Unsafe Haven (18 page)

“Well, you know. Two baby boys pee a lot. Not to mention pooping. They can fill up a diaper fast. They’ll need to be cleaned up right away, otherwise the smell can knock you out. You’ll probably have to change both diapers at once.” Kendall pretended to consider as she bit the inside of her cheek to gain control of herself. “You can do it. One hand for each baby.”

In front of the sink, Denn lost it, doubled over in a smothered belly laugh as Luna gawked at Kendall in horror. “I can’t change a diaper one-handed! What if I drop one of them?”

“Diapers, or babies?”
I’m dying, here.
She drew in air to keep from exploding.

“Well, a baby, I guess. I might drop a baby if I pick it up with one hand.”

Kendall struggled to clear the bubble of hysterical giggles building in her throat. “Oh, they’ll be tied down to the crib. They won’t go anywhere.”

White-faced, Luna jumped to her feet. “I can’t tie them down! That’s against the law. Isn’t it?” She appealed to her brother.

He was too busy gasping for breath to answer her. He pointed to Kendall and wheezed, “Ask Kennie.”

Luna swung around to confront Kendall, but she’d slid from her chair and sat on the floor, shrieking with laughter. As Luna huffed indignantly at both of them, Denn stumbled over to Kendall and grasped her arms to help her up. She slipped out of his hands and hit the floor again.

Luna gave them a fierce frown. “You two are morons. I’ll ask Pet.
She’s
almost a doctor.” With an insulted sniff, Luna flounced off and left them on the floor, weakly propping each other up.

“My sides ache. I’m probably going straight to Hell for messing with your baby sister’s head.” Kendall wiped her streaming eyes.

“I’ll no doubt be joining you. I’ve got a big lead on rottenness where Luna’s concerned.” Denn managed to gain his feet and held out his hands for her. Kendall stood and leaned against his chest. He looped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her hair.

She coughed out a few final giggles. When she looked up, Denn wore such a look of tenderness on his face, and all for her. Kendall inhaled sharply as the moment went from hilarious to intense.

He cupped her cheek and brushed her bottom lip with his thumb. “I’m proud of you. A new career as midwife’s assistant. And you’re cooking for us, every night. I heard you promise Luna.” He leaned in, kissed her lips, a lingering taste. Against them, he murmured, “So sweet.”

“What’s sweet?” She could barely remember her own name or anything she might have promised as his mouth trailed heat over her cheek, along the curve of her ear, down her neck.

He stroked her sensitive collarbone with his tongue and made her tremble. “You’re sweet. All of you, inside and out. Sweeter than candy.” He brought both hands to her hair and tunneled his fingers through it as he took her lips again, deep this time, wet, needy. She curled her palms around his forearms and hung on, riding out the emotion, absorbing his passion. The kiss spun out endlessly.

A soft noise from the kitchen entryway roused her, and she opened her eyes as Denn pulled away slowly. Still holding each other, they both turned—

Wendy stood in the open kitchen doorway, a covered casserole dish in her hands and a look of dismayed shock and anger on her face.

Wendy hung on to her self-control with difficulty and placed the casserole on Jo’s kitchen table, instead of flinging it across the room as she yearned to do. Even so, her fingers trembled as she smoothed the foil and tightened it around the rim of the pan to keep it warm.

She cleared her throat. “I figured Jo wouldn’t feel much like cooking. It’s baked salmon with dill dressing. It’ll keep in the fridge.” She gestured awkwardly toward the stove. “You know, until someone’s hungry.”

“Thanks, Wendy. I know she’ll appreciate it.” Denn smiled at her, that warm, wide smile she loved so much. Wendy’s nails bit into her palms as she shoved her fists in the pockets of her jeans. She nodded once, a quick jerk of her head. A lock of hair fell in her eyes and she could have screamed with sudden, bitter frustration.

I styled it again, just for you. When the hell am I going to learn?

Across the table, Kendall stood in the circle of Denn’s arms. She looked damned comfortable there. “It’s nice to see you, Wendy. How’s the inn doing?” As she spoke, she leaned her head against Denn’s shoulder, and Wendy had to lock her knees to keep from leaping across the table and ripping the bitch away from him.

