Slade's Secret Son (8 page)

It was a Thursday evening. She’d chosen not to call to tell him she was coming over to his place. The notion that he might have a date and seeing him with someone else had become part of her hope for a cure. Or maybe he’d be such a slob it would be an immediate turn-off and she wouldn’t even have to kiss him again. But no one had been there except him and his place had felt comfortable…definitely masculine, but comfortable.

He hadn’t been pleased to see her.

“Do you mind asking me inside?” she’d prompted when he continued to remain blocking his doorway.

He’d stepped aside, giving her plenty of room to pass him without contact. “So why are you here?”

“It’s an experiment. No, that’s not quite right. It’s more of an exorcism.”

He’d raised an eyebrow at that statement.

Embarrassment had threatened to stop her, but she’d come that far and would not turn back. “It’s that kiss.”

Slade had said nothing. He’d simply continued to regard her with cold control.

“I know this sounds schoolgirlish, but I can’t get it out of my mind. I want to kiss you a second time.”

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

His standoffishness should have been enough to stop her, but it hadn’t been. Her need to know how his lips would feel the second time was too strong. Silently she’d cursed herself. “I know you aren’t interested in doing this, but this isn’t for you, it’s for me. I just want you out of my system.”

Slade had backed farther away. “I don’t want any kind of personal relationship.”

“I don’t, either. At least, not with you. I know all about your devotion to your first wife. Do you think I like finding you in my dreams? Being distracted by you on the job? You’re not even close to the kind of man I would consider marrying. I want someone who’s sensitive, gentle, caring. You’re just a big brute of a man. Oh, you have good enough manners and you’re polite. But you’re also a stone wall. I just want to get this over and done with and get on with my life.”

Slade had continued to stand stiffly rigid, matching her description of a stone wall perfectly.

Approaching him, she’d placed a hand on each shoulder and had to go up on her tiptoes to reach his mouth. She’d expected his lips to feel cold. Instead they’d been warm. And she’d planned to keep the contact short, just a peck. Instead, once her mouth found his, it had wanted to stay and enjoy the taste.

Then Slade’s arms had wound around her and he’d added his energy to the kiss.

The rest was a delicious, erotic blur that had amazed both of them. Neither had even considered hesitating. It was as if their bodies belonged together and reason, thought—everything but their physical need for each other—was blocked out.

Afterward, Slade had been uncomfortable. Too late he’d realized she was still a virgin. He’d apologized for taking that from her.

She’d told him she had wanted him as much as he’d wanted her and that what had happened was even more her fault than his. After all, she had been the one to come to him. Down deep inside, she’d wanted to be angry with
herself for having given in to passion and not waiting until her wedding night, but it had felt so right.

Slade had been blatantly blunt about their having no future together. His heart, he’d said, belonged to Claudette and always would.

She recalled how her pride had kicked in and she could still hear herself saying that it wasn’t his heart that had interested her. She’d left in the middle of the night, planning to never repeat that mistake. The problem was, it hadn’t really felt like a mistake. Her rational, reasonable side, knew it was. But her body…She took a long, shaky breath. Her body craved his.

Still, she’d made herself act as if nothing had happened between them. He had been clearly relieved by this and life went on as it had before. Then he’d gotten the flu, a really bad one that had lasted a couple of weeks. She hadn’t been able to stay away. She’d gone to his place and insisted on staying with him until he was cured. He’d been brusque with her, keeping her at a distance, treating her like an interloper. But she hadn’t been able to make herself leave. She’d known he was worried she wanted an emotional involvement. She’d told him point-blank that he was safe from her. Still, he had continued to accept her presence grudgingly.

On top of that, for her trouble, she’d gotten sick. Her mother had moved to Seattle and she’d been on her own. To her surprise, Slade had shown up on her doorstep and insisted on taking care of her. And he had done a surprisingly tender job of it.

Lisa closed her eyes and groaned. It had been that tenderness that had encouraged her to believe he could learn to care for her. She’d pursued an affair with him and, assured by her that she understood the boundaries, he’d been a willing participant.

“The problem was, I wasn’t being honest with him. I was sure I could break down those boundaries,” she grumbled to herself as she turned off the water, then dried herself and went to bed.

