A Soldier's Return (7 page)

“No, I have to have my car if I’m going to leave for the office before you do.” She opened the door and slid behind the wheel, waiting for him to follow.

Jim crawled into the passenger seat with a frown on his face. “I don’t know why you couldn’t drive my car to the office.”

“Because I’m not listed as a driver on your rental. If something happened, your insurance wouldn’t pay.”

“I need to get my own car,” he muttered.

“Probably. Will knows a lot about the local dealers. He can help you.” She didn’t want him involving her in that process. She was going to work today.

He was more perceptive than she’d thought. “So I’ve worn out your generosity with all our shopping yesterday?”

“No, I didn’t mean that. I just thought you should use Will’s experience.”

Nothing more was said until they reached the Greenfield house. When she got out of her car, Jim had already circled the vehicle to help her out. As they walked to the door, he put his hand on her back, a typical male gesture to guide the woman in his charge.

Only she wasn’t in his care. She was independent. She sped up to put some distance between them.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, catching up to her as she waited for the front door to open.

She pretended she didn’t know what he was talking about. Giving him a quizzical look over her shoulder, she swung back around as Peter, Betty’s husband, answered the door.

“Good morning, Peter. I hope you’re expecting us,” she said, smiling at the man.

“’Course we are, Miss Carrie. Come right in. They’re all at the table already, but there’s plenty left for the two of you.”

“I’m sure,” Carrie said. “With Betty cooking, there’s always plenty of food.”

Jim offered Peter his hand. Then he followed Carrie to the dining room.

Will stood as they came in. “We’re glad you made it. Vanessa was getting antsy. She kept wanting to call both of you, but I told her you’d get here.” He beamed at both of them.

Carrie took a deep breath, hiding her relief that she’d decided to come. It was so easy to fall into the warm embrace of this loving family. She’d have to be careful.

“I had to twist Carrie’s arm,” Jim drawled, and Carrie wanted to stomp on his toes. “She thought she needed to be at the office early today.”

“We don’t have anything early today, do we, honey?” Will asked, looking at her.

“No, of course not, but I didn’t get much work done yesterday.”

“She spent all her time helping me get set up,” Jim pointed out.

Vanessa spoke. “You’d be amazed, Mom. They managed to do so much in one day.”

“I can’t wait to see. What do you want for a house-warming gift, Jim?” Vivian asked, taking Jim by surprise.

“Uh, nothing. That’s not necessary.”

“He doesn’t have a coffeemaker yet, Vivian,” Carrie said, avoiding Jim’s gaze.

“Wonderful, Carrie. We’ll get you that, Jim. Do you prefer a certain kind?”

“No. But really, Vivian, that’s not necessary.”

Will stopped the argument. “You might as well graciously accept, Jim. Vivian won’t be deterred. Here, have some eggs,” Will said, passing a platter.

Betty entered at that moment. “Don’t you be offering him those cold eggs! I have some hot ones right here,” she assured Will. She immediately circled the table to serve both Carrie and Jim.

Carrie just took a spoonful, determined to eat and get out as quickly as possible. When Jim did the same, Betty spooned more onto his plate. Carrie couldn’t hold back a smile.

Next Peter entered the room with warm cinnamon rolls. Carrie’s mouth watered just from their aroma. She took one, bit it and closed her eyes to enjoy its sweet flavor.

Jim leaned over and whispered, “Glad you came?”

Her eyes popped open and she glared at him. “Of course, but my hips aren’t.”

She felt the heat from Jim’s eyes scorch her skin as
they made their way down from her face over her neck, where her pulse beat suddenly faster. They lingered on the curves of her breasts and finally landed on her hips. By the time he raised his head to her, she felt as if she’d spontaneously combust. Then, leaning in close, so close she could smell the musk of his aftershave, he whispered in a husky voice, “I don’t see a problem.”

Carrie nearly choked on her cinnamon roll. Problem? Her pulse still raced. They had a problem, all right.

When Carrie excused herself and left, Jim looked at Will. “Do you mind giving me a ride to work?”

“Of course I will. You still have the rental?”

