After We Fall

by Marquita Valentine

  Next time, I sure as hell won’t listen.

  The dog park comes into view, as does a familiar face.

  Evangeline.

  She’s playing with other dogs in the fenced-in area, with a huge grin on her face. I’ve never seen her like this before, so open and carefree. This has to be her before her asshole ex put his hands on her.

  Jake tugs harder. “Spot your honey, huh? So did I.”

  We enter the dog park through a side entrance that’s not easily seen from Evangeline’s vantage point. I don’t want to ruin her good time, but I don’t want to ruin Jake’s, either. Plus, I want to be near her again, even if it’s from a distance.

  Right after I remove Jake’s leash, he takes off for the cocker spaniel that’s currently being petted by Evangeline. As soon as Jake joins in, she kneels and rubs his head, too. Of course that greedy attention seeker revels in her touch. Never in my life did I think I’d ever be jealous of a dog.

  But I am.

  As I step around the hedge of bushes, our gazes collide. Her smile falters a little. I fully expect her to run away, but she stands her ground, ready to do battle. If I thought it would help, I would shout it out to the world to hear that I don’t want to hurt her, but I doubt Evangeline would want that kind of attention.

  Hell, based on the way things ended the last time we were together, she doesn’t want any kind of attention at all from me. If I were a smarter man, I’d cut my losses and move on, but, like I said, I would have to be a smarter man.

  A light breeze stirs the loose pieces of hair around her face as I draw closer. There is so much wariness in her eyes, but with that, I find determination, which means she’s ready to put me in my place for good or—who am I kidding? Of course she’s going to put me in my place for good, but I’m not going to give her additional reasons to do it.

  “Hey there. Sorry about Jake interrupting playtime,” I say, keeping my voice friendly. “He was pumped to finally get out here.”

  Jake and his lady friend jump around us.

  I glance around for the cocker spaniel’s owners. Two men sitting at a park bench at the edge of the park wave and I tip up my chin in acknowledgment.

  “That’s John and Carl,” Evangeline says. “John’s recovering from pancreatic cancer, so he can’t play with Brandi like she wants and needs. Carl is his home nurse.”

  “Congrats to John on coming back from that. One of the guys down at the station battled with it—not pretty at all. I’ll be sure to speak to him before I leave.” I turn my attention back to the dogs, instead of to Evangeline, like I want, and get down on their level. “Brandi, huh? Jake sure knows how to pick them.”

  Brandi licks the side of my face while Jake shoves her out of the way to do the same. Apparently, there are some things Jake won’t allow.

  I can’t help but grin.

  “He picked her?” Evangeline asks.

  I lift my gaze, careful not to linger on her legs or breasts. “They’ve played together a few times, and he doesn’t like it when we have to leave. Usually, it’s crowded when we come and I have to keep a close eye on him, so I never got a chance to speak with her owner.”

  “Oh.” She licks her lips, a nervous habit and not one meant to get me going, but damn, it’s hard not to be attracted to her. “Um…I guess I’ll go, now that Brandi has a playmate.”

  “Why?”

  She shrugs. “I don’t have a dog. The only reason I’m here is because Brandi got away—saw a squirrel or cat, according to John—and ran into me while I was on my walk.”

  “They had to appreciate that.”

  “Yeah, Carl was not happy. He was in the middle of chasing after her when she literally ran into me and wrapped her leash around my legs.” She rubs her thigh. “I hit the ground pretty hard, but luckily I was on the grass and not the sidewalk.”

  I fight back the urge to assess her injury. “Good thing the two parks basically circle each other.”

  Evangeline nods. “Which is why I’m not needed anymore.”

  “I don’t know about that.”

  Her gaze flies to mine. “Why else would I stay?”

  “Maybe you need someone to play with.” Before she can get outraged, I continue on. “I have a couple of balls—”

  She frowns, but her gaze slides down my body. “I bet you do.”

  Digging my hand into a pocket, I pull out two tennis balls. “What else could that bulge in my pants be?”

  Her cheeks flame, then her lips twist, but she’s not mad. I can see it in her pretty eyes, but the look is fleeting.

