A Time for Home: A Snowberry Creek Novel (16 page)

“Let me know if you need help with that. I’ve still got a few connections with the locals up at the army base, and there’s someone at the local medical center who was military herself. She would be able to help.”

“Thanks for the info.”

Time to get back to business. “Callie brought dinner over for us. That’s kind of the deal she and I made. She doesn’t want me working around here for free, so I told her room and board would be enough.”

“Seems like a fair trade. So what happened after that?”

Good to his word, Gage wasn’t taking notes. That didn’t make it any easier for Nick to keep talking.

“She drove herself back home, but I cut through the woods to make sure she got there safely. Mooch and I patrolled the perimeter of her yard to make sure everything was quiet.”

When he stopped talking, Gage prodded him. “And what then?”

“All you need to know is that I stayed there for a while, maybe half an hour or so. When Mooch raised the alarm, I sent Callie inside and came back here to see what was going on. When I heard glass breaking, I ran back long enough to have Callie call nine-one-one.”

The sick feeling in his gut got worse. “Maybe if I’d kept going, I could’ve stopped the guy from hurting Leif.”

Gage shot him a hard look. “And maybe the guy would’ve shot you. I shouldn’t have to remind you that second-guessing your actions is a waste of time. You did what you thought was best with the information you had.”

Interesting. That sounded like the voice of experience. What decision had Gage made that he regretted? Now wasn’t the time to ask.

“After we came through the woods, Mooch started toward the front porch but then charged around back. I saw the broken window and the door standing open a few inches. After gaining entry, I listened but didn’t hear anybody moving around. The bastard was already gone. I went in to check on Leif and found him on the floor. The rest you already know.”

“Okay, then.” Gage pulled out a business card. “This is my direct number. If you think of anything else or if the bastard comes back again, give me a call, day or night. Otherwise, I’ll return in the morning to take another look around in the woods out back. I’ll also take the broken glass and the rock in case we can find any trace evidence.”

Nick glanced back inside, hoping Callie wasn’t close by. “Have you talked to Spence’s uncle or his son?”

“No, but that’s at the top of my to-do list. This could be some dumb teenagers looking for an easy score, but something about that scenario doesn’t feel right. I plan to ask Callie to do a quick look around inside tomorrow morning to see if anything has gone missing.”

“I’ll help her with that.”

“Okay, then, I’ll go check in with my deputies and then head home. Let me know if anything else happens.”

“I will.”

Gage had started down the steps but stopped to look back at him. “And, Nick, I know you’re pissed off about this and want to pound on somebody. I get that, but dealing with whoever was behind this is my job. Let me do it.”

Fine. As long as Gage and his men got it handled. If they didn’t, well, Nick and Leif would do a little hunting of their own. Not trusting himself to speak, Nick nodded. Evidently, his thoughts on the subject still leaked through his façade.

Just that quickly, the chief was back on the porch and right up in Nick’s grill. “I mean that, soldier. My job. Not yours. I’d hate like hell to throw your ass in jail. Tell me you understand what I’m saying.”

Nick stood his ground but nodded again. “I understand, but you’d better catch the bastard before someone gets hurt. Oh, wait. Someone already was.”

And it should have been him, not Leif. Once again, the wrong man suffered because of Nick’s lousy judgment.

There was a definite gleam of empathy in Gage’s eyes. “Go check on your friend. Get some sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“Okay. And just so you know, I’m expecting a delivery of building materials in the morning. If that will screw up your investigation, I can try to put a hold on the order.”

“It shouldn’t. We’ll make sure to be out early to take pictures, and then you should be good to go.”

Nick doubted that. Hell, nothing had been good for a long time now. No, that wasn’t true. Him and Callie—that had been good. Way better than good, but the price for those few minutes had been too high. Leif had already lost enough. They all had.

I
t was tempting to floor it and put some distance between himself and Spence’s house as fast as possible. Especially since Austin could already hear sirens and see the flashing lights heading straight for him from just past the next rise in the road. But he knew it wouldn’t be smart to speed away. He hit the brakes, backed into the driveway he’d just passed, and quickly killed the headlights.

Thirty seconds later, three cop cars went ripping past him. Damn, that had been close. Too close. It was by the grace of God that he’d already been on his way out of the house when that stupid dog had gone ballistic. Earlier, when the guy who’d moved in headed off toward Callie’s place, Austin had hung back to make sure he wasn’t coming straight back before approaching the back door.

Granted, breaking that window had been a boneheaded move on his part, but he’d been pissed to verify that his key no longer worked, thanks to the brand-new lock on the door. More proof that he and his old man had been screwed over by dear cousin Spence. Well, at least the rock had proven they couldn’t keep him out. Not forever.

All things considered, he should’ve been content to let the broken glass make the statement for him. All he’d planned to do was snatch a few more things, the kind the antiques stores would pay cash for without asking many questions. Nothing big or traceable. Knickknacks, dust catchers, really. Surely Callie wouldn’t begrudge him a few mementos from those screwed-up years Spence had been forced to share his home with his uncle and cousin.

