Midnight Kiss (3 page)

A loud knock on the front door broke into her musing. She said a silent prayer to Saint Patrick for a favorable outcome of the meeting and the strength not to lose her temper. The happiness of a bunch of little old ladies was riding on this dinner. With a thumbs-up sign to the elegant, yet casual woman in the mirror, she left the bedroom to answer the door.

Thane looked around the small porch as he waited for Autumn. A clay pot with late-blooming red geraniums sat in the middle of a round white wicker table. Two matching rockers stood on either side of the table. The only other thing on the dimly lit porch was a dirt-streaked welcome mat and a couple of leaves. Fall had arrived with all its colorful splendor to the Shenandoah Valley.

When he had looked up Autumn’s address he had been surprised to see she was living at Paddy’s old address. He had pictured her in some apartment complex with hordes of other single people, not a quiet residential neighborhood.

He heard the front door open and turned, a small groan escaping from his lips when he saw Autumn. She stood like a shimmering angel silhouetted in the soft glow of a lamp. She looked beautiful, elegant, and entirely too sexy for his peace of mind. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

“Hello, Doc. Won’t you come in?”

He stepped over the threshold and squashed the urge to tell her how lovely she was. This was going to be a business dinner, with him calling all the shots. The only thing he wanted from Autumn was her cooperation with the VCRP’s forthcoming inspection. Taking a lesson from his father’s book, he was prepared to wine and dine Autumn to get what he wanted.

“I’ll go get my coat and purse,” she said.

Thane watched as she walked down the hall toward the back of the house. “No rush. We’re early.” From his experience with women he had purposely given her plenty of time in case she wasn’t ready.

He glanced around the living room. Overstuffed chairs and a couch, complete with crocheted doilies, dominated the small, cozy room. Dozens of framed photos were scattered over the mantel, end tables, and every other available surface. He would bet his favorite stethoscope that Autumn hadn’t changed one item in the room since Paddy was placed in the home. He wondered why.

Autumn returned carrying a white knit coat and her purse. She noticed Thane frowning over the family photos and lovingly gazed at the grinning faces of her parents, brothers, and their families. “Gruesome lot, aren’t they?”

“There certainly are a lot of them,” he answered, helping her put on her coat.

He knew from Paddy’s records that Autumn’s father was an only child and that she had four older brothers. As he ushered her from the house, he wondered why it was she who was shouldering the responsibility of Paddy, his home, and his business.

#

At the restaurant Autumn slid into a booth and smiled at the hovering waitress. “White wine, please.”

Thane sat down across from her and studiously avoided bumping her knees under the minuscule table. He wanted a Scotch, preferably a double, straight up, but he had to remain clear-headed. Too much was riding on the outcome of this dinner. “Same for me.”

Autumn glanced around the dark lounge where they would be waiting until their table was ready. Someone was sure saving on the electric bill. The only lighting was a candle flickering under amber-colored glass on each table and a few covered bulbs behind the bar. A golden sheen was cast on Thane’s high cheekbones and full lower lip. He looked distinguished, wealthy, and incredibly sexy in his crisp white shirt and dark gray suit. Doctors shouldn’t look so sensual, she thought. They were supposed to be old, knowledgeable, and overflowing with kindness. “I didn’t expect you to call me so soon.”

Neither did I.
He nodded at the waitress as she brought their wine. The dinner invitation had been given on an impulse. Fifteen minutes after Autumn had issued her proposal and left, eighty-two-year-old Millicent DuPont proudly wheeled herself into his office demanding a shot of Vitamin B-12. Just in case the Kissing Bandit showed up that night. She wanted to give him a run for his money. “I would like to hear what you had in mind.”

Autumn traced the design printed on her cocktail napkin with her finger. “When is the VCRP inspection scheduled?”

“They don’t schedule them, they’re a surprise. This way they can examine the homes under natural circumstances.”

“And keep everyone on their toes for weeks,” Autumn added.

“Only the top fifty nursing homes warrant a personal visit.”

“Is Maple Leaf in the top fifty?” She knew its rank but couldn’t help teasing him.

