Protecting the Single Mom Read online

Trent put his teacup on the end table and said, “Cate is being stalked by a dangerous, possibly murderous man. I want to protect her and Danny as best I can. Since your house is across from the station, I can keep an eye on them.”

  “That is serious,” Mrs. Beabots said. “Then why not put her in one of those protection programs you all have out in Nevada or Iowa or somewhere.”

  “Because we need to catch this guy. His power is growing by the day. If we can—” He flexed his hands.

  “Snare him,” Mrs. Beabots supplied. She looked at Cate. “And Cate is the bait.”

  “Yes,” Cate said. “We’re hoping it doesn’t get nasty, but you have to know there is a possibility.”

  “I see.”

  Mrs. Beabots was silent for a moment, and Cate was suddenly worried that perhaps her friend wouldn’t want her to stay. Maybe Brad and his criminal buddies would be too dangerous for her.

  Cate stood. “You know, this is too much to ask. Trent, we should never have come here. To involve Mrs. Beabots in my problems is—”

  Mrs. Beabots took Cate’s hand and pulled her back into her chair. “Nonsense, dear. You act as though I’ve never known danger. Nothing could be further from the truth. Believe me.” She turned to Trent. “But you aren’t here to investigate me, you’re here to help Cate and Danny.”

  “That’s right. I just got off the phone with Jack. He and I have made plans to move Sophie to his house tonight about six thirty. He tells me Sophie doesn’t have all that much to move.”

  “She doesn’t, poor thing. Always working. Never shops.” Mrs. Beabots shook her head. “Sad. Anyway, Trent, tell me everything. I need to know what we are up against. You said murder. He wants to kill Cate?”

  Cate put her hand on Trent’s sleeve. “I should tell her. It’s my mess.”

  “Cate, it’s not. You’re caught in a web,” he said, covering her hand with his and giving her a reassuring smile. “But you’re right. You should tell her.”

  Cate took a deep breath and a long sip of the bourbon-laced mint tea. “Trent has been trying to apprehend a big drug dealer for months. A few weeks ago, his team came very close, but the ring leader got away. That man was...is my ex-husband, Brad Kramer.”

  Mrs. Beabots folded her hands in her lap. “I thought your husband was dead. Apparently, he was just dead to you. Is that right?”

  “Yes,” Cate answered, feeling surprisingly lighter with each disclosure, as if she was finally doing the right thing. Unweaving her lies had often frightened her more than the idea that she might see Brad again. Having Mrs. Beabots on her side was monumentally important to her. She realized the elderly woman was the mother and grandmother figure in her life. Her heart expanded with the love she felt. She wondered if Mrs. Beabots could see it.

  “Go on, dear.”

  Cate told Mrs. Beabots everything she knew about her ex-husband. Her abusive marriage. Her flight to Indian Lake. Captain Redbeard and Julie taking her under her wing.

  “And they never introduced me to you until you were in real-estate school. I think it was during the Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes,” Mrs. Beabots interjected.

  “It was. Danny was just an infant. It seems a lifetime ago,” Cate murmured.

  Trent chimed in with statistics that had come from the Chicago police. “His gang is over two dozen strong and growing. The CPD is working with us.”

  “And, Trent, you believe that this Le Grande character will come after Cate?”

  “I hope to intercept him. That’s my plan. He knows where Cate lives. I’m not sure if he’s had enough time to find out where Danny goes to school. He should be busy trying to cover his tracks now. I’d hoped that his battles would be on Chicago turf, but in the event that he’s still as controlling as Cate remembers, there’s a chance that he would come here again. One thing is clear—she can’t go back to her house right now. We want to smoke him out, yes, absolutely, but only when we have Cate under tight surveillance.”

  He continued. “I’ve got two policewomen assigned to pack up clothes, toys and essentials that Cate will need for a couple days.”

  “I understand completely.” Mrs. Beabots nodded.

  “Would you allow my team to install surveillance cameras around the perimeter of your property? I’ve requisitioned them. What the department doesn’t pay for, I will.”

