by Wendi Zwaduk
“It’ll be okay. We’ll get through this.” Marlon sat up and wrapped his body around hers. “Why is someone named Bobby calling you?”
“He’s being cautious.” Jaden rested her head on his shoulder. After two rings, Judi answered. “Hello? This is too late to call someone. Go to bed.”
Jaden sighed. “Judi, it’s me. You wanted me? What’s wrong?”
Although flat, her voice still held a hint of her usual humour. “I’m fine. My arthritis is acting up, but the ticker’s fine. Sparky’s wandering around looking for you like he does, but that’s not why I called. Is Marlon with you?”
The tips of her ears burned. “Yes. You said you wanted me to come home. What’s wrong?”
“Bring Marlon. I’ll have the coffee on. We need to talk—the three of us.”
Before Jaden could answer, Judi clicked off the line. She snapped her phone shut and pressed her face against Marlon’s neck. “She wants to talk. I don’t know why.”
Whatever Judi needed to tell her couldn’t be good. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and repressed nervous laughter. Marlon stroked her arm, offering more silent comfort. A rumble vibrated low in his chest. “So I heard.”
Jaden nodded. Duh, she’d had the phone on speaker. People in the next apartment probably heard. “She wants to talk to you, too. I know we aren’t super close, but please come with me.”
He cupped her jaw, rubbing his thumb over her cheek and bringing her gaze to his. His eyes darkened once more. “Jaden Marie, we are very close. Yes, I’ll go with you. You drive me crazy and don’t tell me all the details, but I can deal—unless you’re sharing your affections.”
“Bobby’s…never mind.” Her resolve broke. Someone cared about her—really cared. Tears streamed down her face. Although he hadn’t said the words she longed to hear, he shared her feelings. He wanted to be with her. “Thank you.”
* * * *
Ten minutes later, Marlon raced back across town. Though no longer crying, Jaden held onto his hand with an iron grip. Whatever Judi needed to say at two in the morning had Jaden on edge.
Coming to a stop in her driveway, Marlon threw the Jeep into park and surged to Jaden’s side. A single light in the living room cast pale light out onto the front porch. Jaden trembled and dug her sharp little nails into his palm. “I have a bad feeling. I’m scared.”
“I’m right here beside you, babe.” Marlon wrinkled his nose. Judi didn’t seem like the type to throw someone out in the middle of the night. Heck, she reminded him of his grandmother—a gentle smile, a fresh batch of cookies, and a warm hug when life went south. Still, the unnerving feeling remained in the back of his mind. He needed to get down to who the hell Bobby was. Did she mean his fellow officer? He’d been burned by Hutchins before. Never again.
When Marlon opened the door, Judi sat perched on the couch, tissue in hand, stroking Sparky’s fur. The snoring dog kicked in his sleep, probably chasing a rabbit or something in his dreams. Removing her glasses to wipe her eyes, Judi looked up. “Hi kids.”
Sparky, instantly interested in the commotion, sat up and growled. Wriggling, he slid off the couch and plopped at Jaden’s feet. She knelt to pet the dog. “What’s wrong? You’re crying.” With one hand on the dog, Jaden grasped Judi’s hand. “I can call Steven.”
“Don’t bother him He’s got enough to worry about what with his cholesterol.” Judi blotted the corners of her eyes with the balled up tissue. “Do you remember me talking about my friend Pearl? She had Riley. I have no idea what his specific breed is, but you took him for a walk with Sparks when we played cards. Well, the cancer won this evening and she’s finally with Francis. Her family knew it was coming, but not how fast.”
Marlon sat down next to his friend and wrapped an arm around her. “I’m sorry for your loss, but she’s in a better place and she’s not suffering.”
Judi sniffled and nodded again. “I agree, and thank you, but that’s not the shitty part.”
Taken aback by the coarse language, Jaden looked up.
“Her son doesn’t want Riley. That little dog was Pearl’s lifeline. He kept her company and comforted her while the cancer ate away at her. With Francis gone for so long, Riley helped make her last few months more enjoyable. And that rat wants to have him put down!” Judi turned to Marlon and slapped the arm of the couch. “He can’t do that. I won’t allow it. Riley is a sweet dog who deserves a new family.”
