Chapter 3 #2
She nodded, waiting in silence while he sent out the text. Her phone pinged, too, since he’d included her in the group. She glanced at the message and sighed. “I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”
“Me, too,” he admitted, earning a startled glance from her. “Since it’s still pouring out there, how about I drive you home?”
“I can drive myself,” she said, though she didn’t sound certain. “As long as the roads don’t wash out.”
Which she knew as well as he did, they would in this kind of storm. “My truck sits up higher than your car,” he pointed out. “Also, if you were to run into any trouble on the way home, I’d hate for the wrong person to find you.”
“Like the Fiancée Killer.” Her loud sigh told him what she thought of that. “I doubt even he’d be out hunting for victims in this.”
“You never know,” he replied. “Please, let me take you home.”
“What about my car?” she asked. “I don’t like the idea of being stuck at the house without transportation.”
“I can pick you up in the morning and bring you to work. You can get your car then.”
Outside, the sound of the rain increased, becoming a roar. Parker had always loved the sound of rain drumming on the metal roof of the RTA building. But right now, it sounded more threatening than soothing.
“At least we don’t get tornadoes here,” Genna commented. “I spent some time in Texas in the springtime and those tornado warnings are scary as heck.”
He loved that she didn’t swear. “You lived in Texas?” he asked. “I didn’t know that.”
“My ex-husband’s family lives there,” she said. “We were visiting them.”
The mention of her ex only reminded him of the night they’d spent together. He swallowed hard, forcing away the stab of longing. To distract himself, he tried opening the front door.
The wind nearly blew it out of his hands.
Struggling, he managed to pull it closed.
Turning, he wiped the rain off his face with his sleeve.
“I don’t think we’re going anywhere for a bit,” he said, pulling out his phone and turning on the flashlight app.
“We keep some camping lanterns in the storeroom just for this purpose,” he said. “I’m going to go get them.”
“Okay,” she replied. “I know I saw a couple of three-wick candles on the bookshelf in my office. If I can find a lighter, I’ll get those lit, too.”
When he returned with the two battery-operated lanterns, he saw she’d gotten the candles burning. Between their flickering lights and what the lanterns provided, they could actually see each other. Definitely a step up, he thought. And kind of cozy, too.
Outside, the storm continued to rage, rain pounding the metal roof. “That’s really loud,” Genna commented.
“Yes, it is,” he agreed. “Since we’re going to be here awhile, I know we have a bottle of cabernet somewhere, from our last open house. Want to have a glass while we wait this out?”
When Genna didn’t immediately respond, he glanced at her. Shadows danced across her face in the flickering candlelight, making her eyes seem huge in her delicate face. “I’d rather just go home,” she finally said. Then, before he could comment, she strode over to the front door and opened it.
The rush of wind and rain nearly knocked her off her feet. Parker helped her push the door shut.
“I guess not,” she muttered, using the bottom of her shirt to dry her face. “I thought maybe it might have died down a little since you tried to go out.”
Instead of commenting, he went to the small kitchen area.
She trailed along after him. He located a bottle of wine and two plastic cups.
He had a corkscrew on his pocketknife, so he used that to open it.
After pouring himself some, he took a sip.
“It’s not beer, but it’ll do,” he said. “Do you want some?”
She came closer. “Maybe just a little.”
He poured her some and handed her the cup. To his surprise, she drank all of it in one swallow. “Okay,” she said, a hint of a smile playing on her mouth, “we had wine. How about we try to get home?”
What could he do but smile back? “Let me close this wine up first.”
“If you can do that, do you mind if I take it with me?” she asked.
That made him chuckle. “Sure. No problem.” He located one of the wine stoppers that Lakin always kept lying around. “Here you go.” He handed her the bottle.
“Thank you.”
“It sounds like the rain is letting up,” he said. This time, when he opened the door to check, the wind and rain didn’t beat him back. Though still pouring, the gusts had died down. “I think we can make it home now.”
Plastic cup still in hand, she crossed over to peer out. “Good. As long as no trees are down, it looks drivable.”
“In my truck, yes.” He kept his voice firm. “Please, let me take you home.”
“I just can’t be without a vehicle, even if it’s just overnight,” she said. “How about you follow me instead? That way, you know I get home safely.”
