No Time to Hide (20 page)

Cutter stroked his hand across her abdomen.

“How long have you known?” he asked.

“Only a few days. I thought I had the flu. I sent you an e-mail yesterday. But the only address I knew was the e-mail account I saw you accessing when we were in your office. I didn’t know if you were still getting mail there.”

“No. I resigned. I told you I was going to. But they had some loose ends they needed me to tie up.”

“Salvatore.” It was a statement not a question.

“That’s right. And I wanted to be in on the wrap-up questioning of Giancarlo.”

“Did you get all the answers you wanted?” She held her breath as she waited for his response. Because Kerry knew if he hadn’t he would never be able to find his peace. And if she couldn’t have him herself, she wanted him to find peace in his life. Like she’d found her peace.

“Yes. Johnson was on Morrelli’s payroll and was into Giancarlo for gambling debts. He was trying to work both sides of that particular fence. But he would also give both sides information regarding raids or anything they needed. I had to make sure it was only Johnson, though. I was afraid my boss, Denver, was involved too.”

“You don’t think he was now?”

“No. I think he’s clean. Squeaky.”

“Well, that’s good.” She paused. She wanted to tread carefully on this next subject. “You know now you’re not to blame for Helen’s death, don’t you? Johnson would have done something to kill her.”

“Yeah. It was tied to Morrelli. She’d been working on rumors of the Chicago mob putting pressure inside the native community to control their gambling casinos. I didn’t tie it together because she had just been given the case just a couple of days before her death. She was going to work with her brother.”

Kerry nodded. “So it was Morrelli who ordered the hit?”

“Yes. And Johnson delivered.”

They sat quietly for a few moments. Kerry could feel his hand stroking her back and luxuriated in the feeling. Every once in a while, his lips brushed the top of her head. One of her arms was still wrapped around his neck, while the other toyed absently with the hair showing at the top of the rounded neck of his T-shirt.

“You’ve officially retired from the marshal’s service?” she asked.

“Yeah. I’m a full-time teacher and coach. Well, I will be in a couple of weeks.”

“Why a couple of weeks?”

“Well, I figure we need a couple of weeks to get married and go on our honeymoon.”

Kerry caught her breath. “Married? Honeymoon?”

“Sure. And I know you’re probably expecting something fancy, but remember, we’re doing this on a teacher’s salary.”

“Oh. Well, I guess I can be adaptable. And we won’t just be doing it on a teacher’s salary. I’m a soon-to-be published children’s book author.”

He moved back slightly. “What? They bought your book? That’s great!”

“Yes. I just got the call yesterday. And they want me to write another one for them. I have a deadline.”

He kissed her hard and when her lips opened, it quickly became hot. She could feel her pulse galloping when their lips finally separated.

He tilted his head back against the couch and yelled, “Yahoo! I knew they’d love it! I knew they would love you.”

A small tingling ran down her arm. She tried to hide the smile threatening to break across her face.

“You know the funniest thing, though? I never sent my manuscript to them. I never had the courage.”

“Oh, I think you’re mistaken. You’re the most courageous woman I’ve ever known,” Cutter said.

“No, I’m not. Perhaps my father sent it in for me?”

Cutter snorted.

“Yeah, I know. Impossible since he didn’t even know I’d done it,” Kerry continued. “You know, there was only one person in this world who knew and cared enough to send it.”

Cutter got a guilty-little-boy look on his face. “Oh, I think it’s more probable you mailed it and just forgot about it.”

“Now, that’s kind of a lame explanation. But what can I expect from the man who everyone knows is only good at the physical stuff.” Kerry stopped speaking, amazed she’d teased him about what Johnson had said on Harris Hill. Would he be angry?

She looked at him, an apology on her lips. It died when she saw the sparkle of humor in his eyes.

“Physical stuff, huh? Well, let me show you just what kind of expert I am,” he said with a growl, pushing her down against the sofa cushions and proceeding to show her just how inventive and exhilarating the physical stuff could be.

