He followed her to the back where she’d parked the van. It reminded him of the first day when she and the van had screeched up to the bus stop.
“It’s not locked,” Stephanie said opening her door.
Clint smiled. Very little was locked in this town. Crime was rare, which is probably why the fight tonight would be all over town by breakfast.
The drive to his cabin was short, silent. He didn’t know what to say, how to prolong those moments of intimacy in her apartment. She had exposed a painful part of her life to him and Tony, and he knew how difficult that was. When they reached the cabin, he knew she wasn’t going to come inside with him. He touched her hand. “If you need anything...”
The wrong thing to say. He knew it the minute the words left his mouth.
She’d made an art of not needing people. He realized that now. He knew it because he had done the same thing.
But she surprised him. She slowly relaxed. “Thank you,” she said. “I wouldn’t have known about Bolling and Mark if you hadn’t noticed something wrong.” She shook her head and gently touched his cheek. “Doc was right. I seem to be your Jonah.”
“A black eye does not a Jonah-class disaster make,” he noted mildly.
She smiled at that. “Maybe not, but...”
“And it added a little zest to life,” he said. “I think I needed that.”
“It’s not been easy, has it?” she asked. “I know from Josh how difficult it is to leave the army when you intended to make it your career. I can’t imagine the kind of bond you guys have out there.”
He smiled. “I have to say that Covenant Falls is a lot more interesting than I thought it would be.”
She frowned. “You mean hazardous, don’t you?”
“It’s getting up there,” he agreed.
“Sorry about that.”
“Don’t be. I would be bored silly if not for you.”
“I don’t know about that. Right now, you seem to be the most popular man in Covenant Falls, particularly among the seniors, and it had nothing to do with me.”
“Yes, it did,” he said, suddenly serious. “I was determined to impress you.”
“Maybe, but you can’t fake liking them. Nor the patience in working with them. Nor all the time you’re taking. I’m sure it was originally supposed to be a few hours a week. From what I hear, it’s turned into a full-time unpaid job.”
“I like them,” he said simply.
“I like you.” She’d blurted it out, and it shocked him. Her, too, by the look of surprise on her face.
He leaned over and kissed her. Lightly. His lips barely touching hers. Demanding nothing. Asking nothing.
He wanted more. So much more. But he knew she was still hurting from the story she told. Mark Townsend had really done a number on her.
“I shouldn’t leave you alone,” he said. “Maybe someone should stay with you.”
Wrong thing again. “The dogs are protective. I’ll lock the doors and the police are right across the street. I’m sure Tony will make sure they keep an eye on my place. I don’t need...”
He touched her cheek. “I know. You don’t need anyone. Just be careful.”
“That’s an advantage of living across the street from city hall and the police station. I’m sure they’ll keep an eye on me,” she said. “Good night.” He stepped out of the van before he lingered any longer.
She was tired, and he didn’t want to take advantage of that.
She simply nodded.
The gravel scattered as she backed up, then wheeled out of the driveway with her usual speed. He watched until she was out of sight. He had broken through some of her barriers, but then what did he have to offer her? Not very much.
And Townsend was a phantom out there. In her mind and out.
Clint decided he was going to find out a hell of a lot more about one Mark Townsend.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
I LIKE YOU.
Why had she just blurted it out? Stephanie pulled out of his driveway agonizing over that question. She really didn’t know him well. Two weeks? Not even.
But she had liked him the minute they’d met. Suspicious, yes. Wary? Certainly. She hadn’t wanted to like him. But there’d been a genuineness about him that had attracted her. Reluctantly.
His humor enticed her. He found something amusing in almost every situation. He’d never once complained about his injury, and he’d pitched in at the community center with affable charm. He hadn’t wanted a gift of anything. He wanted to earn everything.
Still, she’d been suspicious.
Tonight changed that. She had carefully watched his face as she told the police chief about her ex-husband. There was no mistaking the growing outrage in Clint’s eyes. He’d not only been angered on her behalf but that of Susan’s.
It really made no difference, though. She didn’t want to be dependent on anyone again and she didn’t want anyone to be dependent on her.
Hard lessons learned well.
Clint Morgan was a danger to that.
She liked him. She couldn’t let it go further than that. Still, she couldn’t drive his image from her head. Clint with his black eye and torn shirt and indignation. She didn’t believe in heroes, but...
She was wildly greeted by the dogs when she arrived home. She let them out in the backyard and poured herself a glass of wine. She’d never needed a glass more.
Tony called. “I saw your light go on. I can bug your phone now if you still want it.”
She did.
When he finished, she glanced at the clock. It was nearly midnight and she had early-morning appointments. News of last night’s altercation was, no doubt, going to keep phones busy, including her own. She owed it to Eve to call her first thing in the morning.
Her cell phone rang. Anonymous. She didn’t answer. Then the other phone rang, the office phone that had an extension upstairs. “Anonymous” again. This time she answered it.
“Stephanie.” She immediately recognized her ex-husband’s’s mocking voice. “I hear you finally finagled a two-bit practice in a nowhere town.”
