parking lot.
She really hoped that her father wouldn’t find out how she’d been driving his pet car. It would be like Carson to tell him, just for spite.
Odd, though, she thought, how angry he’d been that she’d taken such chances. It was almost as if he was concerned about her. She laughed to herself. Sure. He was nursing a secret yen for her that he couldn’t control.
Not that he ever would ask her out or anything, but she had grave misgivings about him. He was known for his success with women, and she was soft where he was concerned. He could push her into something that he’d just brush off as insignificant, but her life would be shattered. She couldn’t let her helpless interest in him grow. Not even a little. She had to remember that he had no real respect for women and he didn’t seem capable of settling down with just one.
She pulled into her driveway and cut off the engine. It was a relief to be home. Just as she got out of the car she saw the black sedan drive by. He didn’t stop or wave. He just kept going. Her heart jumped up into her throat.
In spite of all the yelling, he’d shepherded her home and she hadn’t even noticed. She hated the warm feeling it gave her, knowing that.
CARLIE HAD HOPED that her father wouldn’t hear about her adventure. But when she got inside the house, he was waiting for her, his arms crossed over his chest.
“He lied,” she blurted out, blushing, the dress in its plastic bag hanging over one arm.
He blinked. “Excuse me?”
She hesitated. He might not know after all. She cocked her head. “Are you...angry about something?”
“Should I be?”
He made her feel guilty. She drew in a breath and moved toward him. “I was speeding. I’m sorry. Big Red can really run...”
“A hundred miles an hour,” he said, nodding. “You need special training to drive at those speeds safely, and you don’t have it,” he added patiently.
“I didn’t know it was Carson behind me,” she said heavily. “I thought it might be whoever still has me targeted.”
“I understand that. I gave him...well, a talking-to,” he amended. “It won’t happen again. But you keep your cell phone where you can get to it in a hurry, whatever you’re driving. Okay?”
“Okay, Dad,” she promised.
“Got the dress, did you?” he asked, and smiled.
“Yes! It’s beautiful! Green velvet. I’ll wear Mama’s pearls with it, the ones you brought her from Japan when you first started dating.”
He nodded. “They’re very special. I bought them in Tokyo,” he recalled, smiling. “She had the same skin tone that you inherited from her. Off-white pearls are just right for you.”
She frowned. “You buy them for a skin color?”
“I always did. Pearls come in many colors, and many prices. Those are Mikimoto pearls. An armed guard stands in the room with them.”
She lost a little color. “Maybe I should wear something else...”
“Nonsense. They need to be worn. That would be like getting a special dress and letting it hang in your closet for fear of spilling something on it. Life is what matters, child. Things are expendable.”
“Most things,” she agreed.
“I made supper, since I knew you were going to be late,” he said.
Her eyebrows arched. “That was sweet of you, Dad,” she said.
“It’s just a macaroni and cheese casserole. Your mother taught me how to do it when we were first married. I never forgot.”
“It’s one of my favorite dishes. Let me hang up my dress and I’ll be right down.”
“Sure.”
* * *
THE MEAL WAS DELICIOUS, even more so because she hadn’t had to cook it. She noticed her father’s somber expression.
“I’m really sorry about pushing Big Red,” she began.
He leaned back in his chair. “It’s not the car I was worried about.” His pale eyes were narrow and thoughtful. “It might not be a bad idea to send you over to Eb Scott and let one of his guys teach you the finer points of defensive driving. Just in case.”
Her heart jumped. “Dad, maybe there isn’t a real threat,” she said. “I mean, the guy who was afraid of what I remembered about him is dead.”
He nodded. “Yes, but there are things going on that you don’t know about.”
“You were talking to somebody on the phone who wanted you to come back. Come back where?” she asked bluntly.
He grimaced. “I used to work for the feds. Sort of. It was a long time ago.”
“Feds?” she repeated, trying to draw him out.
His chest rose and fell. “When you’re young, you think you can do anything, be anything. You don’t worry about consequences. You take the training and do the job. Nobody tells you that years down the line, you may have regrets.” He studied her oval face. “I was away when your mother got sick. What happened to you, because nobody was at home, was my fault. I should have been there.”
She glanced down. “They paid for it.”
“Not enough,” he said coldly, and his face was suddenly hard and merciless. “I don’t wish harm to anyone as a rule, but when your grandmother left the world, I didn’t shed a tear.”
Carlie managed a smile. “Me, neither. I guess he’s still around somewhere.”
“No. He died in a prison riot last year.”
“You didn’t say,” she faltered.
“I didn’t know. My former boss and I were making connections. We looked for anyone dangerous who knew you in the past. I had someone do some checking. I only found out yesterday.”
“It’s a relief, sort of,” she said heavily. She shook her head. “They were both crazy. She was the worst. My poor mother...”
He put his hand over hers and squeezed. “Mary was such a ray of light that nobody blamed her for what her mother did,” he reminded her.
“I know, but people have long memories in small towns.”
“You have your own spotless reputation,” he said gently. “Don’t worry about it.”
“I guess you’re right.” She laughed. “Robin hired a limo for us, can you believe it?”
“I like Robin,” he said. “I just wish he had more guts.”
“Now, now, we can’t all be real-life death knights with great swords.”
“You and that game. You do need to get out more.” He pursed his lips. “Maybe we need to organize some things for the young, single members of our church.”
“All four of us?” she mused.
He rolled his eyes.
“I like my life,” she declared. “Maybe it lacks excitement, but I’m happy. That should count for something, Dad.”
He laughed softly. “Okay. I see your point.”
* * *
THE CHIEF WAS UNHAPPY. He didn’t come out and say so, but he was on a short fuse and it was difficult to get anything out of him past one-syllable words.
“Sir, what about the new patrolman’s gear?” she asked gently. “You were