The Protector's Promise (The Sinclair Brothers) Read online

  “I’m surprised.”

  “By what?”

  “The fact that Jake didn’t tell you the news he’d given us.”

  “Don’t be. Jake and I are both professionals who know the danger of crossing the line and letting personal relationships influence our actions.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply anything different than that.”

  “And I know that.” Grayson searched her face, his eyes sky blue and striking in his tan face. “So, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. It’s Candace who is struggling. Jake was able to locate her parents. Or her father, anyway. Her mother passed away a couple of weeks ago.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, Honor. Candace must be crushed.”

  “She is. I think the worst part for her is that her mother was gone for two weeks and she didn’t even know it.”

  “Was there a reason why her father didn’t contact you?”

  “Who knows? I don’t know Chad well, but what I know I don’t like. He’s a control freak given to fits of temper. Maybe he kept the information to himself out of spite. Maybe he did it because he could.” Honor shrugged and threw the onions into the pot with the beef, then covered it with a lid.

  “Is it possible he didn’t know your new phone number? You did just recently move.”

  “We’ve had the same phone number for four years. If he’d dialed it, he would have been referred to our new number.”

  “Are you going to call him?”

  “I’ve been trying to talk myself into getting that over with for the past hour and a half.”

  “You want me to do it for you?” Grayson frowned, pulling a cookie from the box sitting on Honor’s counter.

  “Grayson Sinclair, you’d better tell me that cookie isn’t your breakfast.”

  “I would, but I’d be lying.” He grinned and bit into the sweet treat.

  “You need something more wholesome than that.”

  “If I had time, that’s what I’d have, but I don’t. I’ve got to be back in court in an hour.”

  “You shouldn’t have come all the way here just to find out if everything was okay. You could have called me later.”

  “I told you—”

  “You went back home for your suit jacket. Yes, I heard. But I can’t believe a man like you doesn’t keep a spare suit jacket at his office.”

  “Guilty as charged. But in my defense, I thought my black suit jacket would look better with the tie I’m wearing than my navy one.”

  “I wish you hadn’t made the effort to stop by here, Grayson. Your day is already so hectic.”

  “I care. It’s as simple as that.” Grayson cupped her cheek. “So, do you want me to call your father-in-law?”

  “No. That’s a job I’ve got to do myself. And soon. Candace won’t have closure until I give her the facts about what happened to her mother.”

  “Which just proves that kids can take a lot of abuse but still have loyalty and love for their parents.” He grabbed another cookie and walked to the back door. “I’ve got to go or I’ll be late. I’ll be in court until this evening, and then I’ve got meetings tonight. If I’m not done in time to meet you after work—”

  “I don’t need you to meet me.”

  “If I’m not there, one of Jake’s deputies will be. You’ve got a serious problem, Honor. Until we solve it, I think it’s best to err on the side of caution.”

  He was right, of course. She couldn’t take risks, not when she had Lily and Candace to think about. “All right.”

  “For once, we agree.” He smiled, his gaze dropping to her lips and sending her heart racing before he met her eyes again. “Be safe on your way to work tonight.”

  “And you eat something besides junk food.”

  “I’m not making any promises.” He called a goodbye to Lily, accepting the picture she’d colored for his brother with solemn thanks before he walked back out into the rain.

  Honor stood at the door, watching as he crossed the yard and disappeared through the shrubs.

  Talking to Grayson had eased some of the trepidation that had left her unable to pick up the phone and dial Chad’s number. In his absence, Honor felt ready to do what she’d been putting off.

  She grabbed the phone and dialed the number quickly, bracing herself for the conversation she was about to have.

  “Hello?” Chad’s voice was as gravelly and harsh as Honor remembered it to be.

  “Chad. This is Honor Malone.”

  “Yeah, I thought you’d be calling after I talked to that sheriff. Guy asked me a couple hundred questions about Jay. Like I remember what my son was doing or who he was doing it with.”

  The crude statement made Honor wince, but she didn’t comment. The easiest way to get along with Chad was to keep quiet and let him do all the talking.

  Actually, that was the only way to get along with him.

  “So, what do you want, Honor? I hope you’re not going to try to get me to rescue you from whatever trouble you’re in. Seems to me there’s been enough time between us that we aren’t really family anymore.”

  “I didn’t call to get your help, Chad. I called to find out what happened to Melanie. Candace needs to know.”

  “Then Candace should call herself.”

  “She’s got a busy schedule.”

  “She’s a coward. Just like Jay. The boy slunk away with his tail between his legs the minute he was old enough to leave home.”

  Honor gritted her teeth to keep from making a rude comment and tried to turn the conversation around. “Candace is in college. I know Melanie would be proud of her, and I’m sure you are, too.”

  “Melanie had her head in the booze too much to be proud of anyone or anything, but I’ve got to say it’s good to know that my daughter didn’t turn out like her worthless mother.”

  Charming. That was Chad. Unless he needed something from someone, he had no compassion—and showed it.

  “Can you tell me what happened to Melanie? It really is important to Candace.”

  “What do you think happened to my wife? She drank herself to death.”

  “She died from alcohol poisoning?”

