Dangerous Relations (12 page)

"Cousin Ardin! Cousin Ardin!" Leonie shouted. "Daddy drove me home from school."

Ardin shaded her eyes. "So I see."

Leonie torpedoed into Ardin, throwing her arms around her waist. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too," Ardin answered, and realized it was true.

A minute later, Brett strode into the house, Leonie's backpack slung over his shoulder. "I
had to bring back her sleepover stuff, so I figured I'd deliver Leonie and her things at the same
time."

"Sure," Ardin said, though she failed to see the connection. He was close enough for her to
breathe in his own special scent. Male. Musky. Her body started to hum.

"Shall I take the knapsack up to her room?"

"You don't have to-- Okay, I guess." He was already bounding up the steps.

"Cousin Ardin, we made paper umbrellas for April showers," Leonie said, "and I colored
mine purple and pink."

"That's nice. Are you hungry?"

"I'm starving!" Leonie rubbed her stomach.

"How about some chocolate milk and cookies?"

In the kitchen, Ardin chatted with Leonie as she ate her snack, all the while wondering
what Brett was doing upstairs. Finally, he came into the kitchen.

"I noticed the vertical blinds in her room needed some tweaking."

She must have been staring at him in a skeptical way, because he laughed and held up a
hand. "Scout's honor. I wasn't searching for jewels or hidden secrets."

"Secrets?" Ardin echoed. She felt light-headed, as though she were about to faint.

Brett stepped closer and eyed her intently. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, no.," To her horror, she began to sob.

Two pairs of hands--one strong and firm, the other small and plump--reached out to
comfort her.

"Don't cry, Cousin Ardin," Leonie crooned. "Don't cry."

* * * *

Brett coaxed Leonie into the den and turned on her favorite program.

"What's wrong with Cousin Ardin?" She was clinging to Mr. Bonkers with one hand, to him
with the other.

He could see she was on the verge of crying. His heart twisted. The poor little tyke was
terrified yet another adult in her life was going, going, gone.

He sat on the one comfortable chair in the room and perched her on his knee.

"I think she's just tired. You know, from looking after her mother, your grandma, and
you."

"But I was in school all day," Leonie said.

Brett kissed her forehead. "Still. We're all upset."

She nodded solemnly. "Because of Mommy?"

"Because of Mommy," he agreed.

He went back into the kitchen. Ardin was wiping her eyes with a soggy tissue. He pulled out
his handkerchief and handed it to her.

Ardin blew her nose then hesitated, as if not sure what to do with the handkerchief. She
gave a dim smile. "I'll throw it in the wash."

"That sounds nice and sanitary."

The color had returned to her cheeks. He took a deep breath, debated what he was about to
say, and tossed caution to the winds. "I picked up Leonie and brought her home so I could see
you."

Yes!
A slow, warm smile brightened her face.

"I'm not weak-minded," she said, "but I've had quite a day."

She told him about finding Suziette's notebook, her aunt's poor prognosis, then finding the
smashed window and the note telling her to leave Thornedale.

He had to exercise considerable restraint not to gather her up in his arms and kiss her full,
sensual lips. "I wish I could stay, but I have to get back to work for another hour or so. The signs just
came in, and we have to put up at least some of them today if we're to finish on time."

"Why don't you come for dinner?" she said.

His heart revved up at the thought of coming back here, but he considered all she'd just
been through. "You're too upset to worry about cooking a meal."

"I want to. It will keep my mind occupied."

Delighted, he reached out to caress her cheek. "In that case, I'll be back quick as I can."

* * * *

After Brett left, Ardin went into the den and snuggled on the couch next to Leonie.

"Are you feeling better?" Leonie said.

"Uh huh. I was upset about something, but now I'm fine."

"Mommy used to get upset lots of times." Leonie settled Mr. Bonkers on her lap.

"Did she?" Ardin stroked the long, blonde hair.

"I hated when she and Daddy used to fight."

Ardin took a deep breath. "What happened?"

Leonie shrugged. "They yelled and banged doors. Sometimes Daddy drove away.
Sometimes Mommy."

Did she go to her lover?

"Daddy's coming for dinner later."

