The Black Sheep's Redemption (6 page)

Was it meant for him?

“Don’t touch anything,” he heard his father order.

Keira said, “Everyone back up, please. Can you all please return to your seats?”

But all Charles could do was stare. And it became very real to him that there were people in this town who not only thought he was a murderer, but hated him. Hated him enough to attack him in his own church. Hated him enough to vandalize his home and terrorize his family.

Anger bubbled just beneath the surface and he turned. He’d get his kids and get out. Turning, he saw Demi staring at the words, her face pale, her eyes wide. Scared.

His gut clenched. Would she now tell him that she no longer wanted anything to do with him? With his children?

The thought stabbed him in the heart.

“Demi?”

She turned her gaze on him, shook her head and walked toward the back of the church.

Ryan Fitzgerald, Deputy Chief of Police, came to stand beside him. “You think this was because of you, don’t you?”

“Don’t you?” Charles gritted out.

The uncertainty that flashed across Ryan’s face was answer enough. Then Ryan shrugged. “Probably, but I wouldn’t let it get to me. You know how people are, bro. Let it roll off your back.”

“Not everyone feels that way, Charles,” Pastor Larch said from his left. Charles turned to see the compassionate gaze of the man. “Don’t let this run you off. You belong here just as much as the person who left that message.”

“Thank you, Pastor, but I think it’s best if I just leave for now.” He appreciated the man’s reassurance, but the only thing he was interested in was getting his children and finding Demi.

Charles touched Fiona’s arm to get her attention in the chaos. “Will you get the twins? I need to take care of something.”

Concern reflected in her gaze, but instead of questioning him, she nodded. “Sure. We’re going to Dad’s for lunch.” She looked again at the front of the church where the message still blazed. “At least we were.”

“I’ll be back in a minute.”

He ran after Demi.

* * *

He means me,
she thought. It was the same message as the one in the coffee can.
I don’t belong here. He’s right.
But how did he know that? And why make such a public display of it? To send her running?

Did she belong anywhere? To anyone?

Sobs crowded her throat as she made her way down the front steps of the church. She’d tried so hard to be brave, to believe the amnesia would go away and her memory would return.

But it hadn’t.

Tears slipped down her cheeks and she ignored them.

Anger, self-pity and fear all swirled inside her. Why had she even bothered coming to church? Did she somehow think that by doing so she could make God happy and He would miraculously restore her memory?

Maybe.

Her sandaled feet slapped the sidewalk as she hurried toward her apartment. She would have to use the phone in The Reading Nook to call Charles and—

Charles.

She stumbled to a halt.

And felt a heavy hand land on her arm.

Gasping, she spun and saw Charles.

“You s-scared me to death,” she stuttered.

His grim mouth tightened even more. “I know. I seem to have that effect on most of the townspeople these days.”

“I’m sorry.”

His brows drew even closer together as he frowned. “What do you mean? Sorry for what? I’m the one who needs to apologize to you.”

That stopped her. Drawing in a deep breath, she said, “Oh. Why?”

“I suppose after that little surprise in the church, you’ve rethought your decision to work as the children’s nanny?”

“What?” she blurted out. “No! I figured you wouldn’t want me anymore after…wait a minute. You think that message was for you?”

“Well, of course, who else…” Realization dawned on him. “And you think it was for you.” His frown lightened a fraction. “But why?” When she didn’t answer right away, he said, “I think we need to talk.”

She glanced behind him. “Where are the children?”

“With Fiona.” His gentle hand swiped the tears from her cheeks leaving a heated trail behind.

She flushed but hoped he would contribute that to the emotion of the moment. “Who would do such a thing?” she whispered.

“I don’t know. I thought I saw the curtain moving before the lights went low, but I didn’t think much about it.” He swallowed hard. Looked away then back at her. “I have a confession to make.”

“What?” Should she be worried?

But his eyes were kind. Gentle. And sad. He lifted his shoulders in a slight shrug. “I haven’t been to church in a while. I got tired of the stares, the accusing looks, the mamas hiding their children when I passed by.” He blew out a breath. “But today, I wanted to be there—” He met her eyes. “With you.” He gave a wry smile. “I fought in Iraq, toe-to-toe most days with some pretty harsh guys. But going to church, facing those people intimidated me.” Now he looked away. “I felt weak. And don’t ask me to explain this, but going to church today, knowing you were coming, knowing there was one person besides my family who believed in me…” He pulled in a deep breath. “That made me feel strong.”