  “I have no idea.”

  “How to work these?” I hold out a ball to her. “Jake tends to like it when I throw one for him to fetch. Bet Brandi feels the same way.”

  Her jaw works a little, like she’s dying to tell me off, but what can she say without assigning a deeper meaning to my words. She grabs the ball and calls Brandi’s name. The dog stops and waits. Evangeline throws, and when I mean throws, she throws, clear to the other side. Brandi goes racing after it, Jake hot on her heels.

  I whistle through my teeth in a show of appreciation. “Damn, girl, you almost hit the fence.”

  A proud smile slips on her face. “Thanks.”

  “Not sure if I should bother throwing mine. Jake’s going to be mighty disappointed when it doesn’t go as far as yours.”

  “Try it anyway,” she says as the dogs come racing back.

  Brandi drops the ball in front of Evangeline and sits, her tail wagging. Evangeline praises her while scratching behind the dog’s ears.

  “Fetch, Jake,” I say, throwing the ball.

  Once again, both dogs take off and come back. Evangeline and I take turns throwing, then start tossing the balls at the same time.

  “You’re good with dogs,” I say.

  “I grew up on a farm.”

  “Have you ever considered fostering a dog?” I ask.

  “No.” She shakes her head, her light brown ponytail swinging. The sun highlights the blond streaks in it, turning her hair the color of honey. “Is Jake a foster?”

  “Yeah. I’ve had him for a couple of months, but there’s a forever family who’s interested in adopting him, so…”

  Tossing Brandi another ball, she says, “You’ll miss him, won’t you?”

  “More than I thought I would. He grew on me.”

  “Is that your plan with me?” she asks, and the ball I’m holding slips out of my grasp.

  “I don’t have a plan for you.” Bending over, I grab the ball and throw it. Jake races away. “In fact, the only plan I have is to grab some tacos from Domingo’s truck when Jake finally has enough.”

  “There’s a taco truck?”

  I nod. “On the perimeter of the park. He doesn’t get too close so the dogs won’t go loco…crazy over the smell.”

  Jake runs back to me and flops down. Brandi joins him, and soon it’s a lick-everything-they-can-reach fest.

  “I like tacos,” Evangeline says, so quietly that I almost miss it.

  “Who doesn’t?” I don’t want to assume anything. I can’t assume anything with her. For all I know, conversation with me is all she can do right now.

  “Some people don’t.”

  Her ex, I’m sure of it. “When’s the last time you had a good taco?”

  “Five years and six months,” she says, then looks away, but I don’t miss the shame on her face.

  The bastard. “Must have been one hell of a bad taco to wait for so long, huh?”

  Her chin jerks up. She stares at me for a minute. “The worst ever.”

  “If you’re willing to take a chance on the best taco you’ve ever had, then I’ll introduce you to Domingo. He’ll fix you right up.”

  “Brandi,” one of the guys calls out, and I turn in time to see the little cocker spaniel run to the fence.

  Evangeline strides toward them and I follow her. “Thanks for letting me play with her,” she says.

  “You’re welcome, but Brandi needed
the exercise. We try to come at least every other day. She’s helping me as I recuperate, but technically she’s not a therapy dog,” John tells me.

  Carl adjusts his grip on the top handles of John’s wheelchair. “She’s a handful, but when I’m off, she’s a godsend.”

  “Jake enjoys playing with her,” I say, grabbing his collar to prevent him from going with Brandi as Carl opens the gate. “Looks for her every time we come. Hopefully, we can have another fetch session soon.”

  “That would be wonderful,” John says, a grin on his gaunt face.

  Evangeline is mostly quiet as she stands a couple of feet away from all of us. My gut tightens. I want her by my side, but I can’t force this.

  As they walk away, I turn to her. “Ready to meet Domingo?”

  She takes a step back and my heart sinks. I lost my chance.

  “Are you sure the tacos will be the best I’ve ever had?”

  Oh, hell yes, baby. They will be so good, you’ll keep coming back for more. “Fairly certain,” I say evenly.

