In the Enemy's Sights Page 14

  He led her out to the waiting room, his heart twisting with her vulnerability. She seemed so alone. The perpetrator had taken away her main source of protection, for the time being, at least.

  One thing was sure—she couldn’t go back to that house alone.

  “Look, Juli, how about coming home with me? Mom would be delighted to put you up.”

  She shook her head. “I’ll be all right.”

  “You shouldn’t be alone.”

  “She won’t be.”

  He hadn’t heard the door open, but he looked up to see Juli’s grandfather filling the opening. With a little cry, Juli launched herself at him, and he enfolded her in his arms.

  “It’s all right, little one.” He stroked her back, his face filled with love and tenderness. “It’s all right.” He glanced at Ken. “Thanks for the offer, but Juli will come home to us.”

  Ken nodded, trying to ignore an irrational sense of disappointment. Juli’s grandparents were her family. Naturally she’d want to be with them now.

  But he couldn’t help wishing he was the one she turned to for comfort.

  Juli drove down the narrow dirt lane to the Double V ranch outside Cripple Creek, wishing she’d been able to find some reasonable excuse why she couldn’t come to Michael and Layla’s engagement party. She hadn’t been able to, not without running the risk of hurting Holly, so here she was, headed toward a social engagement that made her palms wet.

  It almost seemed that Holly had been more shaken by the arson attempt and Angel’s injury than Juli had. She’d called three times a day since then, checking on Juli, and had been openly relieved that both Juli and Angel were staying with Julie’s grandparents for a few days.

  At least she’d been able to evade Holly’s repeated suggestions that Ken drive her to the party. She’d insisted on driving herself, saying that she didn’t want to leave Angel for long and she wouldn’t make anyone else leave early for her sake.

  That wasn’t the real reason, and she knew it. The truth was that she’d made herself far too vulnerable to Ken, just as she had back in high school. The fact that they knew and understood each other better now didn’t really make a difference.

  They were still separated by every conceivable barrier—class, race, upbringing, personal history, dreams for the future. She couldn’t betray her love for Ken when she was still struggling through an emotional crisis, any more than it would be fair for him to begin a relationship when he was fighting his own battle for his future.

  The barns loomed on her left, and then she saw the ranch house, its lights glowing their warm welcome. What seemed like dozens of cars lined the sides of the lane, and Juli felt her breathing grow a bit shallower.

  Montgomerys and Vances, who knew how many of them, crowded the small house. If she’d thought she’d gotten over the insecurity of her high school years, she’d been wrong.

  Okay, she could do this. She pulled to a parking space at the end of the row. That would allow her to make a quick getaway. She’d go in, chat for a few minutes, make her excuses and leave.

  She picked up the gift she’d brought—a handmade pottery piece created by a friend of her grandmother’s—slid out of the car and started for the front porch, heart thumping louder with each step.

  The front door stood open, with the sound of country music almost drowned out by the flood of voices. Gripping the package a little tighter, she stepped inside and felt instantly swallowed up by the crowd.

  She spotted Quinn, and a moment later he arrived at her side, giving her a quick hug.

  “Holly said you were coming, but I said I wouldn’t believe it until I saw you myself. How are you doing?”

  “I’m fine, really.” She probably should have gone back to work before this, but she hadn’t been able to bring herself to leave Angel. “I’ll be back at work on Monday, I promise.”

  He gave her a searching look. “Not unless it’s really what you want. I can’t help but feel responsible, and your well-being, and Angel’s, is more important than keeping the records straight.”

  Tears stung her eyes, and she blinked them away. Her emotions had been way too close to the surface lately. “Nobody needs to feel responsible except for the guilty person. Are there any leads yet?”

  He shrugged. “If so, Sam hasn’t been willing to share them. And I’ve been too busy at the site to hound him about it. We’re really coming down to the wire.”

  Now she was the one to feel guilty. Quinn had been good to her. The fate of his company was hanging in the balance, and she’d been staying home and letting her grandmother pamper her instead of doing what she could.