“Oh, Charles.” She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist and offered him a hug right there on Main Street. In front of God and anyone else who cared to see. When she pulled away, the surprise in his eyes made her flush. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” His voice was husky as though holding back some deep emotion. “I needed that.”

“There you are.”

They jumped as one as the voice echoed across the street. Demi turned to see Aiden Fitzgerald bearing down on them, one brow raised. He didn’t say anything about the embrace he just witnessed. “We’ve got that mess taken care of back there. Now, can we put all this unpleasantness behind us and go eat? I’m starved.” His father eyed Charles who still had a hand on her upper arm. “You’re coming for lunch, right?”

“Sure, Dad, wouldn’t miss it.” Demi could hear the forced cheerfulness. “Who’s cooking?”

“Keira and Fiona threw something together last night. Just need to heat it up.”

Charles glanced at Demi.

“Demi’s welcome, too,” his father said.

“Thanks.” He looked at her. “Will you join us?”

“I’m…um…” Uncertainty filled her. She should probably say no. But she wanted to go. “Yes, I’d love that, thank you.”

“Great. You can ride with me and the kids.”

“I just need to get my purse. I’m afraid I ran off without it.” She ignored the embarrassed flush she felt climbing her cheeks.

“You get your purse. I’ll get the kids from Fiona and meet you at the truck.”

Demi nodded, excited at the prospect of spending more time with Charles and his family. And yet that excitement was tempered by the knowledge that while Charles thought that message was for him, she felt quite sure he was wrong.

Although she was unable to explain the reasons behind it.

SEVEN

“T
hanks for inviting her, Dad.”

“No problem. She’s a pretty girl.”

Charles felt a flush at the back of his neck. “Don’t go there, Dad. Lunch would be a great way for her to get to know the family. I mean she is the kids’ nanny, so everyone should get to know her. And she should get to know them. I mean—”

His father gave a hearty chuckle and slapped Charles on the back. “You can stop that painful explanation any time now.”

In spite of the morning’s incident, Charles found a grin. “Right. I’m just going to get the kids from Fiona.”

“Do you mind if I walk with you?”

“Sure, I never turn down an extra pair of hands.”

As they walked, his father said, “I know you’re anxious to hear about the DNA test results.”

“I am.”

“I called the lab yesterday and they said it would probably be another few days to a week. We should know something soon.”

Charles’s jaw clamped tight. He knew his family was doing everything they could to clear his name. And he knew that getting DNA results back in a reasonable amount of time was next to impossible. So he would wait. Maybe not patiently, but he would wait.

They arrived at the nursery to find Fiona gathering Brianne and Aaron. When Brianne saw her father, she squealed and opened her arms to him. He scooped her up, smelling her little-girl scent and thanking God for blessing his life with the two little ones.

“Daddy, I’m hungry. Want some ice cream,” Brianne said.

“Me, too,” Aaron agreed.

“Let’s go eat some lunch first,” Charles said. “Then we’ll talk about ice cream. You have to eat veggies.”

“No veggies.” Brianne frowned. “No, no, no.”

“Yes, veggies. Yes, yes, yes.”

His father carried Aaron while Charles continued his dialogue with Brianne. At the car, he found Demi waiting, her smile welcoming, but the strain of the morning still stamped on her face. His father handed Aaron over to her and she helped him load the kids into their car seats.

His dad said, “See you at the house,” then walked toward his own car.

As a result of Demi’s presence, Charles couldn’t help notice that the cloud of loneliness that Kathleen’s desertion had caused seemed to lift. He watched Demi tickle Aaron under his chin and laugh. Aaron laughed back and tried to copy Demi by wiggling his little fingers under her chin.

Longing hit him. Hard. He wanted someone in his life. Someone who loved him, loved his kids. Someone like Demi.

As he climbed behind the wheel, he scoffed at himself. Someone like Demi? He’d known the woman all of a week and it made him nervous that he was thinking long-term about her because he wasn’t sure he could trust his instincts anymore. They’d certainly been wrong about Kathleen. Could he trust them about Demi?

