After the call from the shelter, Cara arrived at work in a bad mood, one that remained for the rest of the week. Though she still volunteered at the shelter, Daniella’s absence gave her a stomachache, and she couldn’t help but worry about her. Mike began instituting changes in their schedules, so she was on her own for daytime shifts. Not having a partner made her more aware of everything going on around her, and though the downtime was harder, the job became more challenging, the decisions her own.
When they were at the station, neither Mike nor Cara behaved any differently. He didn’t pay extra attention to her, and she didn’t go seeking any. And even if people had seen or heard about what went on between them at Joe’s, nobody commented. There was no fallout from their relationship from anyone.
Except Sam, who decided it was his job to warn her daily about his brother’s bachelor tendencies and lack of staying power. As much as Cara appreciated his concern, she was tired of hearing something she already knew, accepted, and didn’t want to think about until she had to.
A couple of times during the week, Cara took periodic drives past Daniella’s last known address, hoping for a glimpse but not finding one. She had to suppress the urge to ring the doorbell to the apartment, even during the day, afraid if Daniella’s ex-boyfriend saw her, in uniform or not, she might inadvertently set the man off. She knew how her father’s temper spiked when her mother spoke about enjoying other people’s company, and how he’d then crack down to prevent her from expanding her social circle or having interests outside him.
Finally, what felt like an endless workweek ended and Cara came home, changed into sweat clothes, poured herself a large glass of cranberry juice, plopped down in her favorite chair, and breathed in deep. Nothing to do for two whole days, and the timing couldn’t be better since she needed a break from everything.
She hadn’t seen Mike alone, and she pondered calling him. Would it seem like a booty call? Or would it seem like she was too clingy if she didn’t wait to hear from him? Hmm. Why did she care what it seemed like when she wanted to be with him? The worst he could do was say no, and based on some of the covert looks he’d given her when he thought no one was looking, she didn’t think that would be the case.
She was just about to go looking for her cell phone when the doorbell rang. Putting her glass down on a coaster, she rose and headed to see who had stopped by. Sometimes her neighbor went away for the weekend and asked Cara to watch her cat while she was gone. Cara loved animals, but her work hours didn’t make it fair to have a pet, and she wouldn’t mind a little time with a fur baby.
She peeked out the window beside the door and blinked in surprise. Mike stood waiting, dressed in faded denim and his leather jacket, one arm braced on the molding outside.
She opened the door for him with a grin. “Mike!” She couldn’t hide her happiness at the surprise visit.
“Guess that assures me of my welcome.” He slipped one arm around her waist and hauled her against him for a long, hard kiss that she returned with an equal amount of enthusiasm.
“Mmm,” she moaned against his lips. “I missed this.”
“I missed you,” he said, stepping around her and walking farther inside.
“What’s up? Have you eaten dinner? I haven’t but I was about to make myself something.” She gestured toward the kitchen.
“I can’t. I’m on my way out of town.” His words took her off guard, and she actually felt as though a knife stabbed her in the heart.
“Where are you going?” she asked, forcing air into her lungs, pretending she wasn’t panicked at the thought of him leaving.
He could be headed anywhere for any reason. Just because Sam had been warning her for days about his inability to stick didn’t mean he was going anywhere for good. Not yet.
“Vegas. To find my father.”
“Oh. Wow.” Thank God. It wasn’t back to New York. It wasn’t permanent.
But her reaction to his announcement that he was leaving town told her in no uncertain terms she was getting too close, letting herself get too used to him here, in Serendipity.
She exhaled hard. “I didn’t know you’d decided on a plan.” She focused on the case and his past, not on her own silly emotions, which needed to be tucked back into the box she normally kept them in. The box that had stayed easily sealed off before Mike came back to town.
“It was a last-minute decision. I could have contacted him on Facebook, but that would give him control to decide whether he wanted to see me. I decided the element of surprise would work to my advantage. Maybe if I catch him off guard, he’ll reveal more about his time here.” He laid out his thought process with ease, but Cara caught the tight set of his jaw and knew that nothing about this decision was simple.
“How did you find him?”
“I had someone I trust do some digging, then hired a P.I. Turns out Rex hangs out most nights at a place called Shots. Some dive not known for its high-end liquor or clientele. So I know where I’ll be going when I hit town.” Mike frowned in obvious disgust.
Cara didn’t think first, she just said what came to mind. “Want company?” As soon as the words escaped, she could have kicked herself.
No doubt he didn’t want anyone around to witness his reunion with the father he’d never met. A man he’d always hated…and, Cara suspected, wanted to know anyway. Which was the exact reason he shouldn’t take this trip alone.
Eleven
Mike hadn’t considered asking Cara to go along. He handled his shit alone, especially the personal stuff. Yet for some reason, he hadn’t hesitated to say yes when she’d asked. He refused to let her pay for her ticket, and he was lucky enough to snag her a seat next to him. She was unusually silent throughout the flight, but he didn’t think much about it. He had plenty to keep his mind occupied, the idea of meeting his real father for the first time churning his stomach. She must have understood because she bought magazines and a Patricia Cornwell novel, and delved into those in place of conversation.
An hour in, the pilot reminded them to put their seat belts on because of expected turbulence. Mike glanced at his buckle and Cara did the same, checking and double-checking before returning to her book—until the plane took what felt like a quick dip and consecutive bumps continued to shake the aircraft.
Cara sucked in a breath and grabbed Mike’s arm as the big jet continued to bounce around in the sky. “Oh my God, oh my God.” She repeated the phrase, her nails digging into his skin, leaving deep grooves in his flesh.
The plane jerked again and he covered her hand with his, prying her fingernails up and threading his hand into hers.