A Soldier's Return (11 page)

“Thanks for
buying
my pizza. Sure you don’t want more of it?”

“Nope. I’ve got enough. Good work today,” he added, but she didn’t respond to his praise.

Jim hurried into his apartment and grabbed the phone, putting the pizza on the counter and forgetting it. He dialed Will’s number at home.

“Is Will there?” he asked Betty. “It’s Jim.”

“He’s having dinner, Jim. Can he call you later?”

“Yes, of course. That will be fine.” It wasn’t fair to interrupt a man’s dinner. But he had to talk to him before Carrie did. He had to make sure she didn’t go to Vegas alone.

A
FEW MINUTES AFTER
Jim left her apartment, after she’d finished her pizza, Carrie decided to call Will. She wanted to tell him her good news, but she also wanted to talk to him before Jim started in.

She was not going to be protected!

When Betty asked if Will could call her back after dinner, she agreed, not seeing any need to rush. She was going to be home all evening. But it was important to talk to Will before Jim did.

W
HEN
W
ILL AND
V
IVIAN LEFT
the dining room, they intended to go upstairs and play a little while with Danny. They did so each evening before they put him to bed.

Before they could escape, Betty delivered the two messages she had for Will.

“Did either of them say what the call was about?” Will asked, frowning.

“No, sir. Jim sounded more urgent, but Carrie sounded normal.”

“All right, Betty. Thanks.”

“Do you want to call them before you come up?” Vivian asked.

“No, I’ll call after we get Danny to bed. They’re probably upset with each other. I think I might as well get used to their arguing. They seem to strike sparks off each other.”

Vivian smiled.

Carrie prepared for work the next morning, worried about her conversation with Will last night. He’d talked to Jim already and congratulated her on her discoveries. He had said they’d have a meeting this morning to determine their next step.

She’d wanted to question the necessity of bringing in Jim, but before she could do so, Will reminded her that though the paperwork would take awhile essentially he was a partner in the firm also, and he got to vote on everything.

When she reached the office, both men were already there, in Will’s office.

“Carrie? Is that you?” Will called out.

“Yes, it’s me,” she said, going to his office door.

“Want to join us? I brought doughnuts.”

No, she didn’t want to join them, but if she didn’t, she’d have to explain why. She got a Diet Coke out of the small refrigerator. Then she entered Will’s office and took the second wing chair beside Jim’s.

“Good morning.” Carrie looked at Will, not Jim.
“I’ll take one, Will. I didn’t have much breakfast this morning.”

She could feel Jim’s gaze on her as she reached for a doughnut, but she ignored him.

After they ate and she repeated her information on the Riley case, Will asked, “Did you get the date of their trip?”

“They’re leaving the end of next week. I called the hotel in Vegas last night and confirmed their reservation.”

“Jim says you’re thinking about going on the trip alone,” Will said calmly.

“I don’t see a need for the expense for two of us to go. Unless we were sharing a room, I’d still be alone.”

“That’s why Jim suggested the two of you go, posing as a married couple,” Will said.

Carrie choked on her drink. “What?”

Jim defended his suggestion. “You’re the one who pointed out that unless we were sharing a room, you wouldn’t be protected. It’s the safest way.”

Though she glared at Jim, Carrie turned to Will to present her argument. “It probably won’t even be necessary for me to check into the hotel. I can just hang around for a couple of hours and probably get all the proof I need.”

“There’s no guarantee that he’ll expose himself that quickly,” Jim said. “And if he doesn’t, then the price of your ticket will have been wasted.”

“So, if it’s wasted, I won’t bill the firm. I’ll pay for it myself!” she snapped.

“Carrie, you know we’re not concerned with the cost. We’re concerned with your safety.” Will smiled gently at her, and Carrie ground her teeth.

“I know, Will, but this is my case. I can handle it.”

“I’ve told you from the beginning that I didn’t like this case, Carrie. And we’ve always worked together when the case demands it. I think Jim’s idea is a good one. He helps you with this case and you can help him with some of his. It’s always been the way we worked.”

Carrie let out a big sigh. “I know. Look, I apologize. I just don’t adjust to change easily. But I understand. Jim can go to Vegas and get the proof. That will be fine.”

Both men stared at her. Then Jim spoke. “No, Carrie, I wasn’t trying to take your case from you. That wasn’t it at all. I still think the best way is for both of us to go.”

Carrie stared straight ahead and said nothing.

Like Solomon, Will stepped in. “We’ve got some time to decide how to handle it. Let’s wait a couple of days. Maybe we’ll take it up next Monday.”

When no one protested his decision, Will smiled. “So both of you will be coming to the party tomorrow night, right?”

They both nodded without enthusiasm.

