Page 20 of Heart in Waiting
CHAPTER NINE
Reese didn’t know whyshe acted the way she had. She shouldn’t be jealous of a woman whose world was falling apart around her, yet she couldn’t squash the ugly emotion from brewing inside of her. If she had a daughter in the same predicament, she’d have done more than pass out from the shock of it. She’d have screamed at the world for the injustice of it all.
She didn’t blame Paige for giving in to her grief, but she hated that Dane was there to help her pick up the pieces from it. He tended to have a knight-in-shining-armor complex—like he had to save everyone even though that was unreasonable. Paige had been a part of his life for a very long time. It made sense he’d want to help her. They had a very close relationship, and she doubted it stopped at friendship. Well, maybe they had a friends-with-benefits kind of thing going on. They were too familiar with each other for her to believe they were strictly platonic.
“Reese,” Dane called after her. She stopped, turned around, and waited for him.
She doubted she’d be able to get away with ignoring him twice in the space of a couple of hours. They’d been spending a lot of time together because of Nolan’s escape. The more time they spent together, the more she was starting to understand him. Dane leaned toward brooding and kept to himself for the most part. He wasn’t the type to open up and share his feelings; at the same time, he did look as if like he felt far more than he let on. She wished she could figure him out, but he didn’t seem to want to share too much with her. She wasn’t Paige and never would be.
“What do you want?” She glared up at him. “I have work to do?”
“I’m sure you do,” he answered. “But not before we talk about a few things.”
“I didn’t realize there was anything we needed to discuss. You’re my shadow while I’m at home, but I don’t need you while I’m working.”
She was starting to need him far more than she liked. He did make her feel safe, and she wanted to beg him to stay with her always. Nolan had seemed to be more interested in Claire then her. After she’d heard what happened she’d been glad he hadn’t been obsessed with her. But what if she’d been wrong? What if he did decide she was worth his psychotic attention? What would she do if he came after her in the same way he had Claire? Her sister was far braver than her. Claire could handle anything. Reese would fall apart if she had to deal with a serial killer holding her hostage. She’d already be dead and buried...
“Do you have so little regard for your safety? I told you to wait for me, but you think you’re above everything and everyone. Why am I fighting to keep you safe when you won’t do it for yourself?” Dane’s blue eyes were as cold as ice as he stared at her. She shivered as she met his gaze. He kept talking, not giving her a chance to interrupt. “From now on, you’re going to do everything I say. Otherwise, why should I bother?”
No...She screamed that over and over in her head. He couldn’t leave her by herself. Carter had installed a security system, but it wasn’t enough. Why did she keep doing stupid things? “Fine,” Reese agreed. “Is that all?”
“Not even close,” Dane gritted out. “We need to discuss this fundraiser thing.”
She lifted a brow. “I thought that was all settled. What else do we need to possibly discuss?”
“The particulars for picking you up. Do I need anything other than a suit?”
She turned and started to walk away. “Come with me detective. I have rounds to do, and you’re making me behind schedule. We can talk as we move.” She couldn’t look him in the face any longer. Reese was afraid he’d see more than she wanted him to. The more time she spent with him, the more she admired him. He was a good person, and she hated that she never saw it before. Now that she’d come to see him for who he was, she couldn’t believe she’d thought he could have hurt Halie. She still thought he might be her father, but perhaps he was unaware of that fact.
When Paige was feeling more herself, she’d quiz her about Halie’s father. They’d need as much information as they could for her medical file anyway, and maybe her curiosity would do her in one day. She was a horrible person, and she’d accepted that about herself a long time ago. Why not use that to her advantage.
Dane fell into step beside her. “So, about this thing. What exactly is it?”
“A fundraiser....” What else did he want to know? “You know—dinner, dancing, opening your checkbook for a good cause.”
“You mean supplying funds for your current research project. How is that a good cause?”
Reese sighed. “Because my research will help save children’s lives. Like little Halie Morris. I’m working with Dr. Foster on studying Leukemia and better ways of treating it. Some kids aren’t as lucky as Halie, and it’s often caught too late to do anything about it.”
“Ah,” he said. “I’m sorry I doubted the veracity of your intentions. That does sound like a good cause.”
Reese stopped and turned to face him again. She placed her hands on her hips and glared up at him. “Why ,because you have a face to go with the problem now? How would you feel if you didn’t know a little girl in need of this life saving research? Would you still feel obligated to help, or is this because Halie Morris is sick and you feel something for her? Maybe it isn’t that at all—maybe you’re picturing her mama instead.”
“What is this about?” Dane appeared befuddled. “Do you have something against Paige?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Reese scoffed. “I know next to nothing about her; however, I think you do.”
“Is this back to you thinking Halie is my daughter?” He shook his head. “I assure you, that isn’t even remotely possible.”
“She looks a damn near perfect replica of you,” Reese insisted. “How can you not see the resemblance?”
He shrugged. “Because she’s not mine. If she was, do you think I’d have left her side at all since the accident? I’m not like my father, and I’ll never abandon a child of my own.”
She nodded and then started walking again. He probably didn’t know he was Halie’s father then. She’d definitely talk to Paige later. Dane would be devastated when he found out, but he had a right to know. It grated on her nerves that Paige could have kept that from him. Why had he never thought to question her himself? If they had that close of a relationship, surely he would have asked at some point? He was a detective after all, and isn’t that what they did—uncover truths?
“No,” she agreed. “You’re not the type to desert a child you helped create. I don’t doubt that for a second.” She didn’t have any qualms about distrusting Paige though... Reese decided it was time to change the subject. “Tonight will be fine. Carter is picking me up to take me home. You can come pick me up at seven, and we can head over to the hotel where the benefit is being held. Carter will then leave to retrieve Olivia.”
“That much I knew,” he replied. “I don’t know why this whole thing is making me nervous.”
