An Inner Fire (6 page)

“You met a man?”

“What? Why do you say that?”

He leaned forward, preparing his response.

She raised her hand. “No, don’t answer.”

James always had plans for Grayce’s romantic life. He had been her friend since ninth grade chemistry class in high school. They were lab partners and both had secrets to hide. James liked wearing his mother’s dresses and Grayce had unusual gifts. She never revealed the extent of her awareness, but James understood why she hid her sensitivity just as he hid his proclivities. Now as adults, Grayce maintained her self-protection while James abandoned his.

Grayce tapped her finger on her lips as if pondering her words. “Seems my reputation has spread to Hollywood.” She watched James’ face, waiting for the change in his usual cool aplomb. Her good friend had two passions: movie stars and fashion. “I got an interesting phone call this morning.” She paused building the moment. “From a movie star…someone you might have heard of.”

“A movie star?” James, master of the sardonic tone, shouted. “What movie star?”

“Elizabeth Marley.”

“Elizabeth Marley!” His voice pitched high, almost squealing with excitement. “Tell me everything, and don’t leave out one word.”

“Her vet recommended acupuncture for her dog’s fatigue.”

“My God, you’re going to Hollywood to meet a star.”

“I’m going to Hollywood to treat her dog.” Grayce moved her chair directly under the patio lamp.

James sat by her side, angling for a better view of the people walking down First Avenue. He enjoyed men of all shapes, sizes, and orientation.

Just then, the waitress, who wore a revealing V-necked tee and tight skirt, came by for orders.

“Come on, Jamesie, Grey Goose Martinis to celebrate? It’s been an intense week.” Tonight was about laughing and enjoying the company of the men who knew her best.

“You’ve twisted my…”

“James…Let’s agree not to discuss body parts tonight.” Grayce spent a great deal of time reacting to James’ outrageous comments. They both enjoyed the game.

“Spoilsport.” James moued masterfully. “Now tell me what was Elizabeth Marley like? Bitchy? I guess not, since you’re treating her dog.”

“Definitely a chain smoker, her voice is gravelly. I liked her sense of humor. And, she loves her dog.”

“She must be so depressed, her husband is already living with his co-star.”

“Really? She said there were changes in her household. She probably assumed I would know the Hollywood gossip.”

“Well, her husband has definitely run off with his co-star and hasn’t attempted to hide the affair. The press is going wild, painting her as the older wife, kicked to the dumpster for a hot younger woman.”

“I didn’t know it was that bad. I guess I haven’t been spending enough time in the check-out line at the grocery store.”

“You can’t go to Hollywood in your usual Northwest style or, should I say, Northwest lack of style. I need to come over and help you pack.”

“Would you? I hate making those decisions.” Of course James knew all of her fashion deficiencies. “I don’t have that many choices for a warm climate.”

“If this becomes a regular gig, we’re going to shop on Rodeo Drive. Don’t you have those strappy Balenciaga sandals your mother gave you?” James could hardly breathe, plotting her Hollywood look. Her mother and James were onto her secret infatuation with designer heels. She never admitted to any correlation between her height and her closeted love of high heels.

“Remember when we found that little red dress at Macy’s for the Prom. I thought my mother was going to pass out.”

“The look on your mother’s face when you came down the steps was hysterical. You were hot. That was the night I lost you to Mike Mallus. I still remember how his jaw dropped when we walked into the dance. Poor Lucy Vaughn—he never looked back.”

“It was at that moment I think my mother finally decided you were a bad influence on me.”

“God, I hope so.”

They both laughed. She loved when James really laughed. Not the one he affected for drama but the laugh that softened the tense lines around his eyes and mouth.

“I still wish I could’ve seen your mother’s face when you told her we were just friends. It took her a while to get used to the idea.”

“She wasn’t upset that you were gay, but she regretted that I didn’t have a boyfriend.” Having a boyfriend was a sign to her mother that Grayce was beginning to recover from her sister’s death.

