Chapter 30
Hailey awoke with a crick in her neck and the realization that she’d been sleeping with her head on Peter’s shoulder. She looked up to find him studying her.
He smiled. “Good morning.”
“Morning.” She scooted over to protect him from her probable morning breath. “I won’t ask how well you slept, but did you rest at all?” He couldn’t have been very comfortable sitting upright and not able to move without waking her.
“I caught a few winks.”
She ran her hand through her hair, hoping she didn’t look like a total mess but knowing she probably did. “I’m surprised I fell asleep at all.”
“I’m sure you needed it.”
She couldn’t argue with that. Hopefully, the couple of hours she’d dozed would be enough to get her through the day.
She wasn’t sure what time it was, but she’d guess it was about seven, based on the sounds and smells coming from the kitchen.
Mom was up and preparing breakfast already, which meant Dad was probably outside feeding the chickens they’d started raising last year.
Her cheeks flushed. Had her parents seen them in here?
She shook off her embarrassment. She was over thirty years old, not a teenager.
And she and Peter hadn’t done anything inappropriate.
Besides, her dad had probably gone out the back door.
She was certain she’d have heard if anyone had come through here and gone out the front.
“I should probably go check on Jenna.” And brush her teeth and change into some fresh clothes.
He waved her on. “Don’t worry about me.”
“You will stay for breakfast, won’t you?”
“If you don’t mind having me.” His grin was contagious.
“I wouldn’t have asked otherwise.”
“Then, of course.”
Neither of them brought up the fact that they still needed to come up with a solution to her problem. Today was Friday. Mr. Luque had said he wanted her decision by Monday. That wasn’t much time, and he’d probably planned it that way.
After peeking in on Jenna, who was still asleep, she took the opportunity to grab a quick shower. Feeling much better, she returned to the room she was sharing with her daughter and found Jenna just beginning to stir.
A few minutes later, the two of them and Maggie were on the way to the kitchen. Voices carried down the hallway. Her mom’s. Peter’s. Then she heard her dad’s deep laugh. All three of them were in there, and it sounded like they were enjoying each other’s company.
The first thing Hailey noticed upon entering was that, like yesterday, Peter was making himself useful by setting the table.
He must have said something funny because Mom was still laughing as she pulled a sheet of cinnamon rolls from the oven.
Dad had a twinkle in his eye when he turned to greet Hailey and Jenna.
Jenna’s face broke into a wide grin when she spotted everyone. To Hailey’s surprise, she ran to Peter first.
Peter set down the handful of silverware he’d been distributing and welcomed her hug. Once she released him, he signed, Good morning, princess.
Jenna gave him a cheesy grin, then ran to her grandpa for his morning hug.
“My, my, someone has a new favorite.” Mom smiled and gave Hailey a sly wink.
She returned the smile, but as she filled cups of coffee for each of the adults, she couldn’t help the niggling fear that Jenna might be getting too attached too quickly.
Hailey hadn’t dated since losing Wesley—hadn’t even thought seriously about whether she would.
There simply hadn’t been that much time since her husband had died. She was still grieving.
Peter was the first man she’d had even the slightest interest in.
She couldn’t deny she liked him, but she also knew her first responsibility was to her daughter.
What if he didn’t return her interest, or they dated but things didn’t work out?
If she did date again, whether Peter or someone else, she’d need to be very careful.
Risking heartbreak for herself was one thing, but subjecting her daughter to it was a very different story.
“Your parents have invited me to hang around today, just to help keep an extra eye on things. Is that all right? Miguel headed out about twenty minutes ago.”
Reality crashed in again at Peter’s words. Dating or any sort of relationship should be the last thing on her mind right now. If she didn’t figure a way out of the predicament she was in, she wasn’t sure any of them would survive long enough to risk a broken heart.
“Of course. And you’d be welcome to catch a nap before work. I know you’ve got to be tired still.”
He gave her a lazy smile as he plunked the last set of silverware beside a plate.
“I’ve been through a lot more sleepless nights than that.
But, yes, I’ll grab a nap if I need one.
For now, I’m good with a hot cuppa.” He gestured to the cluster of steaming mugs she still held. “One of those is for me, I hope.”
She grinned. “Well, it’s certainly not for Jenna.”
“That’s a relief.” He stepped close to take one off her hands. As he did, he murmured, “I didn’t tell your parents about the new development. Just let them know I came over because I’m still worried about you, which I am.”
“Thank you.” She appreciated his discretion. She would tell her parents about the newest threat, but she wanted to do it herself. And maybe after her dad got back from the cardiologist appointment he had scheduled for this afternoon.
THE MORNING PASSED QUICKLY and, unfortunately, without bringing any clarity to Hailey’s situation.
Jesse had put up a fuss about having to keep his appointment.
But at Hailey’s insistence, and only after eliciting a promise from Peter that he would stay with “their girls,” he’d finally agreed to go.
Miguel had called just after lunch and said he would arrive around two, and that had helped to mollify him.
Now, while Hailey was putting Jenna down for a nap, Peter decided to do some research on Alessandro Luque.
Surprisingly, there wasn’t a lot of information about the man online.
Peter was able to locate a short bio on the about page of a prestigious investment firm.
Hailey hadn’t mentioned the name of the firm last night, but the description fit.
According to the bio, Alessandro had graduated from an Ivy League school and had spent fifteen years working his way up to his current position at Eukaria Investments.
It also cited notably increased profits since he’d taken over as CFO five years ago.
Peter would bet that was the case. Money laundering wasn’t legal, but it was quite profitable for those who got away with it.
Peter stared at the man’s image. Alessandro fit the stereotypical tall, dark, and handsome to a T.
Though it wasn’t possible to tell his height from this photo, that part had been obvious from last night’s security feed.
But he hadn’t been able to get a good look at the man otherwise.
Now he studied him. Alessandro had the olive-toned skin, five o’clock shadow, and piercing blue eyes that Peter’s sister would have practically drooled over in her teen years.
Those weren’t even his most striking features.
Even in a portrait, the man’s intensity and arrogance were unmistakable.
Hailey rejoined him, and he showed her the photo. She shuddered. “That’s him.”
He frowned, already not liking the guy. Of course, he hadn’t liked Alessandro Luque from the moment he discovered he was threatening Hailey. Now he had a clear image to go with the name.
He shared the little he’d found so far. “It’s not much to go on.”
She sighed. “No, but I’m not sure what kind of details would help us anyway.”
“Knowledge is power, as they say.” And Alessandro Luque hadn’t left much power lying around. Perhaps a study on Eukaria Investments or the wider Luque family would yield more fruit.
About ten minutes later, a knock sounded at the door. He and Hailey exchanged a look. Miguel hadn’t called to say he or one of the other guys was returning. Had her parents mentioned they were expecting anyone? She shook her head at his silent question.
Motioning her to stay where she was, he moved to the front door and took a look through the peephole. His shoulders relaxed when he recognized Detective Thornton on the porch. Peter opened the door. “Afternoon, Detective.”
Eric gave him a curt nod as he entered. “Hello, Peter. Is Hailey here?”
“I’m in the living room,” Hailey called before Peter could answer.
Eric headed in her direction. Peter closed the door and followed. Something about the detective’s manner screamed there’d been a new development. And it wasn’t good.
Hailey rose to join them at the door. Her expression said she was picking up on the same vibes he was. “What brings you all the way out here?”
The detective fixed his gaze on her. “One of your coworkers was found dead this morning.”