by Glynna Kaye
Gray stared at the ground. “You know, with the Jenna thing and now Elise, I’m doubting it’s realistic to have it all—a career in law enforcement and a thriving family life.”
“Thinking negative like that isn’t the way to go, Gray. It can be done. I’m doing it. But it isn’t easy, I can tell you that.” He paused. “It takes a special kind of woman to be the wife of a cop. Or for a man to be the husband of a cop, for that matter. Someone who’s independent enough not to require a whole lot of handholding. Who is emotionally sturdy and has a faith big enough to deal with the realities of police work. You think this Elise is that kind of woman?”
Gray’s memory returned to what he knew of her. How she was afraid to go out at night. How her fear had transferred to Cory. How she worried her son would get attached to another man who might meet an untimely end. How she’d broken down and sobbed in his arms the night of the break-in when she’d told him about Duke’s gambling. “I don’t know.”
“Then get to know. Find out before you make decisions of a permanent variety.” Reggie rapped his knuckles on the side of the truck and pushed away from it. “You stayin’ for supper? Shana’s making spaghetti. Homemade bread.”
“Tempting, but I’m going to pass. Thanks.”
“Isn’t Sunday your night to host the gang for football?”
“Oh, right....” During football season a group of law-enforcement friends took turns sharing their widescreen TVs—his one personal indulgence. It was always a high-spirited afternoon or evening of pigskin talk and barbecue with a dozen guys and gals on the force, some with significant others.
“Invite this Elise to join us.”
Driving Elise farther away from him before he’d even come to terms with where he wanted to go in his career seemed premature. He’d only been on one undercover assignment. He’d been told he’d done well and he’d be getting another one in the not-too-distant future. But was that the route he wanted to go for the long term?
“Hours of cops and football might not be her favorite way to spend the afternoon.”
“That should tell you something right there.” Reggie turned to him, eyes solemn. “The right gal will come along, Gray. Don’t force a square peg into a round hole. I tried to do it the first go-round and you know how that turned out.”
Reggie’s first wife couldn’t take it. The long hours. Erratic shifts. The potential for danger each time her husband donned a uniform. His pal was right. Being married to the “wrong” person was a thousand times worse than not being married at all. He’d waited this long and, although it left his heart heavy, he could wait a while longer.
But why did God have to dangle the beautiful Elise in front of him right when he was getting settled into his career? Almost as if to force him to make a choice between the job he believed God led him to and a woman who would be so easy to love.
Chapter Eleven
“I wish Officer Grayson would come again.”
Lower lip protruding, Cory crawled into his bed on Tuesday night. Elise sat down on the edge of it, pulling the sheet up to tuck him in. She’d let him stay up later to study the moon from the deck for his science assignment. There were few stars visible with the city’s soft glow illuminating the nighttime sky. It was so different from Canyon Springs, an official Dark Sky City where the Milky Way plainly swept across the heavens.
“He’s a busy man.” She flinched inwardly at placing the blame for Grayson’s absence on him, not on her own determination to keep him at arm’s length.
“Can we invite him to supper again? I want to show him my math papers.”
“He doesn’t live close by.” She gently brushed back his hair.
“But maybe he’d come if you told him about the As. He might want to see them.”
He probably would. Grayson seemed to take an interest in whatever her son did, always giving him his undivided attention. He’d come running Sunday night when Cory called after the break-in. But didn’t the fact that Cory had already gotten attached to him justify her decision to keep the two apart?
“Please, Mom? Can I call and tell him about my As? He says if I want to be a policeman I have to get good grades.”
She wished Grayson wouldn’t indulge that line of thinking. Didn’t accountants need good grades, too? And dentists? “Like I said, he’s a busy man.”
“That’s what you always say.” He turned over and gave his pillow a vicious punch. Kept his back turned to her.
It had been a mistake to ask Cory’s cop for help in the first place. What if Cory figured out that Gray coming into their lives had been a direct consequence of misbehavior at school and he decided to act up again? According to Miss Gilbert, there had been pushing and shoving on the playground this morning, but nothing major like the last time.
She placed her hand on her son’s shoulder, but he shook it off, mumbling something into his pillow.
“I can’t hear you, Cory.”
He jerked the covers over his head.
“Cory.” She hated when he got like this.
Abruptly he sat up in bed, his lower lip trembling. “I don’t know why you don’t like him, Mom. He’s nice. I think he likes us.”
“It’s not that I don’t like him, sweetheart.” Her breath caught as she again recalled that almost-kiss. “I think he’s nice, too. And yes, I think he likes us.”
“Then why can’t he come back? Billie Jean says he’s sweet on you. Why can’t you be sweet on him, too?”
She’d have to have a chat with her downstairs neighbor. “Honey, he came here to see you because he likes you.”
“Doesn’t he like me anymore?”
She was digging herself in deeper by the second.
“Of course he still likes you, but he—” He what? He’d taken her unsubtle hint that she didn’t want him coming around anymore? That she didn’t intend to allow the spark that had flared more than once between them to fan into a flame? “He has a job and his own family to take care of.”
