A Love for Safekeeping (2 page)

When he was settled, Celia realized her wasted efforts. “So where did you two meet?”

“Kyle was the officer who came to my room this morning.” Jane turned toward him. “Any news yet?”

“No, nothing before I went off duty. But don’t worry. Someone out there will spill their guts.” He realized his choice of words. “Sorry, that’s a technical term we use at the station.”

She laughed. He liked the easy sound, and he relaxed. Earlier, her subdued tone made him wonder if he’d offended her by stopping at her table.

“It’s always a kid,” he added. “They brag about their antics, and someone, usually a parent, does his or her civic duty and turns them in.”

“Hopefully you’ll know more the next time I see you,” Jane said.

“Does that mean you’d like to see me again?”

This time, a deeper blush covered Jane’s face. He studied her. She seemed attracted to him, yet uncertain.

Jane pressed her palms against her red cheeks.

Teasing, Kyle gave her shoulder a comforting pat. But he lingered a moment, enjoying the feel of her slender arm beneath the cloth of her silky blouse.

“It’s the red hair,” she said.

Celia chuckled. “Great excuse.”

Kyle eyed the situation. “I hope you didn’t mind that I plopped down here. Did I interrupt anything?”

“Not at all,” Celia said. “We’re just two hungry people who don’t want to go home and cook.”

Kyle eyed Jane for approval. “Then it’s okay if we’re three hungry people escaping the same fate?”

“Sure,” Jane said with a hesitant smile.

Intrigued, Kyle longed to know more about this confusing woman.

They quieted, comparing menu items, and finally Kyle signaled the waitress who took their order.

As they dined, casual conversation rattled on. But as they ordered coffee, Celia opened her wallet and dropped some bills on the table. “I don’t want to put an end to this evening, but I have some things to do.” She grinned at Jane. “I’m sure Kyle will keep you company.” She gave him a meaningful arched eyebrow, rose and left them.

Kyle leaned back, enjoying the silence and the pri
vacy Celia had offered them. But with her departure Jane grew quiet.

After coffee was served, Jane looked up from her cup with a sigh. “I enjoyed the company tonight. I’ve felt pretty much alone since I came back to Redmond.”

“Back to Redmond?” Kyle asked. “You mean you lived here before?”

“Grew up here.” She lowered her eyes. “My mom died a couple of months ago. In July. Dad died years ago.”

“Sorry to hear that.” Kyle’s thoughts flew immediately to his own parents.

She looked up. “I’m their only kid. An orphan at twenty-nine. With a house sitting here empty and a mediocre teaching job up north, I decided to move back home. Things sort of fell into place.” Her misty eyes softened.

Her nostalgia reminded Kyle of his own loss. He gripped his coffee cup, fighting his desire to reach over and comfort her. “It must be hard losing parents. I’m pretty close with mine. It took me a while to move out of my folks’ house.” He chuckled. “But I have my own place now.”

“A house?”

“Apartment.” He rested his elbows on the table and folded his hands in front of him. “My life’s not very interesting.”

Jane arched her eyebrow. “How can you say that? You’re a police officer.”

“I mean, my family came here after I got out of high school, and I followed along. Never moved away. Nothing adventurous.” He flinched. Admitting he was in a rut wasn’t the way to impress a woman.

“Mine isn’t, either,” Jane said. “Any brothers or sisters?”

When he heard her question, the old sadness shot through him. He paused to recover from the unexpected emotion. “I had an older brother. But Paulie died in the military. It was a difficult time for us. Especially my folks.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“No, please, it’s okay.” He touched her arm, loving the softness of her flesh against his fingers.

Jane lowered her eyes and traced the design in the plastic tabletop with her fingernail. “I remember how we felt when my dad died.” She appeared lost in thought, then lifted her head. “Was he young? Your brother?”

“Twenty-one. I was just a kid. Eight, maybe. He was much older than me. And my idol.”

A heavy lull settled over the conversation. Kyle struggled to think of something to say that might lighten the mood, but the emotion weighted the air.

“Do you live alone?” he asked finally.

Her face brightened. “Just me and Wilcox.”

“Will Cox is….?” His full stomach plummeted. She lives with someone.

A coy grin curved her generous mouth. “Cat,” she said.

“Cat?” Reality seeped into his mind, and a laugh rose from his chest. “Oh, Wilcox is your cat.”

She nodded. The smile remained.

The food bill arrived, and Kyle grabbed it before she could. “Don’t say a word. I enjoyed having your company for dinner.”

