When the Bough Breaks (Rose Gardner Investigations #6) - Denise Grover Swank Page 0,115
loved with every fiber of his being even if she wasn’t his biological daughter. “She recognizes your voice,” I said. “Just like she recognizes mine.”
He smiled as he looked down at her. “I know all those baby books say so, but—”
“No,” I said softly. “I had a vision of her. She recognized my voice, even if she couldn’t understand what I was sayin’. She took comfort from hearin’ my voice. I know she takes comfort from hearin’ you too.”
Joe looked up at me with tears in his eyes. “You had a vision of her?”
I nodded.
Neely Kate slid off the bed. “It’s late, and I need to let y’all get home and get some rest. I’ll be over tomorrow, okay?”
“Promise me you’ll come,” I said. “I have no idea what I’m doin’ and Violet’s not here to help me.”
She took my hand in hers. “I promise. I don’t know either, so we’ll figure it out together.”
Hope was in a hospital gown, so Joe laid her gently on the bed and we undressed then redressed her in the onesie I’d packed in the bag, scared we were going to break her as we maneuvered her tiny arms and legs in and out of the sleeves and her leggings.
I laughed once we had the last button snapped. “I think that took us nearly ten minutes. We’re in trouble.”
He laughed too, so much happiness in his eyes, I was nearly blinded by it. “We’ll get faster. It just takes practice.”
Back at home, we put her in the travel bassinet in my room, and neither of us slept much because we both insisted on checking on her every half hour or so. She woke up twice to nurse, and Joe sat up with me, offering to get me a glass of water or Tylenol for the pain.
All three of us were sleeping the next morning when the doorbell woke us.
Joe bolted upright and checked his phone. “It’s Randy Miller.”
I heard him race down the stairs and open the door, and once I checked on Hope, miraculously still asleep, I shuffled down the hall, stiff and sore.
I heard Randy’s voice as I made my way down the stairs.
Both men glanced up when a stair creaked, and alarm washed over Joe’s face. “Rose, you probably shouldn’t be climbing up and down the stairs.”
“Dr. Newton said walkin’ is the best thing for me. It will help me from gettin’ stiff.” I offered the deputy a smile. “Good morning, Randy.”
“Good mornin’, Rose. Congratulations on your daughter.”
“Thank you. I’d introduce you, but she’s sleepin’.”
Joe greeted me at the bottom of the stairs and wrapped an arm around my back.
“Sorry if I woke you,” Randy said with a sheepish smile, “but I have news for Chief Deputy Simmons.” He gave Joe a questioning look. When Joe nodded, he continued, “We found Vera Pullman’s body a few miles south of where we found Calista and Pat.”
I gasped, and Joe’s hold on me tightened. I wasn’t surprised, but I still hated that she was dead. “What about her children?” I asked in a sudden panic. “She had a little boy and girl.”
Randy grimaced. “They were at Vera’s mother’s trailer. We found them when we went to tell her about her daughter.”
I nodded.
“There’s somethin’ else,” Randy said, then took a breath. “Mike turned up at the state police headquarters early this mornin’. He said he’d heard the kids had been found. The state police refuse to tell us much more.”
“Do you think he’s tryin’ to work out a deal?” I asked. “Carey Collard suggested Mike was about to turn state’s evidence. That Hardshaw had kidnapped the kids to coerce him into keeping quiet.”
“Turning state’s evidence seems likely,” Randy said. “He showed up with his attorney. Deanna Crawford.”
Joe frowned. “The state police might not be forthcomin’ with what he tells them.”
“But it affects us too,” I protested.
Joe shrugged. “It’s politics.” But he didn’t look happy about it.
“How’s Dermot?” I asked, scared I’d gotten him in trouble with the law.
“He gave his statement and we released him. He was protectin’ you when he shot Carey Collard.” Randy turned to Joe. “We got a warrant for the Collard property, but there was no evidence the kids had been there, and the kids couldn’t describe who took ’em.”
“So you didn’t arrest Gerard?” I asked, my stomach sinking.
“Not yet,” Randy said.
“That’s not a surprise,” Joe assured me. “The prosecutor’s buildin’ a solid case. And since Gerard Collard’s not a flight risk, it’s better to let him collect his evidence.”
The two of them talked for a few more minutes while I started a pot of coffee. The home phone rang, and I answered it with my heart in my throat when I saw Henryetta Animal Clinic on the caller ID.
“Rose,” Levi said when I answered the phone. “I wanted to give you an update.”
I leaned against a counter. “Okay.”
“Muffy’s doin’ great. She’s sitting up and her tail’s wagging. I’d like to keep her for the rest of the day, but she’ll be ready to go home tonight.”
“Thank you, Levi,” I said, closing my eyes in relief. “We’ll be out to pick her up later.”
“I hear congratulations are in order,” he said warmly.
“Word sure does travel fast.”
“Small towns. Should I be expecting Maeve or Neely Kate?”
“Yeah,” I said, “one of them will come get her.” I knew either one of them would be eager to pick her up. “Thanks, Levi.”
As I disconnected the call, I heard Joe and Randy tell each other goodbye. The sound of a door shutting, softly, confirmed he’d left, and I headed into the foyer to tell Joe about my conversation with Levi.
“That’s great news,” Joe said, beaming.
The baby started to cry, and Joe headed toward the stairs. “I’ll get her.”
I laughed. “You’re just lookin’ for an excuse to hold her.”
Pausing on the stairs, he grinned from ear to ear. “Guilty as charged.”
He bolted up the stairs and I followed, albeit much slower. The baby’s crying soon stopped, and when I reached the hall I found them in the nursery. Joe was holding Hope, showing off her new room to her. “I painted the walls, and your momma and Aunt Neely Kate painted the trees for you. I hope you like it, although you might be a little traumatized by them given where you made your entrance to the world.”
Joe must have sensed my presence, because he turned around to face me. “Just givin’ her the official tour.”
I leaned into the doorframe, smiling so wide my cheeks hurt. “I can see that.”
He walked over, holding the baby so tenderly, I thanked the heavens I had this man in my life to help me raise our daughter. But the vision I’d had, of James killing Joe, hung over my head. I knew I had to tell him. He had a right to know, even if it spoiled our happiness.
Was Joe’s death the deep sadness Neely Kate felt in her vision?
“Joe, there’s something I need to tell you.”
His smile faded. “Okay.”
“When I came to see you yesterday, I had a vision.”
He stopped in front of me with a frown. “What did you see?”
“Skeeter Malcolm. He was pointing a gun at you, and he accused you of stealing everything that was his. Then he shot you.”
He took a deep breath, then nodded. “Okay.”
“Okay? It’s not okay,” I said. “I can’t lose you.”
He lifted a hand to my face and gave me a tender kiss. “You won’t. I promise.”
“You can’t promise me that, Joe.”
He smiled with so much tenderness it stole my breath. “I’m not goin’ anywhere, Rose. I won’t leave you. But now that we know, we’ll be ready.”
We’d both be ready.
I’d fought my whole life to find the happiness I had now. I’d be damned if I would let Skeeter Malcolm steal it from me. James had had his chance, and he’d thrown it away for money and power. But Joe had been there through thick and thin. I could count on him to love and protect us. The only thing I could count on from James was heartache and misery.
I was done accepting heartache and misery. I was choosing joy.
And God help the man who tried to take it from me.