In The Arms of a Stranger (15 page)

Silly,
she admonished. She and Daniel were safe, weren't they?

“Luke said that Paul Gonzalez is in custody.” She watched Ben Allen's profile for reaction. There was none. “He's in jail, right?”

“He was taken into custody but I'm not certain what the status is. He definitely violated the terms of his bond but what happens next depends on the judge. And how convincing Gonzalez is with excuses.”

Dana forced down a wave of fear. She knew firsthand how convincing Gonzalez could be.

Ben took a side street and turned again onto a two-lane road. The county road wound around the base of a mountain that looked like the backdrop for a Christmas card. The
branches of the trees glistened silver-brown in the midday sun, while snow still clung to the forest floor in a breathtaking pattern. Was it her overactive imagination or could she actually sense Luke's presence, his connection to this town?

“We're near Luke's place,” Ben said up as if she'd spoken her thoughts aloud. “It shouldn't be more than five minutes or so.”

The remainder of the trip passed in silence, but Dana knew the minute they rounded a curve and faced a pristine log cabin that they had arrived. Two paint horses grazed in the pasture that flanked the house, busily nudging aside the snow to find the fine blades of budding spring grass beneath. A huge oak tree staked its claim to the yard surrounding the cabin, as if its presence held back the imposing tree line of the mountain that loomed behind it. Dana was entranced by the beauty, the permanence of the place.

“We're here,” Ben announced.

Dana swallowed hard. “It's beautiful.”

What was wrong with her? It was as if this ill-fated trip had boiled down the emotions she'd experienced over the past year, distilling them until they were explosive. But why did the sight of Luke's home make her want to cry? She realized then that she'd come to think of Luke as a temporary fixture, without the capacity to put down roots. But just the opposite was true. His roots, however tragic, ran so deep that he'd never be able to disentangle himself.

They pulled to a stop in a circular driveway, and Dana imagined that Sam normally greeted visitors at the drive. She smiled, looking forward to seeing her canine buddy again. She unbuckled the baby, and Ben assisted them out of the back seat. The air was amazingly warm, and she actually felt the tingle of sunshine on her face as she looked
around. It was humbling that nature could operate in such extremes, altering lives and futures at whim.

“Miss Langston?”

She shook off her wandering thoughts and followed the lieutenant up a brick walkway to the entrance. She reminded herself to breathe as he unlocked the door and gestured for her to enter.

The first thing that hit her was the heady scent of cedar, and an elusive, lingering aroma that was Luke's. Memories of their lovemaking assaulted her. The warm, male scent of Luke had surrounded her as he'd entered her body, as his chest had raked against hers and his mouth found the arch of her neck. Dana flushed at the memory, then straightened abruptly, aware that Lieutenant Allen was watching her with an expression of concern.

“I never expected a bachelor's home to be so neat,” she said, covering her emotion with cheerful chatter.

It was neat, she realized. There was little in the way of decorative touches, but the log home was large and classically beautiful, a vaulted great room dominating the center of the architecture. Dana looked around her, absorbing every detail as though it would help to unravel the mystery of the man. A heavy pine sofa and chairs, topped with cinnamon-colored cushions, were arranged around a stacked rock fireplace. Sunlight filtered through an expanse of oversize windows, absorbing the hue of the wood and filling the room with warmth.

“Why don't you get your bearings while I check in with the station?”

“Okay.” She smiled at Ben, then turned her attention to Daniel, holding him out in front of her playfully. “What do you say, little man? Do you want to go for a stroll around the place?”

Daniel grinned, and Dana studied his cherub's face in the
sunlight that cascaded through the windows. She'd peered at his chubby cheeks and bright eyes more often than she could count over the past few days, and his face had become familiar to her. Yet somehow he seemed different today, his features familiar to her in a way they hadn't seemed before. She studied him for a moment more, and then shrugged off the thought. It was probably the change of scenery that made everything seem different.

