Home to Sparrow Lake (Harlequin Heartwarming) (19 page)

* * *

A
LEX
GUESSED
IT
was a good sign that Kristen wanted him to drive her into Chicago. On the other hand, she was keeping an appointment that could change their future. He wasn’t happy about the thought of her leaving Sparrow Lake, but he forced himself to remain hopeful. Surely she would realize that what was most important wasn’t a job away from her home.

When he picked her up she looked good, as usual, though more formal in a soft gray suit, cream blouse, and a pair of fancy pumps. He had the Jaguar’s top up, figuring she wouldn’t want her hair to be ruined before a job interview.

Before he drove away, he raked his eyes over her. “You love nice clothes, don’t you?” Maybe that’s why she had to have a job that brought in the bucks.

“I admit that I have a fondness for designer clothing and footwear. I’ve always bought them on sale, though, sometimes at consignment shops.”

“Why? Do you think it’s too frivolous to buy such stuff at full price?”

“I’d have to be a CEO or have a trust fund to afford full price.”

“Some people would just charge away, get themselves into debt. At least you’re practical.”

“
At least?
Meaning I have problems other than my choice of clothing?”

She sounded like she was only half-kidding.

So he deliberately teased her. “I’ve heard you’re wanted for multiple misdemeanors in Wisconsin.”

“I suppose the jay-walking is on my permanent record.”

“Along with ‘flaunting dangerous curves.’”

That made her smile. “I didn’t know about that one.”

“We’re very strict in Sparrow Lake.” Once he got onto the highway, he changed the subject. “Actually, buying expensive things that are used or on sale is a good idea. I got this car for a little more than half the price of a new one. We all need small luxuries.”

As they sped toward the Illinois border, they discussed what they could and could not get along without in life. Kristen sounded reasonably practical. Alex didn’t think they were likely to get into arguments about money. Not that he should be worrying about that, he told himself. At the moment, he was most concerned about whether or not she’d even be living where he would get to see her.

Once in the city, an hour later, they took the outer drive downtown, Alex enjoying the view of Lake Michigan on one side and the tall buildings on the other. It wasn’t long before he let Kristen off at a building on Wacker Drive.

“Call me when you’re ready,” he told her. “I’m going to park the car and make some calls. For one thing, I have to check on our reservations for tonight.”

He knew he should wish Kristen good luck but he just couldn’t find it in himself to do so.

* * *

A
COUPLE
OF
hours later, Kristen waited for Alex to pick her up. The interview had gone so well, she should be thrilled out of her mind. Instead, she felt conflicted and flustered. To her surprise, she didn’t know what to do. The company wanted her to fill out personnel forms and get ready to start the following week...at a salary higher than any she’d ever received before.

She hadn’t been ready for a job offer. She didn’t even know if she wanted to accept.

In reality, she hadn’t done so. The vice president who’d interviewed her had simply assumed that she would jump at the opportunity.

So, why hadn’t she?

It had taken all her charm and persuasiveness to get her prospective employer to give her time to straighten things out in Sparrow Lake. She’d estimated a month; he’d countered with the standard two weeks. In the end, she’d neither accepted nor declined the position, but had promised a definitive answer by the following Monday.

Soon, the sleek Jaguar appeared, gliding in and out of traffic. A little thrill ran through Kristen, but she wasn’t certain whether it was because she was going to see Alex or because he would ask her about the job. He pulled the car over to the curb and opened the door. She got in, greeting him with a wan smile.

“So?” he asked.

“So
what?
”

He was having none of her evasions. “Come on. Do you think you’ll get the job or not?”

“Um, maybe.”

“Maybe?”

Feeling doubly pressured, Kristen said, “Let’s discuss it when we get to Navy Pier.” Which is where they’d decided to go that evening.

“All right.” But Alex didn’t look all right. He hid his scowl quickly, though, and took off.

As always, downtown Chicago was crowded, the streets bumper to bumper. The complete opposite of Sparrow Lake. Unable to help making comparisons between the two places she could live, Kristen had to admit that it was nice not having to face the crush of traffic every day. One for Sparrow Lake.