“Yeah, but I need to buy a car. Carrie said you knew most of the dealerships in the area.”

“Sure. What kind of car are you looking for?”

“Ooh, get a convertible,” Vanessa suggested.

Jim smiled at his baby sister. “I don’t think convertibles are safe, honey. You don’t drive one, do you?”

“No, but—”

“I was thinking about some kind of SUV,” Jim said to Vanessa, but he also gave Will a look. “I need something where my knees aren’t pressed up against the dashboard like they are in Carrie’s car.”

“I agree,” Will said. “We can look today if you want. Unless Carrie has something I need to do this morning.”

“I’d like that…after you check with Carrie,” Jim said, hoping Will would take the hint. He didn’t want to be responsible for making Will unavailable if Carrie needed him.

“I’ll check with her right now. Are you almost ready to leave?”

“Sure. I’ve done about all the damage I can do this morning,” he said, patting his stomach. As Betty came in, he added, “Betty, this was the best breakfast I’ve ever had. Thanks a lot.”

Betty beamed. “Happens every morning, Jim.”

Then Jim stood and thanked Vivian for making him feel so welcome.

“You’re family, Jim. You’re always welcome,” Vivian said with a warm smile.

Vanessa stood and hugged his arm. “Mom’s right, you know.”

Will came in and joined his wife, giving her a goodbye kiss. Then he turned to Jim. “Ready?”

It was after they’d gotten into the car that Will asked Jim, “You and Carrie still cross with each other?”

“Why would you think that?” Jim replied, staring straight ahead.

“I’m guessing you rode with Carrie because you weren’t sure she’d come if you didn’t.”

Jim smiled. “You’re good, Will. She was reluctant to come with me this morning. Somehow it seemed important that she join us.”

“Well, let’s get this car thing settled. I’ll follow you to take back your rental. Then we’ll hit a couple of dealerships and see what they’ve got. Will you need to get a loan?”

“No. I’ve saved most of my salary since I entered the Marines at the age of eighteen. Plus my combat pay.”

Even though it was only days ago since he’d been in
the marines, wearing his uniform and taking orders, it suddenly seemed like a lifetime ago.

He could easily imagine himself leading this new life, with his sisters, with Will and Vivian…with Carrie.

Where did that thought come from?

Living under the curse he’d endured since childhood, Jim knew there could never be anything between him and Carrie. He’d best remember that, no matter how attracted to her he was.

C
ARRIE WAS WORKING
at her computer when the two men finally reached the office. She automatically checked her watch. Since it was already two in the afternoon, they had less than half a day to work. But, of course, she certainly wasn’t going to mention their absence.

After greeting them with a smile, she turned back to her computer.

“Aren’t you going to ask us what we were doing?” Will prompted.

Recognizing he wanted her to do so, she said, “Of course, Will. What have you been doing?”

“We’ve been buying Jim a car!”

“Really? What did you buy, Jim?”

“An SUV. It takes a lot of room for someone as tall as me.”

“That’s wonderful.” Again she turned back to her computer.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll need to catch a ride home this afternoon. I can’t pick it up until morning.” Jim stood beside her desk, almost—in her mind—daring her to say no.

But she wouldn’t fall into that trap. “Yes, of course.”

He didn’t go away.

She looked up again. “Was there something else?”

Jim rubbed the back of his neck, looking rather sheepish. “Well, yeah. I hate to ask because you’ve done so much for me but…”

“What is it, Jim?” she asked impatiently.

“I need to go grocery shopping this evening after work.”

Carrie didn’t know whether to cry. She’d spent countless hours identifying her problem. She had a stupid crush on Jim. Then she’d spent sleepless nights deciding she had to pull away from him, not spend any time with him. But after all that, he was making it impossible.

“I can take you shopping,” she finally said.

“Good, because I’ll admit I haven’t done much grocery shopping in my life. Soldiers don’t do their own cooking.” He flashed her one of his smiles that made her want to melt at his feet.

Stiffening her back, she gave him an abrupt nod and turned back to the computer. As she did so, to forestall any more requests, she said, “You need to get your desk set up with the new supplies. I’ll put away whatever is left over when you’re finished.”