She had learned a very valuable lesson she would not forget.

L
isa groaned in protest when she felt herself being shaken awake.

“Time to get up. We’ve got an appointment to get married today.”

She opened one eye to see Slade looking down at her with an impatient expression and she forced herself out of bed.
No romantic fairy-tale wedding for me
, she mused dryly.
More like a blip on the radar screen of my life
.

A short while later they were pulling into a fast-food place for breakfast. Lisa glanced at her watch. “I can’t believe you got a judge to get up this early.”

“We’re heading up the coast. I want to get married without having to worry about someone trying to kill you halfway through the ceremony,” he said. “I’ve checked for bugs. And, once we’re outside of town, no one will be able to tail us without us noticing.”

He sounded and looked like a man on his way to perform a particularly grim duty. Her shoulders squared with pride. “You’re obviously not happy about going through
with this marriage, so let’s call it off. I told you it wasn’t necessary.”

“We’re going through with the marriage.”

“I’m not repeating vows with a man who would obviously prefer to be hanging over a fiery pit.”

“A fiery pit would be easier to deal with than me keeping my hands off of you.”

Lisa was stunned into silence. He’d been behaving as if he was having no trouble at all. “Really?”

He glanced at her, then returned his attention to the road. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been with a woman.”

Lisa was certain she caught an edge of uneasiness in his voice and a thought struck her. “How long?”

Slade shrugged. “A long time.”

He was hedging. She’d never known Slade to hedge. “Are you saying you haven’t been with a woman since me?” The minute she asked the question, she wished she hadn’t. He was probably trying not to tell her that he’d had several female friends since she left.

“Decided I should concentrate on my job.”

Lisa sat back and smiled to herself.
Don’t go thinking that this means something important
, her inner voice insisted on cautioning.
You’re only going to get hurt again
. The smile faded.

Angry with herself for being tempted to go down a road she knew would only cause her pain, Lisa concentrated on trying to spot a tail. There was practically no traffic and when they left the main road, no one turned off after them. By the time Slade pulled into the parking area beside a small chapel, they were both certain they had arrived alone.

Lisa’s gaze traveled over the small, white-shingled, steepled building.
Now this could have come out of a
fairy tale
, she thought. The chapel and its setting were charming. An oval garden surrounded an ornately carved wooden sign informing her that this was the Woodland Wedding Chapel. Lisa had heard about this place. It was considered one of the more romantic places to get married. She’d also heard that it was normally booked solid for months, even years, in advance. “I hope you made an appointment.”

“Everything has been taken care of.”

She continued to eye him with surprise. This was definitely not something she’d expected. “How in the world did you find out about this place?”

“I asked the manager at the hotel we stayed at after we got Andy, your mother and your aunt on the plane. I figured since we wouldn’t have the time to dress for the event, I should find a nice setting for the wedding.”

Lisa glanced down at the lightweight sweater, chino slacks and sneakers she was wearing. Slade wasn’t wearing anything fancier—jeans, a blue, button-down shirt and cowboy boots. And, then there was his badge and the leather holster housing his weapon. She wondered if he was going to take them off. He didn’t.

Entering the chapel, a man dressed in a black suit, white shirt and black tie started toward them from the front of the aisle. Midway into his first stride, he suddenly went into slow motion, then stopped abruptly.

Lisa saw the man’s gaze fix on Slade’s gun and the color drain from his face. Then his gaze shifted slightly and the color returned. He’d obviously seen Slade’s badge. “Is there a problem, Officer?” he asked, regaining mobility and continuing toward them.

“No problem,” Slade replied.

The man squinted at Slade’s badge as he came nearer.
“You’re a Texas Ranger. Aren’t you a little far from home?”

“I’m Slade Logan. I assume you’re Reverend Johnson?” Slade extended his hand toward the man. “I called and arranged for you to marry us.”

The man looked them up and down. “When you said you wanted a nice but quick ceremony and wouldn’t take up much of my time, I guess you meant it.” He glanced at his watch. “We’d better get started. I’ve got a large wedding scheduled in two hours. The bride’s mother has been a basket case and I expect her to show up at any moment to make certain everything is just the way she ordered.” His gaze went back to Slade’s gun. “And I’d appreciate it if you’d leave that outside.”

