To Claim Her (3 page)

“I’m thankful Eddie wasn’t with you.”  His weathered hand covered hers. 

She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.  The thought had occurred to her more than once since she had regained consciousness in the hospital. 

She turned her face toward the squeak of hinges at the back door.  Mark strolled in and dropped onto the couch across from her.  His took in her teary eyes and his dad’s hand holding hers. 

“Any news?”

She shook her head as Sebastian spoke.  “Not yet.  Just telling our girl to take it easy the next few days.”

He nodded and stretched his arms across the back of the couch, settling in.  Owning the whole space. 

“We’re hoping it was just bad timing.”

“I hope so too, but I’m not sure that’s what it was.”

She frowned at Mark’s words. 

“Why would someone go to the trouble of taking you without any other motive?   Your car and money were left intact.  Hell, the only things missing were your clothes!”  His agitation was clear.

“I don’t have any idea, Mark.”  She gave him a grim stare.  “I’ve thought about it more than I probably should have over the last two days and still don’t know.”

“You haven’t pissed anyone off lately?”

She laughed sardonically.  “Surprisingly enough, I live a quiet life.  I spend more time at work or here with your father than anywhere else.  I don’t really…”  She hesitated.  Did she want to admit this to him? 

“Don’t really what?”

She blew out a breath.  “I don’t really even date much anymore, so it can’t be a hacked off ex-boyfriend.” 

His eyes narrowed as they scanned her face.  “At all?”

She rolled her eyes at his curiosity.  “I guess you could be guilty.  Did you come back with a vendetta against me?  Maybe you want to settle an old score?”

He frowned at her.   “Hell, no.  If I was going to make you pay, it would be in bed.”

Sebastian coughed to keep from laughing out loud. She glared at him and he grinned.

Gretchen shook her head in disgust.  “Not likely.”

“I just got back, and we both know there are things that need settling between us.  I’ll give you a little time to adjust to the idea, but it’s going to happen.”

“Right.”  She stood to go.  “Because you’re ready to deal with me, that’s what makes this a good time?  When I needed you five years ago, there was no budging, was there?”  Had she just admitted that she needed him?  Ugh.  There
were
things that needed settling.  He would have no clue what they were until she let him in on her very active little secret.  Now was not the time for that. 

“I didn’t say I wasn’t at fault.  That’s one of the things we need to discuss.”  He stood and ran his hand along her jaw to cup her neck.  “I’m glad to be home where I can look out for you and Dad now.”

Mark’s overblown sense of responsibility was hard at work.   She knew that.  At the same time, the warmth of his hand was so welcome and comforting that Gretchen wanted to slap herself. 

What kind of weak woman let a guy saunter back into her life after five years just because he decided the time was right?  Not her.  She wasn’t setting herself up for heartbreak again.  She’d been looking out for herself for her whole adult life and needed to remember that.

“I better get to work.” 

She collected Sebastian’s morning medications.  When she returned to the living room to offer him breakfast, Mark was gone.

“Don’t let him run you off, Gretchen.  You’re not the same girl he knew years ago.  It may take some getting used to.”

She nodded.  “I won’t let that happen.”  She hoped.  She turned her attention to her drive.  What if someone was waiting on the highway for her again today? 

Her expression must have shown some of the doubt she felt because he leaned forward to pat her hand.  “I’ve asked you before and I’ll do it again, especially now.  Wouldn’t you and Eddie like to move in here with us?  There’s the living area over the garage that will give you some privacy.  You’d still have access to a nice big kitchen.  It would make helping me out easier.  You could work when you wanted instead of cramming it into a few hours each morning.”

He was right about that.  She powered through the work that needed to be done each day to complete it in three hours before moving on to the clinic.  Sebastian had lived by himself for years, but some things took the same amount of time whether doing them for one person or three, cooking his meals for one thing. 

“You know I would love the company.  And then there’s the issue of Eddie.  You have to tell Mark.  I agreed that I would hold off until he was home.”

She had never planned for Sebastian or Mark to know about Eddie when she had given birth.  She thought that ship had sailed when Mark left for the military.  He was such as source of joy that when Sebastian became ill, she hadn’t been able to withhold him from his grandfather. 