  “I can’t ask the police department to do that, young man,” Mrs. Beabots countered. “I’ll pay for it myself. I’ve thought for years it would be a good idea to have cameras. I’m not getting any younger. It’s been a long time since I took a self-defense course.” She raised her chin. “Have them get some of those timer lights, too. I’d like a few of those. Safety is quite a bit different today than it was in my day,” Mrs. Beabots said.

  “Oh?” Cate asked. “What did you use then?”

  “A Colt .45 1911 myself. Raymond preferred a Ruger.” She picked up her tea and took a long drink.

  * * *

  CATE HAD TO take Sarah into her confidence since she had to arrange for Danny to stay overnight with her, Luke and the kids while she and Trent helped Sophie move out and move Cate’s things in to Mrs. Beabots’s apartment.

  “You know I’ll do anything to help you and Danny, Cate,” Sarah said. “You don’t have to tell me everything. We trust you. You know that.”

  “I do. But there’s so much about me—my life—I’ve kept secret, and now my ex-husband is stalking us. You see, he’s a drug dealer, and it’s because of him that these gangs have been moving into Indian Lake. Now the local police and the Chicago force are trying to catch him. Can you believe it? My ex turns out to be public enemy number one.” Cate raked her fingers through her hair. “You have to know that it could be dangerous. And I don’t want anything to happen to the kids. So, after today, Trent will get Danny after school and take him to the police station if I’m at work. I’m so thankful it’s just across the street. Trent has promised that I’ll always have a surveillance car nearby. If Brad tries anything—even comes close—they’ll be there.”

  Sarah threw her arms around Cate and kissed her cheek. “Oh, honey. I had no idea this was going on. I can’t believe you’re still sane!”

  “Am I? I’m not sure.” Cate made a stab at humor.

  Suddenly, Cate realized how her deceptions were truly like a spiderweb, snaring her friends into possible danger.

  Through it all, Trent was strong and commanding. She’d thought men like him were characters in books. They weren’t real.

  “Trent is a good guy,” Sarah said. “Luke thinks the world of him. Since they were both in the military, they have a lot in common.”

  “That’s right. I forgot that. You’re lucky to have Luke.””

  “You’re a good friend to me. Don’t you worry about anything. We’re all here for you. If you need Miss Milse to babysit for Danny whether my kids are home or not, just let me know.”

  “Thanks, Sarah,” Cate said as two pickup trucks arrived. Luke pulled into Mrs. Beabots’s driveway instead of his own. Behind him was Jack in a rented truck. Luke waved at Sarah.

  “Hey, hon. I’ll be helping Jack and Trent. Can you bring me a ham sandwich?”

  Cate looked at Sarah disbelievingly. “He’s helping? How does he know?”

  “Trent, probably. You know Luke, Trent and Scott Abbott go to the firing range a couple Saturdays a month to keep up their skills.”

  “No,” Cate replied, looking over at Mrs. Beabots’s house as Trent drove up in his unmarked car. “I didn’t know.”

  “Come help me with the sandwiches and coffee I made for the guys. If they’re going to get this switch done tonight, we need to feed them.”

  Trent got out of his car. He waved to Cate. She waved back. Sophie and Mrs. Beabots came out the front door. Sophie raced down the steps and into Jack’s arms. Af
ter a joyful kiss, they rushed up the steps together.

  Trent walked to where Cate and Sarah were standing.

  “Everything okay?” He looked from Cate to Sarah.

  “Yeah, it’s fine,” Cate replied, unable or unwilling to take her eyes from his. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Go inside where no one can see you,” he said. He twisted around and scanned Maple Boulevard. “I love this street. I don’t want anyone to disturb it. Ever.”

  “Neither do I,” Cate replied.

  “Then go help Sophie pack. I want to get this part over as quickly as possible.”

  “All right.” Cate turned and hugged Sarah. “Thanks for everything, Sarah. I’ll be over in the morning to get Danny.”

  “Call me if you need me,” Sarah said. “Night, Trent.”

  “Good night, Sarah,” he said, taking Cate’s arm.

