RaleighPointRescueSue (11 page)

Erin smiled in agreement, and then wiped her face quickly.

Lisa grinned.
Baby steps.

They got out of the minivan, and the guys tugged at the
girls’ cases. Erin held Molly’s hand tightly as she defiantly grabbed her case
from Riley.

“Here, I can get that.” Alex stepped forward and calmly took
the case off Erin. Erin just let him. “I’m Alex.” He nodded over to Jamie.
“That’s Jamie. When you’re settled tomorrow, I can show you around.” He calmly
walked and held the door open for Erin, Molly, and Lisa.

Lisa and Cassie very quickly got the girls in and upstairs.
Alex appeared shortly with a mountain of sandwiches, grinned at Erin, and then
quickly left them to it.

Cassie calmly got them unpacked, giving them a brief rundown
of everyone who lived here and quite successfully managed to get Erin involved
in where their stuff would go. Soon, Erin was darting in and out of the bathroom,
smiling as Cassie had brought Codie with them, and he was happily bouncing and
laughing in the baby seat with them.

Lisa leaned back on one of the easy chairs in the room and
looked around. She hadn’t been down this side of the house where all the kids’
bedrooms were before. The upstairs was like a big V shape. Cassie’s room was at
the middle point, next to her mom’s, and the corridor to the left had all the
kids’ rooms and a couple of large bathrooms. Erin and Molly’s room had its own
bathroom though, and Lisa was glad the girls had that privacy.

She knew bathroom privileges were a strictly controlled area
in every group home she’d lived in, and this would be luxury for them.

Lisa stared at the high ceilings. The room was pink.
Very pink.
Obviously, it had housed girls before, and she
noticed the shelf next to the older TV and DVD recorder had
Pony Tales.
Very good.

Feeling a bit wrung out from the journey, she was happy to
leave Cassie and Erin to the unpacking. Lost in her musings, she was surprised
when a little, soft hand touched her arm.

Blinking Molly had properly woken up and was staring at
Lisa, big green eyes taking everything in and her thumb firmly in her mouth.

“Hi, Molly.
Do you want to look out
the window?” Lisa put her hand out in encouragement, and her breath caught as a
little hand slipped into hers. Gently, Lisa helped her stand on the bench seat
that wound the length of the large window so she could see out. Jamie, Alex,
and Zack were running around the makeshift court below. Jamie got the ball off
Alex, with a bit of help. Zack picked him up under his arms and sat him on his
shoulders. At that height, Jamie merely had to push the ball into the basket,
and then Zack roared and did a victory lap as Jamie clapped and cheered.

A giggle broke from Molly, and the room suddenly went still.
Erin shot over to her, and open-mouthed, stared at Lisa.

Lisa shook her head softly at Erin to try and warn her not
to make a fuss. Erin nodded and stood gazing at the guys’ antics. Lisa held on
tight to the little hand still in hers. It was all good. For the first time in
twenty years, she felt like she was doing something good.

Chapter Eleven

Lisa woke the next morning quite late. She’d been too tired
to speak to Mac much last night, before falling into bed herself. By the time
the girls were asleep, she was so wrung out, and she’d barely had the energy to
brush him a chaste kiss.

By the time she’d taken a quick shower, she was descending
the stairs as Alex and Jamie were leaving for school. There were a lot of
voices in the kitchen, and she could hear Mac laugh. Her pulse skipped in
response and a wave of heat washed over her. Lisa pushed the kitchen door open
and came to a forced stop.

What looked like a supermodel was currently trying to drape
herself all over Mac, and he didn’t look like he was trying to stop it.

Everyone went a little quiet when she walked in, and Mac
jumped up to come to Lisa, to be beaten by the woman. Casual long legs in
skinny jeans brought the blonde toward her. Lisa stared at flawless skin and
green almond eyes. Red pouty lips were framed by silky blonde hair, and she
strutted toward her like she was doing the runway in Milan. Lisa hated her on
sight.

