Forever Hers by Walters, Ednah (new ebook reader .TXT) 📗

“Oh, Leland, I’d prefer you give the police the number and tell them exactly what you saw, what the mowers said and their description.”

“You want me to go the police station right now?” He didn’t mask his reluctance.

“No, one will be coming here once I make this call. Stay inside and wait for her.”

Eddie’s call to Sally was brief. He took pictures of the evidence just in case and continued his search before slipping back inside the house, where Amy was telling Raelynn a story. Her words caught his attention.

“We were planning a big wedding when the bad men attacked. Your father was so brave. He died protecting you and me.”

“But I was in your tummy and he never saw me,” Raelynn said.

“He did. Remember the picture I showed you? The sonogram?”

Raelynn nodded.

“He saw it too.” Amy pressed her lips to Raelynn’s temple. “He loved you very much.”

“But the bad men hurt him.”

“Yes, they did.” Mother and daughter were silent then Amy added, “We will always remember him for his bravery and love.” Another silence. “Come on. It’s time for bed.”

She stood with Raelynn and left the living room without making eye contact with Eddie. In fact, she deliberately avoided looking his way, which made him wonder how much of what she’d told Raelynn was true. Amy didn’t seem like a dishonest person, but he’d met his share of women willing to lie to their children about why their daddies were abusive or incarcerated or dead. But lumping Amy with other women made him uneasy.

If Nolan wasn’t Raelynn’s father, it might explain his lack of conscience toward the child. Or maybe he had been jealous of Raelynn’s father. There was more to Amy’s story than a simple case of an abusive, crazed ex-husband.

Eddie got up to make her a drink. He’d noticed a coffee mug by her computer while she worked. He opened the fridge and retrieved a bottle of beer for himself while he waited.

The coffee was ready when Amy walked into the room. She’d changed into shorts and a large T-shirt with a drawing of a mummy chasing a human and the words Zombies Hate Fast Food. She had T-shirts with the craziest slogans.

“Is she okay?” he asked, handing her the mug.

She wrapped a hand around the hot surface as though seeking warmth. “Yeah. She tends to go through these stages when she wants to hear that story over and over.”

“When she needs affirmation that her father loved her,” he said.

Amy nodded then gave him a tiny smile. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Eddie. I appreciate what you told her earlier about locking Nolan away, but I’d rather you didn’t make her any promises you can’t keep. She’s had enough disappointments in her short life and I don’t want you or anyone adding to them.”

Eddie nodded. “I get that. However, I never make promises I don’t intend to keep. If I say I’ll catch Nolan, I will catch him. I’m good at what I do.”

Amy studied him for a very long time, then she shook her head. “You are cocky.”

“Just stating a fact.”

She chuckled, then her gaze went to the chess board, and doubt and wariness left her face. “So, do you want to play?”

“I don’t know.” He wanted to hear about her past. However, she wasn’t ready to trust him yet, unlike Raelynn. He’d set out to make the child feel at ease with him. With Amy, the same approach wouldn’t work.

“I promise to let you win,” she said and grinned naughtily.

He chuckled. “Okay. What if I win straight and square?”

She gave unlady-like snort as if to say that was unlikely. Once again, that snort did it for him. He was going to enjoy outsmarting her. “If I win, you answer any five questions I ask.”

Her eyes lit up at the challenge. “And if I win, you answer my five questions.”

“Deal.”

They carried their drinks to the living room and settled around the coffee table. She sat cross-legged on the couch, while he chose the floor across the coffee table from her. He had to look up at her but he didn’t mind. He liked the view.

Funny how she somehow managed to look sexy and sweet at the same time. He took a swig from his bottle and watched her set the board.

“Black or white?” she asked.

“Black.”

“We’ll trade sides after I win.”

And she called him cocky? “Naturally.”

Board set, she made her first move, moving her knight. He countered by moving his. Her pawn…his pawn…her bishop… he brought his by her knight. Back and forth they went. She scrunched her face and chewed on her lower lip as she contemplated move after move, but the first game ended in a draw.

“Again. I’m opening.” Her voice dared him to say otherwise. “You’ll open twice too.” He admired her determination. Her father had done an amazing job of teaching her, but she was no match to him. So far he was just playing defense.

“You should be ashamed of yourself for lying to me,” she mumbled, rearranging her pieces. “You are good.”

“I never said I wasn’t.”

She scrunched her face and moved, but once again, he had her on the run. She was better than he’d thought. She leaned forward to study the board better and Eddie grinned. His position on the floor was rewarding. The V neckline plunged even lower as she leaned forward, giving him an enticing view of her breasts straining against a black lace bra. He imagined removing her T-shirt, carrying her to his bed and burying his face between her perfect—

“Your turn,” she said.

He looked at the board, moved his next piece and immediately realized his mistake, but it was too late. She played and laughed, sapphire eyes lighting up.

He had been distracted. Deliberately. “You sneaky…you distracted me.”

“Not my fault you are easily entertained. Check and mate.” She jumped up and danced. “I won…I won…I won.”

She was the worst winner ever, yet he found himself laughing at her antics. “Now I know where