  They walked in silence across the yard. Silence didn’t bother Cate ordinarily, but now it thundered in her ears. “Are you mad at me?”

  “No.” He blew out a sigh. “Just tense, I guess. I saw you standing there, and all I could think was what a perfect target you made.”

  “I’m sorry. This is new to me in many ways. In some ways it’s not.”

  “I’ll bet.”

  They walked up the drive to the back steps, which led to the private entrance for the second-story apartment. Trent stopped Cate at the bottom of the steps. “I want to tell you that I think you’re very brave for doing this. You could have bolted like you did before.”

  “I thought about it.”

  “I’m sure you did,” he said, touching her cheek. “Why didn’t you?”

  “Because this is my home. I’ve put down roots, and I don’t want to see anything happen here if I can prevent it. Maybe we wouldn’t be in this position if I’d turned Brad in years ago. This time I’m standing up to him. If you and the police need me to rout him out, then I’m willing to do it as long as Danny is never in danger.”

  “I swear I’ll do everything—”

  She put her fingers over his soft, full lips. Ones she wanted to kiss. “Don’t promise. Nobody knows what’s going to happen. Brad is a cancer in this world. He needs to be surgically removed. I know that now.”

  Trent kissed her palm. “Like I said, you’re a very brave woman.”

  “I’m not that brave,” she whispered. “Because right now I’m terrified to be standing in the dark with you.”

  “I thought so,” he replied, and kissed her. It was a kiss like none other. Compelling, thrilling and comforting all at once. She felt heady, as though she’d had a glass of champagne. He drew her close to that iron-hard chest of his that told her she needn’t worry ever again. Trent could take care of her. But it was the feel of his tender lips against hers that caused shivers to race down her spine.

  She put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. If she could stay here, kissing Trent, she didn’t have to think about nightmares and a murderous ex-husband. At this moment, she lived another lie—that she was worthy of having a real love with a man like Trent.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CATE WAS ASTOUNDED at how many of her belongings the police had managed to move to her new apartment in a single night. Trent put together both her and Danny’s beds while Cate fitted them with sheets and pillows.

  There were two policewomen helping. Jordan Ames, whom Cate knew from her work with the symphony committee, was an amazingly talented violinist in the orchestra. Cate knew that Jordan had hoped to play in Chicago or New York, but her mother was ill and Jordan was her mother’s only support.

  Cate had met Nadia Sokolowski six years ago when she was still living with Captain Redbeard and Julie. Cate knew little about her except that she was close to thirty years old and had been born and raised in Indian Lake. She had no ambitions to live anywhere else. Nadia’s dream was to make detective like Trent.

  Nadia walked up with a huge box of inexpensive pots and glass pans. “I can put these in the cabinets for you.”

  “Gosh, you’ve both done so much already and it’s after midnight. I’ll do it tomorrow sometime.”

  “It’s no bother,” Nadia replied. “You’ll need these to make breakfast. I packed up nearly everything in your pantry, and Jordan has a cooler with everything from your refrigerator.”

  Cate was tired, but they all had to be exhausted. Trent had told her that their shift ended at midnight, but they were willing to stay on. “You guys have been great,” Cate said. “Seriously, you can call it a night.”

  Just then Jordan walked down the hall pulling a plastic cooler on rollers. “Thanks, Cate. I’ll put these things in the fridge for you, then I’ll take off.”

  Jordan was a very pretty woman with short blond hair and sparkling green eyes. Cate wondered where she got her energy. “Thank you, Jordan. Honestly, I don’t know how you both did so much so fast.”

  “I’m getting used to assignments like this,” Nadia groaned. “Instead of real work.”

  “I heard that,” Trent said, coming from the living area where he’d placed a box of books and the same aqua throw that Cate kept on her sofa. The sofa wasn’t here...yet. But the throw was. Interesting, she thought, that he’d ordered it packed for her.

  Cate watched as he gave orders to Jordan and Nadia. Jordan checked her watch and shifted her weight on her feet. Nadia stood stock-still, receiving his orders with intense scrutiny as if she were going into battle. Cate expected Nadia to salute him as she left, but she didn’t.