  “She died of liver failure. Started having problems last year. Tried to quit drinking, but couldn’t do it. Eventually her body just gave out.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “So is everyone else I talk to.”

  “But not you?” The question slipped out, and Honor didn’t regret it. Melanie’s alcoholism had stolen her ability to mother effectively. As far as Honor could see, Chad had no excuse for being a poor father except sheer meanness.

  “What I feel or don’t feel isn’t your business, Honor.”

  “But your reasons for not contacting us about Melanie are. Candace had a right to attend her mother’s funeral.”

  “What funeral? Melanie wanted to be cremated and have her ashes scattered on the Gulf.”

  “Still—”

  “Look, I’m pretty sure you mean well. You were always that kind of person. Too good for us Malones. But the fact is, it’s over. Melanie is gone. I didn’t contact Candace because after four years of never hearing from her, I didn’t think she’d care to know. That might have been a mistake in judgment, but it wasn’t a crime. So unless you’ve got something else you need to know, I’ve got to go.”

  “No. That’s it.”

  “Good. Have a nice life, Honor.” The phone clicked, the line disconnected, and Honor was left holding the phone and wondering how a man who had borne two children could have cared so little for them.

  For all his faults, Jay had been immensely pleased by the idea of fatherhood. He’d planned a lifetime of father-child experiences before his death, and often talked to Honor about undoing the pattern of abuse his parents had created.

  If he’d lived, he would have loved Lily desperately. Honor had no doubt about that.

  She placed the phone back on the receiver, smiling at Lily who was watching her with wide, war
y eyes.

  “Well, that’s that. I’m off the phone and I’m thinking we should make some of your grandmom’s homemade bread to go with our stew. Want to help?”

  “Okay.”

  “Get out the bread pans that are in the corner cupboard.” Honor pulled yeast from a top shelf and started running warm water into a measuring cup. Angry for Candace’s sake, but unable to do anything with the emotion, she concentrated her efforts on kneading soft white dough, pounding it and imagining it was her father-in-law’s aristocratic nose she was hitting.

  TWENTY

  The sky was already lightening, the first hints of morning turning it deep cerulean as Grayson drove past the police cruiser stationed at the end of Honor’s street. He waved to the officer as he drove by, then turned his attention to Honor’s small bungalow. Her car was parked in the driveway just as it should be. Satisfied and relieved, Grayson drove around the corner and pulled into his own driveway.

  His muscles ached from tension, and his eyes were dry from fatigue, but he’d won two court cases, guaranteeing that two very bad men would be in prison for a long time. He’d also met with his team and planned out a strategy for a high-profile case that was on the docket. It had taken hours, but everything he’d wanted to accomplish had been done. Now he was home for a quick shower, some food and a catnap before he started the routine all over again.

  The morning was silent, the cold clear air giving Grayson a quick burst of energy as he hurried to his front door. It was false energy, but at least it was energy. He’d been dragging since he’d returned from New York. Emotional stress, worry about Jude. Worry about Honor and her family. All those things had made sleeping difficult. The part of him that had been raised to believe that God was in control, the part of him that did believe it, rebelled at the idea of losing sleep over worry. If God was in control, He’d work everything out according to His plan. There was no reason to spend time worrying about it.

  Of course, Grayson wasn’t the kind to let others do what he thought he could. Even in his relationship with God, he often spent more time solving his own problems than waiting for God to do it. He was a man of action, and he’d never seen anything wrong with that until recently. Lately, he was trying to back off and let God take control. It wasn’t easy, but he had no choice. As much as he wanted to put an end to Honor’s nightmare, he couldn’t.

  That was a hard pill to swallow, but a necessary one.

  Honor had said it best—until a person realized faith was all he had, he couldn’t understand that it was all he needed.

  Grayson ran a hand over his hair and yawned. He’d been up for almost twenty-four hours. He needed to rectify that situation. Now. He was going inside. He was going to lie down. And he was going to forget about everything for two hours.

  He walked up the steps that led to his front door, pausing when he caught sight of a white plastic grocery bag hanging from the door handle. Not a cosmetic catalogue or advertisement, as the contents were larger and thicker. So what was it?

  Grayson approached cautiously, mindful of the threat that had been made against him. The man stalking Honor could easily have visited Grayson’s house while the police sat around the corner. He eyed the bag, leaning close, trying to see its contents. Anything electrical and he’d call Jake, have him send for the state’s bomb squad.

  The scent of yeast hung in the air near the bag. And something else. Onions. Beef.

  Stew?

  He lifted the bag, peered inside and saw a clear plastic container filled with what looked like stew. Three thick slices of bread were in a plastic Ziploc bag, and Grayson’s mouth watered at the sight. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was until that moment. Now he was starving. There was a folded piece of paper inside the bag, and he pulled it out as he went in to the house and flicked on the foyer light.

  Grayson, I decided to help you out on your quest for more nutritious food and brought some beef stew for you. Lily and I made the bread together. If you clean your plate, there are a few chocolate-chip cookies packed, too. Honor.

