As they sat around the table, Colleen continued to bounce as she exclaimed over the stars they had looked at. “Grandpa says that because the Earth turns, it sometimes looks like the stars are moving, too. And they looked different at different times. Right, Grandpa?”
Tara smiled as she took a napkin and wiped the hot chocolate mustache off Colleen’s face.
“That’s right,” he agreed. “Sometimes, the stars are in different places, and we have to search for them. Sometimes, they’re right under our nose, but because a position is a little different, we have to search to find them. It’s like they’re hiding in plain sight.”
Glancing at the clock, Tara said, “Colleen, honey, we need to head home.” Soon they were bundled up again, and goodbyes were said.
That night, lying in bed with Carter’s arms around her, she shivered.
“You cold, babe?”
Snuggling deeper into his embrace, she said, “No. I guess I was just thinking about Kate. The memorial is tomorrow morning. How short life could be. We never know what’s going to happen to us. Make the most of each day… you know… all those thoughts that sometimes hit us.”
He pressed his lips to the side of her head and tightened his arms. “Damn, sweetheart. What can I do to take some of that away?”
His words soothed over her, and she smiled. “You already are. Just by being in my life. Just by caring.”
The cloudless night allowed the moonlight to shine through the slats of the blinds, casting a soft illumination over them. They lay facing each other, their gazes fixed.
“I wanted to hold back,” he said.
She leaned back slightly to get a better view of his face, his words confusing.
He reached up and slid her thick tresses off her shoulder, cupping her cheek with his hand. “I wasn’t looking for a relationship when we met. But I’ve found one. You’ve come to mean the world to me, Tara. And so has Colleen.”
Swallowing deeply, she blinked at the growing moisture in her eyes. “Thinking about Kate has made me realize that I don’t want to hide anymore just to protect myself from hurt. I’m falling in love with you, Carter.”
He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “That’s good to hear, babe, because I’m already in love with you.”
“We’re a lot to take on.”
“I’m a man who knows what I want when I find it. I’m not worried about trying to chase a dream when all I want is right in front of me. You. That little girl across the hall. The us we’re becoming, and the us we’re going to be. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered, giving in to the desire to kiss him again. Their lips moved slow and gently, reverently. Separating, she said, “We still need to go slow for Colleen. She knows we’re dating, and she adores you. But I just want to…”
“We both want to protect her.”
“Yes,” she nodded, a tremulous smile on her face. A tear escaped as her heart warmed.
30
Tara sat at her desk, the desire to do any work low. She had attended the memorial service that morning but found herself uneasy. Her attention had been riveted on the mourners from the clinic. As far as she could see, everyone was there, most visibly upset. Dr. Tiller sat with his wife. The other nurses and staff sat together. Robert came alone and so did Beth. She surreptitiously watched, but they barely looked at each other and did not sit together.
Michael and Bethany stopped by to check on her, which she appreciated. Sable and Enrico had offered heartfelt hugs, also appreciated. She had checked on some of the residents, completed two new intakes, closed out a few reports, and now was at loose ends, sitting at her desk.
Glancing at her phone, she reached over and pressed the message button again, knowing she was a glutton for punishment.
Message received 8:07 p.m. “Tara? This is Kate. I really wanted to talk to you today, but I know you were busy. I’ve been driving around trying to think of what to do and just got home. We need to talk when I get in tomorrow. I’ll be there first thing in the morning. Please. I don’t know what’s going on, but meds are being switched… Shit… Sorry, someone’s at my door. I’ll call you right back.”
Sighing, she played it two more times. Hearing Kate’s voice made her sad. It was obvious something was happening at the clinic. She knew Carter had been over there several times but was limited in the scope of his investigation.
She played the message one more time, but this time, anger fired her blood. Anger that something was happening. Something at the clinic. Whatever Kate discovered, she didn’t feel that she could call the police. Why? Was it dangerous? Hard to prove? Easily covered up?
She stood and grabbed her keys from her purse. Stepping into the hall, she spied Michael. “I’m going next door to the clinic.”
“I thought they were closed today.”
“They are, but I had something that I wanted to check on. I didn’t want to leave this building without letting someone know where I was.”
He nodded and she hurried down the hall to the door that connected the shelter with the clinic. Unlocking it, she peered in, but all was quiet. Flipping on a light in the back area, she moved to the pharmacy. It was eerie being in the clinic when no one else was around, but she was determined to take advantage of the opportunity. Snooping might be considered illegal, but I want to know what Kate discovered.
Glancing through the door into the pharmacy, she knew there was no way inside with its added security. But unless the pharmacy techs and Robert were all in on something, she doubted whatever was happening was inside the pharmacy room.
Glancing to
