B00CZBQ63C EBOK (11 page)

Daniel leaned close to get a peek at the sketch resting on her lap. “Beautiful. I like the little cottage you added on the far shore.”

“I didn’t add it, it’s over there.” She pointed.

“Really?” He squinted, the far side of the lake a haze of green vegetation.

She giggled. “Maybe you need spectacles like your grandfather.”

Her laughter melted some of the frost seeping into his feet. “You might be right. I don’t see it.”

“It’s more of a fishing shack than a cottage. It blends with the trees.” She tucked the pencil over her ear. “But I like it better the way I drew it. We’ll just call it artistic license.”

“I like your drawing better, too.” Daniel grinned. “But of course, I can see yours.”

She pulled out the pencil, adding a little extra shading. “I always dreamed of having a cozy little cottage next to a lake.”

Daniel remained motionless, relishing the way her arm bumped his as she added details to the picture’s foreground. “That does sound nice. A little lonely, perhaps, but nice.”

She shot him a sideways glance, a gentle smile on her lips. “I never said I’d be alone.”

Daniel took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the mountain air mixed with a hint of lavender—Laurie’s soap, perhaps? The image of he and Laurie sitting on the porch of a lakeside cottage pulled at his heart. The bones of his feet ached with cold, but he found absolutely no desire to move.

Laurie’s pencil scratched against the paper, adding them into the picture. In the sketch, she leaned back against his shoulder, one of her legs stretched out the length of the log.

“That’s nice.”

“Just some more artistic license.”

He nodded and turned his gaze to the water, still scanning the distant shore for the fishing shack and relaxing to the sound of her pencil gliding against the paper.

After a time, her hand stilled. Daniel held his breath as she scooted closer. He anchored himself so as not to move a muscle.

Laurie leaned against his shoulder. She lifted her toes from the water, the droplets sparkling like diamonds on her skin. Stretching out both legs, she draped them along the sun-warmed log.

Daniel closed his eyes, the tension in his stomach and chest melting. Good thing she’d captured the scene in her sketch. This was one moment he never wanted to slip away.

Chapter
18

L
aurie leaned against Daniel’s shoulder, willing away the doubts
coursing through her mind. For the moment, everything in the world felt perfect.

The lake, the forest, and the skies—the ideal world with no drunk father, no bootlegging brother, no menacing federal agents. She could even imagine the man beside her was a good-looking pharmacist and nothing more. She took a deep breath and let Daniel’s shoulder support her. The sunshine tickled her skin and she rubbed one warm toe along the arch of her other foot.
If only life could always be like this.

Daniel shifted his weight, jarring her out of her daydream for the third time in the past few minutes.

“Is something wrong?” She hated breaking the easy silence that surrounded this moment.

“No.” He fidgeted again, bumping her shoulder.

She sat up, the tips of her ears burning. “If I am getting too heavy for you, you could just say something.”

“It’s not that . . . ” He grimaced.

She frowned. “What, then?”

“I can’t feel my feet.”

She glanced down at his feet, still dangling in the water, the skin all red and blotchy. She scrambled up. “Daniel, get them out of there!”

His face contorted. “I’d like nothing better, but I’m not so sure I can.” He reached his hands under his knees. Swiveling on the log, he hoisted his dripping legs over the side of the log and onto the rocky shore with a slow groan.

Laurie dropped to her knees. “Why didn’t you say something?” She dried them with her skirt and began rubbing them with her warm hands.

He shook his head. “I didn’t—ow—I didn’t want to—ow!” His face twisted. “I’m so stupid.”

The color of his skin looked better already. She kept rubbing them at a slower pace, but let her eyes wander up to meet his. “That was pretty foolish.”
But romantic.

“Please stop.” He grabbed her arm. “It hurts too much.” A wry smile touched his mouth. “I’m sure I’d like it under better circumstances.”

She laughed and scooted backward, releasing his feet. “At least you’re getting some feeling back.” She glanced up at the sky. “We should go. Johnny and Amelia will be wondering what happened to us. I take a long time on pictures, but not usually
this
long.” She reached for her stockings. “Assuming you can walk, that is. I’m not going to carry you.”

Daniel wriggled his toes and made a face. “I think I can manage.”

Laurie slipped on her stockings, but left them rolled down at her knees rather than ask Daniel to turn his back again. Her brother might think the worst, but why should she care? He had his secrets; she could have hers.

She retrieved Daniel’s shoes and socks and handed them to him. “Do you need help?”

