Nearest Thing to Heaven (Maverick Junction) (23 page)

When she told him about the florist delivery, he glanced up from his notepad. “You still have those flowers or the card that came with them?”

“I threw them in the trash. Outside.”

“Mind if we dig them out?”

“Not at all.”

“Got any of his e-mails? They’d help prove a pattern.”

“On my laptop.”

Jimmy nodded. “In and of itself, neither of those would be enough. But you put them all together, along with what he did tonight, we should be able keep him behind bars for a good while.”

“If it goes to court, there are several people in Chicago who will be more than happy to testify.” She told him about Kyle’s tires, Nathan’s visits to Madison and Dee.

“He has a key.”

“For your apartment?”

She nodded. “Both here and in Chicago, apparently. He found the ones I hid and had copies made.”

“We’ll relieve him of those.”

“You’ll be sorry,” Nathan warned as Derik walked him out the door. “You’re mine, Sophie. Forever.”

“And that will help,” Jimmy said, even as she paled. “Come on into the station tomorrow to fill out the paperwork, okay?” He cast an eye at Ty and Brawley. “You two gonna be here for a bit?”

“Yes, sir,” Ty answered.

“Good.” Jimmy tipped his hat at Sophie. “Get something over this broken window.”

“I’ll take care of that,” Brawley said. “Dottie’s got all kinds of stuff in her shed, so I’m sure I can find something to nail over the opening.”

He left, and the cruiser—with Nathan in it—pulled from the drive.

Ty dragged Sophie to him and buried his face in her hair. The rapid beat of his heart matched her own. “Oh, Sophie, he hurt you.”

“I’m okay, Ty. I’m okay. You stopped him.”

“If Brawley hadn’t decided to come by with that tag—” He broke off.

“Why did
you
come?”

“I had a gut feeling something was wrong. Oh, God, Tink.” He kissed the top of her head, her forehead, her unmarked cheek.

“I…I think…” Her tears started then in earnest. “If you hadn’t—”

“Shhh, darlin’, don’t go there.” He wrapped her in his arms and held her close while she cried.

The cat crawled out from behind a chair and wound herself between their legs, making little mewing noises as if she, too, understood and sympathized.

Ty picked Sophie up and carried her across the room. After settling her on the old couch, he covered her with an afghan.

When he stood, Sophie grabbed his sleeve. “Don’t leave me.”

“Hush, sugar. I’ll be right back.” He disappeared into her bedroom and came back with a T-shirt. Slipping it over her head, he slid off the torn top, and helped her thread her arms into the shirt.

Brawley quietly came through the door with a piece of plywood. He nailed it in place and swept up the glass. “If you’re okay here, I’m going to head home.”

When Sophie made to get up, Ty held her in place. “We’re good. I owe you. Big time. Thanks, pal.”

Sophie blinked back still more tears. “Brawley, thank you.”

“Oh, God, Soph. I’m so sorry neither of us got here before the jerk hurt you.” He strode across the room, gave her a hard hug, then left, closing the door gently behind him.

“Sophie, I—” Ty’s gray eyes darkened to the color of a winter day just before a major storm. “Pack a bag. I’m taking you home with me tonight.”

“Ty, I don’t want to take this to your home. To your kids. If anything happened—”

“Nathan’s in jail, Tink. None of it goes with you. There’s no danger to the boys.”

“Then why do I—”

“Because I want you with me. Because
I
need it.”

She said nothing, just stared at him open-mouthed.

“What? You have nothing to say all of a sudden?”

She shook her head.

I
’m sleeping in the guest room.” Sophie stood uneasily in the middle of Ty’s living room, clutching her overnighter. Lilybelle meowed angrily inside the cat carrier.

The house was silent, the kids and Trouble fast asleep upstairs. Haley had said her good-byes and hightailed it for home the minute she’d spied the less-than-happy expressions on their faces.

Ty jammed both hands in his back pockets and bit back an oath. “You’ve been through a hell of a scare tonight, Tink. You don’t have to pretend everything’s fine.”

“You’re coddling me.”

“What? Because I wouldn’t let you drive yourself here?”

