Where One Road Leads (15 page)

Krista dropped her head onto her arms. “I can’t believe it,” she murmured.

“There’s more, Krista.” Matt reached out and stroked her hair.

Slowly she lifted her head and met his eyes.

“Around noon, John Frechette turned himself in as well.”

He knew it would be more of a shock, especially when everything had seemed to be well and forgiven between Krista and John. “Apparently it had been just an act,” he explained gently. “John hadn’t forgiven anything. He’d been biding his time.” And probably planning on this for as long as she’d been back in town, stoked, no doubt by someone else’s desire to see her suffer.

“I can’t believe this. It can’t be happening. Who’s the third person they’re looking for?”

“Ricky,” he replied shortly. “He really planned all this. At the moment he’s nowhere to be found.”

“That I’m not surprised about. What the hell did he think he’d get out of this? Revenge?”

“John and Adam couldn’t say. That was their reason, but they wouldn’t speak for Ricky.”

“I take it he isn’t on the Cape like he should be.”

“No. His father said when he woke this morning, Ricky was gone. We’ll find him, Krista.” He could tell by the look in her eyes, she feared he’d come back to finish her. He had the same worries.

Ricky was crazy. Nothing he’d done was reasonable.

“You look exhausted. Why don’t you go lie down?”

“I doubt I’d sleep,” she murmured as she stood. For a long moment, she stared at him, expressionless. “At least not alone. Are you busy?”

Matt smiled. “No, I’m not busy.”

He took her hand and led her to his bedroom. She closed the door behind them and crawled onto his bed, eyeing him. It wasn’t sexual but patient, her blue-gray eyes sad; tired yet inviting.

He kicked off his shoes and climbed in next to her. She nestled her body against his, wound her arm around his waist, and Matt absorbed her warmth. She smelled like his shampoo and his soap. It was altogether too intimate.

He didn’t want to let go of her and pulled her closer, gazing at her as the tension drained away from her face and she closed her eyes, her jaw relaxing. Soon her breathing became deep and even as sleep took hold of her. He closed his own eyes and drifted off as well.

A knocking downstairs brought him out of sleep. The noise didn’t disturb Krista. Matt untangled himself from her arms and moved off the bed carefully so as not to wake her.

He expected his father and couldn’t have been more surprised to find Rachel standing at the door, her arms wrapped tightly across her chest. As beautiful as she was, she looked miserable. She held a rolled up newspaper in her tight grip.

“Rachel, what is it?” He moved back so she could come in out of the cold.

She walked into the house and looked around. This was the first time she’d been back since she walked out over a year ago. He could see her assessing the room, maybe picking out everything he hadn’t changed and probably wondering why.

“Why are you here?”

Rachel paused in her examination of the room and turned her attention back to Matt.

“I didn’t know where else to go. I had to tell someone. It’s about Ricky.”

“You know where he is?” Matt demanded.

“No, I don’t. I heard John and Adam Frechette turned themselves in. As soon as I heard, I came back. I wanted to tell you I never knew, Matt. I never had any idea Ricky could be that hung up on what happened fifteen years ago. He was in love with her. No,
still
in love with her. With Liz. He’s obsessed with her. He kept it hidden. I feel like such a fool.”

Matt frowned. He didn’t quite buy it, though she played at being distraught pretty well. “Why are you telling me? You don’t owe me anything, Rachel. From the moment you handed me the ring and walked out that door, your business ceased being my business. My only interest in Ricky right now is getting him in custody and having him pay for what he’s done to Krista and my family.”

Rachel sat on the sofa and shrugged off her jacket, like she was perfectly at home. He didn’t like it much, but said nothing.

“Don’t you think I’m not sick about that, Matt? I am. It’s like I’ve been living with a stranger all this time.” She examined the big, sparkly diamond on her left ring finger. “Now I know the truth, I’m scared to death of him.”

She stared off across the room, which gave Matt a good opportunity to examine her closely. He’d known her for more years than he cared to admit and had thought he knew everything about her. She said she was scared and on the surface she looked scared, her brown eyes wide, and her lips in a pout. Even her skin was a shade paler than usual. Yet she still held her slim frame in a confident pose. No, he didn’t quite buy her fear.

“Where do you think he is?” he prodded.

“I have no idea. If I did, I’d tell you. He’d be in custody right now. He could be anywhere. His father has plenty of places he could hide out.”

“I still don’t know why you’re here. Why didn’t you go to your parents? Why here?” The words were harsher than necessary. He wasn’t going to apologize for it. Her presence left him cold.