Jaden stroked Sparky’s fur. “He did get along with Sparks real well.” She nibbled her bottom lip. “Do you know someone who can take him?”
Marlon shifted in his seat. He wasn’t sure what his place was in the conversation, but if both women hurt, he’d try to make things better.
“What if we take him?” Jaden waggled Sparky’s head. “Can we have a friend come over for a long time—like an extended sleepover?”
Marlon rolled his eyes. “You talk to the dog like he’s a person, too? He’s just a dog.”
Her brows knotted together. Gentle colour infused her cheeks, as she squared her shoulders. “He’s not just a dog, he’s part of our mish-mash family and yes, I talk to him. If he wants a brother, then we’ll take Riley. I won’t let someone put him down.”
“Having Sparks has been the best therapy for me. I don’t see how another dog would be a bad idea.” Judi patted his knee. “Can you make him turn the dog over to us? Or do we have to go through the Sunny Retreat Shelter?”
Marlon shook his head. “I’m not sure. I’ll ask Carol Ann to look into it and talk to Summer Tyler over at the dog warden. She’s a good friend and always willing to help. Been a godsend to me.”
Jaden averted her gaze and snickered, making his heart clench. Okay, so that sounded strange to say in front of a woman he’d just made love to. Then again, he wasn’t exactly the king of smooth. Never had been. And Jaden constantly kept him on the verge of making a fool of himself.
“Godsend?” Jaden squeezed his thigh, a gleam twinkling in her eye. “I’m glad we can count on her.”
With a grunt, Judi stood. “These late nights are going to be the death of me if the old ticker doesn’t give out first. My hips can’t take the stress either.” She clapped Marlon on the shoulder. “Thank you.” At the doorway, she spoke over her shoulder. “I’ll make an exception to the rule tonight. Bobby can’t come back.”
Before Marlon could process her statement, Judi disappeared to her bedroom. Jaden chuckled and plopped down on her butt. “You know, I think she’s trying to throw us together. That and the little curfew idea. Stroke of genius, if you ask me.”
He rubbed his chin. “Oh, probably. Now about Bobby…”
She stood, her long legs stretched before him. He rolled his tongue around his dry mouth. Dear God, she was sexy. He held out his hands. Jaden pulled him into a standing position. “She’s got a lot of friends with animals, you know.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her hair. “I’m sure she does. But I wanted to know—” She sighed and his mind reeled. He was thinking of sex and Jaden, no doubt, had her mind on something totally different.
“Marlon,” she murmured, “who takes those animals when the people die?”
Her innocent question and blatant avoidance knocked him off-kilter. Hell. He wasn’t sure where the critters went. His mind hadn’t diverted from the Bobby situation. Damn, he needed an intelligent answer. “I’d assume the dog warden or Sunny Retreat. I don’t handle many cases where the person dies of natural causes. With homicides, if there were pets, they go to the next of kin or the shelter. If someone passes naturally, then it’s up to their next of kin. Why?”
“Seems like a shame.”
Something more lay under the simple comment. He cupped her jaw, tilting her head to meet his gaze. “Why do you ask?” What was going through her mind at warp speed?
She shrugged and looked away. “I don’t know. It’s just disgraceful and mean.” Wriggling from his grasp, she strolled to the opposite end of the room. “I k
now how it feels to be left behind and it sucks.”
Marlon sat down on the arm of the couch. Whatever she needed to say, he’d listen. “Tell me what’s on your mind, Jaden Marie. I’ll help you through it.”
She smiled and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “That reminds me of my mom. Each time you call me Jaden Marie, I think about how she’d say it and smile. And in a strange way, I think that’s how Riley and Sparky feel. When Judi or Pearl talks to them, they feel important. With Pearl gone, Riley has no one. And think about all those folks out there who want to keep their pets, their babies, even when they themselves are sick. Animals do have healing powers.”
Without a second thought, he stood and crossed the room. He scooped her into his arms. “I agree.” Her words, though a jumble of thoughts, made sense. Sparky brought out the maternal, selfless qualities in Jaden. The walks kept them both healthy and sociable.
