Читать книгу A Laramie, Texas Christmas - Cathy Thacker Gillen - Страница 9

“He’s not Santa, honey.”

“Beard,” the cute little boy with the copper curls and same vibrant blue eyes as his mother said.

“Yes, he has a beard,” she confirmed, squirming in Kevin’s arms, even as he tried to help her back on her feet. Not an easy task, since she was still slightly off balance and had a child in her arms. “But this man is not Santa Claus.”

“No kidding,” a low male voice agreed. Kevin relaxed at the sight of the uniformed lawman coming around the corner of the house. Rio Vasquez had his hand on his holster, but when he spotted the three of them tangled up on the partially collapsed wooden stairs, he dropped his arm and quickened his steps.

“Thank heaven you’re here!” Kevin’s would-be jailer said.

Rio gave Kevin an odd look that gave nothing away before turning back to the copper-haired beauty. “You’re the woman who called in to report an attempted burglary on Miss Sadie’s property?”

“Yes. I’m Noelle Kringle,” she stated firmly, agitated color flooding her cheeks as she squirmed out of Kevin’s arms.

He told himself he wasn’t sorry to let her go, that he hadn’t really enjoyed holding her soft warm body next to his, any more than he had enjoyed inhaling the lavender scent of her perfume.

“I’m glad you’re here, Deputy…Vasquez,” Noelle said haughtily, reading the name on his badge. “I was trying to make a citizen’s arrest.”

Kevin had to give his buddy credit—Rio didn’t so much as flinch, even at the phony-sounding name. Instead, he merely lifted his brow and waited for “Noelle Kringle” to go on.

“I saw him checking out the stuff in my van,” Noelle continued, with an accusing look aimed Kevin’s way.

“Which is when you called the sheriff’s department and then hung up on the 9-1-1 operator,” Rio guessed.

Noelle nodded. “I came out to stop him from taking anything. He wouldn’t leave when I asked him to. So I decided to detain him until you arrived.”

Rio made a few notes on the pad in front of him while Noelle shifted her son to her other hip. Noting that the little boy was looking at the holiday storybook he had dropped, Kevin leaned forward to retrieve it. After making sure there were no splinters clinging to it, he handed it back to the kid and was rewarded with a beaming smile.

“Not to mention the fact that he scared me half to death sneaking up on the house that way.”

“I would hardly call it sneaking. I turned off the road, drove up the lane and got out of my Jeep.”

“Only after sitting out on the berm for a good two or three minutes, casing the property.”

Kevin shrugged. “Things looked suspicious. I know Miss Sadie’s been out of town. I figured I’d come on up here and figure out what was going on.”

Noelle turned back to Rio. “He also claimed he was a lawman, if you can believe that!”

Rio played along. “Really.”

“Of course he didn’t have a badge.”

Kevin wasn’t sure whether he was more irked or amused. “I didn’t take it with me. I usually don’t when I go fishing for two weeks. I mean, who am I going to arrest—a recalcitrant bass?”

Rio narrowed his black eyes in typical enough-with-the-monkey-business manner. “What do you have to say for yourself, McCabe?” he asked.

“Well…” Kevin took his time coming to any conclusions. “I was pretty scared.” He pointed at the discarded “weapon.” “She was threatening me with that plastic candy cane over there.”

Unable to help himself, Rio grinned, then began to chuckle.

Realization flooded Noelle. She did not look pleased by her conclusion, Kevin noted.

“You two know each other?” she asked.

Rio nodded slowly. “Kevin is a deputy with the Laramie County Sheriff’s Department, too. Although you’d never know it by looking at him now.”

Some of the color left Noelle’s face. She blinked at Kevin in astonishment. “So you were telling the truth!”

She didn’t need to look quite so amazed. “Ah—yeah.” Kevin looked at Rio. “Can you believe it? She didn’t think I was a McCabe, either.”

Rio swept off his hat and ran his fingers through his black hair. A commiserating smirk dominated his handsome features. “Is that right?”

“She said I looked too disreputable to be a member of that clan.”

“Well.” Rio sighed and set his hat back on his head. “It is an upstanding family. You do not look the least bit respectable.”

“Right.” Kevin turned back to Noelle, whose eyes were alive with emotion as she cuddled her toddler close to her chest. “What was it you called me—a trespassing bum?”

She flushed a becoming pink, while Rio laughed. “In her defense, you do look pretty seedy at the moment,” he teased.

Kevin pretended to be irked. “Speak for yourself.” He paused, ready to get down to business. “So what’s going on with Miss Sadie?”

“Do you mind if we go inside?” Noelle interrupted, shivering. “It’s a little chilly for my son.”

“Sure.”

