Every Move She Makes (25 page)

Her cheeks heated. “The dress isn’t that revealing. Take a look at what women wear to the beach, for heaven’s sake.”

“It shows enough to make a man want to see the rest of the package. I’m mad as hell and still turned on.”

Rachel’s gaze dropped then flew up again. “That hardly counts. You’re easy.”

He let out a deep breath. “You have a point. If I promise to quit yelling will you tell me what happened?”

“Sure. Why don’t you have a seat and relax.” She pointed to the desk chair.

Kane walked over and dropped into it. “It’s hard to relax when I want to forget about Olmstead and rip that dress off you.” Wincing, he shifted in the seat. “I’ll try to control myself. Tell me what your buddy had to say.”

“He doesn’t own a pickup, but his neighbor does. He said the neighbor just got it, and he thinks he might be able to borrow it to help haul dirt for my new vegetable garden.”

“Hot damn. It’s worth checking out. Maybe the guy bought a used truck.” Kane pulled out his cell, relayed the information to Sheriff Walker then dropped the phone on the desk. “He’s sending one of his deputies over to check it out. What else did you learn from good old Dennis?”

“Actually, I felt kind of sorry for him. The way he looked at me made me feel like I was back in high school with the class nerd asking me to the prom. It was painful turning him down.”

“I hope to God you did.”

“I mentioned I was still seeing you, which definitely didn’t sit well with him. Still, he didn’t go after me with a butter knife.”

“Our stalker may have a little more self-control. I wasn’t expecting him to confess.”

“Maybe Dennis isn’t the stalker. I think he’s just a nice man who wants to date me. He can’t help it if he’s a geek.”

“Do the kids still use that word?”

“Probably not, but it fits Dennis.”

“You won’t get an argument from me. Anything else?”

“He was home alone last night watching a movie—or so he says. I think he was hiding something. He acted weird when he mentioned it.”

“Weird how?”

Rachel shrugged. “I don’t know, sort of nervous or embarrassed. He wouldn’t meet my gaze.”

“That’s interesting.” Kane stared at her with a thoughtful look. “If his neighbor owns a dark-colored pickup, it’ll be even more so. Is that all he had to say?”

She nodded. “I’d better change. “Debra Hensley will drop Ivy off shortly.”

Standing, he pulled Rachel into his arms. “You can change but not before I get at least one kiss while you’re wearing that dress.”

She looped her arms around his neck. “Jordan Hale kissed a lot of men while wearing this dress.”

“Has Rachel Carpenter?”

Her hair swayed around her face as she shook her head. “Not a single one.”

“Good.” He covered her mouth with his.

She was breathless when he released her.

“Go ahead and change. I’ll wait outside.”

“Was that payback?”

“For what?”

“Getting you all hot and bothered before.”

Kane grinned. “I like the idea, but it backfired. I’m going to have to cool off in the darkest corner of the bookstore.”

She laughed. “Tell Chandra I’ll be out in a minute if she needs any help, and give her an update if she’s not busy.”

“Will do.”

Rachel changed into the walking shorts and short-sleeved blouse she’d been wearing earlier then took a moment to run a brush through her hair. Studying herself in the mirror on the back of the office door, she decided she looked about as seductive as an old slipper.

Kane ought to be happy about that. Leaving the office, she headed toward the front of the shop where Kane stood talking to Chandra and Tim.

The front door burst open with a jangle of bells as Ivy and her friend entered.

“Mom, some man wanted me to get in his truck, but I didn’t do it.” Her daughter gulped for breath. “I ran away just like you taught me.” Her hand shook when she flipped her ponytail over her shoulder.

“Oh, my God!” Rachel’s throat closed. She dropped to her knees in front of Ivy and pulled her into her arms for a long hug. “Tell me what happened.”

Debra Hensley shut the door and gave Rachel a trembling smile. “A man in a pickup approached the girls outside the library. We stopped on the way here to find a book for Melissa. While I was checking it out, the girls waited on the sidewalk. I could see them through the window. I swear they weren’t out of my sight for a minute.”

“I’m sure they weren’t.” Rachel eased to her feet and laid a hand on the distraught woman’s arm.

“This truck pulled up, and the man in it said he was supposed to drive me to the bookstore.” Ivy’s eyes were wide. “He said you were hurt, and I was supposed to come with him. But I didn’t know him, so I grabbed Melissa and ran back into the library. You aren’t hurt, are you?”

