CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 27

CAT

Neena and William arrived at Matt’s house together, her lipstick fresh despite the traumatic news. I watched as they climbed from his car, Neena running past the ambulance to her husband on the stretcher.

“What happened?” William asked as he approached. He frowned at my wet hair, tsking as he pulled my robe tighter, then wrapped me in his arms.

“Looks like he was leaning on the railing and it gave way. Deputy Dan is here looking at it. He said Matt’s lucky he landed in the grass. A foot over and he would have hit the pavers.”

William winced. “Are you okay?”

“Just chilly.” I rested my head against his chest. “And I had to listen to an earful from Dan over speeding in the neighborhood.”

“Poor girl,” he chided, planting a kiss on the side of my head. “Troublemaker.”

“Well, this heroic act should give me some leniency. I told him that.” I looked over my shoulder at our neighborhood security officer, a retired detective who took his job way too seriously. “He’s convinced this is more than an old railing. You know Dan.”

“Oh yes. Let me guess—insurance-policy scam? Or is he thinking murder attempt?” He laughed. Last year, Dan had been adamant that Mrs. Vanderbilt’s torn window screen had been a foiled home-invasion plot. He’d peppered our mailboxes with best practices to avoid intruders, held a special homeowners’ watch meeting, and doubled our nightly neighborhood patrols. Behind closed doors, we all mused that should a serial killer ever decide to target Atherton’s residents, Dan would spontaneously orgasm at the thought.

“Murder attempt, I think.” I smiled. “You know . . . young wife, frumpy husband . . . I bet Neena’s got an insurance policy that would leave her comfortable. Add in an affair, and he’ll have all the motive he needs.”

Was it my imagination, or did he stiffen against me? I looked up in time to catch the uncomfortable look on his face, right before it smoothed into a smile.

“Cat.” Neena’s steely voice came from behind me, and I turned to see her arms crossed over her balloon chest, the toe of one peep-toed stiletto tapping the floor. “Thank you for coming to Matt’s aid. I think we’re good here. I’m sure you’d like to go home and”—her gaze slid distastefully over my thin robe—“get some dry clothes on.”

“I just want to make sure he’s okay. Thank God he didn’t fall on the pavers.”

“Yes, we’re all very grateful,” she said tartly.

“Do you need a ride to the hospital?” My husband stepped forward, and I looked at him in surprise.

“Yes,” she said quickly. “That would be . . .” She blew out a breath of air, and I watched her closely, curious if there was an actual person under all that plastic. “That would be wonderful. Thank you, William.”

Thank you, William.As if he would be driving her to the hospital alone.

“I’ll run back home and change.” I looked at him. “Swing by and pick me up on your way?”

“Oh, do you mind staying here?” Neena glanced back at the ambulance. “I hate to leave the house open with all these people here. It would be a big help if you could keep an eye on things.”

My gaze darted between her and him, and my stomach cramped at the idea of them going to the hospital together. It would be hours of one-on-one waiting time, my husband in easy reach of her manicured little claws. “Sure.” I forced a smile. “Anything I can do to help.” I wrapped my arms around William, burrowing into his chest, and rose on my toes, giving him a kiss on the neck. “If you need to get to the office, just let me know. I’ll come up and relieve you.”

“I love you,” he said gruffly. “Don’t stay out here with that wet hair. Go inside.” He nodded to their house. “You can watch things from there.”

Neena delivered a stiff smile. “Thank you, Cat. Will, I’ll be in the car when you’re ready.”

Will? I kept my features mild at the nickname. After all, what was three letters? Pushing my thumb along my ring finger, I touched the diamond, reassuring myself of its presence. She headed for the car, and I met William’s eyes.

“Don’t give me that look,” he groaned. “What? What are you worrying about?”

“Ashley said you two were in the boardroom.” I shrugged. “What was wrong with your office?”

“I had a meeting prior with a large group. I stayed in the room. After Neena, I would have met marketing in there.” He frowned at me. “You don’t have anything to worry about. You know that.”

“I know that you have four different companies to run, and there’s plenty of other people who could take her to the hospital. Me. Maria. A friend, if she even has one.”

“Cat, I—”

“Look. Matt is your friend. I understand that. And I want to be here to support them. But you’ve just been so busy lately, I feel like I haven’t gotten any time with you. And yet, now you can ditch everything to go sit in a hospital? You know it’s going to be hours, right?”

“I can call—”

“I already called the hospital. They’re ready for him, and they’ll get him right in. Best and quickest of everything. But still, it’s going to take time.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him on the lips. “Just . . . be good.”

“I’m always good,” he said against my mouth.

I pulled away from him and wished I could believe it.