Cries in the Night (15 page)

“And you think things would have been different if you’d been there?” he guessed.

“Maybe.”

“So you’ve been trying to make up for it by helping other people get over their losses ever since.”

She hadn’t really put the two things together before now. Actually, it was events later in her life that had inspired her career, but she couldn’t tell him about that. Some secrets were too deep to share.

“It has helped,” she agreed.

His smile was gentle and empathetic. Even though his own family was intact, he understood loss. He dealt with it every day, just as she did.

His fingers were warm and distracting. Absently, his thumb was stroking her palm, and he was totally unaware of the disturbing effect it was having on her. Tingles of pleasure streaked up her arm and radiated out from there. It was a feeling she hadn’t experienced in a very long time. And one that wasn’t entirely welcomed. Abruptly, she pulled her hand away and stood up.

“Let’s get in a few more runs,” she said.

Rusty was left with no option but to follow. They gathered up their trash and tossed it into the appropriate containers and stomped back outside to where they had left their skis.

It was dark when they drove back into Denver several hours later. They were both physically exhausted and very relaxed. They had picked up dinner from a fried chicken franchise, then headed to her house. With their arms loaded with a bucket of chicken, a bag of sides and Julie’s extra clothes, they walked to her back door. She put the key in the lock, but before she could turn it, the slight pressure of her touch pushed the door open.

Julie’s eyes widened in alarm. “Someone’s been in here.”

“Maybe you just forgot to lock it,” Rusty suggested.

“No, I’m sure it was locked. A few days ago, I was sure I had left Cat outside, but he was indoors when I got home. So I’ve been extra careful.”

Rusty put his armload of food back in his SUV. “Someone might still be inside. You stay out here, and I’ll check it out.”

“No, I …” She started to protest, but the last thing she wanted was to come face-to-face with an intruder. That was only marginally worse than having Rusty wander around her house and look in all her closets and under her bed. She hoped there wasn’t anything horribly embarrassing lying around.

He opened the hatchback of his SUV and took out a small hatchet, then entered her house. She watched as room-by-room, lights went on, marking his progress. Five minutes later he came back out.

“No sign of anyone, and they didn’t mess things up. Let’s get inside.”

He gathered the food and led the way back into her house. Julie followed, looking around nervously as if Rusty might have missed seeing someone hiding behind the door or in the pantry.

“You should check to see if anything is missing,” he said.

She nodded, then hesitated. He noticed and smiled.

“I’ll go with you,” he offered.

Julie was shocked at the rush of relief she felt.

“I don’t have anything valuable other than the TV and the microwave, and they’re both still here.”

“No jewelry or guns?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No, but I’m having second thoughts about not owning a gun.”

They retraced his steps through her small bedroom, the spare bedroom and the bathroom. Cat jumped down from his perch on the back of the couch and followed them. Nothing seemed out of place. No drawers were dumped and the closets looked untouched. Feeling relieved, but puzzled, she returned to the kitchen.

He unpacked the food on the kitchen table while she set out plates and flatware.

Julie opened the refrigerator. “I’ve got some light beer, Diet Coke and a bottle of plum wine. What would you like?”

“I’ll take a beer.”

She took out a beer for him and a Diet Coke for her and placed them on the table, then sat down. They selected their favorite pieces and dished out coleslaw, mashed potatoes and gravy onto their plates and started eating.

“Any idea why someone would break in and not take anything?” he asked.

“I’ve been trying to think of something, but I honestly don’t have a clue,” she answered with a puzzled frown.

He glanced over at the deadbolt lock on the back door. “That’s a decent lock, but it’s on a wooden door. It would be easy to splinter the frame. But they didn’t break in. You don’t hide a key outside, do you?”

She blushed. “Yes, under a rock by the gate.”

“Bad idea.”

“Apparently.”

Rusty yawned, which reminded her how long he had gone without sleep.

“You should go home. I’ll be fine,” Julie told him. There must have been something in her voice that told him she still was on edge because he helped her clean off the table and load the dishwasher.

“Your couch looks pretty comfortable. Why don’t I crash there tonight, then tomorrow I can see what I can do to reinforce your doors?” he suggested.

“I couldn’t ask you to do that. You’re tired. And I’m sure you’d sleep better in a bed.”

His blue eyes twinkled. “Are you offering me
your
bed?”

Again her cheeks burned with embarrassment. “Absolutely not. And if that’s where your offer was heading, then …”

“Hold on. My offer of sleeping on the couch was honorable.” He laughed and gave an unapologetic shrug. “You can’t blame me for trying. It’s part of the man code.”

Julie considered his statement. She was used to living alone and doing everything for herself. It had been a long time since anyone had come to her aid, and she didn’t know how to graciously accept it. But the thought of spending the night alone in this house really creeped her out. Someone had been here. Even though there was no obvious sign, she knew it. She felt violated. They had looked in her closets, maybe touched her underwear or her toothbrush. They knew everything about her, and she knew nothing about them.

It bothered her that she didn’t know Rusty all that well, but as cocky as he was, she trusted him. She had seen him risk his life to save a parrot. That kind of guy couldn’t be all bad. He was big and strong and just being in the same room with him made her feel safe.

As awkward and inconvenient as it was for him, she very much wanted him to stay. But it had to be clear that this wasn’t a coy way of agreeing to have sex with him.

“I admit that my nerves are a little on end. I would feel more comfortable with you here,” she told him. “But I really mean it about the bed.”

He bowed his head in acceptance. “I know you do, and I can be a gentleman. Just don’t spread it around. Women will start expecting me to be more sensitive.”

