Does that mean she knew her attacker? Shock reverberated in Carolines voice.
Maybe. It could have been someone delivering something or a repair man. But whichever the case, it wasnt random. Shed been targeted. Like Caroline. But was Isabellas death related to the threat against Caroline? This situation kept getting more complicated every minute.
When was shekilled? Carolines voice was barely above a whisper.
October 20, twenty-seven years ago.
Caroline made a strangled sound. I was born September 30.
She leaned into Don as if her legs suddenly couldnt support her. The need to protect rose sharply. Only this wasnt a physical threat, but an emotional one. Don was out of his comfort zone. The best he could do was to remove her from the situation, allow her time to come to terms with the information shed learned of her birth mothers death and try to talk her into leavinghiding somewhere until the police found the person who had tried to kill her. He let go of her hand, took her by the shoulders and steered her toward the door.
She went willingly but as they reached the threshold she stopped abruptly. Hes in danger.
It could be the ravings of a dying man, Don insisted in a low voice.
Caroline wiped at her tears. We have to find out for sure.
No, we should leave now before the storm gets any worse.
Proud and beautiful, she held his gaze, her chin at a defiant angle, her shoulders squared. Gorgeous wouldnt be swayed. Im not leaving until I know whats going on. If someone is hurting him then its up to us to stop it.
Determined. Stubborn. And courageous. A potent mix that could get her killed. Respect for this gutsy lady grew even as he prepared to counter any argument. If a crime is being committed, its up to the police to stop it. Youre not any safer here than he is. Remember, someone tried to kill you. That person could be in this house.
Of course Im safe. I have you.
Her confidence in his abilities sent pleasure curling through his system. He hoped he lived up to her expectations.
Her gaze shifted back toward her grandfather. He needs protection. If what he claims is true, then he must be a victim of the same person who has been attacking me. The plea in her eyes tugged at Don. Please, we have to help him.
Don lifted a hand to capture one last stray tear that fell from her lovely amber eyes. You have such a tender and stubborn heart.
A smile touched her lips and pleasure lit up her eyes. Does that mean well stay? Youll protect both of us?
Did he have a choice? Yes. But he couldnt walk away and leave her here alone. He had a job to do. Hed see it through to the end. We can talk to his doctor and find out whats going on with his health.
Thats a start. She walked back toward her grandfather. How do we contact Dr. Reese?
Ask Horace or Mary, Elijah said, his raspy voice sounding weak.
Don started forward. Mary?
Mary is Horaces wife.
A sharp burst of thunder rattled the window. On its heels followed a loud explosion that shuddered through the house. The sound filled the room, close and intense. What little light the lamp provided winked out throwing the room into blackness. Caroline let out a startled squawk echoed by another female shriek farther away in the house. Somewhere outside, dogs barked.
Acting on training and instinct, Don pulled Caroline to the floor and covered her with his body. For a split second, he was catapulted back in time to Afghanistan. His unit had been pinned down under enemy fire in Kandahar. Screams of dying soldiers surrounded him. The dust of mortar shells demolishing the walls of the building where theyd taken refuge filled his nostrils. He could still feel the grit on his skin, in his eyes. Feel the despair building in his chest. The unspoken prayer on his tongue
Don?
Shaking off the memory with a shudder, he eased off Caroline. You okay?
Yes.
Senses on high alert, Don evaluated the threat level. Whatever had exploded had been outside. No one else had entered the room and there hadnt been any subsequent explosions or gunshots. For the moment they were safe. He got his feet beneath him and helped Caroline up.
Mr. Maddox?
Still here, he said with a wry note in his voice.
What was that? She clutched his arm as they rose to their feet.
Not sure. Quickly orienting himself to the dark, he led her to the window and drew back the curtain. Outside, the answer was clear. A huge oak tree a couple yards from the house had been split in two by lightning. Half of the trees charred remains had landed across the power lines. Sparks danced from the exposed wires torn from their fasteners. The other half of the tree landed in the driveway, effectively blocking the rental car.
Caution traipsed up his spine. What were the chances that lightning would strike that tree causing it to fall in exactly that way? He wanted to inspect the trunk. But that would have to wait until he had Caroline in a secure location.
I guess the option of leaving before the storm gets worse is off the table, Caroline murmured.
