Tempting (25 page)

She reminded herself that people like that were stupid and had their own problems. Dani wasn't going to sweat it. She would simply get Bailey out of here and they would go somewhere else.

Once Bailey was dressed and the awful gown was on the hanger, Dani led her out of the store.

“So, I'm thinking we need some fuel to help with our search,” Dani said. “How about a snack?”

“Pretzels?” Bailey asked hopefully.

“Pretzels it is.”

They went to the Auntie Anne's stand and each got a pretzel with a drink, then sat on a bench and ate. Dani listened to Bailey talk about her school.

“I like reading better than math,” Bailey told her. “Sometimes Alex comes over and helps me with my math. You know I'm in special classes, but I'm doing really well.”

“I'll bet you are. You study hard.”

“I do.” Bailey smiled and tucked a long, red curl behind her ear. “I'm glad you're my sister. Mom explained about how we're sisters now.”

“I'm glad, too,” Dani said. “I have three brothers, which means they're part of your family, too, right? Or are they. I can't keep it straight.”

“I can't, either.”

Bailey snuggled close and leaned her head on Dani's shoulder. “You're nice. Fiona was never nice.” She looked at Dani and covered her mouth. “I shouldn't say that.”

“It's okay. I won't tell anyone you did.”

“Good.” Bailey rested her head on her shoulder again. “She said mean stuff to me. Not when Alex was around. Sometimes she scared me. But I didn't want to say anything.”

What a bitch, Dani thought, furious with the other woman. What on earth could Alex have seen in her? To think he knew she cheated on him and he went back to her.

Dani's stomach twisted at the thought. She wanted to tell herself to give him the benefit of the doubt—that there was a perfectly good explanation—but she couldn't. Not when Katherine had confirmed her worst fears. Once again her life was a nightmare.

Well, not all of it, she thought as she stroked Bailey's head. Having a new sister was nice. Today was nice. That was how she was going to get through the pain—one moment at a time.

They finished their pretzels and went into another store. Bailey found a pretty pale green dress that fit her perfectly. She turned back and forth in front of the mirror.

“I love it.”

“You look like a princess.”

“Really?” Bailey beamed.

“Uh-huh.”

Dani studied her. The dress was perfect—youthful without being childlike. The neckline was conservative, the bodice fitted, the skirt all floaty, and it twirled when Bailey spun.

“It's a perfect party dress,” Dani said. “Are you wearing your hair up?”

“I think so. Mom said she knew how to pin it up and everything.”

They paid for the dress, bought a pair of matching shoes and made their way back to the car. It was later than Dani expected, and already dark. She held the packages in one hand and Bailey with the other as she led the way to her car.

Suddenly three teenage boys stepped right in front of her.

“Well, what have we got here?” one of the boys asked. He was the tallest of the three, dressed in jeans, an oversize T-shirt with an open flannel shirt on top. He stared at Dani. “I know you.”

“You don't,” she said and started to move around them.

Only they stepped in front of her, blocking her way.

She stiffened, not sure what to do next. What did they want? They looked like regular suburban kids. Were they going to steal her purse? Hijack the car?

The kid on the left frowned. “You're right. I've seen her picture.”

“She's the chick in the paper. The one sleeping with her brother.” The guy on the left snickered. “You know. The daughter of that guy running for president.”

“Senator Canfield,” Bailey said. “He's my dad. Now leave us alone.”

The boys hooted. “Look, J.P., the retard has balls. You got balls, honey? Can you understand me?”

Concern for Bailey overwhelmed Dani's fear. She started moving toward the car.

“I'm not retarded,” Bailey said clearly, her head held high. “There's nothing wrong with me.”

“You look like there's something wrong with you.” The guy on the left grabbed Dani's arm. “Hey! Where do you think you're going?”

She jerked free. “To my car.”

“I don't think so. We're not done here.”

“Leave her alone,” Bailey said fiercely. “We're not afraid of you.”

Dani wanted to disagree. She was plenty afraid. Now that the boys were closer, she saw their eyes were dilated. Great—they were high on something. So she wasn't dealing with rational attackers. Not that any attacker was good.

