Her Homecoming Wish Read online

  Nora froze, her eyebrows slowly raising. Mel and Amanda had stopped talking and were staring at Dan. They all seemed to be biting back laughter. Nora regained her composure, but he couldn’t help noticing her southern accent deepened.

  “Why, sure, Dan! Y’all go on ahead and tour the place. With your girl.” She leaned toward Mack and spoke in a stage whisper that could be heard on the second floor. “Dan’s never brought a girl here before.” Nora looked back to Dan, holding the dish towel over her heart. “And he doesn’t want to leave your side. Which might just be the cutest thing ever.”

  Dan had taken his share of razzing from Nora since she came to town and bought the coffee shop next door to Asher’s business. She and Asher fought like hellcats right up to the moment they’d fallen in love. Dan had been happy for the two of them. But right now he was wondering if he really needed Nora Peyton teasing about how cute he was.

  Mack was looking at him funny. “You’ve never brought a date here to meet your friends?”

  “What friends?” He glowered at Nora, but that just made her laugh harder.

  “You don’t scare me with that lawman glare, Dan Adams. And to answer your question, Mack, no—he hasn’t ever brought a date here. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him with a date, now that I think about it. He’s a bit of a hermit when he’s not working.” She stepped back and gestured toward the curving staircase. “Feel free to explore the place. Dan helped Asher build a lot of it. And despite the way he’s pouting at the moment, he loves me.”

  He sighed. “Yeah, yeah. You’re pretty irresistible.” He flipped the bottom of her hair as he walked by, making her squeal and smack at his hand. “Like an annoying big sister.”

  * * *

  The men and women separated again after dinner, and this time Dan joined the guys on the screened porch. Mack had gone to the kitchen with the women. He’d heard another bottle of wine being uncorked in there. Good thing Mack didn’t have to work the next morning.

  Blake settled into a large wicker rocker and pulled a slender cigar from his pocket. He leaned forward and peeked into the house to make sure he couldn’t be seen before lighting it. “I was at our Barbados resort last week, and a guy hooked me up with some hand-rolled cigars.” He looked around. “Anyone want one?”

  Shane took one, but Asher and Dan were satisfied with their brandy. Shane sat and looked over to Dan. “So things are getting serious with the woman you body slammed against the wall a month ago?”

  Dan shook his head. He’d probably never live down that night. But last night, he’d had Mack against the wall in a whole new way, so that was his new favorite memory when it came to walls.

  Shane chuckled. “From that grin on your face, I’m guessing the answer is ‘why yes, Shane, things are going well.’ Not that it matters, but I like her. She’s got sass.”

  Dan tried to think if he’d seen Shane and Mack together. “Is this your first time meeting her?”

  Shane took a puff of his cigar. “Other than a quick wave in passing, yes. I’ve been on the road nonstop, man. The basketball draft is in a few weeks and I’ve got two kids who might make the first round, and I’ve got a baseball player looking to make a big move this summer.”

  He glanced at Dan. “I hear there’s been some drug drama in our little town. Mel said there’s actually a task force now. Are you any closer to figuring it out?”

  Dan didn’t answer right away. He was tired of the question, but he understood why people asked. They were concerned. So was he. And these guys were friends with an interest in the safety and reputation of the town they did business in as well as called their home. But still, he couldn’t divulge too much.

  “We think it’s a New York gang looking to expand north. We’re not their target market, but they seem to be stashing the stuff in our area. Treating this like a warehouse between the city and upstate. The volume is more than we’ve ever had in our area, and they’re tossing it around like freakin’ candy. We just can’t keep up with where they’re hiding it. Every time we think we have a line, it dries up. We thought they were using an old grain mill on the north shore, but we searched the place and found nothing.” Nothing other than a suspicious amount of tire tracks and fresh scrape marks across the old plank floors.

  “I heard the old mill was in foreclosure,” Blake said. “You might want to check with real-estate brokers.”

