Fourth of July (16 page)

Alexis nodded. “Sometimes I feel that pain all over again. It just keeps burning.”

“I’m sorry you went through that.”

She brushed that away. “It was years ago.” She licked her lips. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Not being repulsed.”

“Oh, Half-pint.” He traced a hand down her face. “Nothing about you could repulse me.”

Alexis savored his words, his touch, and the almost hungry way he looked at her. She leaned into his palm.

“Chris.” Dylan’s voice thundered through the building. “Hey, Chris.”

“Over here.” He rolled his eyes at her, but let his hand drop. “Great timing,” he muttered.

“Chris, we’ve got to go. I just got a call from the NYPD.” Dylan stopped. “Oh, hi, Alexis. Good to see you.”

She smiled. “You too.”

Dylan turned back to Chris. “They have a man in custody who was temporary help for the owner of the float that was carrying the bomb. When they contacted the owner, he thought of this man right away. None of their agents have been able to crack him. They said we could give it a try if we were willing to fly up there.” The words flew from Dylan’s mouth faster than a Lear jet.

Alexis understood Dylan’s excitement. She’d heard how few and far between their leads were.

“Great,” Chris said. “I’ll be right there to help you make the arrangements.”

“We’ve got to fly out
now
. I’ve already called the airport. We don’t even have time to go home.”

Dylan was more enthusiastic than a high school cheerleader.

“All right.” Chris shared a look with Alexis. “Grab your laptop and I’ll meet you at the car.”

“Hurry,” Dylan exclaimed and rushed towards his office.

“I guess I’d better go.” Chris smiled. “Dylan is excited.”

“I can see that.” Alexis returned his smile. “I’m glad you have a lead. Do you think you’ll be back tomorrow night?”

“I’ll make sure we are.” He winked at her.

She blushed. “Okay, I’ll plan on seeing you then.” She extended the note with her information on it.

Their hands brushed, sending another jolt of awareness through her. He took her hand in his.

Alexis studied his strong, brown hand enveloping hers. She had never relished the feeling of a touch so thoroughly. Bringing her hand to his mouth, he brushed her fingers with his lips.

“Until tomorrow.” He released her hand and turned to walk away.

“Until tomorrow.” Alexis held her hand to her chest.

“Alexis?” Chris stopped and glanced back at her. “Did you have a chance to give a statement and identify your attacker?”

“Not yet,” she said, not admitting she didn’t want to face her assailant, even if he couldn’t see her behind the one-way glass. “I’m on my way right now. I’m not going to give him any chance of being released and assaulting someone else.” Even though she was terrified of the man, she would do the right thing.

“Good girl.” Chris smiled at her like a proud papa.

No, a proud father was wrong. The way he looked at her conveyed a feeling no father would exhibit. Alexis flushed under his warm gaze.

“I can’t wait to see you tomorrow,” he said, and then rushed down the hallway.

“Tomorrow,” Alexis repeated, noting the width of his broad shoulders as he hurried away.

She couldn’t stop thinking about how soft his lips had felt on her hand.

Probably the only soft spot on his entire body. His form disappeared. Her doubts resurfaced the moment he left her field of vision. The memory of him and Danielle played before her.

Oh ye of little faith. At least give the man a chance. There must be some logical reason why he embraced Danielle on Monday.

Yeah right
, the annoying little voice in her head said,
like she had something caught in her eye?

Maybe
, she returned,
at least give him one night. He just said you were beautiful after he saw your scars. What kind of a man does that?
Alexis hurried down the hall, heels clicking on the hard floor.
I’m going with him tomorrow night and I’ll enjoy every minute of it.

Settling into the small space that would be his seat for the flight, Chris thought through the conversation with Alexis. He couldn’t believe she’d been burned that badly, but he’d told her the truth; knowing she’d been through pain like that only made her more beautiful to him.

Buckling his seat belt, he frowned at the thought of sitting through church. What had he committed to? He wasn’t even slightly inclined toward attending church, no matter how nice the scenery.

Also Alexis had made it more than clear she wasn’t interested in him during their phone conversation Saturday night and after he saved her Monday morning. Why did he leap so quick at the chance to be with her? He groaned, and of all things a church meeting.

His chest tightened. Fighting to breathe, he remembered the last time he’d set foot inside a church—his parents’ funeral. He’d promised himself to never return. Church didn’t have the answers he needed, work did.

He had every intention of keeping his self-made vow, but then Alexis’ face lit up when he mentioned attending church. What a sucker he was. He remembered thinking,
Look at her. I’ll do anything to be around her. It won’t kill me to attend one short meeting
.

She’d reeled him right in. The excitement in her face only added to her appeal. The softness of her hand against his lips was something he wouldn’t soon forget. Then Dylan had interrupted. He hated the fact that every time he was alone with Alexis they were interrupted.

Their first decent conversation in days and Dylan had the gall to track him down. Even though it was for good reason, he longed to be alone with Alexis. Chris vowed no one would interrupt their date tomorrow night. He hoped attending church could be considered a date. With the sacrifice he was making, he’d also better make some progress in understanding Alexis.