She pushed the panic button on her key fob. Nothing happened. She must be too far from her car. If she could just get them closer, the loud noise might scare the kids away.

She pushed forward a few steps. The boys continued to crowd around. J.P. pushed between her and Bailey.

“People like you shouldn't be allowed to live,” he said, his face inches from Bailey's. “They should drown you at birth, like deformed kittens.”

“You're nothing but a butthead,” Bailey yelled and pushed him.

Dani turned to get between them, but the other two teens grabbed her arms. She twisted and squirmed but couldn't break free.

J.P. pushed back, his hands coming down on Bailey's chest.

“Whoa, lookee here. The retard's got some curves on her.” He reached for his belt. “Let's have a little fun with her. I'll go first.” He smiled at Bailey. “I'll bet you're still a virgin, aren't you? You're going to like what I do to you.”

Dani lost it. In that moment, it was as if she were possessed by a rage and need to protect she'd never experienced before.

“Get the fuck away from her,” she screamed.

She pulled free of her captors and started swinging her packages as if they were weapons. She shrieked as she cracked one of the kids in the head with the shoe box and kicked out at the second. J.P. swung toward her. His arm came up and before she could get out of the way, his right fist crashed into her face.

Pain exploded. The impact of the blow sent her spinning into a support pole where she hit her head hard. There was a bright light, a blurring of sound, then what looked like a car racing toward them.

“Help,” Dani said weakly as she collapsed to the cement floor. “We need…”

The world went black.

D
ANI WOKE UP
to find herself propped up against a pole in the parking garage. She knew exactly where she was and what had happened.

“Bailey,” she yelled.

The strange man holding a flashlight in front of her eyes smiled at her. “It's okay,” he said. “Bailey's good. Nothing happened to her. You're the one who got hit. You're gonna have a black eye.”

“Great,” Dani said, still looking for the teenager. Her face hurt, as did her head, but none of that mattered.

There were a dozen or so people milling around. Several EMT workers, police officers and a few shoppers being kept at a distance. Dani continued to search the crowd until she saw Katherine and a young woman she didn't recognize holding Bailey.

“She looks okay,” Dani breathed in relief.

“She's fine. Tough. Her mom said she was standing over you like a lioness, prepared to take on all those kids.”

“The boys got away, didn't they?” Dani asked, wanting them punished for what they'd tried to do to Bailey.

“They'll be caught. We have good descriptions. Bailey was paying attention.”

Katherine looked up and caught Dani's gaze. She said something to Bailey and the other woman, then hurried over.

“How is she?” she asked. “She hit her head.”

“Yes, ma'am. She looks good. We're going to transport her to the hospital to run a few tests, probably keep her overnight. But she's doing well right now. You want to sit with her a minute?”

“Yes. Of course.”

Despite her pale wool slacks, Katherine sank onto the cement and took one of Dani's hands in hers.

“My God,” she breathed, as tears filled her eyes. “How can I ever thank you?”

Dani sniffed. “Don't thank me. It's all my fault. Those damn boys recognized me from the paper. They started taunting me, then they noticed Bailey. They went after her. If they'd hurt her…”

Katherine reached out and wiped away tears Dani hadn't even felt fall. “If they'd hurt her, there would be no place on this earth for them to hide. Alex would hunt them down and kill them, then I'd dig up their bodies and do it all over again.”

She spoke so fiercely that Dani believed every word.

“It's not your fault,” Katherine continued. “Please don't think that.”

“But they—”

“Were assholes.” She smiled slightly. “Don't let the press know I can talk like that, but I can, if necessary. Little bastards.”

“She was so calm,” Dani said. “I was terrified, but Bailey stood up to them. You would have been so proud of her.”

“I am, and of you. You defended her.”

Dani touched her swollen cheek. “I didn't do a very good job.”

“You were amazing.” Katherine squeezed her hand. “I can never thank you enough.”

“Don't thank me. I swear, I feel so horrible about what happened. I was so scared for her.”

“You care about her.”