“Someone has tried three times to kill my fiancée. I was careful to make sure we weren’t followed but I think I’ll just keep my gun with me.” Slade’s refusal was polite but firm.

Lisa noticed that the Reverend Johnson suddenly looked very uncomfortable again.

“Well. Yes. Right,” the man stammered. He motioned for them to go in opposite directions. “We’ll just take our places. Lisa…” He paused to look at Slade. “I believe you said your fiancée’s name was Lisa Gray.”

“Right,” Slade replied.

The reverend returned his attention to Lisa. “You stand at the end of the aisle.” He turned back to Slade. “You come with me to the front.”

“You said you would provide music,” Slade reminded him.

The reverend bobbed his head. “I’ll be right back.” Moving swiftly for a man his age, he hurried down the aisle and exited through a door at the rear of the chapel.

“Maybe you shouldn’t have mentioned that someone
is trying to kill me,” Lisa said. “I think that unnerved him.”

“Sure got him moving fast,” Slade noted as the man returned with an elderly man in tow.

“This is my organist, Paul Hansen.” Reverend Johnson made quick introductions.

Lisa noted that Paul Hansen looked as if he would have preferred to be someplace else.

“Paul, you take your place and as soon as Lisa and Slade are in position, you may begin.”

“Flowers?” Slade said in a reminding tone.

“Yes. Yes, flowers.” The reverend again jogged back through the door at the rear of the chapel. He returned momentarily with a lovely bouquet of roses and handed it to Lisa. “Now you wait at the far end of the aisle until the music begins, then come down the aisle to us,” he instructed over his shoulder, motioning Slade to accompany him to the altar.

As soon as they were all in place, the reverend gave the organist the nod to begin the music. Lisa thought that he was playing the tune a bit on the fast side, then her gaze focused on Slade and everything else vanished from her mind. He looked so handsome and he was waiting to marry her. In her dreams this moment had happened. However, there he’d been marrying her because he was in love with her.
But he isn’t and never will be
, she told herself sternly. Even this dose of reality couldn’t stop the nervous excitement that bubbled inside her as she reached him and the reverend began leading them through their wedding vows.

For a moment Lisa was amused by how quickly the reverend was going through the ceremony, then she remembered that the rite traditionally ended with a kiss. Suddenly all she could think about was whether or not
Slade would follow this tradition. His admission of how hard it was for him to keep his hands off of her played through her mind. Then the moment was there.

“I think we’ll keep that kiss for later,” Slade said stiffly. “Best get the license signed and be on our way.”

Lisa was certain they hadn’t been followed and there was no need to rush. She was also certain she caught a flash of fear in Slade’s eyes. Was he that afraid she might break down the barrier he kept around his heart?
More likely, he’s worried that if he kisses me, lust will take hold of both of us, we’ll be intimate again and I’ll start thinking just what I’m thinking now and he doesn’t want to lead me on
.

The reverend was happy to comply with shortening the ceremony in any way. Within minutes the legal formalities were completed and Lisa and Slade were back in her mother’s car. As Slade began to back out, Lisa glanced down at her ringless finger. They’d gone through the motions, but she didn’t feel married.
Because marriages are supposed to at least start with the assumption they’re going to last. And this one hasn’t got a chance
. She knew her limitations. She couldn’t live out her life being just a warm body that filled a physical void in Slade’s life. She wanted a husband who loved her.

Her gaze shifted to the view through the front windshield. Something wasn’t right. “Were you running the air conditioner on the way here?” She didn’t think he had been, but then she’d been much more tense about this wedding than she’d wanted to admit.

Slade had been concentrating on what was behind them. Looking to the front, he frowned and braked. “No.”

“Wrong color, anyway,” Lisa muttered, her gaze
locked on the pool of liquid that had been under the front end of the car.

“Get down,” Slade ordered, turning off the car and climbing out. It only took him a moment to check the puddle. Returning, he got out a flashlight and made a quick inspection of the underside of the car. “The brake line’s been cut.”

