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Still shaken from yesterday and what happened with Betsy, Vanessa was headed down the hall to her office after a meeting with her communications director, Carolyn Reese. They’d crafted a public statement to put out tonight, and Carolyn would be handling the herculean task of dealing with the press. Earlier, Vanessa had informed her whole staff about Betsy’s betrayal and everyone was stunned. Betsy’s actions had brought chaos to her administration.

The elevator pinged when Vanessa was about five feet away from it. Oh, Lord, she recognized the man who got off. “Dad?”

Her father turned. His face was lined with fatigue, his shoulders slumped and his eyes bleak. “Vanessa.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I’d like to talk to you, but I was afraid you’d refuse my call.”

She touched his arm. “Never. Come with me.”

They entered the reception area and went into her office. “Sit down, Dad. Want coffee?”

“Yes.”

She was even more concerned about his condition when his hands trembled as he took the cup from her. She sat in the chair next to him.

“Are you all right?”

“No. I haven’t been all right for years.”

Vanessa steeled herself. Was he here to berate her about her affair with Craig again? Complain about her mother moving out? “What do you mean?”

“It’s been hard since your mother rented the apartment. Harder because I didn’t move with her.” He searched her face. “I want to tell you why.”

“Okay.”

He grasped her hand. His was cold and thin. “I’ve been unfair to you. I blamed you for everything five years ago, when in truth, I caused the whole family more hurt than you did.”

“Oh, Dad, that’s in the past. I’d like to move forward as a family.”

“I’d like that, too. But I have a confession to make before any of us can do that.”

She nodded.

“When we found out about your affair with Craig, I went to talk to Doug Pierson about it.” Craig’s father and Linc’s grandfather. “He was furious.”

“At me and Craig?”

“No, at me. You see, Doug knew something about me. I, um, I...” His voice cracked.

“Go ahead. You can tell me.”

“I had an affair before you were born. It was so similar to yours and Craig’s. I worked with her. Your mother and I were fighting over my job, and it...happened.”

Vanessa was wide-eyed.

“Doug was my best friend even then, and found out what I was doing. He read me the riot act, and I ended the relationship. I confessed to your mother, and we separated for a while.” He looked away. “It was a terrible time in my life. Thank God, she took me back. Then we had you and things evened out.”

“So, what does that have to do with me and Craig besides bringing up painful memories?”

“Well, first of all, I figured like father, like daughter. That maybe you inherited a gene from me. Your mother said that was stupid. But Doug didn’t think so. He was so upset about his son’s sin—Doug’s word—that he raged that I’d raised an adulterer like myself.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Not to him. And eventually not to me. He told me to get out of his life and never come back.” Her father’s eyes were watery when he looked up. “So I was responsible for Doug and Marion being cut out of our lives so abruptly.” He swallowed hard. “Worse yet, I alienated you. It was easier to blame the whole thing on you. And that was unconscionable.”

“Oh, Dad, you lost me and your best friends.”

“I did. I’m so sorry for everything.”

“You must have missed Doug terribly.”

He nodded. “That’s why I haven’t made any close friends since then. I play canasta with acquaintances, but haven’t let anybody in.”

A light went on. “And so you didn’t want to move into Dutch Towers because you were afraid you’d get too close to the community there.”

“Exactly.”

“Have you changed your mind?”

“Of course. But I had to ask for your forgiveness first, or nothing would be right again.”

Putting down her coffee and setting his on the desk, she clasped both his hands. “You have it Dad. I’ve missed you.”

“Thank you, even though I don’t deserve gracious acceptance.” He stood, and Vanessa rose, too. Strong arms encircled her. He still smelled the same—like that Old Spice he always wore. And his shoulders, that she once relied on, were still broad and safe. A few tears coursed down Vanessa cheeks. She’d missed this!

When they drew back, he said, “Now I’m going to go see your mother.”

After wiping her eyes, she asked, “Do you want me to come?”

“No. We need to deal with this on our own. But I hope we can all have dinner soon.”

“I’ll cook. And invite Holly.”

He took in a breath. “Holly doesn’t know about the affair.”

“I won’t tell her. There’s no reason for her to know.”

When her father left, Vanessa sank back against the desk. Another bombshell had dropped in her life. What a burden her father had carried for years. After some time, she picked up the phone to call Chase and share this with him. She took pleasure in having someone to tell her troubles to.

A knock came on Holly’s open door. Greg. “Some teachers are going to Tut’s after school for a drink. Later, we can go out to dinner to celebrate the end of the year.”

Holly was never so grateful to see school come to a close. She was sad and depressed, and felt like she’d lost control of her personal life. But one thing was certain in her mind. “Why don’t you pull up the big chair?”