She nodded.

“Look at your hands, Sophie. They’re still shaking.”

She quickly tucked them behind her.

“You’re a mess. It wouldn’t have been safe. For you or anybody else out there on the road.”

She opened her mouth, ready to argue again.

“Don’t,” he said. “It’s done. Brawley drove your car here, although, right now, he’s not the steadiest thing I’ve seen on two legs, either. But he’s a damn sight better off than you.”

Sophie scowled. “You shouldn’t have called him back to do that. And now he’s driven home in your truck and his is back at my place. Which means tomorrow you two have to waste time shuffling vehicles.”

“No big deal. In the meantime, everybody’s got a ride. The van’s here if we need it…and you’ve got your own car. I get that you need some control. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a win-win.” He paused a heartbeat. “But sleeping in the other room is just plain stupid.”

“Is it?”

“Yeah. You’ve already spent a night in my bed.”

“The kids weren’t here then.”

Exasperated, he swiped a hand over his face. “Look, sweetheart, tonight’s been hard on you. Hard on all of us. Hell, when I walked in and saw Nathan with his hands on you…”

He stopped. Closed his eyes. “I can’t begin to imagine what you went through. The fear. Walking in. Having him there. I swear they’d better keep him locked up a long, long time ’cause if I ever run into him, I’m not quite sure what I might do.”

Sophie took his hand, raised it to her lips, and kissed the back of it, the knuckles scraped where they’d met with Nathan’s jaw. “You came. And I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”

“I didn’t know, Tink. When I decided I needed to see you, to meet Brawley at your place instead of Bubba’s, I didn’t know. I aged ten years in the few minutes it took me to get Nathan away from you. I can never repay Brawley for tonight.”

Their eyes met. “Sophie, you’re killing me.”

He leaned down and their lips touched, setting off a fire so hot she wondered they didn’t both burn to a crisp.

“Does your lip hurt?”

“Not anymore.”

He kissed her again, gently.

When she pulled away, she patted his cheek. “I’m still sleeping in the guest room. Lilybelle and me.”

She opened the carrier, and the huffy cat walked out, all straight-legged and injured pride.

Ty thumped his head against the wall behind him. “You might look delicate, but you’re one tough cookie.”

“Thank you.”

“I didn’t mean that as a compliment.”

“I know.”

“Tink, I’d sleep a whole hell of a lot better with you beside me.”

She mustered a weak smile. “Liar. Neither one of us would get any sleep.”

His dimples winked. “You’re probably right, although I want you to know I can control myself when necessary.”

Her eyes held his.

He raised a hand in surrender. “Okay, the guest room it is—if you’re sure that’s what you really want.”

“It’s what I need, Ty.”

“Fine.” He kissed the top of her head and took her bag. “I’ll be lying awake in my room if you change your mind.”

When Ty’s alarm went off, Sophie hopped from bed and opened her door, Lilybelle following. She’d tossed and turned till dawn peeped around the edge of the blinds in her room, then had dropped into a dreamless sleep. Now, she felt groggy and disoriented.

Jesse and Jonah burst from their bedroom with ear-splitting whoops. Josh followed slowly, dragging a ratty old blanket and looking on the verge of tears.

Spotting Sophie, all three rushed her. When they caught sight of the cat, their onslaught turned into a stampede.

Lilybelle turned and scurried across the hardwood, taking refuge beneath the bed.

“Whoa, boys. You’ll knock Sophie down.” Ty stepped into the hall, shirtless, his hair on end. He looked rumpled and absolutely gorgeous.

Their eyes met over the kids.

“Good morning,” he said, voice husky from sleep.

“Good morning.” She felt ridiculously shy, considering she’d shared a bed with him last time she’d spent the night. Somehow, though, this was different.

“Not quite what you’re used to?” he asked.

“Not even close. I like to ease into my day.”

“Not gonna happen here. We start the day with a vengeance. Zero to ninety in the space of a heartbeat.”

Josh patted her leg to get her attention. “Is the kitty coming out?”

“Probably not right now,” she answered. Trouble had wandered into the guest room, and Lilybelle was now howling and spitting from her hidey-hole. Sophie shooed the puppy out of the room.

