by Kait Nolan
The approving whistle had him snapping his head up, leaving her feeling unbalanced and bereft without his lips against hers. As he cast a hunting glance around—and God, wasn’t that faint predatory gleam sexy?—Miranda struggled to slow her breathing and find her feet again.
Ethan’s gaze came back to hers, the gunmetal gray of his irises all but swallowed by black. “That was…”
“I’d go with delightfully stimulating.”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “That’s one way of putting it.”
“And for the record, yeah, that totally works for me.”
They stayed that way, wrapped around each other by the burbling fountain for several breaths. What exactly did you say to someone you’d just played a very public game of tonsil hockey with?
“Do you have any change?” she asked.
“Sure. Why?”
“We’re at the fountain. We have to make a wish.” She already knew what she wanted hers to be.
He dug into his pocket with an expression of good-natured forbearance. “We do?”
“You cannot live in a town that’s all about wishes without actually making one.”
“Fair enough.” He dropped a coin into her palm.
Miranda curled her fingers around it and watched him instead of the water as she mentally composed her wish. I wish for Ethan’s time in Wishful to restore his faith in people and give him back some perspective. “Ready?”
“Do we share?”
“Nope. Not unless it comes true.”
“Okay.” He paused, as if to consider, then nodded.
Together, they stretched their arms out. “Three, two, one.”
The coins hit the water with a splash.
“All right then, now what?” Ethan asked.
“How do you feel about dessert?”
Chapter 8
When he answered the call up at the high school on Wednesday, somehow, Ethan was unsurprised to find Johnny Forbes slouched in a chair in the principal’s office. The boy lifted baleful eyes as Ethan came in, then dropped his gaze to the floor again. He had the beginnings of a fresh shiner around one eye. Probably not from his stepfather if the principal was calling.
“Dr. Warner, what can I do for you?”
“Thank you for coming, Chief Greer.” The fifty-something woman shook his hand, then circled around to sit behind the big oak desk. She straightened a stack of papers that didn’t need straightening before folding her manicured hands. “We have, as you know, a zero tolerance policy for fighting. Johnny violated that policy by going after another student. First offense is suspension. This is his third for the year.”
“Where’s the other kid?”
The woman’s head jerked back hard enough that her hair, which had been shellacked into a virtual helmet, shook. “I beg your pardon?”
“The kid Johnny allegedly attacked. If you have a zero tolerance, do you not punish both sides of the fight?”
“There were numerous witnesses that Mr. Forbes started the fight.”
Ethan wondered whether all those witnesses would’ve seen the same thing if Johnny Forbes wasn’t dirt poor and living in a home with an abusive alcoholic. “I’ll still need to talk to the other student.”
“He’s been sent home.”
“Did the school nurse assess his injuries?”
“Some bumps and bruises. Nothing serious.”
And yet they’d called the cops on Johnny. “I’ll still be needing to get a statement from him regarding the incident. If you could just write down the boy’s name, parents’ names, and contact information.”
After a moment’s hesitation, the principal did as he’d asked. Oh yeah. Clear case of favoritism for the other kid. He’d get the boy’s statement, but Ethan already knew how this was likely to turn out.
“Have you contacted Johnny’s mother?” Ethan hoped like hell they hadn’t contacted Harley.
“We were unable to reach her.”
“All right. I’ll take care of that.” He turned to Johnny. “C’mon, son. Let’s take a little ride.”
The boy rose and held both hands in front of him, eyes downcast.
Ethan laid a hand on his shoulder. “I’m not going to march you out of here in cuffs. C’mon.”
The dark eyes flickered with some kind of uncertainty before he nodded and fell into step with Ethan out to the cruiser. The kid said nothing on the drive to the station, only glowered out the window. He still had that powder keg thing going on, and Ethan was afraid today’s mischief was only the first spark of a truly spectacular explosion. Though he wondered exactly how much legitimate trouble he’d caused.
Back at the station, he bypassed the interrogation room and led Johnny into his office. “Inez, can I get a couple of Cokes, please?”
The older woman’s brows disappeared beneath the fringe of salt and pepper bangs. Okay, so this wasn’t standard procedure. It was his damned department and there was more going on here than a kid getting busted for fighting in school. Ethan waited for Inez to bring the drinks.
“Thanks. I also need you to see about tracking down Rene Forbes, please. Quiet-like. I’d rather Harley not get wind of this if we can help it.”
“Sure thing, Chief.”
Shutting the door, Ethan passed Johnny one of the Cokes and popped the top on his own as he dropped into his chair. “So, what actually happened today?”
“You heard Dr. Warner. I went after Scott Neary.”
“Yep, I heard her version. I want yours.”
Johnny said nothing, staring at a spot somewhere over Ethan’s left shoulder. Ethan just waited him out, patient. He didn’t have anywhere else to be right now.
“I went after Scott Neary.”
“Why?”
“What does that matter? I’m suspended either way.”
“To my way of thinking, there’s a big difference between a guy who starts fights just for the hell of it or because somebody looked at him crossways, and a guy who was provoked. Do you have a history with Scott Neary?”