I have to get away. I can’t breathe.

She pasted a grimace on her face and called it a smile. Found enough voice to mumble, “I should visit with Jo and the babies before I go back to the inn. I’ll, um, I’ll see you later.” She swung toward the archway between the kitchen and living room, just as Luna tore around the corner.

Luna spared her the merest nod and grunt of greeting, before she stopped in front of Denn, who still held Kendall in his arms. “Can I stay the night? Pet needs to go back to New Mina and Frank won’t get home until late.” She turned to Kendall. “I promise I’ll come to The Post at noon tomorrow, just like you wanted, Kennie. And Jeffie says he can work in the morning. Please?”

Wendy did her best to present a calm front, while under the surface she seethed at the easy familiarity between Luna and Kendall.

I babysat you. I dosed you when you were sick, you little brat. I cooked for you, damn it.
In the past, Wendy had never sensed much gratitude from Denn’s spoiled baby sister. Nor did she now.

Her eyes stung with suppressed fury as Kendall pulled Luna close and gave her a hug. “You can work all you want. Or as little as you want, silliness. It’s summer, you know.” She dropped a kiss on Luna’s head. “I appreciate your help a lot. But I want you to have fun. And maybe, once in awhile, hang out with Jeffie.”

“You really think he likes me?” Luna’s eyes grew wide. The adoring look she gave Kendall made Wendy want to gag.

“Well, sure. You’re awfully pretty. I think Jeffie’s smart enough to see it, too.” With a final squeeze, she set Luna away from her. “I have to return to work. I left a note on the door, but I always get a few die-hard customers five minutes before I close, so I should be there for them.” As Luna dashed out of the kitchen, Kendall smiled at Wendy.

She couldn’t return it. She stood stiffly as Denn gathered Kendall in his arms. He didn’t kiss her, but he didn’t need to. His face revealed every emotion. It ripped through Wendy, worse than a jagged knife.

“I’m heading out on rounds,” he said to Kendall. “Pizza, tonight. I’ll grab one from Fake’s, okay?” At her nod, he released her and nodded to Wendy. “Have fun with those babies.” Without waiting for Wendy to comment, he tugged on Kendall’s hand. “Come on, sweetheart, I’ll walk you out.”

“Bye, Wendy.” With a wave, they were gone, heading to the Suburban and Denn’s Silverado, parked side-by-side, just as cozy as could be in Jo’s driveway. Wendy peered out the window and fumed at the goodbye kiss they shared, the way Kendall curved into Denn’s arms as if she belonged there.

Wendy ground her teeth together to keep from screeching aloud.

Her hands stung. She pulled them out of her pockets and saw specks of blood on each palm from the crescent-shaped cuts her nails had gouged. She cursed under her breath as she turned on the sink faucet and rinsed her hands in cold water.

Jo was asleep when Wendy finally paused in the bedroom doorway. One of the babies lay against his mother’s breast, his tiny mouth puckered around the nipple he’d been suckling. Pet held the other baby and made a welcoming gesture with her free hand as Wendy hesitated.

“Come on in, you won’t wake Jo. An earthquake couldn’t wake her, I guarantee.” She crossed the room and placed the slumbering infant in Wendy’s arms. “This is Grant. Jo’s got Graham.”

Wendy’s bad mood evaporated as she cradled the miniscule body swaddled in blue cotton. She brushed a gentle finger over his satiny cheek and smiled at the soft newborn sigh he emitted. “Look at all that hair. And those eyelashes.” She held him close. “He’s gorgeous. They both are.”

“Yep. A touch of jaundice, but that’ll ease up on its own. They’ll be fine after a few solid feedings. Wish I could stay longer,” Pet said regretfully. “But I’ve got a patient at eight months who’s probably going to pop early, and another who’s had a few miscarriages. She’s at six months but I worry about her. Jo, I don’t worry about.” She gazed fondly at her sister. “Strong as ten horses, that’s my big sis. She’ll do great, and so will these little guys.”

