Page 8 of Heart in Waiting
“Did you need something?” Reese asked Dane. She wanted him to go away. Something about him unnerved her, and she didn’t want to decipher it yet. Her whole body hummed with an unnamable energy whenever he was around—almost as if she anticipated something thrilling to spark between them. She needed some space to figure it out, and he wasn’t giving her any.
Earlier, she’d practically accused him of being Halie’s father. He’d denied it, but they did have a similar look. She couldn’t help wondering about it; however, she never fully believed he’d hurt a child. Reese might not have ever known him well, but she had an idea of his character. He’d always been reserved and kind. Being a potentially abusive father didn’t fit with the person she’d known since they were in high school. “You don’t need to stay here if you don’t want to.”
“In that, you would be wrong,” he replied. “It’s my job to keep you safe.”
“Oh?” Lana lifted a brow. “Did I miss something?”
Drat.She shouldn’t have brought it up. “Nolan Pratt may have escaped...” For the thousandth time, she wished she’d never met that man.
“Does Ren know? He’ll want to talk to Dani—and the law firm—they all might be in danger...” Lana picked up her phone and started dialing. “And Claire...”
Reese had forgotten that her sister was beloved by so many. She should resent her for that. Claire was a good person though, and she could never hate her sister for anything. Reese had always had problems making friends, and that hadn’t really been Claire’s fault in any way. Sisters were easy to blame though, and Reese had made Claire her target on more than one occasion.
Still she was grown up enough to realize that doing it was wrong. She’d made her own decisions, and no one was to blame except her. Reese had to live with her choices and for the most part she didn’t have too many regrets. She’d focused on her career, and her personal life had fallen apart in the process. Maybe if she’d done more in that area of her life she wouldn’t have started dating Nolan to begin with.
She should never have listened to her mother about him. He’d been awful in high school, and that should have been an easy sign for her to follow. Her mother had convinced her that people changed, and she shouldn’t judge him by his teenage antics. Nolan had done the rest with his easy charm and handsome face.
“Easy,” Dane said as he rested a hand on Lana’s arm. “Carter is taking care of Claire. He’ll report back soon.”
Her dear brother had run off to warn their sister, and left Dane behind to look after her. All right, maybe she was a little bitter. It was entirely her fault for the way things were in her life, but she couldn’t help feeling a little left out. Claire and Carter had a strong bond. Sure, Carter loved her too and wanted to protect her; however, he didn’t call her and check on her or invite her to things like he did Claire. It was past time Reese took a long hard look at her life and decided what she really wanted.
“Oh good,” Lana said as she placed her phone down. “Ren didn’t answer. I forgot he was in surgery.”
“It’ll be fine,” Reese said. “I’m sure they’ll catch him soon and all this worry will be for nothing.” God, she hoped so.
“He’s a menace. If he goes after one of you again...”
Except he hadn’t gone after her last time—he’d been obsessed with Claire. The bastard probably dated Reese to rub it in her sister’s face. Something she didn’t quite get... He’d broken up with Claire to date her. Why would he do that and then stalk her? Did he regret that decision, or was it because he happened to be cracked in the head? Reese was going to drive herself nuts trying to figure out the motivations of an insane person. She should forget about it and move on.
“Matt won’t let anything happen to Claire. I bet he’ll make her move in with him now.” Lana’s lips tilted upward. “I helped him after his accident and Claire gave him hell. Do you think she’ll ever say yes and marry him?”
The sound of footsteps echoed through the hall. They all turned to see who headed toward them. All the talk about Nolan must have made them all a little jumpy. Carter stomped over and nodded at them. “Did I hear you talking about Matt and Claire?”
“Yeah,” Reese said, relieved it wasn’t Nolan—though she doubted he’d waltz up in plain sight. He’d be sneaky about it and take them all by surprise if he decided to show his face. “Is she all right?”
“They’re all fine. We’re having dinner at Mom’s house tonight.”
“Do we have to?” Her mother had been relentless since the whole Nolan fiasco. Reese had no desire to see her for any reason, and in fact, avoided her mother as much as possible. “She’s going to be awful.”
“But she has to know what’s going on. She might even be a potential target too.”
He was right. She hated it though and wished otherwise. “How did Claire take the news?”
She had to stop being selfish and think of the people in her life. If she wanted friends, and to one day fall in love, she had to get over herself. Everything wasn’t about her.
“Not well,” Carter said. “Matt’s arranging to take her out of town. They might even elope while they’re gone.”
“Did she say yes?” Lana clapped her hands excitedly. “I have to call her.”
Lana grabbed her phone and waddled away. So much for going with her and Jessica to lunch... It was probably for the best. With Nolan on the loose, she didn’t want to put other people in danger. There was always tomorrow to work on her people skills.
“They are going to be there tonight?”
“Yes,” Carter said, then turned to Dane. “I want you to come too. We need to plan how to keep Reese safe until Nolan is caught.”
“Count me in,” he replied and then grinned. “I know how much your mother loves me.”
Their mother hated him. She’d always thought him far beneath Nolan. Rachel Jackson couldn’t have been more wrong. They might share a similar gene pool, but Dane Hunter was a far better man. Reese might have been blinded by Nolan’s golden charm, but she saw things much clearer now. Sure, she’d had a momentary lapse in judgment with both men; however, she hoped she’d gotten better at seeing people for who they really were. Dane wouldn’t hurt a child, but she wouldn’t put anything past Nolan.
“I’m going to need to go home to change at some point.” She sighed. “I still have to go on rounds. What time is this blasted dinner?”
“Go do you work,” Carter said. “I’ll be here to take you home when you’re ready.”
“I can’t ask you to stay that long...” She really hated that he felt the need to hang around and protect her. She wished he’d leave too and let her work without worrying about him.
“You didn’t,” he replied gruffly. “It’s my job, and you’re my sister. Don’t argue with me.”
“Fine,” she reluctantly agreed. Then spun on her heels to leave him to do whatever it was he had planned while she finished rounds. It would prove to be a long day, and an even longer night when it was all said and done. She didn’t have the strength or energy to argue with him. There were more important things she would save it for... Like perhaps taking a second look at Dane. She may have judged him too harshly in regards to Halie... He wasn’t the boogie man in her imagination, and she should try trusting someone, so why not him?
