Count on Me (Bayview Heights Trilogy) (2 page)

“A mistake. I see.” Mitch shook his head, stretched out his jean-clad legs and clasped his hands over the Bayview Heights Police Department T-shirt he wore. “You know it’s too late, don’t you?” he said pointedly.

“You mean with Zoe.” Just saying her name brought on angina-like pain.

“Of course I mean with Zoe.”

“I know it is.” He stared at his brother. “How is she?” Over the course of the past months, at Zoe’s request, Mitch had refused to give Kurt any information about her. So Kurt had resorted to eavesdropping on her life—listening to Cassie talk on the phone to her from Boston where Zoe had gone for the holidays, observing her at Lansing gatherings, usually accompanied by Alex Ransom, overhearing Seth Taylor, the high-school principal, discuss her latest projects at school.

“She just got back from Paris last night.”

Ah, Paris. And Pierre.

 Tell that Frenchman to stop calling you, lady, and trying to lure you back to France
. Kurt had been poised over her in bed; her short thick chestnut hair had been wild from his hands, her mouth swollen from his kisses, her sexy perfume filling his head. He’d teased her mercilessly about the boyfriend she’d had when she’d studied in Europe and still kept in touch with.

“Isn’t that cutting it a little close? She starts school tomorrow.”

“It’s teacher prep day tomorrow.” Mitch studied him and Kurt tried not to squirm. Finally Mitch went to the fridge and retrieved two beers. He handed Kurt one. “In any case, you gave up your right to be concerned about her when you went back to that shrew.”

In his heart Kurt knew that Mitch had taken Kurt’s reconciliation with his ex-wife so hard because Mitch had never liked Elizabeth. The fight with his brother over Kurt’s decision to give his marriage another try had cut like the sharpest scalpel…

“You’re
what?
” Mitch had asked, dumbfounded.

“I’m reconciling with Elizabeth.”

“But you and Zoe are together.”

“Look, I’ve loved Elizabeth all my life. If there’s a chance I can make it work, I owe it to her and Lauren to try. I hate that I failed at my marriage.”

Mitch sighed, exasperated. “I know you hate to fail at anything, but this time you’re being a fool. It’ll never work. Elizabeth treated you like dirt for years. Then she cheated on you.”

“I brought some of that on myself by sacrificing my family for my work.”

“She’s a siren. She’s always had some weird control over you. You’re going to get hurt big time—and lose Zoe in the process…”

Once again, big brother had been right. After only a month, Kurt realized he’d made a huge mistake. After three months, life had become a living hell. He’d waited until Lauren went to college to leave again.

Sipping the beer, he sank onto a chair by the window. “Of course I gave up all rights to Zoe. That doesn’t mean I stopped worrying about her.”
Or loving her
.

Mitch raked a hand through his dark hair. “You’re not thinking of trying to get back with her, are you?”

“Of course not.” Please, God, don’t let him think that. “I hurt her too much.”

“Good. Because I’d hate to have to scrape you up off the floor once Cassie got finished with you if you tried anything that stupid.”

Mitch glanced up as his wife of five years entered the kitchen; she wore rumpled jeans and a Bayview Heights sweatshirt, and a weary expression on her face. As always, several strands of hair escaped her braid to fall onto her cheek.

“Speak of the devil,” Mitch said dryly.

Cassie’s smile bloomed at the sight of her husband. “The
devil
is now asleep.”

“Which one?”

“The little one.”

In spite of the blanket of tension in the room, Kurt smiled at the mention of his younger goddaughter, six-months-old Camille, whose conception had been a surprise to everybody—including Cassie and Mitch. Not only that, but both she and her four-year-old sister, Alexandra, showed signs of their mother’s innate rebelliousness. Mitch claimed that was why he loved his daughters so much.

Cassie’s gaze traveled to Kurt and turned steely. It was the same look she’d been giving him for the past eleven months. “Hello, Kurt.”

“Cassie.”

Crossing to Mitch, she took a sip of his beer. Then she focused back on Kurt. “What are you doing here?” The edge to her voice was marked.

Mitch slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Cass,” he said, softly chiding her.

Cassie swallowed hard. Both she and Lacey Taylor, Seth’s wife and another of Zoe’s friends, had frozen Kurt out when he’d gone back to Elizabeth. He didn’t blame them a bit.

“I came to tell Mitch—and you—a few things.”