  “How is it going? Will you make the deadline?”

  “If nothing else happens.” He grinned. “There might still be some wet paint and unfinished offices when they hold the ribbon-cutting, but I don’t suppose anyone will sue us over that.”

  “I will be back at work on Monday,” she said firmly. “And if there’s anything extra you need, just ask.”

  “Thanks, Julianna.” He glanced at the package she clutched. “There’s a table against the wall for gifts, if you want to put that down. I’d show you, but I’m supposed to be getting a plate from the buffet for my mother.”

  “Go.” She shooed him away. “I’m fine.”

  But once he’d disappeared, she felt adrift in a sea of people she didn’t really know. People smiled and nodded, but for the most part they didn’t know her any better than she knew them.

  She reached the gift table and slid her package to an inconspicuous spot. Maybe she could just slip away. After all, she’d made an appearance, hadn’t she? She turned away from the table and nearly walked right into Ken.

  Her breath caught, and she could only hope he didn’t realize that. He smiled, his face warming with what seemed to be pleasure at the sight of her.

  “Juli. You came.”

  Why did everyone seem surprised? “I said I would.”

  His fingers closed over her wrist, sending a flood of warmth running straight to her heart. “You wouldn’t let me bring you. I thought maybe you were going to back out on us at the last minute.”

  It was hard to keep her voice even when her heart was beating a wild drum rhythm. “I just can’t stay long, that’s all. Angel gets restless when I’m not there.”

  “You can’t leave until you’ve talked to Michael and Layla.” He pulled her arm firmly through his, tucking it closely against his side. “Come on. I’ll take you over.”

  She had no choice but to keep step with him. In fact, she probably couldn’t have pulled away if she’d wanted to. Enjoy the moment, she told herself. It will end soon.

  Michael and Layla stood in front of the huge stone fireplace, fielding congratulations and kidding from their friends and relatives.

  “That’s Colleen Montgomery, Quinn’s cousin, talking to them,” Ken murmured in her ear.

  “I know. I met her when she did a story on the search-and-rescue team for the newspaper. She’s a good reporter, from what I hear.”

  Ken grinned. “She rushes in where angels fear to tread, as the saying goes. Sam’s taken to avoiding her every chance he gets, for fear she’ll start bugging him about the investigation.”

  “Who’s the man next to her?” A tall, dark-haired man had put his hand lightly on Colleen’s shoulder.

  “Alessandro Donato.” Ken’s voice was carefully non-committal, as if he didn’t want to show a bias for or against the man. “He’s my aunt Lidia’s nephew, but I don’t know him very well.” He shook his head, dismissing his cousin-by-marriage. “Mike and Layla look happy, don’t they?”

  “Definitely.”

  Michael’s normally taciturn face was suffused with love when he looked at his fiancée, and as for Layla—well, if anyone had been more in love, Juli hadn’t seen it. The glow that surrounded them seemed strong enough to heat the whole house.

  Colleen and Alessandro moved away, and Michael and Layla spotted them.

  “Julianna!” Layla
enveloped her in a flutter of turquoise silk, her hug warm. “We’re so happy you’re here.”

  Michael took her hand in his as soon as Layla released her. “After all, we wouldn’t be here to have this party if it weren’t for you and Angel. How’s she doing?”

  She felt warmth in her cheeks at his praise. “She’s doing much better, thanks.”

  Layla clutched her arm. “I have a homeopathic remedy that will do wonders for her. I’ll get it to you.”

  “Thanks so much. That’s kind of you.” She wasn’t quite sure what Dr. Stewart would think of that, but surely it couldn’t hurt. And people did say that Layla’s unconventional methods worked wonders.

  Someone else came up to greet the happy couple just then, and Juli was happy to step back into the crowd. Ken bent his head to hers.

  “That’s Layla’s parents over by the buffet. You should introduce yourself.”

  She probably could have picked the couple out without any help. With their flowing clothes and long, graying hair, they looked transported from the sixties.