“Vanessa is so excited,” Will said. “I’m not sure why, but I think she may have invited someone she’s interested in, but she doesn’t want us to know. Got any ideas about that, Carrie?”

Carrie frowned. “No, I don’t think so. She said she was going to invite some guys, but she didn’t specify anyone in particular.”

“I think,” Jim began, his gaze shifting from Carrie to Will and back again, “she’s trying to do a little matchmaking. That would account for the excitement she’s feeling. It’s a game women like to play.”

Carrie stared at him. “And you don’t mind?” she asked carefully.

“It’s none of my business,” he said with a shrug.

“It’s not? But you’re the one she’s wanting to match up with someone,” Carrie pointed out.

“Not me. It’s
you
she’s planning the future for,” Jim said.

“Uh, maybe there’s a misunderstanding,” Will suggested. “I thought she just wanted to expand your circle of acquaintances. She knows you work too hard, Carrie. And, Jim, you just got to town. I think she’s wanting you to find some friends other than family.”

Neither Jim nor Carrie responded to Will’s suggestion and they changed the subject back to business. After a few more minutes, the two of them went back to their desks.

Carrie went through her files and updated them from her day yesterday. Her concentration was broken by Jim’s question. “Do you believe Will’s take on tomorrow night?

Carrie sent him a cautious look. “Maybe.”

“Vanessa told you she was trying to set me up?”

“I’m not sure I should—”

“Because that’s what she told me, only she was talking about
you,
” Jim said firmly. “I’m not mistaken about that.”

“She told me the purpose of the party was to set
you
up. I’m not mistaken about
that!
” She looked back down at her files, not wanting to face Jim.

“We could mess up her plans by not going to the party,” he suggested.

That remark brought her head back up. “We can’t do
that to Vanessa. Even if she is hoping to match either of us up, it’s not a crime. She would be devastated if we didn’t show.”

Jim stood and crossed over to her desk, hitching his hip onto a corner. “You’re a very loyal friend, Carrie.”

She just shrugged and continued to work, but Jim didn’t go away, as she’d hoped.

“Let’s make a deal,” he said softly.

“What are you talking about?”

“Let’s agree that if either of us needs rescuing, the other will come to his or her aid.”

“How would we know?”

Jim paused, then said, “How about if I wink at you, or you wink at me?”

“I doubt that you’ll need that signal,” Carrie said in exasperation. She didn’t want to betray Vanessa. If she wanted her brother to find his true love at her party, Carrie didn’t feel she should intervene.

“Just in case I—or you—do, how about a wink?”

“I suppose,” Carrie said slowly. “But only if it’s really necessary.”

“Right. What kind of dress did you buy for the party?”

Why did he care? she thought. And why did she tell him, “A light blue party dress.”

“Sounds like the perfect color for you.”

“Thank you. What are you wearing?” What was wrong with her? She didn’t even want to go to the party, let alone care about Jim’s clothing.

“Vanessa said I should wear a suit, so I’ll wear the only one I own. Navy blue.”

“I’m glad you had one. I mean you must not’ve had a big need for one while you were in the marines.”

“No, but I was part of a wedding party for one of my buddies. I bought the suit for that occasion.”

The phone rang, putting an end to their conversation, which had become too involved. Carrie didn’t want to know too much about Jim, about his wardrobe or his past. She was already too attracted to him.

“Jim, it’s Mr. Michaels calling for you.”

When Jim took the call, Carrie tried to organize her day. She would prefer to work outside the office today, but there was no call to do so.

Jim hung up the phone quickly and asked, “Carrie, what do you have planned for today?”

“Just regular stuff. Why?”

“I need some help on a case for Michaels. They’re almost ready to pay on a claim here in town, but something happened to make them question their decision. I think it’s a case where some undercover work would help. The wife has been talking to friends, telling them they’re about to come into some money. Could you make contact with her?”

Carrie agreed to work the case and Jim gave her some leads. Since the wife was a schoolteacher in a local elementary school, Carrie suggested, “I could pretend to be registering my child in school, asking to meet the teacher.”

“How about we go as a married couple, checking out the school for a possible move?” Jim said. “Maybe a friend recommended her as the preferred teacher.”

“I suppose we could do that. I’d need to go home to change.” Her jeans wouldn’t do.

“Okay, I’ll pick you up in half an hour.”

“Let me check with Will first.” She stepped into Will’s office and filled him in.

“No problem,” Will said. “I’ll be in the office all day, so I can handle the phone.”

After clearing her desk, Carrie hurried downstairs to her car and drove home. She dressed in a tailored pant suit and short-sleeved cranberry sweater. Casual chic, she decided with a nod. She just finished combing her hair when Jim knocked on her door. She swung it open. “I’m ready.”