When he was seated, he gave her a quizzical look.

“Thanks for the invite. But no.”

“We could go somewhere and talk.” He leaned over and ran his knuckles down her cheek. “I miss you. And you seemed sad this week.”

“I know.” She rose from her chair and closed the door, returned to her seat and grasped his hand. “I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to decide what to do.”

His brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

“Greg, I can’t date you anymore.”

“What?”

Was he seriously this surprised? “I should have told you Saturday night.”

“That doesn’t matter, Holly. What does is why you’re doing this?”

“Because there’s someone else.”

“Another guy?”

She nodded.

His eyes narrowed and he folded his arms across his chest. “It’s the firefighter, isn’t it?” He hit his forehead with his palm. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised after your reaction to the Oak Street fire.”

“It’s him. Again, I’m sorry.”

“Holly, how long ago did you meet him?”

“In April.”

“You’ve been seeing him for two months?”

She shook her head. “He asked to date me after a few weeks, but I said no.”

“What changed?”

“A lot. But I don’t want to go into the sad story.”

“Sad?”

“Yes, I’m not seeing him anymore.”

“Jeez. Then why are you breaking up with me?”

Because I’m in love with him. The admission shocked her. But she said, “I still have feelings for him. It wouldn’t be fair to you. Or me, Greg. Again, I’m sorry, but it’s over between us.”

He stood and jammed his hands into his pockets. “I see. I think this is a mistake, but I’ve got some pride. Goodbye, Holly.” He strode to the door and walked out of her life.

Holly put her head in her hands.

“You look better every time I see you, big brother.” Melinda sat in a chair next to his bed and studied him carefully. Chase smiled at her. It had been five days since he was shot. “I think I’m improving faster now that I’m home.” He tugged at the light sweat suit she’d brought to the hospital. “And at least I’m in regular clothes, despite the sling.”

“Don’t do anything here that’d pull out your stitches.”

“I won’t.”

She’d been strong, but he knew her so well, he could tell how much this whole incident upset her.

“You know,” she went on. “I don’t have to take the girls to Six Flags like we planned.” Before Nancy took Kassie and what happened because of that, Melinda and he had planned a long weekend with the girls at the amusement park in Pennsylvania.

“Nonsense. I’m sorry I can’t be with you, and I asked them if they wanted to postpone the trip, but I could tell that they wanted to go. I think they need some distraction from everything that went down.”

Melinda shivered. “When I think what could have happened, to Kassie and to you, I can hardly breathe.”

Reaching out, he took her hand. “Honey, if you need a break from us, that’s okay too. You watched the girls here all week, brought them to the hospital. Maybe we should cancel this weekend and plan another vacation as soon as I get better.”

“Truthfully, I’m looking forward to getting away, too.”

“Have I told you lately how much I appreciate all you do for us?”

“Yeah, you have.”

The girls came in to kiss him goodbye and when they all filed out of the room and he heard the front door close, Chase felt immediate relief. Keeping up a front for everybody when they visited him at the hospital was an effort. Except for Vanessa. She knew how hard this had been for him.

He hoped he did the same for her last night when she told him about her father’s apology. Combined with Betsy’s betrayal and the invitation from the RNC to run for state senator, a lot had happened to them!

Picking up his phone, he texted her. The coast is clear.

He slid out of bed, pushed his feet into sandals and went out to the kitchen. He made coffee, and sat at the table to wait for her.

In fifteen minutes, he heard the garage door close. He’d left it open and told her to park in there for privacy. She walked into the kitchen. She looked exhausted, but so beautiful, his heart clutched in his chest.

“Oh, man, you’re up and walking.”

“I am.” He stood. “Now come over here and kiss me.”

Easing into his arms, she held him gently, buried her face in his uninjured shoulder and sighed. The feel of her against him, the scent of her perfume, was a balm to his battered body.

Chase felt settled again. Given how this woman had once been the bane of his existence, he didn’t miss the irony. “I wish like hell I could take you to bed, woman.”

He felt the chuckle rumble out of her chest. “There’ll be plenty of time for that.”

“Any more news?”

“Yeah, a bit.”

“Let’s take coffee into the family room.”

When they were seated, she said, “Lou Barone called again today. After all the news about Betsy, I thought he’d changed his mind about the senate race. But he hadn’t.”

“Did you tell him about us?”

“No. I want to talk to him in person about how to handle that. He’s coming to Rockford Monday night and staying for a few days to help me get things up and running.”

“When will you resign from the mayor’s office?”

“After he and I meet.”

“This will be a shock to the city.”

“Maybe not. Maybe it’s better to begin all over again with a fresh slate of people. The governor will have to appoint someone. I told Jeannine I’m leaving, and I asked if she wanted me to recommend her for the job.”