But as soon as Austin had stepped into the kitchen, some other guy had started yelling. Where the hell had he come from? Was Callie running a flophouse for freeloaders? If she wanted to open the place to boarders, she should have called him. He’d love to crash in the house for a while. God knows it was better than the hellhole he lived in now.

He’d been backpedaling for the door when he’d heard a crash. It might have been smarter to keep running, but something about the dead silence that followed had creeped him out. He’d ignored the cold sweat of fear that had him shaking as he slowly approached the den.

The newcomer was flat out on the floor, his temple bleeding from where he’d hit it on something as he fell. Austin had stuck around long enough to make sure the guy was breathing okay and the bleeding wasn’t getting out of hand. Even stuck a pillow under the guy’s head. If the injury had looked worse, Austin would have called for help himself. Probably.

As it was, the dog had already sounded the alarm. At the first bark, Austin had bolted out through the kitchen and not slowed down until he’d reached the dirt road past the woods. Once there, he’d had to brace himself with both hands against the front fender until his lungs caught up on air and the shakes had passed.

He wouldn’t calm down completely until he got back to his own place. Easing the truck forward enough that he could see both ways, he relaxed, but only a little. No more sign of cops headed this way, but it was too soon to assume he’d made a clean escape. Turning on his lights again, he pulled out onto the road and drove toward Spence’s house. The cops wouldn’t expect the culprit they were looking for to be driving back by the scene of the crime.

At least he hoped so. Besides, he wanted to get a glimpse of what was going on. He barely slowed as he passed the driveway. He sneered. The Snowberry Creek police were out in force; three squad cars, including the one belonging to the chief of police himself, were parked at Spence’s place.

Evidently their definition of “major crime” included a broken kitchen window. Even now they were probably salivating over the chance to dust the rock for prints. Well, good luck with that. He flexed his hands on the steering wheel and admired the new pair of work gloves he’d bought just for tonight.

For now, he’d head on home and let the cops do their job.

•   •   •

Three steps forward and one step back. Yes, it was awful that Leif had gotten hurt, but Callie put that blame squarely on the shoulders of the intruder. Nick wasn’t at fault and neither was she, no matter what they’d been doing when the guy broke in.

Leif didn’t look any happier with the third member of their party than she was. “Damn it, Nick, sit down. You’re making me dizzy prowling around like that.”

Nick continued past them both to stand by the front window. He stared out at the night, his expression harsh and etched in pain. She’d tried to talk to him a few minutes ago when Leif was out of the room, but he’d flinched when she’d reached out to touch him.

The jerk! This evening’s events—all of them, not just the break-in—had left her badly shaken and unsettled. She could use a little hug time right about now.

She turned her attention back to Leif. “Can I fix you something to eat or maybe a cup of tea?”

“No, thanks, Callie. I’m going to head back to bed here in a minute.”

He’d refused to let her take him to the hospital for a more thorough exam than the EMTs had given him, saying he’d been poked and prodded enough for one lifetime. A couple of butterfly bandages had patched up the cut on his temple, and the ice pack was helping with the bruise. She was more worried about a possible concussion, but the man was nothing if not stubborn.

Probably another reason he and Spence had been friends.

“Well, if neither of you needs anything, I’m going to head back home and turn in for what’s left of the night. I’d appreciate it if one of you two would call me when Gage gets here in the morning. I want to know if they find anything.”

She headed for the door. “Come on, Mooch, you can probably use a trip outside. Walk me home.”

Nick immediately planted himself between her and the door. “You’re not going anywhere.”

Okay, who elected him king?

She aimed for calm and controlled. What she ended up with was cold and cross. “Yes, I am, Sergeant Nick Jenkins. May I remind you that I’m not one of your soldiers, so don’t give me orders. I’m going all the way next door, the same place I’ve been sleeping every night. Now, get out of my way.”

Then, as a concession to the fact that the threat tonight had turned out to be real, she added, “I promise to call as soon as I’m inside with the doors locked. I left the lights on outside and in the kitchen.”

It was a standoff. Nick didn’t move an inch, and she wasn’t going to back down. She stared up into his eyes, so icy and cold. So different from when he’d kissed her. Earlier, he’d used his strength to make her feel special, cherished. Now he was using it as a weapon to control her.

“Nick, she’s not yours. Let her go.”

Great. Nick had been upset before, and his friend had to go and pour gas on the fire. Leif had moved up behind her, leaving her sandwiched inside their anger.

“It’s not your call, Leif. Back off.”

“Not happening.”

The injured man did his best to shoulder his way in between Callie and Nick. “You can’t keep her. You know I’m right about that. Now, let her go.”

Maybe tired trumped intelligence. She was only just now realizing that there was obviously more to the conversation than the two men arguing over whether she could go back to her parents’ house. Lord, save her from testosterone-fueled posturing.

She left them glaring at each other and beat a fast retreat toward the kitchen. Mooch had been standing beside the door, watching the two men with interest. His tail was normally in constant motion, but not now. He remained frozen in position, probably unsure which side to take in this particular skirmish.

