Kiss of an Angel (19 page)

J.T. heard the reluctance in her voice when she replied, “Its been in the family for years.”

“It’s ... different.” The medallion
did
look like a family heirloom, but there was something else about it that lured and fascinated him. He rubbed his thumb over the surface, and a heat radiated up his arm, tingling along his nerve endings. Then, incredibly, he felt a pull on his senses, like a huge magnet drawing the very life out of him. He was powerless to stop it from happening. In the next instant a part of him seemed to merge with Caitlan, in her mind, in her soul, a union so extraordinary in its power and beauty, he felt intimately joined with her, heart, body and soul. The pendant blazed like fire in his hand and he let it drop back to her blouse.

The whole exchange had happened so fast, he wondered if he’d only imagined the odd experience. The startled look in Caitlan’s eyes confirmed that something had passed between them, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask and possibly look like a fool for suggesting a psychic encounter had momentarily linked them. The incident had been too weird for his peace of mind, like a quick out-of-body experience.

Maybe he
was
losing his mind, he thought.

Deciding it was time to get back on the trail and put things into proper perspective, he grabbed his hat and jammed it on his head. He stood and extended his hand to her. “It’s getting late. We’d better head back.”

She nodded her agreement and put her hand in his, allowing him to help her up. “Thank you,” she said softly, her fingers flexing in his palm.

They stood there, neither one moving, gazes locked. Caitlan’s eyes darkened and her cheeks flushed with awareness. Her tongue darted out to touch her lower lip, as though the lingering effects of their encounter had aroused her. J.T. swore under his breath as a surge of heat sped through his veins. Hell, his own traitorous body throbbed with sexual excitement, demanding satisfaction. For a reckless second J.T. thought about damning consequences and lowering his mouth to hers and letting things proceed from there. Lord knew they both wanted each other, the sexual tension between them so palpable nothing but a physical joining could ease it.

Knowing nothing could come of them making love, despite the closeness they’d established this afternoon, J.T. summoned every source of willpower he possessed. He tried to convince himself that Caitlan would be grateful he hadn’t taken advantage of the situation once she was back in the city, where she belonged, heart intact.

Distance, Rafferty, you need to put distance between you
. Letting go of her hand, he stepped away. “You fold the blanket and I’ll get the horses,” he said in a rough voice. He headed toward Quinn and Blaze, hating the glimpse of hurt he’d seen in Caitlan’s gaze. He swore again. Didn’t she know how difficult it was to walk away from the sweet promise in her eyes?

Once they were packed up and mounted, J.T. spurred Quinn into a heavy gallop, as much to work off his frustration as to get back to the house and around people so Caitlan wouldn’t be such a temptation. He made sure Blaze kept up, but left enough distance between himself and Caitlan so that conversation was impossible.

Coming up the last hundred yards, J.T. slowed Quinn. Looking ahead, he noticed a cluster of people standing around the barn—a few hands, Frank, Kirk, and Randal. Off to the side, Paula embraced Laura in a hug, his daughter’s face buried in the woman’s shoulder. Laura’s friend, Karen, stood beside them, looking as though she’d been crying.

A sense of foreboding twisted in J.T.’s gut. Bringing Quinn to an abrupt halt, he jumped off the horse, tossed the reins to a nearby hand, and strode toward Frank, Kirk, and Randal.

Just as he reached the trio, Laura broke away from Paula and ran toward him. “Dad!” she wailed, tears streaming down her face.

J.T. caught his daughter in his arms. She bawled against his chest, her body trembling violently as she clung to him. Momentarily stunned, he tried to console and calm her with words and gentle caresses, but she only cried harder. The words she spoke were unintelligible, garbled by her sobs and tears.

Fearing something had happened to jeopardize his daughter’s life, he glanced up at his men, vaguely aware that Caitlan had come up beside him and was attempting to pacify Laura.

“What’s going on?” he demanded.

The three men looked at him uneasily. Kirk spoke, his tone as grim as his expression. “Someone put Missy’s kittens into King’s stall.”

Caitlan gasped audibly, and Laura’s sobs increased.