Rachel stood, not looking at him. She walked across the room to the fireplace and trailed her finger along the white wood surface. She picked up a picture of Matt and his parents.

“Rachel,” Matt prompted when she didn’t answer.

She placed the frame back in its spot and turned to him. A small smile pulled at her lips, a sad expression on her beautiful face. There’d been a time when that little smile, the way her brow arched, would’ve worked on his heart; melted it right down.

That was then and this was now. She hadn’t been a part of his life for so long. Certainly too long to slip back into old habits.

“I always felt safe here,” she said. “It seemed natural to come here.”

Matt inhaled impatiently. Damn, he didn’t need this. Not now when everything else in his life was going crazy. Not when the woman upstairs sleeping in his bed could very well mean a great deal to him.
Hell, she already means a great deal to me
.

“You can’t stay, Rachel. This isn’t your home anymore.”

“Wow. That’s cold, Matt. I’m not planning on moving back in or anything serious like that. Just a friendly face, some warmth. Company.”

“I already have company.”

Rachel nodded. “I saw her Jeep out in the driveway.”

“But you came anyway, knowing Krista was here. I don’t get you, Rachel.”

“I hoped history would win out.” Rachel stepped toward him, biting her lower lip as she reached for him. She pressed her hand against his chest.

For a split second, he anticipated the same old thrill he used to feel with her whenever she touched him. It didn’t come. All he felt was the urge to get her out of his house as soon as possible, before Krista woke and came downstairs.

“What’s going on?”

Matt turned toward the stairs. Krista stood on the bottom step, her hand fisted on the railing. Her hair was messy from her nap and she looked beautiful. The expression on her face, however, was one he hoped he’d never see.

Distrust.

Chapter 12

The chill had awakened Krista but the voices that floated from downstairs got her out of bed. Rachel was the last person she expected to see in Matt’s house yet there she was, looking right at home, her hand on Matt’s chest like she was moving in for a more intimate touch. Krista had almost retreated back upstairs before they noticed her, but instead she’d confront them, and face the situation so she knew right off where she stood.

Matt had the good grace to look like he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t have. Rachel met her eyes, too. Something glimmered there. A challenge, maybe? As if they were competing for Matt.

Then the expression disappeared. Rachel backed off from Matt, let her hand drop to her side.

“I’m sorry to intrude,” she apologized smoothly. “My timing is awful. I wanted to talk to Matt about Ricky.”

Krista moved into the living room. “What about him? He had something to do with the fire, didn’t he? Where is he?” She felt herself go into battle mode. If Rachel knew something, then she wanted to know. Had a right to know.

“I don’t know where he is, Krista. I hope you believe me.”

Krista stared hard at her, trying to detect a lie.

“I’ll give you a heads-up, Krista. He’s crazy. That’s the only way to explain his behavior since you’ve been back. He’s on the loose and I’m afraid he’ll come for you and finish what he tried to do the other night.”

She smiled at Krista, a sad expression that spoke of pity. “I guess coming back here wasn’t such a hot idea.” Rachel’s voice chilled as she held out the rolled paper to Krista. “Today’s paper. I hope you weren’t expecting the past to stay buried. It’s coming back on everyone.”

Krista reluctantly took the paper. After all the questions that reporter had asked, she’d avoided watching the news.

“You sure did a number on everyone’s lives, didn’t you? Not just on Jay’s and Liz’s, but Matt’s and mine, too. He was never the same after Jay died.”

“It’s time for you to go now,” Matt warned, taking a step forward.

Rachel didn’t seem to heed the danger in his tone. “And Ricky, well, we know what it did to him, don’t we? Because of you, I’ve lost two men. Great job.” She bestowed a glance on Matt that lingered a bit too long.

He glared at her, but after Rachel closed the door, he seemed to let out a sigh of relief.

As they heard the car pull out of the driveway, Krista turned to Matt. “Now what was that really about? Just to give me a warning about Ricky and this?” She held up the newspaper. “Or something else?”

“I’m not sure. She said she felt safe here. I don’t know if it was for show or if she’s really afraid of Ricky or . . . or if she realized the grass wasn’t so green on the other side.”

“And she wanted to test the waters over here?”

Matt shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. I told her it would never happen.”

“Yeah, I could tell that when I saw your face, before you knew I was there. You don’t owe me any explanation. It really isn’t my business.” Suddenly she was just damned tired. The fight had begun to abandon her, leaving her with the desire to curl up and sleep.

Matt took her into his arms. “I would like it to be your business.”

She leaned against him, resting her chin on his shoulder. The newspaper slipped from her fingers. She didn’t want to read a rehashing of old history and bitterness.