“No.” His brows clenched as he forced his feet into the shoes.

She stepped back as he pushed up to a standing position. She clucked her tongue as he managed a few limping steps. “You really should have said something.”

“I know,” he grunted. “Next time, you soak your feet and I’ll soak up sun.”

A tiny spark grew in her chest. Maybe there could be a next time. She slipped her shoulder under his arm. “Here, lean on me.”

“Gladly.”

The pair stumbled, laughing, back to the picnic table twenty minutes later. Amelia jumped up from her seat next to Johnny. “What happened to you? We were getting worried.”

Johnny shrugged one shoulder. “You were worried. I said Laurie was probably just working on a masterpiece. Plus, she had Daniel to look out for her.”

Laurie glanced up at Daniel, tickled by his smile. She was glad that he didn’t seem sensitive over the turn of events. She tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear and turned to her brother and Amelia. “Yes, it’s always nice to have a strong shoulder to lean on.”

Amelia’s brows rose, a thousand questions dancing behind her eyes.

She’s going to have to wait for answers, because right now I don’t have any.
Laurie followed in Daniel’s wake as he and Johnny hauled the baskets back to the automobile.

Amelia grabbed Laurie’s hand and pulled her to the side. “You look happy. Your walk went well, I take it?”

Laurie smiled, squeezing Amelia’s hand. “Very well.”

“Better than Samuel Brown?” Amelia giggled. “Here I thought Mr. Brown was the answer to my prayer. I guess God had other ideas.”

Laurie’s throat tightened. “Stop it. They’ll hear you.” She shook her head as Amelia dissolved into peals of laughter. Anyone would think they were thirteen instead of twenty.

Amelia lowered her voice. “So, what does this mean for Mr. Brown?”

What
did
it mean? Daniel was still a rumrunner. Just because he could act like a gentleman when he wanted to, didn’t change who he was at heart. “I don’t know.”

Amelia touched her arm and smiled. “Well, they’re both good prospects, anyway.”

Laurie turned her eyes skyward as she walked.
God, you know my heart’s desire. Please, help me know what to do.

As they reached the end of the trail, the two men were still strapping the picnic baskets to the rear fender. Daniel looked over at her and smiled. He walked stiff-legged to the far side of the car, opening the door for her.

A sweet sadness crept into her heart.
God, why couldn’t he be the one?

Chapter
19

N
umber, please.” Laurie wiggled her toes inside her shoes, striving
to keep her feet from falling asleep as she sat at the switchboard. “Thank you. I’ll connect you now.” She flicked the switch, lifted the cord, and plunged it into the proper jack, moving the switch again.

The soothing murmur of women’s voices throughout the room created a lulling hum. Those, combined with so many restless nights, begged Laurie to drop her head down on the desk and take a nap. She blinked her gritty eyes and chewed on her cheek to keep alert. “Number please. Yes, thank you. I will connect you now.”

Laurie rolled her shoulders. A few deep breaths helped to further clear her mind. “Number please. Long-distance? I will transfer you to that operator. Thank you.”

She glanced at the clock. Five minutes. She could hold out for five minutes. “Number please.” Her earpiece remained silent. “Number please.”

“Laurie?” A male voice whispered.

She hesitated, risking a quick glance around the room for her supervisor. She lowered her voice. “Yes? Who is this, please?”

“It’s Samuel Brown.”

Her palms grew clammy. Had he discovered she’d listened to his call the other day? Her fingers trembled as they gripped the cord. “Samuel, I’m not allowed to take calls at work.”

“I know. One of the other girls informed me of such when I asked her to transfer me to your desk.”

She looked to her right and noticed Susan’s knowing smile.

His voice spoke in her ear, soft and urgent. “I need to talk to you. What time do you get off?”

She swallowed. “In about five minutes.”

“Great. Meet me at Larson’s.”

Laurie’s stomach churned. Mr. Quinn crossed the floor, heading in her direction.
The soda fountain?
She moistened her lips, her thoughts racing. “N-Number please.”

“I’m still here—oh, I see. So, will you meet me?”

She pressed her toes against the floor. “Yes. I will connect you now.”

“Aha. I heard a ‘yes.’ I’ll see you there in say, ten minutes.”

“Thank you.” Laurie fought to keep her voice steady.

“No,” he paused. “Thank you.”

She flipped the switch and lifted the cord to the panel.
Which one?
She glanced over her shoulder.