“Okay, sure. Thanks, Carrie,” he added.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noted he was still smiling, and she ground her teeth.

Since the men were in the office for the rest of the afternoon, Carrie abruptly decided to return to the Riley residence. She had discovered Richard’s brother, Charles, was a hundred-and-fifty-pound weakling, totally incapable of lifting his brother. She hoped to stake
out the Riley house for an hour or two and see if she could get any pictures of Richard Riley out of his wheelchair.

She stood and picked up her purse. Then she went to the door of Will’s office. “I’m going out to check on one of our cases. I’ll be back around five.”

“Okay,” he agreed, scarcely looking up. But he had second thoughts before she could escape. “Which case?”

“Well, there are several cases I’m taking with me.” That was true. She was going to update other files while she watched the Riley house.

“You’re going to the Riley house, aren’t you?” Will asked, standing and coming toward her.

“Will, I’m only going to watch. I’m not going to confront him.”

“If he catches you taking pictures of him, there will be a confrontation whether you want it or not. Jim, could you go with Carrie? I would, but I’ve got a call I’m waiting for.”

“Will, no! I don’t need—”

“Sure, I’ll be glad to. Wish I had my SUV, though.”

“Take my car. Carrie used hers last time. They may have noticed it.”

“There’s no need for me to go if Jim is going. It doesn’t take two people to do a stakeout,” Carrie said stiffly. She couldn’t believe Will was suddenly treating her like a little girl.

“If it was one of the normal cases, I wouldn’t send Jim with you. But this one is special. There’s a lot of money at risk and that man is…evil.”

“I’ll be fine, Will.”

“I need you to do this, Carrie. I promised Vivian I
wouldn’t let you get hurt.” Will stood there, pleading with his eyes.

She hated when he did that.

“Fine! Prepare to be bored, Jim! And we’re taking
my
car.” She stomped out of the office.

J
IM HURRIED
after Carrie. If he hadn’t caught up to her before she reached her car, he figured she’d drive off without him.

Instead, he managed to plant his knees against the dashboard and buckle up before Carrie started the car.

She gave him a hard look. “Comfortable?”

He knew it wasn’t concern in her voice. “Hey, Carrie, Will only wanted me to go because of Riley. You know he’d soon as shoot you as look at you. It won’t hurt to have an extra pair of eyes along.”

She said nothing as she backed out of the parking lot and pulled into traffic. In fact, she said nothing for the next ten minutes.

Jim watched her. She was an unusual woman. She never wasted energy and always appeared in complete control. She would’ve made a good soldier except for one thing. She had a rebellious streak. He could handle it. But what bothered him more than anything was the protective streak he’d discovered he had for Carrie. He had to constantly remind himself that she wasn’t his business.

“If you don’t stop frowning, you’re going to look about twenty years older,” he said softly, watching her reaction.

If anything, she frowned more fiercely.

“I suppose if I suggested you smile, you’d growl?”

She stopped at a red light and turned to face him. “If your competency was being challenged, would you be smiling?”

“Carrie, both Will and I explained it’s not your competency that’s in question. It’s just that this particular man is difficult.”

“Most fraud criminals are difficult, Jim. And I’ve been chasing them down for years. Suddenly I can’t go out alone?”

“Maybe Will is just trying to get his money’s worth out of me,” Jim suggested solemnly.

“I don’t think babysitting is good usage of your time.”

“Come on, Carrie. You know Will respects your skills and trusts you. You have to admit that.” He paused, but Carrie said nothing. “Look at it this way,” he continued, “I’ll keep you amused by telling you war stories while we wait.”

She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “I guess that’s an offer I can’t refuse.”

“Good girl!” he said. When she glared at him, he immediately changed his words to “Good, uh, woman?”

She gave him a cool look. “Good boy.”

“Hey! I corrected myself.” He didn’t mind her teasing him. At least she wasn’t mad anymore.

Instead of responding, she pulled to the side of the road on the quiet street where the Rileys lived, parking in a tight spot behind another car.

“I’m rethinking my choice of an SUV,” Jim murmured. “I’m not sure it will do well in undercover work.”

