The Detective’s Undoing

Chapter 10

Delia couldn’t afford to go to Los Angeles, not when she’d gone twice already and planned to go again for the custody hearing. But then Cade had shown up at the ranch with his shocking news.

Cade hadn’t just stumbled on the information regarding Scott’s financial situation. It’d taken a lot of digging, so while it ostensibly had nothing to do with Jacob, they could be certain Scott was up to something. She had no idea what, but if he owed so much and if Jacob’s inheritance was as big as Edna had led her to believe, Delia had a big problem.

First, Scott had never mentioned he wanted custody of Jacob. Why would he hide it from her? Since she’d come into the picture rather late, and for a long time there had been no one to take Jacob, it wouldn’t have been so odd for Scott to step forward. That he hadn’t seemed strange.

Second, and most disturbing, if Scott indeed managed to hide his financial trouble from the courts and won custody of Jacob, all her brother’s money would be in Scott’s control.

Coincidental? Maybe not. With all the possessiveness and protectiveness of a mother bear, she intended to watch out for her baby brother, no matter what.

In light of that, her poor credit card could take this last flight, or so she hoped, but it would certainly max out soon and she’d be left with nothing in case of emergency.

Which made her laugh. An emergency.

What else could happen?

“I paid for the tickets already,” Cade told her. It was morning and they were on their way to the airport.

Her sisters had offered her money, too, when neither of them could afford this any more than she could. The ranch was on its way to solvency, but they were still deeply in the red. They wouldn’t even begin to recoup until summer, when business should pick up.

“No.” Delia refused to be a charity case, as she had for most of her life. “No, thank you,” she said firmly, staring out the car window and watching the stark white landscape fly by. “I pay my own way.”

“It’s too late.” He spoke mildly, but there was steel in his voice. “I already arranged it.”

“Cade-”

“Let me do this, Delia.” His large hands flexed on the steering wheel and he flashed her a quick burning look before returning his gaze to the road. “It’s the least I can do.”

Why? she wondered.

Because he refused to give her what she really wanted, which had nothing to do with his wallet? The thought stopped her cold. All her life she’d told herself she wanted security. And all her life she’d told herself that meant a certain social status. Financial stability. She’d even joked about finding her prince.

But that made her a fortune hunter and no better than her own unsympathetic mother.

She hated that thought. She was like her own mother.

No, she reminded herself, she was finding that wasn’t true at all. She’d thought she wanted those things, but in the end, it had nothing to do with money. It was about security of the heart.

It was a hell of a time to realize that, when she wanted so much more than Cade could give. And knowing his past, she certainly couldn’t blame him for his inability to give it. He’d loved his wife and child with all his heart, and now that heart was broken, without room for more love.

And that was okay.

No, that was a lie, too, a painful one. She might have hidden a lot of truths from her sisters, but with herself she’d always been brutally honest. And what she wanted from Cade scared her to death.

Everything about him scared her to death, and because of that, she wanted to fight him on the money issue. She needed to fight him, but she was exhausted from their last run of guests and the lack of sleep she’d experienced from thinking too much. “I’m paying you back,” she said stubbornly.

Cade’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing until they were on the plane.

When they’d hit full altitude, he turned toward her, put his hands on either armrest so that she was caged in by him and leaned close. “How long are you going to pull this ‘I’m too strong to need you’ act?”

Her stomach fell, and it had nothing to do with the altitude. “I don’t need you.”

His response was a low obscenity. “You’re good to go, right, Delia? Strong enough to take on the world, screw those who care about you.”

“Cade-”

“How long until you break down and admit that this is all too much for one person to handle and that it’s okay to lean on someone?”

“Who would I lean on?” she asked in a polite voice so he wouldn’t know how deeply he’d cut. She was strong enough, damn him. She leveled him with a look that would have withered any other male. Not Cade, who just met her gaze evenly. Steadily. Patiently.

“Your sisters for starters,” he suggested.

With a huge sigh, she broke eye contact. “I can’t,” she mumbled, feeling the shame heat her face.

“Why the hell not?”

She studied the cloud formation.

“Delia.”

“Because.”

“Because why?”

“Because I lied to them about the trouble I might have getting custody, okay? I couldn’t stand the thought of failure or the fact that I’ve made nothing of my life, so much so that I couldn’t even get custody of my own brother.”

“Oh, Delia.” With a gentleness that nearly broke her, he forced her to look at him. “You aren’t looking at yourself very clearly if you honestly believe that.”

“You’re the one with rose-colored glasses here, Cade.”

“You’re the most amazing woman. I wish you could see you the way I do.”

Embarrassed, she scoffed and tried to look away, but he held her, and in his touch she found the oddest thing. Comfort. In his voice she found honesty and an affection that made her swallow hard. “How do you see me?”

“As a woman strong and capable, yet warm and full of passion for life. You’re incredible, Delia.”

She turned away, she had to, for he’d touched her deeply, and embarrassed her, too.

