Finding Leigh: Dark Horse Inc. Book 3 Read online

  Making her best effort at a cheeky grin, she asked, “You wouldn’t have anything to do with that, would you? Say like plotting my demise?”

  The sly, sexy smile that took over his mouth just might be the death of her. “Never.”

  She gulped and pretended to be unaffected when she was anything but. Desire bloomed deep, its intensity shaking her.

  His palms slid down the flesh of her arms in a sultry caress. He took her by the hand and led her to the kitchen where a picnic basket waited on the counter. Leaning close, he whispered, “Now, I want you to think about only one thing. What does Leigh Ann MacDonald want?” He took her hands, weaving their fingers together at her sides.

  “Honestly, I don’t even know anymore. I did. Then the world tilted, mixing everything up. Some things just don’t seem as important as they used to.” She didn’t know what to make of their dinner. Rick and Addie told her they wanted to give her a break for the evening. Picnics and a sunset dinner? The setup felt more and more like a date.

  They totally suckered me.

  She should have known better. The two of them had so much in common that it was mind boggling. Why would they setup a date for her?

  Rick had made it plain that he had no interest in anything beyond making sure Addie was in good hands. Then again, the kiss we shared over icing a few nights ago took friendly to an entirely new level.

  Hungry. Sinful. Delicious. So far from platonic they might as well have been from opposite planets. Dinner for two didn’t say, “Put your feet up and rest.”

  Addie walked down the hallway and almost bumped into Cara coming out of the kitchen. She carried a drink in one hand and a bowl of popcorn in the other. When Cara looked up she smiled. “Hey, kiddo. How’s it going?” Addie considered that smile. It was real. She’d always had a knack for knowing if people were telling the truth or not. Faces and expressions weren’t much different.

  Cara was good people.

  Good people. That’s what her grandpa always said when he liked someone. Mark’s good people. The Parkers are good people. Beth, down at the store, is good people. Maybe it made her sound like a country girl. She didn’t care. She still considered it the highest compliment someone could give a person.

  “I’m okay.” She bit back the urge to babble on, revealing how she felt. As much as she liked Cara, she still felt awkward in the pretty soldier’s presence. Addie enjoyed her company, but worried she might say or do the wrong thing. And she didn’t want anything bad to get back to Leigh or Rick. She might be tired of staring at the same walls every day, but at least they were clean and safe. She had more food than she could eat in a month and both Leigh and Rick were so good to her.

  Like real parents.

  Almost too good, except they easily passed the smile test. She still couldn’t believe this new world she lived in could be real.

  “Come on in here, chickie.” Cara tilted her head in the direction of the TV room. “Are we watching comedies or superhero movies?”

  “You can pick. There are too many to choose from.” She followed Cara into the family room and sat on the couch.

  “Okay. Now, before we start the movies, tell me what’s really going on. You’re good with the poker face, but you can’t fool me. What’s up?”

  Oh, shit. Addie looked down at her feet on the shiny wood floor. Cara had the smile radar, too. She knew better than to think she could outsmart it, but she couldn’t do anything to screw up things here with Rick and Leigh.

  “Come on, spit it out before you worry a hole in your bottom lip.”

  Her head snapped up to find Cara looking at her with concern. A long forgotten memory came to life, bringing a rush of happiness. “My grandpa used to tell me that.”

  Cara sat on the couch then sat her phone beside her. Just like Rick’s, it had an app and access to security stuff on it. They never made a big deal about it, but they always had one close. “I think I’d like your grandpa. He sounds like a good guy.”

  “He was...I miss him a lot.” She sat at the other end of the couch and crossed her legs.

  “So, what’s with the gloomy face?”

  Maybe it would be better to tell Cara her worries? “It’s not a big deal. I’m just getting bored. I don’t want Rick to think I don’t like what he’d doing for me. I don’t want to bug them.”

  “I think that’s normal. Rick’s working hard. The whole team is. It won’t be long.”

  “I know.” She wasn’t sure she’d ever seen anyone work so hard in her life.

