“Leonardo? Why haven’t you been answering your phone?”
“Mom?” Alarm shot through him. “Is everything all right? Did Angelo get off to his new job?”
“Yes, he’s there now,” she said.
“Dad’s okay? Is he—”
“—Leonardo,” she cut in. “Nothing’s wrong. You told me you’d call me after your date, and you never did. I want to know how it went.”
Leo rubbed the back of his neck. “Oh. I . . . it went fine.” He grabbed his cell phone, which apparently had the ringer turned all the way down. There were two missed calls from his mom, thirty minutes apart. Then he remembered he’d turned down the ringer at the restaurant last night.
He scrolled through other missed calls. One missed call from Grant last night. Then a text: Hey, thanks for joining me on the date, but why did you have to bail so early?
A text from Lesli: Looks like your friend took home the dog. It was sooo great to see you. If ur in the area any time soon, I’m working all week. --Lesli
How did she get his cell number?
“Leonardo?” his mom said. “You don’t sound so well. What happened?”
“Uh.” He refocused on whom he was speaking to. “I’m fine. Just tired.” Okay, that was not the best thing to say to his mom, because she might think his date was an all-nighter. And if there was one thing his mom had drilled into him, it was treating a woman with respect. “I’ve been up since 5:00 a.m., and only had a nap after my night shift the other night.”
She didn’t say anything, and he could only imagine the narrowing of her eyes. He glanced over at Beck, who seemed absorbed in filling out paperwork, but Leo knew the guy was soaking up every word.
“The date went fine,” Leo told his mom, feeling like a fifteen-year-old reporting in to his parents. “We went to Sunday buffet at the Alpine Lodge with Grant and his date.”
“Oh, a double date? That sounds nice.” His mom’s voice was more cheery now. “What was your date’s name?”
Leo cleared his throat and glanced over at Beck, who took the opportunity to look up from his report and smile.
“Felicity Miner,” Leo said, because he knew his mom would get it out of him at some point. So would Beck. Before his mom could ask the next round of questions, he said, “Look, I’ve got to run, but I’ll stop by after my shift. I want to talk to Angelo to see how his first day on the job went.”
After Leo hung up with his mom, Beck cleared his throat.
Leo took his time scrolling through anything he’d missed on his phone before meeting Beck’s pointed gaze.
“You went out on a date with the bike lady?” Beck said.
“She has a name.”
Beck grinned. “So that’s what your problem is this morning.”
“I don’t have a problem.”
“You’ve been daydreaming all morning like a ten-year-old kid who just noticed the difference between boys and girls.”
Well, that was pretty much true, but Leo wasn’t going to admit it to Beck. Leo turned back to his computer and pulled up the report he should have finished over an hour ago.
“That’s all you’re going to give me?” Beck said. “You finally went on a date after who knows how long, and all you’re going to say is ‘she has a name’?”
“Yep.” Leo began to type. Eventually, Beck would have to get back to work, so ignoring him was the best method. Leo wasn’t ready to discuss Felicity with anyone. The events of last night were still playing in his head. Well, their kiss was what he kept thinking about. And the way she smiled. And her green eyes. And how he’d piled strawberry jam on four pieces of toast this morning for breakfast.
His phone dinged, and he looked at it to see the calendar reminder that he was doing the assembly this afternoon at the elementary school. Unfortunately, the school had wanted two officers to come so the kids would recognize more than one cop around town. So Leo had invited Beck.
“Looks like it’s time to go,” Beck said.
Leo heard the satisfaction in his voice. Resigned to spending the rest of the afternoon dodging questions, Leo rose and gathered his things.
“I’m ready,” he said.
“I’ll drive,” Beck said.
Once outside, they climbed into their patrol car. They were unofficial partners. In such a small town, two police officers weren’t usually needed to handle the minor crimes. But Leo found himself paired up with Beck anytime the occasion called for it.
They drove to the elementary school, and sure enough Beck peppered Leo with questions, but Leo remained mute on the whole date thing. He didn’t know if he could explain to himself how things had evolved with Felicity. They just had. And even the distance of not seeing her for . . . he checked the clock on the dashboard . . . fifteen hours . . . hadn’t dimmed his desire to see her again. As soon as possible. He kept remembering the quips she’d made. The way she tilted her head when he was speaking to her. The flash of her eyes when he teased her. The dimple—
“Wow, you’re really gone,” Beck said, his voice cutting into Leo’s thoughts. “Must have been some date.”
“Lack of sleep,” Leo said. “Maybe I should have swiped one of your five-hour-energy drinks.”
Beck laughed. “That will be the day. You’re too much of a health nut to drink my poison.”
“You’re right,” Leo said. He opened his door and climbed out. The wind had picked up, and storm clouds were moving in fast. As they walked toward the school doors, a streak of lightning raced across the sky near the ski resort.
“That was a big one,” Beck said.
The first thing Leo thought of was of Felicity riding home in a storm. What did she do when it was raining? She’d said she was working until closing tonight . . . what time was that, exactly? Maybe the storm would blow over by then. He pulled out his phone and was about to Google the bookshop hours when a voice interrupted.