“That’s right. She came in second with the number of votes.”

“And she stayed on the city council, so she’s got some experience.”

“Well, now we just have to get you elected.” He kissed her hand. “Who’s the Democrat running for the seat?”

“A young male teacher.”

“You’ll beat him, right?”

“You never know. He’s a popular guy around town. But Chase, even if I don’t win, I’ll do something else.” She cocked her head. “I’m choosing you over my job in any case.”

“You’re amazing.”

She inched closer. “So...is the front door locked?”

“Yep. And you locked the back door?”

“Yep, and the blinds are closed in here.”

“We’re cocooned, then,” she said kissing his jaw.

He laughed. “Madam Mayor, what are you up to?”

She moved her hand to his groin and he sprang to attention. “I think it’s a matter of what you’re up to, Chief.”

Exhausted, Joe drove into his driveway on Saturday morning. They’d had calls until five, and he’d stayed up to wait for their replacements at six. He’d driven home awake from drinking coffee, but he’d sleep anyway.

Heading into the garage, he heard a screech of tires. A loud bump and a howl sounded almost simultaneously. He whipped around and saw a black truck speeding down the road, its motor gunning.

An animal lay in the street.

Joe ran out to the road and found a dog lying on its side, moaning. A slam of a door. Then Holly appeared next to him. “What happened? I heard the terrible noise.”

“Hit and run.”

Putting his ear on the scruffy rust-colored fur, he said, “He’s still breathing.” The dog moved. Whimpered. Opened big brown eyes.

“His leg is at an odd angle. But there’s no open wound.” Gently, Joe felt his hind leg. The dog groaned loudly. “It might be sprained, but my guess is a fracture. The area is already swollen from where the car must have hit him.”

“I’ll get my phone and see if an animal hospital is open at this hour. What do you need for him now?”

“If you have stiff cardboard, cut it up in strips the length of his leg. If not, bring magazines, gauze and tape. I can splint the leg.”

When she rushed inside, he swore vilely. Who would leave an animal like this? And not only was the dog wounded, the poor thing looked malnourished and hadn’t had a bath or grooming in a long time.

Holly returned with the supplies. She was still in her pajamas, he noticed, but she’d thrown on a robe and sandals. She handed him tape and gauze. “Here. I had boxes in the garage.” She took a box cutter out of her pocket and cut the cardboard into strips.

Because the dog was dazed, it was easy to apply the splint. Joe worked quickly as Holly found a hospital on her phone. “There’s one about ten minutes from here.”

He glanced over his shoulder. “Get your car. The back seats go down and we can slide him in.”

“Will we carry him to it?”

“No I have a tarp in my garage. We’ll create a stretcher of sorts.”

Holly backed out the small SUV and snapped down the seats while he worked on the dog. She’d retrieved the tarp and they gently slid the animal on it. Once he was in the car, Holly said, “You should drive. I’m littler and can get in the back with him.”

They were on their way to the vet and Joe breathed a sigh of relief. When he stopped for a light, he turned and saw her lying next to the dog, crooning softly and running her hand over his head. Joe said, “Happy first day of vacation, Holly.”

Since it was so early, the animal hospital reception room was empty. They’d carried the dog on the tarp into the treatment area and the vet had asked them to wait out here. Still wearing her p.j.’s, Holly sat back in her seat while Joe linked his hands behind his neck and stretched out his legs. She studied him. “You’re on nights. You look as though you didn’t sleep.”

He explained the fire and accidents they’d gone to.

“I’m sorry you have to deal with this, then.” She sighed. “Who would hit a dog and take off, Joe?”

“Somebody out at six a.m. could be getting home from a late shift and nodded off. Or, hell, he could have been partying all night and been drunk.”

Glancing worriedly at the door to the exam room, she said, “I hope the dog’s all right.”

He took her hand and closed his eyes. “I do, too.” He dozed, still holding onto her, until the doctor came out. Then he sat up.

The man didn’t look sad. “One of you has medical training, right?”

“I do.”

“You saved this dog from having to be put down. Most people injure a broken leg so badly when they move a hurt animal he goes into shock and never comes out of it. And the tarp was a miracle.”

“He’s a firefighter,” Holly said proudly.

“Ah, one of America’s Bravest. Used to saving people, and apparently canines. As for the dog, his leg has a small fracture and might heal quickly. Of course, he’s in such bad shape, the process could take longer. He’ll need babying for a while. I’ll give you some instructions.”

Joe frowned. “Oh, he’s not ours.”

