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  “What can you tell me?” she asked, gripping her pen for his response.

  “Press conference in ten minutes, Kate.”

  “Oh, come on, Reggie.” She was right on his heels as he started walking away. “I’m sure there’s something you can give me now,” she pressed.

  He stopped, turned with a dramatic roll of his eyes, then smiled. “Kate.” He tsked his tongue, then whispered, “The mother thinks that the father took little Mary out of her bedroom sometime early this morning. He was just released from prison two weeks ago.”

  Kate gasped, but didn’t react further as she jotted down some notes. “Did she have a restraining order against him?”

  “Yes,” he verified.

  “Damn,” she muttered and made more notes.

  “Well, I’ve got to get the PIO ready for the press conference.” He pulled a flyer off his clipboard and handed it to her. “You didn’t get this from me.” He winked and headed in the direction of the Public Information Officer.

  “Thanks, Reggie.” Kate turned on her heel and smacked right into Rich’s chest. “Oh, sorry.”

  Rich chuckled and stole the chance to run his fingers through her silky, soft hair. “Now who’s apologizing?”

  She slapped at his chest, her face turned from playful to serious in a flash. “Is the live truck here?” He nodded and motioned over her shoulder to where the microwave signal was being sent to the mountain. “Good.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket, pressed some buttons and put it to her ear. “Dale…yes…. Press Conference is in five, but I’d like to cut in now…. Okay.” She closed the phone and looked at Rich. “Let’s get a move on, Spencer, we go live in two.”

  “Damn, girl, you certainly get things done.” He raced to catch up with her as she ran over to where the cables were set up to send their signal back to the station.

  Leslie’s voice tossed to her, “Kate Callahan is live at the scene with more on this developing story. Kate.”

  “Thanks, Leslie. We’re here near 59th South and 15th East where an Amber Alert has been issued for four-year-old Mary White. If you have seen this little girl—” She held up the flyer, and Rich focused the camera on the sweet, smiling face on the page. “— please call 800-555-1402. A news conference is scheduled to begin any minute and we’ll bring that to you live.”

  “You’re clear. Go get ready for the conference,” Dale’s voice said in his ear.

  Kate had heard him too and was already heading over to the crowd by the makeshift podium. Rich added a microphone to the pile and stepped back, setting up the tripod just behind Kate’s shoulder. Through the chaos of the upcoming press conference, Rich was surprised to see Nate setting up his camera with “Go-Get-‘Em-Greg” clambering for a spot up front.

  Rich stepped over and whispered to Nate, “What the hell is he doing here?”

  “Greg insisted that this little girl needed him.” Nate looked through the lens and chuckled.

  “No, that baby elephant at the zoo needs him,” Rich growled.

  Nate laughed as Greg walked up.

  “Rich,” Greg said dismissively.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Rich growled, daggers flew from his eyes.

  “Covering breaking news,” he scoffed with an exaggerated eye roll. “I knew you were dense, Richie, but this is slow, even for you.”

  Rich’s fists clenched as did all the muscles in his jaw. “Kate is breaking news today.”

  Clayton tossed his head back in a mocking laugh. “Why don’t you let your little girlfriend fight her own battles?”

  His accusation was an even harder blow than he meant it to be, and Rich was grateful when an interruption rescued him from having to comment. “Ladies and gentleman, we’re going to be starting in just a second. You know the drill…we’ll make a statement then we’ll have a few minutes for questions.”

  Dale’s voice entered their ears again, “Would someone like to explain to me why I have two crews on this, Clayton?”

  The arrogant ass lifted the microphone to his mouth and whispered, “I just thought…”

  “You just thought that you would totally disregard what Jordan had assigned you, and decided to do your own damn thing?” Dale growled.

  “Well, when you put it that way. Yes, I guess that’s exactly what I did,” Clayton stammered.

  “Stay through the press conference then get your butt back to the zoo,” Dale said in a tone that was so calm it sent chills down Rich’s spine.