The pouty lips broke on a half-smile. “So you’re Mac’s
latest rescue. I’m Agent
LeClare
, Miranda.” She held
her hand out and immediately dropped it as if Lisa was contagious. Without
waiting for Lisa’s reply, she turned and sat back next to Mac, shaking her head
slightly and placing her hand on his arm. “Softy,” she murmured.

Lisa wanted to rip her arm off.

Mac stood up again, when Riley came in with the phone and
handed it to Mac.
“Possible placement.”

Mac nodded and shooting Lisa an apologetic look, walked out
of the kitchen with the phone to his ear. Cassie shooed Erin and Molly out,
saying she wanted to go through their wardrobes. Zack laughed and hugged Codie
saying he had a diaper to see to. Riley’s phone rang then, and he took himself
to the corner of the kitchen to answer it.

Lisa nibbled on some toast that tasted like cardboard and
wished to be anywhere but where she was at that moment in time.

“So this must be quite a shock to you.” Miranda waved her
hand around the kitchen. Lisa just nodded, not entirely sure whether she meant
getting released from the hospital and joining the real world
or finding out she was half-animal.
She
also wasn’t sure how much Miranda knew. Mac hadn’t mentioned her yesterday.
“So, what are your long-term plans?” Miranda laughed and it grated. “I mean
Raleigh Point is for children.”

Well, yeah, why not
make it a bit more obvious, why don’t you?

“Dieting?” Miranda nodded sympathetically to the toast,
seemed unconcerned that Lisa hadn’t answered her, and raked pitying eyes over
Lisa’s ample curves. “It’ll get easier if you get more disciplined. I do Pilates
and have an amazing personal trainer. In fact, Mac introduced us.” She laughed
and smoothed one hand down her hip suggestively. “He has very exacting fitness
standards.”

Lisa managed to not launch herself at the skinny cow, just.
Not only because she had no idea how much this woman knew about Mac’s family,
but because she thought attacking an F.B.I. agent might not be a good move.

“So,” she carried on, her voice dripping with sarcasm,
“you’re one of Mac’s latest waifs and strays?”

Lisa saw red.

Mac appeared at her side just in time to forcibly grab
Lisa’s hands and push her down next to him.
Which was just as
well.
Lisa was ready to go for Miranda’s throat.

Miranda’s eyes opened wide along with her mouth. Mac
interrupted forcibly.

“So, are you thinking a new kid’s been taken?”

Miranda looked surprised and zeroed in on Lisa. “I don’t
suppose Mac has told you about the work he does for the agency?” She laughed as
if the very idea was ridiculous.

Lisa eyed her coolly. Mac released his death grip on her
hands.
“Finding missing kids?”

Miranda’s eyebrows rose as if Lisa had scored a point. Then
she regrouped.

“Yes, Mac is one of our most trusted assets. We’re very
lucky to have him.” The unspoken,
I’m
very lucky to have him
, was apparent.

Lisa wasn’t sure she cared at that point. Mac was drawing
lazy circles on her hip with his finger. She knew he was trying to distract her
from wanting to rip Miranda’s throat out. She smiled and snuggled into him.
Distaste registered on Miranda’s face. Lisa tipped her head back on Mac’s
chest. Were they sure she was a wolf? At that moment, she felt like a cat.
Lazily, she sheathed her claws. She heard the answering rumble in Mac’s chest.
He knew what she was doing.

Miranda took it in and turned her gaze to Mac “We really
need to get going.”

Mac gazed at Lisa intently. “Miranda works on the team that
handles suspected child trafficking. We’ve got information about a recent
runaway. We need to go see the foster mom.”

Lisa nodded.
“How old?”

“Nine. The bus driver swears he dropped him off at the
regular spot yesterday, but he’s not made it home.”

“It’s important. You go do what you need to do.”

“Zack and Riley have to go see a new client for a security
contract.” He still hesitated.

