The Black Sheep's Redemption (5 page)

“Chilly and windy.”

Brianne and Aaron each grabbed a bucket and shovel from the basket. “Daddy, you help me?” Brianne asked. “I want a castle for a princess.”

Charles shook his head. “In a minute, Bri. I want to talk to Ms. Demi, okay?”

Brianne cocked her head and turned her shy smile on Demi. “You come help me?”

She would have been happy to dig in the sand with the little ones, but took her cue from Charles. “Why don’t you get started and I’ll help you in a few minutes.”

“Okay.” Brianne joined her brother and the two started digging and flinging the sand.

Demi watched the little ones as she waited for Charles to say something. When he remained silent, she turned to look at him. His eyes were on his children, but even only knowing him such a short time, she could tell his thoughts were elsewhere. “What are you thinking?”

He blinked. “Nothing much.”

She didn’t believe it, but didn’t feel it was her place to push him. The hair on the back of her neck lifted and she shifted. Uneasiness shivered through her and she looked toward the cliffs again. That feeling of being watched just wouldn’t leave her.

Keira was still there, now perched on the hood of her cruiser, talking on the phone. Her presence offered comfort. So where was Demi’s edginess coming from? Someone after
her?
Or were these incidents all related to Charles, and she was just caught in the middle?

The latter, more likely. That’s what everyone seemed to think with the incident at his house or the one on the road just now. But what about the break-in at her apartment?

Something just wasn’t right, but Demi couldn’t figure out exactly what it was that was making her so uneasy.

If someone was watching Charles right now, he didn’t seem to notice.

He handed her a sandwich, breaking her train of thought. “Do you like ham and cheese?”

“Love it. Thanks.” She unwrapped it and took a bite as she watched the kids. Even though she had her eyes on the children, she was extremely aware of the man beside her—and the fact that her back was exposed to a number of hiding places in the rocks behind her.

“This is the first time we’ve been down here this year,” he said suddenly.

His quiet words surprised her. She heard the strain behind them. “Really? Why?”

He turned his gaze to her. “Because of what happened to Olivia, of course.”

“Oh.” She looked around again. “Is this where it happened?”

“Not exactly, but pretty close. She fell—or was pushed—over the cliffs. She was found down there on the rocks below our house and the lighthouse. They found a rock with blood on it and are running tests to see if they can find any DNA on it. We’re waiting for those tests to come back.”

“I’m sorry you’re having such a rough time.”

His eyes softened and he lifted a hand as though to reach out to her. Then must have decided against it as he snagged a bottle of water. “Thanks.”

Demi wondered if now would be good time to say something about the note in her coffee can. Opening her mouth to do that, she was interrupted by Charles’s phone ringing. “Just a sec.” He found the device and said, “Hello?” She watched him listen. Then he said, “That’s fine, we’re not staying much longer anyway.”

He hung up and told her, “Keira needs to leave in a few minutes.” His lips quirked in a small smile. “She said she’d feel better if we’d leave when she did.”

“We can if you like.”

“Not yet. The children are loving this.” His gaze met hers. “And so am I.”

Demi flushed as she caught his unspoken message. She decided to change the subject. “So what’s your family like?”

His smile widened. She hadn’t fooled him one bit. “You’ve already met a few of them. Fiona, your landlady, is my sister, and Victoria, who owns the Sugar Plum Café, is my sister-in-law-to-be. Probably one day soon. She’s engaged to Owen, a detective. The rest of the crew are also with the Fitzgerald Bay Police Department as you found out last night. My mother died a few years ago and Dad’s the chief of police and running for mayor against the oh-so-subtle Burke Hennessy. My granddad, Ian Fitzgerald, is the current mayor, and is stepping down. I have three brothers and two sisters.”

Demi sighed. “I’m envious. I have no idea if I have any family anywhere.” She looked at the cliffs where Olivia died. Clouds moved in and hovered, obscuring the sun. Demi shivered.

“Are you cold?”

“A bit.”

“Daddy! Come play!” Brianne insisted.

Charles quirked another smile at her. “I guess we can warm up while we help them dig that hole to China.” He looked up as Keira’s cruiser pulled away. “Then I guess we’d better head home and let two little ones get some shut-eye.”