  “Yes, sir,” Clayton said defeated, then turned to Kate, “Head to head, huh, honey?” He looked her up and down in a way that made Rich’s blood boil. “There’s more to reporting than a pretty face and big boobs.”

  Rich took a step toward him, only to have Nate’s hand grab onto his bicep. Nate’s voice was low, right next to Rich’s ear. “Easy, Casanova, punching him out would be rewarding, until Dale canned your ass.” Rich filled his lungs with a deep breath, and he tried to coax his clamped fists to relax enough to run the damned camera. “Dude, what is going on with you?” Nate hissed in a hushed whispered.

  “I don’t know,” Rich answered honestly.

  “Well, you’d better figure it out because the protective caveman crap is going to get you into trouble—in more ways than one,” Nate warned.

  The press conference started, and Kate did great. She asked all the right questions, making Greg look like the rookie. With the final question asked and answered, the crowed dissipated.

  “Come on,” Kate whispered as she tugged lightly on Rich’s jacket sleeve. “Let’s interview some of the neighbors.”

  For the next twenty minutes they went door to door, asking neighbors what they’d seen. It was weird that nobody had seen or heard anything. It was as if this little princess had disappeared into thin air. Kate looked defeated, her shoulders drooped, as they headed back toward the microwave truck.

  Suddenly her head jerked to the left. “Shh!” She turned around and stared at Rich with wide eyes. “Do you hear that?”

  He nodded, then lifted the camera onto his shoulder and hit record with his thumb. “Go ahead. I’m rolling.”

  The two of them cautiously walked up between two houses to a small shed. “Be careful,” Rich whispered, suddenly wondering how smart of an idea this was. There was no telling what—or who—might be in there. The front doors were slightly ajar, and there was a whimpering coming from inside.

  “Mary?” Kate said softly as she pushed the doors farther apart.

  Oh, please let it be Mary, Rich thought, for more than one reason. A kidnapper with a gun would have been really bad.

  But Kate was fearless. “Mary, are you in here? It’s okay. I’m a friend.”

  A weak cry came from behind a water barrel in the corner. There between the plastic jug and the wall of the shed was the most glorious sight, Mary White with smudges of dirt on her tiny, tear-stained cheeks.

  Rich stood back and focused the camera on the events playing out in front of the lens. Relief rushed through his veins. The little girl was safe—and so was the woman who was more special to him than she should be.

  Kate crouched down in front of the little girl. “Mary, I’m Kate. Everything’s going to be just fine.” Mary whimpered. Kate reached out to the child huddling against the wall. “I promise that nobody will hurt you.”

  “Daddy. The police,” she said.

  “Your daddy isn’t here, and the police are looking for you,” Kate assured her. “They think you’re lost, honey.”

  Tiny fingers added more dirt to the cherubic face as she brushed away her tears, then uttered a large sniff as the crying stopped. “I’m not lost,” a small voice whispered as her tiny hand reached up and grabbed onto Kate’s outstretched hand, holding tightly and rushing into Kate’s arms.

  “Come on, honey, let’s get you back to your mommy.” Kate scooped the little girl into her arms. Pink bunny slippers flopped wildly as Kate took off on a run. “I’ve got her! Reggie! We’ve found her. We found M
ary!”

  Keeping the camera firmly on his shoulder, Rich was careful to keep enough distance between them to get the Emmy award-winning video.

  “Oh, Mary!” screamed the girl’s mother as she ran toward Kate.

  “Mommy!” Mary yelled, reaching out to her mother.

  “Oh, thank you. Thank you,” her mother said through her sobs.

  “Where did you find her?” Reggie asked as he took Kate by the arm and led her away from the crowd.

  “Go,” she hissed at Rich, “get me the good stuff.”

  The crowd headed toward the awaiting ambulance where the EMT’s gave Mary the A-okay, and everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief. There couldn’t have been a better outcome to this story.

  Rich began loading his gear into the back of the news vehicle and called in to let Dale know what had gone down.

  “She found the little girl?” he asked in disbelief. Never in the five years he’d been at KHB had Rich heard Dale ‘giddy’, but here they were.