“When Mom died, I felt like my world collapsed. As it did for Daddy, though he never said it outright. He changed and nothing I did was good enough,” she sobbed, wetting his shirt. “Maybe this is what I’m supposed to be good at.”
Okay, now she’d lost him. “Explain it to me, baby. You’re good at plenty of things.”
Leaning back within his embrace, she wiped the tears away with the back of her hand. “When I did all those crazy stunts in California, it was because I thought I could outrun my problems. If I did drugs, I was numbing the pain of not fitting in. When I drank and partied, people noticed me. My actions served the purpose—up to a point. I belonged. Then everything hit the skids and the people didn’t care. The fiasco with Logan and Dex showed me just how far I’d run off the rails.” She sniffled. “I was a mess until I met Cass. She took me under her wing and let me be me. If I hadn’t had the cabin for a detox-slash-retreat, I’d be dead.”
He reeled. Yeah, he knew about the deal with Logan. The file on Dex Rose had her name all over it. During the interview, she’d spoken about her drinking problem and her substance abuse. But to think she’d be dead… His heart clenched. “And this translates to the dog…how?”
“I wasn’t any good at being a party girl. I suck at modelling and my acting skills aren’t even acceptable enough for the gag reels. I put so many things up my nose it’s a wonder it’s in one piece. But now that I’m here, I’m pretty good at taking care of Sparky.” She gestured to the dog. “I’m responsible for someone other than me and I like it. I’ll bet Riley would like to be in a home where he’s loved. Here, he can be. I figure, if I can channel my energy into making other people’s lives better rather than my addictions, then why not?”
Her words turned over in his mind. A place for the unwanted animals? Sure, he’d always wanted a dog, but with his crazy hours, it seemed unfair. If she could handle the chaos, then maybe the idea of taking in the occasional animal wasn’t so bad. But to take in the masses to combat addictions? He wasn’t so sure. Still, his respect for her rose along with parts of his anatomy.
Squeezing her tightly, Marlon sighed. “You can do whatever you set your mind to. I know you will give him the best home possible.” The scent of her shampoo wafted to him. “But right now, I’d like to know who Bobby is.”
“A friend who keeps an eye on me, kind-of-sort-of.”
Her words didn’t ease his apprehension. “Jaden…”
“He’s in my past and nothing you have to handle. Really.”
“You frustrate me, babe.”
A smile lit up her face. “So you will stay? I know Judi gave the green light, but I was afraid to ask.”
He chuckled. “Miss Bold was afraid to ask? You didn’t seem to mind taking charge back at my apartment.” Meek and demure suited her. Then again, he liked her bold, sassy, and willing, too.
More colour rushed into her cheeks. “I didn’t want to sound like a wuss. I mean…”
He silenced her with a kiss, enveloping himself in her scent. She clasped his shirt in both hands, pulling him flush against her body. When they parted, her eyes fluttered open and a lazy smile blossomed on her lips.
“I’m needy, aren’t I?”
“Sweetheart, I’m standing here, trying to hold off a damned erection and you talk about needy?” He rested his forehead on hers. “You’ve got me wrapped around your little finger.”
Jaden wrapped her fingers around his length, stroking him. “How about you stay tonight and snuggle me?”
“You got it.”
Chapter Thirteen
“Just try to tell me pets don’t have feelings.” Jaden stormed into the shelter. Her voice shook the glass foyer. “Everyone has feelings!” Including me.
She’d spent the previous week arguing about Riley with Pearl’s son Leonard through a series of phone calls and personal visits. He wasn’t about to let her adopt the dog. His words at the diner cemented themselves in her mind. “Drop him in the pond for all I care.” Thank God Marlon had heard the nastiness. As soon as she’d found out the dog had been dropped at the shelter, she’d rushed across town. According to Summer, Leonard abandoned Riley on the doorstep with the opinion that animals were nothing more than disposable ‘things’.
An eerie feeling wrapped around her heart. She took a quick look over her shoulder. The dark green sedan sat in the parking spot next to her car. A man lounged on the hood, his ankles crossed. At first glance, he appeared casual. She inched backwards towards the inner door. He wore sunglasses again. Who knew what he was looking at.