“
What?
” J.T.’s fear of seconds before liquified to white-hot outrage.

“It’s true.” Frank shifted on his feet, glancing from Caitlan to Laura, and then back to J.T. again. “King, uh, trampled them to death.”

J.T. let out a string of swear words he’d never used in the presence of ladies before, but anger overruled his manners. “Who the hell would do such a thing?”

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Randal said, averting his gaze to the entrance of the barn.

J.T. glanced around for Mike. Just before leaving with Caitlan today he’d issued the man a slight reprimand. Would he be spiteful enough to kill innocent kittens? And was this incident at all related to what had happened to him at the creek? Or was this a warning of some sort from the sick person stalking him? Damn, he didn’t like not being able to trust his own hands.

“Who found the kittens?” he asked.

Kirk cast a sympathetic look at Laura. “Laura and Karen found them about fifteen minutes ago.”

“Ah, Smidget,” J.T. murmured, rocking her gently, his heart breaking for her. “I’m so sorry.”

Laura looked up at him, her eyes puffy from the tears she’d shed, misery in their depths. “They’re ... they’re all dead.” She gulped in a breath, then another sob broke from her.

“Shhh.” J.T. comforted Laura for a moment longer, then gently extricated her from his arms, anxious to do some investigating. Wanting to separate Laura from the situation, he glanced at Caitlan beside him, grateful for her presence.

Except she seemed preoccupied. A troubling frown marred her brow and suspicion colored her eyes as she glared at Randal. Hell, was the woman still holding a grudge against Randal for his behavior the other night?

Might as well kill two birds with one stone, he thought. “Caitlan, would you please take Laura up to the house?”

She pulled her gaze from Randal and glanced at Laura, her features softening with concern and compassion. “Of course.”

Laura shook her head wildly at J.T., on the verge of hysterics. “Who’s gonna get the kittens?” she asked around a fresh wave of tears, sobs, and convulsive shudders.

“I’ll take care of it,” he promised, handing her over to Caitlan. “Go with Caitlan. I’ll be up in a bit.”

“Come on, honey.” Caitlan wrapped her arm around Laura’s shoulder and guided her toward the walkway leading to the main house. As Paula and Karen joined her, Caitlan glanced over her shoulder at Randal.

Randal met her gaze, a self-satisfied smirk curling the corners of his mouth. Then he turned and followed the other men into the barn.

The import of Randal’s silent goad made Caitlan so physically ill, she thought she’d lose her lunch.

Paula shook her head, her lips pursed in disgust as she looked off into the distance. “I just don’t understand who would do such a thing to those poor, helpless kittens.”

The answer came all too easily to Caitlan ... Randal.

* * *

Traumatized by what she’d witnessed, Laura lay on the couch in the living room, hugging a throw pillow to her chest, her body curled into a fetal position. Her head rested in Caitlan’s lap, and Caitlan offered whatever comfort she could to the young girl while Paula called Karen’s mother to pick up her daughter.

After all Laura’s tears had been shed she stared into space, her body shuddering with an occasional sigh or hiccup. Caitlan rubbed Laura’s back and played with her hair, granting the girl time to grieve for her precious kittens.

Laura refused to eat dinner. A little after seven, weary and exhausted, Laura fought her body’s natural reaction to fall into slumber. Caitlan, seeing Laura’s struggle with the inevitable, accompanied her upstairs to her room, helped her into a fresh nightgown, and pulled down the bedcovers.

Laura looked from the bed to Caitlan, her bottom lip trembling. “I don’t want to be alone, Caitlan. Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?”

Caitlan realized she’d do anything for this sweet girl. Keeping her company, and keeping the terrible memories of what she’d experienced at bay, was so little to ask. “Sure, honey. Come on.  Get into bed.”

Laura climbed up on the frilly canopied bed and snuggled under the covers. Caitlan turned off the light and joined her, lying on top of the bedspread. Within minutes of Caitlan stroking Laura’s hair, the young girl had fallen asleep, her breathing deep and even. Still, Caitlan threaded the silky strands of Laura’s hair though her fingers, reluctant to leave her.