“Can we stay home and play with Sophie today?” Jesse asked.

“Now there’s an idea,” Ty whispered as they followed the kids downstairs.

“Yeah, can we, Daddy?”

“No, Josh, you can’t. Grandma and Grandpa will be here soon to pick you up for Sunday school.”

He started to whine.

“Enough, bud. Sophie will be here when you get home.”

“Her kitty, too?”

“Her kitty, too.”

She shot Ty a warning glance. “Don’t make promises you can’t deliver.”

“I’m not.” He kept his voice low-pitched. “You’re staying here till I’m sure you’re safe.”

“I never said I’d stay more than last night. Even that was under protest.”

“No, guess you didn’t, but it’s the only plan that makes any sense. Don’t go cutting off your nose to spite your face.”

She decided not to answer him. Right now wasn’t the time for this discussion. Not with the kids and their little ears.

Bumping and jostling each other, the boys descended on the kitchen and scooted up to the table. They rested heads on folded arms, watching her and their dad dance around each other.

On the surface the day seemed so ordinary. Yet as Sophie poured chocolate and marshmallow cereal into bowls and drowned it in milk, she wondered if anything would ever be the same.

When the food hit the table, the boys wolfed it down so fast, she asked, “You did feed them last night, didn’t you?”

“Hell, yes. They’d eat a person out of house and home if you’d let them. And they’re only four. I’m gonna have to work a second job to feed them in a few years.”

Watching them tip the bowls to slurp up the last of the milk, she said, “I’ve got a feeling you might be right about that.”

“Sophie?” Jonah chewed his last mouthful of cereal.

“Yes, honey?”

“Did you falled down? You got a boo-boo on your face.”

“A boo-boo?”

He nodded.

She raised a hand to her bruised cheek, and Ty’s eyes grew stormy. “I did fall, yes.”

She hadn’t given it a thought this morning, or she’d have covered it with makeup before letting the boys see her. She should have combed her hair, too. Threading splayed fingers through the tangled mess, she could only imagine what she looked like. Purple cheek, disheveled hair. A wonder the kids hadn’t gone running when they saw her—away rather than toward her.

Ty, coffeepot in one hand, mug in the other, looked angry enough to kick that ass as he’d promised last night.

She met those dark gray eyes and silently begged him not to contradict her. How did you explain someone like Nathan to young innocents? That kind of ugliness could wait till they were older. Till they could understand people like Nathan made up only a small minority of mankind.

“That’s why I brought her home with me last night, Jonah. She got hurt, so I thought we could keep her here with us for a few days till we make sure she’s okay.”

“Thanks, Daddy.” Jonah scooted off his chair and wrapped his arms around her legs. “Daddy’ll take care of you. When we fall down, he always makes it better.”

“I know.” Despite her resolve, Sophie’s eyes misted. God, she’d miss these boys. “He’s a good daddy, isn’t he?”

“Uh-huh.” Satisfied, Jonah went back to his cereal bowl, obviously hoping it had been magically refilled in his absence.

“Thank you,” she mouthed to Ty.

His only answer was cocked brows.

“Okay, guys. Upstairs. Teeth brushed, hair combed, clothes on. All of you.” He herded them out of the kitchen, and they tore off to do his bidding, leaving a stunned Sophie in their wake.

“I have to supervise,” he said, trailing behind them. “Shouldn’t take long.”

Ten minutes later, they all swarmed back into the kitchen where she was loading the dishwasher.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Ty said.

“If I’m staying here, I’m pulling my weight. I’m not an invalid.”

“I didn’t imply—”

“What’s an inbalid, Daddy?” Josh tugged on Ty’s jeans.

“Somebody who’s sick,” Ty answered.

“Sophie’s an inbalid ’cause of her boo-boo, Daddy?”

Drying her hands on a dishtowel, she crouched in front of Josh. “My boo-boo doesn’t hurt anymore. I’m okay.”

The little boy nodded, so solemn Sophie’s breath caught in her throat.

