through this.
He sipped at his seltzer then set it on the table as if it were fine china. His long fingers traced a circle around the condensation on the glass. “Look, I don’t know what your game is, but maybe you need some help.” His hand snaked across the table and covered hers. She braced for the colors to come. They did, but she was able to keep her focus on his words.
“You didn’t need to concoct such a convoluted story to get me to go out with you. Grace, you seem like a sweet person, but I’m not the white picket fence type.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You think. That I.” She struggled to finish her sentences. “I didn’t do this to ask you out. If I’d wanted that, I would have asked the question, point blank.”
He withdrew his hand. “Then this isn’t a guise to get me alone.”
His face fell a little as if he’d been hoping that she had been interested in him. Could she use this to her advantage? Her mind searched for ideas to no avail.
“Zach, I’m telling the truth.”
His face hardened. “You haven’t told me much, Grace. Just some suppositions. Look, I’m hungry. I’m going home to eat.”
He stood and dropped some bills on the table.
Grace was at the bottom of a hill with no transportation to the top.
Zach finished his yoga, but his mind wasn’t settled. When he’d touched Grace’s hand he felt a warmth and sincerity he’d never seen in anyone. Not even Dolores and he’d married her.
His brain still not silent, he went for a walk in a local park.
Grace sat slumped on a bench, gripping her cell phone, a frown creasing her face. Maybe he shouldn’t have been so harsh on her.
“You okay?”
She jumped at his voice, then her eyes narrowed. He wasn’t welcome here. Dusk was settling all around them. The park goers had long left the swings still. No children laughed or screamed. The park was ready to go to sleep.
“Fine.”
She didn’t move to leave him so he sat next to her. She wore running shorts and a t-shirt damp with sweat.
“You run?”
She nodded still staring at her cell phone.
“Does it do tricks?”
“What?” She glanced at him.
“Your cell phone. You’re staring at it as if you expect it to come alive,” he said.
She tucked it back into her case on her shorts. “No. Just expecting someone to call back.”
“A lover?”
He didn’t know why he asked. That made no sense to his rational side.
Then he remembered that Dolores’ was carrying his baby. What did he owe her? She didn’t really want him back. She just wanted someone.
For now he’d just enjoy the company of the woman on the bench.
“No, but you made it clear you weren’t interested.”
“So did you.”
She chuckled. “I just said I didn’t make up the story about Dolores being in danger to get close to you. I really believe she’s in danger.”
He looked deep into her sea green eyes and knew she was telling the truth. At least as she saw it. “From whom?”
“Don’t know, but I think it’s the father of her baby.”
“Don’t go near my former boss. He’s a respectable man.”
“You’d be surprised what respectable men can get up to.”
“Not Kent Winger. He wouldn’t. He loves his wife. Oh they had a bad patch, but they’re back together.”
“Men can be seduced.”
“You seem pretty confident in that.”
She frowned and looked ahead. “Not personally or at least I’ve never done it.”
He mulled that over and decided she probably hadn’t. But he’d bet someone had seduced an ex-boyfriend. The hurt in her eyes spoke volumes. “So what’s with the phone call?”
“A friend called me drunk.”
“They do that sometimes. She just get dumped?”
“He, and I don’t think so. He doesn’t drink usually and to hear him drunk worries me.”
Especially because she knew he was probably in town. The why of his presence she could not figure out.
“Is he close by?”
“California. I think. His phone went dead at the end of the conversation and he hasn’t answered me yet.”
“Call the police out there.”
“I don’t know where he lives. He moves around a lot.”
“Doesn’t sound like a steady friend,” said Zach.
He knew he’d be on the internet looking into this guy when he got home.
“Oh, he is. Or at least has been in the past.”
“And now?”
“Now, I’m not so sure.” She took in a deep breath raising her shoulders. Her shirt lifted up from her belly to hint at what was underneath. He looked away enjoying the sight too much.
Who was this stranger, this woman who had somehow wheedled her way into his thoughts? What was it about her that was different? Maybe because she wasn’t hanging all over him because he was a cop.
Grace stood. “I’ve gotta go.”
Before he could say anything, she strode away from him.
He caught up to her before the parking lot. “Let me walk you to your car.”
“Not a safe place?”
“Too many hiding places.”
She said, “Goodbye,” when she slid into her car. Zach didn’t press, just let her go.
Chapter Fifteen
Celia was sitting in his car when Zach turned to open the door. Her uncanny abilities always unnerved him.
“She’s the one, Zach.”
“You said that about Dolores.”
He started the car.
“No, I didn’t. I said you’d marry her.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?”
Her head shook, sending her curls dancing around her head. “No, it didn’t stick. This Grace is the one. And she has powers.”
Zach closed his eyes for a moment counting to ten. His sister could try his patience. “Stop. Please. Can I drop you home?”
She frowned. “Sure.”
He put the car into gear wondering when this woman would ever get a life.
