Hour of Need (Scarlet Falls #1)(66)
“People will expect a service of some kind.”
“I don’t really care what other people expect.” Grant resumed his pacing, his movement fueled by agitation. “Carson is all that matters. If he wants to go, a small, private service would be best for him.”
Ellie frowned. “You’re right, of course.”
“But?”
Muffled crying sounded through the door.
“No buts. Now, go to bed. I’ll handle Faith for a few hours. If I get tired, I’ll wake someone to relieve me. Earlier you said I didn’t have to handle the situation alone. Neither do you.” She took two steps and reached up to cup his jaw. The impulsive and sudden desire to touch him surprised her, but his willingness to shoulder everyone’s burdens made her want to lighten his load. “I know you aren’t staying in Scarlet Falls, but for now, we’re in this together.”
“We shouldn’t indulge ourselves. Whatever happens between us can’t be long-term. I’m career military, Ellie. An infantry officer. Wherever the army is fighting, that’s where I’m sent. The base in Afghanistan was bombed a dozen times. Snipers and suicide bombers are a constant threat. Even though I see less actual combat now that I’m a major, there’s still no guarantee I’m coming home alive or in one piece.”
“There are never any guarantees in life. Look at what happened to Lee and Kate.”
“I know. But we both know that the fact that Lee is dead instead of me is backward.” He paused and looked away for a few seconds. “Until he was disabled, I saw very little of my dad. It wasn’t just the military. It was his ambition that kept him from us. I don’t want to leave anyone behind because I’m too focused on my career.” He leaned down and gave her a gentle kiss on the mouth. Lifting his head, his gaze locked with hers. “But I can’t resist.”
Neither could she. His honesty and desire to do the right thing touched her.
Ellie placed her hand in the center of his chest. Under her palm, his heart beat steadily beneath muscles as hard as iron. “My eyes are wide-open. I don’t have any expectations that our relationship is permanent.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I know, and I appreciate that.”
He kissed her again, his lips lingering on her mouth for one wistful breath. “Good night, Ellie.”
“Good night.” She watched him walk away. But even though she knew he’d be leaving in a few weeks, it was going to hurt to say good-bye.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ellie finished loading the breakfast dishes into the dishwasher and drank a third cup of coffee. Walking the baby half the night had fuzzed her brain. Not that she could have slept anyway. Last night’s conversation—and kissing—with Grant had boosted her adrenaline for hours. The near-giddy excitement his simple kiss stirred in her belly was more appropriate for a teenager. Actually, she couldn’t remember ever reacting to a man in this way. She could easily imagine sharing years of memories with him, and frankly, she felt a little cheated that those years weren’t a possibility.
Grant was in the office reviewing paperwork with Mac. Hannah was upstairs with the kids. Nan snored on the sofa. The pain pills made her tired.
Her cell phone vibrated in her pocket. She glanced at the display. The number was familiar. Not Hoodie Man. She answered the call. “Hello.”
“What are you up to?”
Now she recognized the number. “Frank?”
“Yes. What the f*ck is going on, Ellie?” Why was Frank Menendez calling her cell from his?
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I know you copied my hard drive.” Frank’s voice dropped. “And I saw you searching desks.”
Damn it. Frank’s computer skills were more advanced than she’d thought.
“And now you’re taking a day off? You never take days off.” Anxiety reverberated through Frank’s voice.
“My grandmother needs me,” she said.
He paused. “Why aren’t you in work today?”
“You know what, Frank? That isn’t any of your business.” Ellie wondered why he was so upset over her personal day. He barely let her do any work for him.
“Did you know there was money missing from the firm?” he whispered.
“Yes.”
Frank was quiet for a few seconds, no doubt digesting the fact that she knew more than he did. “You’d better not screw with me, Ellie.”
The line went dead.
What. The. Hell?
Seated at the desk in the office, Grant pointed to the screen of Mac’s laptop. “Is that him?”
Mac pulled the old chair closer and leaned over Grant’s arm. “That’s what the caption says.”
An online search had yielded a mug shot of Donnie Ehrlich attached to a short news article from the day of his arrest a few years ago. Detective McNamara hadn’t left a copy of the photo, so they’d conducted their own search. Donnie had been arrested multiple times, though he’d only been convicted once as an adult.
“He’s only a couple of years younger than you. Do you recognize him?”
“No,” Mac said. “But those prison tats make me glad I got out of the gang before I ended up in jail.” He shook his hair off his face in a dramatic movement. “I’m way too pretty for prison.”