***

Five years later

“Cutter Peter Snead, you stop that right this moment,” Kerry called as she stepped into the cluttered living room.

Two sets of identical brown eyes twinkled at her.

“It wasn’t my fault, Mama,” little Cutter intoned, his hand mere inches from grabbing a fistful of cat hair. The cat, a wonderful creature now called Zippy, who had wandered up to the cabin late one summer night, hungry but not hopeless, took advantage of her fleeting moment of freedom and ran into the other room.

“It wasn’t his fault, Mama.” Helen Leigh Snead, an exact replica of her brother, was loyal as usual.

Kerry sighed, then melted. She hustled each child onto the sofa and began the oft-repeated lecture. “Now your Daddy and I have both told you Zippy loves to be petted, but you have to be gentle. You remember that, don’t you?”

“Yes, Mama,” Helen said.

“Yes, Mama,” little Cutter repeated. “But I was gentle, Mama. Just wanted to see how long Zippy’s fur is. Wasn’t going to hurt her.”

“You don’t need to see how long Zippy’s fur is. It’s just long enough.”

Twin heads bowed to chests, as if the burden of guilt was overwhelming. Kerry subdued her chuckle and rose to stand in front of them. “Now, I want you both to sit there quietly until your father comes home. Then, maybe I’ll let you play. Okay?”

One chin jutted in rebellion that quickly turned to a quiver. The second chin dimpled, and Kerry almost succumbed. She needed to get supper going, but honestly didn’t really feel like it.

At that moment, the front door crashed open. “Kerry, kids, I’m home.”

The twins jumped off the sofa and raced for their father. Kerry felt a little bubble grow inside her and barely managed to avoid rushing him as well.

“Hey, hey, have you guys been good for your mama?” he asked, pulling one into each arm and giving them a big squeeze. His eyes glinted a little at the sight of her, then added, “I hope you don’t mind, honey, but I brought some of the guys from the team home. They wanted to give the batting machine out in the barn a little work.”

“Cutter,” she wailed, “what about supper? The twins are hungry and so am I. I haven’t started anything and I didn’t plan for the entire team—”

“That’s okay. I stopped off at the Smokin’ Bob’s on the way in. Ordered a sheet pizza. They’ll be delivering it in about forty-five minutes.”

“My hero,” she said, watching as he sat the wriggling twins down and gave each a pat on the rump. “You’ve thought of everything.”

“I try. So, is everything okay?” he asked, striding through the house to the refrigerator. He reached inside and grabbed a bottle of water. He unscrewed the top and chugged thirstily.

“Yes. I mailed off my manuscript today and got a royalty check.”

“That’s good. Great, in fact. Maybe I should cancel the pizza. I can send the kids home and we can go someplace special to celebrate.”

“No, that’s okay. In fact, I’ve got a bit of a craving for pizza. We can save the celebration for later.”

“Well, whatever you think is best.” He turned to head back outside.

Kerry looked through the kitchen window and saw the twins were already outside and were being teased by the six Native boys in pants and sneakers, carrying bats and balls, who were waiting on Cutter.

“I’ll go out and work with the… Wait a minute, did you say you had a craving for pizza?”

Kerry grinned. “That’s right. Pizza, pickles, and ice cream. The doctor confirmed it today. He says it’s possible, but not likely that it’ll be twins again.”

Cutter paled momentarily and then grinned like he’d been given the keys to the greatest castle. “Well, baby, with you, I’d say it more than possible, it’s damn near probable.”

Kerry shrugged and walked into his outstretched arms. “I don’t know. I’d say you’re the one who calls all the shots in this department. You know what they say about former U.S. Marshals and present baseball coaches, don’t you?”

“No, what?” Cutter grinned.

“Just wait until tonight and you’ll find out,” she promised on a kiss.

Karen is a retired journalist who happily spends her time exploring whatever story her characters urge her to tell, traveling to new places, learning new things, and returning to one of the most beautiful places in the world, East Tennessee, with her beloved pets, two cats and an aging Beagle named Stella. Get updates and news at her website: www.karentroxel.com