We can borrow a car.
She made a scoffing noise. No.
Roger that. Of course she wouldnt give in that easily.
Horace appeared in the doorway carrying a lit candle. The glow pushed the shadows to the corners. Mr. Maddox?
Were okay here, Elijah answered from the bed. The others?
Everyone is accounted for, sir. He moved all the way into the room to offer Don a pewter candleholder with a thick unlit candle in the center. Just until the backup generator kicks in.
Don took the holder, tipping it so the wick could touch the lit one in Horaces hand. Is the power out in the whole house?
Horace nodded. Yes. Phone lines down, too. Mrs. Maddox would like to meet you downstairs. From the research, Don knew that must be Abigail Maddox, the wife of Carolines uncle Samuel.
I dont think we should leave Mr. Maddox, Caroline said.
From the bed, Elijah said, Go on, child. Im tired and need to rest. Mary will be along shortly to keep me company.
Nothing can be done at the moment, Don stated in a low voice.
Well return shortly, Caroline assured her grandfather.
Elijah nodded, but his gaze narrowed to Don. Keep her safe.
Of course, Don replied.
They followed Horace downstairs. When they hit the entryway, quick footsteps coming down the hall heralded the arrival of a stylish woman in her early forties wearing tailored black slacks, a pink cashmere sweater and pearls. Her light blond hair was coiffed in an elegant updo. She carried a lit hurricane lamp that added a bright glow to Dons candle.
The woman came to a stop in front of Caroline. You look just like Isabella, she said in clipped modulated tones, her eyes assessing.
Hearing of her likeness to Isabella from this woman was different than hearing it from Elijah. There was no sentiment in Abigails matter-of-fact tone. Just a statement of fact that left Caroline feeling hollow. Elijah had clearly loved his daughter, but there was no indication of warmth or affection coming from her sister-in-law.
This is Caroline Tully and Im Don Cavanaugh. Her fiancé, Don said after a tense heartbeat. And you are?
This is Caroline Tully and Im Don Cavanaugh. Her fiancé, Don said after a tense heartbeat. And you are?
Abigail Maddox. Gesturing to the teens coming down the stairs, she said, My children, Landon and Lilly. Fraternal twins.
Finding her voice, Caroline said, Nice to meet you.
Children, please go out and retrieveyour cousin and her fiancés travel cases and bring them in, Abigail said.
Carolines stomach clenched. Cousins. Shed always wanted cousins. Neither of her adopted parents had siblings. But surely they shouldnt be sent out into the storm. Lightning had just struck.
The twins eyebrows dipped in tandem.
Thats Horaces job, Mother, Landon whined.
Lilly crossed her arms over her chest. And its almost time for dinner!
The bags can wait, Don said. Its not safe out there right now.
Impatience flashed across Abigails face. Please. Its just a storm. Im sure youd like to freshen up before dinner. Her green eyes narrowed on her children. Do it.
Caroline flinched and exchanged a glance with Don. Aunt Abigail certainly wasnt the warm and fuzzy type.
Landons shoulders slumped. Fine. He turned his dark-eyed gaze to Don. Where are your bags?
Don held out the keys to the rental. The trunk.
Landon took the keys and headed toward the door.
His sister stood rooted in place, her hazel gaze studying Caroline. Why are you here?
Lilly, dont be rude. Your granddad invited them. Shes here to get to know her family.
The girl snorted her disapproval. More like she wants his money.
No, I dont, Caroline blurted quickly. Thats not why Im here at all. She turned her gaze to Abigail. I just want to know where I came from.
Of course, you do, Abigail said, exaggerated understanding lacing her words. Dont pay them any mind.
Landon pulled open the front door. He glared at his sister.
Come on, Lilly. You have to help.
Abruptly, Lilly turned and followed her brother out into the rain.
Abigail let out a long-suffering sigh. I cant wait until they outgrow the surly stage.
Caroline gave a silent sigh of her own. She didnt want to explain her reason for being here any further to her increasingly worrisome relatives.
A middle-age man came out of the adjacent room. I see our guests have arrived, his deep voice boomed.
Yes, darling, Abigail said. Come meet your niece and her young man.
He held out his hand to Don first. Samuel Maddox.
