I know if it turns out that the baby is one of theirs, they will embrace that challenge and love that baby like no one has been loved before. A funny feeling sits in the bottom of my stomach as I think about a baby in our lives. One that’s not mine. Although I hadn't considered children at this moment in my life, there’s a small part of me that’s sick with jealousy.Is that a deal breaker?Almost as soon as that thought enters my mind, I mentally kick myself. I can’t let that jealousy eat away at me and make me bitter, or I’m no better than the woman who gave birth to me. No, I promise to myself that the baby, if itisKai or Thomas’, will never experience anything but love and kindness at my hands.
I smile as I think about the Summers family with a baby in their lives. Holy crap, maybe I’ll have to be the hardass mom because every one of them will be squishy marshmallows. That baby will have everyone wrapped around its finger the minute it’s born. Someone’s going to have to keep it grounded, and I have just the thing for that. Cleaning animal cages is a great way to instill some humilityandkeep a kid out of trouble. I know first hand. I was an expert at cleaning stables by the time I was ten. Chuck and Melinda were amazing role models and loving parents, and I only hope I can do as good a job as them if it’s needed.
My eyes grow heavier, and I snuggle back into the warm body behind me, sleep coming far more easily now that my head is filled with warm thoughts of a drama-free future where we get to focus on simply being a family.
ChapterTwo
Harlow
Idon’t even have a chance to step away from the car before Melinda throws herself at me, her body practically shaking when she envelops me in her arms and hugs me tight. Now, I’m pressed between the vehicle and her body, holding on for dear life as she half reams me out for not calling enough and half sobs with joy. Honestly, it’s a wonderful feeling. How can I leave behind these people who have been more of a family to me than my biological one? Well, my mother anyway. Dad is well and truly stepping up to the plate.
When she pulls back, her eyes are red, and she’s busily wiping tears from her cheeks before smacking me on the arm. “Damn you, Harlow. You’ve always tried to do everything for yourself! Why won’t you lean on us and let us help you?”
I know she’s referring to the stalker issue, but Jacinta is pushing her way in to run interference before I can answer. “Hello, Melly, it’s so good to see you!” She pulls her into a hug. “Don't worry, Dad and the boys have got it all under control. Harlow isn't allowed anywhere unlessthatbig lug escorts her.” She points to Thomas, who sends her a smile and a wave.
Melinda runs her eyes up and down his length before turning to me and wiggling her eyebrows. “Damn, it’s been a couple of years since I’ve seen the boys; they sure did grow up nicely. And look at you, pretty girl. All woman now, aren't you?” She holds Jacinta at arm’s length and sighs. “Goodness, where has the time gone? We don't see you all nearly as much as we would like.”
A hand on my arm has me spinning to find my foster dad glaring down at me. “Harlow, I swear you’ve managed to turn my hair gray over the last few weeks. Look at it,” he demands, pointing at his head. “Melinda and I have both developed a drinking problem. You are the last person I would expect to cause me to worry. Always with your head down studying, never any trouble. God, there were days I would say to Melinda, ‘is something wrong with Harlow? She’s so good.’” He’s full-on scolding me now, but I know it’s coming from a place of affection, so I wrap my arms around him and squeeze. That familiar scent of horses and Chuck makes a tear well in my eye, but I wipe my face on his shirt and pull away.
“Just luck, I guess?”
He snorts. “Well, come on then. Bring your gear, and Melinda will show you to your rooms.”
I let everyone go ahead of me, and as Thomas passes, I grab hold of his arm, stopping him. He looks down at me questioningly. “I want to go to my apartment, but I know I shouldn't go on my own. Will you come with me?”
“Sure. Should I leave my bags here?” he asks, and I glance down at his case before looking back up at him. “There’s enough room in my bed for another person, and of course it would be responsible for me to share it so that Chuck and Melinda aren’tsooverrun inside.” Thomas snorts as his gaze goes toward the large mansion. Yeah, it’s not quite as big as the Summers’, but it definitely has enough space for everyone.
“Are you suggesting that I should be the one to share your bed? By all means, we should be responsible.” He grabs his bag and follows me around the back of the house and over to my stables.
Before we can get too far, Chuck shouts after us. Stopping, I turn, grumbling at being caught. As he approaches, though, the look on his face sends chills down my spine.
“Harlow honey, I’m afraid we have some not-so-nice news. I wanted to wait until you got here before I told you.” It’s all I can do to stop myself from racing for the barn to check on DS and Jenny. I know Chuck and Melinda are okay. Shit, what about Max? She wasn't in the picture the stalker sent me, though.
Chuck grabs hold of my hand, squeezing it to reclaim my attention. “It’s about Luke.”
Luke?My heartbeat returns to normal, and I can feel my body relax again. “What about him?”
“I had to identify his body for the police. He washed up along the river a couple of days ago.”
A gasp leaves my mouth. “Oh no. Suicide?”
“No, the police suspect foul play.” He looks at Thomas, his eyes saying much more than his mouth is. “Harlow, Detective Brown found something else, and I asked him to let me tell you. When they added Luke’s prints to the system, they got a hit.”
A grunt escapes Thomas’ mouth like something just occurred to him. “Luke was her stalker, wasn't he?”
Chuck nods his head, and even though his eyes are flashing with anger, he sounds sad. “Yes, it looks like it. His prints match the partial they got off the last package that you received, and his DNA is a match to thesamplesleft behind when your room was trashed.” I screw my nose up at the thought. Gross on so many levels.
“The police came here and searched his room; they found a diary where he kept track of the things he did. Since everything was found on the property and out of respect for our connection with you, he clarified a few things for me.”
Chuck pulls out his phone and swipes his fingers across the screen before reading from a text message. ”According to Detective Brown, Luke was responsible for the cut in the saddle, pushing you into the pool, the threatening photos of DS, the destruction of Oliver’s car, the attack on Holden, the note at the hospital, and the destruction of your room. He was also watching you and Declan in the stables after the shooting incident. It seems that he wasnotresponsible for the dummy of Jacinta with the bullet hole and covering DS and Jenny in whatever it was, nor the death of Declan’s PI. We also know he wasn’t responsible for Hawaii because he was here, so, like they initially suspected, there are definitely two people responsible for all the incidents.” Chuck’s more somber than I've ever seen him. Melinda was always the disciplinarian in our family, and Chuck was the softy who let us get away with everything. Seeing him like this is a shock to my system.
A kind of numb sensation creeps over my body. I don't know whether to be relieved that part of the mystery has been solved or terrified that there’s still someone else out there. Someone else has a problem with me, and this one seems even more determined to see me out of the way. There had been talk about the possibility of there being two people responsible, but to have it confirmed and to realize that this still isn't over is a smack in the face.
“Did his diary say why? Anything as to why he was doing this to me?”
I can see it in his eyes before he even opens his mouth. “No, honey, there was nothing.” He hugs me and leaves me to digest the news, promising he’ll let everyone else know and will keep them away for a little while.
“Come on.” Thomas picks up both our bags. “Let’s go lie down for a while. I find news like this is best dealt with when I’m not so fatigued and emotionally unbalanced.”