"Oh, goodie." Leonie moved closer and hugged Ardin. "I'm glad you're taking care of me,
Cousin Ardin. And Daddy, too. It's nice when we're all together."

"It is, isn't it?" The three of them together was better than nice. It was cozy and comfortable
and wonderful. And it was going to end the moment Brett learned of her plans.

She forced herself to rise from the couch. "I'd better start dinner."

* * * *

"You sure ate a lot, Daddy," Leonie declared.

"I sure did," Brett agreed. "Your Cousin Ardin is a first rate cook."

"Hamburgers and salads? That's not exactly gourmet cooking."

He winked. "In my book, homemade potato salad ranks high up there, next to caviar.
Besides, it's a lot better than my own cooking."

His lavish praise made the blood rush to her face. Ardin reached for the pitcher and poured
herself more iced tea.

"Cousin Ardin, I'm going to draw in the den."

"Okay, honey." And then calmly, as if this weren't the first time she was asking, "Can I have
a kiss before you go?"

"Sure." Leonie's lips grazed her cheek.

Brett helped Ardin clear the table. He sponged the placemats, and then lounged back in his
chair while she stacked the dishes into the dishwasher. "Feeling better?"

"Much." She turned to look at him. "Do you think the murderer left the note?"

"I sincerely hope not. But someone wants you to go."

"Well, I'm not leaving town."

He looked startled, and the sickening thought occurred to her that he might have written
that note. But her moment of doubt passed. The concern she read in his eyes was genuine.

"You could go home to Manhattan, if you like," he said. "I'm sure the judge will let me look
after Leonie, under the circumstances. You can visit Julia and your mother on weekends."

She gave a derisive snicker. "I see you've thought this out. You've managed to cover all
bases."

"For God's sake, it's
you
I'm thinking of! I don't want another death on my
conscience."

Fingers strong as pincers gripped her shoulders. She flinched but held her ground,
determined to remain calm at all costs. "On
your
conscience? How do you figure
that?" She felt a loss as he released her and turned away.

"I'm partly responsible for what happened. No matter how bad things were between
Suziette and me, I should have realized she was in trouble." He met her gaze. "I won't let anything
happen to you. I swear I won't!"

The quivers of joy rippling through her body were almost too much to bear. Ardin had to
clasp her hands together so she wouldn't be tempted to pull him close and press his parted lips to
her own. "Please don't worry about me, Brett. I'll be careful, I promise."

"I know you want to stick around to help with Leonie's adoption, but my lawyer has a
pretty good handle on things. I told her about Suziette's will and Julia's bad heart." He eyed her
closely. "You don't think Julia's planning to adopt Leonie, do you?"

"No, I don't." Ardin cleared her throat. Now was the time to tell him the truth. Tell him she
wanted to adopt Leonie and bring her back with her to Manhattan.

Leonie dashed into the kitchen with her latest work of art. "Daddy, Cousin Ardin, look at
this."

Ardin and Brett praised the three stick figures standing next to a house under a large
yellow sun.

"Very nice, Sugarplum. Is this us?"

"Well, of course it's us. Who else? Grannie's in the house, with Aunt Vera."

"I see," Ardin said.

"Now I'm going to draw a doggie. Daddy said I could have a dog."

Brett laughed. "I said I have to think about it. And now I have to say goodnight. Come and
give me a hug."

Leonie threw herself into Brett's arms and wrapped her legs around his waist. She kissed
his nose.

"Good night, Daddy. Are you coming for dinner tomorrow night?"

Ardin looked up at him. "You're invited," she began.

At the same time he said, "Sorry, I can't tomorrow night."

She shrugged, feeling foolish. "Sure, I understand."

"I'm having dinner with Frank and some of the others involved in the condo deal," he
explained as she walked him to the door.

"Persistent Frank. Sounds like he's putting pressure on you."

"It sure as hell feels that way." He winked, making her heart do a flip-flop. "Not to worry.
I'm a hard guy to push around. Thanks for dinner." He kissed her cheek. "And for everything
else."

He drew her close and his lips met hers. She felt an urgent pressure, the flick of his tongue,
and she welcomed him inside her mouth. When they moved apart she felt forsaken.

"We won't tell Leonie about our special friendship," he whispered. "At least, not yet."