She settled Daniel against her shoulder and began to stroll absently through the house, feeling a little like an intruder and a lot curious. The kitchen was pretty but sparse, the only focus being an oversize coffeemaker. She noticed that the refrigerator was devoid of the usual bric-a-brac, family photos and memorabilia stuck beneath magnets. Dana felt a stab of pain that was all too familiar to her.

She left the kitchen and drifted down a long hall that she suspected led to Luke's bedroom. The first two bedrooms she encountered were obviously spare rooms. One contained a computer and desk, the other held twin beds. She grinned at the idea of a man Luke's size draped over the small mattress.

When Dana reached the end of the hall, she knew she'd found Luke's bedroom. The furniture was larger, just like the man. The king-size bed was a tangle of navy comforter and white sheets, so far the only untidy display. She was grateful for the disarray, to have found some connection with Luke. But a sense of loss pierced her stomach, along with a generous helping of memories. She averted her eyes, her gaze setting on a bedside phone.

For the first time in days she felt the urge to hear her aunt's and uncle's voices. She sat on the edge of the bed and trailed her fingers over the handset. Her aunt would probably faint from maternal overload if Dana called and
dumped thirty years worth of angst at her doorstep. Her aunt had a low threshold for all things maternal.

Dana grinned, then marveled at her own reaction, the acceptance she felt.

Maybe that was what the three of them needed, she realized. Maybe instead of withholding part of herself because her aunt and uncle didn't fit the mold she'd cast for them, she should simply be herself, let their relationship be what it would be.

A small movement caught her eye, and Dana looked up and into a bureau mirror. The image of a man standing behind her.

“Lieutenant Allen…” She turned toward him, feeling as though she'd been caught snooping.

“Do you need to call someone?” he asked.

“No, not really.” Dana gestured toward the phone. “I was considering calling my aunt and uncle in Atlanta but it can wait.”

“Most of the phone lines are down.” He shrugged. “Hazard number 1001 when you live in the mountains.”

“I suppose you're right.” She smiled, wondering why her nerves had yet to settle.

Ben frowned. “I didn't mean to startle you,” he apologized. “I was thinking that I could watch the baby for you if you want to rest up. Take a nap, maybe.”

Dana felt momentary panic at the idea of relinquishing Daniel to someone else's care. But this was Ben Allen, certainly no one to fear.

“That actually sounds nice,” she said. Ben stepped toward her. “Um…” She shifted the baby to her free shoulder, hugging him a little tighter. “Daniel seems a little tired, too. Maybe he'll nap with me.”

His gaze darted briefly to the mattress. “I'm sure the chief won't mind.”

Dana started to protest, to offer to lie down in the guest bedroom, but she recalled the twin beds. There was no way she could safely situate herself and the baby on one of the tiny mattresses. Besides, she'd shared much more than a bed with Luke. The thought brought a sad smile to her face.

“I'm sure he won't.”

“Okay, then.” Lieutenant Allen lingered for a moment before stepping out and shutting the door behind him.

The silence was welcome, as was the warmth and the presence of electricity. She yawned and then smiled at her own vulnerability to suggestion. A nap sounded like a little slice of heaven. She pulled Daniel from her shoulder and held him out in front of her.

“What about it?” she asked, grinning as she realized how often she'd begun to talk to him as if he were an adult. “How about a nap?”

“D
ana…”

Luke's voice was possibly the sexiest thing about him, and there was plenty to choose from. Its deep timbre vibrated around her, sending a shiver of response through her entire body. She snuggled closer, inhaling the rich, clean scent of him.

“Dana, wake up.”

She rolled over and stretched, opening her eyes with a lazy smile. “Luke…” She sat up, confused by her surroundings and disoriented by the sunlight that streamed through the bedroom window.

Luke's bedroom window. But instead of lying beside her as she'd thought, he stood in the doorway, filling the opening with his large frame.