“No, listen to me,” he said urgently. “I know your life hasn’t been easy, you’ve certainly never been given any advantages, and yet look at you. By sheer grit and hard work, you’ve made a life for yourself and your sisters. You run a guest ranch, for God’s sake. You’re still in control, Delia. You can do this.”

“Can I?” she whispered.

“Yeah. Oh, yeah.” His voice was strong and sure. It was full of a pride that made her want to believe him just to prove herself worthy of his trust.

“Delia…what about me?” His gaze held hers, his fingers stroked her cheek. “During those times when you can’t always be strong, when you need someone, why can’t you come to me?”

“I think that’s pretty obvious, considering you’re the one who runs as fast as he can every time we get too close.”

The golden specks in his eyes danced with a sudden heat. “I’m not running now,” he whispered.

“Running now would be detrimental to your health,” she said, glancing outside. But damn him, she was breathless. Just one touch and she was leaning toward him, oblivious to the passengers around them, hoping, craving, nearly begging for his mouth to meet hers.

“Delia,” he said. Just that, just her name on a little sigh as he kissed her lightly. “I think I have a problem.” His mouth touched hers again. “You.”

That had her spine stiffening, even as her mouth tingled from his kiss. “I’m no one’s problem. And I’m not going to fall apart. I don’t ever fall apart.” Turning away, she stared out the window, watching her mountains vanish as she headed back to her city.

The man beside her remained silent as she watched her two worlds mesh.

They drove directly to Scott’s office, but Cade could think of little else other than Delia.

She was an enigma, cool, sophisticated, elegant. And yet much of that was just a front for the woman beneath, the woman he was beginning to know better than he’d ever intended.

She had a heart of gold, though she’d probably freeze him over with one hard gaze if he dared to tell her so. She was the strongest, most compassionate, most vulnerable woman he’d ever met.

And he wanted her with everything he had.

What a mess. He’d told himself he’d never again open up his heart, not after suffering the loss of his precious family for eight long years.

Eight long years.

But didn’t he, maybe just a little, deserve some happiness?

Delia didn’t say a word as they were ushered into Scott’s office.

He was on the phone when they entered, and though Scott didn’t seem pleased to see them, he hung up and smiled politely. “Hello.”

“You haven’t been honest with me,” Delia said calmly before Cade could speak. “You want custody of Jacob and you never told me.”

“Why should I have?” He folded his hands and watched her with unreadable eyes. “You showed up out of the blue wanting Jacob. I couldn’t be expected to trust that you were who you said you were.”

“I showed up out of the blue,” Delia responded, “because I didn’t know Jacob existed until Cade started researching my past for the Triple M. And once I did come into the picture, you knew exactly who I was. You had me checked out before you approved visitation with Jacob.”

“Checking you out is procedure.”

“And yet the question remains,” Cade said. “Why didn’t you mention you wanted custody?”

“It was never a secret,” Scott insisted. “Jacob is-was-completely alone. We didn’t even have Edna in the picture then. We just…” He shrugged. “We bonded in a very strong way right from the beginning. He needed someone and he liked me, even trusted me. I decided to petition for custody, because I saw no problem with my taking him.”

“But then you found Edna,” Cade said. “Did you rescind your request for custody then?”

“Yes, we found Edna, who was blood-related and was willing and able to handle both the boy and his financial situation.”

“So did you rescind the custody request?” Cade pressed, and Scott broke eye contact.

“No,” he said without further explanation.

“Does Edna know?”

“Look, all along we’ve known Edna’s just a temporary situation.”

Cade wasn’t buying that. “Because of her age?”

“Yes. She’d keep him, but it isn’t her first choice.”

“And your keeping Jacob had nothing to do with anything but your fondness for him?”

Scott’s eyes narrowed. “What are you getting at?”

“It’s just a question.”

“I don’t think I like the implication.”

“I haven’t implied anything. Yet. But there is the matter of your considerable debt,” Cade said.

Scott went still.

“Stock-market problems, Scott? Or maybe drugs?”

“I’ve never done drugs. I take care of children, for God’s sake,” Scott said furiously.

“Gambling, then?”

“That’s none of your business. I don’t know how you could have found out.”

“If I did, so will the court. You must realize you’ll be investigated if you’re going for custody.”

“I’m already approved for foster care-I have been for years. Again, this is none of your business.”

“No, but it’s Jacob’s,” Cade said. “He has a sizable inheritance.”

“That money is protected by his trust fund.”

“And accessible to Jacob’s guardian.”

Scott rose. “I’d like both of you to leave now.”

“I’m sure you would,” Cade said, rising, too, and reaching for Delia’s hand. He was shocked to feel it tremble before she turned up her palm to lock their fingers.

“This isn’t over,” she said to Scott.

“I think it is,” he replied.

“Have you turned in your report to the judge yet?” Cade asked.

