She didn’t have to remove the expensive jewelry because she’d held every piece. A gorgeous set of sapphire earrings, a ring with a huge topaz stone, a diamond tennis bracelet with matching earrings, and a diamond engagement ring in a velvet box.
Drew picked up the ring. “I was struck by this too. My father must have given it to her, so what happened? Why didn’t they marry?”
So many questions and no answers.
Chapter 7
It was after midnight, but Drew showed no signs of needing to hit the mattress. Blake swatted a mosquito on his arm and listened to the night sounds of the park through the open window. The intermittent roaring of the big cats and the cacophony of crickets and katydids were a familiar backdrop that relaxed him.
He knew he should go to bed because the governor’s aide was coming tomorrow, but he wasn’t sleepy. Drew reminded him so much of Paradise—same amber eyes and tawny lion’s mane, though Drew’s was cropped short in a military-style cut. Blake had hit it off with him immediately, and he knew Drew felt the connection too.
The rap on the back door startled Blake, and he jumped to his feet. “Maybe Evan found the leopard.”
He opened the door to find Evan standing on the deck. “Come on in.”
Evan stepped inside. “I wanted to check in and let you know I’ve followed every pad print I could find, but I think whoever let that leopard loose on you took it away. At least for now.” His worried expression spoke volumes.
Blake caught what he was saying. “You can’t track him, and you also can’t guarantee it won’t happen again.”
“Unfortunately.” Evan opened the door. “I’d better get going. I’ll keep my eyes peeled.”
Blake shut the door and rejoined Drew. He told him what Evan had found. “So the big cat is gone for now. I hope it stays gone, but I’m not counting on it.”
“It’s wise to stay on guard.” Drew leaned over and repacked the tub Evan had given Paradise. “I should let you get to bed. I’m always wired after a road trip, but there’s no reason you have to join me in my insanity.”
“I don’t mind keeping you company a little longer. It’s not every day something like this happens. It’s been great to see Paradise so excited.”
“Tell me about my new sister. She’s not the most open book.”
“She’s been hurt a lot, so she hides her softness. She was shuffled from one foster home to another and experienced some horrific abuse. In spite of everything she turned out to be an amazing person.”
“She told me about the rape.”
Blake paused. “She doesn’t talk about it, so if she told you, she must trust you. Most of that stuff she buries down deep. Coming here has healed a lot of her trauma. The boys have helped.”
Drew replaced the lid on the tub. “Why didn’t her family take her in? She’s got cousins, right? Any aunts or uncles who could have helped out?”
“Her cousins live here. What I’ve picked up on is that the cousin who could have saved her from all that, Lily, was jealous of Becky. They were first cousins, and Lily had her own kids to raise and refused to take Paradise. They’re still a little reserved with each other. I think Lily regrets it now, and Paradise doesn’t hold a grudge, but that rift might never really heal.”
“Rod is Lily’s son?”
“Yes, and he’s been helpful as Paradise has tried to sort things out. She doesn’t feel like an integral part of their family though, and it’s great to see her open her arms to a relationship with you.”
“You’ve loved her a long time.”
Blake’s face burned at Drew’s thoughtful stare. “Since we were teenagers. She asked me to marry her a few weeks back, and I stupidly put her off. I thought she was doing it because we were about to lose the park and she wanted to make sure we had a place to go. And while I think that was true, she was hurt and has gone back into her shell a bit. Things often haven’t worked out in her life, and I think she’s trying to protect herself.”
“I don’t know her well yet, but I know human nature. I’ve seen it on full display in my career. Maybe it’s time you prove to her how much you love her.”
“I’m not sure how to do that. I had a ring made for her, and it’s ready, but—” He shrugged. “She wants to find her parents’ killer before we start a new life together. Are you optimistic that you’ll get to the bottom of all this?”
Drew reached for his soda and took a sip. “I wouldn’t say I’m optimistic. Maybehopefulwould be a better word. It’s been over twenty years, and cold cases are hard to crack.”
Blake’s chest tightened. “I’m not sure she’ll ever give up.”
“She’s tenacious,” Drew agreed. “I’m the last person to give relationship advice, but it might take a special push to get things moving between you two again.”
A special push? Paradise didn’t like being pushed. She was a woman who thought things through, and she didn’t take kindly to feeling like she was being manipulated or coddled. He’d never push her. Either she wanted a life together with him or she didn’t.And he wasn’t yet sure if she was ready to put the past behind them and grab the future with both hands.
