Undercover With The Heiress

Cheryl and Abby laughed and talked as they brought platters and bowls to the table. Everyone was part of a conversation. Everyone but her. Even Kaden slipped into the flow.

She waited until someone told her where to sit, then glided into the chair next to Josh. Since she sat directly across from Kaden, maybe she could figure out why he hadn’t flirted with her.

She waited through grace, then passed dishes, asking Josh, “Can I serve you?”

He nodded and pointed to a large piece of fish on the platter. “I caught a big fish on the Fourth of July.”

“You did?”

“Yeah. A red fish. My mom cooked it.” He added quinoa salad to his plate and passed the bowl to her. “It was the biggest fish of the day.”

“That must have been fun,” she said. “I’ve never fished before.”

His brown eyes went big and his mouth dropped open. “Mr. Gray, why hasn’t your sister ever fished?”

Gray glanced over. “My sister doesn’t fish.”

“That’s just wrong,” Josh insisted.

Gray winked at him. “She might mess up her hair or clothes.”

Everyone laughed. At her.

Heat spread across Courtney’s face. “Father never took me fishing,” she explained.

There’d been so many boundaries in her life. Fishing was something only Gray and dear old Dad had done. It was not one of the restrictions she’d wanted to breach.

“I can teach you.” The kid looked from under his long blond eyelashes up at Daniel. “If we can take Uncle Daniel’s boat out.”

“Josh,” Cheryl admonished.

“I guess we could fish from shore somewhere.” The boy shot an innocent look at Courtney. “Do you wanna go tomorrow?”

This time she laughed with everyone. “I don’t think so.”

She joked with Josh and ate a fabulous dinner because, of course, her brother had married someone who was not only a businesswoman, but also an incredible chef. What sister wouldn’t be miffed that her sister-in-law overshadowed her in everything? Except beauty.

She glanced across the table. Kaden wasn’t even trying to attract her attention. Her stomach churned around the small bites of food she’d been able to swallow. She couldn’t take his indifference any longer. “Did you grow up in Savannah?”

Kaden looked up from his plate. “What?”

“Did you grow up here?”

“I spent most of my childhood down on Tybee.”

Josh leaned over the table. “I bet you fished down there.”

“My grandfather and I fished.” A smile broke across Kaden’s face, a dimple appearing on his cheek. My, my. He was handsome. “We’d take his boat into the intercoastal waters.”

“I don’t know what that is, but can you take me fishing?” Josh asked Kaden.

“As much fun as that sounds, I’m here to take care of my grandfather.”

“What happened to Nigel?” Courtney could almost pull up an image of a dapper older man with thick white hair.

Kaden’s smile slipped away. “He broke his hip.”

“Oh.” That didn’t sound good. “Is he okay?”

“He came through surgery well.” Kaden shook his head. “Now he needs physical therapy and time to heal.”

She nodded, not really understanding what healing from a broken hip entailed. “How is he handling being hospitalized?”

“He’s not in the hospital anymore. He’s in a rehabilitation center.”

“Oh.” She was so out of her depth.

“I like Nigel.” Josh bounced a little in his chair. “He let me help paint the walls.”

“Yeah. He’s a good guy.” Kaden’s face softened.

“I know Nigel told us you live in Atlanta, but what do you do there?” Gray asked.

Kaden blinked. “I followed his example.”

“Construction?” Gray waved his hand around the table. “We’ll have to talk.”

“So how long are you staying?” Dolley called down the table.

Courtney waited for Kaden to answer.

“Courtney?” Dolley asked.

“Oh, me?” She shook her head. “I’m not sure. A couple of weeks?”

“You’re not sure? Oh, right. You don’t have a job to go back to,” Dolley said snippily.

“No, I don’t. I miss my brother. I saw him a lot more when he lived in Boston.” Courtney hoped she sounded convincing. “If the mountain won’t come to Mohammad...”

The three Fitzgerald sisters’ reddish-blond eyebrows went up at the same time. Dolley said under her breath, “Well, bless your heart.”

“We’re glad you’re here,” Abby choked out, glancing at Dolley.

“Thank you.” She knew what Dolley meant. The bitch. They didn’t want her here. Well, news flash, she didn’t want to be here, either.

Everyone returned to their conversations, excluding her again. She didn’t care about remodeling or houses or Abby’s restaurant. Even Josh focused on Kaden and fishing.