Jim’s eyes swept her from head to toe. What was with this man that just his gaze set her skin to tingling? She had the distinct feeling that he saw right through her clothes.

“You certainly are,” he said. “Except for one thing. We have to pick up a wedding band for you. Will told me about a jeweler near the office.”

A wedding band. How many times had Carrie imagined Jim would say those words to her? In her fantasies, they’d spent hours shopping the Dallas stores, hand in hand, looking for just the perfect ring. It had always been a platinum band studded with diamonds. And when he put it on her finger, Jim had looked her deep in her eyes and pledged his undying love. Their engagement was always sealed with a kiss that curled her toes.

There’d be none of that now. No hand-holding, no vows and certainly no kisses. Just a sham.

But, she reminded herself, that was for the best. What she had with Jim was strictly professional. At times, even that was too much.

“What about you?” she asked. “Don’t you need a ring, too?”

“We’ll see.”

Carrie left the conversation there, not intending to force the issue, but when they got to the jewelry store, Jim asked about matching bands. Fifteen minutes later, they had beautiful gold bands.

“We’ll need these for the trip to Vegas, too,” Jim said, “so don’t lose yours.”

“I wasn’t planning on losing it,” Carrie said. “But I don’t think we’ve come to a conclusion on the Vegas trip.”

Jim just smiled.

A
T THE END
of their successful day, in which they’d gotten exactly what they needed, Jim asked Carrie if she wanted to have dinner before they went back home.

“No, thank you. I’m a little tired.”

“I can see why. Telling lies all day and being careful not to get our wires crossed is difficult.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Carrie said with a sigh.

“I could order us another pizza so you wouldn’t have to cook for yourself,” he suggested.

“I’ll just have a salad. Too much pizza isn’t good for me.”

“You can’t be worrying about your figure, Carrie. You look perfect to me.”

He was doing it again. And again Carrie could feel her cheeks heating up. “Thanks, but I have to be careful.”

As they stopped outside their apartments, he said, “Want to ride with me to Vanessa’s party tomorrow evening?”

“I can’t. I’m one of the hostesses, so I promised her I’d come straight over from work.” She nervously pushed her hair behind her left ear, to keep it out of her face.

“That’s how you know she’s matchmaking?”

“For you, not me.”

“Don’t be too sure of that, Carrie. And don’t forget our sign when either of us needs rescuing.”

“I haven’t forgotten.”

She slipped into her apartment and closed the door behind her, grateful for the solitude. But when she reached into the fridge for the salad fixings, the light sparkled off her gold wedding band, and once again thoughts intruded on her peace.

The ring had to go. It winked at her like a neon sign. “It’s all a ruse,” it blinked. “You’ll never get married for real. You’ll always be alone.”

Carrie took it off and put it back in the box, which she put on top of the fridge.

As she fixed her dinner, she couldn’t help looking down at her now-bare, lonely finger.

F
RIDAY’S WORKDAY
seemed long to Carrie. She’d told Will and Jim she’d be leaving about four that afternoon to go to Vanessa’s home to get ready for the party.

Will came out of his office at 3:45 and told her to go. “I don’t think you’re getting anything done anyway. Am I right, Jim?”

“Could be,” Jim said with a grin. “I didn’t notice, of course, but her pacing around the office has been a little distracting.”

“Thanks a lot, Jim.” Carrie looked at Will. “Okay, I’ll
go and quit disturbing Jim. I wouldn’t want him to lose work time because of me.”

“Good,” Will agreed. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours. We’ll be there, but we’re going to stay upstairs unless things get out of hand. But I figure we can rely on Jim to keep everything in order.”

“Hey, I’ll do my best.”

Carrie headed for the door. “I’m sure he’ll do fine. Vanessa doesn’t have friends who don’t know how to behave.”

Once she reached Vanessa’s, she hurried into the house, taking her clothes to change into for the party.

Vanessa came running down the stairs to greet her. “Carrie, I’m so excited. We should have parties more often. They’re so exhilarating.”

“Did Stella say she was coming?”

“She never turns down a party.”

“I don’t think she’s right for Jim. I hope you invited other girls for him.” Carrie didn’t look at Vanessa as she spoke.

“Of course. Just because he’s my brother doesn’t mean I get to make all his choices for him,” Vanessa explained.

“No, I suppose not.”

“Come on upstairs.” Vanessa led the way up the stairs to her room. After admiring Carrie’s dress, Vanessa pulled out the list of things that needed to be done. They divided up the chores and Carrie headed to the kitchen to see if Betty needed help.

Vanessa picked out the CDs for the party and arranged them in order. Then she placed the flower arrangements
in their proper spots before she found the serving pieces for the dishes that would be on the buffet.