Miranda trilled. “I’m sure you don’t need to worry, Mac.
Cassie’s going to be
baby-sitting
your new arrivals.”

Lisa tore her eyes from Mac’s intent gaze. He seemed to be
quite oblivious to the hidden insult. It had sounded like Miranda had meant the
girls, but Lisa had heard herself being included in Miranda’s derisive tone.
She fixed a look back on Mac and inched even closer. “It’s okay.”

Mac still gazed at her. “I know the problem’s been taken
care of,” he added, “but I’d be happier if you stayed in the house today.”

She nodded. So Miranda clearly didn’t know that much then.
Good.

Lisa felt buzzed she had so much
energy,
and she looked at Mac longingly. Riley was laughing down the phone, but he
paused and glanced at Lisa. Zack came back in and shouted at him to get his ass
moving, and he chuckled back and followed Zack out.

Both guys left in a flurry of goodbyes. They’d be gone most
of the day.

Mac stood and let go of Lisa’s hands. He grabbed the file he
needed and headed to the door.

Miranda was all over him again. Every time he moved to get
nearer Lisa, she dropped a comment about the child that had Mac turning to her,
or she placed a hand on his arm to get his attention. The familiar gesture
tugged at Lisa’s insides and hurt. By the time Mac had his papers and was ready
to go, Lisa wanted to scream. She was ready to crawl out of her skin and into
his.

Mac snaked a hand around her waist as he stood at the door.
She leaned into him immediately and rubbed herself all over him. She wanted her
scent on Mac today, not some two hundred dollar perfume belonging to someone
else.

Erin clattered down the stairs and disappeared into the
kitchen. Mac withdrew, flushing slightly. Lisa nearly scowled, then cursed
herself quietly. God what was she doing?
Scent?
What
was she, an animal? Wry humor had her smiling.
Get a hold of yourself girl.

“I’ll be fine. We’re going to have a quiet day.”

Mac nodded to Miranda. “You go in your car. I’ll meet you
there.” He waited calmly while she pouted and got in her car.

“I’m sorry. I have to do this. I know the rogue is gone, but
I’d be happier if Zack or Riley weren’t going out too.” Mac seemed to struggle
with himself. “I just want you safe. I know I’m being over-protective, but
please, just for me, stay inside today, huh?

“You don’t have to worry.” Lisa looked at him longingly, and
tried to school her features into something resembling calm.

They were going to have a boring, quiet day.

* * * *

It was ridiculous. Lisa jumped up to look through the window
again. She understood why all the forms had to be filled in for the girls, but
Cassie seemed to be taking ages over each and every check mark. Erin was
enthralled with Codie, who was gnawing at a baby toy, and Molly was glued to
the television.

She tried not to think about Mac. Well, no. She tried not to
think about Mac and Miranda. She was beautiful. Lisa caught her bottom lip and
sat heavily. Tears pricked. There was no way he wouldn’t be attracted to her.
She pulled at her plain T-shirt. It wasn’t even her T-shirt. She was a
waif and stray.

God, it was warm in here. Sheesh, didn’t they have any air
conditioning in this house? Lisa pulled at her T-shirt again and fanned
herself.

Cassie glanced at her. “You can’t possibly be too warm.
The thermostats only at seventy.”

Lisa tried to smile, but couldn’t help feeling
annoyed
. She should know if she was warm. For God’s sake,
Cassie was treating her like she was one of the kids now. She went to the
window. Erin had left Codie in his baby seat and was looking out longingly.
I hear you.

“The guys want us to stay inside today, but maybe we can go
exploring when Mac gets back?”

Erin nodded agreement. “Does Alex go to a normal school?”

Lisa tried to not look surprised at the question. She
remembered Erin instantly giving up her suitcase to him yesterday.

“I think so.” Lisa knew Jamie went to the reservation one.
Cassie had told her they had a mutually beneficial privacy arrangement. That,
and the fact Riley sorted out their I.T. “Would you like to?”