Callie knew the answer to that. She needed him on her side. Despite her determination to return to the other house, she wasn’t thrilled about walking through the woods alone. She couldn’t ask Leif to accompany her, not with his injuries. But she wasn’t about to ask Nick, remembering how his last patrol around her parents’ house had ended up.

When she patted her leg, Mooch immediately broke formation and led the charge out the back door. “Good boy. With luck I’ll be home with the door locked and the covers pulled up before either of them notices I’m gone.”

Yeah, that worked for all of thirty seconds. She’d barely cleared the steps when Nick came charging after her. Fine. He could provide escort. She snickered. Maybe she was spending too much time around soldiers if she was starting to use their vocabulary.

Evidently he wasn’t interested in conversation, either. She also noticed that he was carrying his pistol. He stayed on her right side, maybe hoping she wouldn’t notice the weapon. No, that wasn’t it. He wanted to make sure his gun hand was free and clear if any threat presented itself.

When she shivered, it had nothing to do with the cool temperature of a Northwest summer night. At least they’d come to the end of the path. A few more steps and she would reach the sanctuary of her mother’s kitchen.

“Are you all right?”

Nick’s concern for her well-being sounded gruff, but the soft touch on her shoulder told her it was sincere.

“I will be once I’m inside and asleep. The sooner I can put this whole night behind me, the better.”

Nick jerked his hand away from her shoulder and dropped back behind her. Had he picked up on another threat? No, his body language wasn’t on high alert like it would have been if that were true. If anything, he looked hurt. What had she said that would have had that effect?

Oh, God, did he think she meant she was unhappy about the two of them having sex? But, then, what else was he supposed to think? It wasn’t like she’d qualified her statement to exclude it.

“Nick, I wasn’t talking about what happened between us. I don’t regret that. Not at all.”

He clearly wasn’t buying it. “Go on inside, Callie. I need to get back to Leif.”

“But, Nick, I want—”

“Not now, Callie. It’s late, and we’re both tired. I’ll see you in the morning.”

He continued to watch her as he retreated toward the path. With the mood he was in, there was no use in arguing with him. He’d made up his mind and wouldn’t listen to reason right now. But soon she would carve out a few minutes alone with him and set the record straight.

Depending on how that conversation went, she might not be getting that gazebo after all. She could live without it, but doing without Nick? That was a whole different ballgame.

Waving one last time, she shut the door and flipped the lights on and off as proof that she was safely inside. She just wished there wasn’t more than the solid thickness of the locked door between her and Nick right now. The wall of anger hung heavy on her heart. The only good-bye she got was from Mooch, who wagged his tail one last time before following his friend back into the woods.

She took some comfort in knowing that at least two of the three males next door were still on good terms with her. It was a start.

•   •   •

Nick hadn’t expected to sleep, but emotional overload combined with exhaustion had kicked in and knocked him out. He’d dragged himself out of bed at nine to take a cold shower, hoping to jump-start his brain. It had helped, but this was going to be one of those days when he’d have to mainline caffeine to burn away the cobwebs in his head.

Leif was already sitting at the kitchen table eating cold cereal when Nick came downstairs. Evidently he wasn’t in the mood for conversation, either, but at least he’d started the coffeemaker. Nick filled two of the biggest mugs he could find and set one in front of Leif before taking his own seat.

“That cop named Gage called while you were in the shower. He’ll be here in about fifteen minutes.”

Nick had been considering making scrambled eggs and bacon, but there wasn’t time for that. Cereal would have to do.

“The guy from the hardware store said he’d be here soon, too.” Leif shot him a narrow-eyed look and shoved Nick’s cell phone across the table. “And just so you know, my job description doesn’t include the word ‘secretary.’”

That pretty much exhausted any need for conversation. The cereal was passable, and the coffee tasted like battery acid, just the way Nick liked it on rough mornings like this one. They’d practically lived on the stuff back in Afghanistan, drinking it strong and pitch-black. As soon as he’d hit stateside, he’d made a point of adding real cream and three teaspoons of sugar minimum to each cup he drank. He needed those little reminders to keep him focused on living in the moment and not getting lost in the past.

It even worked sometimes.

Leif dumped a healthy dose of cream into his coffee, too. Maybe for the same reason. As he stirred it, he asked, “Think Callie will be speaking to either one of us this morning?”

Not a subject Nick wanted to discuss right now, especially with him. He ignored the question, hoping Leif would take the hint. Yeah, right, like that ever worked. The only one who’d been worse about not backing off and giving Nick some space had been Spence. The man had been blind when it came to reading body language, verbal hints, or even the occasional strong right hook. Idiot.

And damned if Nick wouldn’t give anything to have him sitting right here giving him grief over the mess he’d gotten himself into with Callie. Of course, if Spence were there, Nick wouldn’t have been the one rolling around in the grass with her last night. As amazing as that experience had been, he would have given it up in a heartbeat to have his friend back.