She smiled. It was another of his many talents to always be able to make her relax.

He yawned again, and she went to the spare bedroom, that unfortunately had no bed, to get a spare sheet, blanket and pillow. When she walked back into the living room, he handed her the spare key.

“Under the rock, just like you said,” he told her.

She dropped it into her pants pocket. “Thanks. I’ll think of a better back-up plan. There are clean towels and an extra toothbrush in the bathroom.”

“Do you have unexpected guests often?” he asked, one dark eyebrow arched curiously.

“No, you’re the first. And don’t read too much in me having a spare toothbrush. I got it from my dentist last month when I got my teeth cleaned.”

“Likely story,” he teased, but she thought he looked relieved.

She made up the couch while he took a shower and made sure all the drapes were closed so the early morning sun wouldn’t wake him before he was ready. As she was checking the front door, she looked out the peephole and noticed the white car was back across the street. That was sort of a relief because that meant the neighbor must have traded their old car in. She had only met the young couple a few times at block parties, but it had made her sad to think that one of them was having an affair. Cheating spouses was something with which she had too much experience … and zero tolerance.

Rusty came out of the bathroom in a cloud of steam. He was wearing just a short-sleeved white t-shirt, the regular kind you buy in a pack of three, and blue jeans. His dark hair was still wet, and he had combed it back from his face with his fingers, leaving it tousled.

Never had she seen anyone who looked sexier.

She felt her mouth hanging open and quickly turned away to hide her reaction. “This couch isn’t too bad. I’ve fallen asleep on it myself a couple of times. Of course, I’m not as tall as you or as …” God, why was she rambling so much? She had almost rattled on about his broad shoulders and his long legs. “Anyway, I turn the heat down at night, so I brought you an extra blanket if you need it.”

His full lips stretched into a lazy grin that, no doubt, had set hundreds of feminine hearts pounding just as hers was now. “I’ll be fine. I keep my place cool at night, too.”

She headed toward her bedroom, then turned back. “I really appreciate this.”

He shrugged. “After a twenty-four hour shift and day on the slopes, I could sleep anywhere.”

Still she hesitated. “I had a really good time today.”

“You sound surprised.”

“I was. It was the last thing I expected to be doing.”

“You seemed to be in a dark place this morning.”

She nodded. “Hazards of the job. You know how that is.”

“Yeah, all too well.” His expression grew serious. “That’s why I act like I do, I guess.”

“Yeah, well, you’re not as bad as you’d like everyone to believe.”

The grin returned. “Actually, I’m very good.”

She rolled her eyes. “And that’s my cue to say goodnight.” This time she made it all the way to her bedroom door before she glanced back at him. “Thanks for asking me to go with you.”

“Any time, Julie. Goodnight.”

CHAPTER TEN

He was still asleep when she woke up. The blanket had partially fallen off, revealing tanned legs and a broad bare chest. Even relaxed, she could see the definition of well-toned muscles across his shoulders and arms. In sleep, his handsome face looked younger and vulnerable. His dark hair fell across his forehead and the crescent curve of ridiculously thick black lashes fanned his cheeks. Looking down on his magnificent, almost nude body sent a wave of heat curling through her stomach … and below. It had been a really long time since she had felt that for anyone. It was not an emotion she had either missed or welcomed.

Julie noticed his blue jeans lying on the floor next to his boots, laid out like he could jump into them at a second’s notice, probably a habit of sleeping in the firehouse. His t-shirt, too, had been removed and had been hung neatly over the coffee table. It struck her as ironic since she suspected he was the kind of man who often left women’s homes in a hurry.

That brought on a tinge of guilt. She shouldn’t be having judgmental thoughts about him when he had sacrificed the comfort of his own bed to calm her nerves last night.

Being careful not to wake him, she went to the kitchen. Her house seemed much less frightening in the light of day, and she felt pretty foolish about allowing him to stay last night. He must think she was a weak, simpering woman … an image she had fought long and hard to escape.

There was nothing she could whip up for breakfast. Last Saturday had been her shopping day, but the news people had kept her indoors all day. She tore off a piece of paper out of a tablet and jotted a quick note to Rusty apologizing for having no food and thanking him again for staying. She left him the spare key so he could lock up when he left, poured some kibble into Cat’s bowl, filled his water and left.

She cringed as the garage door opened, afraid the sound would wake him up. It took a little maneuvering and two wheels on the grass next to her narrow driveway for her to back out around his SUV, but minutes later, she was heading toward the police station, her attitude vastly improved over yesterday.

Even the paperwork went smoothly. It was amazing how much better she felt after a day off. She still had trouble concentrating, but today it was for a much different reason.

Rusty.

What she had told him was true. No man had been in her house for any reason other than to make a repair or deliver something. In fact, no person other than herself had been there. Her schedule didn’t make it easy to develop friendships. She had gone out for a meal or a beer after work with some of the police officers and officer personnel, but always in a group and strictly on a casual basis. As for dating … well, that hadn’t happened since … The years whirled through her mind. Memories she had kept pushed back. Love and pain that had canceled each other out until there was nothing left.

Yesterday she had laughed out loud because she was happy. Last night she had been safe and protected. This morning she had been warmed by the stirrings of desire. How long had it been since she had felt any of those things? It seemed like forever.

On the second Thursday night of each month, there was a mandatory training class for all of her staff, and she spent the rest of the afternoon finalizing preparation for that. An ER nurse was going to be the guest speaker, and because it was so close to Christmas, Julie had planned a little party with special refreshments and a gift exchange. She had also invited anyone from the department or any of the emergency teams to drop by.