Though he’d rather they just went together in his truck, he nodded. While she blew out the candles, he returned the camping lanterns to the storeroom, using his phone flashlight to make his way back to the front.
Genna waited near the door. She’d donned a yellow rain slicker that she must have grabbed from storage. Since the thing was at least two sizes too big, she’d rolled the sleeves up. With the hood up, she looked achingly vulnerable, a fact that he knew she’d hate.
“Ready?” she asked. At his nod, she stepped out onto the front porch that, now that the wind had died down, provide ample shelter from the rain.
Once he’d locked the office up, they both eyed the rain. The damp cold seeped into his bones, making him long for snow.
“Follow me,” she said before dashing out into the deluge.
He waited until she’d gotten into her car before running for his truck. Though he would have preferred to take her home, he had to respect her wishes. He only hoped she remembered how to drive in the mud.
Paved roads or not, this kind or rain brought flooding, which in turn coated some of the roads in mud. Parker had only seen this happen a few times in his lifetime, but he’d never forgotten the indignity of once as a teen having to call his cousin to tow him out when he’d gotten stuck.
As he followed Genna from the parking lot, he kept a tight grip on the steering wheel. He was able to turn his windshield wipers down a bit from high. More proof the rain was slowing.
Driving, he kept his attention on the road, despite the distraction of emotions whirling inside him.
When they turned onto Genna’s street, he shook his hands out one by one. They’d actually started cramping. And when she pulled into her driveway, the last of the tension left his body. He exhaled, more relieved than he should have been.
Pulling up behind her, he kept his truck running. He’d wait unto she got inside before backing out and heading home.
Except, when she exited her car, instead of going in, she stopped halfway. And then she turned and moved toward his truck instead of the house.
She went around to the passenger side, opened the door and climbed in. Her stricken expression made him instinctively reach for her. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“My front door is wide open,” she said, her voice shaken. “I know I locked it when I left for work this morning. What if whoever broke in is still inside the house?”
Heart pounding, Genna sucked in her breath. Inexplicably, her eyes filled with tears.
“I’m calling the police.” He immediately dialed 9-1-1.
“But—” She gripped his arm.
Still giving information to Dispatch, he shook his head. “A unit is on the way,” he said. “You stay right here with me until they arrive.”
Though she struggled to keep herself from shaking, she did as he asked. Her legs would likely be too weak to carry her anyway.
In less than five minutes, two squad cars pulled up, lights flashing.
Parker grabbed his umbrella and got out in the steady rain, crossing over to her side.
Before he could open her door, Genna joined him.
She kept her rain hood up, even though he made sure to keep his umbrella over her, which she appreciated.
The policemen got out slowly, taking care to open their own umbrellas. Genna waited patiently, glad of the time to collect herself before explaining to the officer what she’d seen.
“I’m glad you didn’t go inside,” the one officer said once she’d finished. “Let us take a look and make sure it’s safe.”
Genna nodded. She stepped closer to Parker, aware he’d think it was to make better use of his umbrella. She would have given much to have the right to let him put his arm around her and pull her close. They both watched silently as the officers disappeared inside.
“Why my parents’ place?” she asked, proud that she managed to keep her voice steady.
“I mean they’ve owned this house for thirty years and never once had a break-in.
Not just that, but there’s very little of value inside.
They aren’t big on updating. The only thing new is the TV and those aren’t even that expensive anymore. ”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “I’m sorry this happened to you.”
He still didn’t touch her. While she understood, she really wished this time he would make an exception. Just this once.
A few minutes later, both police officers emerged. “We did a thorough search. No one is inside and, quite honestly, nothing appears to be damaged or missing. Are you absolutely positive you didn’t leave the door ajar and maybe the wind blew it open?”
“I’m sure,” Genna responded. “And the front door looks damaged to me. Like someone kicked it in. Even from here, I can see that part of the frame is broken.”
“High winds can also do that.” The officer scratched his head. “It seems kind of odd that anyone would bother to kick your door in and then not touch anything.”
She bristled, but decided it would be best not to respond.
“I take it you don’t have any kind of burglar alarm?” the other officer asked, his expression kind.
“No,” she replied. “I’ve been thinking about getting one ever since that serial killer started going after local women. Now I really wish I’d gotten one installed. I’ll start making calls first thing in the morning.”
