The bottom dropped out of Noah’s stomach.
“There’s no proof it was Hayes,” Richard said. “Apparently, his wasn’t the only company that stood to lose if that client signed the contract, and Hayes and his family were out of the country at the time, but he’s always believed Hayes was behind it.”
“Do you know why?”
“I guess because his company won the contract. I’ve been doing some digging. Hayes has a reputation for finding pressure points and exploiting them. Personal scandals, family secrets, business vulnerabilities—it seems nothing’s off-limits if it helps him close a deal.”
Pieces clicked together. “Wait. Do you think he could’ve been behind what happened to Delaney?”
“I don’t know,” Richard said carefully. “I wouldn’t rule it out.”
“He threatened the wife, presumably with violence.” Noah peeked out the window again. Charlotte and Delaney were safe.
“Between the break-in at your house”—Richard seemed to be choosing his words carefully—“this stalker situation, and now your nanny’s accident… It doesn’t sound like Hayes’s usual playbook. His methods are more subtle. Financial pressure, damage to reputations, that sort of thing.”
Noah did not need more damage to his family’s reputation. The divorce and the rumors that swirled around it had been bad enough. Add Jasper’s infamous behavior, and now the childNoah was raising. The Ayletts had kept the rumor mill well fed for years.
Through the window, Noah watched Charlotte abandon her butterfly chase and skip toward the porch where Delaney sat. Delaney’s expression brightened. She set aside the pillow to study the treasure Charlotte showed her.
“I’ll see what else I can learn,” Richard said, pulling Noah’s attention back to the call. “In the meantime, keep your head down and your family safe.”
Family. The word floated in his mind and heart. He hadn’t been part of a family in a long time. Six months before, he hadn’t known Charlotte existed. Now he’d do anything to keep her safe.
And then there was her nanny, who elicited the same rise of protectiveness in him, an inconvenient fact he didn’t have the energy to face today.
“Thanks for the information, Richard. I’ll do my best.”
“That’s all anyone can ask, son.”
After ending the call, Noah stepped outside, the screen door’s screech announcing his arrival.
Charlotte had settled beside Delaney and was showing her a dandelion she’d picked. “Look what I found, Uncle Noah!” Charlotte held up the weed like a precious gem.
“That’s beautiful, Charlie-Bear.” He lowered himself into the chair beside them.
Delaney’s eyes met his, and her head tilted to the side. “Bad news?”
“Just business.” He forced a smile. “Nothing for you to worry about.”
Her gaze lingered on his face a moment longer, as if she could see through his reassurance. “Charlotte, why don’t you go find more flowers for a bouquet? Stay where I can see you.”
“Okay!” She slid off the love seat and bounded across the yard, her curls bouncing.
“She took off on me at the playground yesterday.” Delaney grabbed the pillow and hugged it. By her amused expression, she’d had the situation under control.
“How far did she get?”
“I never lost sight of her, but only because I moved to keep my eye on her. I’m trying to teach her to always be checking to make sure she can still see me.”
“How’s that working?”
She laughed. “Well, she spends a lot of time in her own imagination, and she’s four, so…”
He grinned. “Right. Thank you for trying.”
“She’ll get there. I think she’s never had anyone watch her so closely before, at least that’s my theory. And the therapist said she could be testing me, wanting to see if I care enough to come for her.” Delaney turned to him. “You want to talk about it?”
He studied her face—the way she held herself so carefully, the concern in her eyes despite her own pain. She’d endured a nightmare the night before, yet she was worrying about him.