  “Yeah. It was awesome,” he gushed.

  “Please tell me you got it on tape.”

  Always the News Director, Rich thought with an audible laugh. “I’m offended you have such little faith in me, Dale.” He paused, taking a year off Dale’s life before saying, “Of course I got it all on tape. That’s what you’re paying me for. After you see it, could we discuss a raise?”

  Dale laughed, but didn’t respond further on the subject of a pay increase. “I’d like to have you two live at 5:00 and 6:00. Do you think you can get an interview with the mother?”

  “If anyone can, it’s Kate.” She was full of surprises and Rich loved surprises.

  “I don’t doubt that now. Where is she?”

  “She’s with Chief Brown. He’s probably debriefing her.”

  “Have her call in when she can. Great job today, Rich.”

  “Okay, sure thi-…” A scream from behind him sent a shot of adrenaline racing through him. Kate. He turned to see an enormous guy with his arms around her, holding her back against his chest. Her feet moved as she tried to flee, but his grip seemingly tightened.

  “Let me go!” she shrieked.

  Instinct kicked in, and Rich began running to save his beautiful damsel in distress. For the second time today, he was willing to deck somebody for this girl.

  The arrogant attacker smiled, amongst the swarming scene of law enforcement, as he returned her feet to the ground. “Easy, KC.”

  Casey? Rich stopped dead in his tracks and watched in horror as Kate turned to the guy with short, jet black hair and naturally tanned skin.

  Her body careened itself into his arms as a round of feminine laughter filled the air. “Jesse, what are you doing here?”

  A two-by-four to the head would have hurt less than the realization that struck him. As Jesse swung her around, Kate’s arms were wrapped tightly around his neck. She kissed him. With no other option, Rich turned and sulked back slowly toward the Explorer with the giant 17 on the side, wishing like hell he couldn’t overhear the conversation between Kate and her boyfriend.

  “We watched you all day, and when you did your final report, I told Josh I was taking my lunch break. You hungry?”

  Rich found his breath held painfully in his lungs while he waited for her to answer. “Oh, Jesse,” she sighed. “I’d love to…”

  “But…” He sounded so disappointed, and Rich didn’t even try to fight his smile.

  “But, I really have to finish up this story, and I still have to check in with Dale.”

  Rich chanced a glance over his shoulder just in time to see Jesse’s face fall. It was pathetic that he should feel any kind of gratification that she was choosing to stay working with him, rather than have something to eat with the competition. But then she leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss his chin, and the sense of triumph died in his churning stomach. He turned back to the open doors of the news vehicle, busying himself with…something. He was concentrating too hard on the conversation happening behind him only to have her next words plunge into his heart like a dagger. “I’ll make it up to you tonight.” There was a long pause and then she giggled.

  Rich turned to see Jesse’s lips pressed just below Kate’s ear and couldn’t stop the growl that gurgled in his gut. Their relationship was surely going to destroy him, one painful piece at a time.

  Chapter Four

  The next week flew by doing follow-up stories with Mary. Kate was the only one she’d speak with, and consequently, Clayton and the other stations were jealous as hell of her exclusive with the little girl who’d had the whole state looking for her.

  “Morning meeting in five.”

  It was nice to have the five minute warning. The ability to eliminate the watching of the clock to work on other important matters was a huge help. She opened yet another email, and began to type a response when a voice spoke her name. Her eyes flicked from her computer screen to Dale’s smiling face. “Yeah?”

  “I hope it’s okay with you, but I’m going to give you a fun story today.” He rested an arm atop her cubicle wall.

  “Fun?” A knot developed in the pit of her stomach.

  His eyes twinkled as he smiled. “I’m just thinking that you could use a break from hard news for a day or two.”

  “Oh,” she said as the damned burning started in her eyes. Stupid emotions. This job was important, she wanted the anchor desk too badly, to screw up and get demoted. She bit on the inside of her cheek.

  He must have seen the tears and stepped around the wall to drop down in front of her. “Kate, this is in no way a punishment. This last week with Mary has been hard. I’ve seen it wearing on you.” His voice was soft, reassuring.

