Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Delaney barely noticed the chill as the temperature dropped. The evening had been magical—twinkling lights, the scents of fried food and joy hanging in the air, Charlotte’s delighted squeals as she’d played with her friends.
Lowell had ruined it.
Well, he’d started the ruining process. She’d ended it with that stupid gesture. What had she been thinking, touching Noah like that? It had felt so natural to comfort him.
But she’d seen the stiffness of his posture. Even after she’d snatched her hand back, she’d felt his frustration.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
She wasn’t surprised when Noah said, “We’d better get Charlotte home.”
It was already an hour past her bedtime, but of course that wasn’t Noah’s real reason. After Delaney’s foolish show of affection, he’d wanted her gone.
While he gathered their trash, she went to the playground and coaxed the little girl down from the perch where she stood with her friends.
Charlotte only put up a little fight before climbing down and returning with Delaney to their table.
“I’ll walk you both home.” Noah stood as they approached. “Unfortunately, I’m expected back for the final dance.”
They snaked through the park, Charlotte wedged between them, her tiny hand warm in Delaney’s.
The crowd had thinned since the height of the festival, but remnants of the celebration lingered—discarded napkins fluttering in the autumn breeze, the band still playing for the younger crowd who’d taken over the floor.
When they reached the sidewalk, Delaney said, “I’m sorry about that touch.” Her cheeks warmed. “I shouldn’t have—”
He stopped suddenly, so she did, too, finding him facing her.
“You have nothing to apologize for. If anyone should be apologizing…”
He took a breath, his gaze flicking down to Charlotte, who plopped down on the sidewalk as if too tired to take another step. She was chattering to a stuffed animal she’d won with Delaney’s help.
Mr. Aylett continued. “I’m sorry about…you know.” The intensity of his gaze told her what he meant, and her cheeks burned when she remembered their forbidden kiss. “You’ve been… You are amazing, and if I ever make you feel otherwise, I don’t mean to. I just can’t risk…”
“Scandal. I know.”
His lips twisted as if he found the word distasteful.
“Delaney.”
She loved the way her name sounded on his tongue. He hadn’t used it since the night of their kiss.
He was watching her, his gaze intense. “I’m just going to say it. It’s not nothing, this thing between us.”
Her heart raced. What was he saying? That what he felt wasn’t just physical? That he felt something more for her?
He continued. “The timing is wrong, that’s all. But when the…” Something must have caught his attention. He glanced away, and those eyes that had held her captive narrowed.
She turned to see what he’d seen.
A block from the festival on a side street, Heather got into the passenger seat of a dark Cadillac. The car’s interior light illuminated her face briefly before going dark.
“Wasn’t that your friend?” Noah’s tone had an edge. “What is she doing with him?”
“Do you know him? Heather mentioned at the park that she’s dating someone. Maybe that was him.”
Noah watched the black sedan pull away, his brow furrowed. “I’m pretty sure that was Frederick Hayes’s car.”
“The guy who threatened me tonight? What a weird coincidence that they’re together.”
He uttered a skeptical hmm in the back of his throat. “He’s married.”
“Yeah, she said that.”
Noah gave Delaney a sharp look, and she lifted her hand in surrender. “I don’t condone it. And I didn’t know the guy’s name.”
“I know, of course. Sorry. It’s just…” But his words faded, leaving her to wonder what he was thinking.
Charlotte was telling her stuffed bear all about their house and her bedroom. Her little voice was so innocent, a sharp contrast to the evening.
“Let’s go, Charlie-Bear,” Noah said.
She stood, and they resumed their walk.
They’d gone a block or so when Noah blew out a long breath, then inched a little closer to Delaney. “I need to tell you something.” His voice was low. “I’m going to have to let you go for a little while.”
The words hit Delaney like a slap. She stumbled on the sidewalk, and he gripped her arm to keep her from falling.
“You okay?”
She ignored the stupid question. “Are you serious? You’re firing me?”
“Not…firing. Just…just until after the merger.”
“When is that going to happen? What am I supposed to do between now and then?”
“You told me your mom wants you to go home for Christmas. I’ll buy you a ticket—”
“Why?” The temperature seemed to drop ten degrees. “What did I do?”
Charlotte looked up, her gaze flicking from her to Mr. Aylett and back.
“Nothing.” He lowered his voice. “You did nothing wrong. It’s just, you were threatened tonight, and—”
“I’m fine. And you need someone to take care of Charlotte.”
“It’s just for a little while. People are starting to talk, and—”
“You’d do this to her to avoid a scandal?” Delaney let her anger mask the hurt and betrayal she was desperate to hide. How could he do this to her? How could he do this to Charlotte? “You’re more worried about your reputation than your niece.”
“I’m not. It’s just until the merger’s finalized, which should be—”
“Who’s going to take care of Charlotte?” Delaney’s voice cracked on the child’s name.
“I am.” His gaze hardened. “I managed it before. I can do it again.”
“Who’s going to take her to dance? Who’s going to make sure she doesn’t run off at the playground?
” Delaney’s hurt was transforming into something sharper, more dangerous.
She lowered her voice to a whisper, checking on Charlotte.
“I grew up with a father who always had something more important to do than spend time with us. At least we had Mom. Who will she have?”
Noah’s jaw tightened, but he offered no answer.
They walked in tense silence, Charlotte’s innocent chatter to her teddy bear the only sound between them.
The injustice of it burned. Delaney had done everything right. She’d protected Charlotte, loved her, helped her heal. And now Noah was throwing her away because some gossips had nothing better to do than speculate about his personal life.
“You don’t understand the pressure I’m under,” he said finally.
“You’re right, I don’t.” The words came out whispered and clipped. “I don’t understand how a business deal could be more important than a little girl’s well-being. I don’t understand how you can—”
Charlotte stopped abruptly, tugging on both their hands. “Look! A kitty!”
The same small tabby cat Delaney had seen the day she’d met Charlotte darted across their path. Charlotte veered in that direction, but Delaney took her hand and gently pulled her forward.
“Just look, love. Don’t follow.”
They watched until the cat disappeared into the bushes in front of a shop before turning back toward the house.
Noah froze.
Delaney followed his gaze.
A woman was standing on the sidewalk.
She held a handgun—aimed at Delaney.