Page 53 of Out of Time (Undaunted Courage #3)
“I have plenty of enthusiasm—but to tell you the truth, I planned to come back early Sunday anyway. I’d rather not leave Natalie on her own for too long. I’m also going to contact Paul and see if he’ll stop by Saturday.”
“Good idea. And now I need to get back to work.” He pulled slightly away and studied her. “You’ll be okay here by yourself?”
She nodded. “With Steven gone, there’s no danger anymore. I’ll be fine. I’m more worried about Natalie.”
“You may be surprised at how well she weathers this. She lived through polio and the challenges that brought, not to mention all the years she’s managed out here on her own. I expect she has deep reserves of strength and fortitude.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“She also has you for the next few weeks.”
“I’m glad for that.”
“So am I. May I suggest you take a nap this afternoon? You have to be exhausted.”
“I don’t typically sleep while the sun’s up, but I think I’ll make an exception today.”
After stealing one more quick kiss, he slipped through the door and struck off toward the path to the cave, where the emergency crew was waiting for Rod to arrive. They wouldn’t move the body until the coroner weighed in, though there were two witnesses who could testify to manner of death.
What a tragic end for such a young man, thanks to a host of bad choices.
Yet sorry as he was for Natalie, who would not only be grieving the death of her beloved cousin but also dealing with her disillusionment about the man she’d held in such high esteem, he couldn’t help but be relieved that at long last the mysterious happenings on this isolated property were over.
And at least there would be a happy ending for a family in Germany, soon destined to be reunited with a long-lost treasure that had been hidden for decades in a cave thousands of miles from where it belonged.
“I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE a place like this exists in the hinterland, as Jack would call it.” Cara took another bite of the luscious chocolate mousse she’d ordered on their first visit to this hidden gem too, during their first date two weeks ago.
“There are signs of civilization here and there.” Brad smiled at her over the rim of his coffee cup, as distractingly hot in his sport jacket and open-necked dress shirt as he was in his uniform.
Cara took a sip of her ice water.
Didn’t help her cool down.
Maybe discussing a serious topic would do the trick.
“So what’s the news you said you’d share about the case after dinner?”
“Do you really want to talk business in this romantic spot?” He waggled his eyebrows, the flickering votive candle in the center of the table casting a golden glow over his handsome face.
No, she did not want to talk business.
What she wanted to do was claim another one of the incredible kisses he’d been offering on a regular basis for the past two weeks.
But this wasn’t the place for that.
“To tell you the truth, I can think of another activity I’d enjoy more—but in the interest of decorum, a business discussion would be more prudent.”
“We’ll move on to the other activity later.” At his intimate wink, a delicious tingle of anticipation zipped through her. “I heard from the FBI this morning.”
She forced herself to refocus. “They located the owners of the jewels and the paintings?”
“Yes. The family was ecstatic to get the paintings back. Turns out the two small canvases are a Vermeer and a Rembrandt. Worth a fortune—though not on the black market. They were listed on two international databases for stolen collectibles. No reputable dealer would touch them, and buyers of less stellar character would have paid only a fraction of their value. Steven wouldn’t have profited much from them.
Certainly not enough to cover all his debts. ”
“So I guess he was going to rely on the jewels, probably broken down into loose stones. I doubt he could sell them intact if they were listed in the databases too.”
“They weren’t.”
Cara stopped eating her mousse, spoon poised halfway to her mouth. “Why not?”
“Here’s where the story gets interesting—and ironic.
After the war started, the owners knew the family jewels would be a target if their land was ever occupied by enemy soldiers.
They were afraid that hiding them wouldn’t be sufficient, be cause anyone looting the premises would expect to find jewels in such a magnificent setting.
If they didn’t, they’d tear the place apart searching for them, causing major damage to the ancestral home.
So the family had paste copies made, which they kept in a very visible cabinet in the master suite. That’s what Natalie’s uncle stole.”
Cara stared at him. Set her spoon down. “You mean Steven spent all those nights searching—and killed a man—for jewelry that was worth nothing?”
“Yes.”
“Wow.”
“I had the same reaction.”
“Have you told Natalie?”
“No. She’s had enough trauma planning Steven’s funeral and sorting out his affairs. I decided to wait a couple of weeks to pass on this news.”
“I concur with that decision.” Cara nodded her thanks at the waiter who topped off her coffee.
Stirred in a dash of cream to cut the blackness.
“On a happier note, she’s decided to proceed with plans to expand the guest cottage.
Paul’s been helping her get that rolling.
With the election over and his son bound for Washington, he’s had more time to spend with her.
I’m glad she has such a staunch friend.”
“Speaking of friends...” Brad reached across the table and captured her hand, his fingers warm and strong, his touch ratcheting up her pulse. “I don’t want to rush you, but I’m hoping the two of us are on the road to a much more serious relationship.”
“I’m hoping the same thing. And you’re not rushing me.”
One side of his mouth rose. “I’m glad to hear that. Because I talked with a realtor today about putting my house on the market.”
Cara blinked.
That had come out of nowhere—and it was a bit nerve- racking this early in their relationship. Hoping for a happy ending was fine, but not all such hopes came to fruition.
“Um ... do you think that’s premature? I mean, what if we fizzle?”
He hiked up the other side of his mouth, giving her a full-fledged smile.
“I don’t think that’s going to happen.” Then he grew more serious.
“But in all honesty, I’ve been toying for a while with the idea of selling the house.
There are too many memories there, and if I keep clinging to the past, I won’t ever have a future.
What I thought I’d do is rent an apartment as close to Cape as I can without leaving the county.
The commute will still be a challenge after you go back, but it will be much more manageable than from my house.
And fair warning—I plan to do a lot of commuting. ”
Joy bubbled up in her heart. Spilled over.
But before she got carried away, there was another issue they had to address.
“I like the sound of that. But what happens if we get more serious? That commute wouldn’t be tenable for either of us long term.”
He stroked his thumb over the back of her hand, causing a major disruption in her concentration. “Like I told you once, there are other jobs in law enforcement.”
“It doesn’t seem fair to ask you to give up your position as sheriff.”
“Law enforcement is law enforcement, and my career is more portable than yours. I’d rather be married to a beautiful, intelligent, articulate, kind, generous, and loving woman than to a job any day—no pressure intended.
” He tapped the edge of her mousse goblet as his eyes began to smolder. “Are you going to finish that?”
She picked up her spoon and dug into the sweet confection, the electricity in the air setting off a tingle in her fingertips. “Yes, but I’m a fast eater.”
“I’ll get the check.” He signaled to the waiter. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to proceed to the second dessert course.”
Cara made short work of her remaining mousse, and minutes later they were walking hand-in-hand out of the restaurant and into the chilly November night.
“The temperature’s dropped.” She angled sideways as a gust of wind whipped by.
“I have a fix for that.” He positioned himself to block the breeze, pulled her close, and wrapped her in his arms. “Warmer?”
“Much. Now only my lips are cold.” She lifted her head and rose on her tiptoes.
“I think I can fix that too.”
And so he did.
In a way that was far sweeter and much more delicious than her delectable chocolate mousse.