She acquiesced, and after he settled the bill, they stepped outside. Kyle drew in a long breath of the late-
summer air, mingled with her sweet, tangy fragrance like lemonade and sugary ripe melons. He filled his lungs and lifted his gaze to the heavens.

A wash of purple and orange splashed across the horizon, and the hint of a quarter moon rose in the darkening sky. Too early for stars, he lowered his gaze to Jane’s glimmering eyes.

He grasped her elbow and guided her toward the parking lot, enjoying her nearness. He’d become a police officer to defend and protect people. Jane aroused that need. She was alone and vulnerable. He longed to watch over her…and he wanted to be her friend.

They walked close together, wrapped in silence. Heading down a parking aisle, Jane pointed to her car.

But Kyle’s seasoned eye spotted trouble. He faltered.

“What?” Jane asked.

Wanting to make sure, Kyle hurried toward her vehicle. At close range he confirmed the truth.

“Looks like you’ve got a problem.”

J
ane’s stomach tightened, and she followed the direction of Kyle’s finger to the left side of her sedan.

“I’m beginning to take this personally,” Jane moaned. Her car sat at a strange tilt with two flat tires.

Kyle crouched, checking around the tire rim. When he rose, he held two bent nails. “Could be an accident,” he said.

A relieved sigh shot from her, and she watched as he knelt again and studied the next tire.

When he rose, a frown rutted his face. “Forget what I said. Looks like someone may have done this intentionally.”

He circled the adjacent cars, investigating the automobiles and checking their tires.

“The others look okay. I’d guess the perpetrator was interrupted.”

“You mean this is another coincidence?”

“It happens. Kids decide to fool around and let air out of tires. They pick cars at random. Sometimes, they’re interrupted.”

Far-fetched, she thought. One coincidence maybe, but two? An unsettled feeling fluttered through her. She shrugged. “Whatever. But it makes me nervous. So now what do I do?”

His face softened, and he rested his hand on her shoulder. “Hey, remember? I’m one of Redmond’s finest.”

“Okay, I’m waiting.”

His wink didn’t ease her much, but he was right. If she had to be in trouble, being in the company of a policeman was the best place to be.

“Wait right here,” he said, gesturing for her to stay put. “Help is on the way.” He turned and headed through the parking lot.

She watched him go, wondering what she would have done if she had been alone. And she really was alone. She had no one really. Basked in the warm evening air, a cold, lonely shiver traversed her frame.

When Kyle returned, he carried a metal canister, waving it as he walked toward her. “Air in a can. Pretty handy, huh?”

“You’re on duty even when off, aren’t you? A regular lifesaver.”

“Just can’t help myself.” He grinned and knelt beside the tire.

The first tire rose from the ground, then he proceeded to the second. When Kyle stood, he chucked her under the chin. “Now this’ll only get you to a gas station. It’s a partial fill.”

“Thank you, kind sir, but I realize that.” She ruffled from his insinuation. She had a brain.

“Just a little reminder. Don’t take it personal.”

His gentle comment and good nature filled her with
shame. “Thanks,” she said, wishing she didn’t like him.

“I’ll follow you to a gas station and fill those tires for you. That’s ‘beyond the call of duty,’ you realize.”

“I’ll owe you.”

“And you can be sure I’ll collect.”

His words sent a tiny flutter through her chest until it knotted with reality. The last thing she wanted was to fall for a cop. As she climbed into her car, she struggled with wavering emotions.

Kyle leaned into the open door. “There’s a station right up the road. Follow me.”

Jane pulled out of the parking lot behind him. Ahead, she could see his silhouette through his rear window. He sat tall in the seat, and she envisioned his powerful arms grasping the steering wheel. Yet Kyle’s kindness and compassion gave his strength a new twist. A gentle giant…and so different from her father.

A half mile up the road, Kyle pulled into a gas station. Jane followed, aiming the nose of her car for the air pump sign displayed on the side of the garage.

Before she could climb out, Kyle had already grabbed the hose and squatted beside her wheel.

She joined him, and when he shifted to the second tire, she followed, watching him add the air and check the tire pressure.

Looking down at him, she grinned. For a change, her five-foot-two-inch frame was standing above his strapping six-foot-plus body.

He moved to the third tire. “Now you know you’ll need to keep an eye on those two over there and make sure you don’t have a puncture.”

“Yes, sir,” she said, but mentally skidded to a halt, harnessing the grumpy remark that rose in her thoughts.
She dragged her fingers through her hair, wishing she could enjoy his warm geniality without feeling guilty.

