Boxed Set: Intercepted by Love (The Complete Collection): Books One - Book Six (9 page)

“You can’t have any champagne,” Andie said, swatting Cade’s hand from the bottle. “Remember? The pain killers and muscle relaxers.”

“Is this what it’s going to be like with you?” He readjusted the tie on the luxurious Turkish robe he was wearing.

They’d ordered room service since his clothes had been taken down to the wash, and they were sitting around the table with their surf and turf dinner of lobster and steak.

Andie poured herself a flute and put the bottle back in the ice bucket. “This is what happens when you ask someone to love you. They tend to care about you and want to make sure you stay healthy.”

“Something I’m not used to, obviously.” He picked up a water glass and touched her champagne flute. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“I’m glad you’re okay.” She leaned across the table and kissed him.

“I love when you do that mother hen bit.”

Cade couldn’t help the smile cracking his face open. He’d never ever had anyone who truly cared about him and not about his bank account. Andie hadn’t taken a single selfie the entire time she was with him. Not that she had a cell phone, but she hadn’t even pulled out an old camera. Instead, she genuinely cared about being with him, not documenting or recording their interactions to replay it with friends or post on her blog.

“Speaking of mother hens.” Andie darted a look at the clock radio near the telephone. “Is it okay if I call my parents? I need to let them know I won’t be home.”

“Good thinking. I never had anyone to call. Would have slipped my mind.” He gave her shoulder a tender squeeze.

“Get used to it, babe.” She winked. “I’ll expect a call whenever you fly anywhere and arrive at your destination. You’ll also have to check in when you’re on road trips or I’d imagine you were in a crash.”

“Worry wart!” He fluffed her robe as she brushed by him.

“My mother’s worse.”

While Andie took her time explaining to her mother what had happened, obviously toning it down quite a bit, since her mother kept needing Andie’s reassurance that nothing had actually happened to her, Cade switched on the TV.

He was flipping through the channels when he came across a sports commentary show. His face flashed across the screen under the byline, “Losing Quarterback Missing, Foul Play Feared.”

What the heck? He switched channels and glanced at Andie. Thankfully, she seemed to be making faces into the phone, trying to convince her mother everyone was fine and in one piece.

He switched to a local newscast to see if anyone had found the missing dogs. Sure enough there was a piece on a crackdown on shady rescues. Apparently there’d been a string of dogs mysteriously disappearing and then showing up at a rescue center once a reward was offered.

Andie hung up the phone. “What’s wrong with the rescues? I thought they were helping to find homes for the animals.”

“Most of them are, but let’s see what they say.”

The newscast showed a video of a rescue center where dogs were housed in a big red barn.

“Hey, that’s Fran’s place,” Andie said, her eyes popping wide. “That’s where we got Gollie.”

A reporter stood outside of the rescue. “Authorities raided Fran’s Haven amidst suspicion of dog trafficking. Earlier today, Fran had called the hotline for the five missing retrievers to claim the reward.”

“She found them? You mean Gollie?” Andie grabbed the remote and turned up the volume. “Why didn’t Mom say anything?”

The reporter continued, “Upon further questioning, Fran claims that two men dropped the dogs off and sped away before she could find out who they were. Unfortunately, two of the dogs ran away—a female collie retriever mix and the male Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever who was the original target. The male is said to be worth five thousand dollars as he has sired multiple AKC Westminster champions.”

“Oh, no, that means Gollie’s still missing.”

Cade slapped his forehead. “Poor Red. She ran off with another stud.”

“Stop it. Let’s listen to the report.”

“Police are looking for the two men who dropped off the dogs, while Fran is under investigation for taking money for the dog’s health care, including spaying and neutering, but not having the procedures done.”

“Oh, no!” Andie sagged onto the bed. “That means Gollie’s probably pregnant. She was never spayed.”

The news switched to local sports, and Cade turned off the TV.

“Are you okay?” He crawled onto the bed and lay at her side.

“I’m not okay.”

“I’m sure they’ll find her. Two dogs are easier to spot than one, and the male’s valuable, so everyone’s going to be on the lookout for him to claim the reward.”

Her expression clouded over, and she avoided his gaze. “Yeah, I hope so.”

Cade put his head next to her, face to face, and stroked her hair. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, just tired.” She yawned and closed her eyes.

“Okay, let me call the front desk to take away the food and send up toothbrushes and stuff we need.” He dotted a kiss on her forehead and made the call.

After she finished with the bathroom, he brushed his teeth and removed his colored contact lenses for the night. His eyes had been bothering him ever since he’d lost his goggles, and exhaustion made his arms and legs feel like lead. Add to that, he hurt all over now that the painkillers had worn off.