  “I’ll be going, as well,” Trent said, glancing around at the disarray. “I can help you tomorrow after work.”

  “It’s not necessary,” she said, yawning. “Sorry.”

  “We’re both tired. And yes, I will see what I can do about getting some of the larger pieces of furniture here for you, but it will have to be after dark.” He raised his eyebrow. “Okay?”

  “Yes. I understand.” She looked at him—the tower of strength. “Tomorrow.”

  His blue eyes delved into hers. Her heart was a jumble of terror about Brad, concern for Danny and anticipation about Trent’s role in her life. Was he just here to protect her? Did he consider her only as the bait to nab his perp? Or did he feel something else for her?

  “Good night, Cate.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said.

  “For?”

  “Kissing you.”

  “I thought I kissed you,” he said, moving closer, his face very close to hers.

  Placing his fingers under her chin, he lifted her face to his. It was late. Moonlight streamed in through half-bare October trees outside. He looked like a hero from a Gothic novel, dark, handsome and purposeful.

  That’s when she noticed it. The look in his eyes was withdrawn.

  She knew she wasn’t going to like what he was about to say.

  “I’m the one who should apologize, Cate. I was out of line. I’m a police officer and you’re my—”

  She held up her hand. “I know. I’m just your case. Once you have Brad, this...association will be over. Part of a record that you file.”

  “Yes. I’m sorry,” he said flatly.

  Cate wished she could erase emotions from her speech as easily as he did. She wondered if he’d learned that in the military. Or the police academy. Maybe she should take lessons. “Ten-four, or whatever it is you cops say.”

  “Good night, Cate,” he said again. “Good luck in the morning talking to Danny. I know that’s gonna be hard.”

  She forced her lips into a smile. She was practicing being stalwart. “Thanks.”

  Trent dashed down the hall to the stairs and was out the back door in record time. She heard the door slam. In anger? Or finality?

  Cate dragged herself to the bedroom where her bed was made up. “Thank go
odness.”

  She flopped on the bed and looked at the ceiling. She hadn’t noticed the ceiling fan before. She closed her eyes and was surprised to feel a tear slip out.

  It was just as she’d thought. She’d pushed Trent too far, and he wasn’t interested. At least he was honest with her—and all that mumbo-jumbo the shrinks said was good when trying to build a relationship. She didn’t care. Right now, she could do with a strong dose of illusion to get through these next days.

  Maybe that’s what Trent thought he was doing. She wasn’t falling for the real Trent. She hardly knew him.

  Just once, she’d like to experience a sweet romance. Dates, flowers, Ferris wheels and picking a song to be theirs, but that wasn’t Cate’s life. Her life could be cut short tomorrow or the next day by a vengeful ex-husband.

  She put her forearm over her eyes.

  Great. More tears.

  She knew it would be a long time before they stopped. Funny, she’d thought she was too tired to cry.

  And then she fell instantly asleep.

  * * *

  “MOM! WHAT ARE YOU doing here?” Danny asked as he sat in Sarah’s sunny kitchen next to Annie and Timmy, who were eating hot oatmeal and baked cinnamon apples laced with cream. Beau sat on his haunches at Timmy’s chair, waiting for the boy to slip him a bite.

  Sarah held up a spoon. “Cate, you want some? It’s my mother’s recipe.”

  Cate smiled. “No wonder they love it. All your mother’s dishes are delicious,” Cate said, glancing at the coffeemaker. “I will take a cup of that coffee instead.”

  “Coming up!” Sarah took a mug from the cupboard. “So, what are you doing here so early?”

  “I thought I’d drive the kids to school,” Cate replied.

  Danny frowned. “We were gonna walk today.”

  “Well, I like that,” Cate teased with a wide smile. “I didn’t see you all night, and now I want to spend a couple extra minutes with you and you’d rather be with Timmy. I get that. I’m sure he’s a lot more fun.”

  “Mom!” Danny said. “We put up Timmy’s tent in his room last night and pretended we were camping in Yosemite Forest.”