Chapter Eight
Raine’s hands shook. She spilled some of the boiling water onto the counter. Why she was nervous was beyond her. Her neighbor was coming for dinner. No big deal. She’d had dinner with her neighbors countless times. Just not any neighbor that was as sexy as Chase Shepherd.
Still, she wanted to jump in the shower and blow out her hair again. No time for that. He’d be there any minute and she still had to put the salad together and make the garlic bread. The food would be simple so he wouldn’t read anything into her invitation. Maybe she’d throw on a little lip gloss, though.
The knock at the door stopped her.
“He’s here.” Landon skid around the corner in his socks.
She dumped the pasta back into the pot, poured the oil and garlic, maybe the meal had too much garlic. Well, good. If she stunk like a vampire repellant then he wouldn’t be tempted to kiss her. Not that she wanted him to kiss her. Much. She turned to follow Landon to the door.
Chase commanded the empty space in her living room just by standing there. His broad shoulders filled out the gray sweater he had on over a flannel shirt. The flannel’s shirt tails stuck out from under the sweater. His jeans were faded and hugged his strong thighs. He smelled like soap, and his gaze locked on hers. That intense stare had her knees wobbling.
“These are for you.” He held out a bouquet of flowers she hadn’t noticed he had until he spoke. “I also brought these.” In his other hand was a white box tied with a red and white string.
“Thank you. That was very thoughtful. You didn’t have to.”
Landon grabbed him by the arm and pulled him toward the kitchen. “Come on, Chase. Dinner’s ready.”
“Not so pushy, buddy. Sorry, he’s excited.”
“There’s no problem. Can I help you with anything?”
“Just sit. I’m sure you get sick of cooking after a day at the General.” She didn’t have a vase for the flowers. She found as tall a glass as she could and trimmed the stems to make the flowers fit better. The bouquet was mainly carnations in different colors, but they brought a cheerfulness into the room that wasn’t there before.
“I like cooking. Is that garlic bread?”
She had a loaf of French bread sliced down the middle. “I planned on slapping some butter and garlic on it and throwing it in the oven. The pasta is also covered in garlic. I hope you like it.” Heat climbed up her neck and face.
“Let me. I love garlic.” He took the knife from her hand. Their fingers touched sending a hot current up her arm. She dropped her gaze to cool the heat. Or maybe the oven was up too high?
He moved around the kitchen with ease, placing the bread in the oven then helping her chop veggies for the salad she should have made earlier. His large hands moved with speed as he diced the carrots and celery into tiny pieces.
“That bread should be ready.” He leaned around her to grab the oven mitts, and they collided.
His nearness stole her breath. His chest was solid, and he smelled so damn good. “I’ll get it.”
He stepped out of her way and retreated to the table. She regretted saying anything that would send him away, but she busied herself with grabbing the bread and cutting it into pieces.
Landon chose the chair next to Chase’s. “Mom, I met Chase’s bunny.”
“You did?”
Landon prattled on about the rabbit and its big ears. She pushed the food around on her plate.
“How was your first day of school?” Chase scooped some salad onto his plate.
“It was okay.” Landon’s smiled slipped, but he caught it right away. “I met some kids.” He continued to share some of the events during the day. She tried to stay focused on her son’s words in case he asked her any questions, but her mind continued to drift toward the man sitting at her table.
What was his story? And who had let him get away? Any man who could sit through a meal and seem to genuinely want to know about an eight-year-old’s day was a good man in her book. Chase had fixed his gaze on Landon as if he was the only person in the room, and Landon spilled to him far more than he’d said to her since she picked him up at school.
“We went outside for recess. It was cold and they weren’t going to let us, but the principal made an announcement that a few minutes wouldn’t hurt and would clear the cobwebs from everyone’s brain. I don’t have cobwebs in my brain, but I did want to try out the swings. They looked fun. I had to wait my turn because two other boys had gotten to the swings first. I leaned against the fence and watched them. That’s when the man spoke to me.”
She dropped her fork. It clanked against the plate. The room closed in on her. She had to take a deep breath to keep from vomiting.
Chase shot her a look then said, “was the man someone who worked at the school?”
“I don’t know. He was on the outside of the fence. He didn’t have his ID around his neck like most teachers do. But he did have a coat on, so maybe I didn’t see it.”
“Did this man tell you his name?” Chase went back to eating his food.
“No, he just asked me how I liked school.”
“What did you say?” She’d found her voice, but it had become strangled. Chase placed a hand on her knee and gave a squeeze. The touch was as startling as Landon’s declaration of a strange man speaking to him. She pushed his hand away.
“I told him it was okay, but then I said I’m not allowed to talk to strangers. If he needed to know something I could get a teacher for him.”
“Smart.” Chase ruffled Landon’s hair. “Would you recognize him if you saw him again?”