Demi grabbed a shovel and sank beside Aaron. He grinned up at her and said, “Dig.”

“Say please, Aaron,” Charles reminded his son.

“Puleeeeeze,” Aaron said with a grin.

But even as she sank the shovel into the soft sand, she couldn’t help watching behind her. Talking with Charles and spending time with his family had been a wonderful diversion from her less-than-pleasant thoughts. However, the feeling of being watched never fully left her.

The cliffs were steep, the rocks sharp and dangerous. She felt a deep pang of sympathy for the woman who’d died there. Turning, she concentrated on digging.

The sound of a low growl snapped up her head. A dog stood on the rocks watching them. “Charles?” she whispered.

He turned and she heard his indrawn breath.

“It’s a German shepherd.” He kept his voice low and she heard the tension running through it.

“He—or she—doesn’t look very friendly.” Demi gripped the toy shovel as though she would be able to use it as a weapon. Slowly, her eyes never leaving the dog, she moved between it and the children.

The animal bared its teeth once more and Charles reached for a piece of driftwood. He flung it toward the dog with a harsh, “Get!”

The dog flinched, tucked her tail and ran off.

Demi let out her breath in a huff as she wilted on the sand. “I wonder if she has puppies around here.”

“You’re amazing.”

“What?” Demi gaped at him. Why would he say that?

He nodded, his eyes serious and intense. “Your first instinct was to protect the children with no thought of yourself. I’ve never met…I mean other than family…I don’t know of anyone that would have done that.”

“Daddy, play!” Brianne called, oblivious to the danger she could have just been in. Charles gazed into her eyes a moment longer then turned to pay attention to his daughter.

Speechless and surprised at his praise, Demi still shivered at the feeling of trepidation that swept over her. Especially when she thought about that note in the coffee can.

She swallowed hard and hoped that by being vigilant and watchful, she wouldn’t be the next victim the cliffs would claim.

SIX

S
unday morning, Demi woke early, tossed and turned until she heaved a sigh of frustration. Climbing from the bed, she decided to head to the beach for a walk. She’d so enjoyed the time with Charles and the kids yesterday that she wanted to feel the wind in her face and the sand beneath her feet before she had to get ready for church.

Within minutes, she was out the door on the bike that Fiona had said she could use anytime. It was a long ride, but she didn’t care. Being outside was chilly, but exhilarating. Already she felt lighter, like her burdens were sliding from her shoulders.

At the end of the wooden boardwalk that led to the beach, she slipped off her sandals and dug her toes into the cool sand.

For a moment she just stood there, watching the waves crash against the shore.

To her left, she saw another person walking her way. Squinting, pushing up her glasses as though that would help bring the individual into focus, she watched.

A man with a gray hoodie.

Spinning on the sand, she headed back the way she’d come. Who was he? Had he somehow followed her?

Demi shivered and shot a glance over her shoulder. The man was closing in.

She considered turning around and confronting him, but the thought of Olivia Henry, and the fact that her murderer still roamed free, spurred her faster toward the walkway.

True, the man could be harmless.

Or, he could have a weapon.

No sense in finding out the hard way.

She hurried along, but couldn’t help one more glance over her shoulder.

The man had stopped following and just stood there watching her walk away.

She wished she could get a good look at his face, but with the hood pulled up and low, it was impossible. However, she thought she saw him lift his hand in a small wave.

Demi gulped and continued her hurried pace along the walkway that would lead her to her bicycle. Another glance back told her that the man had started walking again, but at a leisurely pace, seeming in no hurry to catch up.

Would he come up to the walkway, as well?

No. Demi adjusted her glasses a little higher on her nose. He looked like he was leaving. She watched him turn and head back down the beach. Her pulse slowed slightly.

But she desperately wanted to know who he was. If he was the one who’d broken into her apartment and put the message in her coffee can, she wanted to know why.

But she’d never seen him anywhere other than the alley behind The Reading Nook and now. If it was even the same person.

Grasping the handlebars, she swung her leg over the bike and placed her foot on the pedal.

Only now she felt a shiver go through her at the idea of riding to her apartment all alone.