“Now he is. He’s obviously abused and abandoned. If I send him to the shelter in his weakened condition with a fracture, they’ll probably put him down at some point. That is, if no one takes him. And by the looks of him, I’ll bet that won’t happen.”

Holly stood. “I’ll take him. I’m a teacher, and off for the summer. I can care for him if you tell me how.”

“Great. My nurse will print up instructions.” He looked at them sympathetically. “As long as he’s not yours, I’ll waive my fee. But somebody has to pay for the x-rays.”

“I will,” Joe put in.

“I can help with money.”

“No, Holly, if you’re taking the dog, I’m paying.”

Joe took care of the bill, and since the vet had given the dog a sedative, they carried him out to the car on the tarp and then again at home, when they carried him on it into Holly’s living room. She made a nest of blankets for him to lie on and they moved him gently into it.

“I’ll go get supplies,” Joe said. But he yawned broadly.

“No,” Holly told him. “I will. Stretch out on the couch, close your eyes and nap. The dog’s not going anywhere.”

“Okay.”

She picked up her purse which was by the sofa and started for the garage.

“Holly.”

She stopped. “What?”

“You should probably get dressed first.”

She glanced down. “Oh, geez.”

Joe awoke. He saw the dog had revived some, and was able to lift his head a little to nibble food out of Holly’s hand. She must have heard him rouse. “Hi.”

“Hi. What time is it?”

“Noon. Go back to sleep. You only napped a few hours.”

“I’m all set now. I never sleep more than a couple of hours after a night shift.” He saw the bags around her. “What’s all that?”

“Stuff from the pet store.” She picked up a bottle. “Dry shampoo. I brushed it through one side of him, and will do the other when we turn him over.”

“How did you know what to get?”

“The owner told me what to buy, and how to feed him. I’ve been spooning water into his mouth and giving him a few kibbles at a time. Since he’s so undernourished, he can’t take a lot at once.”

“Damn whoever owned him.”

“The store owner says there’s a big problem in Rockford with dogs. People don’t have enough money to feed their families, so they turn their pets out to fend for themselves.”

“How horrible.”

She was a sight with un-brushed hair, a bit tangled and wild. At least he’d gotten a shower at work. “I’ll take over if you want to get cleaned up.”

“I would. I probably smell.”

“Like lilacs. I smelled your lotion or shampoo this morning.”

“I need a bath.”

“A bath, huh?”

“Yeah, I always take one on Saturday morning. But if you’re in a hurry to get out of here, I can shower fast.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Holly.”

When she left, Joe thought about his words. He sure as hell wasn’t going anywhere now and neither was she.

Holly kept imagining Joe in the bath with her. He’d sit behind her, slowly running the cloth over her arms, then her chest. It would abrade her breasts and eventually land between her legs.

Arrgh! She sat up fast, splashing water over the edge. And sighed heavily. What was she going to do about Joe? When she admitted to Greg she was in love with him yesterday, she became incredibly sad. She’d kicked Joe out of her life and got more and more depressed when she witnessed him with her kids at the fire house, and how he helped out and cared deeply for his grandparents. And now the dog. Who was the real Joe? The angry man of last weekend who smelled like a brewery? Or this loving gentle, person?

You’d better decide, Holly. Or somebody else will snap up the loving, gentle person.

Oh, great. The voice in her head made her feel worse.

She climbed out of the tub and dried off. When she finished dressing, she returned to the living room. Joe sniffed. “Hmm, now you smell even better.”

She looked at the dog. He was more awake now. “Want to turn him over?”

“Yeah, sure.”

First, they eased him to his other side and groomed him there, then they slid  the dirty blankets out from beneath him and put him on the foam bed Holly bought.

“How about some coffee and something to eat?” she asked Joe.

“That’d be great. I’m starved.”

“Keep me company?”

He came out to the kitchen and watched her fill the Keurig, brew him a cup, then grind the beans and put a pot on for them. She brought him the cup with cream and sugar.

When she started making French toast, he said, “This is déjà vu.”

She turned and there were tears in her eyes. “I had the same thought.”

“If you’re crying, you might want to consider changing your mind.”

“I-I’m already considering it.”

“You are?”

“Yeah, I’ve been vacillating all week. I also told Greg I was involved with someone else and we couldn’t date anymore.”

“Are we still involved, Holly?”

Now the tears streamed down her cheeks. He hadn’t seen her cry a lot, but these were big fat ones. “I want to try, Joe. I really want to try.”

He quelled the urge to get up and go to her. This had to be her decision without any pressure. “What’s stopping you?”

She said, honestly, “I don’t know anymore. I just don’t know.”

He slid off the stool, went around the counter and gently took her in his arms, kissed her head. “That’s okay, love. We’ve got lots of time to figure this out.”