Читать книгу A convenient proposal - C.J. Carmichael - Страница 12

“YOU CAN’T BE SERIOUS.” Mick concentrated on Kelly’s determined expression. She didn’t appear to be pulling his leg. Her suggestion that they marry was genuine.

A gust of wind flattened his hair and brought tears to his eyes. It was so cold out here, Kelly’s lips had gone blue.

“Let’s go to my place and talk,” he suggested.

Kelly nodded. She hadn’t spoken since telling him he should marry her. Perhaps she’d gone into shock. He opened his passenger door again and motioned her inside.

The drive to his house took less than five minutes—insufficient time for warm air to start blowing from the vehicle’s heating system or even for the electric seat warmers to have much effect. He figured Kelly was even more frozen than he was by the time he had her sitting near the stoked-up fireplace in his living room. He left her holding her hands to the heat, while he put on coffee.

Coming back into the room, Mick took fresh stock of the woman. Tall and lean, she’d always given him the impression of athletic strength. Her brown hair was thick and shoulder length—he realized he was used to seeing it up in the bun she always wore when she was in uniform.

Up until the past two months, most of their encounters had occurred when they were both at work. When he needed information about RCMP activities, he’d always preferred asking Kelly. She had a quick, logical mind and a reserved nature that he felt comfortable with. He appreciated her sense of humor, too, which was subtle and slightly self-deprecating. Truthfully, he’d enjoyed her company so much, he’d been tempted to ask her out.

But given his past history in this town, he’d thought it safer to continue to date women outside the sphere of Canmore.

“Coffee will be ready in a few minutes. Are you getting warmer?”

“The feeling’s back in my fingers,” she said, still facing the fire. Her profile captivated him. He moved closer, to a chair just a few feet from where she was standing. From here, he could feel the heat from the fireplace, as well as continue to observe her.

“I understand that you must feel terrible about my brother.” And he did. His journalistic training was too ingrained for him not to see both sides of the story. Despite his anger and grief at Danny’s death, he knew that Kelly had only acted in accordance with RCMP procedure.

She’d shown up at the Thunder Bar M ranch in pursuit of her sister Cathleen and Dylan McLean. The intrepid couple, believing Danny had been involved in the murder of Dylan’s mother, Rose, were determined to speak with him.

Ironically, it was Kelly’s arrival on the scene that had panicked Danny—probably because of the stash of drugs he had hidden on the premises. Mick had read all the reports. He knew his brother had pulled a gun from his jacket and aimed it right at Cathleen.

He also knew that, by all accounts, Kelly had tried to defuse Danny’s fear, speaking to him calmly and gently. But Danny had been too worked up. He’d cocked the trigger of his handgun, and that was it. Kelly had aimed, fired—

And Danny was dead.

Later, they’d discovered he’d played no part in Rose Strongman’s death. And while the quantity of drugs he’d been storing would have seen him doing serious jail time, his life had been a high price to pay.

Still, Mick couldn’t blame Kelly for his brother’s foolish mistakes.

“Don’t think it’s guilt that’s behind my suggestion,” Kelly said now.

“What else could it be?” Mick wondered if she knew how much she’d changed since the shooting. Become thinner, quieter, more serious.

“Well, that’s part of it,” she admitted. “But it’s way more complicated.”

“I guess I can appreciate that.”

“Mick, I genuinely care about those children. I would do anything to help them. Anything.” She sat on the ottoman by his chair, leaning over her knees, entreating.

Something in him wanted to give her whatever she asked for. And, face it, she was offering him a solution to his own dilemma. But this was too important to decide impetuously.

“How will you feel in a year, or two, or ten? Kelly, I’m not interested in a temporary fix here.”

“I understand that. I do.”

In the small, bookshelf-lined room her words echoed like a marriage vow.

“Mick, you have to understand. I can’t imagine what I’m going to do with my life if you say no. You know I’m suspended from police work. Once the attorney general’s investigation into Danny’s death is completed, I’ll still have to wait out our own internal inquiry and the provincial fatality inquiry.”

Mick was familiar with the process. Because of objectivity issues, he hadn’t been covering the story in the Leader, but his number-one reporter was doing a thorough job. “How long will it take?”

“At best six months, assuming the attorney general doesn’t lay criminal charges.” Kelly ran her hands back over her head, pulling her hair tight from her face. “The thing is, even after all this is over, I can’t imagine returning to police work.”

Her eyes flooded and she bowed her head. Mick didn’t know what to say. Kelly’s pride in being a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police had always been evident. He could imagine his feelings if he had to abandon his journalism career.

“Maybe in time you’ll feel differently.”

She turned away from him. “You don’t know how often I’ve heard those words—in time. Never from someone who’s gone through what I have, who’s done what I did. I killed a man. How could I go back to a job that required me to carry a gun?”

He didn’t know. He also sensed this was hardly the time to suggest an administrative position of some kind. Kelly pleaded a strong case. But unwittingly she’d raised a major obstacle to her plan.

“Okay, Kelly. Say you leave the force forever when this is finally finished. How will Billy and Amanda feel about being raised by the woman who shot their father?”