“How astute of you to discover that after five years,” she shot back. “You’re slipping.” She wasn’t afraid of him now, and she wanted him to know it.
“I wasn’t interested until lately,” he said. “I just wanted to give you friendly advice. Stay out of my business.”
“Oh, do you mean your current divorce? Funny how you can’t keep wives. Maybe Boston’s finally figuring out why.” He was silent. “Or,” she added, “is it about the detective who is in our jail? I thought you hired better help.”
There was a silence, then “Bitch.” She’d heard it before. Too many times. It no longer fazed her.
“I’m bored, Mark. Good night.” She cut off the phone and silenced the ring. He could call as many times as he wanted. She would have a record of them, though, and might well pursue stalking charges against him.
She knew him, inside and out. He wouldn’t leave it there. He wouldn’t let her have the last word. He would call again and she would have a proposition for him.
She’d promised Tony she would call him if Mark made contact. She would. She just wouldn’t tell him what else she had planned. Not yet.
She made the call, finished the wine and went into her bedroom. Was Mark’s detective after Susan or her? And what could he do to her that he hadn’t already done? She’d really enjoyed Mark’s moment of silence. She only wished she could have seen his face.
The detective would be in a puddle of trouble. Her ex-husband did not tolerate incompetence. Not only had the detective apparently trailed Susan, and most likely tapped her phone, he could also be charged with stalking Mark’s ex-wife. She wondered if Mark had known his detective was in jail before she’d men
tioned it. It would be even more interesting to see whether some crony of Mark’s appeared to bail out the PI or whether he would be left to fend for himself. Loyalty was not one of Mark’s virtues.
She thought about calling Susan and her attorney, and tell them about the call, but it was late. Tony had probably already talked to them anyway. Instead, she checked all the locks on her building and went to bed. Sherry immediately jumped up and Stryker took his position as watchdog on the carpet. Lulu, on a practice run outside the kennel, curled up next to him.
Stephanie was exhausted, mentally, physically and emotionally. She could erase Mark from her mind—temporarily—but she had a harder time doing that with Clint. She pictured him tackling a man many pounds over his own weight. Over and over again. Drat, the man wouldn’t leave her head.
* * *
AS EXPECTED, the next morning the town talked about nothing but the arrest of a Boston private detective. Because Stephanie lived immediately across from the episode, everyone assumed she would know what happened. She hated to lie, or misinform, but the Boston part of her life was over, and she didn’t want to resurrect it. Tony, bless him, had limited his public comments and said only that the suspect seemed to be staking out Main Street businesses for some reason and had attacked the town’s newest resident when questioned.
The immediate assumption was that the man was casing the small bank branch at the end of Main Street, or maybe the drug store. Then there was Maude’s. Her café had been robbed six months earlier.
With the exception of a few fights, a couple of DUIs and one domestic fight, there had been little crime in town since a police officer had been charged with kidnapping Eve’s son. This new news electrified the citizens of Covenant Falls, especially when they heard the veteran in Josh’s cabin had apprehended the man. Or rather, stopped him until the police had arrived.
He was the hero of the hour, according to her callers. And he had been badly injured, according to the rumor mill. By 10:00 a.m., he was near death’s door. A caravan of women planned to take food to him until Eve discouraged them. He needed a day to recuperate, then, she told those who had asked, he would be back at the community center. Poor Clint. Now every woman in Covenant Falls would want computer lessons.
Beth wanted to know every detail, and Stephanie told her only what she’d told everyone else.
Eve called to ask if she wanted to have lunch together at Maude’s, and she agreed. Eve might know the latest from Tony and whether Bolling had said anything beyond what Stephanie already knew.
She told Beth she would be at Maude’s if needed and walked to the café. As she thought would happen, several people stopped her on the street to ask questions. Fortunately, she had condensed her version to about fifty words, then she met Eve inside. The dining room was packed. They decided to get sandwiches to go and walked to the park.
When they reached a picnic table, they sat and Eve said, “Now tell me what really happened.”
“Didn’t Tony tell you?”
“He was holding something back. I think you know what it was.”
“He probably did,” Stephanie said, then told her about Mark Townsend and his wife’s visit. “The private investigator has refused to say who he works for, but the fact he’s from Boston and I had calls from his wife’s attorney makes it almost sure Bolling is here on Mark’s behalf.” Then she told Eve about Mark’s call and what she’d said.
Eve laughed. “You told him you were bored. I love it.”
“I think Clint’s weird sense of humor is rubbing off on me.”
“You could do worse. He really is a good guy, Stephanie.”
“I know. I realized that last night, although I think I knew it all along. I just didn’t want it to be true. Maybe I still don’t.”
“Why?”
“Lots of reasons.”
“Most of them named Mark Townsend?”
“Most.” Time to change the subject. “How is Braveheart doing?”
“Not well. He’s not eating. He’s moping about and sits at the door as if expecting someone who is not already in the house.”
“How does Nick feel about it?”
