Family Found

Before she took more than a few steps, the door burst open.

Startled, she dropped the canvas bag.

“Laura? What are you doing here?” Mitch’s exasperated voice washed over her.

Suddenly, she felt incredibly foolish. And beneath the glare of the overhead lights the white of the canvas bag gleamed between them.

Mitch crossed the threshold. As he passed through the doorway, she scrambled to retrieve the dropped dinner, but he was faster.

He held the bag out toward her, his eyes questioning her presence.

She accepted the bag, then swung it lightly. “This is going to sound really stupid, but I was worried that you wouldn’t eat a decent dinner, so I brought you a roast beef sandwich.”

He glanced at the oversize bag. “That must be one big sandwich.”

Laura was grateful for the darkness that camouflaged the telling warmth in her cheeks. “Actually, I brought enough for two.”

“Concerned about Morgan?”

“Who?”

His lips eased into an offhand grin. “My bird. He’s not much on roast beef, though.”

She strove for lightness. “No, but I am.”

Surprise flickered over his features, then faded. “Saving me from a life of burgers and pizza?”

Laura shrugged. “Do you need saving?”

For a moment the silence pulsed between them, tension building in the quiet dark. Then a sudden screech broke the mood. “Hello,” Morgan squawked.

Laura laughed, grateful for the bird’s interruption. “I brought chocolate cake, too. Mrs. Plummer’s finest. And a thermos of coffee.”

“You’ve convinced me.” He held open the door.

Self-conscious, Laura slid by, feeling the brush of hardened muscles, the taut measure of long legs. For an instant she considered lingering, then rushed on. She’d only made him a sandwich, she reminded herself. Nothing to get so riled up about.

Still, her stomach churned as she wandered inside the office, and she felt uncertain now that she was here. Mitch, however, was as relaxed as she was uncomfortable.

He swept the papers from a scarred coffee table, which rested in front of an equally disreputable-looking sofa, and they both sat down.

She frowned. “I hope those weren’t important.”

“Not nearly as important as home-cooked roast beef.”

Laura’s expression brightened. “So, I’m not intruding?”

“I didn’t say that.”

Chagrined, Laura grabbed for her purse.

But Mitch’s hand stopped hers. “I’m still misreading you, I see. I thought you could take a little joke. So where’s this world-famous roast beef?”

Laura released her grip on her purse, realizing once again how badly she was out of practice in dealing with men. “I didn’t say it was world famous, simply home-cooked.”

“In my book, one and the same.”

“Don’t tell me you’re lacking in attention,” she scoffed.

His grin was again easy and mocking. “Depends on the kind of attention you’re talking about.”

Some of her humor faded. Yet she knew he was a charmer, a man who loved women as much as they loved him. It shouldn’t prevent her from sharing a simple supper with him. Keeping that in mind, she shored up her smile. “I don’t think you and Morgan lead a solitary existence. No doubt you have more attention than you need.”

“You might be surprised.”

The words startled her and for a moment she saw past the usual nonchalance in his expression. Within seconds, though, his easy smile was back in place, and she wondered if she had imagined the earlier change. Unwilling to explore the thought further, she opened the sack and pulled out the sandwiches, fussing over them more than necessary.

Mitch played along, digging into the impromptu dinner. “This beats the pizza I’d planned on ordering.”

Laura nodded. “I guessed as much.” Remembering the coffee, she took out the thermos from the bag. “Oh, I forgot to bring cups.”

“I’m not completely without creature comforts. There should be something to drink out of around here.” Mitch rose and searched for cups, tossing aside a box of petrified doughnuts. The mugs he retrieved looked a bit worse for wear, but Laura decided she needed the bracing warmth of some coffee. He sat down again and twisted off the lid of the thermos, and in an instant the tang of fresh coffee filled the small space between them.

Mitch poured coffee into the mugs, then sampled the brew. “I get so used to my own sludge, I forget how good coffee tastes. Mrs. Plummer must really be a treasure.”

Laura shifted on the sofa. “Actually, I made the coffee. Mrs. Plummer’s coffee tastes like it has part of the pot in it.”

He laughed. “I should have remembered. I’ve had your coffee before.”

Instantly Laura remembered the morning in his apartment. She also remembered his casual threat about disturbing him again before breakfast. Squirming, she shifted even farther down the couch.

“You keep that up and you’ll end up on the floor.”

Laura blinked. Then the absurdity struck her and she couldn’t contain an embarrassed giggle. “I guess you could say I’m not real comfortable around men.”

“No kidding.”

So he’d noticed. Laura clasped her hands, stopping their nervous motion. Silent moments passed, but finally she spoke. “You know from what I’ve told you that my ex-husband was a jerk.”

“That’s a mild term,” he commented. “I wouldn’t be so generous.”

She grimaced in agreement. “So don’t take it personally.”

Mitch abandoned his interest in the sandwich. “Don’t take what personally?”

Laura gestured vaguely. She knew it wasn’t an answer, but damn, how had she cornered herself this way?

“I don’t read shrugs,” he countered.