“Don’t worry, Jim. I’ll be glad to loan you my car,” Carrie said sweetly.

Jim grinned. “Yeah, I just bet you would.”

After a moment of silence, Jim asked the obvious question. “So we just sit here and wait for them to appear?”

“That’s basically it. Real dangerous, huh?”

“Could be, honey.”

“Don’t call me honey!” she snapped.

Jim gave her a calm look. “You know, when I was in Iraq, things looked calm like this. Then we’d get a suicide bomber, or snipers would begin firing. If we let ourselves get lulled into even a moment of inattention, someone would pay.”

Carrie shuddered at his words. “That must’ve made for a very tense time.”

“Yeah.” He had offered to tell her war stories, but he was having a hard time doing that. There were too many tragic stories that he didn’t want to remember. He’d lost some good friends to enemy fire.

“Why did you stay in the marines for such a long time?”

He pondered her question, then finally said, “I didn’t have anywhere to go or anything in particular to do.”

“Until Will found you?”

“Yeah. I wanted to see my little sisters again before—before anything happened.”

“You expected to die?” Carrie asked, her voice rising in protest.

“Why not? My brother died. Many of my friends died. Why not me?” he asked, voicing the question he’d asked himself many times. Sure, he’d been vigilant. But so had others.

After a moment of silence, Carrie said in a low voice, “I’m glad you came home.”

“Me, too,” Jim agreed, trying to keep any emotion from his voice. But he couldn’t help remembering those hot days in the desert when he’d dreamed of sitting in a car on a cool afternoon with a blonde beside him. Of course, he hadn’t intended it to be a stakeout.

Then he thought about Lani, the woman he’d planned on marrying. She’d been so sweet. Before he’d left for his next tour of duty, they’d made plans. Plans that had disintegrated when she died in a car accident two days after his departure. He hadn’t been able to return in time for her funeral. That had been eight years ago.

That was when he’d realized he had no business involving a woman in his life again. He had to remember that. He was already allowing Carrie to occupy too much of his thoughts.

Too bad.

Suddenly Carrie stilled, her gaze focused on the house halfway down the block. “They’re leaving,” she whispered as if the Rileys could hear her. She blindly reached for the camera she’d put beside her at the ready.

Jim narrowed his gaze, wishing he had binoculars, but he supposed their adversaries might notice that.

“Damn!” Carrie muttered as a floral delivery truck rolled to a stop a few houses away. “They’re shielded from us by that truck.”

“Want me to take a stroll down the street?” Jim offered.

“No, we don’t take chances. Besides, you’re rather noticeable, Jim.”

“Why?”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re tall, handsome. His wife would notice you even if he didn’t. We stay in the car and live to fight another day.”

“Are you sure I’ll be any good at this work?”

“Yes, you’ll do well. Just learn not to take chances.” While she talked, she snapped some pictures of Richard Riley, his wife and brother gathered by the side of a green van, but the pictures were through the tinted windows of the vehicle.

“Can you see anything?”

Carrie continued to snap photos. “Not really, but maybe when we enlarge them we’ll be surprised.”

After the Rileys’ vehicle drove away, Carrie put away her camera and started her car.

“What now?” Jim asked.

“We go back to the office and upload the pictures.”

Jim rode quietly beside Carrie. He was actually learning a lot by accompanying Carrie as she did her job. Will had emphasized that they didn’t take chances, but Carrie was demonstrating how she did her job in those circumstances.

When they got back to the office, Will met them in the outer office. He must’ve heard their footsteps before they reached the door.

“You’re back early. Is everything okay?” he asked, his gaze flicking back and forth between the two of them.

“Of course,” Carrie said, using an offhand manner to convince Will.

Jim concurred. “Carrie followed orders, keeping a low profile and taking no chances, in spite of my offering to chase them down.”

Will shot her a grin. “Good girl.”

“Careful,” Jim warned. “I was called to order on that comment.”

“What do you mean?” Will asked.

Carrie ignored them both as Jim brought Will up to speed. She settled in at her desk till Will, in a duly penitent voice, called out, “Like I should’ve said, ‘Good job, Carrie!’”