He withdrew his hand. “Then this isn’t a guise to get me alone.”
His face fell a little as if he’d been hoping that she had been interested in him. Could she use this to her advantage? Her mind searched for ideas to no avail.
“Zach, I’m telling the truth.”
His face hardened. “You haven’t told me much, Grace. Just some suppositions. Look, I’m hungry. I’m going home to eat.”
He stood and dropped some bills on the table.
Grace was at the bottom of a hill with no transportation to the top.
Zach finished his yoga, but his mind wasn’t settled. When he’d touched Grace’s hand he felt a warmth and sincerity he’d never seen in anyone. Not even Dolores and he’d married her.
His brain still not silent, he went for a walk in a local park.
Grace sat slumped on a bench, gripping her cell phone, a frown creasing her face. Maybe he shouldn’t have been so harsh on her.
“You okay?”
She jumped at his voice, then her eyes narrowed. He wasn’t welcome here. Dusk was settling all around them. The park goers had long left the swings still. No children laughed or screamed. The park was ready to go to sleep.
“Fine.”
She didn’t move to leave him so he sat next to her. She wore running shorts and a t-shirt damp with sweat.
“You run?”
She nodded still staring at her cell phone.
“Does it do tricks?”
“What?” She glanced at him.
“Your cell phone. You’re staring at it as if you expect it to come alive,” he said.
She tucked it back into her case on her shorts. “No. Just expecting someone to call back.”
“A lover?”
He didn’t know why he asked. That made no sense to his rational side.
Then he remembered that Dolores’ was carrying his baby. What did he owe her? She didn’t really want him back. She just wanted someone.
For now he’d just enjoy the company of the woman on the bench.
“No, but you made it clear you weren’t interested.”
“So did you.”
She chuckled. “I just said I didn’t make up the story about Dolores being in danger to get close to you. I really believe she’s in danger.”
He looked deep into her sea green eyes and knew she was telling the truth. At least as she saw it. “From whom?”
“Don’t know, but I think it’s the father of her baby.”
“Don’t go near my former boss. He’s a respectable man.”
“You’d be surprised what respectable men can get up to.”
“Not Kent Winger. He wouldn’t. He loves his wife. Oh they had a bad patch, but they’re back together.”
“Men can be seduced.”
“You seem pretty confident in that.”
She frowned and looked ahead. “Not personally or at least I’ve never done it.”
He mulled that over and decided she probably hadn’t. But he’d bet someone had seduced an ex-boyfriend. The hurt in her eyes spoke volumes. “So what’s with the phone call?”
“A friend called me drunk.”
“They do that sometimes. She just get dumped?”
“He, and I don’t think so. He doesn’t drink usually and to hear him drunk worries me.”
Especially because she knew he was probably in town. The why of his presence she could not figure out.
“Is he close by?”
“California. I think. His phone went dead at the end of the conversation and he hasn’t answered me yet.”
“Call the police out there.”
“I don’t know where he lives. He moves around a lot.”
“Doesn’t sound like a steady friend,” said Zach.
He knew he’d be on the internet looking into this guy when he got home.
“Oh, he is. Or at least has been in the past.”
“And now?”
“Now, I’m not so sure.” She took in a deep breath raising her shoulders. Her shirt lifted up from her belly to hint at what was underneath. He looked away enjoying the sight too much.
Who was this stranger, this woman who had somehow wheedled her way into his thoughts? What was it about her that was different? Maybe because she wasn’t hanging all over him because he was a cop.
Grace stood. “I’ve gotta go.”
Before he could say anything, she strode away from him.
He caught up to her before the parking lot. “Let me walk you to your car.”
“Not a safe place?”
“Too many hiding places.”
She said, “Goodbye,” when she slid into her car. Zach didn’t press, just let her go.
Chapter Fifteen
Celia was sitting in his car when Zach turned to open the door. Her uncanny abilities always unnerved him.
“She’s the one, Zach.”
“You said that about Dolores.”
He started the car.
“No, I didn’t. I said you’d marry her.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?”
Her head shook, sending her curls dancing around her head. “No, it didn’t stick. This Grace is the one. And she has powers.”
Zach closed his eyes for a moment counting to ten. His sister could try his patience. “Stop. Please. Can I drop you home?”
She frowned. “Sure.”
He put the car into gear wondering when this woman would ever get a life.
Mark appeared on her doorstep at three in the morning. Grace wasn’t asleep anyway. The clock was ticking, with less than twenty four hours until her birthday. Not even a full day until she’d lose her powers and Dolores was gone for good. The loss had sent her mother into a bottle then into a wall at ninety miles an hour.
Grace shuddered thinking that she wanted to be done with these powers, but only if she could save her landlord first.
This time Dolores must have called the police. And Mark didn’t run.
He staggered. Grace heard him coming down the driveway. He was singing. The police car pulled in illuminating her friend as she stared out the window.
Her robe thrown on, she raced down the steps to catch him before he fell or got arrested.
“Mark. What are you doing here?”
The officer moved to help her with the drunk. “Is everything okay, ma’am?”
“I think my friend had too much to drink. Could you help me get him upstairs?”
“Sure.”
Mark grabbed her face. “Gracie, Gracie, Gracie. You just don’t know what’s going on.”
She almost passed out from his breath. She and the cop managed to get him upstairs and in her bed. He kept singing.
Obviously reassured she had a handle on the situation, the police officer left without taking a report. A light burned in Dolores’ so Grace called to apologize. Dolores sounded odd, but she didn’t say anything to make Grace check on her.
Mark became silent. “Butterfly effect, Gracie.”
Assuming he was babbling, Grace just took off his shoes, then threw covers over him. “Guess I’ll sleep on the floor.”
A knock startled her. “Who now.”
A rumpled Zach leaned on her doorway. “Dolores called. Said there was trouble.”
“You some knight in shining armor? I’m fine.”
She bristled at the idea of someone coming to save her. She’d been saving her own neck for a long time.
“Is this your friend?” Zach indicated the inert form on her bed.
“Yes. At least I know where he is.”
“Thought he was in California?” He shifted to lean his shoulder on her door frame. She debated asking him in, but with her bed open she felt vulnerable to him.
“So did I.”
“Some friend. He lies, He worries you and now he’s had the police here.”
“He’s just going through something.”
“Mm.” His hand snaked out to run a finger along her jaw line.
Colors and objects exploded in her vision. She grabbed the door to keep herself steady. A warmth spread through her, but left when he stopped touching her.
“You okay?”
She shook off the vision. “Fine. Tomorrow I go to your boss.”
Zach stiffened. “Why?”
“Because I have to do everything I can to prevent this murder.”
“Grace, you can’t save the world.”
“I’m just trying to save Dolores.”
“Maybe she’s beyond saving.”
His gaze bore into her as if he were searching for her soul. She pulled the robe tighter around her. She didn’t want him to see her. But if he could see into her soul, maybe he’d believe her. And then maybe he’d run screaming from her like so many men. “That’s not nice to say.”
“I don’t mean to sound that way, but I’m tired of Dolores and her messes.”
“Especially the baby?”
His jaw line softened. “No, that may be a good thing.”
“Even if it isn’t yours?”
“It is, Grace.”
He stepped away from the door. An impulse had words streaming out of her mouth. “Zach, tomorrow at ten a thunderstorm will roll through here.”
“You the weather man now? The forecast called for sunny skies. A little humidity.”
“There’ll be a storm. If it comes through will you help me?”
“I’ll try, Grace, I’ll try.”