“No, I’m not hurt. You did exactly the right thing.” She glanced at Kane who was already on the phone. “How long ago did this happen, Debra?”

“Only a few minutes. I hurried the girls straight out to the car and called 9-1-1 while I was driving. Since it’s only a couple of blocks, I didn’t feel comfortable staying at the library with Ivy when you were so close. They’re sending someone.”

“I have Sheriff Walker on the line.” Kane turned toward the two girls. “I need a description of the pickup.”

“It was dark green.” Ivy’s eyes brightened. “One fender was grayish.”

“Two doors or four?”

“Two.” Both girls answered at the same time.

“Did it look new or old?”

“Old. There were dents on it and some rust.”

“Do you know what kind of truck it was?”

When the girls shrugged, he looked to Debra.

“I couldn’t tell. I just saw the back end as it pulled away, and I’m afraid I didn’t see the license plate.”

Kane relayed the information to the sheriff and hung up. “He’s putting the description out now and will be right over.” He squatted next to Ivy and Melissa. “I want you girls to tell me what this man looked like.”

Ivy wrinkled her nose. “He just rolled the window down a little way, and it was kind of dark in the truck.”

Melissa shook her head. “You couldn’t see through the windows at all.”

“They were tinted?”

Ivy nodded. “The man had on sunglasses, and he was wearing a baseball cap.”

“His shirt was navy blue with a zipper.”

“I don’t think it was a shirt. I think it was a jacket.” Ivy corrected her friend. “It was made out of that slick material.”

“A nylon windbreaker?” Rachel asked.

“Yes!” Ivy’s fear seemed to have disappeared in the excitement of having several adults hang on her every word.

Melissa nudged her. “He had a moustache. It was dark brown and bushy. I couldn’t see what color his hair was.”

“The ball cap covered his hair. It was blue with a little thingy in front.”

“An emblem?” Kane asked.

“Yeah, like the SF on the Giants’ caps, only this one was different. I can’t remember what it was, but I think it was either orange or red.”

Kane looked at Melissa.

She shook her head. “I don’t remember either.”

“Did you recognize the man, Ivy? Could he have been someone you’ve met before?”

“I don’t know anyone with a moustache like that.”

“Think about what he would have looked like without the moustache. Was his nose big or little?”

“Just normal. I couldn’t see his face very well. He had his hand over his chin, and he kind of mumbled. Mom, we’d better leave for my swimming lesson, or we’ll be late.”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to miss it today, honey. The sheriff will need to talk to you girls.”

“But, Mom, if I don’t go today, I won’t graduate with my class tomorrow. The teacher gives out certificates on the last day, and I won’t get one. Then I’ll have to be a dumb dolphin again next summer instead of a shark.”

Rachel sighed. “I’m sorry, but talking to the sheriff is more important.”

Kane rested a hand on Ivy’s shoulder. “I have most of what he’ll need, at least for now.”

“I’ll take her to the lesson.” Debra worried her bottom lip between her teeth. “This time I swear I won’t let her out of my sight.”

Rachel opened her mouth to answer then shut it when Sheriff Walker pushed open the bookstore door. His gaze dropped to the two girls.

“I hear you had a bit of a scare.”

“We weren’t scared. Can I go to my swim lesson now?”

The sheriff glanced at Kane.

“I have a description of the man, and we have a few things to discuss before you talk to them. I honestly think I have most of what you’ll need.”

“That’ll be fine. I’ll speak to you young ladies later.”

Rachel stepped forward. “I don’t want to trouble you, Debra.”

“I’d like to help. I feel awful about letting the girls leave the library alone.”

“It’s not your fault. Normally I wouldn’t hesitate to do the same thing.” She glanced at the sheriff and bit her lip. “I’m worried that man will come back.”

“I expect he’s long gone, but I have deputies in the area, and one of them will keep an eye on Ivy until we get there.”

Rachel nodded and hugged Ivy, only letting her go when her daughter tugged to get loose. She forced herself to turn away as Debra herded the two girls out the door. “Let’s talk in my office. I’m afraid we’re scaring away the customers.”

Chandra squeezed her hand. “We’ll take care of the store. You do what you need to do and don’t be afraid to leave early.”

Tim grimaced. “What a day.”