  The other guys nodded, and Dan drained his glass in one gulp. They were trying to be helpful, but did they really think he hadn’t thought of that already?

  “Good thought. We’re looking into all angles. We’ll find them.”

  Asher patted his shoulder. “We know you will, Dan. I’m glad you’ve got Mackenzie as a distraction.”

  Dan went still. “Nothing distracts me from my job. You know that.”

  “Easy, big guy.” Asher leaned against the railing. “I didn’t mean she was taking you away from your work. Just that she gives you an escape from it when you’re off duty. A chance to relax, like tonight. You know what they say about all work and no play.” He hesitated. “She’s good for you. She makes you laugh. She makes you more... I don’t know...happy?”

  Blake nodded in agreement. “Amanda said the same thing. You’re different since Mack came to town. In a good way.”

  Dan wasn’t sure he wanted to be different, but he knew they were right. Mack was changing him. Love was changing him.

  “She wants me to go to the llama farm.”

  Asher choked on his drink. “There’s a sentence I never thought I’d hear you say.”

  “You and me both.” Dan shook his head. “I don’t know what’s happening.”

  The three men looked at Dan, then at each other, and started to laugh.

  “Oh, I think you know exactly what’s happening,” Blake said. “Only love could get me to a llama farm. Don’t bother fighting it. And whatever you do...” He snuffed out the cigar. “Whatever you do, don’t screw it up. And if you do screw it up, which is likely...” The other guys nodded. “Make sure you fix it fast. Seriously. If you’re in love with her, don’t let her go.”

  Dan glanced into the house just as Mack threw her head back and laughed at something. She was sitting up on the counter, wineglass in hand, smiling at his friends. Her friends. In his world. Right where he wanted her to stay.

  * * *

  One of the weirdest things about moving back to your hometown was the way you kept running into familiar faces, but not completely familiar, because you’ve been gone twenty years. Mack looked around the bank and blinked, trying to put names with faces. Kiara was the easiest—she was a teller behind the counter and waved as soon as Mack walked in. Her braids were down and swinging around her face today. One of the other tellers looked familiar... Joy something? The big-haired lady who owned the hair salon... Martie Kennedy? Between the teased and sprayed-solid hair and the scowl on her face, Mack was pretty sure she’d be going outside Gallant Lake to find a decent haircut.

  And now here was Wes Compton, former class president and all-around Mr. Popularity in school, walking up to her with a wide, toothy smile and his hand extended. His dark hair was trimmed short and neat.

  “Mackenzie Wallace! Wow, it’s great to see you!” He gripped her hand and shook it hard enough to make her neck snap a little. “Come on back to my office. Your dad called yesterday and said you might be stopping by. You’re really taking over the store, huh?”

  She didn’t have much of a chance to answer, as Wes just kept talking. He’d always been a charmer in school, too, but now his charm almost felt aggressive. He was dressed in the new-slash-old Wall Street style, with his blue shirt with the white collar, pleated trousers and...suspenders. It was a trend Mack didn’t think needed to return. Especially in Gallant Lake. But she returned his smile and shook his hand without grimacing. She needed this loan, and he was the loan manager at the only bank in town.

/>   He barely looked at the store’s tax records and profit reports she’d brought with her once they sat down. Wes was too busy talking. About himself. Thirty minutes later, Wes had filled her in on his success as a banker and investor. He had a big house on the lake with a wife and three kids. He’d married Mandi Sue Moore, who was probably the one girl in school disliked more than Mack had been. Mack had just been laser focused on grades and accidentally ignored everyone else. Mandi sincerely thought she was better than everyone else. Made sense that she’d go after Wes and his family’s money. Mack looked at her watch.

  Dan had agreed to go to the llama farm out beyond the maple syrup stand today. Mack had read about it online and saw that they had baby llamas now. Dan had been so tense and tired this past week, working long hours and getting frustrated with the drug case he was on. Doing something silly like watching baby llamas would be a great stress reliever. But the place closed in three hours. She tried to catch up with what Wes was saying.