  “I really can’t stay long,” she repeated.

  Ken squeezed her arm. “I have a few best man chores to take care of. Get something to eat, and I’ll catch up with you before you go.”

  He slipped away, and she followed the progress of his tall figure through the crowd. Best man—she hadn’t thought of that, but of course he’d be his brother’s best man.

  She spotted Holly and began to work her way through the crowd to her. She’d say hello to Holly, so her friend would know she’d kept her word. And then she’d slip out the nearest door.

  As she approached, Jake seemed to notice her. He put his arm around Holly protectively, turning her slightly away, as if to protect Holly from her.

  She stopped, stunned for a moment. Well, that reaction was natural enough, if she thought about it rationally. Jake probably didn’t even realize he’d done it. He was simply acting out of his instinctive need to protect his wife and baby.

  Holly hadn’t noticed her, and a couple Juli didn’t know came up to claim Holly’s attention. Juli stood still, letting the crowd swirl around her. Holly was where she belonged, surrounded by people who loved her. Maybe it was time she did that, too—went home to people who loved her. She’d make her apologies to Ken at work.

  She went quickly to the door and hurried out. She paused on the porch, taking a deep breath of cool air and letting her eyes adjust to the dark. Footsteps sounded behind her, and before she could move, Ken was beside her.

  “Hey, no fair. You weren’t leaving without saying goodbye, were you?”

  “I really need to get home.” That didn’t sound convincing, even to her.

  A burst of laughter came from the open doorway, and Ken glanced back toward the party with a frown. “I’ll walk you out to your car.”

  She was too aware of his tall figure next to her as they moved out of the circle of yellow light from the porch. Stubbly grass brushed against her ankles. Away from the city lights, the sky was incredibly black, the stars even more incredibly bright.

  Ken slowed, tilting his head back. “Almost looks as if you could touch them, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes.” She felt the tension ease out of her in the stillness. “I’m sorry about running out. I really was concerned about Angel, but frankly, I’m not too good with crowds.”

  “They are rather overwhelming, aren’t they?” He nodded, as if in sympathy. “The whole bunch has known each other for years. They forget that everyone else doesn’t know them as well. So tell me, how does Angel like staying at your grandparents?”

  “She’s being thoroughly spoiled, I’m afraid.”

  “She deserves it. She may have saved your life.” He turned to face her. “If anything had happened to you—”

  He stopped, as if they were words he didn’t want to say.

  “It didn’t.” She tried to say it lightly. “We’re all fine.”

  “But you could have been hurt, maybe killed.” His voice had softened to a baritone rumble that seemed to reach into her soul. “Juli, I—”

  He shook his head, lifted his hand, and caressed her cheek.

  The world stopped. She was still breathing, wasn’t she? Maybe not—at least, not when he lowered his head and found her lips.

  It was like lightning, the current that swept between them. But this lightning didn’t frighten her. Instead, it warmed her thoroughly. She felt his arms go around her, protecting, cherishing.

  She loved him. She had to tell him, had to say—

  He pulled away suddenly, and her lips were cold where his had been.

  “I’m sorry.” He took a step back. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

  She fought for control. Fought to smile, to say something that would treat it lightly.

  She couldn’t. She could only stare at his face, shadowed in the moonlight.

  He’d broken her heart once before. She should be used to it. She should be immune. But she wasn’t.

  She finally managed a smile. “Good night, Ken.” She turned and fled to the car.

  TWELVE

  Ken leaned forward in his chair, rubbing the back of his neck where tension had gathered. He’d been closeted with Quinn and Sam in Quinn’s office for nearly an hour, and it seemed they were getting nowhere.

  For the past few days he’d been occupied full time in trying to help with Sam’s investigation. At least, he called it helping. He wasn’t sure Sam saw it that way.

  “The bottom line is that I’m sure in my own mind that Theo Crale is the man we’re looking for in the attack at Julianna’s house,” Sam said, leaning forward in his chair, his face drawn with frustration. “Unfortunately the lab boys haven’t been able to come up with any hard evidence linking him to the crime.”

