Sealed With a Kiss (24 page)

His daughter was resilient and would soon
bounce back from what had happened. She’d miss Rachel for a few
days, then find something else to make her happy.

He didn’t know if he could honestly say the
same thing about himself.

CHAPTER TEN

Rachel woke up in one of Tess and Logan’s spare
bedrooms. It was still dark outside, but that was nothing unusual
for this time of the year. The sun, when it remembered to peek its
head out of the clouds, would be a welcome relief from the gloomy
mornings and early evenings.

She wondered if that was why so many people
strung Christmas lights around their properties. They brightened
the streets, lightened people’s hearts, and brought smiles to most
people’s faces.

The only lights she remembered from last
night were the blow-up characters in John’s front yard. The drive
back to his home hadn’t lightened her heart or made her smile.

After she’d left the hospital, Tanner had
taken her back to John’s home to pack her bags and say goodbye to
Mr. and Mrs. Daniels. It had been a quick, tear-filled visit that
made Rachel realize how much of an impact people could make in your
life. She’d miss Mrs. Daniels’ baking, her wonderful sense of
humor, and the joy she brought to John’s home.

But she couldn’t afford to dwell on what had
happened. If she kept thinking about what was missing from her
life, her heart would break all over again.

She squinted at the watch on her wrist and
sighed. It wasn’t as early as she thought. She rolled out of bed,
opened the suitcase that Tanner had carried inside for her, and
looked for some clean clothes.

After she’d had a shower, she went downstairs
to see if Tanner had arrived. He was sitting at the kitchen table,
drinking a cup of coffee, and looking through the morning
paper.

She smiled at her bodyguard. “Good morning.
What time did you get here?”

“About five-thirty. The same time that Tess
left for work. She said to come to the café for breakfast. She’ll
cook a few extra pancakes for us.”

“Us?”

Tanner’s face moved into what could have been
a smile. “There’s got to be some perks to the job.”

Rachel poured herself a cup of coffee. She
almost felt sorry for Tanner. Making sure she didn’t hurt herself,
get kidnapped, or even get killed, couldn’t have been the most
satisfying job in the world. After yesterday, he definitely
deserved a double stack of pancakes with all of the trimmings. “Do
you know how Bella is this morning?”

“She’s doing okay. She left the hospital at
eight o’clock last night and went straight to bed. Mrs. Daniels
made her breakfast about two hours ago.” Tanner closed the paper.
“She asked where you were.”

Rachel leaned against the kitchen counter.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and took another sip of
coffee. “Are you making that up?”

“Tank’s on duty. He wanted to know if you
were okay with calling Bella when you woke up. She misses you.”

Rachel nodded. “I miss her, too. But I can’t
call her. John wouldn’t want me to.”

“I guess that’s up to you, then.”

Rachel looked sharply at Tanner. “You
wouldn’t be alluding to the fact that I’m a determined, independent
woman, would you?”

“Who me, ma’am? I wouldn’t dream of it. A
determined, independent woman wouldn’t worry about whether she was
stepping on anyone’s toes. She’d be more worried about making sure
an eight-year-old was happy.”

Rachel tipped the rest of her coffee down the
sink. “That’s good, because I wouldn’t want you to think that I
don’t care. I do care, more than anyone realizes. But if John found
out that I’d called Bella, my name would be mud. He’d send the
National Guard to keep me away from his daughter.”

Tanner stood up and rinsed his cup under the
faucet. “The National Guard has got nothing on us. Fletcher
Security employs the best of the best, and I’m telling you now,
some rules are meant to be broken.”

Rachel pulled her cell phone out of her back
pocket. “I hope you’re right,” she muttered. “If John finds out
about this, he’ll complain to the school board. I’ll be dismissed,
have no job to go back to, and end up living on the streets eating
Tess’ leftovers.”

“Hell of a way to go, ma’am.” Tanner held her
jacket toward her. “You don’t need your bag. I’ll bring you
straight back here after breakfast.”

Rachel stopped dialing Bella’s number. “I’m
on house arrest?”

“I wouldn’t put it in those terms exactly. As
I said before, there are some rules that are made to be broken, and
some that aren’t. Bringing you back here isn’t one of the rules I’m
willing to break.” He held the back door open. “After you.”