  “...let me tell you, the difference between a Mercedes and a Bentley is night and day. I mean, Mandi doesn’t mind the Mercedes, but I’m just not impressed.”

  “Well, they both sound expensive, that’s for sure.” She wondered how much the little bank in Gallant Lake paid him. He must have read her expression, because he rushed to clarify.

  “Oh...uh... I’ve had some recent property investments do very well.”

  “Really? Around here?”

  “Yes. There’s money to be made in foreclosed properties, if you know what I mean.”

  She didn’t, but she really needed to speed this along.

  “So about that loan...”

  He waved his hand at her. “It’s a no-brainer, Mackenzie. It’s a local business with a local family. Your credit’s stellar. Just the sort of thing the bank wants to promote. Fill out these forms and let me bump it up the ladder, but I’m sure there won’t be any problem.”

  She blew out a sigh of relief. As she filled in the paperwork, Wes kept talking. He was an adviser for the business chamber in town. Chair of a committee exploring growth opportunities. President of the parent-teacher organization. He was even thinking of running for mayor. Mack was looking forward to the quiet of a llama farm almost as much as she was looking forward to seeing Dan. Her ears were practically ringing from the constant sound of Wes Compton’s voice.

  He was ushering her out of the bank when a man walked in whom Mack didn’t know but Wes clearly did. He went completely still—and silent—at her side as the broad-shouldered man approached. The stranger was dressed in dark jeans and a black T-shirt two sizes too small. His hair was slicked back with so much hair product it was almost shining. Wes’s smile abruptly changed to an angry straight line.

  “What the fu—” He glanced around, then at Mack, and that smile returned like magic. “What a fun surprise, Carter. I didn’t ever expect to see you here at the bank. Where I work. In town.”

  Carter shrugged, clearly unconcerned. “The boss needs us to move on something. Now.”

  Wes was a completely different man. His face fell, and instead of anger, Mack saw a hint of fear in his eyes. What the hell was going on? It was like the most puffed-up man in town had been deflated right in front of her. He hustled her down the sidewalk and toward the parking lot with a hurried goodbye and a promise that he’d take care of the loan.

  An hour later, she was telling Dan about it at Larry’s Llama Farm. He didn’t seem concerned. But he’d had a bad overnight shift and was sleep deprived as well as frustrated over their lack of progress on the drug ring.

  “Wes likes to be involved with everything in town. He’s an overachiever.”

  “But who do you think that slimy guy was that showed up and freaked him out so much? He called him Carter.”

  “I don’t know, Mack. Maybe a disgruntled customer. Wes can be annoying, but...”

  She nodded and took his hand as they walked along the path toward the paddocks. He was probably right. “He told me he’s making a bundle from foreclosed properties, which seems like a conflict of interest, but he’s getting me a loan, so I guess it’s none of my business. Oh, Dan! Look!”

  The path curved to the right, and there in front of them was a large pasture with a dozen llamas wandering about grazing, or just lying in the grass, their jaws moving back and forth rhythmically as they watched Dan and her walk by. Some were solid colored—white, brown or gray. Others were spotted black and white.

  “They’re so big!”

  Dan’s shoulders began to ease, and he smiled. “They look like they were made from leftover parts, don’t they? Chloe came here a few weeks ago on a field trip, and she said they can be three hundred pounds or more. I didn’t know how tall they could be.” A steel-gray llama walked toward the fence, his tail curled tight over his back and his eyes fixed on Mack. Dan took her hand and tugged her away from the fence. “Don’t forget they can spit.”

  “Yeah, he wouldn’t be so cute if he spit regurgitated food at me.” Dan laughed at that, and she knew he was beginning to relax at last. His pace slowed, and he slid his arm around her shoulder.

  “It’s pretty up here.” The lake was hidden by the mountain, but the farmland rolled over the smaller hills. Crops were showing bright green shoots in the plowed fields across the road, and the pastures looked lush and green.

  She leaned into his embrace. “It is pretty. Summer’s almost here—you can feel it in the air.”