Andie had turned out the light and was already in bed when he returned from taking his medicine.

“Good night,” she said as he crawled in. “How are you feeling?”

“Like a ton of bricks hit me.” He groaned, rolling to find a comfortable position when none existed. “It’ll be even worse in the morning.”

“I’m sorry. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to take you fat biking.”

“You kidding?” He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. “I can’t wait for the next time when I’m going to whoop your ass, now that I know how to ride.”

“More like you know how to fall.”

“In love.” He pressed a kiss on her sweet lips. “Now that you have me, you’ll never get rid of me.”

“I’d never want to.” She hooked her arms around him and molded her body to his.

# # #

Cade’s even breathing showed he’d fallen asleep almost immediately. Andie lay in the bed, stiff and still to not disturb him. Even though exhaustion tried to pull her eyelids shut, she couldn’t relax.

It wasn’t just Gollie who might be pregnant, but Andie, too. Everything had happened so fast, been so beautifully perfect, that she hadn’t asked Cade to stop and put on a condom. But then, she couldn’t blame him. He’d been loopy on pain meds and his emotions had been tumbling all over the place from the near disaster.

He’d been so sweet and loving, and part of her wanted to believe he was the one.

Except, what would she do if she were pregnant? She didn’t make enough with her librarian job to move out, and her parents needed her paycheck for groceries and living expenses.

If she hit up Cade, she’d ruin the trust he’d put in her of loving him without strings and demands. From the way he’d reacted to her suggestion of “puppy support,” she could tell he was suspicious of gold diggers. Besides, his heart was vulnerable from being rejected as a baby, and he would never believe that she loved him and not his celebrity status or the money he seemed to have, despite trying to hide in a dumpy apartment.

In fact, he might end up accusing her of getting pregnant just to trap him!

Miserably, Andie buried her face into her pillow and wept. Life would have been a whole lot easier had she stuck to studying the lives of King David and his many wives. Back then, if David got anyone pregnant, he simply married her and added her to his harem.

# # #

Cade was hurting when he woke. Every muscle he didn’t know he had screamed and complained.

He stretched and checked the clock radio, then sat up, rubbing his eyes.

Where was Andie?

He’d been looking forward to waking up next to her this morning and every morning after. The suite was too quiet, and the bathroom was dark inside.

“Andie?” Grunting with pain, he hobbled to the bathroom and turned on the light.

A note was taped on the mirror.

Sorry, Cade. I have work in the morning, so I called my mother to pick me up. I had a wonderful time with you, and I’ll always cherish the moments we spent together. You will always be precious to me. Never forget that. Bye, Andie.

Bye? As in goodbye for now, or forever?

Cade reached for the phone and punched in her number, but before she picked up, he hung up.

He’d let her have her space. Maybe this had been too much, too fast. Either that or she’d spied his colored contact lenses on the counter and figured him for an axe murderer after all.

“Mom, I’m fine.” Andie helped her mother empty the dishwasher the next morning. “He’s okay too. Nothing’s broken, but I’m sure he’s going to be sore.”

“Shall we go by later and help him get back to his apartment?” Her mother set out two coffee mugs. “It must be hard for him not have any relatives around.”

“He’s used to being alone and traveling. Besides, I think he’s more comfortable there.”

“Okay, well, we’d love to meet him. Maybe he can stop by for dinner?”

Andie accepted the cup of coffee and stirred sugar and cream into the mug. “When he feels better. He’s on muscle relaxers and heavy pain drugs. Besides, you need a rest. Why don’t I cook and watch Dad tonight and you can go out with friends.”

Mom squeezed her shoulder. “You’re a sweetie. I’ve been meaning to pay a visit to Fran. I can’t believe she charged us for Gollie’s spaying and never carried through with it. I’m going to ask for our money back.”

“Maybe she had some unexpected expenses. Times are tough for everyone.”

Her mother wiped her gray hair from her eyes and sighed. “Tell me about it. Your father’s medicines are so expensive. I hate to have to ask you if you can cover the electric bill. I know you’ve been trying to save a little nest egg for when you move out.”

Andie set her coffee cup down. “I’ll do it. I don’t think I’ll be moving out any time soon.”

“Are things okay with Cade?” Her mother gave her a sidelong glance while she stirred milk into her cereal.

Andie took a deep breath. “He’s wonderful, but I’m trying not to think about what’ll happen when he leaves. He says he’s some kind of celebrity and he travels around the country. I’m not sure he’s the type to settle in this small town.”

“You’ve just met him. You don’t know what he would or wouldn’t do.” Mom pressed her hand and smiled. “Take it a day at a time and seize every moment. That’s what I’m doing with your dad. Every moment he’s with me is precious. Things could change at any time. But all we have is now, and a life built from nows.”

