“Yes, tell them we are very grateful and appreciative,” Joseph added.
“We’ll let them know. They’ve been doing this for many years, and there was no way in hell they were going to let someone ruin it for the kids,” Belle said.
“I hope they catch whoever did this. It’s despicable,” Addie replied. The others nodded in agreement.
“Since we have that settled, let’s just go over the mechanics of Saturday night, and then we’ll let you ladies get on with your day,” Evan said, pulling out a folder from his briefcase.
The next hour they reviewed everything connected to the event. Cara’s mind kept wandering back to the arson. In her gut, she knew it was the crazy person who was destroying Christmas decorations in people’s houses. What better way to ruin the holiday than to destroy the toys for the children. It has to be Garret. I saw him at Brighter Lives the week before.
“Are you zoning out on us, Cara?” Joseph asked. A smile tugged at his lips.
“I was. Sorry. I was just thinking about the fire. I can’t help but think that guy, Garret, is involved in it. I know you told me he doesn’t work for Brighter Lives, Lindi, but what was he doing in the building when I saw him?”
“Maybe he’s after you. Have you seen him since?” Evan asked.
Cara shook her head. “No.”
“Or he could’ve been there applying for a job.” Joseph turned to Lindi. “Did you check out the applications?”
“No. I just checked out our employee roster. I can go through the applications if you want me to.”
“It wouldn’t hurt,” Torey added.
Joseph stood up. “I have to meet with the board of directors about what happened last night. I’ll see you all on Saturday.” The other employees of Brighter Lives rose to their feet and said their goodbyes as they followed Joseph out of the house.
Belle and Addie helped Cara clean up before they left, and after they’d gone, Cara went to the computer and plugged in everything she knew about Garret. Nothing came up. Frustrated, she rubbed the back of her neck and picked up a file she’d been working on for a preliminary hearing the following week.
When she heard the patter of running footfalls, she smiled right when Braxton ran into the study. “Mommy!” He rushed up to her and she settled him on her lap.
“Did you have a good day at school?” she asked.
“Ya. We made Christmas stuff. I made something for you and Daddy but you can’t see it until Christmas.”
“How sweet you are.” She kissed his cold cheek. “You’re frozen. Let’s go in the kitchen. I’ll make you some cocoa. Where’s Nana?”
“She’s still taking Isa out of her car seat. I’m big so I’m faster.”
She went into the kitchen and saw her mother and Isa coming in from the mudroom. “Mommy!” Isa toddled over to her and she picked her up, kissing her soft cheeks.
“Hi, Mom. Thanks for picking up the kids. I’m making hot chocolate. Do you want some?”
“I’ll have a cup. It’s so cold outside. Do you have anything sweet?”
“Do I. There’s a ton of sweet rolls and cookies that the ladies brought for the meeting. Help yourself. They’re in the cupboard next to the stove.”
“That’s awful about the toys being burned. What’re you going to do for Saturday?” Her mother took out a tin of Christmas cookies and placed one on a plate and handed it to Braxton.
“Thanks, Nana.” His eyes sparkled and Cara and her mother laughed.
“Hawk and his brothers are taking care of it. They’ll buy all the toys. I’m sure there are several Insurgents and a few old ladies buying out some of the stores in Denver.”
“How can you stand being called an ‘old lady’? I’d die if your father said that to me.” Cathy shook her head and placed another cookie on Braxton’s plate.
Ignoring her mother’s comment, Cara mashed a banana in a bowl and placed Isa on her lap. “Can you watch the cocoa on the stove, Mom? Anyway, I think it’s great that the Insurgents are making sure the needy kids have a great time on Saturday.”
Before her mother could answer, the back door slammed shut and the thud of heavy steps had Braxton sliding out of his chair and rushing toward the mudroom.
Hawk walked in with Braxton in one arm. Cara looked at him and desire curled inside her, making her tingle. Wearing tight blue jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt pulled tight across a thickly muscled chest, he held her gaze, a smile twitching on his full lips. She ran her eyes over his big mound and licked her lips before returning her gaze to his. The recessed lights made his ebony hair shine, and the dangling sword earring he wore gleamed under the lights. He’s so gorgeous. I’ll never tire of looking at him.
“Hey, babe,” he said in a gravelly voice; his eyes smoldering with intensity.
“Hey,” she said softly as Isa grabbed her hand for more fruit.
Her mother standing up broke the lusty haze between them. “I better get going,” she said.
“Hiya, Cathy. Don’t leave on my account.” He went over and kissed Isa then Cara. “I missed you, babe,” he whispered, his hot breath fanning over her face. Setting Braxton down, he walked out of the kitchen.
“Where’re you going, Daddy?” Braxton asked. “We’re having cocoa.”
“I got some work to do, little buddy. Save me some.”
Cathy sat back down. “I guess I can stay for one cup.”
“I wish you’d be nicer to Hawk, Mom. He’s a great father and guy. It isn’t fair that you always act like he has the plague when you see him,” Cara said under her breath, not wanting Braxton to hear.
“He just makes me nervous. I don’t know why, but he does. Anyway, we have absolutely nothing in common.” Cathy came over and poured the hot chocolate in two mugs and Braxton’s plastic cup.
“You have me, Braxton, and Isa in common,” she replied as she reached for Braxton’s cup. “Grab me an ice cube from the small ice tray. It’s too hot for him.”
Her mother placed a small cube inside the mug and sat down. Changing the subject, she talked about her upcoming trip to Europe with two of her friends. They talked until raspberry red and blackberry violet embraced the edge of the clouds as a brilliant white patch slipped behind the mountain peaks. Cathy glanced out the window then at the clock. “It’s later than I thought. I better get home and start dinner.” She stood up.
“Dad’s easy. He’s good with a sandwich and soup. Take some cookies for him. I’ll pack up the sweet rolls. I’m the only one who eats them in the house, and I don’t want to be tempted.” She rose to her feet and Isa smacked her lips, her eyes fluttering open.
“Your father doesn’t need them either.”
“He can bring them to the office tomorrow.” She pulled out the box from the cupboard and handed it to her mom.
She walked her mother into the garage. “Drive safely.” She kissed her on the cheek.