CHAPTER TEN
Rachel woke up in one of Tess and Logan’s spare bedrooms. It was still dark outside, but that was nothing unusual for this time of the year. The sun, when it remembered to peek its head out of the clouds, would be a welcome relief from the gloomy mornings and early evenings.
She wondered if that was why so many people strung Christmas lights around their properties. They brightened the streets, lightened people’s hearts, and brought smiles to most people’s faces.
The only lights she remembered from last night were the blow-up characters in John’s front yard. The drive back to his home hadn’t lightened her heart or made her smile.
After she’d left the hospital, Tanner had taken her back to John’s home to pack her bags and say goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Daniels. It had been a quick, tear-filled visit that made Rachel realize how much of an impact people could make in your life. She’d miss Mrs. Daniels’ baking, her wonderful sense of humor, and the joy she brought to John’s home.
But she couldn’t afford to dwell on what had happened. If she kept thinking about what was missing from her life, her heart would break all over again.
She squinted at the watch on her wrist and sighed. It wasn’t as early as she thought. She rolled out of bed, opened the suitcase that Tanner had carried inside for her and looked for some clean clothes.
After she’d had a shower, she went downstairs to see if Tanner had arrived. He was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee, and looking through the morning paper.
She smiled at her bodyguard. “Good morning. What time did you get here?”
“About five-thirty. The same time that Tess left for work. She said to come to the café for breakfast. She’ll cook a few extra pancakes for us.”
“Us?”
Tanner’s face moved into what could have been a smile. “There’s got to be some perks to the job.”
Rachel poured herself a cup of coffee. She almost felt sorry for Tanner. Making sure she didn’t hurt herself, get kidnapped, or even get killed, couldn’t have been the most satisfying job in the world. After yesterday, he definitely deserved a double stack of pancakes with all of the trimmings. “Do you know how Bella is this morning?”
“She’s doing okay. She left the hospital at eight o’clock last night and went straight to bed. Mrs. Daniels made her breakfast about two hours ago.” Tanner closed the paper. “She asked where you were.”
Rachel leaned against the kitchen counter. She swallowed the lump in her throat and took another sip of coffee. “Are you making that up?”
“Tank’s on duty. He wanted to know if you were okay with calling Bella when you woke up. She misses you.”
Rachel nodded. “I miss her, too. But I can’t call her. John wouldn’t want me to.”
“I guess that’s up to you, then.”
Rachel looked sharply at Tanner. “You wouldn’t be alluding to the fact that I’m a determined, independent woman, would you?”
“Who me, ma’am? I wouldn’t dream of it. A determined, independent woman wouldn’t worry about whether she was stepping on anyone’s toes. She’d be more worried about making sure an eight-year-old was happy.”
Rachel tipped the rest of her coffee down the sink. “That’s good, because I wouldn’t want you to think that I don’t care. I do care, more than anyone realizes. But if John found out that I’d called Bella, my name would be mud. He’d send the National Guard to keep me away from his daughter.”
Tanner stood up and rinsed his cup under the faucet. “The National Guard has got nothing on us. Fletcher Security employs the best of the best, and I’m telling you now, some rules are meant to be broken.”
Rachel pulled her cell phone out of her back pocket. “I hope you’re right,” she muttered. “If John finds out about this, he’ll complain to the school board. I’ll be dismissed, have no job to go back to, and end up living on the streets eating Tess’ leftovers.”
“Hell of a way to go, ma’am.” Tanner held her jacket toward her. “You don’t need your bag. I’ll bring you straight back here after breakfast.”
Rachel stopped dialing Bella’s number. “I’m on house arrest?”
“I wouldn’t put it in those terms exactly. As I said before, there are some rules that are made to be broken, and some that aren’t. Bringing you back here isn’t one of the rules I’m willing to break.” He held the back door open. “After you.”
Rachel pulled on her jacket. “You wouldn’t have negotiated an early release for breakfast because you want to eat Tess’ pancakes, would you?”
Tanner nodded at her cell phone. “I believe you have a phone call to make, Ms. McReedy.”
Rachel redialed Bella’s home number, hoping John was nowhere in sight. Tanner opened the back door and waved her through. She stayed where she was, waiting for someone to answer the phone. Tanner’s stomach could wait a few extra minutes before they left for the café.
Someone picked up the phone and said hello. “Tank? Is that you?”
“Rachel? How are you?”
“I’m fine. I’m staying with Tess and Logan. Tanner is here with me, but then you probably know that.” Rachel clamped her lips tight to stop from rambling. “Could I speak to Bella for a few minutes? I just want to make sure she’s okay.”
“Sure, she’s right here.”
Rachel waited a few seconds for Bella to speak.
“Rachel?”
“I’m here, Bella. How are you feeling?”
“I’m good. Dad’s gone into work early, but he’s coming home soon. We’re going to watch a movie and have popcorn and ice cream. Mrs. Daniels made bacon and eggs for breakfast and Miss Snuggles likes having me close.”
“It sounds like you’re having a great day.”
“It would be better with you here. Dad said that you’re starting your other job sooner than you thought.”
“It’s something like that,” Rachel said quietly. “Have a lovely day. I’ll see you at school in the new year.”
“But Santa is bringing a present to our house for you. I thought you’d be here on Christmas morning to help open our gifts.”
“Maybe you could keep Santa’s present safe and I’ll see you after Christmas? I’m going to see my mom and dad on Christmas morning.”
“Oh.”
Rachel heard the disappointment in Bella’s voice, but she couldn’t do anything about it. John wanted her to have no contact with his daughter. She even felt guilty about calling her this morning. “I’ve got to go now, Bella. Have a good day with your dad.”
“I will. Rachel?”
Rachel felt the weight of the words that Bella was about to say. “Yes?”
“I miss you.”
“I miss you, too. Have a great time.” Rachel disconnected the call, then looked at Tanner. “I guess this is what you call tough love?”
Tanner shook his head and reopened the back door. “No. What you call John’s decision is plain stupidity. Let’s go to Angel Wings Café before Tess’ breakfast deal expires. I don’t need two disappointments this early in the morning.”
Rachel followed Tanner outside. It would take more than her bodyguard’s charming personality and Tess’ pancakes to make her feel better.