  She wanted to deny his statement, but couldn’t. He was right. Being with Mary, and seeing the fear in her innocent eyes when she talked about her father, was taking its toll.

  “I want you to enjoy some of the fun stuff for the next few days, and then we’ll get you back on the hard stuff on Monday. Deal?” He offered a wink and another smile before he stood.

  “Whatever you want, Dale.” Kate was glad her voice didn’t sound as defeated as she felt.

  “Kate, I can assure you, you’re doing a fantastic job. This has nothing to do with your ability. I’d just rather not have you crispy-crittered when I need you to be on your A-game. You understand?”

  “Sure,” she lied.

  In her time since college, she’d been in three newsrooms and never once did a News Director care whether or not she was feeling frazzled. Either Dale was really caring or she’d royally screwed up. She was betting on the latter.

  He smiled. “Let’s go. I’d hate to be late for my own meeting.”

  Kate walked into the conference room and took a seat next to Olivia. Kate like Olivia a lot. They’d become fast friends and sitting side-by-side was comfortable, easy, the norm. Everyone was talking about their plans for Thanksgiving tomorrow. Of course, they all included family and turkey. Since Kate now had to work, the intimate feast with Jesse was being substituted with dinner at Sophia and Josh’s early in the afternoon so that she could work the ten.

  “Okay, everybody,” Dale called everyone to attention and got right to business. “Clayton, I’d like you to take breaking news today.”

  Kate could have sworn she heard a ‘yes’ come from Clayton’s general direction. His eyes met hers, and he smiled as though he’d accomplished something really phenomenal. He was gloating. She almost expected for him to stick his tongue out.

  “Kate—” She looked up to meet Dale’s gaze. He pointed at her with his pen. “—I’d like you to cover turkey bowling with the governor.” Clayton snickered, but she didn’t take her eyes from Dale’s face as she nodded. The last few assignments were made, and then Dale concluded with, “Let’s cover the black.”

  Kate jumped up and hurried out the door, her eyes scanning the ocean of desks for Rich so that they could get over to the state capital by 10:30.

  “So Katie,” a voice ca
lled from behind her, “how does it feel to be demoted to covering ‘turkey bowling’?”

  She whipped around to glare at Clayton. “You know, Greg, turkey bowling with the governor is a tradition. I’m happy to cover the traditions that the viewers have come to adore.”

  “You just keep telling yourself that.” He smirked as his eyes roamed hungrily over her body.

  “Kate, you ready?” Rich asked with a hardness to his voice that made Kate wonder how much of the exchange he’d heard.

  “Yeah, let’s get out of here. We’re bowling with the governor today.” She gave Clayton another death stare and then turned, slamming right into Rich’s chest. “Oh,” she gasped. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were so close.”

  Clayton made a snide comment that she didn’t catch. Rich chose to ignore it with a roll of his eyes and a sarcastic snort. He followed Kate to her desk where she grabbed her bag. He remained silent until they were in the car and, after he started the vehicle, he said softly, “Kate, why are we bowling today?”

  Tears began to burn her eyes again, and she fought to control her emotions. “Dale doesn’t want…” She paused, trying to relieve some of the shaking in her voice.

  “Kate, he doesn’t want…what?” Rich’s voice was so worried it nearly pushed her into the sobs she’d been fighting.

  She cleared her throat. “He said he doesn’t want me to get burned out.”

  Rich chuckled. “Oh, is that all?”

  “Is that all?” she squeaked as the first tear rolled down her cheek. Out of the corner of her eye, Kate watched as his right hand made a motion toward her, only to pull back quickly and grab onto the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white.

  “Kate, he does that, especially with emotionally draining stories. You’re very good, and it would be detrimental, in the long run, if you got burnt out. Take the reprieve, and let’s go bowling.” He reached out and wrapped his hand around hers. “Honest, Kate. You’ll be back to kicking Clayton’s butt in no time.”

  “Thanks, Rich.” She did feel better, and the innocent contact did things to her that she couldn’t bring herself to admit.