Dani nodded, then wished she hadn't as her head began to ache. “She's my sister.”

More tears filled Katherine's eyes. “I have been so horrible. I didn't…” She swallowed. “There's no excuse for what I did.”

Dani frowned. “I just hit my head and blacked out, which probably explains why I have no idea what you're talking about.”

“Did you see a car, just before you hit your head?”

She caught herself before she nodded again and said, “Yes.”

“It was me. Julie and I had plans for this afternoon. I made her come to the mall so I could spy on you.”

“What?” Dani knew she had brain damage for sure. Katherine couldn't have just said “spy.”

“I was so hurt and bitter and stupid. I wanted to be the one to take her dress shopping.” She covered her eyes with her free hand. “I'm so ashamed. I love her so much and I wanted that memory. In that moment, I saw you as the personification of everything wrong in my life. I lashed out.”

“You followed us?” Dani said, not sure she was keeping up. “I would never hurt her.”

“I know. I know. I'm so sorry. I was stupid and jealous and ridiculous. I just hurt. It was never about you—not really. I should have said something. I should have asked to come along.” Katherine lowered her hand. “I'm sorry.”

Dani stared at her. “Katherine, I would have loved to have you along. I admire you so much. There have been times…” She drew in a breath. “I've often wished you were my parent, not Mark.”

New tears fell down Katherine's face. “Oh, don't. I'm not who you think at all.”

“You saved us. I saw the car speeding toward us. You made those guys run away.”

“I saw you defending my child with your life,” Katherine said. “I can never repay you for that. Especially because of what I did before.” She paused and looked away for a few seconds. “When you asked me about Fiona and Alex…If it was possible for them to still be together? I lied. I was hurt and I wanted to lash out, so I did. They're not together, Dani. They haven't been since he left her.”

Dani pulled her hand free and pushed herself into a more upright position. She rubbed the side of her head, then winced when she touched the swelling in her face.

Facts and information swirled inside her fuzzy brain. They danced and came together like mismatched puzzle pieces. Nothing made sense except for the fact that once again, she'd hurt Katherine. And…

Wait a minute? Alex wasn't with Fiona? That was too much for her to take in. She went for the easier topic.

“I'm sorry I made things worse for you,” Dani whispered. “I keep doing that.”

Katherine made a sound that was part laugh, part sob. “Is that all you got from my confession? I was horrible. A disgusting human being. I lied.”

“You reacted. I understand that.”

“Oh, God. You're going to be sweet and understanding. Can't you please be angry with me? You could slap me. We could roll in a catfight like they did in those 1980s soaps.”

“My head hurts too much.”

Katherine leaned in and hugged her. “Dani, please forgive me.”

“I do.”

“It can't be that easy.”

“Maybe it is.”

“But I lied about Alex.”

“I don't understand what happened with him,” she admitted. “Fiona was so convincing and then when I accused him, he barely defended himself. It was almost like it was all true.”

“Or he was shocked you'd think that and disappointed you wouldn't trust him. Alex is a proud man, Dani. Honor is everything to him. He's worth fighting for.”

“He could have told me the truth,” she said, wishing her head would stop hurting.

“Didn't he?”

“Maybe.” She couldn't seem to remember anymore.

“I want to offer to help, but I think I've gotten involved a little too much lately.” She touched Dani's arm.

Alex wasn't with Fiona. Was that possible? So why hadn't he tried to convince her? Why had he just walked away? Okay, so he hadn't cheated, but obviously he wasn't willing to fight for what they had. Better that it was over now.

Only she didn't feel better. She felt a whole lot worse.

 

“I
'VE NEVER BEEN
in an ambulance before,” Bailey said from her place next to Dani. “I'm glad they didn't put on the siren. It would be really loud.”

Dani was glad, too. The noise would probably finish her off.

“Are you okay?” Bailey asked. “You're real pale and your eye is all swollen. I can't believe you were in a fight.”

“Me, either. My brothers are never going to stop teasing me about it.”

“They'll be glad you're okay. I'm glad, too.”