“You're here,” she said, stating the obvious in her sleep-induced haze.

He nodded. “The road crews were able to pull my Jeep from the ditch without a problem.”

She finger combed her hair, lowering her voice to a whisper when she realized the baby was still sleeping beside her. “That was fast.”

“No, not really.” Luke looked at his watch. “According to Ben, you've been asleep for a couple of hours.”

“Oh…”

Dana was surprised when Sam stuck his head around Luke's thighs. The thick carpet had masked the sound of his arrival, unlike the hardwoods of the ranger's station. “Sam!” she called softly, scooting to the edge of the bed to greet him.

Luke placed his hand atop Sam's head, stalling his approach. Dana frowned, a little hurt by the gesture. She tucked pillows securely around Daniel and stood, her gaze finding Luke's. “Is something wrong?”

“No.” He crossed to the mattress and peered down at the baby. When he looked up, his eyes were unreadable. “I'm sure you want to shower and change into some clean clothes. I'll watch Daniel.”

“Maybe he should finish napping—”

Luke scooped the baby from the mattress before she could fully protest. The gesture woke Daniel, but instead of crying, he opened sleepy eyes and smiled at Luke. Dana felt her annoyance instantly dissolve. The combination of the baby's toothless smile and twinkling eyes was totally charming. Even Luke succumbed, returning the smile. Dana watched the two of them together, feeling relaxed for the first time since she and Luke had been separated.

The idea of a shower was tempting, and she couldn't think of a logical reason not to take Luke up on the offer. “A shower sounds great. Were you able to get my suitcase?” she asked.

“No. That's going to take some time.”

Dana frowned. “You mentioned that earlier.”

He walked to a tall bureau and tugged open a drawer with his free hand. “I'm afraid we'll have to improvise your wardrobe again.” He pulled a pair of gray drawstring shorts from the drawer and rummaged until he found a navy T-shirt. Luke passed her the clothes without meeting her eyes.

She accepted the ridiculously large clothes with mild annoyance. How much trouble could it be to grab a suitcase from the trunk of her car? “Luke, something is going on. Tell me what's—”

“We'll talk after you've had a chance to freshen up,” he said, pointing to a doorway off the bedroom. “The bathroom is through that door.”

Dana nodded but refused to move until Luke met her eyes. She searched for the old connection between them and found it, however weak. She smiled. “Thank you for ordering me lunch.”

“No problem.” Luke swallowed hard and then looked away. Connection gone. Just like that. “Help yourself to anything you need. Shampoo's in the shower and towels are in the linen closet.”

She bit her lip in an effort to steel her emotions. “Thank you.”

“Let me know when you're finished.” Luke looked away, but the official capacity in his voice spoke volumes. “I'll be waiting.”

 

Luke could hear the familiar hum of water flowing through the pipes, indicating that Dana was still in the shower. It was getting harder to ignore the images that slid, uninvited, into his head. Dana with her neck arched, allowing the spray of water to cascade over her hair and down her back. Dana with frothy bubbles of shampoo sliding between her breasts…

Luke ached to take a shower of his own but ached even more to join Dana in hers.

But the past few hours had changed everything, and old longings were now off-limits. He wasn't about to shirk his duty this time, however offensive, of making certain that Dana didn't leave the premises. Until then he would concentrate on hunger of a different kid. Luke added a third slice of ham to the second sandwich he'd constructed and carried the plate to the dining room table.

Dana is a suspect, he reminded himself. The only logical suspect he had at the moment.

Daniel lay on a sheepskin rug that Luke had situated between the dining room table and the window, delighting in the texture of the pelt. He examined and drooled, laughed and buried his fingers in the white fur. The rug had been a gift from a female “friend” that owned a gift shop in town, a friend he'd had a brief affair with.

The affair had ended before it really began. Apparently the thrill of the socially forbidden Sutherlin fruit hadn't been worth the risk in the light of day. They'd parted ways and the pelt had been her polite way of saying thanks for the memories.