“We’ve been in school together since kindergarten. We never liked each other.”
Ethan thought about Miranda’s lifelong battle with Clarice Morris, then wished he hadn’t because thoughts of Miranda inevitably led to thoughts about that kiss. He still didn’t know what he was going to do about her. Shaking the memory off for now, he nodded. “Sometimes it’s like that. I don’t think that’s everything though, is it?”
A muscle jumped in Johnny’s jaw and his eyes went hard.
“Did he insult you?”
“The fucker insulted my mother.”
Ethan let the language pass. “What did he say?”
Those eyes blazed as he lifted them to Ethan’s. “That she looked like she’d gone rounds with Floyd Mayweather and wasn’t that gonna cut into her being able to make the rent money on her back this month.”
“I’d have wanted to punch the little shit, too.” His admission made the boy blink. “Look, I’m not interested in policing this town based on a past history of what everybody else says. I’m starting with the now and what I can see with my own two eyes. This right here is, as far as I’m concerned, your first offense.”
Suspicion flashed across Johnny’s features. “So I’m getting off?”
“No. I’m guessing there’s a good chance Neary’s parents are the type that will press assault charges. I’ve got no interest in seeing you thrown in juvie for defending your mother’s honor. I’ve got something else in mind.”
Ethan made some calls. By the time he’d arranged things to suit him, Rene Forbes was hurrying through the front doors of the station. He scanned her with a practiced eye. He didn’t see any overt evidence of new injuries, but she wouldn’t meet his eyes. Beneath the colorful bruising that was too livid for even good makeup to hide, she was wan.
“Is he under arrest?”
“Why don’t you come on back?” Ethan gestured her into his office.
When Rene saw the black eye, she made a
pained noise. “We’ve talked about this! You can’t be fighting.”
Johnny ducked his head. “Sorry, Mom.”
“What was this about?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Ethan said. “I’m not arresting him. I’ve already spoken with Judge Carpenter, and we’re putting Johnny on community service. As long as he keeps his nose clean and meets his hours, we’re calling it square.”
“What kind of community service?” Rene asked.
“He’s going to be helping Chester Harkin out at his farm every Saturday for the rest of the semester.”
That finally got a reaction out of the boy. “I’m gonna be doing what now?”
“Whatever Chester needs help with. He’s getting on up there in years and isn’t as spry as he used to be. He can use a young back to help with the animals, hauling feed, mucking stalls, doing repairs. It’s hard, honest work, and it’ll be helping out a senior in need.” Ethan hoped to God Johnny didn’t repeat that statement. Chester would shit a brick at being called a senior in need.
“But…how will he get there? We don’t have an extra car and if I’m working—”
“Don’t you worry about that. If you can’t drop him off, I’ll see that Chester picks him up or I or one of my officers gives him a ride.”
Ethan pulled out two of his cards and passed them over. He figured Rene had tossed the one he’d given her that day in Miranda’s clinic. “This is my contact info, including my cell. If you need a ride to Chester’s, need help, or just need to talk—either of you—you can call any time.”
By the looks on their faces as they reluctantly accepted the cards, Ethan knew they’d never actually use them. Settled on things with Johnny, he shifted his attention to Rene. “Have you given any more thought to what we talked about at the ER?”
She gave one short, sharp shake of her head. “Things are fine. Quiet.”
Yeah, that’s what Ethan was afraid of. Quiet now. How much longer until the pressure built up enough to blow? And what would be the consequences when it did?
Knowing he wouldn’t get any further by pushing, Ethan rose. “You’re free to go. When is your suspension up?”
“Monday,” Johnny muttered.
Better to keep the kid out of the house this week, then. “All right. Then you can get a head start on your hours tomorrow. I’ll be by to pick you up at seven.”
“Seven! Dude!” The tone of utter baffled outrage almost made Ethan smile.
“Farm work starts early, son. Be glad I’m not getting you at sunrise.” He clapped the boy on the shoulder. “See you in the morning.”
“So I hear you’re getting all creative in your policing.” The remark was punctuated by the familiar tones of tuning as Clay made minor adjustments to his guitar.
Ethan pulled his Taylor out of the case and took the stool across from his friend. “How’s that?”
“Hooking up Johnny Forbes with Chester Harkin instead of sending him to juvie.”
“That just happened this morning. How do you even know about it?”
Clay just laughed. “The only gossip tree faster than the one starting at Dinner Belles is the one at the high school. It’s just a microcosm of the broader town. Anyway, I doubt it was what Dr. Warner had in mind, but it was a nice thing.”
“I’m pretty sure Dr. Warner would’ve preferred Johnny be locked up and the key thrown out. She’s biased against him. I figure it’s my job not to be. Anyway, it was ultimately Judge Carpenter’s decision. I just made a suggestion. Juvie isn’t gonna do that kid any favors. Some good, honest work might. You know him?”
“Never had him as a student, but the high school’s a fish bowl. I see everybody at some point.”
Ethan began checking his own tuning. “What can you tell me about him?”
“Probably not a lot more than you already know. He’s bottom of the social heap. Target of bullies. Mostly he keeps to himself, no matter what gets thrown at him, but he’s been getting hotter under the collar lately. Hence the fight with Scott Neary.”
