Between Midnight and Dawn (7 page)

He chuckled. “Now that you have him doubled over, or at least leaning in as he holds his stomach, where you’ve just nailed him, step in and knee him in the nuts. Then run like hell.”

Chapter 7

Nicole placed her hands on her hips, inspecting her home, satisfied with the day’s work. Last night she’d been too worn out to clean up after Kyle’s impromptu self-defense lesson. But now, everything was once again clean and shiny. A colorful bouquet of fresh-cut roses from her garden sat in a tall decorative vase, centered on her square glass coffee table in the living room.

She tried not to think about Kyle, and how attracted she was to him. Not only had she sworn off men, he was only here on vacation. He’d be leaving soon to go back home for his job. She wanted more than sex from a relationship, no matter how stupendous the sex might be.

Stick to your guns, girl. Or you’re going to get hurt.

Her gaze landed affectionately on Charlie,
the worst guard dog ever
, resting on her couch, tired out from having followed her around all day, wanting to play.

It’d taken her twice as long to clean, needing to take a break about every half-hour to play catch-the-ball with him, but she didn’t mind. He was a great companion and she loved him already. And since he’d decided to sleep with her every night, snuggling close, with his cute head on a pillow next to her, she slept easier.

Inhaling deeply, she savored the sweet scent of vanilla from her burning candles. It was Friday, and she was excited Sheryl was coming over for a girls’ night, because she had some great news to share with her. She’d taken the day off for her doctor’s appointment, where Dr. Thomas confirmed her hearing had improved.
Thank God!
She’d thought she could hear better, but feared it was only her imagination.

Her doorbell buzzed, indicating Sheryl’s arrival. The obnoxious sound now grated. Hopefully, she’d soon be able to go back to her old, more pleasant sounding ringer. Turning the music down so as not to blast out her friend, she dashed over to the door to fling it open.

Sheryl gave her a huge smile and held up a bottle of Asti Spumante from the Tabor Hill winery. At least twice a year they took a fun road trip to the winery to stock up on their favorite flavors, and their Asti was the best. It’d go great with the lemon poppy seed cake she’d made for dessert.

“Yummy,” Nicole said, laughing, as she took the bottle from Sheryl’s hand. “Come on in, let’s get this party rockin’.”

Sheryl stepped inside, wearing a tight-fitting pair of black jeans, red flats, sparkling with tiny gemstones on her slim size-nine feet, and a midriff bearing red top that skimmed her belly with black lace. Her long blond hair hung in soft waves past her shoulders. Her green eyes, which Nicole thought was her best feature, were highlighted with brown eyeshadow, making them appear even more electrifying. She looked like she was ready for a night out dancing, instead of a quiet night inside with her best friend.

Nicole lifted a brow. “You do know we’re staying in, right?”

“A girl never knows when the love of her life’s going to walk in the front door.” Chuckling, she kicked her shoes off next to the door. “Always be prepared is my motto.”

Charlie nudged his way between them. Barking, his back end wagged so hard he wobbled. Sheryl squatted next to him, hugging him around the neck, as the dog swiped at her face with his sloppy tongue. “Hold on there, guy,” she said, laughing and blocking the soaking with one hand.

Taking Charlie by the collar, Nicole tugged him back. “Okay, big boy, that’s enough.”

Sheryl plucked the bottle of Asti from Nicole’s hand, and headed into the kitchen. “I’ll pop this in the fridge to stay cool until dinner.”

Nicole followed her over and retrieved a bowl from the cupboard, filling it with potato chips. Sheryl placed the bubbly in the refrigerator for later, grabbing an opened bottle of cabernet sauvignon from the door and popping the decorative cork to pour each of them a tall glass.

Charlie crowded into the narrow space, knocking into them and making maneuvering difficult. Laughing now, Nicole patted the dog’s head, and told him to go lie down. Which he promptly ignored, following them both into the living room, his back end still in rapid motion with his wagging tail.

“He’s so cute, Nicole. I can’t believe you found him at the pound.”

“I know, right? Who wouldn’t want him?” She cast a fond glance at Charlie, giving him a scratch behind the ear. “Their loss is my gain.”

They each took a seat and Nicole held up her glass in a salute. “Here’s to best friends and good times.”

Sheryl lifted her glass up for a toast. “You know it, BFF.”