Offended, Thane said, “We were number two last year, and I expect to be number one this year.” He saw her lips curve into a mischievous smile. “The only obstacle in Maple Leaf’s way is currently sitting across the table from me.”

In pure innocence Autumn purred. “Little old me?”

Thane refused to be swayed by the laughter in her eyes. Didn’t the woman take anything seriously? “It might be worth my while to pay someone to see that you are indisposed for the next two months.”

Autumn chuckled. He was ready to make a deal. The poor man really did want that award, and Maple Leaf deserved it. Paddy had the right to spend his remaining years in the number-one nursing home in Virginia. Maybe she should go easy on the well-meaning doctor. “I think I can talk Lillian into postponing her
slumber
party until after the inspection.”

“What slumber party?”

“The one Clark Baker gave me permission to throw. Lillian will be turning the big eight-o in two weeks. With the help of Nurse Harris we were going to have about six ladies spend the night in the game room. There was going to be cake, ice cream, movies, and the entire night to gossip and catch up on girl talk.”

Thane frowned. He had never heard of anything so ridiculous in his life. Autumn
would
do it.

“I’m sure I can convince Lillian to wait for her party if she knew the Kissing Bandit was still making his rounds.” Thane’s frown turned into a scowl at the blatant bribe. “The only problem I see with the slumber party is that Harold in four-o-seven has gotten wind of it. With his bizarre humor I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried pulling a panty raid on the poor dears.”

Thane blanched. Maple Leaf was turning into a frat house. The next thing he’d know Autumn would be scheduling toga parties. “What else has your devious mind thought up to make my life pure hell?”

“Tsk, tsk, Doc.” she chided. On a more serious note she said, “I’m only trying to make life interesting and fun for a bunch of elderly people most of the world has forgotten.”

He heard the conviction and sadness in her voice. She believed in what she was doing. “I’m trying to prolong their last years on earth and to make them as comfortable and peaceful as possible.”

She ran her finger around the outside of her glass, trailing a path through the condensation, and stared into the wine. “I think we both want the same things, Doc, only we’re coming from opposite directions.”

Thane considered her statement. Could it be true? Maybe they could reach a truce. “Who is the Kissing Bandit?”

Amused, she said, “How would I know?”

“Paddy told me he asked you to look into it a couple of weeks ago.”

“I told my grandfather I wouldn’t do it. He and his cronies are just jealous that the ladies are finding an interesting diversion.”

“Paddy and ‘his cronies’ asked me to expose the Kissing Bandit and put a stop to his visits.”

“I know, he told me,” Autumn said. “The sweet ladies of Maple Leaf asked me to stop you.”

“Stalemate,” Thane muttered.

“Time for a compromise.” She offered the first olive branch. “I’m willing to go as far as working with you on the Halloween party.”

“If, and I say
if
, I allow the Kissing Bandit his fun, you wouldn’t do anything in Maple Leaf without my permission?” The chance of the inspectors showing up in the middle of the night and running into the Bandit were slim.

Autumn felt her hands slowly being tied behind her back, and she knew she had to give in. “Yes, but the minute the inspectors step off Maple Leaf property, all bets are off.”

“That works both ways, Ms. O’Neil.”

“Since we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other for the next couple of months, why don’t you call me Autumn.”

His eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and he could see wisps of curls that had escaped her braid. The faint light from the Candle cast a radiant halo around her softly illuminated face. For the first time he admitted what he had been desperately trying to deny for the past six months—Autumn O’Neil was a beautiful woman. “Only if you stop calling me Doc. My name is Thane.”

Autumn held out her hand. “Do we have an agreement?”

Thane shook hands. “Yes, providing you stick to your end and the Kissing Bandit keeps to his harmless roses and doesn’t endanger any of the residents.”

Her lips curved in a brilliant smile. She did it! “It’s a deal.”

Thane reluctantly pulled his gaze from her and glanced at the maitre d’, who had joined them. “Your table is ready, sir.”

#

“I’m telling you it’s true.” Autumn laughed at the look of amazement on Thane’s face and took another sip of wine. They had dropped the subject of the Kissing Bandit and were enjoying their meal. “Honestly, why would I make it up?”