Mr. Quinn leaned over Anne-Marie’s board, lecturing the girl on proper intonation and posture.

Releasing the breath trapped in her chest, Laurie lowered the cord and returned it to the open call position.

Susan winked, brandishing a smug smirk.

Laurie ran a hand over her tense neck muscles. How could she face Daniel? She had never said that she wouldn’t be spending time with Samuel. But to meet him right under Daniel’s nose?

She glanced at the clock. Two more minutes. Maybe she could catch up to the agent before he arrived at the drugstore.

She continued answering calls, her shaking fingers making it difficult to achieve the four-second goal, but at least she didn’t accidentally transfer someone to Timbuktu. When the clock struck the hour, she sat back in her chair and disentangled the headset from her hair.

Georgia O’Neal stood nearby, waiting to take her place at the station.

Laurie stood, her backside aching. “Have a nice day, Georgia.”

“You too, Laurie.”

Mr. Quinn stood five paces behind Georgia, a predatory gleam in his eyes. “Miss Burke, a word?” He spoke in clipped tones. No wonder he could connect a call in four seconds.

“Yes, Mr. Quinn?” She maintained her smooth, melodic operator’s voice even as her stomach churned.

“You sent two calls over to long distance in the past thirteen minutes.”

Her mind retraced her calls. “Did I?”

“Both of those calls were local. You realize that you need to clarify the numbers if the caller seems the least bit uncertain. We had to reverse charges on both calls.” His bushy eyebrows dropped low over his eyes, like a disgruntled owl. Reversed charges meant extra paperwork.

“I’m sorry, sir. I’ll be more careful.” Her heart rate picked up speed. Every word spent on four-second Quinn meant less of a chance of catching Samuel before he walked into Larson’s without her.

“From now on any extra charges will be docked from your check, Miss Burke.” His lips popped as he enunciated her name. “And don’t forget, too many infractions could mean termination.”

His voice felt like a needle pricking her skin. Repeatedly. “I understand.”

As he turned away, Laurie bolted for the door like the building was on fire. She dashed out into the street only to realize she’d left her hat and coat behind.

Samuel Brown disappeared through the door at Larson’s Drugs.

Daniel wiped the mortar and pestle with a soft rag before returning it to its place of honor. Probably best not to have heavy objects in his hand when greeting this particular customer.

The tall, broad-shouldered man took off his gray fedora and glanced around the store as if searching for someone.

“Can I help you?” Daniel stepped out from behind the pharmacy counter.

Samuel Brown greeted him with a cool smile and an equally cold handshake. “I’m meeting a young lady friend here—Miss Laurie Burke. I believe you two are acquainted?”

Daniel released Brown’s hand and wiped his fingers across his lab coat. “Yes, we’ve met. On more than one occasion, in fact.”

“She must be running a little late. I’ll just grab a stool.” Brown’s light-colored brows lifted. “I hear you got a new shipment in this week.”

Daniel’s shoulders tensed. “You’re tracking our deliveries?”

“I keep an eye on things.” Brown straightened the knot on his green paisley tie.

Daniel’s eyes narrowed. “Even on legitimate businesses?”

“When I feel it’s necessary.” He gestured toward the fountain. “It’s quite a simple matter for an establishment such as yours to serve more than ‘soft’ drinks. You must know that.” He met Daniel’s eye with a firm stare.

Daniel felt a surge building in his gut. No one had ever accused his family of working outside the law. “Are you accusing us of serving alcohol at the fountain? That’s ludicrous.”

Brown raised his hands. “I said no such thing. I was merely explaining my interest in your store.” He lowered his voice. “Of course, there are always ways to avoid such close scrutiny.”

An icy trickle seeped down his spine. “What are you suggesting?”

Brown glanced around the store. Several customers sat at the fountain and another perused the few rows of merchandise that Daniel’s grandfather carried. “We can discuss it another time, perhaps, when you’re not so busy. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I will go secure a seat for my date and myself.”

Daniel folded both arms across his chest as the federal agent sauntered to the soda counter, other customers visibly angling away from him. Distrust of government men ran deep in this small community. In the case of this one man, he trusted their instincts.

Good thing Marcie’s working the counter today. I’d be tempted to put a few extra drops of phosphate in the man’s drink just to see a pucker on that ugly mug.

The door jingled, catching Daniel’s attention. Laurie stood in the entrance, her face blotchy, her chest rapidly rising and falling. She stared at him with round eyes.