* * *

Safely back home, Demi dressed for church. Shoving aside the creepy encounter with the stranger on the beach, she allowed herself a small measure of joy. Yesterday she’d managed to put aside the note in her coffee can and just as she’d hoped, the day had been lovely—except for almost being run off the road and the dog scare on the beach.

However, she’d take what she could get at this point.

Spending time with Charles and the children had filled a void she hadn’t been consciously aware of until she’d had to leave them and come home.

Worry bit at her. Would she feel this way if she had her memories intact? Or was she using them to make up for what she lacked in her life?

Unsure of the answer, she decided there was nothing she could do about it right now.

As she pulled the brush through her hair one last time, she gave herself a quick check in the mirror. The flower-print dress made her feel pretty and feminine and she wondered what Charles would think. She flushed and turned from the mirror. She didn’t bother trying to tell herself she shouldn’t care what Charles thought. She was attracted to the man and that was that.

And he’d invited her to church. She’d agreed and told him that she would meet him there. When he’d offered to pick her up, she’d hesitated then said no. She’d confused him, she could tell, but with all the rumors flying around about Charles, she didn’t want to add fuel to the fire by being seen walking into church with him after having already spent yesterday with him.

She had a feeling she was only prolonging the moment, though. Word was already out that Charles had a new nanny and she figured the wagging tongues were going triple time. And if she sat with him in church this morning…she might as well have let him come get her.

But she couldn’t concern herself with that. Or listen to gossip. She was going to go to church and enjoy it.

She’d passed the Fitzgerald Bay Community Church located just off Main Street during her explorations of the town, and had given some thought to stepping inside, wondering if she would find God there.

Now was the time to find out.

“Demi? You ready?”

Fiona had promised to stop by and walk with her to church. Turning from the window, Demi determined to put her fears to rest and enjoy the day.

She crossed the room and opened the door to see Fiona dressed in a khaki skirt and a light pink pullover summer sweater.

“Good morning. Come on in while I get my purse.” Demi grabbed it from the chair.

“Sean and Hunter left a bit early so they could have their ‘man breakfast.’” Fiona laughed. “No girls allowed.”

Together, she and Fiona descended the stairs. “That’s so sweet. Hunter is like a father to Sean, isn’t he?”

“Yes, after my first husband, Jimmy, died, I was crushed, but—” a real smile spread across her face “—Hunter has been an answer to prayer. He loves Sean like he’s his own. And Sean returns the affection. God’s been good to us.”

“Even with all the crazy stuff going on?” She’d heard about the fire at the bookstore and the arsonist who’d been caught just before Demi’s arrival in town.

Fiona smiled. “Even then.”

Outside, they started the short walk to the church and Demi couldn’t help glancing around, and back over her shoulder.

“Are you okay?” Fiona asked.

Demi jumped. “Oh. Yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry, I guess I’m just a bit skittish.”

“Well, who can blame you after what happened at Charles’s house Friday night? And then to come home and think someone had been in your apartment? I’d be skittish, too.” She paused. “So you really think someone was there?”

Demi frowned. “Yes, I do. I just don’t know why.”

Fiona gave her a sympathetic pat on the arm and frowned. “I have someone coming today to reinforce the locks.”

“Might not be a bad idea.” In fact Demi thought it was a very good idea.

And then they were at the church. It was a lovely white-steepled structure with old-world charm. Demi hoped she would be able to find some peace inside.

Fiona led the way and Demi followed her down the aisle, watching as the woman spoke to nearly everyone there. She introduced Demi as a friend and her new tenant.

And then the man who’d been so snarly the other day, Burke Hennessy, walked up and gave her a haughty smirk. “You don’t have much of a self-preservation instinct, do you?”

“What do you mean?”

Burke’s voice carried through the chattering crowd. “I’m just trying to give you some advice, dear. Getting mixed up with the Fitzgerald family isn’t the smartest move in the playbook. Charles is a murderer. His family’s position at the police department is the only reason he’s not behind bars.”

Demi blinked at the man’s audacity.

“Burke, enough,” the pretty blonde at his side hissed. The crowd immediately around them had quieted and now watched the interaction play out.

“It’ll never be enough, Christina,” Burke continued. “Fitzgerald Bay hasn’t had a murder in over forty years and—”

Fiona broke in, “Burke, not everyone believes the vicious rumors being spread about my brother. Leave Demi and Charles alone.”