Too much had happened. The move, the new job, the loneliness. The town rekindled her nagging memories, and she seemed to have lost her spirit. Yet she was strong. Maybe not “muscle” strong, but strong in defending convictions. That hadn’t changed. She’d never back down on anything if she knew she was right.

Kyle shifted to the final tire as Jane’s attention was drawn to a man, wearing a station uniform and ambling her way. Caught by a feeling of familiarity, she peered at him. His eyes widened as he focused on her, and hesitant recognition struck them at the same time. Excitement rifled through her.

“Perry?”

The man’s jaw dropped, and he squinted as he neared her. “Jane?”

With a simultaneous nod, they rushed toward each other, arms open wide.

She nestled her face in his oil-scented shirt, then stepped back and examined his face. He’d aged, but he looked like the same old Perry Jones she knew from high school.

Perry beamed. “Jane, you look wonderful. As young as you did in high school.”

A rush of pleasure shot through her. “Sure. Keep it up, Perry. You don’t look much different yourself.”

He tilted his head forward, pointing to a small balding spot on his crown. “No? What about this?”

“Minor problem.” She squeezed his arm. “So what’ve you been doing with yourself…besides working here?” She tapped the station emblem and his name on the shirt.

He looked at the stitching with a grin. “Dead giveaway. Well, I started college and decided it was foolish. I always loved working on cars—so I applied for state certification, took the test and I’m doing what I love.”

He held her out in front of him, then shifted his gaze to Kyle who was standing at the air pump. “You married?”

“No.” She glimpsed at Kyle, wishing he weren’t a police officer and wondering what he’d think if he’d heard Perry’s assumption. “I had two flats, and Kyle offered to help.”

She appreciated Perry’s familiar, yet changed face. “Seems strange being in town. I just got back a few weeks ago, and I’m already teaching at Jackson Elementary.”

“I thought you were living up north.”

“I was, but my mom died. The house was empty and…well, it’s a long story.”

Perry’s pleased expression faded. “Sorry about your mom.” He glanced down at the cement. “Your dad, too. I remember that.”

She looked into his saddened eyes, amazed that someone from her past shared her sorrow. “So are you married? You and Betsy were pretty thick before I left.”

“We’ve been married for ten years. Can you believe it? We have two boys, Kenny, seven, and Tommy, five.”

“That’s great.” Betsy married. The thought seemed alien. They had been good friends throughout high school, but time and distance intervened.

Finally Kyle sauntered over and joined them. “Perry, do you know Kyle Manning?”

Perry extended his hand. “I don’t think so.”

Kyle shook his hand, and the conversation continued until Jane realized she was delaying both men. “I have to get going, but tell Betsy I said hi and for sure we have to get together and talk over old times. I thought I might be the only one left here in Redmond.”

“Betsy’d love to see you, Jane. We’re in the phone book. Give us a call.”

She agreed, and Perry returned to his work.

Jane turned to Kyle. “I didn’t mean to hold you up. Thanks for your help.” With her eyes straight ahead, she avoided his direct gaze and stared at his chest. “I appreciate this…more than I can say.” Her fingers, of their own volition, pushed back her curls.

“What are cops for?” A flicker of amusement tugged at his lips. “Or friends for that matter. And you can be sure I’ll collect.”

When she arrived early the next morning, Jane’s classroom didn’t look bad, but the room reeked of paint. At nine o’clock, twenty-eight eager faces greeted her. By the time she reviewed the class rules and procedures, explained needed supplies and learned a little about each of them, the half day had ended. With the last student out the door, she left the building for lunch.

When she returned in the afternoon, Kyle was waiting for her in her desk chair. A teasing smile played on his lips as she eyed him from the doorway.

“What’s this?” he asked. “The first day back to school, and you’re already playing hooky?
And
you didn’t lock your classroom door.”

She tried not to gape at him while her mind devised reasons why he had dropped by. She’d spent the past evening thinking of him, despite her reservations, and
wondering if she’d really see him again. Now here he was in front of her.

“I was at lunch,” she said.

“Okay, I’ll give you lunch, but what about your door?”

“I forgot.”

“The first lesson in safety. Lock the door.” He rose from her chair, ambling to the edge of the desk and leaning there. “Your tires were still full this morning?”

She nodded. “Right, so that means it wasn’t a nail puncture.”

“Doesn’t sound like it. Kids can use a nail to open the air valve. Just vandalism, like the mess here.”

Curious, she eyed him. “Did you hear something?”