  “And it’s right over there?” She points to the opposite side of the park.

  “Yeah. All out in the open and everything.” Letting go of Jake, I head to the south entrance. “Ready, boy?”

  Evangeline falls into step beside me, sending my body on high alert for all the right reasons. “Jake eats tacos, too?”

  “Nah. Domingo always gives him a special treat.”

  Pulling Jake’s leash out of my pocket, I attach it to his collar. “Mind grabbing my balls?” Oh shit. I shouldn’t have said that, but Evangeline is nodding and not commenting on my thoughtless request.

  Wordlessly, she scoops them up as we pass by and hands them to me.

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Once we’re out of the dog park, it’s a quick walk to Domingo’s truck. Fortunately, we arrive before a line has formed for dinner.

  The smell of chilies, cumin, and garlic fills my senses, reminding me of my mother’s cooking. Funny enough, while my father always had an insult to throw my momma’s way, he sure as hell devoured everything she made and even praised her for the meals. She would live off those compliments for days, and sometimes my dad would give her peace for days, too.

  But not often.

  “Hola, Hunter. Who is this beautiful woman you brought to me today?” he calls out.

  Domingo is barely five feet tall with salt-and-pepper hair and an easy smile. He’s also a huge flirt, and most women love the attention. However, Evangeline isn’t most women.

  “Hola, Domingo. This is my special friend, Evangeline. I told her all about your tacos. Please don’t let me down.”

  His knowing gaze bounces from me to the woman standing beside me. Well, she would be standing beside me, if she didn’t maintain a distance of four feet between us. I’ll take what I can get from her, and since it’s not her back while she’s walking away, I consider myself a very lucky man.

  Evangeline smiles and my breath almost leaves me. Amazing how she can do that. “Nice to meet you, Domingo.”

  “Senorita, how may I help you today?” he asks.

  “Two tacos with chips and cheese, and a drink, please,” she says.

  “A woman who knows what she wants—love it!” He turns to me, a playful frown on his face. “And you, Officer? What can this lowly cook prepare to avoid getting thrown into the pinta?”

  I roll my eyes. “Cut it out, Domingo.”

  “The usual, then.” It’s not a question. I always get the same thing. Four tacos, tortilla chips with cheese, and a side of guacamole. Domingo tallies up our orders and gives me the total.

  “Oh, I can pay for mine,” Evangeline says, hastily stepping in front of me.

  He waves her away. “I didn’t charge you.”

  “You sure about that?” I ask, handing over two twenties. Normally, I pay twelve fifteen for my order. Today, it’s twenty-four fifty.

  Domingo pulls a face. “Charged you double—police especial.”

  Evangeline giggles and I can feel a smile forcing its way onto my face. “Food’s worth it,” I admit.

  One of Domingo’s assistants hands our orders over to me in a large white bag and gives Evangeline two bottles of water.

  We take our food to an empty picnic table. I let Evangeline sit first. Out in the open like this, I don’t feel exactly at ease. I can’t sit with my back to a wall so I can protect it, but I can sit on the side that allows me the most visibility.

  “Mind if I sit here? It’s a cop thing—I’m not trying to hit on you,” I explain.

  She glances up at me. “Are you sitting on the side that will make you less vulnerable?”

  You make me vulnerable. You make me feel things I didn’t know were possible. “Yes.”

  “Then by all means, sit.” She scoots to the very edge of the bench, leaving me plenty of room to sit. At six four, I’m a big guy, but I’m not that damn big. She doesn’t want to feel vulnerable, either.

  “Someone blue in your family?” I ask, carefully throwing my leg over the bench.

  Her cheeks become the prettiest shade of pink. “No,” she says, ducking her head. “I like watching cop shows.”

  Opening the container of tacos, I pick up one. “They don’t always get the facts right.”

  “I know, but my brother-in-law produces Behind the Blue, and he has consultants. According to him, viewers don’t always want realistic,” she says before taking a bite of taco. Her eyes close in what I hope is pure bliss while my mind sorts through the information she’s giving me. I have no idea who her brother-in-law is, and even if she told me, I wouldn’t have a clue. Hollywood has never come calling on me.