Andie bit her lip and nodded. “How’d you get so wise?”

“I’m your mother, of course. When you’re ready, let’s change your father’s bed. The doctor’s visiting today.”

# # #

Andie was ten minutes late when she strolled into the Opp Library. She hurriedly stowed her purse in her desk and booted up her computer to check her emails.

She’d meant to call Cade. It wasn’t as if she left on bad terms, but time slipped by. Her father was having a difficult morning. He refused to communicate and kept his face turned away from her mother.

She didn’t know how much longer her mother could shoulder the entire burden, but they had no money to hire a home health aide, and sending Dad to a nursing home or care facility was against her mother’s wishes.

“Yoohoo, I see you had too much fun this weekend.” Andie’s boss, Margo, sauntered into the office and plopped herself into the guest chair. “Wait till I tell you what I found out about that creeper guy who’s been stalking around.”

“Huh? What?” Andie brushed the hair from her face and shut her email. “There’s a creeper here?”

The library tended to draw in people from the community seeking shelter for a few hours. The comfy couches and restrooms provided them with a few hours respite from the cold weather.

“Yeah, you’ve met him. In fact, I saw you walk off with him Friday evening.” Margo’s eyebrows drew together and her nostrils flared. “He’s not who you think he is.”

“You mean Cade?” Andie’s nerves sizzled while warning bells flashed.

“Yep. I caught him defacing library materials.” Margo jutted her jaw with a bulldog demeanor. Her pudgy arms shook with barely suppressed anger.

Andie’s jaw dropped. “He wouldn’t do that. He knows how precious our collection is and how rare some of our manuscripts are.”

“I have proof. I caught him in the act. Follow me.”

Margo marched into her office and picked up a clear plastic unsealed evidence bag. “Sport Holler, the gossip rag of players and playees. Let me pull on gloves before handling.”

“Gloves? Are you calling the police?”

“Maybe, maybe not. But look carefully.” Margo spread the crinkly cover over her desk pad. “Who does that look like?”

The headline read “Not O-Cade,” and the byline said, “Losing quarterback despondent. Will he be let go?”

The man on the cover was a long-haired, non-bearded version of Cade, except his eyes were blue, which explained the colored contacts he’d left in the bathroom.

Andie sank to the guest chair in her boss’s office. “Why didn’t he tell me?”

“Maybe he’s gone off the deep end. You see what the article says?” Margo turned the pages and read, “Los Angeles Flash backup quarterback, Cade Prescott, is no stranger to trouble. A reformed juvenile delinquent and born to an alcoholic, he’s had impulse control issues since birth. After starting quarterback, Todd Irvin, was injured in the third quarter of the Super Bowl, the Flash tapped Prescott to handle the final drive. He delivered an incredible seventy-five yard drive only to blow it when he called his own play at first and goal, explicitly disobeying his coaching staff. Prescott refused to explain his actions and disappeared shortly after the game. No one knows his whereabouts and there are questions on whether he’s met with foul play or worse.”

His last name was Prescott and not Preston? No wonder she hadn’t located any dirt on him. Poor Cade must have been so ashamed of his big screw-up.

“Stop, stop.” Andie clutched her hands over her mouth. “He’s obviously hiding out because he’s sorry for what he did. I have to find him, Margo. Is it okay if I take time off?”

“Why? Are you involved with him? Actually, if you do find him, bring him here. I’d like an exclusive interview with him in exchange for me not taking this evidence bag to the police. Now that we know who he is, the police will be very interested to find out that he’s defaced library material in our fine town.”

“But, Margo, it’s just a sports gossip rag. I’m sure he offered to replace it. It’s not like this is one of the original Book of the Dead papyri."

“Library material is library material.” Margo thumped her thick hand on her desk. “You may have the day off, but only if you bring Cade over. Who would have thought? A pro quarterback for the LA Flash. Maybe he can swing tickets for their opener in that brand new stadium they have in the Hollywood hills.”

“I doubt he wants to give interviews or hand out tickets.” Andie’s heart was beating like a bat escaping a cave. “Please leave him alone. He must have come here to find peace.”

Margo snickered and crossed her arms. “You’re so naïve. Now that you know his real name, why don’t you find out what he’s really running from? The website of Sports Holler is a good place to start.”

“Let me speak to him first, I’m sure he has a good explanation. I know I don’t have any vacation days left since my father’s illness, but I need to go.”

“Sure, go ahead. Just don’t hold out on me.” Margo tapped her cell phone. “Hold still.”

“What?”

Flash. Margo took a picture of her.

“What was that for?”

“Congratulations, Andie. You’re about to become a celebrity.” Her boss rubbed her hands together while a Cheshire cat like grin slithered over her face.