Dylan called Rachel as the plane taxied toward the runway.

“When will you be back?” she asked.

“Hopefully tomorrow night. We have flights tomorrow afternoon but if something comes up we’ll have to reschedule.”

“You have to be back tomorrow!”

“Okay, like I said, I’ll try my best. But sometimes things come up. Try not to worry about it too much.”

Dylan was surprised at Rachel’s distressed tone. She didn’t usually demand he come home at certain times. She understood about the stresses and time commitments his career demanded.

“Dylan.” Rachel’s voice was strung tighter than a violin. “Do you know what the date is tomorrow?”

“Yeah,” he said, “it’s the thirteenth, why?”

“July 13
th
. Does that ring any bells?”

“Um,” Dylan thought quickly. He could tell Rachel was running out of calm.

“Madison’s seventh
birthday!”

Obviously he hadn’t thought quickly enough.

“Her party is at six o’clock. You have to be here.”

“Oh, yeah, I remember, Maddie’s birthday party. She’s been talking about it for weeks.”

“Please say you’ll be here. Madison will be heartbroken if you miss her party.”

“Sure. I’ll be there, promise.”

Rachel sighed with relief. “Thank you.
Please
be on time. I don’t know if I can handle ten little girls by myself.”

“Understood. I’ll find something great for her in New York.”

“She doesn’t need more presents,” Rachel snapped. “She needs her daddy.”

Dylan’s hand tightened around the phone. “Okay, okay. I got it.”

There was silence on the line.

Dylan exhaled. “I told you I’d be there and I will. Now stop worrying.”

Rachel still didn’t say anything. Dylan flushed. He shouldn’t be impatient with her. He was the one who’d forgotten Maddie’s birthday.

“Okay, sweetie, I guess I better go. Give the kids a kiss for me. Make sure you deadbolt all the doors, shut the windows, and activate the alarm system. I’m calling Tom from next door to keep an eye on you tonight.”

“Thanks. We’ll be fine.”

“Rach...” Dylan paused, his voice was huskier than he wanted it to be.

“Yes?”

“I love you.”

“Oh, Dylan. I love you, too,” she whispered.

Dylan was afraid she was crying. “I’ll see you tomorrow, sweetie.”

“Kay. Bye.”

Dylan stared at the phone after he hung up. He could feel Chris’ eyes on him. “I forgot Maddie’s birthday. What kind of a jerk forgets his daughter’s birthday?”

Chris nodded. “What kind of a jerk yells at his wife about it?”

Dylan shot him a warning glance. “You don’t need to point it out.”

Chris grinned. “You’ve been a little distracted. Rachel’s amazing. I’m sure she understands.”

Dylan shook his head. “We have got to find these terrorists so I can spend some time at home. My kids are going to grow up not even knowing I’m their father.”

And their mother is liable to leave me if she doesn’t get some help and a little attention of her own
, he added silently.

ALEXIS TWISTED HER KEYS between her first and second fingers as she waited at the police station to identify her assailant. The officer assigned to help her, Luke Johnson, had been more than accommodating. He was seated closely by her side, but even his comforting presence couldn’t alleviate the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.

“Okay, Alexis.” Luke leaned closer as five men filed into the room adjacent to theirs.

She could see each of them, grateful they couldn’t glimpse her through the one-way glass. The lineup turned like puppets on a string to face her. Her vision clouded. She blinked and swallowed at the bile rising in her throat.

“You just need to show me which of these men assaulted you Monday morning,” Luke said.

Alexis knew exactly who it was, but she was frozen with fear. Her heart raced. Her palms grew sweatier. She couldn’t move, let alone point him out.

Luke pivoted in his seat, studying her for several, uncomfortable seconds. Alexis ignored him, grasping her keys so hard they were impressed into her palm.

“Alexis,” his voice was soft, understanding. “I know how scary it must be, but you already did the hardest part. You’re here. Now all you have to do is point out your attacker and he won’t be able to hurt you or anyone else.”

Alexis nodded. She commanded her hand to move. Slowly her violently shaking limb elevated. When her hand was level with her shoulder, she flexed her fingers then pointed to the left. “It was that guy, the second one from the left.”

The man leered at her through the glass. A jolt of terror danced along her spine. She shivered. Dropping her arm, she hugged herself.

Don’t be silly, he can’t see me
.

But he knows you’re here
, her terrified subconscious replied.

What would happen when he was released from prison? She had no clue how long he would be held on a charge of attempted assault. What about the trial? She’d have to face him in a courtroom. Alexis shuddered, not letting herself think that far into the future.

“Suspect number two?” Luke asked. “You’re positive that is the man who assaulted you Monday?”

Alexis bit her lower lip to stop the trembling. “Yes,” she squeaked.

Don’t cry. You’re okay. Oh, how I wish Chris were here with me. Don’t be silly. You don’t even know Chris that well. Why would he come with you?