Chapter Twenty

 

Blake expected her to text him when she left the restaurant but they underestimated the time she might spend with Lynne and then, in all the confusion with her car, she forgot. After all, she wasn’t used to reporting her whereabouts to anyone. Wasn’t used to having someone who cared where she was or what time she locked her apartment door behind her at the end of the day.

When he finally called, he sounded concerned, starting off the conversation by asking if it was safe to talk. After learning that she sat in her disabled car waiting for roadside assistance, he overreacted, in her opinion. His first instinct was to drive to her location and rescue her, which made her smile. A part of her heart leapt at the notion that he wanted to be her knight in shining armor. It was such a macho response, as if she wasn’t capable of dealing with the emergency herself. She handled emergencies every day at the hospital.

Sitting alone in the middle of the parking lot with nothing but time, she’d dissected this inconvenience from every angle. There was no plausible explanation for her car’s failure. It had run fine on the way to the restaurant and she diligently kept it on a regular maintenance schedule. She explained all that to Blake.

She didn’t tell him that something didn’t feel right. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on edge but she couldn’t explain why. It added to the uneasiness of the entire day, starting with the minute Lynne sat down across from her. She convinced Blake they couldn’t take the chance that Lynne remained in the vicinity, although why she’d hang around in a parking lot was unclear. Unless she waited to see the outcome of Noreen’s emergency. She didn’t share that last conjecture with him either. It was as unfounded as Lynne’s accusations that he poisoned Argia.

In response to his query, she didn’t know if Lynne lurked somewhere in the shadows. She’d been preoccupied with trying to start her car.

Sensing her unease, he admitted his concern. “I don’t want you there alone.”

“I’m fine, Blake, really. I’m locked inside the car and I’ve got a can of pepper spray on the seat beside me.” She decided against telling him the container had rolled around in her glove box for more than a year. Her sister gifted her with it one Christmas after she switched to the seven-to-seven shift.

“Besides, it’s still daylight and there’s plenty of activity around me.” By now, people were heading home from work and running errands along the way. A steady stream of cars filed past her. Probably why the auto club’s arrival was taking so long.

“This restaurant sits in front of a shopping plaza and there is a good amount of car traffic passing all the time. Please stay where you are. I’ll wait for the tow truck and call you when I’m home again.”

Blake disagreed. “You’re right, it’s risky if I show up but I’m calling someone to come for you. I’ll call you right back.” He hung up before she could argue the point.

That only intensified her angst. No one knew they were seeing each other, if that’s what they were doing. Did one Italian dinner and several hours spent making love translate to dating? Or was this just a fling for Blake, a way to entice the enemy onto his side. After all, he’d admitted he regarded her as Lynne’s ally. The look in his eyes, the memory of his kisses and the yearning for his touch negated that suspicion. They’d shared too much for it to be a ruse.

But Blake couldn’t possibly call someone without offering an explanation about why he was searching for help for a nurse he barely knew. And what sort of reason would he offer that sounded acceptable? Whom did he trust that much? She jumped when her cell phone rang less than five minutes later.

“You know Joe Lystle, don’t you? The paramedic from our station? He’s on his way to meet you. He lives about ten minutes from that shopping plaza. He’ll wait with you until the tow truck arrives and he’ll drive you home. If you’re okay with me going to your apartment, I’ll wait for you there. I don’t pick up Gia until later. I want to see you.”

Noreen’s breath caught in her throat. It was one thing to share her concerns with Blake about his ex-wife and daughter but to allow a third party into the loop seemed reckless.

“He’s hardly a third party, Noreen. He’s like my brother. Every man in that fire station is someone I trust with my life. By default, I trust them with Gia’s life and yours. It’ll be fine.”

“But isn’t he going to wonder why you know that I’m stranded and why you’re helping me? I don’t think he holds me in the highest regard right now, not after the last time he saw me with Lynne at the hospital. What’s he going to think?”

“He actually asked those same questions, honey. I told him I needed him to do this for me, no questions asked. That was good enough. If the table was turned, Joe could ask the same of me. It’s how it works at Station Twelve. He’s on his way.”

“I think he’s driving up now. Yes. It’s him.”

“Good. Let me speak to him.”

She stepped out of her car grateful that the activity could account for the blush she felt on her face. She forced a smile. What must Joe think? A woman stayed in the passenger seat, smiling at Noreen when their eyes met.

“I’m so sorry about this, Joe. I don’t know how to thank you.” She held up her phone. “Lieutenant Matthews is on the phone. He’d like to speak to you.”

The briefest smile crossed Joe’s face. She sounded ridiculous referring to Blake as Lieutenant Matthews. Joe likely saw right through that subterfuge. He stepped around her while he greeted Blake, reached inside to pop the hood, and walked toward the front of the vehicle to bend over the engine.

“I’m looking now. All cables seem intact. I’m not a mechanic but nothing jumps out at me.”

She looked away when Joe’s passenger stepped out of the car. “Hi, I’m Brittni. Joe thought you’d feel more comfortable if I came along, rather than him showing up alone.” Brittni smiled and offered her hand to Noreen. Her firm, warm handshake was reassuring. She liked the woman immediately.

“I’m sorry I ruined your evening. I’m sure I would’ve been fine waiting for the tow truck by myself. I didn’t ask Lieutenant, um, or rather Blake, to call anyone.” She shivered and clasped her arms across her chest. “I admit, though, I’m glad you’re both here.”

Brittni smiled and rubbed her arm. “You didn’t ruin anything. We were just thinking about what to do for dinner. I’m on a vegetable kick and wanted a salad and Joey is hungry for a burger. He welcomed the interruption. This isn’t an imposition at all. Joey would do anything for Lieutenant Matthews. So would we all. Everyone has the utmost respect for him.”

Joe slammed the hood, advised Blake he’d let him know when help arrived and ended the call. The three of them stood awkwardly in a tight circle beside the driver’s door until flashing yellow lights caught their attention and the salvage truck advanced on them.

After exchanging the necessary auto membership information, Noreen and Brittni waited in Joe’s truck while he stood with his hands in his pockets until Noreen’s car was loaded onto the flatbed and secured. Before Joe’s arrival, Noreen called her sister to share her dilemma. And to hear a friendly voice. Her brother-in-law recommended an auto service shop and Joe nodded his approval when she provided the address.

She declined Brittni’s invitation to join them for dinner, and they drove to her apartment in silence. He slowed the car in front of the entrance and Blake jumped up from the terraced steps leading to the front door.

“Brittni, it was nice meeting you. I don’t know how to thank you, Joe.”

Joe waved off her gratitude. “Glad I could help. Have a good night, Noreen. I’ll see you around.” He waved at Blake and drove off. Neither spoke as they climbed the stairs, entered the building, and made their way to her apartment.

The second the door closed behind them, Blake reached for her. In his arms was exactly where she wanted to be and she didn’t resist. They didn’t move. Simply stood still, their bodies pressed against each other. He kissed the top of her head and tightened his embrace.

This wasn’t foreplay, designed to entice her to bed. This was comfort, safety and reassurance enveloping her in two strong arms and seeping from his body to hers.

Despite the security of Blake’s hug, her mind whirled. Was he wrestling with the same questions she’d been rehashing all night? Was it a coincidence? Or did Lynne have something to do with her disabled car?