Dani reached out and grabbed Bailey's hand. “You were so brave. The EMT guy told me how you stood over me and kept those boys away.”

“I wasn't going to let them hurt either of us.”

Dani smiled at her. “I'm proud to have you as my sister.”

Bailey beamed, then rested her head on Dani's chest. “Me, too. I love you, Dani.”

Dani's throat tightened. “I love you, too.” She stroked Bailey's hair. “You're not going to let this ruin anything, are you? I mean about the dress and the dance.”

Bailey straightened. “I'm still going to the dance. I have a pretty dress and Mom is going to put my hair up. She said I could borrow some earrings, too. Do you think I'll be as pretty as her?”

Dani thought about Katherine's confession at feeling left out of her daughter's life. She wished the other woman were here to hear what Bailey was saying.

“I think you should ask her to make you as pretty as her. I think she'd like that.”

Bailey nodded. “Mom's the best.”

“I agree.”

 

“T
HERE ARE TOO MANY
visitors,” the nurse said sternly. “There is a limit to the number of people in a room at any one time.”

Reid walked over to the fifty-something woman and smiled. “But she's our family. We'll be real quiet and if the fire marshal shows up, we'll hide under the bed. How's that?”

Dani watched Reid Buchanan work his magic. The nurse glared at him for about two more seconds, then relaxed.

“All right, but you
do
have to be quiet. If my boss finds out…”

“Never,” Reid promised.

“Amazing,” Dani breathed.

“I agree,” Lori said as she casually checked Dani's pulse. “He's the master. I just stand back and watch.” Lori spoke with the confidence of a woman who was well loved. She released Dani's wrist. “You'll live.”

“Was there a doubt?”

“No, but I wanted to be sure for myself.”

Lori moved next to Reid—a bit of a trick in the crowded hospital room. The whole family was there, including Gloria, along with Katherine and several of her children. Only Mark, Alex and the three youngest Canfields were missing.

“Hi, I'm Julie.”

Dani glanced at the beautiful, petite young woman who had moved next to the bed. She had long, wavy dark hair and skin the color of coffee.

Dani smiled. “Second oldest, you're in college. Do I have that right?”

“You do. I'm sorry we haven't met before. I've been hearing good things about you. It was fun reading about my brother's sex life in the newspaper. I'm going to be able to hold that over him for the rest of his life.”

Dani winced. “I like your attitude. I need a little of that myself. I still want to crawl under a rock when I think about it.”

“You can't let the bastards get you down. I don't.” Julie pointed at Gloria. “Is that your grandmother?”

“Yes.”

“She's a tough old bird. I've read about her. She built an empire from nothing. I'm doing a paper on powerful women for one of my classes. You think she'd let me interview her?”

“I think she'd be flattered.”

“Cool. Nice to meet you. I hope you feel better.”

Julie made her way to where Gloria was talking with Katherine.

Dani rested her head on her pillow. Walker came over and kissed her forehead.

“I talked to one of the cops. They've caught all three kids. They'll be charged. One of the advantages of having a senator in the family.”

“Good thing, otherwise you'd have to kill them.”

He stared at her. “I wouldn't have killed them.”

She knew her brother. “You would have gotten damn close.”

“You're my sister.”

She was getting a lot of that lately. A lot of connection, a lot of caring. Katherine was hovering, probably in an attempt to make up for lying about Fiona. When they were next alone Dani was going to tell her she meant what she said—she understood and forgave. She was more upset with Alex's reaction. Why hadn't he pushed back harder? Why had he let her go so easily?

 

T
HREE HOURS LATER
she still didn't have the answers to her questions, but at least she could wonder in silence. The nurses had finally shoved everyone out so Dani could rest. She'd just closed her eyes, prepared to finally go to sleep, when she heard someone walk into the room.

She opened her eyes and saw Alex standing by her bed.

The only light came from the hallway, so his face was in shadow. She couldn't tell what he was thinking but she was glad he was here. More than glad. It had to mean something, right? He hadn't just stayed away.

She was spineless where he was concerned, she thought. Spineless and weak and desperately in love.