I know you dont believe this, but I never went out with Tina Mallory. I did not father her child. He took a breath, hoping he sounded calm.
She raised her chin stubbornly. Then how do you explain Tinas words?
I cant. But there has to be an explanation somewhere. Someone in Bedford Creek must remember Tina, must know who she dated that summer. So while were waiting for the DNA results, Ill do a little quiet investigating.
Her hands twisted involuntarily, as if she were pushing his words away. He couldnt blame her. She had what must seem to her to be incontrovertible proof of his guilt. All he could do was continue to protest his innocence.
Bottom line is, Im not going to sign anything that says Im that childs parent. I cant, because its not true. In three or four weeks, youll know that as well as I do. Maybe by then Ill be able to point you in the right direction.
I dont want my private business splashed all over Bedford Creek.
Believe me, its in my interest to keep it quiet even more than it is yours. Ill be discreet. But Im going to start looking at this problem like a cop.
Her eyebrows went up at that. Funny, I thought you always had.
He reminded himself that cops and defense attorneys went together like cats and dogs. Look, Counselor, I am what I am. Her sarcasm had effectively doused that spurt of longing to hold her, which was just as well. He stood, picking up his jacket. Ill be on my way now. I dont suppose well see each other again.
Im afraid youre wrong about that. She stood, too, her gaze locked on his.
He gave an exasperated sigh. Youre assuming that in three or four weeks youll have proof I fathered Emilie. I know youre wrong.
Actually, that isnt what I was thinking. She took an audible breath, as if building up to saying something she knew he wasnt going to like. Emilie and I arent staying here. Were going back to Bedford Creek until the results come in.
What? He could only stare at her. Why? Why on earth would you want to do that?
Youre right about one thingthe answers have to be in Bedford Creek. Thats where Tina became pregnant. Thats where the truth is. I cant just sit here and wonder for the next month. I need to find out, no matter what.
After the results come he began.
She was already shaking her head. Im supposed to have a hearing on the adoption in a little over a month. Before then I have to resolve this, once and for all. And that means Im coming to Bedford Creek.
He lifted an eyebrow skeptically. Dont you mean you want to keep an eye on me?
A faint flush warmed her smooth skin. Lets say I have a high respect for the power of a police uniform. I dont want to see it used against me.
He fought down the urge to defend himself. If a man found it necessary to defend his honor, it must be in question. He took a careful step back.
No point in my telling you not to worry about that, is there?
She shook her head. I wont interfere. You can pretend Im not even there.
Now that I cant do. He smiled grimly at her perplexed look. Youre forgettingpeople in Bedford Creek already know you and Emilie came to see me. Theyre probably speculating right this minute about where we are today. You cant come back and pretend we dont know each other, not in a small town.
Ill say Im there on vacation. You told me Bedford Creek is a tourist town. My presence doesnt have to have anything to do with you.
Obviously she hadnt thought this far ahead. Nobody would believe that. If you come back, well have to keep up the illusion of friendship. And if were both going to be looking into what happened when Tina lived there, wed better figure out a way to cooperate on this, or at least not step on each others toes.
He could see just how unpalatable she found that, and at some level it grated on his pride. He wasnt that hard to take, was he? It wasnt as if he were asking her to pretend a romantic interest in him.
Her eyes met his, and he could read the determination there. I suppose youre right. You know a lot more about your town than I do. But Im still coming. So that means were in this together, for as long as it takes.
Chapter Four
N ow let me help you with that. Kate Cavendish took the bundle of diapers from Annes arms before she could object. Believe me, I remember how much you need to bring when youre traveling with a baby.
I can manage
But Kate was already hustling up the front steps to The Willows, white curls glistening in the late winter sunshine. She propped the door open with an iron doorstop in the shape of a cat, then hurried inside. Anne lifted Emilie from the car seat.
It was silly, she supposed, to be made uncomfortable by so much open friendliness, but she just wasnt used to it. She could only hope Kates enthusiastic welcome wasnt because the woman thought Anne was here to see Mitch.
That was ridiculous. It wasnt as if theyd returned together. Shed taken two days to organize this trip. Surely she could take a brief vacation in Bedford Creek without the whole town jumping to conclusions about why she was here.
Kate was probably just delighted to have paying guests at this time of the year. No matter how many tourists might show up in the summer, early March was clearly a quiet time in Bedford Creek. She glanced up at the mountain ridge that cut off the sky. It was sere and brown, its leafless trees defining its bones. She shivered a little.
Here we go, sweetheart, she said to Emilie. Well just pop you in the crib while Mommy unloads the car, all right?
Emilie wiggled, her arms flailing in the pink snowsuit. After three hours in the car, she was only too ready to practice her new crawling skills. She wouldnt be pleased at the crib, no matter how enticing Anne made it sound.
As they reached the center hall of the Victorian, Kate hurried down the winding staircase. The colors of the stained-glass window on the landing tinged her hair, and a smile lit her bright-blue eyes at the sight of the baby.
Oh, let me take her, please. Id just love to hold her. Kate held out her hands.
