able to see the family pictures I posted. It let him know how we all were, that Mike had grown up to look just like him.” Her voice was so low, Cara could barely hear.

“And you haven’t told Simon.” Cara stated the obvious.

Ella shook her head. “He was midtreatment, and even if he hadn’t been…” Her entire body trembled. “He’d be so angry. To show up after all these years and ask questions about Simon’s family. I don’t even know if I’d have told him if he were healthy, but luckily I didn’t have to make that choice.”

“Yet.” Again, Cara opted for the obvious.

An unexpected smile lifted Ella’s lips. “Nothing gets by you.”

“Occupational hazard.” Cara grinned.

“Well, I don’t have to decide whether to tell Simon now.”

“What about Mike?” The words came out of Cara’s mouth before she’d even had the thought in her head. If Mike knew his mother was in contact with his errant father…she shuddered at the notion.

She shook her head.

“He needs to know!” Cara said, certain Mike would be furious if kept in the dark.

“He can’t! Mike struggles so much about his father, and he’d be so angry at me for even answering him.” Ella reached for and grabbed Cara’s hand. “Please, promise me. I know it’s a huge burden to put on you, and I hadn’t thought it through. I just needed someone to confide in and you offered…” Eyes wide, voice trembling, she squeezed Cara’s hand tighter. “Please.”

“Okay,” Cara said, not wanting her any more upset.

“Or Sam. Or Erin.”

Cara closed her eyes. “No one,” she promised, sensing she’d live to regret it.

Ella released her grip and relaxed back into her chair. “Thank you.”

Cara met her gaze and nodded.

“I’m sorry. It started as me wanting to assure you that you aren’t alone in being conflicted and ended with you as keeper of my secret.”

“It’s okay.” Cara managed a smile.

Ella rose and pulled her into a grateful hug before stepping back.

“Just a word of warning, though?” Cara felt compelled to add. “Secrets tend to come out.”

Ella nodded. “I know. I just need Simon to be healthy before I bring this out in the open. The subject of Rex is complicated for everyone.”

Cara studied Mike’s mother, the flush in her cheeks, and wondered just what it was she and Rex Bransom talked about in their private e-mails. And whether those conflicted feelings Ella mentioned extended into the present.

“Mom!? I’m here, and Mike’s right behind me!” Sam’s voice shook Cara out of her musings.

A door slammed shut behind him.

Ella glanced at Cara and mouthed Thank you before pivoting toward the door. “In here!” she called to her son.

Cara braced herself for dealing with Mike, pushing aside the explosive secret she now had to keep from him.