She sighed. “This is silly. I shouldn’t have even said anything, especially since we’re only working together.” Meeting his eyes, she saw that he was waiting for further explanation. “I’m just not comfortable with certain types of men.”

“Oh?” Although his voice was still mild, a new note had crept in, one she couldn’t completely decipher.

“It’s just that because of my experience I’m not comfortable with men like…” From the expression on his face, Laura realized her words were a mistake, yet she couldn’t recall them.

“Me?” he said flatly, completing her sentence.

Stomach sinking, Laura wished she hadn’t broached the subject. “As I said, don’t take it personally.”

“You know another way to take it?”

Laura pushed her half-eaten sandwich away. “I’m sure you know a bevy of women who are far more than comfortable with you.”

“Bevy?” he questioned in disbelief.

She squirmed anew. “I don’t know about you, but I was really enjoying our dinner until I opened my mouth.”

“It would be hard to enjoy the dinner otherwise,” he commented, his light tone signaling acceptance of her proffered olive branch.

Laura smiled, noting again the wealth of charm the man possessed. No wonder so many women were interested in him. She ignored the lump in her stomach the thought caused. To find him attractive was natural, she supposed. After all, they were spending a lot of time together. And proximity was an influential factor in many male-female relationships. Laura nearly laughed aloud. As though she knew much about that. Then her gaze caught his and the laughter died away.

Busying herself with the remainder of the sandwich, Laura was startled when Mitch’s hand closed over hers, though not nearly as startled by the movement as by the reaction it caused.

Catching her breath, she stared at his strong, tanned hand.

“Laura, relax. A man and woman can spend time together without anything more exciting than a sandwich between them.”

“Oh,” she managed to croak.

“Unless you count the chocolate cake,” he added with a mocking leer.

Laura remembered to breathe, but she still felt shaky. “And Mrs. Plummer’s cake is pretty darn exciting.”

“Thank God. I thought this was a ploy to get me to work all night.”

Sobered, Laura stared at him. “Did you really think that?”

“Hell, did you have your humor surgically removed, Laura? I’m trying to lighten the mood. In case you hadn’t noticed, it got pretty heavy in here.”

“Yeah, I noticed.”

He tipped up her chin, meeting her eyes. “Then work with me. Laugh a little.”

Once again, Laura had to control the nervous motion of her hands. “There hasn’t been much to laugh about lately.”

“Yeah, but that’s what we’re going to change, isn’t it?”

Laura’s throat tightened. “This has been a solo battle for so long, it’s nice to have someone else on my team.”

He saluted sharply. “And I’m a hell of a team player.” His gaze roved around the run-down office. “This place may not look like it, but you’ve got the best investigator in town.”

“Humble, too, Tucker?”

“That’s the Laura I know.”

She laughed, a shaky but genuine sound. “I’ve been kind of pushy, huh?”

He paused, and a kind light shone in his eyes. “Not so that it shows.”

Pleased, Laura again concentrated on her sandwich, and for the next few minutes they shared a companionable supper. She was surprised but pleased by the easy silences and the equally easy conversation.

“This cake is wicked,” Laura declared, nibbling at the crumbs.

“Agreed.”

Glancing up, Laura saw that Mitch was wearing some of the frosting on his lower lip. Giggling, she pointed out the errant chocolate. When he swiped at it and missed, she brushed her fingers over the spot.

Mitch’s eyes met hers.

She froze.

It was a little thing, really. Just a dab of chocolate frosting on his lips. Lips that beckoned beneath her touch.

Mitch’s head bent toward hers and she anticipated the taste of those same lips.

The strident ring of the phone made her bolt.

Mitch was cursing beneath his breath even as he rose to answer the call.

“Yes.” Annoyance was clear in his tone as he answered. He listened, then passed a hand over his hair. “Sorry, Christie. Nah, nothing’s wrong. Just working late.”

Laura stiffened. Of course the caller was a woman. What had she expected? Mitch Tucker was a connoisseur of the opposite sex, and it wasn’t wise to ever lose sight of the fact.

CHAPTER FIVE

CREPE MYRTLES LINED the streets, flowering sentries whose plump blooms spilled over wooden fences, dripping delicate petals over thick carpets of grass. But Mitch didn’t have time to notice the natural beauty as he drove away from the residential neighborhood. Beyond the nearly tropical flora, skyscrapers dominated the skyline, and he was wondering just which one of those concrete beauties held the secrets he was seeking.

From the green crest just off the Allen Parkway he had a perfect view. Yet that didn’t still the restlessness he felt. For an instant he longed for a smoke, even though he’d kicked the habit years earlier.

Instead, he pulled into a curved parking lot, scanning the other cars, looking for Laura’s. They had agreed to meet here this morning to get an early start. After the strained ending last night at his place, it seemed like a good idea.

He flat couldn’t figure out the lady. Just when he’d thought they were clicking, she froze. He couldn’t remember ever knowing a woman as uptight as Laura. Of course, she had plenty to worry about, but it was more than that. It was as though she compared every male on the planet with her scummy ex-husband. Still, that didn’t explain why she had jumped to her feet the night before when the phone rang, and dashed out as if intruding on an intimate moment rather than a mere phone call.