Before she could say anything else, the horn tooted outside announcing his parents. Sophie swore a Cat. 5 hurricane had been unleashed inside the house. Last-minute scrambling unearthed Josh’s missing sneaker and Jonah’s hat.

Jesse tried one last maneuver. “My belly hurts.” His bottom lip pouted.

“Uh-uh.” Ty shook his head. “You pulled that last week with day care. The minute Haley’s bumper disappeared from sight, you were fine. Not gonna work again.”

“But, Daddy—”

“No but daddies.” He bent to kiss the child, and Jesse threw his arms around his neck.

“Love you, Daddy.”

“Love you, too, pal.”The scene repeated twice more before he finally scooted them out the door. Sophie stood in the window and watched as he patiently got them all situated and buckled in. Then he rested his hands on the open passenger-side window and said something to his parents. Ty’s mom glanced toward the house, and Sophie knew he was talking to them about last night. Her own stomach churned.

A minute later, Ty backed away from the car. He stood at the end of the drive and waved them off before stomping his feet on the porch and heading inside.

“Do you think Jesse might really be sick?” she asked.

“Nope. And they need routine. We all do.” He rubbed his chin. “I asked Mom if she and Dad would take the kids home with them today after the service.”

“You told them what happened.”

“I did.”

She closed her eyes. “I’m so ashamed.”

“Hey.” Ty pulled her hand away and held it in his own. “You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Things should never have reached that point.”

“Not your fault, Sophie. You did nothing to encourage him.”

“Still…”

“Still nothing. You’re just going to piss me off again if you try to take the blame for what that jerk did.”

“You’re right.” She blew out her breath. “Will your mom mind keeping the kids?”

“Are you kidding? She and Dad love having them. They go there most Sundays, anyway. This will give you a bit longer to get your feet back under you.”

“Thanks.”

He leaned toward her for a careful kiss. “And that’s thanks enough. As much as I hate to leave you, Tink, I have work to do. Livestock likes to eat—even on Sundays. Will you be okay here alone, or should I call one of the other hands to cover for me?”

She laughed. “I’ll be fine, and I have work to do, too. I brought my laptop along. Besides, Lilybelle and Trouble are here to guard me.”

The cat had sneaked down the stairs the minute the kids stepped out the door. She and Trouble eyed each other uneasily from the length of the room.

“Go on,” Sophie said. “Go be a cowboy. Do whatever it is cowboys do.”

He caught her around the waist and pulled her close. “They like kissing their women, for starters. Sure was tough sleeping last night, knowing you were across the hall. The temptation nearly swallowed me whole.”

He nipped at her bottom lip, and she opened her mouth to him.

“I won’t stay here any other way. Not with three little boys in the house.”

“I told you they sleep like—”

“I know.” She tugged at the neck of the flannel shirt he’d thrown on, drew him close again, and kissed him as if it had to last her a lifetime. “Now go to work. I’ll finish pulling the kitchen together.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

“If you need me, all you have to do is stick your head out the door and holler. I’ll be within shouting distance all day.”

“Ty—”

“And keep your phone with you. All the time.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“You’ve got a smart mouth, Sophie London. I ought to take you over my knee.”

For a split-second, her mind flashed to last night. Nathan’s fingers biting cruelly into her arm, his hand over her mouth.

Then she refocused on the man in front of her. This was Ty. A man good to the bone who would never in a million years hurt her. On purpose. But he had the power to break her heart.

“Sophie?” Ty narrowed his eyes. “Where’d you go?”

She shook her head. “Woolgathering. Sorry.”

He cleared his throat. “Guess you’re entitled, all things considered. But it’s important you listen to me about this. I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you.”

Contrite, she apologized. “I’ll behave. Promise.”

Reaching for his coat, he said, “You know, there are no little ones here now. We’ve got some time to misbehave—in private.” The heat of his gaze nearly branded her.

“Ty—”

He pushed his arms into his jacket. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. You need some time. I got that.” One last, quick kiss and he headed out the door.

She took a deep breath. When Ty and the kids were here, the place was a beehive of activity. Now, all alone, the rooms with their functional and uncluttered décor actually set her mind free.