His father, the man who had ditched her without a backward glance, was another story.  “I thank you for the offer, but I don’t think you’ll need me around for company now that Mark’s home.”

“Nonsense.  He’s my son and I love him but you bring a woman’s touch we would miss if you didn’t help me.”

She nodded and smiled.  “For now, I’ll just keep my regular schedule.”

He sighed.  “All right.”  He switched on the television and leaned back in his chair to rest.  He usually took a nap before lunchtime.  Sometimes Gretchen forgot how sick he could get, but the naps were a powerful way of keeping his energy up.

She worked organizing his mail and preparing lunch, moving slower than normal as she tried not to irritate her injuries.  When she was wiping down the counters and waiting for the oven timer to sound, Mark sauntered into the kitchen, standing directly behind her.  No respectable distance for him.

She turned and might have moved away, but he propped his hands on either side of her, boxing her in as he gripped the edge of the counter.   She could push her way free but she’d never let him think he had her running scared.  She could stand up to him. 

“I just talked to Deputy Landry, just wanted to get an update on the investigation.  He gave me a few more details on what they found in the woods.”  He sighed and moved his hands to cup the sides of her neck.  “I think you should move in here with dad and me for the time being.”

Her brow wrinkled.  “I know the plan for me was bad.  That’s why I have a police cruiser outside my house at night until they figure out who did it.”

His expression was grim as he seemed to contemplate his answer.  “I could help with your injuries.  It can’t be easy caring for those alone.” 

Mark’s training in the military had been primarily medical plus training for para-rescue.  His father had been equal parts pride and fear when his son had been accepted for training.  It took brute strength, skill and intelligence to do the job, but it also meant that he could be dropped anywhere in the world, including behind enemy lines to treat wounded soldiers and help them escape.  When months passed without a call or letter, she had joined Sebastian in worrying. 

She lowered her eyes from his gorgeous face and sweet offer.  “They’ll take care of it at the clinic this afternoon.”  She shook her head.  “I just don’t think it is a good idea.” 

He seemed to growl in response.  “The shovel wasn’t all they found, Gretchen.   There was kerosene and a saw.” 

She swallowed down the fear that lodged itself in her throat.  “Oh.” 

“Yeah.  Oh.  Whoever did this wasn’t just planning a burial but some gruesome torture first.  I don’t think it’s unlikely this guy will return for you.  Maybe you’ll remember who he was.  It doesn’t take a very smart criminal to know his identity could be threatened with you getting rescued before he was done.”

“Right.”  She put her hands on his hard chest and pressed until he stepped away.   She went to the oven and cancelled the timer just before it began beeping.  Mark nudged her aside to pull the pan from the rack.  She pulled several plates from the shelf, wincing as the movement stretched her back.

“Let me.”  Mark took them and put them on the table before pulling another dish from the oven.  “Smells good.”

She smiled halfheartedly.  Many thought she’d learned to cook when she and her sister had been left on their own, but she’d been cooking long before that because her mother was such a wreck.  She could cook or they could go hungry. It had been an easy choice.

“It’s barbecue chicken.  I’ve made enough for the two of you to eat lunch and have some left over to use in a chicken casserole for dinner.”

He nodded.  “Enough for all of us.”  He pulled plates from the cabinet and began serving.  He heaped piles of cheesy potatoes and a barbecue chicken breast on each plate as she got a TV tray out of the closet for his father. 

              She filled glasses with ice and sweet tea and delivered them to the coasters in the living area.  She returned to the kitchen to retrieve her plate while Mark took Sebastian his food.  She scraped half of the potatoes back into the dish and selected a smaller piece of chicken for herself.  She wasn’t a woman who just picked over food, but neither was she one of the soldiers Mark was used to eating with.  No way could she manage the portions he’d served up without becoming easier to walk over than around. 

              They ate in amicable silence while watching the noon news broadcast.  Thoughts of saws and kerosene weighed heavily on her.

