“Not at my invitation.” Suspicion still filled her voice. “How did you find out where I live?”
“From the parents of a child you helped, Susan Cranston.”
Brynn sucked in her breath. “That information is strictly confidential.”
“I’m not here to solicit state secrets. I want to discuss my daughter.”
When she didn’t speak, he wondered if she was going to shut the door. However, she unhooked the chain, then opened the door wider. “Come in,” she said, although her face and stance eloquently illustrated her reluctance.
He quickly noted the well-worn look of the house, but his examination was cut short as four dogs rushed forward to sniff at him. “You have quite a few dogs.”
“Yes.”
No explanations, excuses or boasting about her pets. He followed as she walked down a few steps into a rustic, oak-paneled den. The high ceiling was crisscrossed with thick, heavy beams, but light flooded in through tall, wide windows. One wall, a huge fireplace dominating its center, was nearly all stone—river rock that matched the exterior. It looked like a man’s room—probably her husband’s.
She gestured to a tall-backed leather club chair. As he sank into its comfortable depths, Brynn perched on the edge of the nearby sofa. Clearly she wasn’t anticipating a lengthy visit.
“I want to tell you about Andrea,” Jake began, sensing he had to cram as much information as possible into the time allotted to him. “Her mother, Val, abandoned us more than a year ago. It devastated Andrea. Even though Val was far from an ideal parent, she’d been physically there for our daughter until then.”
“And you?”
“My job takes me all over the world. I employ a small household staff, including a nanny, but that can’t take the place of a parent.”
“Does Andrea see her mother?”
Jake met her eyes. “No. Val walked away and hasn’t looked back. Not surprising, since she never wanted a child. I’ve tried to make it up to Andrea, but nothing’s worked. She withdrew when Val left. She’s no longer interested in friends, certainly not school. Her straight A’s have dropped to failing grades. I thought time would heal the worst of her pain, but it hasn’t.”
“There are good doctors—”
“I’ve tried psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors.”
“It takes time, Mr. McKenzie. A child isn’t like a work project that can be completed by a certain date.”
He set his mouth in a grim line. “We’re running out of time, Mrs. Alder.”
Brynn’s eyes widened in alarm. “Has she attempted suicide?”
“No. But she’s stopped eating and…I’m afraid she’s going to slip away.”
“You need to find a program that’s suited—”
“You’re not listening, Mrs. Alder. As I told you on the phone yesterday, Andrea doesn’t respond to programs.”
“And I’m afraid you’re not listening, Mr. McKenzie. I’m not prepared to take on another child right now. Perhaps in a few months—”
“By then it could be too late. The doctors have her drugged with medications that are supposed to help. Instead the pills make her numb. The solution isn’t more drugs or another group. She needs dedicated one-on-one care.”
“Then perhaps that’s what you should try.”
Jake could feel the tic in his jaw as anger kicked in. “Unfortunately, my success rate can’t compare with yours.”
“And unfortunately, I have work that must be completed. I simply can’t accept another child right now.”
Jake narrowed his eyes. “I’m prepared to triple the amount you charge, with a hefty bonus as well.”
Brynn stood up, flanked by her dogs. “I don’t charge for working with children. Money isn’t going to change my mind.”
He stood in turn. “You can name your price,” he insisted, unable to accept that she wouldn’t help his daughter.
Brynn gestured to the door. “Mr. McKenzie, I’d be happy to get in touch with a doctor who’s been very successful with deeply troubled teenagers, but now, I must insist that this conversation end.”
“I’m not giving up.”
“I’m not expecting you to,” she replied quietly. “Just realize I’m not the last stop in your search.”
Again he met her eyes. “That’s where you’re wrong, Mrs. Alder.”
As the door closed behind him, he could hear the locks immediately tumble into place, followed by the latching of the chain. It was a good three-hour drive home, but that didn’t dissuade him. He’d never taken no for an answer and he wasn’t going to start now.
INSIDE, BRYNN SLUMPED against the door, her breathing shallow, her pulse fluttering. Shock from the man’s unexpected presence wasn’t receding. Instead it worsened. If he could find her, how safe was this house? And why had the Cranstons disregarded their promise to keep her personal information private?
Virgil nudged her gently and she gave him a reassuring pat. When the dog’s ears pricked up, she walked quickly to the window to see Jake McKenzie’s car driving away. Replaying his words in her mind, she felt chilled. His insistence about the money was disturbing. Those who knew of her work also knew that she did it on a voluntary basis. Even though she needed the money from her gallery contracts, she never intended to accept payment for her mentoring. She couldn’t profit from a child in trouble. And if Jake McKenzie was who he said he was, he should know that.
“ANDREA, we’re almost there.” Jake glanced over at his daughter. But she didn’t respond, instead staring out the window.
He pictured the bright, happy child she had been before her mother’s defection. Laughter had come to her easily then. And she would have been chattering nonstop during the ride. Today she hadn’t spoken half a dozen words since they’d gotten in the car. His heart ached for what she had lost, what she continued to lose.
It was nearly six o’clock. He had wanted to return to the Hill Country earlier, but Andrea had been particularly uncooperative. Since Brynn Alder had seemed spooked at midday, he didn’t want to escalate her uneasiness by showing up after dark. He knew he had a fight on his hands to get the woman to reverse her decision. One that more phone calls wouldn’t win. But surely when she looked into Andrea’s face, saw the drugged emptiness of her eyes, the pain even massive medication couldn’t mask…
Spotting Brynn’s house, he turned in. As he parked, a huge dog bounded toward the car. Recognizing the lively setter from earlier, he got out of the car, then opened the passenger door. Andrea stepped out and the dog jumped up on her, its paws on her shoulders.
She was paralyzed for a moment, looking scared. However, the dog began licking her face and the fright receded.
As Jake watched, stunned to see Andrea respond to anything, they were suddenly surrounded by the three other dogs. Looking up, Jake saw Brynn Alder run around the side of her house. When she spotted him, she stopped. To his surprise, he saw fear in her face.
Exasperation he could understand. But not fear. Then it hit him. If she was here alone, she probably felt vulnerable.
He lifted a hand in greeting. She didn’t look reassured. Her gaze shifted, taking in Andrea and the dog.
“Shamus, down!” she commanded.
The dog licked Andrea’s face one last time, then obeyed.
Brynn approached, signaling her dogs, three of which trotted to her side.