Because of the state of the side staircase, they had to enter through the front door, which she unlocked with a key. The last time Kevin had been inside the home had been to pay his respects the previous January, after Miss Sadie’s husband, Alfred, died. It had been immaculate. Now, it was dusty and bore the faintly stale air of a house that had been unoccupied. More alarming still, the formal living room was covered with ripped envelopes, and papers were scattered across the floor. Half a dozen suitcases stood in the foyer, and it looked as if a pot of tea had splashed against one cream-colored wall. “What the heck happened here?” he said in shock. “Did someone break in while Miss Sadie was on her cruise?”

Noelle and Rio exchanged a glance that left Kevin feeling he was the one on the outside looking in.

“The property was fine when she arrived home from her cruise day before yesterday,” Noelle said. “The problem occurred when she made herself a pot of tea, sat down to catch up on her mail and found out she’d been the victim of identity theft. She got so upset she forgot her suitcases were in the hall, and she tripped as she was headed back to the kitchen to make another pot of tea and telephone the authorities.”

Rio added grimly, “She broke her leg and had to have surgery yesterday.”

“And now she’s been moved to the nursing home across the street for the next six to eight weeks,” Noelle continued.

“Your brother Riley is her family doctor and is taking care of her,” Rio said.

Kevin looked at Noelle. “How did you get involved?”

“I’m good friends with her great-nephew, Dash Nelson, and I’ve done a lot of work as an event planner for Miss Sadie in Houston.”

That made sense. Kevin knew Miss Sadie split her time between her place in the city and her country home in Laramie County, spending equal amounts in each. Sadie Nelson was a noted philanthropist, always masterminding one charity event or another.

“Dash asked me if I would come up and pick up some things to take over to the nursing home for her. Dressing table, favorite rocking chair…things like that. I didn’t think her jewelry—much of which is very valuable—should be left out here under the circumstances, so I put that in the van, too. I figured I would give it to Dash for safekeeping when he gets here later this evening, until Miss Sadie is feeling better.”

Kevin had a passing acquaintance with the Houston-based attorney. He was a nice guy. Upstanding. Devoted to his aunt Sadie and late uncle Alfred.

Noelle set her squirming son down on the floor. He took his storybook over to the sofa, climbed up on the cushions and began to “read” to himself. The sweetly voiced chatter about Christmas and snow and Santa Claus had them all smiling.

Kevin turned his attention back to Noelle. She looked even lovelier in the warm light of the home’s interior. “Where is Dash?”

Her lower lip curved into a smile. “He’s in Houston. He had to be in court today but should be here later this evening. I’m supposed to meet him at the nursing home.”

“Laramie Gardens Home for Seniors,” Kevin ascertained.

“Right.”

The facility was a combination assisted living and nursing home, the best in the area. Sadie would be well taken care of there.

“Anyway…” Noelle took a deep breath that lifted the soft swell of her breasts. “Sorry about the misunderstanding earlier.”

He grinned at her feisty tone, liking the warm flush of color that had come into her cheeks as they talked. “It was entertaining, to be sure.”

“Only wish I had been here,” Rio interjected good-naturedly.

Kevin knew that was true. He was going to be living this one down forever.

“But I need to get going,” she said firmly, taking charge of the situation once again. “If you two would be so kind and help me take these last three items out to the van, I’ll lock up. I want to get to town and back before dark.”

It had been a long time since Kevin had encountered a woman with such spunk and vitality. However, he wasn’t quite sure yet that he could trust her as Miss Sadie and Dash Nelson apparently did. “You’re staying here?”

She stooped to pick up some of the mail scattered here and there. “Yes.”

Kevin and Rio bent down to help. “For…?” Kevin asked.

Noelle Kringle’s eyes locked with his. “However long Miss Sadie needs me.”

CHRISTMAS HAD ALWAYS BEEN a holiday that reminded Noelle of everything she didn’t have, but she was determined her son was going to have a better life. She hadn’t done right by him in the past, choosing to work nonstop through the festive season in order to bring in as much money as possible for them. But this Christmas was going to be different. She had passed on many of the holiday jobs sent her way, and had scheduled time off for herself until after the new year. And she had begun talking to Mikey about what Christmas meant well in advance, explaining everything from mangers to jolly old St. Nick. Noelle knew Mikey didn’t quite get it all yet, but by the time the season was over, he would have a much greater understanding of the rebirth and renewal, hope and happiness that the holiday brought. And they would both be better for it.

Her plans hadn’t included running into a sheriff’s deputy who set her heart racing. She hadn’t been attracted to a man since her husband had died, but she was attracted to Kevin McCabe, even if she didn’t want to be. She felt the undeniable physical pull every time she looked into his mesmerizing eyes.

Not that anything was going to happen. The last thing she needed was to get involved with anyone in law enforcement. And that went double for someone as inquisitive as Kevin McCabe, Noelle thought, as she got out of the rented van and moved around to extract Mikey from his car seat.