Laughing, they both took a sip, and Nicole sighed with contentment, as her mind drifted to Kyle. He’d stopped by a few hours earlier and stocked her cupboards with food, refusing to let her chip in, saying if he had to go out for breakfast every day it’d cost him twice as much. He’d insisted her cooking was so much better than a restaurant’s, and worth every penny spent. He was right, of course, because she was a really good cook, with breakfast anyway. So, she’d gracefully agreed, secretly looking forward to cooking for him again.

Forcing all thoughts of the good-looking guy from her backyard out of her head, she smiled at Sheryl. “So, how’d it go at the shop today?”

“Busy. I booked a children’s birthday party for next Friday. If you can’t make it in, we’ll need to hire some temporary help for the day.”

“No, not a problem. I can make it.”

Her friend studied the fading bruise on her cheek. “You sure?”

Nicole nodded. “I’m sure. My hearing is improving every day.”

“Awesome!”

They lifted their glasses in a toast.

After Sheryl filled her in on the rest of the day’s events, Nicole stood, taking her now empty wine glass with her as she made her way into the kitchen to retrieve the steaks.

Sheryl followed her over. Lifting the lid off the glass jar holding Charlie’s dog treats, she tossed him a milk bone. He gulped it down, seemingly without swallowing, and begged for another. She laughed and tossed him a second one, which he caught in his mouth.

“Okay, Mister Charlie,” Nicole said, wagging her finger at the dog, “that’s enough.” She shooed him toward the dog bed near the fireplace. “Go lay down.”

Charlie thumped his butt against the island counter a couple times as he attempted to wag his short tail. Turning around, he ignored his dog bed and jumped back onto her couch to plop down and chew on his treat.

“Oh my God,” Sheryl said, refilling their wine glasses, “he’s so darn cute. I want one.”

“Sorry, he was the only Boxer at the pound. Besides, I don’t think there’s another one out there as cute as Charlie.”

Sheryl grinned. “Probably not.”

Nicole pulled some spices out of the cupboard to rub on the steaks. “If we were outside, he’d be burying his treat under the tree right now. I don’t know if it’s because he’s a rescue dog, or what, but he hordes food.”

“I don’t know if that’s funny or sad.”

“I know. Sorta breaks your heart.” They watched as Charlie finished off the dog treat, then closed his eyes for a nap.

Sheryl walked around the kitchen island. “Anything I can do?”

“Sure, why don’t you fix us a salad? Everything you need is in the fridge.”

While Sheryl got out all the salad fixings and began tossing them together in a bowl, Nicole filled her in on everything the doctor had said.

“Did he say how long before your hearing is back to normal?”

“Not really. Could be tomorrow, next week, or months from now.” She shrugged. “I guess there’s no way to know for sure. Although my hearing’s better, everything sounds muffled. Like I’m in a deep tunnel or something. It’s quite annoying.”

“I bet.” Sheryl picked up the bottle of wine and topped off their glasses. “Well, you’re getting better and that’s what counts. I think we need to toast to your full recovery.”

Finished with the meat preparation, Nicole washed her hands. Lifting her wineglass up in a salute, she grinned. “Hear, hear.” Already feeling a little tipsy, she needed to get some food into her stomach.

“Hear, hear,” Sheryl repeated. They clinked glasses before taking long sips. “Did you invite Kyle over?”

Nicole’s eyebrows rose. “No. This is a girls’ night, not a girls’ and guy’s night.”

Sheryl opened her mouth as if to respond, then paused. Glancing toward the front picture window, Nicole spotted lights heading up her long drive. Her first thought was of the two attacks in her home, and her heart jumped in her chest, her hand tightening around the stem of her wine glass as fear crawled through her.

When Sheryl placed a hand on her shoulder, Nicole startled and gave a little squeal. “Hey, relax,” her friend said, giving her a reassuring smile. “Charlie’s here, and you’ve got a guy who’s hot for you right in your backyard. You’re perfectly safe.”

Sheryl winked at her, and Nicole’s tension eased. She was being silly. Of course she was safe. Sheryl’s words finally sank in and her mouth fell open with a gasp. “What? Kyle is not hot for me.”

Is he?
Her heart raced again, but not from fear this time.

Sheryl wiggled her brows, smirking. “You’re sure about that?”