Would dinner never end? Please, Mother; I want to come home. Convince Father to let me out of purgatory.

CHAPTER THREE

COURTNEY’S FLASHING BLUE eyes haunted Kaden as he headed up the Carleton House stairs to his room. She was a beautiful woman, but she knew it. Her moves were choreographed down to each flip of her hair. Was there anything interesting behind her stunning jewel-like eyes?

Kaden tugged off his shirt and threw it into the closet, then patted his full stomach. He couldn’t remember eating a better meal. No wonder his granddad raved about Abby’s cooking and hospitality. The Fitzgeralds were great. They’d invited him, a stranger, to a family dinner.

The sisters and their partners had all visited his granddad. Every day someone brought him food, flowers or company.

How did Courtney fit in? It was obvious she and Gray were related, but she had that uppity Boston accent he’d heard only when training at Quantico.

He slid open his phone and called Roger, updating him on his conversation with Nathan.

“So Forester hasn’t seen Bole since she left her kid two months ago?” Roger asked. “That’s hard to believe.”

“I believe it. The woman let her daughter come to a gun battle.”

“But two months without seeing her kid.” Roger rattled the ice in his glass, probably bourbon at this time of night.

“We never thought she was a devoted mother.” Kaden pulled a water bottle from the fridge in his suite.

“What if you stayed near the B and B? Heather has to come back sometime. If you’re there, you could grab her.”

“I’m here for my granddad.”

“I thought he was doing well,” Roger said.

“He is, but broken hips are dangerous.”

“I’ve met your grandfather. He doesn’t act like a seventy-five-year-old.”

“He stills needs to heal.” Kaden opened the French doors and stood on the balcony, staring down at the courtyard. The scent of flowers and growing plants filled the humid night. If he could smell the ocean, he’d be home.

“You have plenty of vacation available, but both you and Heather’s kid are staying at the B and B.” Roger exhaled. “Maybe you can do both.”

“What about Margaret?” Kaden asked.

“This is our case. My ex doesn’t need to know you’re there until we make an arrest.”

Kaden took a deep breath. It was their case. He wanted to keep Issy safe. Not by being her bodyguard, but by locking up her mother. “You know I don’t...work well with kids.”

Silence filled the line. “Losing the Malcolm twins wasn’t your fault. It was a kidnapping.”

Kaden closed his eyes, but it didn’t stop the bloody crime scene photos of the little boys from filling his head. If he’d made the money drop sooner, linked the gardener faster, maybe the twins would still be alive. “I don’t want to be responsible for a child’s life.”

“Then think about this assignment as finding the mother. It’s Bole we want.”

Bole. Did his need to get her off the street outweigh his fear that children got hurt under his watch?

“This keeps you on the team,” Roger said.

He gripped the railing. “Is that a threat?”

“I need all the man power I can muster to clear drugs off the street.” Roger didn’t expand on his threat.

Kaden punched the pillar. He was not getting booted from the task force. No way.

“I’ll talk to my grandfather.”

* * *

COURTNEY TOOK ANOTHER SIP, but her prosecco had gone flat. “Mother, you have to get Father to relent.”

“Courtney, he just discovered your car was repaired before you left for Savannah.”

“It’s those stupid gates.” She headed deeper into the garden. “Can’t you suggest he have them moved farther apart?”

“No one else has trouble with the gates.” Her mother’s voice was more stern than normal.

Courtney scuffed her toes along the stone walk. “That doesn’t mean they’re not a problem. But this time I swerved for an animal.”

“Courtney.” There was a scolding tone in her mother’s voice.

“It’s the truth. An animal jumped out and I swerved.”

“Of course.” Her mother sighed. “I think you should stick with your plan and work for your brother. Your father isn’t budging.”

“Tell Daddy I’m sorry about the car. I’ll watch for animals and be more careful turning the corner.” But she wasn’t going to commit to working for her brother. By escaping to Savannah, she was buying herself time. That was it. “I’ll call tomorrow. Please work on Daddy.”

“It’s best if I let the issue rest. Besides, he’s traveling for the next few days.”

“A few days? But I want to come home.” What was she supposed to do in the meantime? “He’s not coming to Savannah, is he?”

“He’s heading to Toronto and then Montreal.”

“Good.” She didn’t want Father and Gray comparing notes. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Think about the direction of your life. Think about what makes you happy,” Mother said, before saying goodbye.