And the discretion.

Watching Daniel's delight made the oddball gift worth the high price tag. He winced at the memory of his last lapse in judgment. Sleeping with Shelly Henson had marked an all-time low. He was pretty certain there was an unspoken rule against having sex with your father's mistress.

If not, there should be.

In his defense, he could at least claim innocence by Jack Daniels. Besides, Shelly wasn't exactly a poster child for scruples herself, having lifted the contents of his wallet on the way out the door. Luke recalled her cryptic message he'd received three days earlier, promising to return the
money. Apparently, he wasn't the only one having an attack of scruples lately.

Luke bit into the sandwich, too distracted to savor the meal. Maybe Shelly would actually show up after the ice and snow melted. If so, he would apologize for his behavior. Once and for all.

Sam suddenly appeared at the floor-length window, having finished his romp with the horses, and began to wag his tail when he spotted the baby through the glass. Daniel returned the greeting, squealing with delight. Luke shook his head. Forget stuffed animals and battery-operated gimmicks. Sam was ninety pounds of live entertainment.

Unfortunately, he was also unpredictable entertainment. Sam gave a playful growl and bounded off in the direction of the horses again. Daniel looked confused and then began to cry.

“Oh, little man, don't do that,” Luke cooed. “You know I'm not as good as…” He gave himself a mental shake, realizing he'd almost said Dana's name. “You know I don't always know what to do.”

A few seconds of Daniel's crying convinced Luke that doing something, even something wrong, was better than nothing at all. He rummaged through the diaper bag, looking for inspiration. When Luke found the lullaby cassette, he decided he just might survive the episode. He jogged to the kitchen and rummaged through a junk drawer until he found an old hand-held tape recorder. He felt desperation growing along with Daniel's wails. Returning to the dining room, he sat cross-legged next to Daniel and inserted the tape.

Mind-drugging music filled the air, and Daniel instantly stopped crying. Ah, sweet relief. Luke wasn't certain which intrigued Daniel more, the music or the electronic device. He scooted the tiny recorder in the baby's direction and watched his face fill with delight. Daniel managed to grasp
the plastic strap and tug it to his mouth, studying the source of the music with wide eyes.

Mission accomplished. Luke returned to the dining room chair and polished off the sandwich as he watched Daniel. The baby was, without a doubt, the cause of his spontaneous life evaluation. Luke grinned, despite the unsettling feeling, marveling that a fifteen-pound house guest could make him question his choices.

When he boiled down past relationships, Dana was the only woman he'd cared about in a long time. Luke felt a wave of uncertainty. She was the only woman he'd ever cared about. In fact, he'd always made damned sure that caring wasn't part of the package by choosing women who were emotionally unavailable. But Dana was different. If things had turned out differently, could she have been permanent?

If things
had…
Past tense.

“I'm finished.” Dana's words cut through his thoughts like a warm blade on butter. Dangerous and effective.

He turned to face her, regret hitting him like a fist in the gut. She stood barelegged in his T-shirt, the neck drooping off one shoulder. Damp blond hair framed her face, which was alluringly innocent without makeup. Her bare feet had sunk into the carpet and her legs seemed to go on forever, hidden only by the hem of the shirt. His shorts must not have fit, even with the drawstring pulled, because she obviously didn't have them on. The thought was sexy as hell.

Get a grip, Sutherlin. Stick to the facts.

He frowned. If Dana was somehow connected to Michelle Alexander's death, the sexy distraction could be exactly what she intended. If so, it was working.

As if to dispel his suspicion, Dana knelt next to Daniel and lifted the baby from the rug. He squealed, then leaned toward her, his mouth primed for a kiss. Her eyes grew
round as she obediently leaned in and was rewarded with a wet kiss on the nose.

“Did you see that?” she exclaimed. “Luke, did you see that? He kissed me!”