Nicole laughed, then flat-out lied. “Yes, I’m sure.” But she wasn’t sure about anything, her thoughts centering on the way he’d kissed her, practically in this very spot.

Sheryl took her glass of wine and walked over to the window, tugging back the drapes enough to peek outside. She whistled. “Well, make that two really hot guys in your backyard.”

“Huh?” Nicole hurried over and peeked out the other side of the drapes, and saw a really good-looking blond guy heading toward the cottage with a briefcase. It was getting late, and the sun was nearly set, but it was still bright enough outside to enjoy the view. And he was a really nice
view
.

Then the view got even better when Kyle opened the door and came out onto the porch. He’d changed clothes since she’d seen him at breakfast, or at least taken off the dark button-up shirt he’d had tucked into his jeans. He still wore the pair of black jeans that hugged his slim hips, but now had on a plain white T-shirt stretching across his broad chest. He was definitely drool-worthy, and she lifted her hand to her mouth to make sure it was still dry. She gulped as her eyes drank him in. Nicole glanced over and met her friend’s amused look.

Sheryl snorted, a grin covering her face. “Good God, Nicole. You’ve got the best backyard
ever
.”

Nicole peeked back out the window and giggled. “Yeah, right?”

Kyle let Rob inside, amusement still tickling through him at the women’s cute chatter, although it was tempered with the guilt of eavesdropping on their private conversation.

He was glad to hear Nicole’s hearing was getting better, but was bothered by the fact she hadn’t confided in him about the improvement. He thought they’d grown closer over the last week. Evidently he still didn’t have her complete trust. That knowledge didn’t sit well with him, because he’d come to care for her . . . more than he should.

Why should she trust you, asshole?
his conscience whispered.
You’re lying to her, spying on her, possibly putting her life in danger.
She didn’t know it, but being extra cautious with her safety, he’d followed her to her doctor’s appointment and back.

“Hey, Kyle,” Rob said, stepping inside as Kyle shut the door.

Sheryl’s voice sounded in the room, as though she were standing next to them. “
Do you know who that good-looking blond is? And when do I get to meet him?”
Her words were followed by both women laughing, then Nicole said, “
Not a clue.
”

Rob stared at him with a ‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’
look. Kyle shrugged, waving him into the living room, and ordering his conscience to shut up. “I need to know she’s safe.”

Sheryl’s voice carried into the room as the girl’s continued their conversation. “
Well, find out, because I want an introduction
.”

Nicole chuckled. “
I’ll see what I can do
.”

Rob walked over to the couch, while Kyle headed into the kitchen to get them a beer. “Corona work for you?”

“Yeah. Whatever.”

The sound of footsteps moving across a room was soon followed by rustling and cabinet doors opening and closing, which Kyle assumed meant the girls were back in the kitchen.

Rob’s expression was disapproving as the women continued their conversation, discussing the pottery shop. He eyed the video and sound equipment Kyle had set up in the living room. The video feed displayed the four corners of Nicole’s home on one wide-screen monitor. “Is this all really necessary?”

“Yes.” Kyle stopped at the refrigerator, opening it to retrieve two bottles of Corona. He tossed one toward Rob, who easily caught it. “Need a lime with that?”

“Sure. If you’ve got it.”

Grabbing a couple slices from the dish in his fridge, he took a seat across from Rob and handed him one. Rob already had his bottle open, and Kyle grabbed the opener up off the coffee table and popped off the top of his own bottle. He forced a lime slice into the opening using his thumb before taking a long draw of the cold brew.

He tried to ignore how much it bothered him to have Nicole under surveillance. But it was better than having her hurt again, and he was convinced Barber would be back for her. He eyed the briefcase Rob had placed on the coffee table. “So, tell me what you’ve got.”

Rob tipped his beer for a drink, then frowning, he plunked it down on the coffee table between them. “I’m not really sure yet. But I think you’re right, and we’ve got a cover-up.”

Kyle leaned forward as excitement licked through him. “What makes you think that?”

Rob’s gaze hardened. “I did a search for abductions and missing cases matching the Clove Hitch Killer’s M.O., not already tagged. At first nothing came up, which made me suspicious, because I was aware, personally, of at least two other disappearances that matched C.H.K.’s victims. So, I kept digging.”