Scott’s body couldn’t have gotten tenser. His phone rang but he ignored it. “No.”

Cade pulled Delia to the door. “Recommend Delia,” he suggested. “Edna’s only helping out of the goodness of her heart. There’s no reason for anyone else to take Jacob when his own sister wants him.”

“Unless that sister isn’t qualified.”

“I’m perfectly qualified,” Delia said proudly. “And don’t you dare throw the size of my bank account into my face, not ever again. You’re worse off than I am, and if I have to, I’ll make sure the judge knows it.”

She was glorious under pressure, Cade thought, watching her and experiencing feelings so strong he nearly staggered. No matter what life threw at her, she held up, when anyone else might have given up. “What’s it going to be, Scott?”

But the phone rang again, and Scott turned his back on them to answer it. Delia tugged Cade out of the office.

They didn’t speak until they were outside the tall building, standing on a small patch of grass in front of the parking lot, staring into the hot humid day.

“He’s not going to give up, is he?” Delia asked dully. She’d let go of Cade’s hand the moment they’d left Scott’s office, but he took it again now.

“We scared him,” he said. “I doubt he’ll dare mess with you now.”

“But what if he still looks better to the judge?”

The vulnerability she’d never really allowed him to see before shone through now, and it tugged at him hard. “We make sure the judge knows about his debts. Today. We send him the information we have on Scott and let Scott sink himself. Besides, by the custody-hearing date, I’m hoping we’ll have proof you’re the heir and you’ll have your sisters and Ty to back you up. Come on, honey, let’s go surprise Jacob and take him out for his favorite pizza.”

Delia went still at the endearment that had slipped so effortlessly off his tongue. She’d never liked it when a man called her such things. She’d never felt it honest, because in truth, she’d never allowed herself to be another man’s “honey” or anything remotely close.

But hearing Cade’s deep warm voice call her “honey,” well, it seemed another matter entirely. And without meaning to, she looked up at him with all of her heart in her eyes.

In response, he whispered her name as he softly touched her face, brushed her hair off her cheek.

“I’ve been trying to keep this simple between us,” she said. “And yet what I feel for you isn’t simple at all.” His gaze met hers and she smiled bemusedly. “I don’t want to feel it, you don’t want to feel it, either, so why won’t it just go away and leave us alone?”

His eyes were serious as he skimmed her jaw with one calloused palm. “I haven’t a clue. Come here, Delia.”

They were completely alone in the tiny park. Her eyes never left his as she did what he asked and stepped closer.

“This is one of the moments when maybe we could share strength. Sort of double it up. What do you think?”

“Why do you need to be strong? This is my problem, right?”

He shook his head. “No, you’re not alone, remember? Our problem. And I need your strength because just being with you makes me feel a bit weak. Help me out here, could you?”

He was teasing her, of course. He didn’t need her strength-he was strong enough for the both of them-but he thought he could help, he wanted to help, and suddenly she knew she was going to let him. Without hesitation she curled her arms around his neck at the same moment he wrapped his around her waist. Slowly they drifted closer and closer, till they were in an embrace that was as necessary as breathing.

“Damn, you feel good,” he whispered in her ear, and when she settled her hips against his, she felt him harden. Not thinking, only reacting to the bolt of heat spiraling through her, she pressed herself to him, eliciting a deep-throated groan that vibrated from his chest to hers.

“Am I sharing enough strength?” she asked shakily, trying to laugh off all this unbearable heat between them, because if she didn’t, she might drown in it.

He didn’t return the laugh, but nudged himself closer against her. She became lost in the feel of him, then the taste of him when he bent to take her mouth in a deep wet kiss that made her forget Jacob, forget Scott, forget that they were standing in a public place, locked in each other’s arms.

However, reality intruded a few seconds later when a car raced by them. And the reality was, they were two people who couldn’t seem to stay away from each other and yet were not able to let go of the demons of their past enough to be together.

For just a moment, a weak moment, pressed safe and warm against his lean muscular body, Delia couldn’t remember why he couldn’t be “the One,” and she thought maybe, just maybe, he’d forgotten why she couldn’t be, too.

He broke off the kiss and let out a groan, dropping his forehead to hers as his chest jerked with his ragged breathing. “The more you share, the weaker I get,” he muttered in her ear.

The power of that, of making this incredible male tremble, went straight to her head. She couldn’t hold back her satisfied little smile, and he had to return it.

“In fact,” he said, his voice still rough with desire, “if you share any more, I am going to drop right here on the ground. We’d better go.” But he took another second to slide his big hands down her spine to briefly cup her bottom. “Before I forget that we’re standing out in public and drag you down to that bench over there.”

Because she couldn’t help herself, she gave one last arch toward him, watching his eyes darken all the more. “Oh, that helps,” he muttered. “Delia-”

“I know.” Suddenly cold, she pulled away. She’d nearly forgotten that he didn’t want this between them.

Ignoring the heartache, she walked away from him and got into the car.