Donovan Cavanaugh. Call me Don.
Good of you to come, Don. Samuel turned his attention to Caroline with a welcoming smile. Im so happy to meet you, Caroline.
As she shook his hand, she couldnt help staring into his amber eyes and feeling like she was looking in a mirror. He had raven-colored hair and an olive complexion, much like her own. A blood relative. Her uncle.
Where are those kids? Abigail gestured toward the front door with a graceful, bejeweled hand. Sam, darling, the children are supposed to be bringing in our guests bags. Im afraid they may have gotten distracted by the split oak.
The front door burst open on her last word and the twins stumbled in tugging the suitcases behind them. The sound of heavy rain pelting the earth filled the entryway until Lilly slammed the door shut. Pervading humidity made the house damp like a mausoleum. The teens shook their heads, like shaggy dogs, spraying water on everything within reach of the flying droplets.
Abigail said nothing to the twins, though her lips pursed in disapproval. Instead, she turned back to Caroline and Don. Come, Ill show you to your rooms.
Don handed Caroline the candle, then he grabbed the cases and followed behind. The second story was decorated much like the downstairsonce-elegant furnishings worn bare and shabby. As they passed the open door of one room, Caroline glanced in. Aided by the glow from the candle she carried, she caught the brief impression of cotton-candy-pink walls and ruffles. Most certainly Lillys domain. Yet the girl didnt seem like the frilly type.
Abigail led them to the end of the hall and stopped before a closed door. Mr. Cavanaugh, youll stay here. Caroline, you will be over here. She moved to the closed door directly across the hall and pushed the door open with a flourish.
Caroline entered to find a beautiful four-poster canopy bed with white linens, a dresser and a vanity and spindle chair. A bench seat stretched beneath the window overlooking the back of the property.
Don set her suitcase on the floor just inside the door. A flash of lightning, lit up the window, making the delicate lace window coverings appear translucent. A second later thunder rumbled. Caroline noticed Dons slight flinch. She was glad theyd made it to the house before the storm had worsened.
As soon as you come back downstairs well serve dinner, Abigail said, clearly unperturbed by the raging weather outside.
Caroline waited until the other woman was out of earshot to whisper to Don, I hate to think that one of these people wants me and my grandfather dead.
Your uncle has the most to gain with you out of the way, Don stated. Hed be the sole heir apparent.
She swallowed back the unease clogging her throat.
Her uncle had greeted her with such warmth. He, like Elijah, had seemed truly glad to see her. Was it all an act? Shed have to use her time here to find the truth. It was the only way she could be safeand the only way to help her grandfather. Elijah Maddox needed someone to believe him. Someone to protect him. And with her private bodyguard/fake fiancés help, she was that someone. And maybe while she searched for answers, shed be able to learn about her mother, as wellsomething shed wanted to do for as long as she could remember.
Despite the apparent danger, she was staying.
Don escorted Caroline to the dining room to find the family already seated at the formal table. Three tall candelabras spaced equal distances apart on the table provided barely adequate light.
Two empty places awaited them. Sensing tension as thick as mortar smoke, Don curbed his desire to whisk Caroline out of the creepy place and instead held out the empty chair next to her uncle at the far end of the table. Landon sat in the chair next to her. Don rounded the table to sit across from Caroline on Samuels left next to Lilly. Abigail sat at the opposite end of the table. Gold-rimmed china gleamed in the candlelight.
Lucky for us, dinner was ready before the power went down, Abigail said.
Horace mentioned there was a back-up generator? Don asked.
Yes, in the cellar, Samuel answered. Its gas powered. I told Horace it could wait until after dinner.
Dining by candlelight is such a treat, Abigail said. Dont you agree, Caroline?
The candles certainly add ambiance, Caroline replied.
An older woman emerged from a swinging door carrying a steaming platter of vegetables, Horace followed with a platter of sliced roast beef.
Asparagus? Ugh, Landon whined as the woman placed the green spears on his plate.
Mind your manners, young man, Samuel said.
Landon shot a venomous glance toward Caroline, as if she were to blame for the vegetables. Perhaps the kids were not required to eat veggies regularly. Still, the animosity coming off the kid grated on Don. He pinned the boy with a stare until Landon noticed and dropped his gaze to his plate.