A Penny for Your Thoughts (15 page)

“I’m sorry. I just happened to be driving by, and I spotted you driving in, so I followed you.” His face reddened and he grinned sheepishly. “I hope you don’t mind. I was wondering if you wanted to get something to eat...maybe some ice cream?”

Penny found it hard to resist his boyish grin...so much like Travis when he wanted something.

“Well...” she looked toward the stairs with a brief vision of a lonely lunch while fretting about strange phone calls. “I was going to get something to eat.” She grinned. “Ice cream sounds great.”

“Great!” He touched her arm briefly. “Come on. I’ll drive. I’m parked right out front.”

Penny followed him outside to a small, dark four-door nondescript car. She slid into the passenger seat of the clean vehicle.

“So, is this your car, Kevin?” She watched him pull out into traffic. “I notice the plates are from Michigan. You said you were from Missouri, right?”

He flashed her a quick look of surprise. “No, actually, this is my grandparents’ car. I flew down. I borrow it from them when I come down.”

Penny smiled and turned to look out the window at the passing buildings.

“I was wondering, Penny...it’s such an awkward question. But I was wondering...are you...? That is...I was wondering...how old are you?”

Penny jerked her head back in his direction. “That
must
have been an awkward question for you to ask, Kevin. I’d say I’m older than you, that’s for sure.”

“Oh, come on. I told you I look younger than I am. I’m hardly a child.” He tilted his head to the side and surveyed her frankly for a moment before returning his eyes to the road. “I’d guess you’re about thirty nine. Am I right?”

Penny swung her head toward him. “Very good! That’s exactly right.”

“See? I’m thirty. We’re not that far apart in age, so you can stop rolling your eyes at me.”

“I’m not rolling my eyes,” she muttered with a short laugh. “Am I?” She softened her face and gave him an apologetic look. “If I have, I’m sorry. It sounds very rude.”

Kevin laughed. “It
is
very rude. But I accept your apology.”

They pulled into the local ice cream shop and went inside the small wooden, festively painted lavender building. A sign on the wall stating the business accepted cash only reminded Penny she had no money in her purse.

“Kevin, I didn’t bring any cash with me. I only have my bank card, and they don’t take cards.”

“My treat, Penny. I invited you.” He approached the counter where a young freckle-faced teenage girl waited for their order.

“What would you like?”

Penny scanned the barrels of colorful ice cream in the freezer bin and glanced up at the prices posted on the wall.

“Rainbow sherbert. Two scoops, please, in a cup.” She beamed like a schoolgirl. Rainbow sherbert was her favorite. Not everyone carried the flavor, and she was delighted to see a lovely large barrel of it.

Kevin laughed. “Rainbow sherbert it is.” He placed their order. When the young girl at the counter handed them their ice cream, they moved toward the window to sit down at one of the small, round, white, soda shop-style tables. Other than the server behind the counter, they had the place to themselves.

Penny dug in with her spoon, now convinced that a stop at the local ice cream parlor might very well be the highlight of her day. Kevin took his time with a two-scoop chocolate cone.

“This is great,” Penny said as she savored the fruity, tangy flavor. “Thanks for bringing me here.”

“No problem,” Kevin grinned over the edge of his cone. “I’m glad you agreed to come. I’ve been wondering how to draw you into my web.”

“Oh, Kevin, please.” Her lips twitched, but she shook her head. The sunlight streaming through the floor to ceiling glass windows brought out the ash-brown shine to his hair. He looked masculine, virile, healthy and young. She turned away from his come hither grin.

“You sure don’t make it easy on a guy, Penny.”

Penny shook her head and eyed him steadily.

“I-I...I don’t know what to say, Kevin. Most of the time, I think you’re kidding. I’m flattered--”

“Oh, don’t be flattered,” he pretended a mock pout. “That’s the kiss of death.”

Penny grinned and turned away from the twinkling in his blue eyes to look out onto the main road of town. Traffic seemed light. Her spoon stilled halfway to her mouth when she saw Matt’s dark SUV pull into the parking lot. She threw Kevin a quick glance and dropped her eyes to her ice cream, willing Matt not to enter. But she wasn’t strong enough to come between a man and his ice cream, because he walked in and headed straight for the counter.

“Hey, Missy. How are you doing today?”

“I’m okay, Chief. What’s new?” The little blonde server waited for his order.

Kevin’s head swung around at the voice of the newcomer. He stared at Matt’s back for a moment and then turned back to Penny whose eyes darted from Matt to Kevin to her ice cream and back up again. She put down her spoon.

Kevin tilted his head in unspoken inquiry, and Penny shrugged with a crooked smile.

“I’m good, Missy. Can’t complain. Let me have a scoop of cookie dough.”

“Cone or cup, Chief?”

“Cup.”

Penny tried to duck low in her straight back parlor-style chair, but there was nowhere to hide. Matt would soon see her. It was unavoidable. She cast a quick glance at Kevin, wondering for a brief instant if he would consider dashing out the door with her, but the idea was preposterous. His expression caught her attention. The narrowing of his eyes and the rigid set of his chin gave his face an undecipherable expression she’d not seen before. He turned toward her, caught her watching him and grinned playfully with a pump of his eyebrows.

Matt turned around to survey the room as alert policemen often seem to do. Penny watched him give Kevin a friendly nod which froze when his eyes landed on her. He opened his mouth to speak and then clamped it shut.