The older of the two policemen nodded. “Now might definitely be a good time to do that.” He handed Genna his card. “Call us if you need anything.”
Accepting it, she thanked him.
She and Parker stood silently and watched them drive off.
“Do you want me to walk you inside?” Parker asked.
“Yes, please.” Feeling extremely vulnerable, she clutched at his arm. When he covered her hand with his, her heart squeezed.
“Stay near to me,” he said, tugging her a tiny bit closer. Then they stepped into the house.
“Wow,” he commented. “It’s very neat. I get why the police officers thought no one could have broken in.”
“Yeah, I get it. It’s also very dated. Since I’m housesitting for my parents, I’ve been afraid to change anything.”
“Late nineties?” he asked. “Just to hazard a guess.”
“Let me put it this way. This room looks exactly the way it did when they brought me home from the hospital for the first time. They’ve never bought anything new.”
She pointed to the couch, covered with one of her mother’s old comforters. “When things wear out, they simply cover them up. I guess they like the comfort of having everything stay the same and familiar. That’s why their decision to move to Hawaii was such a big shock.”
Reluctantly, she let go of him and began to inspect the place.
He followed her from the living room to the kitchen, then down the hallway to check on each of the three bedrooms. Everything appeared undisturbed, including the guest bedroom. “This is mine,” Genna told him. “Notice the splashes of color?”
“I do.”
“As far as I can tell, nothing was stolen.” Perplexed and worried, Genna shook her head. “This is making me question why someone would go through all the trouble of breaking in.”
“Since the policeman already asked you if you’re sure you locked the door, I’m not going to repeat the question.”
“I appreciate that,” she said, meaning it. Despite feeling traumatized, when she looked at him, she still found herself battling an aching sort of longing.
If he realized this, he didn’t show it.
“Well…” he said, swallowing hard and turning to go. “I’ll see you in the morning,” he finished. “Make sure and lock up after me.”
“Wait.” Not wanting him to leave, she hurried over and touched his arm again. Still in her yellow rain slicker, she looked up at him, hoping he could somehow sense her fear. “I can’t lock up. The door won’t even close properly. Look.” She showed him.
“Judging by the way the wood had splintered around where the lock had been, it does look like someone busted in the door,” he said. “Wind wouldn’t do that.”
“I know.” Exhaling, she fought to keep her voice steady. “There’s not a chance I’m staying here alone with no way to keep an intruder out. What if they were to come back?”
His gaze found hers. “You have a point.”
“I feel…violated,” she said, breathing hard.
As if unable to help himself, he pulled her close and held her.
Offering comfort, nothing more, she told herself.
“I’m not going to let you be alone,” he said, smoothing her hair away from her face. “Would you be willing to go back to my place with me? You can stay there tonight. We can work on getting your door repaired in the morning.”
“Separate rooms?” she asked, her face still pressed against his chest.
“Of course,” he promised. “I’d never try to take advantage of you, especially when you’re down. If we ever get together again, you’ll be the one to initiate it. Sound good?”
“Well, that will never happen,” she said, her tone dry.
That made him chuckle.
Again that wild rush of attraction. Even now. Grappling with her mixed emotions, she attempted to summon up a smile, and thanked him. “I appreciate you offering to help me, more than you could ever know.”
His glance met and held hers. “Does that mean you’re coming with me?”
“Yes,” she replied. “I just need to pack a few things. Give me a few minutes and I’ll be right back.”
“Okay,” Parker replied. She could feel his gaze on her as she turned to go.
In her room, she tossed a change of clothes and some toiletries into a backpack. Despite everything, she found she actually liked the idea of spending nonworking time with him. On a friendly basis, of course. Maybe this would help her get over her constant awareness of him. She certainly hoped so.
When she returned to the living room with her backpack in hand, he turned and eyed her. “Listen, I should probably ask if you’d rather have me stay here with you rather than go to my place.”
Her gut clenched. “That’s even more kind of you, but no. It wouldn’t be safe,” she said, hoping he couldn’t see her terror. The howl of the wind and the rain made it even worse.
“It sounds pretty nasty out there,” he pointed out. “But if you’re sure, let’s go.”