“You mean he just barricaded himself in the phone booth and refused to come out.”

“Yes, and in ten-degree weather too. There he stood shivering in blue tights and cape with a huge red S across his chest.”

“How did you get him to come out?” Thane asked.

“There was a novelty shop a couple of doors down the street. So my partner guarded our confused Superman while I borrowed a cluster of green-tinted crystals.”

Thane was bewildered. “How did that help?”

“Didn’t you read Superman comics when you were a kid?”

“No,” he answered, frowning. “My reading material tended to lean in another direction.”

Autumn studied his serious, somber expression and wondered what his boyhood had been like. “Well, as the story goes, only one thing could hurt the man of steel—kryptonite. I figured if this kid was crazy enough to think he was Superman, he was crazy enough to believe I was holding a chunk of kryptonite in my hand.”

Amused by her simple logic, he asked, “Did it work?”

“Like a charm. He ran from the booth to the backseat of the patrol car. I returned the crystal, booked him, and then made sure he received proper psychiatric attention.”

Chuckling, Thane pictured the scene that had occurred on a busy New York street. Lord, what he wouldn’t have given to see that. An Irish lass conquering Superman. Maybe it wasn’t all her fault that she was so unconventional. Maybe her body’s metabolism made her act bizarre at times. Besides, three years of serving in the police force of a city with enough oddballs to fill the Super Dome would make anybody quirky. The stories she told were so amazing, interesting, and so entertaining that he had eaten his entire dinner without realizing it. He noticed the way her eyes sparkled with delight right before she reached the good part of the story and the way she waved her fork to emphasize a point.

Regret laced through him. He never should have called in the director of the home on Columbus Day. She and the residents were having such a great time singing about calm seas and wild women. The fire on the Fourth of July hadn’t really been her fault either. How was she to know that Herman could fall asleep in a split second, drop his sparkler, and set his lap blanket ablaze? Autumn had only wanted the residents to have a Fourth of July they wouldn’t forget. She had gotten her wish. Who would forget screaming fire trucks, the blaring sirens of ambulances, and Darlene flirting outrageously with the mayor, who had rushed to the scene?

Autumn wondered what Thane was thinking as he absently played with the silverware. When she saw the beginning of a smile touch his lips, she couldn’t control her curiosity any longer. “What’s so amusing?”

His smile widened. “I was just thinking about the Fourth of July.”

Autumn groaned. If her memory served her right, Thane had arrived at the scene right behind the paramedics and nearly had a coronary when he found out what had happened. Thank God, no one was hurt. Irresponsible and dim-witted were some of the nicest things he had shouted at her. “You can smile about it now?”

“It’s taken me three months, but yes, I can smile about it. No one was hurt, and it did end up being the biggest bash this town had ever seen. I never knew firemen could put away that much food.”

“Or that the mayor played a mean saxophone.” When some of the families of the residents showed up concerned, only to find everything was fine, an impromptu celebration was called. “I especially liked the wheelchair races.”

“You would.”

Autumn remembered Thane leaving the party and returning with his date, whom he had abandoned when his beeper had gone off. Chic, top- heavy, and highly put out at having to spend the remainder of their date at the nursing home, the blonde maintained a possessive grip on Thane that night. Autumn was sure their evening didn’t end with a good-night kiss.

Thane watched as Autumn bit her lower lip. Was talking about the Fourth of July upsetting her? He vaguely remembered hollering at her after checking out Herman, but he couldn’t recall what he had said. “It wasn’t your fault about the fire. The nurse on duty could have warned you about Herman, and I shouldn’t have called you names.”

“I deserved
some
of those names. Next time I’ll know to keep anything that ignites away from the residents.”

Thane shuddered. “I heard a ‘next’ in there.”

Their waiter approached with a dessert menu, and with Autumn’s permission Thane ordered cherry cheesecake. When they were alone once more, he asked, “Didn’t you meet any real criminals?”

“You don’t consider a flasher on a freezing January morning passing out pictures of himself instead of whipping open his topcoat a criminal?”

“I was referring to drug dealers, con artists, and burglars?”