Happy? The direction of her life? Ever since Father had practically ignored her getting on the high-school honor roll, her life had been circular. She’d worked so hard to make straight As. Dear old Dad had dismissed her accomplishments. Even when she’d set out to prove she was as smart as her brother, he’d scoffed at her dean’s list accomplishment and then crowed about Gray’s summa cum laude.

She tugged on her curls. The only praise he’d ever given her had been for her looks. Right after college she’d tried modeling, but the agency had suggested she lose ten pounds. Not going to happen.

She sank onto a bench. Laughter floated from a Fitzgerald House balcony. The fountain splashed. A cricket chirped near Carleton House and something scurried through the bushes.

Shouldn’t these sounds be soothing? Instead, they highlighted how alone she was. Mother wanted her to find direction? She didn’t want to think that deeply. She just wanted to go home.

What made her happy? Coloring with the kids had made her happy. Chatting with Josh at dinner had made her happy. Did that mean she wanted to be a mother?

She shook her head. At twenty-six she was too young to think about having children. And the idea of marriage... She rolled her shoulders, but couldn’t get rid of the itch at the base of her neck.

There wasn’t a man she’d dated longer than a month or two. No one held her attention. Most groveled too much, or were more interested in getting close to her father or Gray. Some only wanted her as arm candy.

She tapped her nail against the bench. But not Kaden Farrell. He’d barely glanced at her all through dinner. That never happened.

Kaden’s dimple had only appeared when he’d talked about fishing and his grandfather. She shuddered at the thought of slimy fish making someone happy.

Mother wanted her to find her direction? If she had to hide in Savannah, she would get Mr. Kaden Farrell to look in her direction and ask her out. That shouldn’t be so hard.

* * *

KADEN HANDED HIS granddad a towel.

“Thanks.” Granddad wiped his upper lip. “Wouldn’t want the ladies to see me sweat from my physical therapy.”

“You already have a fan club?”

“There are some lovely ladies here.” His grandfather settled into the wheelchair. “But I told you, you don’t have to spend all day with me. Head back to Atlanta. I don’t want to pull you away from your work.”

“I want to be here.” Kaden had so much to live up to. Granddad always put other people’s needs first. He pushed the wheelchair into the sunroom. “Want something to drink?”

“Water, please. My therapist might be lovely, but she’s a dictator.”

Kaden laughed and headed to the coffeepot. He poured a mug for himself and then a glass of water.

“Thanks.” His grandfather took a long drink. “What’s on your mind?”

“How do you do that?” Kaden asked.

Granddad pointed between Kaden’s eyebrows. “Whenever you want to discuss something, or something’s weighing on you, you get this crease between your eyebrows. I wouldn’t suggest you ever try gambling. It’s a big tell.”

“I’ll remember not to play poker with you.” He pulled up a chair so they sat facing each other.

“What’s bothering you?”

“You know Issy from the B and B?” Kaden asked.

“Sweet thing. Nathan’s daughter. Little girl doesn’t say much. Mother just up and dropped her off.” Nigel shook his head. “Never told Nathan about her.”

“She’s...connected with one of my cases.”

“Issy?”

“No. The mother.”

Understanding broke across his granddad’s face. “The mother’s in the drug world?”

Kaden nodded. “We’re pretty sure Issy witnessed a murder right before the mother dropped her off with Forester.”

“Poor kid.” Granddad closed his eyes. “Thank goodness Nathan has her now.”

Kaden took a deep breath. “My boss thinks the mother will come back for Issy.”

“You can’t let that happen. You know what her life must have been like.” Granddad’s fingers squeezed around his wrist. “Will the Bureau protect her?”

“They asked me to do that.”

“Perfect.” Granddad clapped his hands. “That’s better than watching my PT.”

“I’m supporting you.”

“And I appreciate that, but you can’t watch me 24/7.” Granddad snapped his fingers. “You know what you could do?”

Kaden frowned. “What?”

“Take over my B and B duties. You’ve got the skills. You could help the sisters and stay close to Issy.”

Take over Granddad’s work? “But I’m here for you.”

“Haven’t you been telling me I’m right where I belong? You’re twiddling your thumbs when you could be working to make sure that little girl is safe.” Nigel slapped the arm of the wheelchair. “Put that mother away and get those drugs off the street.”

