Kidnapped (36 page)

The boy had his toy cars out. “Nice track, Benjamin.”

“Thanks.”

“It's done?” Mark whispered.

Luke took a seat beside his cousin. “Henry said Jason Fromm gave a full confession and is looking for a deal on the bank fraud and kidnapping to avoid accomplice to murder charges.”

“When do I get to land a fist in his face?”

“Stand in line. Sharon's in with her?”

Mark nodded. “They're just moving Caroline to recovery now. The initial surgery went well.”

“Sharon still figures she'll be sedated for the day?”

“They want to keep her under, give her about four hours of IVs, then set the arm.”

Luke winced at the image.

“You're welcome to return to the condo with us and get some sleep. We'll be back for the surgery this afternoon.”

“Thanks, but I think I'll hang out here. She might not be able to remember what I say, but I'll take the time I get with her anyway.”

Mark smiled. “I wouldn't let her out of your sight for a while. Luke, for everything—thanks.”

“Anytime, Mark. We're family.” Luke held his cousin's gaze, and the man nodded. Whatever life threw at them, it was going to be faced together.

“Mom.”

Benjamin got up as Sharon joined them. “Dad said I could maybe keep one of the kittens.”

She smiled at Mark over Benjamin's head and knelt to straighten the boy's shirt. “One or all of them?”

“All of them if you said it was okay.”

“Yes, it's okay.” She rose and took a seat beside Mark. “Caroline's doing fine, Luke. They'll be ready for us to come back and see her in a few minutes.” She turned her attention back to her son.

Luke listened to Sharon and Benjamin, watched Mark, and thought again what a good family photo they made. He folded his hands across his chest and glanced at the clock. One more long day ahead. They couldn't keep Caroline in the hospital forever. He'd catch up on his sleep once she was finally home.

* * *

Caroline stirred and her eyes flickered as she woke. Luke leaned against the side rails of the hospital bed, watching her every move. The pain lines were finally banished from her face. She looked so peaceful sleeping, he almost hated to see her waken. He waited until she opened her eyes and turned her head toward him. “Hi, beautiful.”

“Hi, yourself. You look tired.”

He smiled at her simple words. “Probably. I don't remember when I last slept.”

He brushed hair back from her face, spreading the fine blonde strands across the pillow. They had washed her hair and it was beginning to curl.

“Having you rescue me was . . . really nice.”

“You took a few years off my life,” he replied, finding her hand and making sure the covers were tucked in around her to keep her warm.

She looked around at the flowers and cards. “It appears as if I've slept through most of my company. What time is it?”

He looked at his watch. “About ten. It's Saturday night,” he added, anticipating the next question. Two surgeries and more doctors than he cared to remember had made it a very long day for her.

“How are Sharon and Benjamin?”

“Mark said they both slept without nightmares last night. Sharon's strong; she seems to be recovering quickly. Would you like to talk with her? I can get her on the phone for you.”

“In a bit.” She took a deep breath and let it out as a sigh. “I understand better how heavy your job can be on you. This week was brutal.”

“Silver linings, Caroline?”

She gave him a small smile. “Between those brief moments of terror were long stretches of agonizing uncertainty and boredom. It was eye-opening. I think I'll stick to being a teacher.”

He squeezed her hand.

She studied his face for the longest of times, and he didn't break the silence.

“I'm sorry I didn't leave you a note,” she whispered.

“I understood why.”

She shook her head. “When I didn't know how it would all end, that ripped me up more than anything else. That I hadn't left a note to say good-bye, to say again I love you.”

Luke stilled as she reached up to wipe away the tears on his face. He turned his head and kissed her fingers. “I love you too, honey. And the hours that passed after we found the car and the blood on the seat until we found you . . .” He couldn't finish the thought.

“I know.”

“It's okay, what you did. I know the choice you faced with Sharon's life allegedly in your hands. You did what you had to do.”

“You're a generous man.” She lowered her hand and smiled. “How long are they going to keep me here?”

“A few days.”

She settled back against the pillows. “I think when I get out of here, we should plan another weekend for the family. A baseball game, a movie, a nice dinner out . . .”

“You've got a deal.”

Her eyes drifted closed and she was silent for a long stretch. Luke eased back, knowing she'd be drifting in and out of sleep for the rest of the night.

“What did Frank want as ransom for me?” she asked, startling him.

“Ten million in diamonds.”

She opened her eyes just enough to see him. “Why are you smiling?”

“Since we got the package back, I figured I might keep a few of the stones rather than return them all. They would make a nice ring.”

“If that's your way of asking if I like diamonds, I love them. But your timing could use a little work. Did you notice which hand is in plaster?”

He stilled her words with his hand. “I'll work on the timing; you go back to sleep. I'll still be here in the morning.”

She smiled as she closed her eyes. “Thanks for the pleasant dreams.”

“You're welcome.” He leaned over and kissed her softly on the forehead, then sat back to resume his vigil. The storm was past. Life was good again. He enjoyed the stillness of the moment.

“Did you bring me roses? I seem to remember you saying you brought me roses,” she murmured, not opening her eyes.

“I did.”

“That's nice. I like roses.”

She didn't say anything else. A brief time later he saw her drift fully back to sleep. “I like roses too,” he whispered.

Luke watched Caroline sleep and let himself dream. It wouldn't be so hard blending their lives together, living in Benton near Mark and Sharon, and driving in to work at Sandy Hill for the day. When he needed to be gone overnight, Mark would be around to keep an unobtrusive eye on her and keep her safe. They would finish that tree house for Benjamin, and one day Caroline and his kids could join in the fun.

Life had been too serious lately. It was time to put work back to being a slice of life and not the whole pie. Caroline needed him and he needed her. He reached over to slide his hand around hers and stretched out to take a catnap.

A vacation sounded good. Mark's suggestion of a beach, sunny skies, and no reporters fit what they all needed. Somewhere romantic so he could propose, somewhere Caroline would consider a nice place to return to each year to renew the memories.

Luke thought about the photo in his pocket—Caroline in her bridesmaid finery at Sharon's wedding—and started mentally planning a wedding. She'd make a beautiful bride. Benjamin would want to carry the ring.

“What are you smiling about?”

He turned his head resting on the back of the chair. “You. And you're supposed to be sleeping.”

“I'd rather just talk to you.”

He shared a smile with her. “The roses got your attention.”

“The confidence of the man delivering them. You forgot to kiss me properly.”

“I didn't forget. I'm under orders not to take your breath away.”

She laughed softly and tugged his hand. “Come here.”

He leaned over to kiss her properly, letting the kiss linger. “Are you sure you're going to be okay?”

“I'm going to be fine. Promise.”

He rested his head against hers for a moment, then leaned back. “You've got to sleep. I promise, no bad dreams are coming. I'll be right here to chase them away.”

Her hand around his tightened, and she closed her eyes with a soft sigh. Luke kissed her fingers and tucked her hand back under the blanket. He settled back to watch her sleep.

For tonight, he had the most important job in the world.

Books by Dee Henderson

The O'Malley Series

Danger in the Shadows (Prequel)

The Negotiator

The Guardian

The Truth Seeker

The Protector

The Healer

The Rescuer

Uncommon Heroes Series

True Devotion

True Valor

True Honor

Kidnapped

The Witness

Before I Wake