"No," she said, astonished that he'd put into words what she hadn't the courage to admit.
"Let's keep it private for now."

He ran his hand along her hip, making her tingle with desire. "Private's good." He wore a
wide grin when he opened the front door. "Can't wait till Saturday night."

Too dazed to think of a witty comeback, Ardin nodded.

She double-locked the door, suddenly certain of two things. She was in love with Brett
Waterstone, and after Saturday night, she wouldn't see him again.

"I left my rubber duck at Daddy's house," Leonie complained.

"No, it's right here. He remembered to send it along. See." Ardin squeezed the duck to make
it quack, and tossed it in the bath beside Leonie.

"You got me all wet!" Leonie's face puckered up. She was about to cry.

Ardin felt a moment of panic. Where was the sunny child she knew?
She's tired,
that's all.
Relieved to have hit upon the obvious, Ardin gave Leonie a big smile. "You
know what? We don't have to wash your hair tonight."

"Oh, goodie." Leonie let out a huge yawn.

Pleased with her newfound mothering skills, Ardin took hold of the washrag and hurried
the bath along. Two minutes later she was toweling Leonie dry and helping her into her
pajamas.

"Do you want me to read to you?"

Leonie nodded as she slipped under the covers. "Read me a Dr. Seuss book."

Ardin began reading
Horton Hears a Who
. By the second page, Leonie's eyes
had shut. Ardin closed the book and kissed her forehead. "Night, night."

Blue eyes opened. "When can I move back to my house?" Leonie's words were slurred but
understandable.

"Soon," Ardin answered, and then realized what she'd said.

Leonie smiled. "And you'll come, too, right?"

She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Good-night, honey."

"You have to come, too. Now you're my new mommy."

"See you in the morning."

Ardin went downstairs. The house, which had been cozy only a minute ago, now seemed
too large. Cavernous. She yawned and realized she was tired, too. She'd watch some TV and get to
bed early. Today's ugly incident and the roller coaster ride of her emotions had taken their toll.

She was turning pages of the newspaper, scarcely noting the headlines, when the phone
rang. The voice was male and heavily accented.

"Hello, is this Miss Ardin Wesley?"

"Yes, it is." Her heart thudded against her ribs.

Her reluctant response evoked a trill of musical laughter. When her caller spoke again, his
voice exuded intimacy. "There's no need to be afraid, Miss Wesley. I am Dimitri. Dimitri
Costas."

"I see." Ardin found herself grinning at his impudence.

"I am calling you against the advice of my attorney," he continued, "but I have the greatest
need to give you something."

"I don't know, Mr. Costas--"

"Dimitri," he broke in smoothly. "And fear not. My desire is to restore, not to take from any
member of poor Suziette's family."

"What do you want to give me?"

"Can you meet me tomorrow morning at the small park across from the gym? Perhaps in
front of the fountain at ten o'clock? By then the little one will be in school."

She felt a twinge of guilt because she'd promised Brett she'd be careful. But meeting
Dimitri in a public place
was
being careful. Besides, he might know something crucial
about Suziette's murder.

"Okay, Dimitri. I'll see you tomorrow at ten."

She heard his delightful laugh again. "Suziette was right. You are a smart cookie to realize
Dimitri can only help not hurt."

"You're not a bad judge of character yourself."

"I have to be," he said modestly. "My job depends on it."

* * * *

Dimitri was shorter and broader than she'd expected, but every bit as sexy and handsome
as his voice had led her to imagine. His wavy black hair, firm chin, and the tiny chip on his front
tooth all added to his charm.

The hand he offered was soft yet firm, and, like the rest of him, exuded a warm, humane
quality. Ardin could well understand why Suziette would be attracted to this man, if she hadn't had
Brett Waterstone at home.

"Shall we?" With a graceful gesture, Dimitri ushered her to a bench.

Once they were seated, he reached inside his wine-colored blazer and withdrew an
envelope. "This is what I want to give you."

Ardin opened the envelope. Inside was a check for seven thousand dollars. She gasped
when she saw it was made out to her. "What-- Why?"

The one-arm hug was both brotherly and seductive. It left Ardin feeling they were two
mischievous children playing a trick on their teacher.