Lisa eased up out of her seat just enough to look around. “But how did whoever wants me dead find us here?”

Slade shook his head. “I don’t know. The car wasn’t bugged and I know we weren’t followed.” He rounded the car to her door. “Come on. I’m taking you back inside until we can get a tow truck for your mother’s car and a ride back to Seattle for us.”

The reverend and the organist were not happy to see Lisa and Slade returning to the chapel. “We need a tow service,” Slade said.

“That would be Jake Reynolds,” Reverend Johnson said. He turned on his heels and headed at a near trot to the back of the sanctuary, adding over his shoulder, “I’ll call him.”

Lisa noted that the organist quickly scurried back to his seat at the organ, clearly wanting to put distance between himself and them.

Returning a couple of minutes later, the reverend informed them that the tow truck was on its way.

“I’d like a word with you and your organist and anyone else who’s here,” Slade said, his tone making this an order.

“We’re the only ones here,” Reverend Johnson replied, motioning for Paul Hansen to join them.

Slade faced the two men grimly. “Our brake line was cut.”

“Are you saying the man who’s trying to kill your wife is here?” Paul Hansen asked, his complexion pale.

“Yes, and I’d like to know how he found out we were going to be here.” Slade’s gaze raked over the two of them. “I didn’t tell anyone. I didn’t even tell Lisa.”

“Well, we certainly didn’t tell anyone,” Reverend Johnson returned. “You must have been followed.”

“We weren’t followed.”

“Maybe there’s one of those tailing devices on your car,” the organist suggested.

“Checked it first thing this morning,” Slade returned.

Lisa noticed the reverend shift uneasily. “Do you know something we should know?”

“Someone did call a couple of days ago. A man.” The reverend paused, then said, “At least, I think it was. Actually, I can’t be certain. Whoever it was spoke in a gruff voice…said they had a bad cold. The person claimed to be a friend of yours and said you’d asked him or her to check on the arrangements…make certain everything was as agreed upon.”

“I didn’t ask anyone to call you.”

The reverend regarded Slade with defiance. “You also didn’t mention that someone was trying to kill your bride.”

Lisa continued to regard the men with a frown of confusion. “But how did he or she know to call here?”

Silence followed her question.

Suddenly the front door of the chapel burst open.

Slade spun around, his gun out of its holster before the turn was complete.

“There’s a car just sitting in the middl—” The shrill complaint of the woman who had just entered stopped in midword, her gaze locked on the gun being pointed at her.

“Mrs. Varney.” Realizing she was in danger of fainting, the reverend rushed to her side.

“Sorry, ma’am,” Slade apologized, reholstering the gun.

“What’s going on here?” the woman gasped.

“Nothing you need concern yourself with,” the reverend assured her, taking her arm to steady her.

She wasn’t listening. Her gaze had gone from Slade’s gun to his badge. “It’s my daughter’s fiancé, isn’t it? He’s wanted by the law. I knew it. I knew it.”

“What’s going on?” a male voice demanded.

Looking past the woman at the door, Lisa saw a man who appeared to be in his late twenties, dressed in a tuxedo, entering with three other men in tuxedos.

“Your past has caught up with you and not a minute too soon,” Mrs. Varney announced with self-righteous indignation.

“What the devil are you talking about?” the oldest of the group of men demanded.

Mrs. Varney motioned toward Slade. “The law is here to arrest your son.”

“Arrest me for what?” The first young man glowered at Slade.

“We’re just waiting for a tow truck,” Slade said in an easy drawl.

The woman spun around, glaring at him. “You pulled a gun on me.”

“So you don’t think my son is good enough for your daughter.” The older man strode toward the woman. “Well, I’ll tell you what I think. I like Janet just fine, but I’ve told him that getting you for a mother-in-law might not be worth it. You’re a nosey, irritating, busy-body.”

Past the group at the door, Slade saw the tow truck
arrive. “Stay out of the line of fire,” he whispered in Lisa’s ear, and headed out to meet the driver.

Lisa had the feeling he wasn’t just talking about her would-be killer. Taking a position just inside the door, she felt sorry for the bride who would be showing up to discover her wedding was in danger of becoming a brawl.