  Dan kissed her temple. “All the better for dancing in the rain.”

  Oh yes. That was a good day. She grinned up at him.

  They didn’t see any babies until they walked a little farther. There was a smaller paddock near the barns, and a cinnamon-colored llama mama stood in the corner. A tiny baby of the same color was toddling around.

  “Oh my God, look at that fluff of hair on his head! He looks like you, Dan!” He grimaced at her, which just made her laugh more. “He has gorgeous big eyes like you. And he’s frisky!” The baby started jumping around, then ran a mad dash in circles around his mother.

  They sat at a nearby picnic table to watch him. Dan checked his phone and frowned.

  “Damn it. No signal out here. I was afraid of that. We should probably go...”

  “Are you on shift today?”

  “No, but...”

  “Are you on call today?”

  “Technically, but...”

  She took the phone from his hand.

  “Just put this away and let someone else save the world today.”

  “Mack...”

  She darted in quickly to kiss him and stop him from thinking. Judging from the way he reacted, she was successful. His arm tightened around her, and she let him take over. He was hungry, demanding. And neither of them cared if the llamas watched.

  But it was the middle of the afternoon, so they eventually cooled it and settled back against the table, watching the baby llama prance around. They didn’t talk much, just sat there in the sun, pressed close together, and breathed. It was nice. It was perfect until Dan couldn’t sit still any longer. The real world was out there, and he didn’t like being cut off from it.

  He checked his phone three times on the way back to the truck, muttering every time. As they crested the first hill on the way back toward town, he pulled the truck over.

  “Seriously, Dan? You can’t wait? This is supposed to be a break.”

  “It was a break, babe. And I appreciated it. But I can’t hide from the job.”

  She was beginning to realize the absolute truth of that statement.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Dan’s phone lit up with a string of missed calls and texts. All from Sam Edgewood. He muttered a curse and called Sam.

  “Where were you, Dan? We’ve been calling for two hours.”

  “What happened?”

  He’d known there was no reception on the f
ar side of Gallant Mountain. He’d told Mack that. But she was so determined to go see that damn llama farm. To give him some much-needed fun. And Lord knew he couldn’t say no to her.

  “What happened was that we had the bastards, Dan.” Sam’s voice was angry and clipped. “We missed the actual exchange, but Terry’s DEA guys told us a car matching this one was seen going in and out of the auto shop in Brooklyn where they think the ring is being run from. We know he’s part of it. But we lost them just outside Gallant Lake. You know, that place where you live? That town where you want to be police chief?” Sam took in a long, heavy breath, then blew it out again. His voice lowered in resignation. “Sorry, man, that wasn’t fair. It was a souped-up Dodge, bright blue. Stolen tags. I swear that thing had jet engines. We were too far behind him and never had a chance.” He paused. “And we don’t know the area as well as...you.”

  Mack watched in silence from the passenger’s seat, reading his expression plainly enough and knowing to stay quiet. If he’d been near town and gotten the call, he could have intercepted the car. Maybe.

  “I’m sorry, Sam. I was in a freakin’ dead zone. No signal.” Mack reached over and put her hand on his, but he jerked away. He wasn’t sure why, and he regretted it as soon as it happened. Especially when he saw the hurt in her eyes. He cleared his throat and spoke into the phone. “Where did you lose him?”

  “He came down by the Chalet...”

  Dan stiffened. “You ran a high-speed chase through my town?”

  “Of course not, you idiot. We were a couple cars back, tailing him. Everything was fine. Then he turned onto Hill Road on the other side of town. There’s no traffic out there, so he made us right away and took off. Those roads have so many twists and turns and dirt roads that aren’t on the damn GPS. He was just...gone.”

  Dan pinched his nose, closing his eyes tight. He thought of that poor woman who’d OD’d in her car with her kids in the back seat. In Gallant Lake. She wasn’t a local, but that didn’t matter. It had happened in his town. These drugs were coming into his town. He cleared his throat.