Return of the Prodigal Son Read online

  Now, as he spoke by phone with his Washington contact, some of the suppressed fury seeped into his voice. “I don’t care whose toes we have to step on. I don’t want to hear about rules and regulations. It may have been only a theory before, but now there isn’t a doubt in my mind that what I suspected is a fact. And here’s another one. He can’t hide from me. He’s going down. I won’t rest until he pays for this.”

  When he hung up the phone and turned, Andi was standing in the doorway, her hand at her throat, a look of stunned surprise on her face.

  “You know who did this.”

  He started to brush past her.

  Infuriated, she stepped in front of him, hands on her hips. “You know who did this, and you don’t intend to tell me?”

  “There isn’t time, Andi.”

  “Then make time.”

  He gave a long, slow hiss of breath. “I’ll tell you when I have all the facts. Until then, you need to pack a bag for yourself and the children.”

  “Why should I pack a bag?”

  “You can’t stay here. I’m taking you someplace where you’ll be safe.”

  He saw the fear return to her eyes and hated knowing that he was the one to put it there. With a gentleness he hadn’t known he was capable of, he drew her close and brushed a kiss to her cheek. “I’m sorry to add to your burden, Andi. But trust me for a little while longer. And when the time is right, I’ll tell you everything I know.”

  She took a step away, tipping her head back so she could look into his eyes. She surprised him by laying a hand on his cheek.

  “All right. You’ve bought yourself a little time. But if you think when this is over that you’re going to slip away into some rain forest, or disappear without a trace, remember this. I can be as determined as you, Donovan Lassiter. I’ll haunt you to your dying day, until you tell me the truth.”

  He gave her an admiring look, before throwing back his head and roaring with laughter. Oh, it felt so good to be able to laugh again.

  He pressed his forehead to hers. “I like your style, Mrs. Brady. Remind me to never cross you.”

  “I’m glad you understand. I may look soft, but underneath I’m hard as nails.”

  “Yeah. Right.” He gave her one of his heart-stopping smiles. “Now go upstairs and pack. Tell the children we leave in half an hour.”

  Chapter 13

  It seemed to Andi that they’d been driving for hours, veering off the highway to take twisting, turning back roads, then suddenly returning to the highway after passing through a small town.

  She turned to Donovan, who’d been driving in silence. “Are we lost?”

  His response was a terse “No.”

  When she saw him glancing in the rearview mirror, she was struck by a shocking thought. “Are we being followed?”

  “Not anymore.”

  “But we were.”

  He saw the look of alarm. “I lost him.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  He reached over to lay a hand on hers. “Trust me.”

  “You know I do, Donovan.” She sighed. “You said you were taking us someplace safe. Is this one of those government safe houses?”

  He gave her a knowing smile. “In a manner of speaking.”

  When he returned his attention to the road, she glanced at the children in the back seat, who were busy putting together a map they’d found on the floor of Donovan’s car.

  “What are these little push pins for?” Cory asked.

  “I started marking all the places I’d been. I never got around to finishing it.”

  “Wow.” As the little boy studied the map, his tone turned to one of awe. “You’ve been just about everywhere in the whole world.”

  Donovan chuckled. “Not quite.”

  Cory followed the trail of pins with his finger. “Name a place you haven’t been.”

  It took Donovan a few minutes before he could come up with an answer. “Fiji.”

  “What’s Fiji?” Taylor asked.

  “A string of beautiful islands in the Pacific. I’d like to go there sometime.”

  “Are they as pretty as Disney World?”

  He couldn’t help chuckling at the little girl’s question. “I don’t know. That’s another place I’ve never been.”

  “Neither have I.” The little girl met his eyes in the mirror. “My daddy promised to take me there for my birthday.” Her lower lip trembled. The tension of the day, and the long drive were beginning to take their toll. “Now he’ll never be here to take me.”

  To distract her Donovan suddenly pointed. “Look what I see.”

  The children stared out the window as the familiar sights of Washington, D.C., came into view.