And what about the person that seemed determined to keep flinging the blame for Olivia’s murder in his face? And the fact that most people in town considered him a suspect? He looked in the rearview mirror at his children, then over at Demi.

His heart shuddered at the thought of something happening to them. In addition to keeping them all safe and clearing his name, he wanted to help Demi figure out who she was. But how?

Unable to come up with a satisfying answer, he thought about the Glock he had locked in his safe at home. Might be a good time to start carrying it again. It would be one step toward keeping everyone safe.

“Are you all right?”

Charles jerked. Demi looked at him, her wide green eyes waiting for his answer.

“Yes,” he smiled. “Just thinking.”

“About what?”

“A lot of things. But one thing was about trying to figure out a way to help you.”

Interest brightened her face. “Like how?”

“Just an idea I’ve got brewing in the back of my mind. Let me put it to my brother Owen and see what he thinks. If he decides it has merit, I’ll fill you in.”

She frowned, but didn’t question him as she settled back into the seat. The drive to his father’s house didn’t take long.

Inside, Victoria’s daughter, Paige, volunteered to entertain the children in the playroom. Charles let her, watched Keira take Demi under her wing and then headed off to the den to find Owen talking with Ryan and Hunter.

Owen’s large frame hogged one end of the couch. Charles got his attention and waved him over. Curiosity etched on his features, Owen followed Charles into the hall. “What’s up?”

“I want to help Demi try to figure out who she is.”

Owen knew about the amnesia. Word had spread quickly that Charles had hired a woman with no memory. “What do you have in mind?”

“Demi said the police posted her picture in the papers and on the news for several days after she woke up, but no one came to identify her.”

“Could be the wrong part of the country. Could be she doesn’t have anyone.”

Charles frowned. “That’s a sad thought.”

“Yeah.” Owen glanced toward the den. “I know if one of us disappeared, Dad would stop at nothing to find us.”

Charles knew that for a fact. “So what do you think about putting her picture back up on the news? See if we get a response?”

Owen shrugged. “Sure, we can do it.” He pulled his phone from his pocket. “You got a picture of her?”

Charles grabbed his own phone. “I will in a minute.”

“I’ll let Deborah know it’s coming.” Deborah was the dispatcher. She’d see the picture was handled appropriately.

Charles went in search of Demi and found her in the dining room placing a huge bowl of mashed potatoes in the center of the table. Even growing up in this family, he was still amazed at the amount of food they put away whenever they got together.

She smiled when she saw him. He waved her over. “I need a picture of you.”

Her right brow lifted. “Okay. What for?”

“We’re going to put your picture back out there on the news one more time and see if anyone steps forward.”

Grief flashed for a brief moment before she lifted her chin. “We already tried that. In the city where I was attacked. Springfield, Massachusetts. About a hundred miles west of here.” She shrugged and swallowed. “I don’t think there is anyone.”

Charles felt his heart break for her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and said, “Demi, no one is completely alone in the world. Even if someone is the last surviving member of her family, there are still friends, coworkers,
someone
who would notice if she were missing.”

“But no one did,” she whispered. “That’s what I’m saying.”

“Then the right person didn’t see the picture,” he insisted.

“Are you always this stubborn?”

“Always,” Owen said from behind him.

She glanced between the brothers and then shrugged. “Okay, if you want to try.”

Charles snapped the picture and sent it to Owen’s phone so that it got displayed on the six o’clock news that night.

“Owen,” Victoria interrupted, holding out her phone. “Trevor Billings is on the phone. Wants to know if you can fill in and pitch the upcoming softball game. It’s the special fundraiser game for the children’s hospital and Kyle can’t be there.”

Charles watched his brother roll his eyes and explain to a confused Demi, “Trevor is the team’s manager. He recruits us from church. Kyle is the regular pitcher. I pitched one game for him last season and now they’re determined to get me on that team full-time. I told them I didn’t have time for that right now. That I couldn’t commit.”

Victoria’s gaze softened as she looked at her fiancé and Charles felt a pang hit him. Would he ever see that look in a woman’s eyes again? He stole a glance at Demi and saw her watching them, a longing also written on her face.

Victoria said, “You need to take some time for you, Owen. You’re going to burn out if you don’t have a little fun. You can’t spend every single minute working.” Then she flushed and looked at Charles. “No offense, Charles.”