  Cara turned on the TV with the remote. “You said your grandfather was in the Army?”

  Full of emotion, worries and turmoil Addie nodded.

  Cara got up and walked across the room to the loveseat. She picked up a large white plastic bag. She brought the bag over, then held it out for her to take. “For you.”

  Shock stole her words. What should she say? Do? What if Cara thought she didn’t like it? She reached her hand out then before she came in contact with the bag, she withdrew it. “A present for me? I never get presents. We never had the money or dad was always busy with his...drugs.” What did it matter anymore? Everyone knew what he did.

  “This one didn’t cost me anything, but I thought you might like to have it back. It’s not a gift that most thirteen-year-old girls would like, but I figure you’re special enough to appreciate it.”

  Curiosity stuck its claws in her. Addie took the bag. A little heavy and bulky, its weight shifted awkwardly in the bag. Half eager, half afraid, she opened it and looked inside.

  “What?” She blinked. And blinked again. It was still there, the familiar dark greens and browns, a balm to her aching soul.

  Pulling it out, she looked to the front. “It is. It really is.” The name Potter was embroidered on the front. She rubbed a fingertip over the letters. Her breath left her on a shaky exhale.

  “It’s been laundered, so it’s clean. I thought you’d like to have it back.”

  She dropped the bag to the floor and clutched it to her chest. She thought her grandfather’s old coat was lost to her forever after she’d dropped it in the woods all those weeks ago.

  “I don’t know what to say or do.” Tears welled in her eyes. Closing them, she bent her head and pressed the coat to her face.

  “Just say thank you.”

  “Thank you so much. This is the best present ever.” Addie thought she might have seen a hint of moisture in Cara’s eyes too.

  Then she threw a piece of popcorn at Addie. “Come on, sis. We have a pile of movies to watch. Did you save any cupcakes for us?”

  Sis. She’d heard lots of people say it the same way they said sweetheart or honey to someone they liked. No one had ever called her that.

  Does this mean I have a friend?

  Chapter 16

  “Rick, what’s going on here?” Leigh struggled to hold onto her focus. Trapped by the intensity of his dark eyes, she half-feared she might get pulled into their depths and never return. She took a deep, stuttering breath.

  He released one of her hands to cup her nape. His words were quiet, but if anything, they were all the more powerful for their lack of volume. “Addie and I are waging war. We’ve decided what we want, and we’re not stopping until we get it. We want you.”

  A stiff breeze could have knocked her over. A part of her had wondered, maybe even suspected, that the two of them might be working toward that end, but she hadn’t expected Rick to be so direct. So very blunt.

  But then again, the one thing he wasn’t? A game player.

  Releasing her, he drew her to the patio door and opened it. Torn, needing space, she walked out and away from him.

  We want you. And there was no mistaking his meaning. He said we not I or even she, indicating Addie. Warring emotions burst to life inside her. Yearning. Curiosity. Fear. She didn’t know what to feel, what to focus on.

  She stopped at the edge of the cobblestone patio. She leaned against a stone pillar and crossed her arms over her chest. Res
ting her head against the column, she stared at the perfectly manicured lawn. The view spread out before her, storybook beautiful even in its loneliness. Day darkened, working its way toward night in a dazzling display of color.

  He whispered close. “Be right back.”

  Nodding absently, she focused on an enormous, solitary tree in the center of a fenced pasture. Ancient and timeless, it would have withstood countless seasons and landscape changes as the farm evolved over the decades. It seemed lonely and somehow that only made her feel smaller, sadder.

  Why had Rick changed his mind? What did it mean? After his denial, she’d convinced herself that they, or the relationship that had never been given an honest chance, couldn’t be. The loss had hurt a great deal, so much so that the dull ache beneath her breastbone hadn’t faded.

  Now he’d changed his mind? Just like that?

  She couldn’t deny the prospect held enough temptation to lure a nun to sin, but what if he changed his mind again? The first loss had hurt enough to last a lifetime. She wasn’t ready to sign on for another round of heartache.