  Donovan’s voice deepened with emotion. “This is something I never grow tired of seeing. Whenever I found myself in a foreign land, missing my home, I’d close my eyes and in my mind I’d see the Washington Monument, or the Lincoln Memorial, or the dome of the Capitol. I think it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world.”

  The children sensed his emotion and watched in silence until they’d left the heart of the city behind and turned onto a street of old, stately houses.

  When he pulled up the driveway and turned off the ignition, Andi glanced at him in surprise. “Where are we?”

  “My childhood home.” He stepped out and hurried around to open her door.

  By the time he led Andi and the children up the steps, the front door was opened wide, and his entire family had spilled out onto the porch.

  “Donovan.” Kate Lassiter launched herself into her son’s arms and gave him a fierce hug.

  As soon as he was released, he was caught in a bear hug by each of his siblings.

  All the while, Andi and her children stood together, looking awed and confused.

  When he was able to extricate himself from their arms, Donovan turned to see Taylor hiding behind her mother’s legs. He picked her up, then casually caught Cory’s hand in his. “I’d like all of you to meet Andi Brady and her children, Cory and Taylor. This is my mother, Kate, my grandfather, Kieran, though we all call him Pop, and my brothers, Micah and Cameron. And the outnumbered girls in the family are my sister, Bren, and Micah’s wife, Pru.”

  “Andi.” Sensing the young woman’s unease, Kate opened her arms and embraced her. “Welcome to our home.”

  “You’re just in time for supper.” Kieran winked at the little boy. “I’ve made Donovan’s favorite.”

  “Spaghetti and meat sauce?” Donovan squeezed Cory’s hand. “We couldn’t have planned it more perfectly.”

  “Come in,” Kieran called, holding the door. “And make yourselves at home.” As Donovan walked past him, he dropped a big hand on his shoulder and added, “You might have phoned us, boyo.”

  “Yeah.” Donovan saw Andi and the children holding back to glance at him. “Things have been a little busy, Pop.”

  The old man gave a sigh before following the others inside.

  Andi glanced around the big, comfortable great room, and beyond to the dining room, where the table was already set for their meal. The air was perfumed with the scent of garlic and spices and home-baked rolls.

  Everyone, it seemed, was talking at once. As they talked, they moved Andi and the children along with them toward the kitchen, where six pairs of hands were instantly busy stirring, heating, pouring.

  “You may as well sit.” Donovan led Andi and the children toward the big trestle table. “You’ll want to get out of the way of the traffic jam. When the Lassiter family is cooking, they mean business.”

  Here in the kitchen the smells were even stronger. Andi’s mouth watered, and it occurred to her that she hadn’t eaten a thing all day. Now that the crisis was over, she could admit to herself she was famished.

  “I believe this calls for a celebration.” Micah rummaged in a drawer for a corkscrew, then began opening a bottle of Merlot. “It’s been years since Donovan visited more than once in any given year.”

 
; As he passed around stem glasses everyone took a minute to sip, before returning to their tasks.

  “This is for you, lad.” Kieran handed Cory a tall frosty glass of soda.

  “And this is yours, lass.” He winked at Taylor, and despite her shyness she managed to return a smile.

  Kieran drained the pasta and arranged it on a huge platter, then ladled steaming sauce over it. “I think it’s safe to say dinner is ready.” He picked up the platter, and the others followed him to the dining room, each of them carrying a bowl, basket or plate of food.

  Cameron had already added four more chairs at the table, and Donovan led Andi and the children to one side, facing Micah, Pru, Bren and Cameron on the other side. Kate sat at one end with Kieran at the other.

  As they took their seats, they all joined hands. For a moment Cory and Taylor looked bewildered. Then, following their mother’s lead, they joined hands and stared in surprise as Kieran bowed his head and intoned in his rich brogue, “Bless this food and this family. Not only those of us gathered here, but those who are here in spirit. Bless especially our Donovan, who has returned to us along with our guests, Andi and Cory and Taylor, who share our bounty. And as always, bless Riordan, who watches over us all.”