“What about Neary?”
“Entitled little bastard. Apple didn’t fall far from the tree with that one. I went to school with his daddy. Thought he was God’s gift and no life experiences since then have dissuaded him of that fact.”
“Would you say other students are deliberately seeking Johnny out for harassment?”
“That’s high school.” Clay shrugged. “The popular kids prey on the weak or the weird. I keep an eye out as much as I can, but, as I said, he’s not my student.”
“You think I made the right call?”
“I think it can’t be a bad thing to give a kid another shot. Having somebody give a damn about his situation could make all the difference for somebody like him.”
“That’s certainly the hope. I just wish I could make a difference for his mother, get them both out of that shitty situation.”
“I’m guessing you and Miranda haven’t had any luck on that front.”
“No.”
Clay’s eyes turned mischievous. “How about on the dating front? Everybody’s been talking about your debut at karaoke night.”
Ethan jerked his shoulders in a move he hoped came off as nonchalance rather than irritation. “The date went fine.”
“Fine? Surely it went better than fine, given how you had your tongue down each other’s throats by the fountain.”
Ethan took a measured breath and released it again. He’d chosen small-town life. He’d known that meant he’d be an object of scrutiny. He’d known he’d be under a microscope as the new guy in town. But he’d foolishly believed that would be more for his performance on the job, not his personal life. Apparently nobody here had any clue about boundaries.
The truth was, their date had gone more than fine. It had been damned near perfect. She seemed damned near perfect. That sharp mind, that body, that big, compassionate heart. She was the total package, and every cell in his body had urged him to call and ask her out again about five minutes after he’d left her at her door.
He hadn’t given in.
“We have chemistry,” Ethan acknowledged.
“Duh. And?”
“There is no and.”
“When are you going out again?”
“We’re not.” Maybe saying it out loud would help him stick to his decision.
“You’re not? Why?”
“Because of Becca.”
Clay hit him with some serious side eye. “Brother, please tell me you are not still hung up on your ex-wife.”
“No. Not hardly. But I am not about to make the same mistakes with Miranda as I made with her.”
“You’re gonna have to explain the logic of that because I’m just not seeing it.”
“Everything with Becca was hard and fast. She batted those baby blues at me and took me out at the knees. I was crazy about her from the word go. Wanted to spend every waking minute with her—and did on up until I started working for the Marshals. We got too serious too fast. If I’d kept my head, slowed things down, maybe we wouldn’t have gotten married in the first place.”
“So let me get this straight—because I’m not at all sure I’m understanding you. You’re putting the brakes on with Miranda because you actually really like her and you’re worried you’ll fall ass over teakettle in love with her and do something stupid like marry her too fast?”
Put like that it sounded stupid. But it didn’t feel stupid. “I like her. A lot. The kind of a lot that has historically made me do stupid things. I’m still on probation with this job until October. I can’t afford to do anything stupid. I need to keep my eye on the ball.”
“And you think spending time with a sexy, intelligent woman is going to impact your ability to do your job? Dude, that’s just sad.”
“That’s not—” Leave it to Clay to make him feel like a jackass. “That isn’t what I meant.”
“Fine. We’ll table the discussion. You’re not going back out with Miranda. End of story.” He lifted his hands
in surrender. “Since you won’t be taking up that free time with dating, it means you can finally get back up on stage with me. And I have the perfect venue for you to start.”
“Oh?”
“Tomorrow night there’s a big bonfire out at Hope Springs. It’ll be a small gathering. A nice, low-key, informal sort of performance. Nobody’s expecting perfection. Just some good music and fun. Think you can handle that?”
Grateful the topic of Miranda had been dropped, Ethan nodded. “Bring it on, Turner.”
“That’s healing up really well. Your range of motion is much improved since I saw you last.” Satisfied, Miranda made a note in Brianna Daly’s chart.
Brianna laid a hand over the little bump of her belly. “What about the baby?”
“You’re coming along just fine. Vitals are good. I want to see you in the office in a month for a more thorough workup and the ultrasound, but for now everything is as it should be.” And that was a damned miracle, considering the dislocated shoulder and other injuries Brianna had sustained at the hands of her now ex-boyfriend. The boyfriend who was currently in county lockup in Lawley. Thank God.
The young woman exhaled a relieved sigh. “Good. That’s good.”
As Brianna was her last patient of the day out at the women’s shelter, Miranda began putting instruments back into her bag. “We’ll be able to check the sex of the baby then, if you’re inclined to find out.”
A soft smile curled Brianna’s lips as she rubbed her baby bump. “I’ll be happy with whatever I get, so long as it’s a healthy baby. But I’m hoping for a girl.”
“Fifty-fifty shot. Are you good on your supply of prenatal vitamins?”
“All set. I can’t thank you enough, Dr. Campbell.”
“Think nothing of it. I’m happy to help and glad to see you doing better.”
“I really am. It’s so hard to think that after where I was just a few weeks ago, but everyone here’s been so wonderful. We’re really blessed, me and the baby.”