Rachel put her jacket on. “You wouldn’t have
negotiated an early release for breakfast because you want to eat
Tess’ pancakes, would you?”

Tanner nodded at her cell phone. “I believe
you have a phone call to make, Ms. McReedy.”

Rachel redialed Bella’s home number, hoping
John was nowhere in sight. Tanner opened the back door and waved
her through. She stayed where she was, waiting for someone to
answer the phone. Tanner’s stomach could wait a few extra minutes
before they left for the café.

Someone picked up the phone and said hello.
“Tank? Is that you?”

“Rachel? How are you?”

“I’m fine. I’m staying with Tess and Logan.
Tanner is here with me, but then you probably know all of that.”
Rachel clamped her lips tight to stop from rambling. “Could I speak
to Bella for a few minutes? I just want to make sure she’s
okay.”

“Sure, she’s right here.”

Rachel waited a few seconds for Bella to
speak.

“Rachel?”

“I’m here, Bella. How are you feeling?”

“I’m good. Dad’s gone into work early, but
he’s coming home soon. We’re going to watch a movie and have
popcorn and ice cream. Mrs. Daniels made bacon and eggs for
breakfast and Miss. Snuggles likes having me close.”

“It sounds like you’re having a great
day.”

“It would be better with you here. Dad said
that you’re starting your other job sooner than you thought.”

“It’s something like that,” Rachel said
quietly. “Have a lovely day. I’ll see you at school in the new
year.”

“But Santa is bringing a present to our house
for you. I thought you’d be here on Christmas morning to help open
our gifts.”

“Maybe you could keep Santa’s present safe
and I’ll see you after Christmas? I’m going to see my mom and dad
on Christmas morning.”

“Oh.”

Rachel heard the disappointment in Bella’s
voice, but she couldn’t do anything about it. John wanted her to
have no contact with his daughter. She even felt guilty about
calling her this morning. “I’ve got to go now, Bella. Have a good
day with your dad.”

“I will. Rachel?”

Rachel felt the weight of the words that
Bella was about to say. “Yes?”

“I miss you.”

“I miss you, too. Have a great time.” Rachel
disconnected the call, then looked at Tanner. “I guess this is what
you call tough love?”

Tanner shook his head and reopened the back
door. “No. What you call John’s decision is plain stupidity. Let’s
go to Angel Wings Café before Tess’ breakfast deal expires. I don’t
need two disappointments this early in the morning.”

Rachel followed Tanner outside. It would take
more than her bodyguard’s charming personality and Tess’ pancakes
to make her feel better.

***

John leaned forward. Dan Carter, the Chief of
Police had just told him the news that he’d been waiting for all
night. “You’re telling me that Bella wasn’t followed? That the man
running behind her wanted a coffee before he went home to his
children?”

“Brian Tanner hasn’t done a thing wrong in
his life. No parking fines, speeding tickets, or tax evasion
issues. It looks as though Bella panicked.”

John stood up and looked out of the window.
“I’ve been so paranoid about anyone getting close to her that she
must have overreacted. I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything. I’m not sure
if I’d act any differently if I were in your shoes. The CIA and the
FBI are still working on the Oracom case. Until we hear back from
them, I wouldn’t change what you’re doing. It will be Christmas
soon. Enjoy the time with your family.”

“I will. Are you going to be here over
Christmas?”

Dan nodded. “I drew the short straw this
year. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know straight away.”

“Thanks, I’d appreciate that.”

“Don’t thank me. Thank your buddies in the
FBI. If it hadn’t been for them, the CIA would have cut us out of
their communication channels before now.”

“It didn’t have anything to do with me.
Oracom’s reputation for getting what they want started long before
our case. The only difference is that this time, they’re up against
the US Government.”

“Have you heard anything more about the
security drone?”

“Nothing that I didn’t expect.” John held his
hand out toward Dan. “Thanks for what you’re doing. It means a
lot.”

Dan shook his hand. “No problem. Call me if
you need me.”

John left Dan’s office and headed toward his
truck. Tank was waiting for him on the sidewalk, talking on his
cell phone. When he saw John he ended the call and moved swiftly
across to their vehicle.