“Somehow, I don’t think it’s going to get any better.” Rachel ran a trembling hand through her hair. “Thanks for your help.”

She followed both men back to her office. The sheriff finished talking into his radio and took the only chair while Kane leaned against the desk. Rachel shut the door and went straight to his side. He gave her waist a reassuring squeeze.

Sheriff Walker was the first to speak. “Did Ivy recognize the man in the pickup?”

Kane shook his head. “It sounds like he was wearing a fake moustache. He had on dark glasses, a windbreaker and a ball cap. Also, the truck had tinted windows. Obviously he didn’t want to be recognized if he couldn’t talk Ivy into coming with him. I doubt he would have forced the issue on a busy street.”

“But he must have planned it ahead of time if he had a disguise ready.” Rachel pressed a hand to her chest. “My God, what would he have done to my baby if she’d gotten into that truck?”

Kane’s arm tightened around her. “Ivy’s too smart to do something so stupid. The jerk took a chance, but it didn’t pay off.”

“He’s right. Most kids know better than to get into a car with a stranger. It was a long shot, but it shows he’s getting desperate.” The sheriff leaned forward, and the desk chair squeaked beneath his weight.

“What about Jade and Lark? Jade’s at soccer camp, and Lark is at the winery.” Rachel pressed a hand to her chest and drew in a long breath. “Will he try to approach them?”

“I don’t see how he possibly could if they’re with other people. I know you’re upset right now, but your girls are safe. Let’s hear what happened at lunch with Olmstead. I don’t suppose he was wearing a windbreaker and sporting a moustache.”

She forced herself to focus on Walker’s question. “He had on a polo shirt and was clean shaven. Dennis definitely has a crush on me, but I can’t picture him as my stalker.”

“Never say never.” The sheriff asked her a few more questions.

With an effort, she answered them. All she wanted to do was run after Ivy and never let her youngest daughter out of her sight again.

Finally, Stan Walker cleared his throat and glanced at Kane. “What’s your take on the situation?”

“In my opinion, Olmstead would give his left nut for a date with Rachel. The guy has it bad. Still, I’m not certain he would resort to stalking her. Did you find out what type of truck his neighbor drives?”

“Pete didn’t see any pickups on the street, but he had an interesting conversation with Olmstead’s neighbor. She’s eighty if she’s a day and was out watering her roses. She gave him a full description of the new truck the guy across the street bought last month. A big four-door Dodge, red, loud and smelly. Apparently, her neighbor two houses up also drives a pickup, an older two door Ford, but it’s white. Everyone else on the block drives a car or an SUV.”

“Any chance she’s mistaken about the color?” Kane gave a half smile. “Possibly she doesn’t see as well as she used to.”

“According to Pete, the old lady is as sharp as a tack.”

“I’d still be interested in knowing what Olmstead was doing last night.”

“I would, too, but we can’t do much more than question him. Maybe you’ll have better luck with Dawson tomorrow.”

“I sure as hell hope so.”

“In the meantime, I have Brandon questioning people down near the library. Hopefully we’ll find a witness who got a look at the license plate on that green pickup.”

“Thank you for taking such a personal interest in my problems, Sheriff Walker.” Rachel forced a smile. “I know you’re busy.”

“I want to find this guy before anything worse happens. I’m too old to deal with violent crimes. In fact, I’ve let my wife convince me to retire this fall instead of running for re-election.”

“The town will certainly miss you. You’ve been the sheriff as long as I can remember.”

He grunted. “That’s long enough. Anyway, I know just the man to take my place.” He winked at Kane then glanced back at Rachel. “I’d like to get an official statement from your daughter and her friend. Do you think she’s about done with that swim lesson?”

She glanced at her watch. “It’ll be over in fifteen minutes.”

“Then let’s meet at the pool. I don’t think we can squeeze anyone else into your office.”

“Thanks for giving Ivy a break. Her lessons are important to her.”

“Well, of course they are, and there was no reason to upset her further. This is working out just fine.” The older man heaved himself out of the desk chair. “I’ll check in with my deputies and see you at the pool.”

“Sounds good. Thank you.” Rachel followed them out of the office then paused at the counter to speak to Chandra. “I’ll be gone a half-hour or so while the sheriff talks to Ivy.”

“Why don’t you take the rest of the afternoon off? You look wiped out.”