To her delight, the Laramie Gardens Home for Seniors was a bright and cheerful facility. A huge Christmas tree sparkled in the common room off the lobby. The high school choir was squeezed in against one wall, singing carols to residents seated on the comfortable chairs and sofas. Mikey watched, spellbound, as Noelle checked in at the front desk, then started back to Miss Sadie’s room with him perched on her hip.

“Well, one would never guess you had surgery yesterday.” Noelle smiled as she walked in. The elegant eighty-five-year-old woman—who bore a striking resemblance to Katherine Hepburn, right down to her auburn-tinted hair and lively eyes—was sitting up in bed. She wore a pale blue hospital gown and robe, and her cheeks were a little more pale than usual, but her hair had been brushed and twisted up into its usual stylish knot on top of her head. As always, the kindness that had drawn Noelle in exuded from the woman in waves. In the seven years Noelle had known her, Miss Sadie had become the grandmother she had always wanted but never had. The way Miss Sadie doted on Mikey, he might as well have been her great-grandson. Noelle wasn’t sure how she would have survived in the three years since Michael, Sr., had died if it hadn’t been for Miss Sadie’s stabilizing presence in her life. And Noelle owed Sadie’s nephew, Dash Nelson, a lot, too. The two were the closest thing she and Mikey had to family these days.

Relieved to see the older woman looking so well, she leaned down to give her a hug.

Miss Sadie pointed to the cast that went from midthigh to instep on her left leg. “Can you believe it? All those years skiing and never one broken bone…”

“You’re lucky it wasn’t more serious.”

“So the doctors said. Hello, Mikey darling.”

Mikey grinned and waved both hands frantically. “Mah Sadie!” He lurched far enough out of Noelle’s arms for Sadie to deliver the traditional kiss on his small cheek.

“I’ve got all the things you wanted in the van outside,” Noelle said.

“Good.” Miss Sadie motioned for her to take a seat. “I’ll have Dash carry them in when he gets here. Meantime, let’s talk about the party I’m supposed to be throwing in Houston next week.”

Noelle put Mikey on the floor. She reached into her carryall for a miniature Santa sleigh and two toy reindeer and handed them to him. He sat down and began playing. “You sure you’re up to that?” In the past, Miss Sadie had divided her time equally between Laramie and Houston. But Christmas Eve and Christmas Day she’d always spent at Blackberry Hill, in the neighborhood where she and her late oilman husband had grown up.

“Oh, yes. It’s all I’ve been able to think about all day.”

Noelle plucked her notepad from her shoulder bag. “Any chance you can go back for your traditional open house in Houston?” The party was a hugely popular bash. Noelle had been helping Miss Sadie plan and execute the annual black-tie event for the last seven years.

She shook her head. “My doctors want me here where they can keep an eye on me until the cast comes off in six weeks. Although I did get them to agree to let me spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Blackberry Hill, as usual.” She sighed. “So you and I have our work cut out for us. First, we’re going to need to notify all the guests that the party in my Houston home is canceled. I’d like to donate all the food and flowers to the Texas Children’s Home. And see if the brass quintet we had hired to play at the party would be willing to play there also.”

“No problem.” Noelle wrote rapidly on the pad in front of her. “I think I can get that done tomorrow.”

“Second, since I can’t get around on my own right now, I’m going to need your help getting ready for Christmas here.”

“I can do that, too.” Noelle smiled.

“And then…” Sadie’s lower lip trembled. She looked as if she was about to cry. “There is the identity theft to be dealt with.”

“Not to worry, dear Aunt Sadie,” a voice called warmly from the doorway. “Your nephew Dash is already on the case.”

Noelle looked up in time to see Dash Nelson saunter in. As usual, the accomplished attorney was wearing a suit and tie that perfectly suited his trim, athletic frame. Exuding every bit as much kindness as his beloved great-aunt, Dash paused to pat Noelle’s shoulder affectionately and ruffle Mikey’s hair, then continued on over to the hospital bed where Miss Sadie sat. “I just got off the phone with the sheriff’s department,” he informed her, bending to kiss her forehead. “They’re sending their fraud expert over to talk to you right away.”

Unbidden memories sifted through Noelle. Keeping the smile fixed on her face, she pushed them away. Thankfully, this mess wasn’t about her. She could help manage it without worrying about ending up in the middle of it. And in the process she could help repay Miss Sadie and Dash for all they had done for her.

Miss Sadie beamed at them both. “What would I do without you two?”

Dash settled on the end of his aunt’s bed. “That’s not something you need to worry about, since the two of us aren’t going anywhere.” He reached over and playfully squeezed Noelle’s hand. “Right, Noelle?”