Every other time she’d appeared at the store, a spark jolted through him. This time it fizzled—like a match dropped in a bucket of cold water. He forced a brusque nod, a cold weight settling in his stomach. “Miss Burke, I believe your
date
is waiting for you.”

“Daniel . . . ” She stood as if her feet were frozen to the tile floor, her eyes locked on his.

He turned away.

The hurt in Daniel’s eyes cut through her and she fought the urge to chase him down and explain. Instead, she pasted on a smile and walked to meet Samuel.

The agent jumped to his feet. “Laurie, I’m so glad you could meet me on such short notice.” He beamed at her, his smile wide and welcoming. He patted the stool by his side. “Please join me.”

Knowing full well she had no choice, she sat down and cleared her throat. “It was pleasant to hear from you, Samuel, but we’re not allowed personal calls at the switchboard.”

He perched on the edge of his seat, swiveling his stool toward her. “I apologize, again. I didn’t mean to cause you any difficulty.” He cocked his head to one side. “Did I get you into trouble with the boss?”

“Not this time.”

He patted her fingers, his thumb stroking the back of her hand. “I won’t do it again.”

She pulled her hand into her lap, resisting the urge to glance toward the pharmacy counter.

Samuel leaned closer, touching her shoulder and letting his fingers trail down her back. “Next time, I’ll just stand outside the door and sweep you off your feet when you emerge.”

She ducked her head, her mouth dry. Last time she’d been pleased with his attentions. Today, it felt awkward and uncomfortable. “What is so urgent?”

He leaned back. “Maybe I just missed the pleasure of your company.”

His teasing, combined with the few inches of extra space, eased the tautness in her stomach muscles. “I think it was more than that.”

“Let’s order first.” He turned to the menu, prominently displayed along the back wall. “An egg cream, perhaps? Or are you in the mood for something else this evening?”

While he was distracted with the menu, Laurie glanced toward the pharmacy section. A gray-haired gentleman stood at the counter, shoulders rounded.

“You only need
two
spoonfuls every day, Mr. Morgan.” Daniel’s voice carried a note of tension.

“Two every morning?” The man’s loud voice suggested he was hard of hearing.

The pharmacist held up one finger. “No, that’s one in the morning and one at bedtime.”

“One spoonful a day?”

Laurie smiled. When she turned back, Samuel was staring at her with a questioning look in his eyes. She moistened her lips. “I’m sorry, did you ask me something?”

He cocked an eyebrow. “I asked what you would like to order. You seem distracted. Perhaps you’d like coffee instead?”

“Coffee sounds wonderful, actually. And a dish of vanilla ice cream.”

He waved to Marcie. “We’re ready.”

After ordering coffee and ice cream for them both, Samuel turned to her, his face growing serious. “Now, Laurie. I know I said before that I wouldn’t pressure you to help me, but I’m getting desperate. I thought I had the guys behind this rumrunning operation trapped the other night, but somehow they slipped through my fingers.”

Laurie clenched her fingers, pressing them against the smooth counter.

He sat forward and looked deep into her eyes.

She struggled to maintain eye contact, but his long pause made her heart pound.
Lord, he doesn’t know about Johnny, does he?

Reaching over, Samuel placed a hand on top of hers. “You’ve lived here your whole life. Between the switchboard and the church, you know everybody. You must have some inkling who might be involved in this.” He shook his head, glancing around the store. “Once people find out I work for the government, they clam up on me. I can’t make any inroads with these folks.”

The warmth of his fingers melted into her skin, his earnest green eyes awakening a hunger in her.
How did I end up on the wrong side of this battle?
She took a deep breath, energy coursing through her limbs. “What do you want me to do?”

A smile spread across his face crinkling the skin around his eyes. He sat back as Marcie arrived with their coffee.

Laurie reveled in the easy manner he used with the young waitress. Samuel had a gift for putting people at ease. Marcie’s face brightened in response as she set the dishes in front of them and turned back to her other customers.

Samuel took a sip of the coffee and smiled. “Mmm. Just like I like it.”

He set the cup down. “Give me some names, if you have any. If not, then ask around. Someone has to know who’s behind this.”

She poured cream into her coffee and watched as the color lightened. “I don’t pay attention to rumors and gossip.”

He frowned. “Rumors and gossip are my bread and butter. I just need a place to start.” He took another sip and reached for her hand, again. “Please. Just think about it. Ask around. Keep your ears open.”