“Just the facts, ma’am.” He lifted his hand as if to touch her chin, then lowered it. “A couple of junior high boys. We nabbed them today.”

“Really?” A sense of relief edged over her. Maybe everything had been a coincidence.

“Apparently, one of the culprits bragged to a kid who told his parents. The father called one of the guilty boys’ parents. They found the near-empty spray cans hidden somewhere and checked with the police. Sure enough. Case solved.”

“I’m glad. To be honest, I was getting paranoid.”

“Can’t really blame you. But things happen.”

“Thanks for letting me know,” she said.

He rested his hand on her shoulder. “You don’t think I came here just to tell you about the vandals, do you?”

The warmth of his hand flowed down her arm. She peered at him with curiosity.

“I came to collect.”

Collect. A flutter like hummingbird wings settled in her chest. “So what will this cost me?” Jane asked.

“How about dinner sometime?” He dropped his hand from her shoulder.

“You want me to
take
you to dinner or
cook
you dinner?” She’d pay him off…and then, hopefully, she could get him out of her mind.

“Both sound great.”

Both! There was paying a debt, and then there was taking advantage. She struggled for a response.

“But buying
you
dinner is what I had in mind.”

“Buy me dinner?” Confused, she faltered, shifting through his words. “But that’s not—”

“Not fair? Okay. Next time you take me.”

His deep blue eyes captured hers, and her emotion plummeted into the whirling depths of his gaze. “Next time? I haven’t agreed to this time. Plus you’ve already paid for my dinner.”

“Then you owe me two dinners.”

Her stomach rose and fell like a child’s yo-yo. What would Principal Skylar say if he saw Kyle hanging around? She glanced into the hallway. “Okay, I’ll go. Now I have to get back to work.” She opened her desk drawer, pulled out a memo pad and jotted down her phone number.

He glanced at the paper. “Thanks, I’ll call you.”

Ambling through the doorway, he gave her a wink that sent her stomach tumbling.

Days later, with shopping bags nestled in their arms, Jane and Celia stopped at a mall food court. After they ordered, Jane’s thoughts drifted to her class, in particular, to one sad girl named Lena. After observing her
for a few days, Jane was concerned. Something was wrong.

When the waitress delivered their meals, Jane bit into her deli sandwich, her mind whirring with questions. The mouthful settled in her stomach like a lump. “You had my students last year, didn’t you?”

Celia nodded.

“Did you have Lena Malik?”

“Sure. Having problems?” She glanced up from her salad.

“She’s a nice kid, but downgrades herself terribly. She refers to herself as ‘dumb.’ Any idea why?”

“Wait until you meet her father.” She peered into Jane’s eyes “And you will.”

Her father? Jane’s chest tightened, and a hunk of bread lodged in her throat.

“The kid’s afraid of Papa, I think,” Celia said. “Big bushy mustache, penetrating dark eyes. Not big in stature, but in presence. You’ll meet him.”

“I can’t wait.”

When they finished eating, they walked outside to a lighted parking lot. The autumn days had shortened and darkness settled into long shadows on the concrete.

Celia stood outside the mall door. “Where did we park?”

Jane looked over the dusky sea of automobiles. “I know where I parked. Back at the school. Where you parked is a good question.”

They scanned the lot and agreed in a general direction. After wandering, they found Celia’s car, stowed their packages and headed back toward the school.

“How about dropping me at the library?” Jane asked, checking her wristwatch. “It should still be
open. I want to pick up a couple of books, and it’s only a block to the school. I can walk to my car.”

“Are you sure? I can wait.”

“No, that’s silly. I’ll be a few minutes. I need the exercise anyway.”

Celia didn’t argue, and in a few moments they pulled in front of the library. Celia tugged on the trunk latch as Jane climbed from the car and pulled out her three shopping bags, then rapped on the window.

Celia lowered it a few inches.

“Thanks for the nice evening,” Jane said.

“You sure you’re okay?”

Jane nodded, plastering a confident expression on her face.

Dreary thoughts had edged into Jane’s mind during dinner. She sensed someone watching her, but when she glanced around she saw nothing unusual. Then she chided herself for being silly. Her vandalized classroom and the flat tires had set her on edge. But she bolstered her courage. “Thanks, I’ll be fine.”

Celia waved and pulled away.

As Jane turned toward the library, an overwhelming feeling of uneasiness ran through her. She breathed deeply and glanced around her. Shadows lengthened along the walk, but the street looked quiet and safe. She ran her free hand through her hair, thrust out her chin, pulled back her shoulders, then hurried into the library.