Never mind his position. Marrying the police officer who’d killed his brother. God, he was crazy even to consider the idea.

“They’re so young, Mick. Would they even understand what happened?”

How long is forever? “Not really,” he admitted.

“Besides, we can’t afford to worry about those problems right now. I’m concerned their physical safety is at risk.”

And so was he. Sharon had probably passed out by now. He should’ve insisted on seeing the children, bundling them over to his house for the night. Friday he would. He’d take the afternoon off work, and tell Sharon she needed a break and he was looking after the kids for the weekend.

“Let me meet them, see how they react to being around me. Give me a chance, Mick.”

She wanted this so badly. And he couldn’t take care of the children on his own. Could it be that this was the solution?

“Let’s do it Friday,” he said, thinking of the phone call he’d have to make to Abby. You were right, he’d tell her. I haven’t been fair to you.

So was he being fair to Kelly? He didn’t know. But at least he was being honest—they both were—about the reasons for contemplating a union.

“Do you like pizza?” he asked.

“I love pizza. And Friday is perfect.”

“MICK MIZZONI is so gorgeous…”

The group of them were gathered in the study of the bed and breakfast. Dylan sat at the desk, recording deposits, while Cathleen, Poppy and Kelly ate popcorn around the glowing fireplace.

“He looks just like a brooding Lord Byron, wouldn’t you say, honey?” Cathleen slouched in a large leather chair, her booted feet propped on the low table in front of her.

Kelly leaned against the fireplace wall, regretting that she’d raised the subject.

“Lord who?” Dylan sounded irritable. Cathleen had forgotten to record some check stubs and he was having a devil of a time reconciling the account book with the bank statement.

“Lord Absolutely Delicious, that’s who.” Cathleen wasn’t concerned by her new husband’s foul mood. “Never mind him,” she said to Kelly. “I was in the same grade as Mick, so I should know. All us girls were crazy about the guy, but he never asked any one of us out. We wondered if…well, you know, if…” She shrugged and glanced at Poppy.

The elderly woman didn’t even blink. “If he was gay, you mean?”

“Yes. That’s it, exactly. I’ve heard he spends lots of time in Calgary. Maybe he’s living a double life. Respected journalist by day in Canmore, but wild drag queen by night in—”

“Knock it off, Cath!” Kelly said. Dylan had stuck his head up from the books long enough to laugh, but she was not amused. “Mick dates women, and yes, most of them have been from Calgary. So what?”

“I did hear that lately Mick has been dating Abby Stevens, the kindergarten teacher,” Cathleen admitted.

Not for much longer. Kelly hoped Abby wouldn’t be too disappointed when that new romance fell flat after only a couple of weeks. She felt a little bad for diverting Mick’s interest, but in the long run she was certain it would be to Abby’s benefit. Abby deserved to be married to someone who loved her, not just her child-raising skills.

And what about you, Kelly? Don’t you want to marry for love one day? The irritating voice that had nagged her since her conversation with Mick last night just wouldn’t shut up.

Yes, Kelly acknowledged to herself. Love and marriage were what she had once wanted for herself, too. But shooting Danny Mizzoni had changed everything. Especially now that she knew Sharon was pregnant.

One more life irrevocably affected by the events of that day. That baby would never have the opportunity to know his natural father.

How could Kelly expect the kind of normal happiness that her actions had denied to others?

“Why did you bring up Mick, anyway?” Cathleen wondered.

“Well, it’s just that we’re going out for pizza tomorrow night….”

“A date?”

Kelly saw the startled glance that Cathleen and Poppy exchanged. After the first ripple of surprise, Cathleen appeared pleased, while Poppy only seemed puzzled.

No. It wasn’t a date. More like a job interview. But she couldn’t tell her family that. “Sort of.”

“Oh, Kelly, that’s great. Just the thing to stop you from moping. Only…” Now Cathleen and Dylan checked in visually with each other. “He doesn’t blame you for his brother’s death, does he?”

“Cath, your ability to reduce situations to their simplest denominator always astounds me.”

“I’m sorry. You’re right. That was kind of rude.”

“But still an issue you’ll need to face if you plan to see much of the man.” Dylan turned off the desk lamp and came to Kelly’s side. “All any of us want is to see you happy. Especially me. What you’ve been going through…it’s all my fault. I know she’d fight me tooth and nail about this, but I shouldn’t have taken Cathleen out to the ranch with me that day.”

Neither of them should have gone to the ranch. But Kelly had given up arguing that point. She didn’t blame Dylan or Cathleen for what had happened. No one could have predicted Danny’s bizarre reaction.

“I appreciate your concern,” she said, shaking her head as her new brother-in-law offered her a refill of her drink. “But you don’t need to fuss over me. I’m just going out for pizza with Mick.” Along with his nephew and niece.

She didn’t mention that last part, though. If she was going to marry Mick, she had to get her family used to the idea gradually.

Not that they wouldn’t see right through her. But she was going to do her best to pretend this was a real courtship and a real marriage. She’d thought long and hard about what Mick had said the other night. He didn’t want a temporary solution, and she agreed. Billy and Amanda deserved better. When it came to family, they deserved the real thing.