“God, look at this guy coming down the street, and walking a poodle…my kind of man.”

Grayce recognized Lieutenant Davis, heading straight toward them. Her heart rate accelerated. His face was calm, but his eyes never stopped watching the crowd. Moving away from the light, she leaned back in her chair.

James spoke in a sotto tone. “Oh God, all that dark hair.”

“Mitzi, stop.” Davis’ sharp command didn’t slow Mitzi from pulling on her lead toward Grayce.

James eyed the lieutenant and said in a voice loud enough to be heard at the next two tables. “What a great specimen.”

Mitzi planted her two front paws on the wood beam separating the bar from the sidewalk and yelped.

Grayce leaned forward. No hiding now.

“Mitzi, get down.” Davis’ voice dropped low, almost to a growl, unconsciously acting as the alpha of the pack.

The dog sat.

Grayce willed her hammering heart to slow. Of all nights, why tonight? Tonight was about being with the men who cherished her, men who didn’t give her nightmares and premonitions, men who didn’t make her heart race into tachycardia.

“Grayce…Dr. Walters. What a surprise.” Mitzi continued to yip, straining to reach her.

“Hello.” She pushed her drink to the side to pet the poodle. “How are you, Mitzi?”

“Darling, introduce me to this dreamy fellow.”

Davis gave no indication that James had said anything out of the ordinary. “James Dewitt, this is Lieutenant Ewan Davis and Mitzi.”

Davis bent and shook James’ hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Mitzi pulled on her lead, trying to reach Grayce.

“Ewan can you join Grayce and me for a drink? We’re celebrating.”

Grayce nudged James with her foot. “I’m sure he has other commitments.”

“Really Ewan? Are you too busy to celebrate?”

Davis stared at her. “I would love to join you. What are you celebrating?”

James stood and pulled a chair from an empty table behind them. He placed Davis’ chair between his and Grayce’s.

Davis squeezed between the tables, trying to fit into the tight gap. His heat pressed against her back. His thighs brushed her when he pulled his chair closer to the table.

She caught a whiff of his scent—clean, fresh, a hint of spearmint. Her highly tuned intuitive system was bombarded, flooded by sensations, aware of Davis, all six foot four of him, struggling to sit comfortably in the small chair. This awareness wasn’t about his dangerous job, or the rage of an arsonist—it was about a compelling, attractive male pressing against her.

“Call me Davis, everyone does.”

“Really? Not Ewan?” James questioned, unable to let anything pass.

“Davis seems easier for everyone.”

“Doesn’t your mother call you
Ewan
?”

“My mother passed away. My Aunt Aideen, who raised me, is the only person who calls me Ewan. So Davis it is.”

“Well, Davis. We’re drinking Grey Goose Martinis in honor of Grayce going to Hollywood. Can I get you one? Or is there something else you’d prefer?”

“Grey Goose works. Thanks.”

Davis turned, focusing on Grayce. “You’re leaving Seattle? I thought you’d just opened your practice?”

“I’ve been asked to treat a dog in California. I’ll be gone for two days.”

“Oh.” There it was again, that crooked smile that reminded her of Dallas, the Doberman. Her patient was all sleek muscle and fierce growl, but had the same lopsided grin when he wasn’t acting territorial.

“Excuse me.” James waved his hand at their waitress, delivering drinks at the next table. The voluptuous blond stopped and stared at Davis, her eyes round with appreciation. “What can I get you?”

She leaned over the ledge placing a cocktail napkin in front of Davis, exposing her generous décolletage. She wiggled, giving her breasts a life of their own.

“Another round for the table.” Davis’ eyes stayed on the woman’s face. She smiled at Davis and sauntered away.

James turned in his chair to look at Davis. “Do women always behave that way around you?”

Davis looked directly at Grayce. “Not all women.”

Grayce couldn’t look away. Her stomach twisted and rolled in rebellion, like the time she had gorged on an entire bag of vinegar and sea salt chips after trying to save a dog who had been hit by a car.