“Hello, there!” a woman said. “The kids are so excited for the assembly.”
Leo looked up to see a young teacher in her early twenties crossing the hallway toward them. She was pretty, but she seemed to be a big fan of makeup, and her eyelashes reminded Leo of a spider he once found in his shower.
He pocketed his phone, and he and Beck followed the teacher down the hallway. She kept up cheerful banter, and Beck responded. Leo was happy to let Beck carry the conversation with the teacher. They walked into the assembly room, and the faces of a couple hundred kids watched them move to the front of the room.
Leo started the assembly by asking if anyone had ever helped someone find a lost pet. Then he talked about safety and strangers. Beck spoke next about what cops did each day, and how each of the kids could be good citizens.
The hour flew by, and Leo found himself laughing a few times when the kids started asking questions. Everything from how fast a cop car could go, to a question wondering if they got tired of wearing the same color of uniform every day.
By the time the assembly was over, the sky had opened up, and Leo and Beck jogged to the patrol car, getting plenty wet in the process. Beck started the car and headed out of the parking lot.
“Take Main on the way back,” Leo said.
Beck didn’t question him, and while he drove, Leo looked up the bookshop hours on the phone. They were on fall hours, and the shop closed at 6:00 p.m. They were nearing the shop now, and Leo instinctively said, “Park up there. I’m going to run into the bookshop for a second.”
Beck smiled and parked in the next available spot. Not many cars were out in the downpour, and that was probably a good thing.
Leo climbed out of the car and hurried the short distance along the sidewalk to the bookshop. He pulled open the door, and he was glad to see no other customers were inside. The door had chimed, and even though he couldn’t see Felicity at the moment, surely she knew someone had entered the store.
“I’ll be right with you,” he heard her say, her voice coming from somewhere in the back of the store.
He r
an a hand over his hair, getting rid of some of the water droplets while he walked over to one of the displays. The table was full of Elana Johnson books. The covers had men and women on the front, embracing, some even kissing. Interesting. He wondered if these were the steamy romances Felicity thought Lesli probably read.
“Leo?”
He turned to see Felicity coming out of the back room, surprise written all over her face. She wore a dark sweater over a white V-neck shirt. Her jeans were those skinny kind and fit her very well. Her hair was in another high ponytail, but this time it was smooth instead of messy.
“Are you . . .” She looked past him. “On duty?”
“I’m heading back to the station now and thought I’d stop in to see if you need a ride home in the rain.” The words tumbled out, almost on top of each other. “My shift’s over by 6:00, so it would be no trouble—”
“Leo.” She cut in. “You parked your patrol car right in front of the bookshop.”
He raised his brows. “And?”
“People are going to think the bookshop has become a drug-dealer location or something.” She stopped near enough to him that her vanilla scent was unmistakable.
It was good to see her in person, especially since he’d been thinking about her all day. “No one’s on the streets.”
She tilted her head, surveying him with her green eyes.
He wondered if she’d thought of him today. Had she thought about the kiss they’d shared?
“It takes one person to say something,” she said. “You know how small towns are.”
Perhaps he’d been too impulsive. “I wanted to see you.”
The edge of her mouth lifted into a smile, and he was tempted to pull her toward him and kiss that edge.
“Shopping for a book?” she said in that teasing tone of his. “We have new Elana Johnson romances, all sweet, so they won’t make you blush too much. In fact, this one’s about a cop.” She picked up one of the books.
He scanned the cover. Beloved in Blue. “Are you trying to tell me something?”
“Funny.” She set the book down.
“I’m more of a newspaper guy.”
“Well, as long as you do read, I guess I can allow you to browse the books here.” Her gaze connected with his. “You said you were going to call.”
“I’m here in person.”
She gave a tiny shrug. “Yeah, but I was sort of looking forward to a phone call.”
Leo reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He pressed SEND on her contact number.
Her phone rang somewhere near the register. She walked to the counter and picked up her phone, then answered. “Hello?” She leaned against the counter and smirked over at him.
“Hi,” he said, holding her gaze. “How are you?”
“Who is this?” she asked.
He wanted to laugh. “Leo Russo.”
“Oh, hi.” Her dimple appeared. “I’m fine. Just working. Been a slow afternoon because of the rain.”
Leo wanted to close the distance between them, but he remained by the display table. “How did General do last night?”
Felicity walked toward him, keeping her voice low while she spoke into the phone. “He woke me up at 5:00 a.m., so I let him outside. Did his business, then he wanted two scoops of dog food. I think I’ll need to buy dog food sooner than later.”
“Two scoops?” Leo watched her approach. “You have to be careful of overfeeding.”
“I know, but those soulful eyes of his are too hard to resist.” She stopped in front of Leo.
He wanted to reach for her, but he kept his hands to himself. “You’re a softy.”
Felicity laughed. He loved her laugh.
“I think you’re the softy,” she said, lowering her phone.
She was right.
And she was still too far from him. Leo reached for her hand, and their fingers easily linked together. “Are you busy tonight?” he asked.
“You want to go to a restaurant and see how many more women pick up on you?”
“No.” Leo drew her closer so that she had to look up at him to meet his gaze. “I was thinking that I could bring food over to your house and then take a look at your car.”