  “I’ve watched that one a few times. Tell him he does a good job.” I manage to eat two tacos while she eats half of hers. “Good?”

  “The best. I’d almost forgotten how they tasted,” she says softly, then resumes eating.

  I swear I could sit here and watch her all night. Her movements are elegant and refined. You can tell that she’s had a different kind of upbringing than mine.

  “When you go for your walk, stay away from Fifth and Trellis. When I was with Forrestville PD, we had a lot of calls from that area.”

  “Duly noted.”

  “And once the time changes, you’ll need to be out of here before five. There aren’t many lights. Developers are trying to keep light pollution at a minimum.” I finish my third taco and start on my fourth. “Where else do you like to go?”

  “I mostly stay in this area. Haven’t ventured any farther since I don’t—well, I didn’t know what areas to avoid,” she says.

  “That’s smart.”

  Evangeline gives me a pleased smile and her back straightens. “That’s a nice compliment, especially coming from a policeman.”

  I wonder when the last time was that a man gave her a compliment. In my experience, abusers don’t stay content with verbal or physical abuse for very long. They start to mix things up to see how their target responds.

  Jake leans his head against my thigh and lets out a contented huff.

  “Know how you feel, boy,” I whisper to him.

  “I got a job,” Evangeline says.

  “That’s great.” I mean it. Anything that reeks of normalcy is a plus in my book.

  “Saylor said that you mentioned I might be looking for one.”

  My neck gets hot, but there’s no need to lie to her. “Yeah, she’s been looking for help, and from what I know about you, you’re someone she can trust with animals.”

  She blinks at me. Then that confident smile of hers returns, making me want to be the one behind it. “Thank you.”

  “No problem.” Wiping my hands, I begin to clean up our trash. “Guess I’ll get Jake back home. He has an appointment with Netflix.”

  “You’re leaving already?” she asks, confusion filling her pretty eyes as she starts helping me.

  “Well, yeah, but that doesn’t mean you have to. The park’s a pu
blic place.” I throw our trash away. “And you have at least two more hours of sunlight. Next month is a different story.”

  Her forehead wrinkles slightly. “I don’t know,” she says slowly as she looks around. “It’s almost September and the light’s faded a lot since I first got here.”

  I choose my next words carefully. “Would you like to walk home with me…and Jake?”

  Nodding, Evangeline checks the table one last time before joining us. Although she stays on Jake’s side, it feels like I’m back in school, escorting the prom queen.

  I make a noise.

  “Are you okay?” she asks, peering at me.

  “Memories of high school.”

  “Those were the days.”

  “No college?” I ask.

  She shakes her head. “Not really. You?”

  “I joined the force right out of high school. Lots of training.” I shorten my naturally fast-paced strides so she doesn’t have to attempt to keep up with me. Plus, I want to draw out my time with her for as long as possible. The park isn’t far from Rose Haven.

  “Why?”

  “Short answer—wanted to fight the bad guys.”

  “And the long answer?” she asks.

  “That would require another trip to Domingo’s.”

  “I…um…okay.”

  Holy shit. She said yes. All right, it was an okay, but it wasn’t a no. For a man who is supposed to be trained in expecting the unexpected, I sure as hell didn’t see that answer coming. This entire afternoon was a fluke in my mind. I half-expected Evangeline to leave at any moment.

  “Same time tomorrow?” I ask, waiting for the other shoe to drop, waiting for her to change her mind.

  “As long as I get to play with Jake,” she says as we arrive home. “Thanks again for the tacos.”

  “Thanks for the company.” I run my hand around my neck, squeezing tight. “Wasn’t sure if I would see you again.” Yeah, I probably shouldn’t bring that up, but this woman is a closed book. If I could get a glimpse at the table of contents, that would be more than helpful.

  “I was a little rude,” she admits, her gaze on Jake. “But I meant what I said about not wanting to get involved with anyone.”

  Well, shit. I know she feels this way, but I would have to be high to expect her to do a one eighty after only one date that wasn’t even a date. “I figured as much.”