Kaden swallowed. “You’re the only family I have left.”

“I know and I’m so sorry.” Granddad caught his hand and held on. “I should have worked harder to find you and your brother. I will always regret that. I was so mad at your mother for being weak.”

Kaden was still mad at his parents for being drug addicts. After his grandfather had taken him in, they’d both died of overdoses.

“You have a chance to make sure this little girl doesn’t go through what you went through.” Granddad’s slate-blue eyes were filled with regret. “You can make a difference. Make up for my screwup.”

“You didn’t screw up. My parents did.” And so had he. He hadn’t kept his brother safe. Could he keep Issy safe or would he make the same mistake? “I’d have to work undercover.”

“I’ve never told anyone what you do—just like you asked.”

“The secrecy policy is for the safety of our families. I would never forgive myself if someone hurt you because of me.” Kaden rubbed the back of his neck. “The Fitzgeralds think I followed in your footsteps for work.”

“Construction?”

“That’s what they assumed.” Kaden squeezed his grandfather’s hand. “Saving people is what I meant.”

“It’s important that you do this.” Smiling, Granddad touched his heart.

Love warmed his soul. “I love you, too.”

“If you have the possibility of getting one more drug ring out of commission,” Granddad said, “that’s more important than pushing my wheelchair around this rehab center.”

“I’ll...think about it.” But with Granddad’s support, Kaden already knew the answer. He was going to keep his eye on Isabella Forester.

* * *

“YOU WANT TO pick up Nigel’s duties while he’s healing?” Abby pushed the plate of cookies and bars closer to him and topped off his coffee.

“It was my grandfather’s suggestion.” Kaden picked up a tiny filled cookie. “He’s worried about the B and B.”

“Nigel is so thoughtful.”

“I think so.”

“Okay.” Abby tapped the table. “You could move into the apartment next to Cheryl and Nathan.”

“Where’s that?”

She pointed across the courtyard. “The second story of the carriage house.”

“But I thought a restaurant was going in there?” He took a bite and raspberries, cream and sugar filled his mouth. He moaned and took another cookie.

“The restaurant takes up about half of the building.” She pushed her ponytail off her shoulder. “If it really takes off, we’ll expand to the remainder of the first floor. But right now there’s an empty apartment.”

“That would be great.”

“There are two bedrooms, but no washer and dryer.” Abby grinned. “And one bedroom has this incredible princess-and-castle mural. You should like that.”

“Right.” He couldn’t help smiling. Abby was the kind of woman who made a man relax. Unlike her sister-in-law, Courtney. “Let me show you the apartment.” Abby pulled a key from a rack.

He followed her across the courtyard and past a set of stairs. “When does the restaurant open?”

“Nathan has promised I’ll be able to have a guest week right after Labor Day.” She unlocked a side door. “I’ll open the week after that.”

They headed up wooden steps that creaked and moaned. “Good security.”

“What?” She frowned.

“Creaking stairs. Hard to sneak up on anyone.”

She laughed, but he wasn’t kidding.

Abby unlocked the door and flipped on the light. “There’s furniture, too.”

The apartment was clean and included a reasonable-size living room and a small kitchen, including a table. The first bedroom was indeed fit for a princess. The mural was a work of art. A castle filled one corner of the wall. Princesses in bright gowns danced on a hill with bunnies and ponies.

“You can sleep in here.” Her eyes twinkled.

Kaden just shook his head. “Let’s see the other room.”

The bed in there was large.

“This should work. Thank you.”

Abby handed him a key. “I should let Nathan know I won’t need his crew to fill in at the B and B.”

“I can do that.” It gave Kaden a chance to tell Nathan his real purpose.

Abby headed back to Fitzgerald House and Kaden went down to the restaurant and found Nathan.

“Any place we can talk in private?” Kaden asked.

“Sure.” Frowning, Nathan led him to a room behind the bar. “What’s up? Is there news on Heather?”

“No, but since I’m here, my superior wants me to keep an eye on Issy. We think Bole will come back for her daughter.”

Nathan paced the long narrow room. “I won’t let her near Issy.”

“Understood. But if the only access to Isabella is here, I want to be around to catch Bole.” And put the evil woman away. “That’s why I’m taking over my grandfather’s duties at the B and B.”

“Good, good. I want her safe.” Nathan tugged off his cap and ran a hand through his hair. “Issy’s just coming out of her shell. I don’t want that bitch anywhere near her. What do you need from me?”