“Everything okay, boss?”

“Everything is fine. I want to head over to
Angel Wings Café and thank Tess for what she did yesterday.”

Tank opened his door and walked around to the
driver’s side of the vehicle. “Tanner’s there with Rachel. They’re
having a late breakfast.”

John hesitated before sliding into the
passenger seat. He wasn’t ready to see Rachel. He’d fired her and
called her irresponsible.

But it was the things he hadn’t told her this
morning that made him feel even worse. He hadn’t called her and
said that after Bella was safe at home, he’d calmed down and
realized what an idiot he’d been. He’d woken up knowing that Rachel
wasn’t the only person who’d made a mistake yesterday.

He pulled his seatbelt across his chest and
locked it in place. “Forget the café. I promised Bella I’d come
home early to watch a movie with her. Do you know if Mrs. Daniels
has got popcorn and ice cream in the kitchen?”

Tank turned the ignition on and moved into
the traffic. “I’ll call through to the house and ask. Are you sure
you don’t want to stop by the café first?”

“Positive.” It was about the only thing he
was sure about.

As they drove down Main Street, John checked
his emails, but all the time his mind was on Rachel. Yesterday he’d
been worried about Bella, angry that Rachel and Tank had deviated
from a plan that he wasn’t happy with in the first place.

Rachel had been as worried as he was about
Bella, and all he’d done was tell her to leave. She was headstrong,
beautiful, and intelligent. She deserved someone that appreciated
who she was and loved her like she was the most important person in
the world.

He hadn’t been that person yesterday, but he
wished like crazy that one day he could be.

***

Rachel looked around The Bridesmaid Club
headquarters. It wasn’t where she thought she’d be on Christmas
Eve, but then she couldn’t have predicted anything that had
happened over the last few days.

She passed a bridesmaid a purple organza
dress. It had big, puffy sleeves and so many sparkly beads that it
could have been used as a lighthouse off the coast of Maine.

“Cheer up,” Tess whispered as all three
bridesmaids walked into the changing room. “It’s supposed to be the
happiest day of their sister’s life. You look as though you’re
dressing them for a funeral.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll put my smiley face on.”
Rachel plastered a fake smile across her face and turned to Tess.
“Is this better?”

“A little. Now you look as though you’ve had
too much Botox.”

Rachel felt her smile droop at the sides.
“It’s no use. It keeps slipping.”

Tess laughed so loud that she had to slap her
hand across her mouth. “This is so not the Christmas Eve that I
imagined.”

“You can’t help it if the dresses the
bridesmaids were going to wear never arrived.”

“But I could have told them we were closed
for Christmas. Who gets married on Christmas Eve, anyway?”

Rachel quite liked the idea. “I think it’s
romantic. They couldn’t help the snowstorm.” For the last ten days,
the bride had been waiting for her bridesmaids’ dresses to arrive
from Italy. With all of the airport closures and diverted flights,
the dresses were now somewhere in New York.

Tess put one of the rejected gowns on a
hanger. “No one could have predicted the storm, but they could have
ordered their dresses earlier.”

“When did you become so cynical? You’re
usually the first person to donate dresses to brides in
distress.”

“I’m not cynical, just practical,” Tess
whispered as the first bridesmaid came back into the living
room.

Tess had called Rachel from the café at two
o’clock that afternoon. She’d told her that she had a desperate
bride on the phone. She needed three bridesmaids’ dresses in the
next two hours.

Rachel had been inside with Tanner for most
of the day, getting more and more bored. Tess’ phone call had given
her an excuse to feel like a normal person. So she’d told Tanner
that four women were coming over to Tess’ home to find the perfect
bridesmaids’ dresses.

He hadn’t been particularly impressed, but
he’d walked her through to the loft, making himself scarce once the
bridesmaids arrived.

An hour later, the only good thing Rachel
could say about the last-minute dress fitting was that she wasn’t
bored.

She looked at the bridesmaid who was standing
in front of her. “It’s not the one.” The petite red head had chosen
a hot pink, crinoline skirted dress. It looked like something
Scarlett O’Hara would have worn in
Gone with the Wind.