  Quinn was frowning. “Where does he claim he was at the time?”

  “He says he was with his boys. Naturally they back him up, for all that’s worth.”

  “So we do nothing, and he’s free to try again?” Quinn’s frustration showed in his voice.

  “I tried to put a scare into him.” Sam shrugged. “But he’s such a hard case he doesn’t scare easily. Look, I’m not giving up on this, but I have to be honest with you on where it stands.”

  Quinn moved restlessly in his chair. “I’ve lived through the results of arson. I don’t like the feeling we’re doing nothing.”

  “Believe me, I’d love to tie the arson attempt at Juli’s with the fire here, but I can’t. If we could—”

  “Never mind what you can’t do.” The tension was building into a pounding in Ken’s head, and his voice was so harsh the other two looked at him in surprise. “How are we going to protect Juli?”

  “I’ve got someone watching the house at night,” Quinn reminded him. “And as long as she’s staying with her grandparents, I think she’s safe.”

  An image of Juli’s grandfather flickered through his mind. Maybe Harvey wasn’t as young as he used to be, but Ken suspected he could hold his own against any young punk.

  “Maybe so, but she won’t stay there long. She’s too independent for that. As soon as she feels Angel is okay, she’ll be back in her own house. Then what?”

  He glanced toward the door to the outer office, wondering if she’d come in yet. They’d hoped to get through this early morning meeting before Juli arrived, to wonder and worry about the nebulous results of the investigation.

  “We can’t stop her from going home.” Sam rose, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair. “When she goes back, I’ll make sure there are increased patrols down her street. That’s about all I can do, other than trying to catch the perp.” He gripped Ken’s shoulder briefly. “I’m trying, Ken.”

  “I know.” He hated to put Sam on the spot, but fear for Juli’s safety rode him relentlessly. “Thanks, Sam.”

  Sam nodded. “Take care. I’ll be in touch.” He went out.

  Quinn studied him for a moment. “You’re worried about Julianna.”

&
nbsp; “Of course I am. Aren’t you?”

  “Sure. But I don’t think I’m taking it quite so personally.”

  Personally? Quinn had a point. But then, Quinn didn’t know about that kiss. And he wouldn’t.

  Ken stood, restless, needing to move.

  “We’re friends. I care what happens to her.” He’d like to believe Quinn would accept that and let the subject drop, but suspected he wouldn’t.

  Quinn nodded slowly. “I can see that. I just—well, I don’t want Julianna to get hurt. In any way.”

  Ken stiffened. “There’s nothing between us, if that’s what you mean.”

  “Why not?” Quinn shrugged. “I mean, a blind man could see that you’re attracted to each other. So, why not?”

  “Attraction doesn’t mean you’re right for each other. Now…well, now the timing isn’t right for me to get involved with anyone.” He frowned. “What is this, advice to the lovelorn? I don’t mess with your love life.”

  Quinn grinned. “Only because I don’t have one.” He raised his hands. “All right, I’ll butt out. You’re a big boy now. You ought to know what you’re doing.”

  He ought to. He turned away from Quinn, heading for the door. He surely ought to.

  He’d been crazy to kiss Juli, crazy to let himself be drawn to her. He couldn’t deny the attraction he felt for her. Or the admiration.

  But he was floundering—at odds with God for the blow life had dealt him. He wouldn’t risk hurting Juli by acting out of his own needs instead of what was right for both of them.

  He swung the door open to the outer office. If he’d timed it right, he’d be off to the hospital site before Juli arrived, and that was probably best for both of them, even if it did leave him feeling like there was a huge emptiness where she should be.

  He crossed the office quickly, grabbed the handle to the outer door and opened it just as Juli reached for it. She took a step, her eyes darkening at the sight of him.

  “Hi.” It cost him to keep his voice even and his smile neutral when all he really wanted to do was put his arms around her. “How’s everything? Is Angel doing okay?”