Sebastian sighed with pleasure as he finished his meal.  “Fantastic as always.”   He nodded in Mark’s direction.  “Now that you’re home, son, you’ll get to sample some of her specialties too.” 

              Gretchen’s face turned pink as Mark looked at her with the devil in his eyes.  “I’m really looking forward to that.”

              After putting away the leftovers and folding the laundry from the dryer with Mark’s help, she said goodbye.  She was anxious to get the drive over and finish her day. 

Mark walked her to the car.  “I’m heading into town for a while.  I’d like to make sure you make it to work without incident before running to the hardware store.”

              She wouldn’t protest with a homicidal maniac still on the loose.  

When she reached the turn for the health center parking lot, she waved into the rear view mirror and Mark gave a quick honk goodbye before passing as she turned in.  She had talked to Eddie on the phone just hours before, and he was gearing up for a day at the zoo.  Two more days and they’d drive back to Shreveport where Mark would see him, and there would be no more secrets.  The inevitable discussion with Mark could be put off no longer.

              “There she is!”

              Nora met Gretchen at the door to her office with a big smile.  “You’re looking good, Gretchen.  Better than I’d even hoped.”

              That had to be a lie because with the little sleep she’d gotten and the stiffness from the bruising, she was more than a little haggard.  “Thanks.  It’s good to be back at work.”

              “Now, if you need anything, let me know.  We’ll talk more later.  I’ve got a possible flu case in Room Two.”

              Gretchen dropped her purse into the bottom drawer of her desk and settled into her chair.   The office was an open floor plan with partitions making the boundaries of her office clear, they could all see from one area to the others.  The idea was to make their workspaces seem less claustrophobic.  It usually worked, but today Gretchen was on edge.  

The eyes of the other workers seemed drawn to her.  The phones seemed louder and invasive.  She wanted to burrow down behind her desk in privacy and lose herself in her work.  Every little movement was a distraction.  A possible threat. 

The waiting room door opened and the bell chimed as a mother and son piled inside.  Each time she became engrossed in work, something else drew her attention and made her wonder who might be out to get her.  The steady distractions and lack of sleep were making her grouchy. 

By quitting time, she was strung tighter than a proper queen’s corset.  When Nora returned and tapped her on the shoulder, Gretchen jumped from the chair and staggered to the side.

Nora covered her lips with her fingers and waited for Gretchen to compose herself.

She sighed and patted her blouse back into place.  “Sorry,” she muttered.  “I’m a little on edge. Sleep didn’t come easily last night.”  She sat gingerly in her chair, stiff and sore.  She studied her hands in her lap.

“Aren’t you under police protection?”  

She shrugged.  “Of course.  I just can’t seem to shake the feeling of being watched.”

Nora nodded and leaned her hip against Gretchen’s desk.  “I think that’s to be expected.  You’ve just experienced trauma.  You’re going to be edgy for a while.  The best advice I can give you is to stay busy and try to keep your mind of the incident.”

It felt like more than an
incident.
  “I’m trying.”  Her tone was filled with irritation.  “But I don’t even know what I’m protecting myself against.”
              Nora leaned closer.  “So, no memories?  No idea what happened?”

She shook her head and sighed.  “Nothing but a big dark spot in my mind.”

“Eddie’s okay then?”

Gretchen smiled.  “He’s with Laura.  She took Eddie with them to visit her husband’s family in Baton Rouge for a few days.  They had an outing planned for the zoo today.  He’s due home day after tomorrow.”  She and Laura had remained friends after high school and were so close in age, it made sense for their boys to share play dates and sleepovers.  She knew he was safe but still missed him like crazy.

“Good.  How was Sebastian this morning?”

“He was worried about me doing too much which made me feel guilty.  I am getting paid to take care of him.  Instead, he’s worrying about me.”  She huffed out a small laugh.  “Ironic.”

“He’s just a caring man.  One that I think we need to hand off to someone else for the time being.”

Gretchen studied the older woman’s face.  “I like taking care of him.”

“I know that.  I also know he is like a father to you.  His son is another story.  You being at the house all the time is going to lead to more heartache for you.  It hasn’t been so long that I don’t remember what havoc he could wreak.”