He waited while she slipped inside the house, wishing he could take care of the situation without involving her. His hands tightened on the steering wheel as he pictured Cara, vulnerable, trying to act brave. Most of his adult life he had avoided commitment. What was it about Cara Winters that made him think twice about his decision years ago to go it alone in this world?
Saturday afternoon after reconciling his receipts from the night before, Noah came to the conclusion one of his employees was stealing from him—to the tune of forty dollars for the second time this week. That knowledge made his stomach clench. He had thought it was an honest mistake. After all, he treated his employees fairly. Now it was obvious that was wishful thinking on his part.
In his youth he’d been tempted to steal in order to have money to eat. Instead, he’d gotten a job and, when that wasn’t enough, he’d gone out for a second one. When he got his hands on the thief, he would bring charges against that person.
He made his way to the dining room, trying to decide what to do to catch the thief. His gaze lit upon Cara near the waitress station. The circles under her eyes stood out against her pale cheeks. For a split second he had an urge to smooth them away. Instead he walked over and took two of her drinks. “Isn’t it time for your break?”
“As soon as I take care of table twenty.”
He held up the water. “I’ll help you. Are these for them?”
Her mouth formed a hard line. “I can do it.”
“I know you can.” He grinned. “Indulge me. I’d feel better if I helped.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s been a long day, especially with having to go to the police station this morning. You shouldn’t be here at work and I let you come anyway.”
She stepped close, her scent of vanilla wafting to him. “I’m not fragile. I won’t break.” She plucked the glasses from his grasp and put then on a tray. She scooted around him and walked toward the front of the restaurant.
I guess she put me in my place . He watched her interact with the family at table twenty. A little girl about six said something to Cara. When Cara smiled, her whole face radiated joy. Her green eyes even twinkled. The child laughed and all traces of fatigue momentarily disappeared from Cara’s expression. Her plain features transformed in a beautiful countenance.
What am I doing? I have no business standing here eyeing Cara when I have a thief to catch . Noah scanned the pizzeria, studying each employee who had worked the night before. Kalvin was cleaning off a table in the corner. Adam was ringing up an order. And Cara had finished with table twenty and was heading toward the kitchen. One of them was a thief.
He couldn’t see it being Cara. She was a friend of Laura’s. Besides, she hadn’t worked the first time money was missing. If it wasn’t her, it had to be Kalvin or Adam. They were hard workers and had been with him for almost a year. He hated thinking the thief was either one of them. He pivoted toward the kitchen. All he could do was keep an eye on both teens. He would be there waiting when the thief made a mistake.
Noah planted himself in the corner by the soft drink dispenser. He had a clear view of the cash register, but couldn’t be seen.
Not twenty minutes passed when a commotion in the main dining room drew him out.
“Watch where you’re going, lady.”
Lisa, one of his waitresses, hovered over a dropped tray, shards of broken dishes strewn across the floor. “I’m sorry.”
Grumbling under his breath, the man walked toward the entrance.
Cara paused with two iced teas next to Noah. “He ran into Lisa. It wasn’t her fault.”
He smiled at the woman who had haunted his thoughts way too much lately. “Thanks.”
Cara placed the drinks in front of a couple, then made her way to Lisa and bent down to help the young woman clean up the mess.
Satisfied everything was all right, Noah turned away. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Adam quickly stuffing some money into his pocket while he stood in front of the cash register. The teen looked up and their gazes collided. Adam’s nostrils flared, his expression guilt-ridden.
He slammed the drawer close and spun around, hurrying toward the back. Noah followed. Halfway across the kitchen, the teen broke into a run and shoved out the door.
Noah gave chase. Outside he checked the area and saw the teen sprinting across the side parking lot, toward the street. Noah rushed after him, thankful he kept in good shape with jogging.
“Adam! Stop!”
Throwing a glance over his shoulder, Adam changed course and darted to the left. Noah mirrored the teen’s action.
Suddenly the boy altered his direction again, swinging to the right. He dashed across the street toward the park. Noah thought of all the hiding places in the wooded area and pushed himself even faster.
In the park, Adam headed toward a grove of trees along an access road. He chanced a look back at Noah. Quickly turning forward again, the teen veered right into the path of an oncoming car speeding around a curve.
The screech of the tires on the pavement reverberated through Noah as he witnessed Adam being clipped by the car and thrown forward into the dirt along the side of the road. For a second, shock slowed his pace. Adam lay sprawled half in the grass and half in the graveled shoulder. Not moving. Staring up at the sky.
All thoughts of what happened at his restaurant fled Noah’s mind as he raced toward the youth, his heart pounding as fast as his feet on the ground. The car slowed for a few seconds while the vehicle’s occupants were probably checking out what had happened. Noah couldn’t tell for certain because dark tinted glass hid the car’s interior.
As Noah neared Adam, the tan sedan gunned forward. Noah noted the first three letters of the license plate before the vehicle disappeared, nearly hitting a truck parked at the curb.
Noah scanned the area for help. Empty paths and a deserted road greeted his inspection. Not sure what to do, he knelt next to Adam. The boy gasped for air, his eyes wide with fear. He peered at Noah, blinked, then tried to move. A cry pierced the quiet.
Noah laid his hands on Adam’s shoulders. “Stay still. I’m getting you help.”
“No! I can’t…” The boy shifted, his eyes fluttering closed before popping open again.
Noah dug into his pocket for his cell. He called 9-1-1 and quickly told the dispatcher where to find them. “Adam?”
The teen sucked in a shallow breath, a moan escaping from his lips.
“Where do you hurt?”
“My leg.” He clenched his teeth and struggled to prop himself up on his elbows to take a look.
“Stay still. An ambulance is on its way.”
“I need to get home.” Adam collapsed back to the ground, his features pale, his teeth chattering. “I can’t go to the hospital.”
“Don’t