Or at least a reasonable facsimile.

SELLING SHARON on letting him have the kids for the weekend hadn’t been tough. She’d even permitted him to give her another lecture as part of the bargain.

“Fetal alcohol syndrome isn’t the bogeyman, Sharon. This is real, serious trouble we’re talking about. That baby—” he’d glanced at her still slender stomach “—could be handicapped for life with learning disabilities and behavioral problems.”

“I already promised I wouldn’t do any more drinking.” She’d been in her housecoat, her hair a mess. Sharon was only in her mid-twenties, about five years younger than him. But she looked about ten years older. Life had been hard on her, but she’d been hard on herself, too.

“Go visit your sister in Banff,” he suggested. “A change of scene might do you good.” If she stayed here in this house, dwelling on her loneliness, he didn’t see how she’d avoid the bottle.

Sharon looked around, as if only just becoming aware of what a disaster her home was. “I should really clean up this mess.”

“I’ll take care of it,” he promised. Perhaps his cleaning lady would do the extra job—if he paid double. “You need to have some fun. Here, let me give you money to buy gas and to take Carrie out for a nice dinner.”

He handed over a hundred-dollar bill, praying he wasn’t financing another terrible drinking binge.

“A nice dinner…” Sharon sounded as confused as if he’d spoken in a foreign language.

“Sure. Get all dressed up and go to the Banff Springs Hotel for the evening. Wouldn’t that be fun?”

Mick bundled the kids in their snowsuits, boots and mittens. “Say goodbye to your mom, kids. We’re having a sleepover at my place.”

He had a hamper of dirty clothes to take with him, plus Amanda’s favorite stuffed animal, some kind of turtle, and her blankie. When he’d asked Billy if he wanted to bring anything special along, Billy just shook his head.

That had been several hours ago. Since then, he’d taken the kids for a play in the park, then brought them home to settle in before Kelly arrived at six for pizza. He got out the box of toys he kept handy for their visits, then zipped down to the basement to put in a load of laundry.

He’d left them alone for two minutes, maximum three. When he got back, they were still standing in exactly the same spot. Billy gazed longingly at the television in the corner.

“Can we watch cartoons?”

“Maybe later.” Although he’d purchased a few Disney movies, he suspected they both put in too many hours in front of the television at home. “Want to make a puzzle? Or build something with these blocks?”

“Sure.” Billy plopped onto the floor, his brown eyes serious.

“Which one?”

Billy shrugged.

“Okay, then. Let’s do the puzzle. Want to help, Mandy?”

She, too, sat as obediently as a well-trained lapdog. Remembering what a chatterbox she’d been just months earlier, at her third birthday party, Mick felt like weeping.

The three of them put the puzzle together in silence. Mick couldn’t think of anything to talk about with these small, hurting children. He wondered if they were missing their mother, but he was afraid to ask in case the answer was yes. He didn’t want to return them to Sharon. If she’d taken his advice and gone to Banff, that wouldn’t be an option, anyway.

By six o’clock he felt desperate. Billy and Amanda were like two well-behaved robots. He wished he could figure out what they really wanted, what they were thinking. But they seemed content to do whatever he suggested. When they finished the puzzle or the game, they just looked at him, waiting for his next suggestion.

The doorbell chiming at five minutes after six was a desperately welcome interruption. He opened the door to Kelly, who wore jeans, and a pale yellow sweatshirt under her jacket. Her hair was tied back from her face, and she carried several shopping bags.

He hung up her coat, then motioned to the living room. The kids were still sitting on the floor around a simple board game they’d been playing.

“Billy, Amanda? This is my friend Kelly. Remember, I said she’d be joining us for pizza?”

Mick could tell Kelly was nervous. She was smiling, but she’d dropped the bags and was gripping her hands behind her back.

“Hi, Billy. Hi, Amanda. Are you playing Trouble? I used to play that game with my niece.”

Billy nodded, then stood. Like a shadow, Amanda followed him, taking a few steps closer to Kelly.

“I know you,” Billy said suddenly.

Mick felt his heart leap against his rib cage. Sharon hadn’t been clear on how much of that scene at the Thunder Bar M the kids had seen. So no one knew if Billy or his sister had witnessed Kelly shooting their father.

“Do you, Billy?” he asked, striving to sound nonchalant. He should have been smarter than to expose them to this, to take the chance of upsetting them. As if they hadn’t been through enough—

“You’re the lady in the car,” Billy said. “Who sits and watches.”

Kelly had been visibly expecting a verbal blow. This seemed to surprise her. “That’s right.”

“Did my daddy send you? To look out for us?”

“Oh, Billy…” Kelly angled her face toward the door, putting a hand up to veil her expression.

Mick felt bad for her. But at the moment, his nephew was his prime concern. He dropped to one knee and put his hand on the small boy’s back.

“That’s an interesting thought, Billy. Who knows.” He glanced up at Kelly, who was rubbing away a tear with the sleeve of her yellow sweatshirt. “Maybe he did.”