He can’t take my independence and he won’t break me.
Once inside the sky blue building, she stopped cold. Puppies, full grown dogs, kittens and cats peered at her from inside wire cages. Some of the cats mewled and batted their paws through the holes. Others sat and stared. Some of the dogs barked, while a handful whimpered. Her heart clenched as she forgot her problems. Many of the dogs were purebreds. She swallowed past the lump in her throat. All of them needed homes other than the chilly confines of the wire and cement block.
“There’s so many of them,” she murmured and folded her hands in front of her mouth.
“People give them up because they lose the cuteness. The dogs get too big to control and the cats cause allergies. It’s sad but true.”
Jaden jumped. When she turned, a petite woman with hair the colour of milk chocolate crossed her slender arms.
“Didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Are you Summer?”
The woman grinned, displaying dazzling white teeth. “One and the same. I assume you’re Jaden. Marlon spoke highly of you when I took some forms over to the county office. It’s a little strange because he doesn’t talk about anyone except for the guys he works with. You’ve made an impression.”
Jaden fumbled for a response. He thought highly of her? She’d made an impression? Wow. He knew the woman she wanted to be—not the celebrity fuck-up. She owed him the biggest kiss and more than one night of devotion.
“You don’t believe me?”
Jaden tucked a hank of loose hair behind her ear. “I—it’s just crazy to hear it from someone else.”
“Get used to it, girl. He’s usually a pretty quiet guy, but he’s got a great big heart and he’s loyal. He’s in love with you and I am thrilled.” Summer clicked her tongue, calming some of the dogs. “I tried to be the kind of woman he needed, but I couldn’t overcome the memory of his wife. I still see him from time to time.”
The wind rushed from her lungs. The ‘in love’ part she could deal with eventually, but wife? The man had a wife? Jaden grasped for anything to keep her upright. The glass door worked fine. She prayed it didn’t swing open. Okay, so they really didn’t take much time to talk about stuff, but really. A wife? Hell.
Summer touched Jaden’s arm. Her voice dropped to a low tone. “He didn’t say anything, did he? I’m sorry. It wasn’t my place to shout out his past.” Putting one fist on her hip, she frowned and tapped her chin with her other hand. “That might have had something to do with why our dates are further and further apart. I
tend to talk without thinking sometimes. It’s a gift and it gets me into so much trouble.”
Jaden squared her shoulders. She tended to speak before thinking, too. “I understand and it’s fine.” Sort of. On to more important things before she had too much more time to think. “I—I came here to pick up Riley.”
Summer’s frown brightened to a wide grin. “Ah, Riley. He’s a pistol, but he’d be a great family dog. He tore up the squeaky hamburger toy in about ten minutes flat. Lots of energy, he’d like kids to play with.” She sighed. “But then all of them would make great pets. I want to save them all, but I can’t. Not enough room. If I’m lucky, two-thirds of them are adopted.”
Forgetting her personal discomfort, Jaden slipped through the glass doors to the kennels. She’d always wanted a kitten. What about a full-grown cat? The first cage held two grey tabby cats. She stuck her finger through the holes in the cage. One of them purred. The other butted her fingers with the top of its head. “I think I’d like a cat, but how do you know if they tolerate dogs?”
Summer snorted. “What cat does? It’s a case of coexisting and a matter of temperament. In here, they’re all lovey and adorable. At home, some change. Some cats are distant. It’s like they do what they have to in order to get out and when they succeed… Well, you’ll have to see for yourself. I know a couple of cats who took to their master’s dogs with no issues, but they were adopted.”
The duo slithered around each other in a desperate attempt to get her attention. Would Judi mind a pair of cats? What if she was allergic? Two sets of greenish-yellow eyes peered at her. Her heart melted. My life, my choices. “I’ll take Riley and these two. They seem to need me.”
“I have to get preachy for a moment. Four animals is the limit in town, you know. Marlon won’t enforce it because he’s with the county, but he will tell the city cops if you change your mind and think you want more. Unfortunately, he has to tattle.”