Garry’s laugh was a bitter sound. “If you or Sean think that, then you’re both blind and stupid. I know what I saw in the hospital when you walked in and he turned to look at you. He’s never looked at Romina that way. Never.”
“If Sean never loved Romina, then he far exceeded the bounds of duty when he stayed with her for five years, trying to help her.”
“She loved him.”
“I’m sure she did. It’s hard not to love a good man, a man who is kind. I made that mistake, too, but I’m not going to let it wreck me. Life isn’t always about love. Friendship can be wonderful, especially from a man like Sean. It can be enough. Many people live with so much less.”
“Romina needed more, so much more.”
“Yes. She had every right to expect it from someone special, just like I do. But it wasn’t Sean’s job to provide it. Not for her and not for me.”
Garry was silent for a long moment. Sean took a chance and edged closer to the opening in the door. Debra stood with her back to the door—Sean could not see her face—but Garry looked defeated, his anger as limp as a deflated balloon. His right hand hung by his side.
A heavy sigh sagged out of Garry. “I wish she were still here. I wish I could turn back time—”
Sirens wailed down the street and screeched to a stop outside the café. Two police cars cut off street traffic as policemen jumped out of the vehicles.
Garry’s arm swung up as he spun to face the new threat.
Sean prepared to push the door open—he could rush Garry, maybe disarm him—but Debra’s voice stopped Sean before he lunged into the cafe. “Sir, please. You’ve waved a gun around, but you haven’t hurt anyone. Please put the gun down.”
Garry grunted. “They’re gonna arrest me.”
“You haven’t hurt anyone,” Debra said quietly. “You’re okay. I’m okay. The only damage is a broken light. Please put the gun down, and everything will be okay.”
Sean’s heart thumped rapidly as indecision flickered over Garry’s face. For a seemingly endless moment, Debra stood motionless, vulnerable, the target of Garry’s anger but also the only person who could defuse it.
In a rough motion, Garry set the gun down on the countertop and walked toward the café door, his hands held away from his sides. The moment he stepped out, the police rushed forward, handcuffed him, and led him to a police car.
“Thank God, you’re all right.” Sean rushed out from behind the kitchen door.
Debra spun around. “Sean. You were there? Oh, I was so afraid.”
“You did great. You were amazing.” He pulled her into his arms and stroked her long hair. Her heart thudded against his chest, the beat fast. Her body shook as shock suddenly sapped her strength. He squeezed her to him, trying to will steel back into her spine. Panic clawed at him and stole his breath even though the threat was over.
Was it? His mind reeled.
Debra.
When she had been strong, he had been too, even though his heart had skittered like a nervous deer.
When she fell apart—
A policeman walked into the café. “Debra. Sean.” He picked up Garry’s gun and placed it in an evidence bag. His glance flicked across the room. “You two okay?”
“Yes.” Debra’s voice trembled.
“Are you sure? An ambulance is on its way. You should get checked out, just in case.”
“I’m fine.” Debra tried to push away from Sean, but he did not loosen his grip much. “I just need to clean up the glass and—”
“I think you need to take the rest of the day off,” Sean said. With effort, he steadied his voice. Willpower kept his hands from trembling. He needed to be strong; he could not let Debra see how badly he had been shaken, first by her cheating death and then by having her collapse in his arms. “It’s almost closing time anyway. I’ll clean up the glass shards. I don’t think anyone will flip out if you close for the rest of the day. Aidan’s going to be home soon, and you better be there to meet him before he hears about the café shooting from anyone else.”
Patti and Hank appeared at the entrance of the café. “Why don’t you go with her, Sean?” Patti said. “I’ve got the café. She’ll probably appreciate having you around while the cops are taking her statement.”
The policeman nodded. “We can do it at your home. I’ll be over in about fifteen minutes once we confirm this area’s clear and take photographs for evidence.”
“Okay.” Debra dug in her pocket for her keys, but Sean took it out of her hands.
“I’ll drive you.”
“I’m okay,” she insisted.
That’s my girl. Stubborn and strong. “Let’s talk again after the facts have had some time to settle in.”
The facts did not hit Debra, not until she stepped into her house and the familiar scents of home surrounded her.
She could have lost all of it to a father driven half-mad with grief over the loss of his only daughter. Her breath trembled and she had to lean against the wall before shock drove her to her knees. Sean’s strong arms wrapped around her waist, and he helped her to the couch. “Why don’t you just sit and close your eyes. I’ll get some tea going.”
“Coffee.”
You won’t want caffeine anywhere in your system; trust me on that. You’re getting herbal tea.”
The policeman arrived within a few minutes and took Debra’s statement. The questions were simple, the facts straightforward. The store’s security cameras had captured the scene as it unfolded, and all Debra had to do was verify the evidence. “Nice job holding his attention while the café cleared of customers, and then talking him into putting his gun down.” The policeman closed his notebook and