Pet approached the bed and carefully removed Graham, then instructed Wendy, “You can lay him down. Same position if he’ll let you. He’ll latch on and pacify himself to sleep.” She swayed in place with Graham, rocking him, as Wendy tucked Grant against Jo and turned his head gently. He immediately rooted around, then found the nipple and latched on fiercely.

“Oww.” Jo opened one eye. “I can already tell this one’s gonna be an oinker. Hi, Wendy.” She smiled sleepily. “What do you think? Should I keep them?”

“Definitely.” Wendy sat on the edge of the bed and stroked Grant’s silky hair. “They’re beautiful, Jo. You’re very lucky.”

“Don’t I know it. Now, if only their daddy would get here before they graduate from high school.” Jo yawned and settled herself and Grant more comfortably in the bed. “Pet, you heading out or staying?”

“I’ll take off later. Luna’s staying the night, though. And Frank should get in by eleven. Luna and Jeffie took the kids for a bike ride, so I’ll wait till they get back.” Pet snapped the lid of her medical bag and set it by the door. “You need anything?”

“No, I’m good.” Jo yawned again. “Sorry. Birthing babies can wear a body out.”

“I brought you some baked salmon. It’s in the fridge. Just reheat it in the oven.” With a final caress for the baby, Wendy stood. “I have to get going now. I’ll come back tomorrow, all right? I’ll bring some scones for you and the kids.” She backed toward the door, suddenly desperate to get away from the mother-family-adorableness overload hitting her from all sides.

This is what I want, dammit. This is what I crave . . . with Denn.
The acknowledgment burned inside her like acid.

Wendy shared a fleeting smile between Pet and Jo, taking note of the confusion on Jo’s face but determined to make her escape before she broke down completely. “Congratulations, again, Jo. Say hi to Frank for me.”

She bolted from the room.

The rest of the afternoon dragged. Wendy baked a double batch of cream scones for tomorrow’s breakfast and for Jo’s family, then crammed her crock pot with moose meat chili, and set it to simmer. She cleaned the parlor, swept both front and rear porches, and watered all of her hanging baskets. She scrubbed the hell out of the public restroom on the first floor, which ruined her new pale gray capris, and exhausted herself on purpose to stave off the certainty of another sleepless night.

Everywhere she turned, a snapshot image of Denn and Kendall stayed with her. Those wide shoulders, long legs, loving arms . . . holding the wrong woman.

She threw the toilet scrubber aside and sank to the floor in front of the open bowl. Any self-respecting woman would have already told a man like Denn Nulo where he could shove his ‘I-just-want-to-be-pals’ attitude.

But not me. Oh, no. I have to hang on, and hang on, until I eat my goddamned heart out.

She grasped a hank of her hair with fingers still wet with bathroom cleaner and tugged, hard. Struggling to her feet, she faced the sink mirror, appraised herself, then raked her hands through her hair some more. The style she’d so painstakingly created earlier in the day now stood in damp, tangled clumps. Tears filled her eyes and ran down her cheeks, taking most of her mascara with them.

I’m nothing but a fucking clown.

With careless disregard for her clothes, she wiped her dirty hands over the front of her once crisp, cotton camp shirt, and stumbled from the restroom. She couldn’t bear to look at herself any longer.

In her private suite, Wendy dug through the bureau for her oldest shorts and the tee shirt she used for gardening. She pulled them on, then tossed her ruined outfit in the trash. A stained baseball cap hung over a hook in her closet and she slapped it on her head. Digging in her linen closet for a washcloth, she found one and scrubbed the makeup from her face.
He wants a pal? I’ll be a pal. I’ll be everyone’s damned pal.

Barefoot, she strode to the kitchen to check on her chili.

Her temples throbbed furiously with the onset of a tension headache. She’d forgotten to renew her last prescription and all she had on hand was some Tylenol, just about worthless. Almost cross-eyed from pain, she stood at the counter and stirred the bubbling chili too fast. Some of it slopped over the rim of the crock pot and landed on the back of her hand, scalding her.

“Son of a bitch!” Wendy dropped the metal spoon in the pot and rubbed her blistering hand on the hem of her tee shirt. Her movements stiff and jerky, she dug into her utensil bin for a pair of tongs and fished the spoon out, loaded with chili. While her head throbbed like a vicious pulse, she stared at the mess she held at the end of her tongs.