Contrary to the impression she formed during her interview at the fire department’s headquarters and then at her office, she had liked Davis, the man who cared deeply about his poodle. By the way her stomach was twirling, it seemed she also liked raw male energy.

“So Davis, besides attracting women like bees to honey, tell me about yourself. How did you meet Grayce?” James leaned around Davis and placed his hand on Grayce’s. “Darling, you’ve been holding out on me? Another man has replaced me in your affections?”

She hated when James acted overprotective. “James, behave yourself.” She tried to glare at him. James winked.

Davis looked back and forth at them. “I brought Mitzi to Grayce’s office for acupuncture.” He didn’t mention Grayce’s role as a witness.

“Mitzi looks healthy, or has Grayce already cured her?”

“James, if you don’t stop, I’m cutting you off. Davis is a firefighter. Mitzi was injured on his work site.”

James perused Davis’ broad shoulders and the way his thighs bulged in his blue jeans. “God, I might just need to start a fire in my condo.”

Davis laughed out loud. Unlike other humans, whose stomach and shoulders shook, Davis’ whole body rolled as a solid mass. “I’m definitely the wrong person to confide in about starting a fire. I’m a fire investigator.”

James pursed his lips. “Oops.”

Davis turned to Grayce. “When do you leave for California?”

“I’m going Monday afternoon and returning on Wednesday. Was Hollie able to give you an appointment?”

“Mitzi and I see you on Thursday.” Mitzi’s ears perked up when her name was mentioned. She placed her head on Grayce’s lap and looked up into her eyes.

Grayce patted the dog’s head. “Yes, I’ll be taking care of you.”

“I can’t believe how Mitzi has taken to you. She really isn’t that friendly,” Davis said.

“Really?” James lost his flirty tone. “Everyone is attracted to Grayce. Especially strays.” He angled his head, to inspect Davis. “Not that I meant Mitzi is a stray. Anyone looking at her knows she’s a thoroughbred.”

James wasn’t referring to Mitzi, but Grayce hoped Davis didn’t realize it. Whenever she started dating, James got testy.

Davis straightened in his chair and faced James. “I’m sure we agree that Grayce has an amazing gift.”

James crossed his arms and tapped his finger against his lower lip. “Oh, I’m aware of all of Grayce’s gifts and her ability to attract lost souls.”

“How is your investigation going?” She interrupted, hoping to derail the sudden turn in the conversation.

“It’s moving slowly, the usual. But the good news is Mitzi hasn’t needed to save me again.”

The vision of Davis on the ground flashed through her mind. She felt light-headed, almost dizzy. Grayce pushed her Martini away. “Is Mitzi still going with you to the fire site?”

Mitzi pressed her cold nose under Grayce’s hand. Grayce sensed a sudden tension from the dog.

“Yes, but she isn’t allowed to get out of the car, right, Mitzi?”

The poodle pushed her nose against Grayce’s hand again. Dogs’ emotions were usually pure and easy to read, but Mitzi’s abrupt agitation was confusing.

Grayce focused her attention on the vigilant dog and fought the shadowy gloom creeping around them. She was absorbing Mitzi’s fear. Panic slithered its way under her skin. She took a deep breath and tried to shake the apprehension. Mitzi needed her, needed reassurance. “What is it, girl?”

Mitzi looked up into Grayce’s eyes and howled an eerie, disturbing sound. Grayce’s vision narrowed into a black tunnel filled with murky energy. Blue sparks fluttered in the periphery.

The raucous bar scene quieted, and all heads turned toward Mitzi.

“Mitzi, what in hell is wrong with you?”

Grayce could hear Davis’ voice, but it sounded strangely muffled and distant.

“My God, Grayce, what is it?” The magnitude of James’ volume broke the spell.

She didn’t want James flying into one of his dramatic diva moments. “Sorry, I think the wine with my dad and now the Grey Goose has done me in.”

Davis moved closer. “Are you sure that’s all it is? Mitzi started to howl, and you got a strange look, like you were in pain.”