Perfect Fit (Serendipity's Finest 1)

“But there is someone who might be able to help us. We can talk to the judge who gave the guy bail,” Mike said.

“Okay, cool. I’m up for that.”

He nodded, eyes laughing at her response. “I figured you would be.” He grew silent, and Cara could tell there was something more.

“What is it?” she asked.

Mike met her gaze. “Sam asked to be let back in on the case since he’s back on the job.”

Cara enjoyed working with Mike, and though it was Sam’s case originally, she hoped she wouldn’t lose that one intense work connection she and Mike shared. “What did you tell him?”

“That since it involved my real father, I would appreciate him letting me handle things.”

Mike’s real father.

Cara had deliberately put Ella Marsden’s confidence out of her mind, not wanting to think about the fact that she had information about Mike’s father that she couldn’t share. From the minute she’d found out Ella was in contact with Rex Bransom, she’d wished she’d never had that moment alone with his mother.

Cara glanced away, afraid her guilt would be reflected in her expression and he’d realize something was bothering her. “Is Sam okay with that?” she managed to ask.

“As long as I keep him in the loop, yeah. He is. He gets it,” Mike said, his voice low. “He knows how hard it’s been on me.”

“What is?”

He didn’t answer immediately. In fact he remained silent so long she wondered if he would. “My father left before I was born. He didn’t want me.” He didn’t look at her while he spoke, but shadows filled his eyes and pain crossed his face.

Cara swallowed her surprise at the admission.

She reached out and tentatively placed a hand on his thigh. “You grew up with parents who loved you. Real parents in the true sense of the word, and they didn’t run when things got tough. They stuck it out. That had everything to do with you and the man you are now.”

He let out a harsh laugh. “And who is that? A man who can’t stay in one place for very long? Who is nothing like either of those loving, giving people?”

God. She’d never have thought the overly confident Michael Marsden had insecurities that ran deep. Or that he’d admit to them.

“You’re very much like those loving people, Mike. And just because you can’t be the steadying permanent force they are, you give in your own way. Simon is sick and you’re here, for as long as he needs you to be, taking over his job, making sure things run smoothly until he returns. Would your so-called real father have done that?” she asked. And she’d continue to defend him to himself until he believed it as much as she did.

He burst out laughing, and that easily, the darkness was gone. “And that’s why you’re more than some damn itch,” he said, his sexy, chocolate-colored gaze meeting hers.

Her stomach curled sweetly at the compliment, and she just smiled in return. “Glad to help.”

“By the way, that was Faith Harrington on the phone earlier,” he said, completely changing the subject. “I ran into Ethan this afternoon and they asked me to come to the house for a cocktail Saturday night and then we’ll go out for dinner. Come with me?”

“What?” she breathed out, certain she’d heard him wrong.

“You and me, going with Ethan and Faith for dinner. You know Ethan, Dare’s brother?”

Cara nodded. She also knew Faith. Sort of. Although close in age, Cara and Faith hadn’t run in the same high school crowd, Faith being one of the rich girls.

“You look nervous.”

Cara lifted her chin. “It’s just a lot to think about. And handle,” she admitted.

“They’re good people,” Mike assured her. “Faith is nothing like her parents.”

Everyone in town knew the story of the Harringtons, the former owners of the house on the hill. The richest, smuggest, most arrogant people in Serendipity had fallen hard and fast when Martin Harrington had been convicted of running a massive Ponzi scheme that ruined many people’s lives. Ethan had bought the house at auction when he’d returned a few years ago; reconciled with his estranged brothers after a long, difficult journey; and married Faith Harrington.

“Dare adores his sister-in-law,” Cara said. “And I like what I’ve seen of her.” Especially how she protected Tess as if the teen were her own sister. “But…”

“What?” Mike leaned closer.