When Cassie stiffened, Kurt saw Mitch’s hand squeeze her waist in warning. “Fine. I’ve got about, oh, ten seconds, before Attila the Hun wakes up and realizes she’s alone.”

Without preamble, he said, “I’ve left Elizabeth.”

Cassie’s mouth dropped open, and she gripped Mitch’s shoulder. Kurt’s heart ached, watching the woman who’d once been like a sister to him. He’d lost her, too, when he’d made the worst decision of his life.

Before she could berate him, he added, “And there’s something else.” His eyes darted to Mitch’s. “The teen clinic in Bayview Heights has been approved.” He jammed his hands into his pockets. “I’m moving to town to open it.”

“
What
?” Cassie’s eyes were like heated mercury now. “You can’t do that, Kurt.”

Mitch scowled. “I don’t think it’s a good idea, either.”

Kurt raked his fingers through his hair “Of course it’s not a good idea. It’s a
terrible
idea. Do you think I’d do this to Zoe if I had any choice?”

“There’s always a choice,” Cassie said.

“The clinic has been approved, based on my running it. Not only was my success with the other two part of the town council’s reasoning, but the federal grant I wrote for the one in Bayview Heights specifically names me as the operator.” He held up his hands in a gesture of defeat. “The government was clear on that, as was the council. You know some of them aren’t crazy about having a clinic here, but Philip Cartwright and his group of senior citizens finally got it passed.” Philip was the former editor of Bayview’s newspaper and Lacey Taylor’s grandfather. “I tried to sway the officials, but they were firm that without my participation, the decision would be rescinded.”

“Damn it,” Cassie said. “First Jerry Bosco gets on the council and then the school board, and now you’re coming back to Bayview.” Kurt knew Jerry Bosco was a retired teacher who had given the high school a lot of grief when he worked there. “Could things get any worse in this town?”

Kurt winced.

“Cass...” Mitch said again.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to hurt you, Kurt, but I won’t let
you
hurt
her
again.” Cassie put her hands on her hips. “Do you have any idea what you did to her a year ago?”

“Yes, I do.”

Pacing, Cassie acted as if she didn’t hear him. “She cried for days. She missed school. You know what a Pollyanna she’s always been. But she was depressed for a long time, and so sad it broke my heart.”

Each detail pierced him deeply. “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, well, sometimes sorry’s not enough.”

There was a wail from upstairs. “Oh, hell,” she said, and with one scathing look which encompassed both brothers, stomped out of the room.

Silence became a brittle presence in the kitchen.

Finally Mitch spoke. “Like she said, buddy, she doesn’t mean to hurt you. She’s just protective of her friends.”

“I know. I reveled in it when she felt that way about me.”

“I’m sorry. I haven’t been there for you, either, have I?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Of course it does. I think it’s...” Mitch peeled back the label on the bottle. His brother still sometimes had a hard time expressing his emotions. “I think we all felt a little abandoned when you went back to Elizabeth.”

Why wouldn’t they? The Lansings and Taylors and he and Zoe had become close friends during the time he dated Zoe. They’d enjoyed countless dinners and attended school events together, and even took a group vacation to the Bahamas. Kurt had broken up more than a relationship. He’d broken up a close-knit family of friends.

That Elizabeth had disliked Mitch from childhood and grown to hate Cassie added to the difficulties between the brothers.

Kurt shrugged. “I’m sorry,” he said again.

“Me, too.” Mitch studied him. “Look, where do you plan to stay here in town?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Cassie and I are moving into the new house in a few weeks. This place hasn’t sold.”

“Really? This is a great condo. I’d buy it in a second.”

“Then it’s yours.”

“Thanks. I’ll move in after you’re in the new house.”

“No, you’ll move in now.”

Kurt shook his head firmly. “Cassie won’t want me under her roof.”

“Cassie’ll do what’s right. You’re family, Kurt.”

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Kurt stared at his brother. “Thanks, bro. What about Zoe? Would it be best if I told her about all this?”

“No. Let Cass tell her tomorrow.” Mitch glanced at the clock. “Zoe just got back from Paris this morning and she’s probably sound asleep.”

An image of Zoe, rumpled and warm in bed, poleaxed him. He could still remember what she smelled like, what she tasted like. He stood up to diffuse the feeling. “Fine. I’ll do my best to make this as easy on her, and you, as possible.” He headed out of the kitchen to exit through the garage. When he reached the side door, he heard behind him, “Kurt?”