Erin looked at the floor. “Molly’s not ready for that. I’ll
go wherever she is.”

“Where did Molly used to go?”

“After Mom and Dad died, she was home schooled mostly,
depending on where she was.”

“What about you?”

“I go wherever she does.” Erin glared, daring Lisa to
challenge.

“I’m sure that’ll be fine. No one’s interested in making
things harder for you.”

Erin nodded and looked satisfied.

Lisa fidgeted. She felt uncomfortable when the subject of
school was brought up. God, what if Erin had asked her where she went to
school? Embarrassment washed over her. No one had mentioned anything, but what
would Mac say when he knew she didn’t even graduate high school? She sat on the
window seat and thought furiously. She knew she’d had episodes at the hospital
where she’d had a tutor. She remembered that, but they were few and far between.
God, she was so stupid. She pulled at her T-shirt as another wave of heat hit
her. Why her? What on earth did Mac see in her? She was stupid, stupid and fat.
She jumped up.

“You’re not to go outside,” Cassie said earnestly.

“Yeah, we know, Mom.” Lisa forced the words out, trying to
add a little humor and failing miserably. What was wrong with her?

Cassie’s eyes
narrowed,
and she
picked Codie up who was starting to fuss. “I have to feed him. The bottle’s
downstairs.”

“I’ll get it for you.”
Lisa jumped up, glad
of something to do.

“Why don’t we all go?” Cassie replied brightly.

Whoopee. Now, I’m not
allowed to go to the kitchen on my own.
She chewed her lip and took a deep
breath. Lisa pulled at her T-shirt again. Water was in the kitchen at least.
Yeah, water was a good idea.

“Why aren’t we allowed outside?” Erin asked as they all
trooped out the bedroom.

Lisa smiled. “Well—”

Cassie interrupted.
“Because it’s not a
good idea without the guys.”

Oh yeah, great idea. Tell a kid they can’t do something, and
they’ll want to all the more. “Cassie, I think—”

“Riley’s orders.”

“Yes, but—”

Cassie rounded on her and whispered. “You know it’s not
safe. Why are you encouraging them?”

Lisa opened her mouth, shocked, her voice rising. “I wasn’t.
I was just saying—”

“Lisa, you’re supposed to be helping me.”

Lisa’s mouth thinned. If she’d just let her get a word in.
“I’m trying to help. You’re not letting me get a word in.”

They both heard a soft sob.

Lisa whirled around. Molly’s eyes were swimming, and her
thumb was clamped in.
Hell.
Molly had
heard them arguing. She didn’t even have to be a shifter to hear them. Erin glowered,
and shame burned through Lisa. She suddenly remembered Mrs. Kelly,
Molly’s really sensitive to
emotions,
least little thing sets her off.
God, could she
be more useless if she tried?

“I’ll be upstairs,” Lisa said quietly and turned. The girls
would be better off with Cassie. At least, she wouldn’t raise her voice or lose
her temper.

Lisa trudged upstairs. Hot waves seemed to roll through her,
and she fisted her hands. She was useless. Couldn’t even control
herself
in front of little kids.

She flung herself on the bed. Doubts crept into her mind
again. If she couldn’t control herself here, how could she stay? Would Mac even
want her to stay? What if she was too much trouble?
Too much
trouble and fat?
Misery warred with anger, when she heard a cry from
downstairs.

Shooting off the bed, taking the steps two at a time, she
burst through the kitchen door to see a distressed Cassie trying to balance a
crying Codie and punch numbers into her cell phone.

“What is it? Where are the girls? Where are they?”

Cassie sobbed. “I went to the fridge for Codie’s bottle, and
when I turned around, they’d disappeared out the door. This is
all my
fault,” Cassie wailed. “I can’t get hold of anybody.”

“No, Cassie.” Lisa grabbed her hands. “It’s my fault.”
Shit.
“Ring the guys in turn until
someone answers. I’m going after them. They’ll probably just have gone to the
court where they were watching Zack earlier.”