Dreamlike, her hand dropped the tongs and reach for the spoon as it clattered to the counter. Hot sauce oozed over her fingers. Curiously, she ceased to feel the burn.

When she suddenly flung the spoon, it sailed through the air and hit her pretty lace curtains, sending beans and chunks of meat mixed with brown sauce in every direction.

She couldn’t find it within herself to care.

Denn smiled at the young couple. “If you’ll wait here, I’ll let your hostess know you’ve arrived.” He hit the bell on the counter. It tinkled in the parlor and rang electronically everywhere else downstairs, so Wendy would always hear it.

When she didn’t respond, he shrugged. Maybe she was out in her garden. He offered another smile. “It should be just a few minutes, folks.”

Aside from a brief nod, the newlyweds were too engrossed in each other to notice their surroundings. Their ride into town hadn’t shown up. Fortunately, Denn had just finished his outer rounds when he noticed them on the gravel tarmac, suitcases and all.

Wait’ll I get my hands on Egg.

Denn tipped his cap politely to an elderly woman who walked by, wearing one of Kendall’s silly moose-ear baseball hats, and flipped open his phone to punch in numbers. It rang ten times.

“Yeah?”

“Egg, you idiot,” Denn growled into his cell. “You forgot your fare at the airport.”

“That you, Chief?” Egg yawned in his ear, a tidal wave of muffled breath capped with an unapologetic burp. Denn could only speculate at the odiferous quality of either one.

“Yes, it’s me.” Denn gnashed his teeth. “I’m not going to warn you again. Either pick up your fares on schedule, get your worthless cousin to do it, or else close down that death trap you call a taxi. I’m not kidding around this time, Egg.” Denn strove to keep his voice lowered as more people filled the inn’s parlor.

Where the hell is Wendy?
She never fails to greet her guests this time of day.

“Well, shit. I didn’t know I had a fare. Ma forgot to tell me.” Another burp in Denn’s ear. “Ma! How’s come you forgot to tell me I got a fare?” There was a clunking sound as Egg’s voice cut off. He must have dropped the phone.

“Mother of God,” Denn muttered under his breath. He swung around to the young couple, dredged up yet another smile, and stepped behind the counter. “I can get you settled. Mr. and Mrs. Talbot, right?”

He fished around for Wendy’s registry and flipped through the pages until he found the reservation form. “Just sign here for now. You can come downstairs later and have Wendy enter everything in her computer.” He pushed a pen toward them. The groom signed with one hand and felt up his new wife with the other.

Denn bit back a strangled chuckle and handed them a key. “Room Six. Enjoy your stay.”

Mr. Talbot collected their bags. Denn covered his mouth with his hand to contain his mirth at the sight of Mrs. Talbot squeezing her husband’s ass as they maneuvered the staircase together.

Love sure is grand.
Denn took off his cap and raked his hair out of his eyes as he headed to the kitchen.

He viewed the empty room. Aside from a tray of wrapped scones and a pot brimming with chili, there was no food, no meal prep. Through the week, Wendy served dinner promptly at seven. He checked his watch. Six-fifteen. Where was she?

He turned toward the back door and stepped on something slippery. “What the hell . . . ?” Denn raised his boot and found pieces of meat stuck to the sole. He looked down. Chili littered the floor, drops and chunks of meat and sauce. The drops scattered from the counter to the table, across the room, and ended in brown streaks all over Wendy’s hand-crocheted curtains. “Jesus. What happened here?”

He took out his cell and called Jo’s. He hated to disturb her, but maybe Wendy had said something about her plans for the evening.

Jo answered on the third ring. “Purna residence.”

“It’s me. Listen, I’m sorry to bother you. I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“Are you kidding? I’ve got two babies who already think if they’re not feeding every ten minutes, something’s wrong in the universe.” She sounded alert and ridiculously happy. “What’s up?”

“Is Wendy there by any chance?”

“No, she left a couple hours ago, in fact, not too long after you and Kendall took off.”