  Grayson smiled as he read the note. He doubted Honor had meant for him to eat the stew at this time of the day, but it looked too good to pass up. Besides, he’d sleep better on a full stomach. He heated the stew up in the microwave, his gaze drawn again and again to the sunroom windows that looked out over the back yard. Honor’s house was dark for a change, but Grayson still wanted to walk outside, cross the yard and go over to see her. It seemed odd that after such a short amount of time, Honor would have become so deeply entrenched in his thoughts.

  He’d dated Maria for two years before he’d proposed, because he had firmly believed it took at least that long to get to know someone.

  Had firmly believed that.

  Now he wasn’t quite as sure.

  Despite the short amount of time he’d known Honor, he knew her goals and dreams, knew what she valued and what she didn’t. Knew that being with her was the most comfortable part of his day. Knew that being without her made him long to be near her again.

  He’d always scoffed at the idea of love at first sight. His relationship with Maria had been about mutual benefit more than deep emotion. In retrospect, that seemed like a cold and calculated reason to plan a marriage, but at the time it had made sense. Maria was an attractive, intelligent woman whose goals and aspirations had been similar to Grayson’s. After weighing the pros and cons, balancing risk with benefit, Grayson had decided that marriage with her would be worth it.

  Maria’s response hadn’t been any less deliberate. There’d been no tearful acceptance. No speechless nod. Maria had slipped the ring on her finger, leaned forward to plant a chaste kiss on Grayson’s lips and announced that their marriage would be the perfect merger.

  Merger?

  Was it any wonder their relationship hadn’t worked out?

  With Honor things were different. With her, the relationship was more about emotional need and support than convenience. The kisses they’d shared had burned into his soul, branding his heart in a way no other woman’s ever had.

  He frowned, spooning up a mouthful of rich stew, and acknowledging a truth he’d been avoiding. He’d spent years maintaining careful control in every area of his life. His days planned, his schedule carefully worked out, his life’s goals clearly defined. College, law school, a career as a state prosecutor. He’d had a time line for all those things. As well as for relationships, marriage and kids. He hadn’t wanted his careful plans ruined. Hadn’t wanted the messy complications a relationship could bring. He’d liked his life just the way it had been.

  Until he’d met Honor.

  One look in her eyes and he’d seen forever.

  He wouldn’t let a deranged stalker take that from him.

  Honor stifled a yawn and glanced at her watch as she stepped out of a patient’s room. Ten more minutes and her shift would end. Good. She’d been distracted and ill at ease for most of the day. Speaking with her father-in-law the previous day had added more anxiety to the boiling cauldron that had taken up residence in her stomach. The fact that she hadn’t seen Grayson since the previous afternoon had nothing to do with her sour mood. Nothing at all.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Will fell into step beside her as she moved down the hall.

  “Nothing. Why?”

  “Because you’ve spent the entire shift looking like your best friend died.”

  “Actually, my mother-in-law did.”

  “Yeah? I’m sorry to hear that, Honor.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Maybe we could go out for a drink or something to take the edge off our troubles.”

  “That’s not my kind of thing.”

  “I didn’t think so, but I thought I’d ask anyway. So, how about we just go get something to eat? A little post-dinner/pre-breakfast meal?”

  “How about we just do what we always do? Walk out to our cars together and say good-night.”

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were a cold-hearted wit
ch.”

  “Will!” Surprised, Honor took a hard look at her co-worker. He’d always seemed benign if persistent, but maybe he was something a lot more sinister than that.

  “Hey, I’m kidding.”

  “It didn’t sound like a joke.”

  “Sorry. I’ve had a long day. Maybe it’s coming out in my tone.” But he didn’t sound sorry, and Honor wondered if walking out to her car with him was a good idea.

  Was it possible Will was her stalker?

  She’d bring up the idea to Jake. For now, she’d go on instinct and leave without him. Either Grayson or a police cruiser had been waiting for her after work for the past few nights. She’d be safe enough walking outside on her own.

  As soon as her shift ended, she signed out, hurrying from the nurse’s station before Will arrived from his rounds. The night was dark and silent, the moon a golden crescent. Honor scanned the parking lot as she hurried through it, searching for and finding Grayson’s car in its usual spot at the far end of the lot.

  Relieved, she offered a quick wave and got into her car, starting the engine and glancing in her rearview mirror, her heart stopping as she saw a face staring back at her. Dark gleaming eyes. Pale distorted features.

  The face in the window.

  Something hard and smooth pressed against the back of her head and Honor froze. Afraid to move. Afraid to breathe.

  “I’ve got a gun, Honor. I’d hate to have to use it.” He spoke in a harsh whisper. A voice that could be anyone or no one. The voice of every nightmare, every fear she’d ever had.

  “Who are you? What do you want?” Honor’s voice trembled, her mind blank but for one thought—she was going to die.

  “We’ll talk about that later. Right now, we need to get away from your friend. He’s really become a problem, don’t you think?”

  “What are you planning?”

  “Just some alone-time with you. So, here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to drive over to where he’s parked, and you’re going to unroll your window and get him to do the same. Then you’re going to tell him that you’re sick of being followed around. You’re going to accuse him of being your stalker. You’re going to tell him that if he follows you home again, you’re going to file a restraining order against him.”