Alex had chosen Toscana, a restaurant on the Pier known for fine Italian cuisine. In contrast, Sparrow Lake had places like the Busy Corner. Not that her decision would be made because of the quality of restaurants or the amount of traffic she would have to endure.

She had to admit Alex looked just as at ease in either environment. Tonight he wore a dark shirt and tie with his crisp sport coat and slacks, making him as well-dressed as any of the other restaurant patrons.

She was happy he didn’t bring up the job interview until after they’d left the restaurant and were walking down the broad concrete expanse of the pier. A historic structure built in 1916 to dock freighters as well as passenger ships, the pier was also designed as a cool place for public events before air conditioning was invented. Now the place housed a lively mix of shops and restaurants, plus a large conference space. Boats still docked there, as well, though they were meant to give visitors tours of the lakefront or serve as places to book private parties.

They were admiring a modern metal-hulled version of a four-master when Alex said, “You were in that interview for hours. Must have had plenty to talk about.”

She turned the conversation back to him. “I hope you weren’t bored waiting around.”

“I called my brother and an old colleague.”

“One of your police contacts?”

“Uh-huh. Jimmy Rodriguez. We worked in the same unit. Good man.”

“The gang unit?” When Alex nodded, she asked, “You don’t miss anything about being a cop in Chicago?”

“I miss some of the people. Not the work.”

“You just decided one day it was too depressing and quit?”

“There was a lot of stuff going down. I was taken off the street and put at a desk for a while.”

“You didn’t mention that before.”

“I don’t like to think about it.”

Alex had obviously gotten into trouble and had painful memories, Kristen thought as they paused to gaze out over the lake. The summer sun was sinking and the water looked dark blue-gray. On the horizon, lights from the urban skyline sparkled.

“You might as well know what happened. I shot a kid and he was critically wounded....”

She hadn’t expected anything quite so dire. “Oh, how terrible!” She quickly added, “But you must have had a good reason.”

“Sure. He was armed, and he was firing at us.” Alex took a deep breath. “But he wasn’t even sixteen years old.”

“I can’t imagine you shooting anyone. You’re such a caring person.”

“But I’m also a law enforcer.” For once, he was blunt. “We do what we have to do, and sometimes that isn’t easy or pretty.”

She merely nodded and reached over to touch his hand. He grasped her fingers and held them.

“Anyway, the upshot is I resigned and headed for tamer places. I wanted to go somewhere I could make a difference and actually see the results.”

“You
do
make a difference in Sparrow Lake.” A man like Alex would make a difference wherever he went, though she could totally understand why he’d left the city. Not that bad things couldn’t happen anywhere.

They walked on in silence, hand in hand. After a few more minutes, Alex said, “But let’s get back to your job interview. Now that we’re out here and fed and relaxed, who’s giving the ‘maybe’ for this job? Is the company deciding for sure if they want you?”

“They actually appreciate my experience and background.”

“But they have other applicants?”

“I’m sure.”

A muscle in Alex’s cheek worked as he stared at her. “You’re not giving me straight answers, Kristen. Be honest, here, would you? What exactly went down?”

Though Kristen would have liked to evade the question for the evening, she knew he wasn’t going to let her. “They offered me the job.”

Alex gazed at her intently. “You’re not celebrating. Does that mean you didn’t accept? Why not? I thought that’s what you wanted.”

She looked into his eyes and felt more torn than ever. “I thought so, too, but now that I have the offer, my decision just isn’t as clear-cut as I thought it would be.”

“You’re having mixed feelings?”

“Yes.” Absolutely true, Kristen thought. Mostly because of him.

“Good.”

Something about the way he said that word irritated her. “It’s not a negative thing to work for an up-and-coming company in a big city. It’s not dangerous like your job was, either.”

“I didn’t say that it was negative.”

“But you implied it.”

“I don’t think I did. I’m just happy you’re questioning whether or not marketing for a big urban company is what you want to do.”

Her pulse picked up a beat. “Because you believe I should be satisfied managing a place like Sew Fine?”