“But he said he isn’t married. He doesn’t have kids.”
She drew in a slow breath, recalling how Grayson had shared with her the troubling events surrounding his father’s disappearance and Belle’s comatose state. “No, but he has brothers and sisters and a mom and dad.”
“At that ranch?”
“Yes. And right now they need his attention.”
“But when they don’t need his attention, he’ll come back to see us, right?”
Her heart ached at the hope in his voice. She’d have to give this more thought. Prayer. If she allowed it, there would have to be boundaries set. “We’ll see.”
“All right!” With a grin she loved, Cory gave her a hug, then plopped back on his pillow.
She once again tucked him in. Kissed his forehead. Then she moved to the door and flipped off the overhead light, ushering in the darkness. “Sleep tight.”
Cory giggled. “Don’t let the bed bugs bite.”
She pulled the door closed and headed to the kitchen to finish cleaning up. Grayson Wallace. Only a dozen days ago she hadn’t even known he existed. But in that short length of time he’d already managed to wedge himself into her life and that of her son. How quickly she’d come to look forward to his stopping by to see Cory. How easily she’d leaned into his shoulder for comfort. Fallen into his arms when overcome by the situation Duke had placed her in.
Surely there could be a happy middle ground. One where Cory could see Grayson on occasion, yet where she could keep her distance and wouldn’t feel as if she was accepting charity.
She squirted detergent into the sink and turned on the hot water to fill the chipped basin. After a moment, she turned it off to better hear the sounds coming from the street side of the house. Cars revving. Whoops. Shouts.
The neighborhood had gotten rowdier a
nd rowdier in recent months. If only...no, accepting Grayson’s offer of his sister’s apartment wasn’t an option. He’d no doubt badgered her into making the generous contribution to his latest benevolence project.
She didn’t like being considered needy in his eyes or her son viewed as underprivileged.
Nevertheless, she and Cory were safe now. Grayson’s locksmith had seen to that. It was true that they’d become prisoners in their own home once the sun set. But that wouldn’t be forever. She’d get her physical therapy degree as quickly as possible and begin looking for a new job. A new home.
Even though that was years away, a quiet hope surged inside her, overriding the raucous street-side noise. A verse from the Old Testament book of Jeremiah pressed in upon her spirit. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.”
Today’s circumstances wouldn’t be forever. Things would change. Get better.
Reassured, she turned again to the sink just as the unmistakable report of gunfire and the sound of shattering glass jerked her back to reality.
* * *
Thank God she’d called him.
And thank God the bullet that shattered Cory’s bedroom window lodged in the wall near the ceiling above his bed.
He was safe. Elise was safe.
That’s all that mattered. That and getting her out of that place and over to Maddie’s apartment.
To his relief, Elise hadn’t argued with him when he told her where he was taking her. Too shaken to resist, she and Cory had sat quietly on their apartment sofa, wrapped in a blanket and each other’s arms as the responding police officers concluded their investigation. A random, drive-by shooting. A stray bullet. Too many of those in the city these days, and this was just one more. All in a day’s work for Fort Worth law enforcement.
Except this incident involved two people Gray had come to care for.
At his insistence, Elise had packed suitcases for both of them, her movements silent. Wooden. And now, with an exhausted Cory tucked into Maddie’s bed for the night, she stood in the darkened living room, wrapped in his sister’s afghan.
Watching her stare out the window at the city lights sprawling below, his heart went out to her as he recalled her quavering voice on the phone. Her ashen face upon his arrival. Her almost zombielike movements as she gathered her and Cory’s things and allowed him to escort them to his SUV.
Not wanting to startle her, he spoke as he approached from behind with a cup of hot tea. “Elise?”
She turned toward him, the faint light from the window illuminating the weariness in her eyes. The uncontrolled shuddering that had tortured her for hours had subsided. But the hands that clasped the afghan around her shoulders remained unsteady.
“Maybe this will warm you up.”
She secured the crocheted comforter and reached out for the cup. “Thank you.”
She appeared so fragile standing there. Why hadn’t he pushed harder Monday night for her to pack up and come to Maddie’s place? She shouldn’t have had to go through this. The terror of racing into Cory’s room, not knowing what she’d find. If only he could turn back the clock and refuse to take no for an answer.
But what was done was done.
He offered what he hoped was an encouraging smile. “You might want to sit down before you fall down.”
She shook her head, then turned back to the window, the steaming cup clasped in her hands. After a long moment, her words came softly. “I like looking out at the city, don’t you? I can see why this place appealed to your sister. You’re up here, above it all, where nothing down there can touch you. You’re safe.”
He took a step closer and hesitantly placed a hand on her shoulder. She flinched, but didn’t pull away.
“I’m sorry about tonight, Elise.”
He felt the sigh more than heard it. “You warned me. Now’s your opportunity to say ‘I told you so.’ ”
“I’d never do that.”