  Is Rick really offering what I think he is? The door behind her opened and closed, but lost in the tempest of her thoughts, she focused on the sunset. She couldn’t afford to forget that it wasn’t only her heart on the line. She might not know how they would get there, but she knew she wasn’t giving up until Addie was permanently hers. That meant that any major decisions she made would also impact the girl who she hoped would become her foster daughter. She refused to screw that up.

  He’d talked as if he and Addie had planned this…whatever it was, together.

  Spinning, she found Rick behind her, basket in hand. “You can’t get her hopes up.” Determined that he would see reason and put a stop to this game, she continued. She pointed her finger at him. “She’s been through so much already. It’s not right to draw her into some silly plan that doesn’t have a chance of coming together. I won’t have her hurt.” Guilt stabbed her. She knew the last sentence was harsh, but she had to be strong for Addie.

  Yet she knew that Rick would never in a million years intentionally hurt the girl he’d done so much for. He’d been the one beside her every step of the way when they’d searched for their girl. They’d worried and feared and hoped together.

  They’d shared a lifetime of ups and downs in one season. “I’m sorry. I know you wouldn’t hurt her. I have to keep her in mind for every decision I make. I don’t want her to think she can have something that’s impossible.”

  “Why is it impossible?”

  “You and I? Together?”

  He didn’t respond, just waited.

  Throwing her hands up, she released all her pent-up frustration. “Do I have to remind you that you shut me down? I heard you tell Trent that you thought I was the most beautiful woman you’d ever seen. You said I reminded you of an angel. Don’t deny it. Those words burned themselves into my memory. I decided right then and there that I was declaring war on you.” Poking his chest, she continued. “I would keep at you, battering at your hardhead until it broke.”

  He placed a single finger over her lips, cutting off her tirade. “You did break me.” The solemn sincerity in his words maddened her.

  She said his name against his finger. “Rick. You broke your promise.”

  Again, he took her hand in his and led her toward the nearest barn. “You’re right. I did. Let’s take this somewhere private. Addie means well tonight, but I don’t want her eavesdropping and getting her hopes dashed before I’ve even begun.”

  Begun? He hasn’t even started? Oh hell. She didn’t have the kind of fortitude needed to withstand a Rick Evans assault. She wasn’t sure Fort Knox did. This isn’t the way this is supposed to go!

  They walked hand in hand through the silent dusk. Reeling, she let him lead as she hoped with everything she had that she could survive the evening. Half of her wanted to run as fast and as far as she could go.

  Her other half was desperate to explore the dangerous territory of their prior conversation.

  I can’t run away. I promised to be there for Addie.

  Either one of them was a force to be reckoned with, but when they teamed up? She was well and truly screwed. Why hadn’t she left him alone, letting him rot in his sulky funk? Shouldn’t she have?

  Possibly, but she never would have been able to live with herself.

  Somehow, despite her inner riot of emotions, the walk over a corner of his property to one of the barns settled her nerves. The storybook scenery made her feel for a few moments that dreams could come true.

  He stopped just outside the barn and facing her, took her free hand in his. He wove their fingers together. “I owe you an enormous apology. I was a complete bastard when I left you behind that morning. I knew it would hurt you.”

  “It did, very much so.”

  “I told myself that it was for your protection, but that was a lie. I used it to drive an even bigger wedge between us. It was a chicken shit thing to do. I’m sorry.”

  “Rick, I—”

  “I don’t expect you to accept my apology that quickly, if at all. It’s not something a few nice words can easily mend. I just wanted you to know that I regret hurting you. Come on. Let’s eat.”

  They walked inside and she stopped. Beneath the lofty ceiling sat the smaller farm table she’d ordered for his breakfast nook. In its center sat five mismatched candles.

  Without a word, he seated her in one of the two empty chairs. He opened the basket and pulled out an assortment of random food. Grapes, berries, cheese, crackers, wrapped sandwiches, fruit snacks and beef jerky.

  She burst into laughter. “I’m guessing Addie helped pack dinner.”