“He’s coming to the realization that Braveheart wants to be with Clint. It’s really hard on him. He wants to do the right thing. He likes Clint, but he’s given his heart to protecting Braveheart.” She sighed. “It doesn’t help that he knows Clint may not be around long.”
“Don’t forget I have a pup that needs a home and the kind of love Nick offers. Her name is Lulu and she gets along well with my dogs.”
“I know.” Eve’s eyes sparkled. “Nick loves eating at Maude’s. Maybe I’ll pick him up at school and tell him Josh won’t be home until late so we’ll have dinner at Maude’s. Then it’s only natural that we walk over and see you. And Lulu. He’ll be very curious about what happened last night, too.”
“How will Josh feel about that?”
“He’s been worried about Nick, too. He and Nate can go to their favorite watering hole for burgers. I might suggest they take Clint, as well.”
“Good idea. I think he’s feeling rather alone. That’s why he was so conveniently where he was last night. He was restless, he said. Out for a walk.”
“He seems a lot more sociable than Josh ever was. Or will be,” Eve said thoughtfully. “Josh is a lot better than he used to be, but he’s had to work at it. It seems very natural with Clint.”
Stephanie didn’t agree completely, but she didn’t say anything. Clint had said nothing about his family. There were subjects he avoided. And while he was friendly with everyone, she’d sensed he was withholding part of himself.
She really didn’t want to hear any more praise for Clint today. She’d stayed awake most of the night thinking about his kiss, how it made her body hum. More than hum. It had been raw and vital and yet so impossibly tender.
“I have to get back to the office,” Eve said. “I have a council meeting tonight. We’re still looking for a police chief. We won’t be able to keep Tony much longer. He’s too qualified for us, and he has his career to think about. I’m thinking we should look closer to home, maybe one of our veterans. Someone who knows the town and the people. They have weapons experience, and we can send them to law enforcement courses to get whatever else they need. Common sense is the biggest requirement.”
Stephanie’s antenna went up when she saw the gleam in Eve’s eyes. “You aren’t thinking of Clint? Don’t forget why he’s here. His injuries...”
“I hadn’t, until last night. He handled himself well. He wouldn’t need to drive unless there’s an incident. Then someone could drive him...”
Stephanie could tell Eve was thinking out loud.
“We really don’t know much about him.”
Why was she fighting this so hard?
“True, but he’s meeting people in record numbers. He’s all anyone talks about, and all the unattached ladies—with the exception of you—are figuring out ways of meeting him. Poor Bill Evans can’t keep up with the demand for computer instruction.”
Stephanie silently blessed the fact that Eve didn’t know about that kiss last night. Or did she?
“What about Cody?” she asked.
“He’s only twenty-three. Not enough maturity or diplomacy to handle some of our problems. And he’s the best of our officers.”
“How do you know Clint would be interested?”
“I don’t. It’s just an idea. He probably wouldn’t even entertain it. I imagine it pays far less than what he made in the army.” Stephanie could see the idea boiling in Eve’s mind. It might have started out as a joke, or to provoke her, but now her friend had caught interest in the idea. “One of the main requirements,” she said, “is to get along with people while being respected. He seems to do that naturally. And then there’s his computer skills.”
Stephanie needed to put the brakes on this. Eve always had provocative ideas, some good, some bad. Most, Stephanie had to admit, were good. She had single-handedly transformed a vacant building into a community center by sheer persistence. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Why?”
“He has no training in law enforcement and you really don’t know much about him. He’s been here a very short time.”
“Sometimes it doesn’t take long to see a person’s qualities, but, no, I am not going to do anything rash. As I said, it’s just an idea. I haven’t had any luck talking to other agencies or placing ads. The candidates are all too young or too old or have a bad record, or want more pay. I’d definitely run a more extensive background check. Josh basically relied on military records and the psychologist’s recommendation in bringing Clint here.”
“What about Josh? He would be perfect.”
“Nepotism, my friend. We just went through that earlier this year. Don’t forget Deputy Sam Clark and his uncle on the city council. Sam thought he could get away with anything, including framing Josh and kidnapping Nick. Never again, not while I’m mayor. But even if he wasn’t my husband, Josh is dead set on rehabbing the motel and growing this town.” She smiled. “You know that. And when Josh gets set on something, nothing deters him. He also does not accept fools gladly, and sometimes tact is required. As much as I love him, tact is not one of his attributes.”
Stephanie had to agree with her there. “What about Nate? He’s army.”
“Same problem as Josh. He wants to be back in building and contracting.”
“Clint doesn’t even plan to stay here.”
“Maybe because there was no reason to stay. Tony is impressed with him. Clint could work with Tony for a few months, take courses in criminal justice online. Cody’s good on backup.” Eve shrugged. “As I said, he probably wouldn’t be interested anyway. Still...”
Stephanie wanted to say something else, but she feared she had already protested too much. “I have to get back. I have appointments this afternoon. But I’ll see you and Nick around five thirty, and he can meet Lulu. He’ll fall in love with her.”
Tempted by the Soldier Page 19