“What’s wrong with Sew Fine? It’s a family business.”

“Maybe I can better help my family by making more money. I could pay part of Brian’s tuition.” She’d already thought about that. “Or I could invest in Aunt Margaret’s business.”

“You could,” he agreed. “But maybe your family would appreciate having
you
more than they would your money.”

“It’s
my
decision.”

“True. But there are a lot of other people who will be affected by it.”

Including Alex himself, and he was obviously feeling insecure. Kristen didn’t want to think her moving to Chicago meant she would never see him again. The thought put a knot in her stomach.

“We can still see each other, date, even if I don’t live and work in Sparrow Lake,” Kristen told him.

“Maybe.”

“What do you mean, maybe?” she asked, her voice going tight.

“I’ve heard that you like to work on weekends.”

Who had been talking about that? It was the second time he’d mentioned it. She countered, “I don’t like to work weekends but if you’re a professional, you sometimes don’t have a choice.”

They had reached the barrier at the end of the pier. An elderly couple walked toward them, the woman grasping the arm of her companion. They looked as though they had been a couple for a very long time. Kristen couldn’t help wondering if she and Alex would ever be able to grow old together. Then she shook her head—where had that thought come from?

“Is something the matter?” Alex asked.

She hated to ask, but she felt compelled to do so. “Would you not want to date me if I lived in Chicago?”

“I want to date you no matter where you are.”

She felt happier with that remark, but she still couldn’t relax. She watched as the elderly couple came abreast of them and moved on. The woman of the pair exchanged a smile with her. She was a sweet-faced lady, wearing a flowered hat and carrying a large white purse.

“It’s just that it would be easier if you lived closer, considering I would like to spend more time with you,” Alex explained.

“Not night and day, surely, 24/7?”

“I didn’t say that....”

But he sounded as if he meant that.

He went on. “You’re a woman who likes to work and, well, that’s fine with me. I just think you need someone to distract you once in a while and he has to live in close proximity.”

“You’re not just a distraction to me,” she told him, thinking perhaps he didn’t realize how much she wanted to be with him, as well.

“I’m glad to hear that.” He gazed at her intently. “I don’t know how it’s been for you, Kristen, but I have to tell you that I’m developing feelings for you.”

Was he talking about love? She swallowed hard. “You are?”

“Feelings that could easily become serious.”

The thought stunned her. She’d avoided analyzing exactly how she felt about him. They hadn’t even known each other a month. Things were continuing to go too fast for her.

Alex sighed. “I’m getting the idea you want your space again.”

“I didn’t say that.”

Awash with powerful feelings, Kristen looked out at the broad expanse of the lake, which was restless as usual. Waves undulated against the shore. She didn’t know how to respond. Her throat felt constricted. But Alex had just laid his heart on the table. She had to say something.

“I’m in a transitional phase of my life, Alex. It’s...it’s too soon. It’s only been weeks. I have so many decisions to make. About work...family...and what I want to do with my professional life...”

A loud cry interrupted her. She and Alex both jerked around to look behind them. To Kristen’s horror, she saw a youth grappling for the elderly lady’s white purse. The old man tried to intervene and the thief struck him so hard, he fell to his knees.

“Hey!” shouted Alex, taking off.

“Help!” cried the woman, whose companion had now toppled to the sidewalk.

The thief ran and Alex ran after him. Kristen hurried toward the couple. The old man was already trying to get up again.

“Maybe you should stay down,” Kristen told him. “We’ll call an ambulance.”

“Ah, I’m not hurt,” muttered the fallen man. “Just my dignity.” But he accepted Kristen’s help in getting to his feet. “I’m shook up, is all.”

A crowd was gathering, and a cop had appeared on a Segway, a motorized two-wheel scooter. As she watched, Alex helped the policeman grab the young thief, throw him down on the sidewalk, and fasten his wrists with handcuffs. In another minute, the place was ablaze with blue flashing lights as several police cars drove up onto the promenade of the pier.

As soon as the suspect was headed for the nearest police station, along with the couple to give their statements, Alex rejoined Kristen. “I’m ready to go home. You?”