  Trying unsuccessfully to hide a grin, he pretended to be offended at her assumption. “What makes you say that? Maybe I planned this entire menu myself?”

  “So fruit snacks and dehydrated meat with enough salt to kill an elephant are a part of your grand plan? Your seduction skills know no bounds.” Damn, the laughter felt wonderful. She let herself fall into the happiness for a moment. Joy had been too far scarce over the past few months. From Kate’s drama, to her brother’s and hers. They’d all been put through the wringer.

  He handed her a linen napkin and filled her wine glass. “She said you loved them. I believed her…a little bit.”

  “Well, that’s not exactly what I said, but we’ll go with it. I’m honored she shared some of her precious snacks with me.”

  “You should be. She also packed dessert.” He removed a storage container. Pulling off the lid, he revealed four sloppily decorated cupcakes. Two of them had been under filled with batter and were too short. Another had cake bulging out and down over the sides of the wrapper. One was just right. Chocolate icing was smeared everywhere.

  She blinked. “Did she make the frosting herself?”

  He set two cupcakes on a paper napkin beside her plate. Then he lit the candles and sat down. “She said she used your recipe.”

  She blinked again, feeling silly that something as simple as homemade cupcakes and the knowledge that Addie had tried to use the things she’d taught her threatened to make her weepy.

  A little lost and off-balance, she took a piece of fruit and savored the sweetness. When Rick burst into choked laughter, she paused. Damn, he’s got a great laugh. Is there anything he can’t do? “What’s so funny?”

  He set a stack of napkins on the table between them. Then he pulled one off the top and handed it to her. On it someone had drawn a man with enormous, adorable, cartoon, puppy dog eyes. The man in the drawing held a scraggly bouquet of flowers, offering them to a princess sitting on a toadstool. The princess had long flowing hair, wore jeans and tall pointed cap with a long ribbon waving in the invisible breeze.

  Unable to help herself, she joined him in his laughter. “Oh, boy. Where did she get this idea?”

  When Rick appeared uncertain, she paused. She’d never seen him so…speechless. “What is it?”

 
He appeared to give up some sort of internal battle before replying. “She told me that’s the face I make when you’re not looking. She told me I get googly-puppy-eyed when you’re near.”

  “Oh. Rick…” What could she say to that?

  He nodded to their meal. “Eat. Enjoy our gourmet feast.”

  Then she enjoyed their dinner. Rick gave her a break from heavy conversation, treating her to an odd, but somehow comforting meal. She hadn’t realized what a toll the tediousness of past few weeks had taken.

  By the time full darkness arrived outside and the candles shrunk to half their former size, they’d finished eating and discussing their hopes for Addie. There were so many issues to tackle. Legal issues. School. Socialization with kids her own age. Art lessons.

  Whether it was the wine, the setting, or the company, her desire to run away faded. But no matter how relaxed she’d become or how hard she tried, the questions refused to hide. They demanded attention and answers.

  It wasn’t like her to avoid challenges simply because they might be difficult. Or at least, it didn’t used to be like her. She’d learned the hard way that it was better to tackle any obstacle head-on and knock it out of her path—that way, she could move onto the next. Then she wouldn't have to waste time or headspace worrying about whatever current dilemma plagued her.

  This? Rick’s about face? Either way, it came with an equal chance that it might devastate her. Without him, she knew that she might never be whole. She could be a good mother to Addie, no matter what. But she might never be truly happy. She didn’t want to spend the rest of her life a hollow shell.

  What if she accepted Rick’s change of heart and gave in? It could very well shatter her if things didn’t work out. Which would be worse? Living her life in a drab, cold world devoid of love or experiencing it briefly and losing it? Which would be the better example to set for Addie? What did she want for Addie? Or her niece, Kylie? What would she tell Kate to do?

  She’d want them to reach for the stars. Never rest until their hearts burst from happiness. Never ever settle for less than what they deserved. She knew what she had to do. The knowledge settled her jitters. By no means were they gone, but she was better for having made her choice.