Fiona pulled Demi away from the man still watching, his eyes burning holes into the back of her. Demi shivered at the underlying menace in the man’s voice.

By the time they walked to the middle of the church, Demi’s mind spun with names and faces and Burke Hennessy’s warning. Was he right? Was she being stupid to get involved with a man under the shadow of a murder investigation?

Her gaze landed on Charles—and the rest of his family.

His huge family, surrounding him, offered a buffer against the cold self-righteousness of members who didn’t believe a man suspected of murder should be in a house of worship. But she was glad to see others treated Charles well, slapping him on the back and shaking his hand. Apparently they’d missed the exchange with Burke.

All eyes seemed to land on her at the same time and panic hit her. What if the Fitzgeralds didn’t like her? Up to this point, the only time she’d had any real contact with his family was when she’d called 9-1-1 and they’d all shown up at Charles’s house.

What if they thought she was crazy because of the amnesia? What if they didn’t think she was good enough to take care of the twins? What if—

Charles lifted his head and caught her eyes. Pushing his way out of the circle around him, he held out a hand. “Good morning, Demi. Let me introduce you to the members of the family you haven’t met yet.”

Once again, Demi took in the names she knew she’d never remember, but was grateful no one seemed to find it strange that Charles had invited her. In fact everyone welcomed her with open arms.

Then the music started and Demi slipped into the pew beside Charles. She was glad she’d come, but she couldn’t help glancing around the congregation.

She continued to scan the crowd, eyes probing, looking for any hint of recognition. But she saw nothing that triggered her internal alarm. She thought of the person on the beach. And then the one who’d tried to get into the building via the back door. Was it the same man?

She wasn’t sure. All she knew was that the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. And somehow, she knew someone was here in this church…watching her.

* * *

Charles glanced at the woman beside him as his mind spun with ideas to help her. He was having a hard time staying focused on the sermon. A problem he had developed shortly after Kathleen left him. If it wasn’t for the children, he wasn’t sure he’d even bother to attend. Might as well figure out a way to help Demi in the meantime.

She seemed so fragile, so needy and yet he’d seen strength in her when her first instinct had been to protect the children from the dog—or protect him from whatever was in her closet.

Those were things he wasn’t likely to forget any time soon.

And the children had been asking about her this morning as he got them ready for church. They’d already fallen in love with their new nanny. Charles knew that if she decided to quit because of all the things that were happening to her—things that were happening because she was involved with him and his family—the children would be heartbroken.

A little voice in the back of his head said he would be, too.

Then he’d seen Burke say something to her at the start of the service and figured it wasn’t good. She’d looked spooked, then worried, but her expression had smoothed as the music had started.

Whatever had been bothering her at the beginning of the service seemed to slide from her shoulders and her mood lightened.

Was she a believer?

He made a mental note to ask her. Then scoffed at himself. She had amnesia. How would she know?

Charles leaned back and relaxed, glad to be in the company of his family. They shielded him from the dark looks the good people of Fitzgerald Bay shot him even in the church.

Movement from behind the pulpit grabbed his attention. Long heavy blue velvet curtains hung behind the pastor. One fluttered.

Then stopped.

Charles frowned as he watched for more movement. He looked for the air conditioning vent, but didn’t see one.

Nothing else happened over the next several minutes and he started to relax.

When the congregation erupted in laughter, Charles jerked. He’d been so preoccupied with the movement of the curtains, he’d missed the joke.

He tuned back in.

Pastor Larch said, “And now we have a video that will show you a little bit of what our young people will be doing on their mission trip to the mountains of North Carolina.”

The lights dimmed.

The curtains parted and the music started.

As the curtains pulled apart, Charles gaped at the words that were revealed on the lighted screen.

YOU DON’T BELONG HERE.

Beside him, Demi jerked and gasped.

The congregation muttered and pointed.

Aiden Fitzgerald popped to his feet as did Ryan, Owen and Keira. “Turn the lights back on!” Aiden shouted.

The sanctuary lit up.

Aiden, followed by several other members of the Fitzgerald Bay Police Department and leaders of the church, strode to the screen.

Charles joined them, heart thudding, listening to their speculation even as he studied the message.