Emilie leaned her head against Annes shoulder for a moment, considering, and then smiled, her chubby hands opening toward the woman. Emilie had apparently decided anyone who looked like Mrs. Santa Claus had to be a friend.
You little sweetheart. Kate settled the baby on her hip with the ease of long practice. Were going to be great friends while youre here, I can just tell.
Thank you, Kate. Anne touched Emilies cheek lightly. I appreciate the help. It will just take me a few minutes to unload.
Take your time. Kate carried the baby toward the wide archway into the front parlor. Well get acquainted. Im surprised Mitch isnt here to get you settled. Hes always so helpful to his friends.
Was that a question in Kates voice? Maybe this was her chance to refute any rumors the woman had heard. Or started, for that matter. She moved to the archway.
Mitch and I arent that close. He probably didnt even know when we were arriving.
Oh, Im sure he did. Kate turned from the breakfront cabinet, where she was showing Emilie a collection of china birds. He keeps track of things. And when his old Army friends widow comes to visitwell, you can just be sure hed keep track of that. Kates round cheeks, like two red apples, plumped in a smile. Its so nice that you could keep in touch.
Old Army friendhow did you Leap to that conclusionthat was what she was thinking, but it hardly seemed polite to say so. Shed mentioned that she was a widow when shed checked in the first time. Kate seemed to have embroidered the rest.
Wanda had all sorts of ideas about why you were here. Kate tickled Emilies chin. I told her, Count on it, thatll be why. Mitchs friends from the service have dropped by four or five times since hes been back in Bedford Creek. Thats why Anne and her baby are here, too.
Mitch clearly knew his town a lot better than Anne did. She owed him an apology for thinking he was wrong about the stir her presence would create. As hed said, she needed a reason to be here.
Anne opened her mouth and closed it again. What exactly could she say? Wanda, the dispatcher, had probably floated some much more colorful theories about Annes visit. If Anne denied Kates story, shed just fuel the curiosity. She certainly wasnt going to lie about it, but maybe the safest thing was to say nothing and let them think what they wanted.
Im sure Mitch is busy. She settled on noncommittal. I probably wont see much of him while were here.
Kate swung around again, eyebrows going up in surprise. Not see much of him? Well, of course you will. After all, his house is right across the street.
Right She stopped. Anything she said now, shed probably regret. Instead she headed back to the car for the next load, fuming.
So Mitch lived right across the street, did he? He might have mentioned that little fact about The Willows at some point in their discussion. He hadnt wanted her to come back to Bedford Creek at all; that had been clear. He certainly didnt want her to join in his investigation. But apparently he felt that if she did come, she should be under his eye.
Well, theyd get a few things straight as soon as possible. She was used to doing things on her own, and that wasnt about to change now
It looked as if shed have a chance to tell him so in the immediate future, because his police cruiser was pulling up directly across from The Willows.
Mitch got out. He closed the door, hesitated a moment, and then headed straight for her.
Anne. I see you arrived safely. Any problems?
Not at all. She tried for a cool politeness. It would help, she thought, if she didnt experience that jolt of awareness every time she saw his tall figure. We just got in a few minutes ago.
Ill take that. He reached for the suitcase shed begun to pull from the trunk, but she tightened her grip.
I can handle it.
Im sure you can. His hand closed on the bag, his fingers brushing hers. But why should you?
Because I dont need any help. Mitch Donovan had to be the only person in her life with the ability to make her sound like a petulant child.
They stood staring at each other, the bag trapped between them. Then his lips twitched slightly. Something tells me thats your favorite saying.
Theres nothing wrong with being independent. Shed had to be, even when she was a child, even when shed been married. She didnt know any other way to behave.
You cant do it all yourself, child. Helens voice echoed in her mind. Sometimes you have to let go and let God help.
You can be independent and still let me carry your bag upstairs.
She held on for another moment, then released the handle. With a half smile, he hoisted the bag, then grabbed a second one with his other hand.
Typical cop, she thought, following with an armload of her own. Give him an inch and hed take a mile.
Unloading the car took only a few minutes with Mitch helping. She glanced around the same sitting room theyd had before, amazed as always at the amount of gear required by one small baby. Mitch set the stroller behind a bentwood coat rack.
Looks like thats it.
She nodded. Maybe this was the chance she needed to set some ground rules for this visit. He had to understand that she wasnt going to be a passive bystander to any investigation he planned.
We need to talk. Have you found out anything more about Tinas stay here?
His eyebrows lifted. Its only been a day.
I dont have much time, if youll recall. The hearing is in less than a month, and the results
The sentence came to an abrupt halt when Kate, holding the baby, stuck her head in the door. Getting settled?
Anne managed a nod, her heart thumping. In another instant shed have said something about DNA testing, and Kate would have heard. Shed have to be more careful.
Mitch gestured toward the stroller. Why dont we take Emilie out for a walk? Im sure shes tired of being cooped up in the car.
Now that was exactly what she didnt want: to have the whole town see them together and speculate about them. I dont think so. I need to put things away.