Always The One. Tara Randel
my visibility low.”
“I never would have pegged you as the teacher type.”
“Why not? I tutored you in art history.”
“Which I sat through because I wanted to be with you, not learn about old paintings.”
“I can’t work in a museum. Too high profile.”
“Because someone might recognize you?”
She tamped down the old resentment. “We were discouraged from any kind of job that might put us in a spotlight. Teaching, even if it should be given more attention, is never highly publicized.”
“It’s a noble profession.”
“I do enjoy the children. Ten-year-olds are quite imaginative.” She pushed the pasta around on the plate. “You?”
“I work with the Art Crime Team out of DC.”
She blinked.
“Hey, those lessons paid off,” he said.
Envy swept over her, swift and hard. He got to be around artwork? Her dream job? Well, not the crime aspect, but being part of that world. Touching masterpieces. Showcasing new artists. Being in the glamorous world of high-end art. He got to have that job while she’d ended up on the run.
He must have mistaken her silence with the end of the topic—more like she was incredulous at his career choice—and switched the conversation back to her.
“So you’re okay with your job?” he asked.
Was she? It was hardly her dream career, but it was all she knew. “Content.”
A pause. Then, “And you’re serious about this guy you’re seeing?”
“I don’t think that’s an appropriate question.”
“Why not? I’m trying to catch up.”
“Yes. We’re serious.” She ran her thumb over her left ring finger. Derrick saw the motion and froze.
“You’re not wearing a ring,” he said.
“It’s on my dresser.”
He laid down his fork and sat back in the chair. A wounded look flashed in his eyes before disappearing.
“I have every right to date, be engaged if I want.”
“I’m not saying you can’t, I just…”
“Thought I’d pine over you forever?” She rose, took her plate and tossed the remains in the garbage. “You have a lot of nerve—”
The doorbell stopped her midtirade. She placed her dish in the sink and hurried to the door. Lynny Dunlop, her best friend and coworker who lived down the street, stood on the other side, a bright smile on her face.
“Your mother called. Said she and I should have a movie night.” She held up a DVD. “She told me you had an old friend in town and needed to catch up, so I’m here to keep her company.”
Hannah suppressed a groan. It was obvious her mother wanted to give her and Derrick some time alone.
“Come on in.” As she shut the door, Hannah shot her mom a chagrined look. Her mother simply smiled.
“Brought Mama Mia!” Lynny said as she shrugged out of her heavy coat.
“Perfect,” Sofia said as Hannah spoke at the same time.
“Which isn’t necessary,” Hannah added. “He’s not staying.”
“He?” Lynny asked, full-blown interest lighting up her elfin features.
It figured that would be the one word her friend would pick up on. Derrick chose that moment to stroll into the living room.
“And this must be him,” Lynny said, shooting Hannah a raised eyebrow.
Yes. Derrick was ridiculously handsome. Anyone with eyes could see that.
Derrick walked over and held out his hand. “Derrick.”
“Lynny. Hannah’s BFF.”
Hannah bit the inside of her cheek.
“Who was helping me to the bedroom,” Sofia interrupted as she tried to rise from the chair. Lynny hurried over to assist.
“We’ll leave you two alone,” Lynny said, winking at Hannah as the women disappeared down the hallway.
Hannah loved Lynny, really she did. They’d met a few days after Hannah and her mother had moved into the neighborhood. She was also instrumental in getting Hannah a position at Ponderosa Day School. Between Lynny’s sunny disposition and habit of getting her own way, she’d been responsible for prodding Hannah out of the house more times than Hannah could count. It was on one of their impromptu outings that Hannah had met Jonathan and was now engaged.
She glanced down at her ringless finger. Could this day get any more weird? Derrick had to leave before she lost her head and said things that she would regret. Like admitting she had lingering feelings for him. Which she shouldn’t because she had a fiancé. A man who had been there for her when she needed him. Who hadn’t betrayed her, despite the fact that she’d been up-front when she’d told him she couldn’t reveal her past. A man who was steady and dependable. Who didn’t show up and demand answers.
Yes, Derrick ought to go.
“Look, Derrick, I think you should leave now.” She walked to the couch where he’d dropped his jacket. “Mom and I are fine. You can take off now that your curiosity’s appeased.”
“It’s more than that and you know it.”
“That’s all it can be.” She handed him his jacket and crossed to open the front door. The freezing night air sent shivers over her skin, the cold waking her up to reality. She jutted her chin, hoping it made her look tougher than she felt. “You don’t deserve to be in our lives after what you did.”
“Correction, after what your father did. And I only just found you.”
“I don’t want you here.” Yeah, it was a lie, but his standing here was a reminder of what she’d lost. What they’d lost. No amount of hoping was ever going to change what had transpired in their past.
He didn’t move.
She opened the door wider, not taking no for an answer.
“Fine,” he said, fisting the jacket in his hands. “But until I find out who sent that stone, until I get answers, I’ll be around.” He brushed by her and marched into the frigid night. His words sent tremors over her that had nothing to do with the weather.
SIX DAYS LATER, Derrick stood outside the front entrance of Ponderosa Day School, dressed in an official security guard shirt, jeans and boots, watching students file into the tan building after being dropped off in the car zone. He’d gotten more than one curious look. Most of the kids were expecting to see an older man, Glen Harvey, on duty, but today and until he solved the gem situation, they’d get Derrick.
After talking with Hannah on the first night he arrived, Derrick was legitimately concerned about her. Not only because of her mother’s health issues, which she was handling admirably, but also because of the fact that at some point her father had taken off. That in itself raised red flags. He needed to find out if they were still under WITSEC protection since Hannah gave so little information. After settling into a hotel room, he had checked into the school where she worked, looking for a way to stay close. He discovered that the private school hired guards from a local security firm. Armed with the name of the company, Derrick applied for a position with the security company the next morning.
Using an alias, he’d created for the occasional undercover FBI op, Derrick Fields