“Oh, so it’s all business?”
Leo chuckled. “It will start out as business, but I’m not opposed to a change in agenda.”
She smiled, then bit her bottom lip. “You really don’t have to look at my car. My bike is fine on most days, including rainy ones. A little water never hurt a person.”
A peal of thunder sounded from outside, making Felicity flinch. Then she laughed. “See, Mother Nature is agreeing with me.”
Leo moved even closer. “No, Mother Nature is saying she wants me to pick you up at closing.”
Felicity looked down at their intertwined hands. “If it’s still raining, then I’ll consider it.”
The front door chimed open, and in an instant Felicity had released his hand and stepped away.
“It’s been way past two seconds, Russo,” Beck said, laughter in his tone. “Hello there, Felicity.”
“Hi,” she said.
“Have you seen my partner? Dark hair, about this tall?” Beck continued.
Felicity folded her arms. “Sounds familiar, what’s his name?”
“Russo,” Beck continued. “Kind of a mamma’s boy, you know that type.”
Her cheek dimpled.
“I said I’ll be out in a minute, Beck.” Leo hoped he didn’t sound grumpy, although he was starting to feel that way.
“Oh, don’t mind me,” Beck said in an all-too-innocent tone. “I wanted to check out the new releases.”
“I didn’t know cops were so interested in shopping for books on their shifts,” Felicity said. “Shouldn’t you be casing the high-school parking lot for kids who’re sluffing?”
Beck laughed and looked over at Leo. “I like her.”
Felicity smirked, then walked toward the register. “Let me know if you boys need any help. I’ve got some inventory to finish.”
“We’re going,” Leo announced.
“But—” Beck started to say.
“I’ll call you later, Felicity,” Leo said, leading the way to the front door and motioning Beck to follow him.
Once outside, Leo didn’t make eye contact with Beck until they got into the car.
“I was on my way out,” Leo said.
Beck chuckled. “I wanted to see you moon over her.”
“I wasn’t mooning.”
Beck scoffed. “Keep telling yourself that, Russo. But if anyone were to ask me, I’d say you’re whipped. Never thought I’d see it after the number Janna did on you. Sorry to bring her up, but I’m happy for you. Really.”
Leo rubbed the back of his neck. He’d never had a personal conversation with Beck. It was always teasing and ribbing each other. “We’ve only been on one date, and I have no idea where this is going.”
“I think that’s how most relationships are,” Beck said. “Not that I’m an expert. Shelly threw a drink in my face last night.”
Leo sputtered out a laugh. “She what? Why?”
“Long story,” Beck said. “And we’ve got a department meeting in seven minutes.”
“That’s right, I forgot.” Department meetings were usually long, and now Leo worried the meeting might make him late to pick up Felicity. He sent her a quick text, even though he knew Beck was probably guessing what he was doing.
Maybe he was whipped.
But he didn’t care. Something about Felicity captivated him, and he wanted to figure it out.
The rain had died to a sprinkle, and it would be dark in about an hour, so Felicity climbed on her bike. Leo had texted after his visit to the bookshop, saying his department meeting might go past 6:00, and that he’d pick her up as soon as he could.
Felicity had considered waiting, but with the extra quiet Main Street and the closed sign already in the window, she decided she’d rather be home making hot chocolate and
petting General. He was a sweet dog, and she didn’t really know how effective he would be as a watch dog, but she wasn’t about to take him back to the shelter.
She buttoned up her sweater and wished she would have brought her rain jacket, but her hazy mind this morning forgot to check the weather app. She could blame that one on Leo. Who would have thought he was an amazing kisser? Well, she had imagined it, but reality had been much, much better than her imagination.
Balancing on her bike, she peddled out of the rear parking lot. The raindrops misted her face, and she decided she’d probably want a hot bath as well. It was colder than she expected. She rode down Main Street, then onto the side road that would eventually connect to the road leading to her neighborhood. A car approached from behind, and then it slowed. For an instant, she wondered if it was Leo. Then she worried it wasn’t. But the car sped up again and passed by her. Maybe the driver was just being courteous and not splashing her with the extra runoff from the rainstorm.
More cars passed, and none slowed down. She’d turned off the main road and was two blocks from her house when a car slowed down to her speed. Without looking, she sensed it was Leo. Sure enough, he rolled down the passenger window.
“You’re soaking wet,” he said. “I can put the bike in the trunk and drive you the rest of the way.”
She slowed her pace to glance over at him. She tried to suppress a shiver but wasn’t successful. “I’m fine. It’s only two blocks.”
“I’ve been calling you.”
“My phone’s in my backpack,” she said, increasing her riding pace again.
Leo kept pace with her until she turned the final corner. Then he sped up and continued driving to her house. When she got there, he’d climbed out of the car, getting himself wet while he waited.
He’d changed out of his uniform, of course, and wore a jacket over a black shirt, along with jeans. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the concern in his gaze.
She hopped off her bike, trying to conceal how shaky and cold her legs felt. Her pants were soaked all the way through, and they’d be tough to peel off.
Finding Us (Pine Valley Book 5) Page 11