“Do you think he’d really come after me? Is he crazy like she said?”

“His behavior isn’t exactly sane. I don’t know how he managed to convince John and Adam to get involved. I can’t predict what’s going to happen to them either. I’ll be honest, I’m more worried about what Ricky will do. Perhaps nothing. Maybe he’ll stay gone or we’ll catch him and he’ll go to prison.”

She pulled away reluctantly. She liked the warmth his body put out. And she needed to step back from it. She was used to facing danger, just never this personal. It had been so easy to stand strong in the middle of it. She didn’t deal as well with troubles directed right at her.

This was different. This time she faced the risk, but how could she justify dragging Matt into it with her?

“I have to go,” she said. Unable to look at him, she walked toward the kitchen.

“What do you mean? Where are you going?”

He followed her, yet she didn’t stop. Instead, she gathered her jacket and the bags she’d carried into the house.

“Out of town. Until this passes. I don’t need anyone else to get hurt. If what Rachel says is true, I don’t want to be where he can find me.”

“Then I’ll take you to the cabin.” He caught her arm and made her face him.

“No, further away than that. Please understand, Matt.” She pressed her mouth against his. Damn, she didn’t expect it to be so hard to walk away. It had never been hard before.

“Cameron will take care of things with the mill. We want to continue our plans for opening the center if it’s still okay with you and your parents.”

“Will you be a part of it?” Matt asked.

“I will. But not until it’s safe for me to come back here.”

He cupped her face with his hands and leaned in, touching his nose to hers. “Stay with me one more night. Please,” he whispered and claimed her lips tenderly.

Need and desire welled up and pushed at her heart with incredible force. She squeezed her eyes shut, tears burning anyway.

“It’s too late for you to leave now.” He kissed her again, this time with more determination. His lips lingered, enticing her mouth to open and welcome the passion he offered.

The bags slid from her grip and dropped to the floor at their feet. Matt’s hands slipped up her arms, bringing her closer. She had no desire to back out of his embrace. Maybe he was right, maybe it would be better to wait until the morning. Her only fear was that in the morning she’d lose her resolve to leave.

Staying would be worth it, she thought through a haze of desire. If she didn’t take this one last night with him, she might never get another chance.

Finally, she let go and gave herself freely to her desire.

She feathered kisses along his cheek to his ear. “Take me to bed,” she whispered.

In a swift, fluid movement, Matt had lifted her in his arms and carried her up the flight of stairs to his room, his uneven breath warm on her cheek as he held her close.

Never in her life had she felt as cherished as Matt made her feel. Slowly he drew the clothes off her body, gently kissing each spot of exposed skin as he went. Though they stood next to the bed in the darkness, Krista felt as if her legs would give way at any moment, yet such intoxicating energy pulsed through her. Her heart pounded fiercely. Nothing compared with the touch of Matt’s drugging kisses on her skin.

As soon as he’d removed the last piece of her clothing, Matt began to pull his sweatshirt over his head. Krista stopped him, needing to do it herself so she could make him feel the same delicious waves of need that raked her body.

Matt started to speak, but Krista shushed him, tracing her tongue over his lips, then pushed his shirt over his head and dropped it on the floor. Her arms snaked around him, and she savored his smooth skin.

“This is torture, you know,” he whispered. His voice had a definite shake to it.

Krista giggled. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to do that.” She released the button on his jeans.

“Liar,” he replied, but when Krista glanced at him, he was smiling. His smile grew when she slid the jeans over his hips.

With that, Matt took command. He kicked his jeans aside and propelled Krista to the bed where he lay her down gently, his hands wandering over her flat belly and over the soft orbs of her breasts, his mouth following eagerly.

Their lovemaking was an explosive progression from slow and heartbreakingly sweet, to desperate and hot. She knew when morning broke she’d have to leave, for how long she didn’t know, but she didn’t want to go without experiencing the overwhelming power of his body moving with hers, carrying each other to the highest peaks of rapture.

At last, when she curled against Matt’s sleeping frame, Krista knew if she waited until morning, she’d find some other reason to stay with him. Right at this moment her resolve was strongest, albeit reluctant.

She eased herself from under the arm draped over her waist, leaned over, and kissed him lightly on the cheek. His eyes cracked open.

“I have to go now,” she whispered. She pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth.

Matt sat up. “Now? It’s not even six in the morning.” He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

“Yes, now. Please, just let me go.”

Matt stared at her for a long time, frowning. “Where are you going?”

“A friend’s house,” she replied. “I’ll leave you her number.”

“I hate this.”