He pivoted.

“It’ll be nice to have my brother back.”

Emotion swirled inside him. “Will it?”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks.” He left then, walking out into the chilly September air. Alone.

o0o

“‘I WANT TO BE happy...’” On her way to the principal’s office, Zoe sang the words to the famous song from
No, No, Nanette
in French; she’d seen the show in Paris with Pierre just a few days ago.

And it felt good. She
did
want to be happy; she was happy, truly happy, for the first time in months. Kurt Lansing’s absence had put a gaping hole in her life for too long. Though she missed him desperately, she’d learned she could indeed be happy without him.

Seth’s new secretary, a sweet young woman named Naomi, smiled up at her when she entered the office. “Well, if it isn’t the world traveler.”

“
Bonjour, mon amie
.” Zoe turned to Nancy, the financial secretary. “
Mes amies. Comment allez vous?
” Both women chuckled.

“You look wonderful, Zoe,” Nancy said, eyeing her black French jeans, red top and high black sandals. “Paris must have agreed with you.”

“
Oui, oui
.”

“Meet any interesting Frenchmen?”

The door had opened on Naomi’s question. “She’s stringin’ one along and breakin’ my heart,” Alex Ransom quipped from the doorway. Handsome as sin, he had disheveled dark hair that fell across his forehead. “Tell me Pierre didn’t talk you into going back to France anytime soon.”

“No, he didn’t.” She reached up and hugged Alex.

He held on tight.

Over his shoulders, she saw the door to Seth’s office open. Letting go of her friend, Zoe sidled around Alex with her grin still in place. “Hi, Seth. How’s the father of the year doing?” she asked archly. Seth’s wife, Lacey, had given birth to twin boys last year, bringing the total number of children in the Taylor family to five. Seth’s son from a previous marriage; their adopted son, Josh; their own little Philip, who was now almost two years old, and the twins.

When Seth didn’t answer, just stared at her blankly, she cocked her head.

She was totally unprepared for the man who stepped to the doorway, and she froze, along, it seemed, with everyone else.

Alex’s strong hand on her shoulder broke the spell. Though her smile faltered, Zoe straightened and said evenly, “Hello, Kurt.”

His beautiful green eyes were dark with fatigue. His sculpted mouth was bracketed with lines of stress. She hadn’t seen him in five months and wondered how someone could age that much in so short a time. His meticulously cut navy suit and striped shirt were ill-fitting. He reminded her of an exhausted, overworked intern. When he gave her a weak smile, the cleft in his chin became visible. She would
not
think about the times she’d kissed that cleft.

“Zoe.” Even his voice was tired. Her heart ached with the knowledge that Kurt, the man she’d once loved more than any other man in the world, was not doing well.

Apparently Elizabeth wasn’t taking very good care of him. The thought hurt, though she chided herself for having it.

Seth stepped between them and hugged her warmly. “Zoe, welcome back.” He whispered in her ear, “I’m sorry.”

She squeezed him to let him know she was all right. “If you’re busy, I can come back. Cassie’s hot to talk to me about something, anyway, so I—”

“You haven’t talked to Cassie today?” Seth asked.

“No. We had the faculty meeting this morning and a department meeting after that. I just stopped in here to check on the volunteer placements for my Life Issues course, then she and I are going to lunch.”

Zoe recalled Cassie’s excessive nervousness today and had chalked it up to her leaving Camille. Even if it was only for half a day—Cassie was teaching mornings this year and Mitch was working afternoons at the police station—Zoe knew Cassie had a devil of a hard time leaving her child. Zoe cast a worried glance at Kurt. “What’s going on, Seth?”

Quickly Seth pivoted to face Kurt. Some silent signal passed between them. “Come into my office for a minute.” He glanced behind her. “Alex, can I do something for you?”

The vice principal was throwing visual daggers at Kurt. “No, I’m going to wait for Zoe.” He squeezed her arm. “I’ll be out here.”

Kurt stiffened visibly. At the display of Alex’s affection?

Seth herded her and Kurt into the office and shut the door. For a minute Zoe couldn’t breathe. She hadn’t been this close to Kurt in months. Even at Lansing gatherings, she’d given him wide berth. But now she was forced to sit next to him, and the first thing that assaulted her senses was his scent.