  As the food was being passed around, Taylor whispered to Cory, “Is Donovan’s grandpa a preacher?”

  Overhearing, Kieran threw back his head and roared. “Not a preacher, lass. Just a son of the auld sod who loves to pray aloud.”

  Donovan winked. “He loves to hear himself talk.”

  “Watch it, boyo.” Kieran shot him a quelling look. “Or you’ll be outside shooting hoops while the rest of us devour this good food.”

  “What’s shooting hoops?” Taylor helped herself to a hot, buttery roll and passed the basket to her mother.

  “It’s a peculiar form of discipline that our grandfather inflicts on us,” Micah explained. “From the time we were your age, we’ve been sent to the backyard to work off our aggression on a basketball hoop whenever we got out of hand.”

  The girl’s eyes got round. “But you’re big men. Does he still send you outside?”

  “He does if we get out of line.” Cameron was grinning. “And that includes our sister, Bren. Even though she’s a congresswoman now, she isn’t immune to Pop’s discipline.”

  “Of course.” Andi dropped her fork to stare at the pretty redhead across the table. “I thought you looked familiar.” She turned to Donovan. “Why didn’t you tell me that Congresswoman Lassiter is your sister?”

  He shrugged. “You never asked. Besides, I find it a little hard to believe myself. When I went away, she was just another college babe, trying to snag the attention of all my buddies, including, I might add, your brother, Champ. Now I come home to find out she’s practically running the country.”

  “Don’t I wish.” Bren laughed along with her brothers. “I’m still learning the ropes, but I’m finding it exciting and rewarding to be working in government.”

  “Is your job like Donovan’s?” Cory asked innocently.

  That had the entire family laughing.

  Bren shook her head. “I’m afraid not. As a matter of fact, Donovan has yet to tell us exactly what his work consisted of.”

  “Don’t hold your breath.” He blew her a kiss. “I’m taking all my secrets to the grave.”

  Andi sat back, enjoying the interplay between Donovan and his family. There was so much warmth and laughter here. She could feel it wrapping itself around her, making her feel more relaxed than she’d felt in a very long time.

  Cory looked over at Donovan. “You were right.”

  “About what?”

  “About Pop’s spaghetti being the best in the world.”

  Kieran looked up, his silver hair glinting in the light of the chandelier. “Donovan said that?”

  “Uh-huh.” The little boy saw the look that passed between Donovan and his grandfather.

  Then the moment passed, and Kate was pouring tea while Bren and Pru were fetching the dessert from the kitchen. They passed around slices of rich cheesecake drizzled with raspberry sauce, and a bowl of fresh berries frosted with confectioner’s sugar.

  Andi nibbled a slice of cheesecake and sipped her tea. “Do all of you come together every night for dinner?”

  Kate shook her head. “Once or twice a week is more like it. We’re all so busy these days. But everyone in the family knows that our door is always open.”

  “And there’s always good food on the stove,” Kieran said with a twinkle in his eye.

  “He ought to know.” Donovan grinned at his grandfather. “He’s the chief cook and bottle washer.”

  Andi looked around. “You’re all so lucky to have each other.”

  “Indeed we are.” Kate topped off her cup before passing the teapot to Andi.

  Across the table Micah was studying his brother. “So, were you just out for a joyride? Or was it something else that brought you here?”

  Pru, who had remained quiet throughout the meal, pushed away from the table and glanced at Cory and Taylor. “Would you two like to help me in the kitchen? I’ll show you the backyard, where the Lassiter family has been shooting hoops for most of their lives.”

  After glancing at their mother and seeing her nod of approval, the two children were out of their seats in a flash and following Pru from the room.

  When the door closed behind them, Donovan turned to his mother. “I was wondering if Andi and the kids could stay here for a few days.”

  Kate smiled at Andi. “Of course you can. With my children growing up and moving out, we have plenty of bedrooms.”

  Andi was moved by the warmth of her tone. “I don’t like to intrude.”