Krista caught his lips in a slow, succulent kiss, her fingers running through his short hair. Reluctantly, she pulled back. “I hate it too, but I’d hate it more if something happened to you because of me.”

“I can take care of myself. And you,” Matt replied defiantly, drawing her into his arms. “I’m not going to let Ricky scare me.”

Krista nestled her face in the crook of his neck. “I’m not taking any chances. There’s so much happening, with the publicity, Ricky being on the loose. I just need to take a breather from it.”

“You’ll be back, right?”

She raised her eyes and gazed at him steadily. Gently, she traced her finger along his jawline. His eyes were filled with a heat that sent a thrill melting through her body.

“I promise I’ll be back. This isn’t over between us. Not by a long shot.”

Matt took possession of her mouth with hungry urgency. The last kiss, she thought dizzily, as blood beat furiously through her veins. She tore herself away and rose from the tangled sheets.

No more, her frantic mind told her. As Matt stared at her, she dragged her clothes on. He began to climb out of bed but she stopped him.

“Please don’t,” she pleaded as tears stung her eyes. Without another word, she fled his room and dashed downstairs.

Gathering her discarded bags, Krista walked out of Matt’s house alone.

Krista parked the Jeep in front of the yellow two-story duplex. It had been a few years since she’d been in this neighborhood. It hadn’t changed at all. It never changed. The building looked a little bleak in the early November morning light. There had been an attempt to brighten the tiny grayish-green lawn with a small garden and flower boxes, but the plants were dormant for the winter. Out of the entire street, it was the best-kept house. Penny Larkin had always made it a point to make each of her homes as pretty as she could, no matter what the surroundings were like.

The door opened and Penny burst out, trotting down the stairs with a grin on her face.

If there’d been an extra mother in Krista’s life, it was Penny. She’d come into her world when she most needed a friend and in the most unlikely place for that to happen. Penny had been in prison for a year when Krista became a resident. She’d been doing time for embezzling money from her company. She’d done it because her father had been very ill and his medical insurance couldn’t cover the cost of treating him. In the end, her father died, and Penny went to prison. The double blow didn’t destroy her, and Krista looked upon her as a role model.

She’d become Krista’s island in the storm as well, and she watched after her when there were others who wanted to harm her.

Krista left the prison six months before Penny’s release. Over the years, they’d remained close. There wasn’t a month that passed when she didn’t at least call and check in on the older woman. She’d visit when she could, but hadn’t been there for so long. Still, Penny hadn’t changed much over the past few years. Her hair was sunshine yellow, cut in a pageboy bob, and her eyes still sparkled. Prison life hadn’t beaten her either. She’d come out of there more determined to make up for the things she’d done wrong.

“It’s about time you got here,” Penny exclaimed and took Krista in her arms. Krista held on for dear life, relieved to be back with the one person in her life who could actually understand what she’d been through.

“It’s a long drive,” Krista replied against her shoulder.

“No, I meant since you were last here. What has it been, two years?” Penny eased her away. “You got any bags?”

Krista laughed. “About a million Wal-Mart bags. I seem to have lost my luggage.”

Penny eyed her sharply, but didn’t question her about it. “Well, let’s get them inside and see what we can do with them.” Penny started unloading blue bags from the Jeep. When she had her arms filled, she headed back to the house. Krista followed with the rest.

The duplex was neat and tidy as usual. Even though the furniture was worn, Penny kept her home friendly and warm. A small white cat lay stretched out in the late morning sun along one windowsill; a black and gray tabby took up residence in another. Several of Krista’s photos hung throughout the room, along with Monet prints that Penny had always been fond of. The decorating was rather a mish-mash of styles, yet it only added to the charm.

“We’ll put you in the work room. I’ll apologize first. Business has kind of been taking over the place.”

“It’s going well, though, right?”

Penny laughed. “Oh, honey, I had to get two assistants to help out. They’re only part-timers, but it takes some of the load off me.” She led Krista to the back and a sunny room with three walls lined with shelves and supplies for Penny’s gift basket company. A long, folded table leaned against one of the walls along with four folding chairs. Still, the room managed to be comfortable, including the twin bed covered with a pale blue and rose quilt and paired with a white bedside table decorated with a vase of daisies.

“There’s a dresser in the closet for your things if you want to unpack. We’ll have to find you some suitcases or something better than the bags you have. Why don’t you get yourself settled and I’ll bring some coffee to the living room.”

Penny left her alone to put her things away. Even though she knew she wouldn’t be staying long, Krista put her clothes away in the drawers. She always did that, whether she stayed a week or just a day. It made the place feel more like a second home.