“I think so.”
“I’ll call the school in the morning and let them know.” She would need the school to be on the alert because she couldn’t watch Landon all day. More eyes the better. Still, she didn’t feel any safer. Maybe their time in Silent Water was up. Maybe in the middle of the night, or when Chase left for work, she should take Landon and go.
“Next time if you see him standing outside the fence, and not in the school yard get a teacher or another adult right away, okay?” Chase twirled his pasta around his fork as if this conversation was typical of any other.
“Okay.” Landon gobbled up his food without another thought. He changed the subject to tell Chase about a video game he’d played.
The normalcy of the three of them eating at her table was too much to bear. Her life was anything, but normal. She would spend her entire life worrying that Matt or one of his men would come around every corner. New Jersey wasn’t far enough away. The other side of the moon wouldn’t be far enough away. She should’ve faked their deaths. Maybe, just maybe Matt wouldn’t come looking for them then, but the way she’d run, and the fact she’d sent him on a wild goose chase would only make him madder. How stupid she’d been to think she could get away with this plan. What if that man today was looking for Landon? What if Matt had found them already?
“You aren’t touching your food.” Chase’s voice dragged her away from the thoughts spiraling out of control.
“I’m…I’m not as hungry as I thought.” She grabbed her plate and dumped the food she barely touched into the garbage. Her hands trembled.
“Mom, can I be excused? I have to finish my homework.”
“Sure, buddy. Bring your plate over.” She kept her gaze on the garbage can.
“Chase, do you like to play basketball? I don’t have a hoop here, but I used to play on the rec team. And are you staying for dessert? Mom lets me have hot chocolate with whipped cream, but you know that.”
Her heart lodged in her throat. Landon needed a man in his life, and she’d yanked him away from his father. Would he forgive her someday? Maybe, after she told him the truth. Landon needed a real male role model. Not one that hid behind shady deals and pushed drugs into the hands of innocent people too desperate to know what they were doing. And not a father who would kill if someone didn’t follow his rules.
“You bet, kiddo. I brought some cookies. How about I help your mom clean up and then we’ll call you in for some treats?”
They high fived. “I’ll be in my room.”
“You’re very good with him. Do you have children?” Wouldn’t she have seen them if he did? Why would this man live alone in this small town, and work as a cook in a hole in the wall restaurant if he had a family some place?
“I have a daughter, but she’s grown. Eighteen. She lives with her mom.” He brought the rest of the plates over.
“Do you get to see her much?”
“Not really. You know kids, they grow up and leave the nest. Are you ready to tell me who you’re running from yet?”
“I told you, no one.”
He placed the dishes in the sink and closed the space between them. She was pinned between the counter and his closeness. He kept his hands at his sides, but a part of her wanted him to touch her.
“You weren’t exactly subtle when Landon mentioned the guy at school. Who are you worried about? I might be able to help you.”
She placed a hand on his chest to push him away, to get some air or to feel his muscles under the pads of her fingers she wasn’t sure which, but he gripped her hand in his and held it against his chest. Her core heated up from his touch. She didn’t want to let go, and she didn’t want to stay put. His bright blue gaze held her in place. “Chase, I don’t know what to say.” Her words were a whisper.
“Do you want my help?”
She thought she did, but if she accepted his help she’d be putting him in danger. Not only him, but Jim and Mandy too. “You can’t help me.”
He released her and she regretted her choice instantly. “Okay. How about that dessert? You make the hot cocoa and I’ll get the cookies.”
His change in subject gave her whiplash. She busied herself with mugs, warming milk, and locating the marshmallows. The whole time she debated whether or not to ask him for help. She knew nothing about him, what if he had the skills she needed or what if he was just some good looking guy who could install security cameras?
Landon returned with his old hand-held gaming system and showed Chase a few of the games he played. They sat with their heads together staring at the screen. Landon wanted Chase to tuck him in, which the man did without question. Her heart nearly broke out of her chest.
A door closed down the hallway, and Chase returned to her leaning against the kitchen counter. “It’s probably warmer by the fire,” he said.
“I’m fine. Thank you for what you just did. Landon has taken some liking to you.” She’d better make sure not too much of a liking. If they did have to escape in the middle of the night, Landon would only be hurt by losing Chase too.
“He’s a great kid.” He grabbed his coat. “Well, I’d better be going. Thank you for dinner. I usually eat alone, so this was nice.”
“Were you ever married?” She didn’t want him to leave and needed a reason to keep him around a little longer.
“I was.” A darkness passed across his eyes.
“It didn’t work out?”
“That’s a story for another time. Good night, Raine.” He didn’t wait for a response or for her to walk him to the door. He slipped out into the night closing the door behind him and leaving her alone.
Which should be exactly what she wanted, but for some crazy reason she didn’t.