She's a suspect. The only one you have.

“Yeah, I did.” He rubbed his unshaved jaw and stood abruptly.

The smile on Dana's face faded, turning to a look of dread. “What is it?”

“I need to ask you a few questions.” Luke walked to the kitchen and retrieved a pen and notebook.

She eyed the articles with suspicion. “I take it this is official?”

“Yes.”

She laid the baby gently back against the rug and stood, smoothing the hem of the T-shirt against her thighs. “Something happened at the accident site, didn't it?”

“Yeah.” He opened the notebook and clicked the pen. “It turned into a crime scene.”

“What?” Dana paled. “The accident… Daniel's mother?”

“Was murdered,” Luke supplied.

Understanding dawned, and her eyes grew cold. “Am I a suspect?” she asked.

“You're not anything right now.”

Dana's eyes brightened unnaturally, like an animal in pain, and then suddenly all expression was gone. Just like that, the life was extinguished. “I see,” she mumbled.

Luke's gut twisted and he regretted the choice of words. She didn't see at all. He hadn't meant— Oh, hell, he hadn't meant what she'd thought. Luke forced himself to continue. “What time did you leave Atlanta?”

She closed her eyes briefly. “Around two-thirty.”

Luke found his hand was shaking as he jotted down the information. “Can anyone confirm that?”

“No.”

“You said that you pulled the infant from the car after the accident, is that right?”

She opened her eyes and met his with a look of disgust. “You know that it is.”

He steeled himself for that and more. “How were you able to carry the child and climb back up the cliff?”

Dana blinked. “There was another way. A footpath that wound to the right of the cliff.”

Luke hesitated, recalling the scene as best he could. He didn't recall a footpath but something about the faraway look in Dana's eyes said she was remembering, not fabricating. Still, he had to continue.

“Do you know a woman by the name of Michelle Alexander?”

Dana balled her hands into fists and then relaxed them. Her cheeks were pink with color but her face was an unreadable mask. “No.”

“Tell me how you came to know Daniel Alexander.”

Dana's nostrils flared, and Luke had the impression that she was fighting tears, despite the fact that her eyes were dry and her expression otherwise stony. Seconds passed with no response.

Luke cleared his throat. “Dana, when did you first meet or hear of Daniel Alexander?” he repeated.

He watched her swallow, the action flexing the creamy-white column of her neck. A neck he had kissed…

“I believe we'd just made love when you first mentioned his name to me,” she answered, her voice steady.

Emotion churned within him. His questions were as good as accusations. So why didn't she just rant and rave and convince him that she had nothing to do with Michelle Al
exander's death? All he wanted was one measly defense to cling to, one pitiful argument. God knew he wanted to believe that she hadn't had anything to do with the woman's death.

Luke threw the notebook and pen on the table, his hands sliding to his hips. He turned away, tamping down the emotion that threatened his sense of duty. Just having her in his home was painful. He could too easily picture her here, turning the mundane life into something wonderful with only her presence.

Just as she'd turned the life-and-death situation into the most memorable few days of his life.

What would it have been like to curl up on the sofa with her, watch some mindless sitcom on television or prepare a meal together? His heart ached as he recalled Dana tangled in the sheets of his bed. What would it have been like to wake up together? The death of a million could-have-beens overwhelmed him.

“Dammit, Dana, you know what I'm asking you. Why don't you just tell me what happened up there on that mountain road?”

But instead of answering, she chose to stare straight ahead, her eyes dead and her face pale.

“Answer me!” he yelled, slamming his palm against the kitchen table.

“Chief?” Ben Allen's voice echoed in the tense silence that followed.

Luke whirled on him like an eagle ready to sink its talons into prey. “What is it?”

Lieutenant Allen cleared his throat and stepped aside. “She's here.” A woman in heels and a business suit stepped into the room. “The DFCS representative is here to take the baby.”