“Her schedule.” Kaden nodded. “I’d like to talk to the person in charge of her day care and any other place she goes each day.”

“Of course.” Nathan’s voice cracked.

“I’ll be undercover. No one can know I’m with the FBI.”

Nathan winced. “I can’t keep this from Cheryl.”

Kaden tapped his fingers against his thigh. “Will she keep this secret?”

“She can. She will,” Nathan vowed.

“Fine. I should spend more time with Issy.” He didn’t let Nathan see the shiver that ran down his back. “Maybe tonight?”

“Let’s have dinner again,” Nathan suggested. “That way she’ll know you’re a good guy.”

“Okay.” This better not be a mistake. He didn’t want Issy hurt. Not on his watch.

* * *

“COURTNEY?” GRAY CALLED. “Let’s go.”

“Almost ready.” She rubbed lotion on her pink skin. She’d sat in the garden reading, not noticing the time. Apparently, she’d stayed past her sunscreen expiration. She cringed at the idea of getting wrinkles or dry flaky sun-toughened skin. Mother would have scolded her soundly.

She’d gotten about half of her clothes unpacked, including the sundress she wore today, and then started reading and that was that. The book was wicked good.

Don’t use that expression. It is not how we talk.

Well, she wasn’t wicked smart like Gray.

She dressed and headed down the hall. Time to face her brother.

Gray waited in the entry, wearing a slate-blue polo shirt and shorts with enough pockets in them to go wilderness hiking. He stood with his legs spread, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face.

She blurted out, “You look like Father.”

“Thank you.” He raised one black eyebrow over his blue eyes, eyes that were the same color as the ones she saw in the mirror every day. It wasn’t fair. She couldn’t achieve her brother’s lush eyelashes without careful layers of mascara.

As they moved through the courtyard, Gray waved at two couples sitting at a small table.

“Do you know them?”

“They’re guests.”

But customer service was Abby’s job. She frowned, then blurted out, “You’re...different here.”

“What do you mean?”

She pushed out a breath. “When you and Gwen were dating, she always complained you never made time to do the things she wanted to do.”

“Gwen didn’t acknowledge I worked for a living.” He snorted. “I couldn’t be at her beck and call for parties and outings.”

It still irritated Courtney that he’d thrown over her best friend for a gold-digging Fitzgerald sister. She and Gwen had grown up together. They were best—

Courtney blinked. She hadn’t spoken to Gwen since leaving Boston. Shouldn’t her best friend have checked in? Told her how devastated she was without her?

What were her friends doing? She hadn’t checked social media, not wanting to know life continued while she hid in Georgia.

She and Gray stepped into Fitzgerald House. The kitchen bustled and the smells were amazing. It reminded Courtney of her favorite Mexican restaurant over in Back Bay. Salad plates lined every surface and Cheryl, Abby and someone she didn’t recognize worked side by side.

“Hey, handsome,” Abby called out.

“How’s the event going?” Gray asked.

“They loved the appetizers. Salad course is going up now.” Abby tipped her head and Gray bent and dropped a kiss on her lips.

“We’ll head into the library.” Gray brushed hair off Abby’s cheek. “We could eat someplace else.”

“Give me a half hour or so.” Abby nodded at Cheryl. “Nathan and the kids are coming. And Kaden will be here, too.”

Kaden. The handyman’s hot grandson. Courtney straightened her shoulders. Time to get her flirt on.

“Come on, brat.” Gray moved to the swinging door. “We need to talk about why you’re really here in Savannah.”

Uh-oh. She didn’t let the irritation in Gray’s voice alter her small smile.

In the library she stalled, perusing the offerings. Peeking at Gray’s stony expression, all she wanted was a drink and a place to hide. Preferably in Boston.

She put an enchilada on her plate and added a stuffed pepper, chips and salsa. When she spotted a pitcher of margaritas, she poured a glass. Hard alcohol might get her through Gray’s inquisition.

“Front parlor.” He didn’t wait for her response, just led the way, carrying his own plate, and took an armchair. She sat on the edge of a small sofa, across the coffee table from him.

“This smells so good.” She took a chip and ran it through the salsa. “Num. Your wife is so talented.”

“Don’t suck up. I know your tricks.” His gaze was glacial. “When were you going to ask me about a job?”