She turned to gaze up at him, her eyes devoid of their usual sparkle. “Why not? You were right.”
“You were doing what you thought best.”
“I was...wrong.”
The self-condemnation in her tone wrenched his heart. “Maybe. But you couldn’t have foreseen what happened tonight.”
“Cory could have been killed.”
“He wasn’t.” He tugged the afghan more snugly around her shoulders. “You should call in to work tomorrow. Take a day off. Spend it with Cory.”
“I can’t. I have too much to do.”
“You need to rest. Recover from the shock. Cory does, too. Do it, Elise.”
She took a sip of tea, then set her cup on a glass-topped table. For several minutes they stood gazing out at the cityscape, watching the threads of traffic weave through the streets below.
“Since you’ve never explained why you haven’t returned to Arizona, I have to assume you have your reasons. But you need to give serious thought to moving back home.” Not that he wanted her to, but this was no life for Elise. She belonged in a small, safe town surrounded by friends and family.
Dark eyes filled with emotion, her words came softly. “I can’t go back. Not yet.”
“Are you on the outs with your family?”
“No.”
“Then go home, Elise.”
“I...can’t.”
He caught the break in her voice and turned her toward him, her face bathed in a soft glow from the windows. “Why not?”
“Because they’ll find out...” She tightened her grip on the afghan. “They’ll find out what Duke did.”
“They need to know what’s going on.”
“I can’t—he’s their hero. He’s the whole community’s hero in many ways.” She released a quivering breath. “Small-town boy makes good. Big-city cop saves his partner’s life. I can’t take that from them.”
“You wouldn’t be taking anything from them. That was Duke’s choice when he did what he did to you.”
She took a step away. “You still don’t understand.”
“Then help me so I can.”
“Don’t you see? They’ll blame me.”
He frowned. “Why would they blame you? You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Maybe I did.” She paused. “Maybe I made Duke feel he had to provide way more than we could afford. Maybe he thought he had to give me everything it had taken decades for our parents to acquire—a home, furniture, nice cars.”
“I can’t see you ever making anyone believe that.” But gazing into the face of the sweet treasure before him, he could understand why Duke wanted to give her whatever her heart desired. Only he’d gone about it the wrong way.
“Maybe I unintentionally expected too much. Then he took a chance—gambled—in hopes of hitting it lucky and making dreams happen overnight.”
“That’s how a gambler may think, Elise. Look for a shortcut. An easy way out. But nobody makes them think that way.”
“I wish you could understand.”
He ran his hand along her upper arm. “I think I understand more than you think I do. Don’t let pride keep you from going home. From going where it’s safe. From going where you belong.”
She stared up at him, bewilderment in her eyes. “Maybe that’s just it. I don’t know where I belong anymore.”
Shuddering at the realization of how close of a call she and Cory had escaped tonight, Gray gently drew her close. Then to his surprise, he felt her hands splay across his chest and gradually snake up to his shoulders as she pressed in closer. The afghan slipped from around her arms, puddling on the floor, and she pulled back slightly to gaze up at him. Her eyes questioning. Longing.
Heart hammering, he accepted the invitation and lowered hi
s mouth to hers.
Holding his breath, half expecting her to push him away, he tentatively brushed his lips against Elise’s as he breathed in the intoxicating scent of her soft skin. Felt her press more closely against him.
She’s only seeking comfort. Reassurance. Don’t take advantage of that. But when she didn’t resist his cautious caress, he couldn’t help but adjust his arm around her and press his lips more fully to hers.
Elise. Safe in his arms.
Thank You, God, for protecting her and Cory.
After some moments, Gray slowly drew back, brushing aside the silken strands of the dark hair framing her face. Heart pounding, he gazed in wonderment at the lustrous brown eyes looking into his with quiet, confident trust.
It is not good for the man to be alone.... The words of the Book of Genesis pulsed through his mind. God created the lovely Elise he now held in his arms. A gift from God, one every bit as cherished by Gray as Adam had cherished his own gift of Eve.
But was she his gift?
Or was he, as Reggie had suggested, letting his perspective get all out of whack? You just met this lady, yet you’re all caught up in her business. Caught up in the way she smiles at you and makes your heart go pitty-pat. Totally ignoring the fact she’s made it clear she has no interest in another cop.
She didn’t want a cop.
He was a cop.
He closed his eyes, resisting that painful truth. Prayer. That’s what his pal had said would provide the answers. Prayer. But the only prayer he could utter was that these precious minutes holding Elise would never end.
“Gray?”
He opened his eyes as her gentle caress skimmed the late-night stubble along his jaw. Her questioning gaze probed his for a breathless moment. Then her hand once again slipped behind his neck and she drew his mouth back down to hers.
* * *
Early Wednesday evening, Elise glanced at the clock in the kitchen and her heart skittered. Almost six-thirty. Table by the window set. Salads made. Lemon chicken with rice simmering in the electric skillet. The sun would be setting shortly, the sky already a blaze of color streaking through the clouds outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.