He smiled. “None taken. In fact I agree with you. It’s for a great cause.” He said to Owen, “Go on, they need you. We may even bring the kids and cheer you on.”

After another brief hesitation, Owen sighed and nodded his consent, but Charles thought he could see a gleam of anticipation in his brother’s eyes.

Victoria smiled. “Great. I’ll tell him that you’ll be there.”

Hours later, as Charles took Demi home, he asked her, “So, did we scare you off?”

She laughed. “No. You have a wonderful family.”

“Thanks. I think so. Most of the time.”

“And you didn’t have to feed me supper. I could have come home long before now.”

He frowned. “I’m sorry, I should have thought you might have something to do or things to take care of… I didn’t… I mean… Did you want to leave?”

Another laugh escaped her and he decided that he could listen to that sound all day.

“No. And I didn’t have anything to do. It was a lovely way to spend the day. Thank you.”

Relief filled him. “Good. So, I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Eight o’clock sharp.”

“Great. I have a nine o’clock appointment.”

“I’ll be there.”

“I’ll let you know if there’s any calls about your picture on the news.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

As she started to climb out of the car, he couldn’t stop himself from snagging her hand.

Startled, her eyes met his and he said, “Thank you for coming today. I’m sorry about the mess at the church.”

She shrugged. “It wasn’t your fault. And I enjoyed the time with your family.”

Her hand felt soft, yet strong. And he wasn’t ready to let go yet. But he did because he had to. He needed to keep their relationship more professional than personal. At least right now. He swallowed hard and wondered how he was going to be able to do that when everything in him wanted to get to know her better—and his reason had nothing to do with business. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

* * *

Demi bit her lip as she let herself into the apartment even as she wondered about the look that had been in Charles’s eyes when he’d said goodbye. A longing.

And a distance.

Weird.

Her heart trembled at the thought of her face being on the news once again. If a silent phone followed the broadcast, she would be heartbroken.

So, the only way to avoid that was to refuse to get her hopes up. But she appreciated Charles’s desire to help.

Speaking of help…

Her eyes went to the kitchen cabinet. She hadn’t told him about the note. Each time she’d thought about it, there hadn’t been a chance to bring it up without another member of the family overhearing. And in the truck, she’d simply wimped out. She didn’t want to hurt him. Telling him about the note would be just another arrow in his already aching heart. He would feel guilty. Possibly even tell her that she needed to find another job.

She shuddered. She didn’t want to find another job and she didn’t want Charles worrying that he was putting her in any kind of danger.

So, she’d keep her mouth shut.

For now.

As Chloe wrapped a warm welcome around Demi’s ankles, she felt her tense shoulders relax. She hadn’t realized she’d been worried about coming home.

Facing her apartment all alone.

At least the door had definitely been locked this time, but she still worried.

Worry. Fear. Anxiety. Emotions she had become intimately familiar with over the past few weeks.

But excitement lingered, too. She had a job. True, she had no car and no driver’s license, and it was a fifteen-minute walk to and from Charles’s house, but that was no big deal.

As she puttered and cleaned a little, getting ready to relax for the rest of the evening—or at least try to if she could keep her gaze from straying to the cabinet that held the coffee canister—she realized she’d finished the last book she’d borrowed from The Reading Nook. Since she had no television, books had been her sole entertainment in the evenings.

She supposed she could just go to bed, but it was only eight-thirty and she was still wound up from the excitement of the day. Charles had been so attentive, his family kind and welcoming. And she almost wished she hadn’t gone.

Being around the Fitzgeralds, watching their interactions, listening to their teasing, their good-natured arguing, had spiked a longing in her that nearly split her in two. What would it be like to be a part of a family like that? To know that someone would miss her immediately if she suddenly wasn’t there?

Tears formed and she blinked them back.

She looked at Chloe who sat on the floor cleaning a paw. “I definitely needed a book to read.”

Chloe looked up at Demi’s words then went back to her business.

Since Fiona had told Demi to help herself anytime she found herself wanting something to read, Demi decided to take her up on that offer.

Making her way downstairs, she was grateful Fiona didn’t bother to lock the door leading from the apartment stairs to the bookstore area. She supposed Fiona felt that locking the outer doors was enough security.