She smiled. Was it her imagination or was Dash suddenly acting a little different around her?

She had no chance to dwell on it, as footsteps sounded in the hall outside Miss Sadie’s room. A rap on the door frame preceded a very handsome deputy sticking his head in.

Noelle took a calming breath as she and the interloper regarded each other in contemplative silence.

“Why, Kevin McCabe!” Miss Sadie cried in delight.

His dark eyes alive with interest, Kevin sauntered into the room. “Feel up to talking to me?” he asked without missing a beat.

Miss Sadie nodded and made introductions.

Noelle blushed as Kevin McCabe moved closer, his glance roving over her upturned face. “We’ve met,” she murmured, thrown by the lawman’s deliberate proximity to her.

“Although I daresay I wasn’t nearly this presentable at the time,” Kevin teased, scrubbing a hand across his freshly shaved jaw.

He cleaned up well; Noelle grudgingly gave him that. His tan uniform was crisply ironed, his leather boots bore a subtle glow. And he smelled great, too—like soap and woodsy cologne. She tore her eyes from the cleft in his chin that had been obscured by the beard he’d had just an hour or so earlier. He still needed a haircut, but his thick, golden-brown hair had been brushed into order, and looked just as soft, clean and touchable as ever.

“You must be the department expert on fraud,” Dash stated, standing to shake his hand.

Kevin nodded, even as Noelle refused to let him intimidate her with his I’m-in-charge-here body language. She had nothing to hide, at least as far as Miss Sadie’s case was concerned.

Mikey looked up from his toys, stared at Kevin curiously—as if trying to reconcile the clean-shaven Kevin with the bearded Kevin—then smiled and went back to playing with his Santa sleigh and reindeer. Noelle knew exactly how her son felt. There was the rough-hewn Kevin who had shown up fresh from a fishing trip, seemingly bent on giving her a hard time, and the good guy lawman standing in front of her. She didn’t know which version she found more alluring. She only knew being close to him threatened her peace of mind. And that was something she tried very hard to avoid.

She liked dull. Predictable.

Life, she was sure, would never be those things with Kevin McCabe anywhere in the vicinity.

“I specialize in computer fraud and identity theft,” he continued, oblivious to the nature of her thoughts. To her relief, he swiftly got down to business. While Kevin and Miss Sadie went over the specifics, Dash carried her belongings in from the van. Noelle worked on hanging up her clothing, setting up her vanity table and toiletries, favorite antique rocking chair and footstool, side table and reading lamp.

One minute Mikey had been playing nicely near the register beneath the windows. The next time Noelle turned around he was standing next to Kevin, running the sleigh and reindeer from the detective’s knee along the outside of his thigh and back again. Kevin continued talking with Miss Sadie, completely at ease.

Embarrassed, Noelle went to intervene. “Mikey, honey—”

“It’s okay.” Kevin lifted a hand. “I’m used to kids. I don’t mind.”

Noelle could see he truly didn’t, which only made him all the more appealing.

Dash walked back in, carrying Miss Sadie’s favorite Tiffany lamp. “Where do you want this?”

“Bedside table,” his aunt replied.

“I’m going to need copies of those credit card and debit card statements,” Kevin said, rising.

“They’re all at Blackberry Hill.” Miss Sadie looked at Noelle. “Could you make copies of the statements for him on the copier in my office, dear?”

Noelle told herself she was not at all disappointed that her time with Kevin McCabe had once again come to an end. “No problem.”

“Meantime, I assume all the companies involved have been notified.” Kevin rocked back on his heels.

“I did that while my aunt was in surgery yesterday, using the credit and debit cards in her wallet,” Dash confirmed, every bit as serious about protecting his aunt as Kevin was. “We still have to notify the companies who opened fraudulent accounts in her name without her knowledge or permission.”

“I can help with that.” Kevin handed over the police report for Sadie to sign.

Noelle noted that Sadie was looking tired. Mikey was beginning to get cranky, too. “I better get this little one some supper,” she said.

“I’ll stay with Aunt Sadie,” Dash promised.

By the time Noelle got back to Blackberry Hill, it was dark and Mikey was starving. From the groceries she had brought with her from Houston, she heated up a toddler chicken-and-noodle casserole and a jar of bite-size green beans in the microwave, poured milk into a sippy cup and cut up a banana. She put on some Christmas music and sat with her son while he ate.

Tired as he was, he had no desire to cut short his bath, so it was another forty-five minutes before she had him in his pajamas and tucked into the pack-and-play crib she used when they traveled. Noelle stayed with him until he went to sleep, made sure the baby monitor was set, then headed back downstairs in time to see headlights arcing across the front of the big house.

Figuring it was Dash, she opened the door and saw Kevin McCabe getting out of a patrol car instead.