A shaft of light from the hallway illuminated the room in a soft glow and enabled her to see Laura’s puffy eyes, red nose, and swollen lips. Her features, although softened in repose, still held traces of the tragedy she’d suffered. And what about the emotional scars that would remain forever?

Fierce anger and protectiveness welled in Caitlan. Laura was an innocent person in this whole ordeal, and Caitlan resented that the ugliness had touched her. How far would Randal go in his quest for vengeance?

The sound of someone climbing the stairs brought Caitlan out of her musings. Recognizing J.T.’s lazy, booted stride, anticipation fluttered in her stomach. A moment later he filled Laura’s doorway. Tiredly, he leaned his shoulder against the jamb, hip cocked, and crossed his arms over his chest. Silently, he stared toward the bed, his gaze drifting over Laura’s prone form.

The hallway light silhouetted his large build, accentuating the width of his shoulders and the leanness of his waist and hips. There was a quiet strength about him that made Caitlan want to slip into his embrace for warmth and comfort. At the same time she had the undeniable urge to touch her mouth to his and soften the hardness there, wanted to caress her thumb over the frown creasing his brow.

His eyes moved from his daughter to her. Their gazes connected in the dimness. An incredible awareness, as hot and vital as flame, replaced the worry she’d detected moments before. Boldly, his smoky gaze traveled the length of her, undressing her with his eyes. Seeing the sensual heat in his gaze, the sudden carnal desire, she knew he was imagining her lying in his bed, naked, waiting for him. She shamelessly wished she were.

Desire danced through her, a wanting so explicit and urgent it should have shocked her but no longer did. This smoldering hunger was a remnant of the heat he’d generated during their picnic but hadn’t had the courtesy to extinguish. Desire and need mingled as one, a yearning so powerful that a delicious warmth cascaded through her veins.

She searched for something appropriate to say to break the spell and managed a whispery, “Hi.”

“Hi.” Wrapped in the shadows of the room, his voice was rough, gravelly, and sexy, sliding over all those warm, secret places that responded so effortlessly to him.

Pushing off the doorjamb, he slowly crossed to the bed and ran his knuckles down Laura’s cheek, then smoothed his large hand gently over her head. A shuddering sigh escaped Laura, and she snuggled deeper into her pillow, murmuring incoherent words. Straightening, he glanced at Caitlan, and she saw the true weariness in his eyes.

J.T. jammed his hands on his hips, his expression taking on a protective edge. “How is she?”

“Emotionally exhausted, but I think she’ll be fine.” Caitlan came up on her elbow, a little self-conscious about being with Laura, as if J.T. might think she was trying to horn in where she really didn’t belong. “She didn’t want to be alone. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Mind what?” A wry, private smile touched his lips. “You being a surrogate mom?”

“If that’s what you want to call it.” She shrugged lightly and glanced at Laura’s pretty face, knowing once her mission ended that this child would still be special to her. “She needed someone to be with her. I’m just glad I was around to help.”

J.T. rubbed the muscles at the back of his neck. “I should have been with her,” he said in a low voice filled with self-recrimination. “But I needed to get to the bottom of this incident with the kittens.”

“I understand,” she reassured him softly. “And I think Laura understands too.”

Their eyes met and held for endless seconds.

Then J.T. expelled a deep, resigned breath. “Thank you, Caitlan. For everything.”

“You’re welcome.” She couldn’t help the smile lifting her lips, inordinately pleased that he actually appreciated her and had swallowed his pride enough to admit it. Then her thoughts detoured to more important matters. “Did you find out who’s responsible for killing the kittens?”

Laura stirred, shifting onto her back, mumbling something about Tommy pulling on her hair.

J.T. lifted a brow at his daughter’s comment, then whispered to Caitlan, “Why don’t we finish this discussion down in the kitchen?”

Nodding, Caitlan slid off the bed. She adjusted the covers over Laura and placed a light kiss on the girl’s soft cheek. “Sweet dreams, honey.” Glancing at J.T., she found him watching her with a caring and warm glimmer in his eyes.