After all, he didn’t exactly try to hide his lifestyle. Laura was right about him knowing a lot of women. He liked women. In fact, he loved women. Just not one in particular. That was a luxury he had never allowed himself. There had been no one serious. There would be no one serious.

Having grown up as the only male in an otherwise all-female household, he appreciated the sensitivity, beauty, humor, even the sense of mystery of women.

But growing up this way, coupled with his years on the police force, had caused him to lose most of his illusions, including his belief in happily-ever-afters. While he had no argument with anyone else wanting to grasp that brass ring, it was tarnished for him. And despite Laura Kelly’s bad marriage, he suspected she still reserved a piece of her heart for a white knight. For her sake, he hoped one still existed.

As though his thoughts had conjured her up, she drove into the parking lot. With her usual energy she jumped out and then zipped over to the passenger side of her car.

Stepping out of his vehicle, he watched as she reached inside and unbuckled a child carrier. His stomach sank. The carrier wasn’t empty. Little Alex was inside. She grabbed an oversize bag, as well.

Mitch stepped closer and took the carrier from her. “What’s with the kid?”

“The kid is your client, too,” she reminded him. “Mrs. Plummer’s coming down with a cold. Actually, she just sneezed a little this morning, but last night I was thinking about how I didn’t want to wind up regretting that I’d spent too much time away from Alex, in case…” Her voice warbled before she got it back under control. “Well, just in case. I know we’re going to be successful, but we can still be successful and have Alex along with us, can’t we?”

Not allowing Mitch to reply, she walked over to his car. “The car seat buckles into any car and converts to a stroller. You’re probably more comfortable driving your car, so I’ll just hook this into the back seat, okay? Alex won’t be any trouble. He’s a happy baby and he naps, too, and—”

“Whoa! Don’t you ever come up for air?” Exasperated, Mitch stared between Laura and her unblinking baby. “Look, I don’t have anything against kid—uh, babies, but they don’t mix with investigations.”

“Pooh,” she responded airily. “While people are oohing and aahing over Alex, you can dig into all kinds of records. He’ll be better than a court order demanding the information.”

But Mitch didn’t share her enthusiasm. “Hey, I can understand your need to spend more time with him, but this isn’t the way to do it. In fact, I think you should take Alex home and let me get on with the investigation.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Get rid of me just like that.” She snapped her fingers.

“Not exactly—”

“It’s not going to be that easy, Tucker. I still intend to help you. I know you think Alex will slow us down, but I promise you he won’t.”

Alex grabbed for Mitch’s keys, his toothy little grin irresistible. Mitch felt himself losing the battle. It was only one day, he reasoned. By tomorrow Mrs. Plummer would be back to normal and Laura would have learned that a baby didn’t belong in the middle of a tough search.

BUT A WEEK LATER, Mitch wasn’t certain who had learned a lesson. He was easing the sleeping child from the car seat. Laura’s hands were filled with the diaper bag, her purse and a portfolio of papers she had brought home to work on.

Her house looked shuttered as they headed up the sidewalk. Mrs. Plummer was at her place, her cold now a full-fledged case of the flu. Although Mitch suspected Mrs. Plummer hadn’t really been sick the first day Laura had brought Alex along, now the woman was genuinely ill. He also suspected she had become ill from stress. She seemed to think that Laura was deliberately keeping little Alex from her.

Mitch admitted he’d lost the battle with Laura. He had tangled with his share of determined women in the past, but none to equal an obstinate, protective mother.

Alex snuggled closer in his arms and Mitch felt a now-familiar twitch that he’d been ignoring. It was the same twitch he felt when Alex smiled, chortled or reached up chubby arms to him. But then, the kid was a charmer, he acknowledged. And it wasn’t as though he himself was a dog-kicking, baby-hating hardhead.

“It’s been a long day,” Laura was saying. “I can’t promise one of Mrs. Plummer’s home-cooked meals, but why don’t you stay for dinner. We can order Chinese.” She grinned, a flash of pearly teeth in the near dark. “Alex loves the fortune cookies.”

“Szechuan?” Mitch bargained, not particularly eager to return to an empty apartment or equally unappealing office.

“Why not? I live for adventure.”

Mitch smiled, even though Laura had turned away. He knew why she was especially cheerful. While researching the hospital records for births in Galveston they had stumbled onto a partial list of attending physicians. It was an unexpected bonus, since finding this information was unusual.

Mitch had cautioned Laura to not be too optimistic. The list wasn’t complete and so many years had passed. Memories might be faulty; some of the doctors might be deceased or unable to be located. Yet secretly he was very pleased at even this minor breakthrough.

Laura flipped on lights as they entered the house. “I have a menu from a pretty good Chinese place,” she remarked. “The food’s great, and even better, they’re fast.”

“Mmm. I think Alex is waking up. What should I do with him?”

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