  “Nonsense.” Kieran helped himself to the last piece of cheesecake. “It’ll be good to have some of those empty rooms filled again. The house won’t seem so lonely.”

  Donovan motioned toward the kitchen, where he could hear the children’s voices raised in laughter. “Where would you like them?”

  “Why not give Cory Micah’s old room and put Taylor in Cameron’s room. That way Andi can have Bren’s room, with its own bath, and you can have your old room, Donovan.”

  He was already shaking his head. “I won’t be staying. I…have things to see to.”

  Kieran pointed with his fork. “You can stay the night, boyo. There’ll be time enough to do whatever you have to do tomorrow.”

  When he saw the hopeful look in his mother’s eyes, it was on the tip of Donovan’s tongue to agree. But this was too important to wait even one night. He shook his head. “Sorry, Pop. There’s nothing I’d like better than to have a good night’s sleep in my old room. But I have to do this.”

  He pushed away from the table and paused to press a hand to Andi’s shoulder. Then he dropped a kiss on his mother’s cheek before starting toward the kitchen. Just then Cory and Taylor walked into the dining room, their faces wreathed in smiles.

  “Pru showed us the basketball hoop. And she said she’d teach us how to shoot baskets.”

  “Not on your life.” Cameron grinned at his sister-in-law. “She’ll teach you sissy shots. If anybody’s going to teach you how to make baskets, it’ll be me.”

  “Wow. Thanks.” Cory turned to Donovan. “Pru showed us the tree where you used to have a tree house. Do you think you and I could build one together?”

  Donovan could feel his family watching him. “That’s something I’ll have to think about. As soon as I get back.”

  “Get back?” Cory looked around. “Are we leaving?”

  “I’m leaving. You’re staying here, where you’ll be safe.” Donovan was halfway to the front door when Cory’s shout pierced the silence, shocking everyone.

  “No!” He darted across the room and flung himself at Donovan’s legs.

  Caught by surprise, Donovan reacted instinctively, turning and grabbing the boy roughly by the arms.

  Despite the man’s strength and size, Cory managed to free himself and began pu
mmeling Donovan with his fists.

  “Hey, now.” Donovan was frowning as he held the boy a little away. “What’s all this?”

  “You can’t go. I won’t let you.” To Cory’s mortification, tears streamed from his eyes and down his face. He wiped at them with the backs of his hands. His tone turned pleading. “Please don’t go, Donovan. If you do, I know you’ll never come back.”

  For several moments Donovan simply stared at this little boy as the truth dawned.

  He dropped to his knees and dragged Cory close, burying his face in the boy’s hair. “I’m not your father, Cory. I’m not about to crash and burn.”

  “You don’t know that. It happened before. It can happen again.” The words were muffled against his shirt.

  Donovan looked helplessly across the room, only to see Andi and Taylor weeping, as well. He felt his heart take several hard hits before he managed to say, “I give you my word, Cory. I’m not going to die. I’m coming back.”

  The boy merely shook his head and continued sobbing.

  Donovan got to his feet, still holding the boy in his arms. Against his cheek he murmured, “You’ve had to deal with a lot of things that most kids your age haven’t even thought of. I wish I could make this easier for you, Cory, but there’s still too much I can’t talk about. You have to just trust me. Do you think you can do that?”

  “No. I don’t mind trusting you, but I don’t want you to go.” The boy wrapped his arms around Donovan’s neck as Andi picked up her daughter and walked up to stand beside them.

  “Let’s go outside and I’ll see if I can answer a few of your questions before I go.” As he turned toward the porch, Donovan was aware that his entire family was watching in silence. By the time he opened the door he could hear the whispers, and figured they were having a grand time speculating on his relationship with Andi and the children.

  His relationship.

  Maybe, he thought as he stepped out on the porch, they’d figure it out among themselves and let him in on it. Especially since he wasn’t at all certain what their relationship really was. Or where it was headed. All he knew was that he’d willingly die rather than see any of them harmed in any way.