“Here you are, Chief.”

Matt swung around.

“Thank you, Missy.” He retrieved his wallet and paid her. When he turned around once again, his face wore a blank expression. He nodded at Kevin and Penny and strode out the door without a backward glance.

“Uh oh,” Kevin murmured.

Penny followed Matt’s progress toward his car. She noted he dropped his uneaten ice cream into a trash can before he jumped into his vehicle and pulled out of the parking lot.

In abject misery, she dropped her eyes to her melting ice cream, ready to throw it into the trash as Matt had done.

Kevin reached over to lay a warm hand over hers as it lay limp near her spoon.

“Hey, there... A penny for your thoughts?” His soft voice penetrated her consciousness, his hand warmed her cold one.

“What?” She dragged her eyes from the empty parking lot and looked at him.

“A penny for your thoughts.” He gave her a lopsided grin.

“Me? Nothing. No thoughts. None.” She left her hand under his, too apathetic at the moment to move it.

“So, that was the Chief, huh?”

She managed a heavy nod. “Yes, that was Matt.”

“I thought--” He paused for an instant. “He didn’t seem too friendly. Are you guys on the outs or something?”

Penny’s eyes flew to his face, and she felt heat rise to her cheeks. “Not that I’m aware of,” she said testily.

“Was that...? Was that because of me?” He eyed her sympathetically as he removed his hand.

Penny shook her head. “I doubt it. He isn’t the jealous kind...at least, not that I remember. Besides, like I said, that was over a long time ago.”

Penny turned to stare at the empty parking lot. Why had Matt taken off as he had? The Matt she knew hadn’t had a jealous bone in his body, not that she hadn’t tried to flirt a time or two--maybe more--in his presence early in their relationship to see if he really “cared.” He’d only watched her with narrowed eyes and shook his head silently, never giving her the “passionate jealousy” she hoped would prove his love. If she could have done it all over again, she would have treasured every moment in his presence, asking only that he show her his love, letting him take his time toward trusting her enough to tell her he loved her. But as she found herself saying all too often lately...that was a long time ago.

“I see,” Kevin murmured.

Penny turned back toward him. “Well, I think I’m done. I’m ready to head back. Are you?”

“Sure,” he said readily. “I’ll drop you at home.”

“That would be great, Kevin.”

Penny was silent on the short ride back, lost in memories that she couldn’t undo--memories of a passionately destructive young woman who could not force a quiet man to scream his love for her from the rooftops.

Kevin pulled up to the entrance of the garage, and Penny stepped out. He climbed out of the car and came around. Penny had almost turned away when he grabbed her hand. She swung around startled.

“Penny, I was wondering. Would you like to have dinner tonight?”

Penny stared down at the brown hand holding her.

“I-I can’t, Kevin. The truth is...I’m not really feeling well. I don’t think I’d be good company.”

Kevin let go her hand. “Oh...I’m sorry. I thought you looked a bit under the weather on the way back. Well, how about tomorrow night?”

“Why don’t you call me tomorrow?” she murmured. She gave him her phone number and moved away with a wave.

Penny entered her apartment and surveyed the small living room with a feeling akin to loneliness. She shook her head and walked over to the balcony door, sliding it open and wondering at her mercurial mood. If she were lonely, she should have accepted Kevin’s invitation. She dropped into one of the acrylic chairs and stared out at the white-capped sea. A stiff breeze had risen and whipped the waves around in a brisk fashion. She looked at her watch. Three p.m. The sun would set in a few hours. It lingered low in the western sky.

She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and stared at the silent silver gadget, debating on whether to call her mother or Travis. Against her better judgment, she found herself making a call she never thought she would.

“Gulf Shores Police Department. Is this an emergency?”

Penny caught her breath. Was it an emergency? She certainly felt an urgent need to call.

“No.”

“Can I help you?” Penny recognized Patty’s voice.

“Umm...is Chief Williams in?” Penny gripped the phone tightly.

“Just a moment. I’ll check. Can I tell him who’s calling?”

“Uh...Penny Brown.”

“Hi, Mrs. Brown. It’s Patty. Just a moment, ma’am.”

Penny would have slammed the phone shut at that moment had it not been the police. Could they call her back and accuse her of hanging up? Who knew? She had little experience in the world of law enforcement.

“Chief Williams.”

Penny held her breath and bit her lip. Why had she called?

“Chief Williams. Can I help you?”

“Matt, it’s Penny.”

It was Matt’s turn to be silent. Penny cringed.
Please say something, Matt.

“Matt? Did I catch you at a bad time? Are you busy?”

She heard him sigh and wished fervently that she’d called her mother instead.

“No, this isn’t a bad time. What is it, Penny?”

Penny gulped. He sounded so...so distant.

“I... I... Well, I was wondering how your case was going. You know, the bank robbery?”

“You called about the case?”

Penny bit her lip so hard, it hurt. “I’m sorry, Matt. Maybe I shouldn’t have called. I just thought--”

“No, that’s okay, Penny.” She heard his heavy sigh. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to jump down your throat.”

“Oh, that’s okay. I’m sure you’re very busy.”

“A little. Can you hang on just a minute?” Penny heard a muffled exchange beginning with the words, “Yes, Patty?”

She waited, wishing for all her worth that she hadn’t called. Her stated reason was extremely flimsy...even to her own ears.

He came back on the line. “Penny, why didn’t you tell me you got another call? Patty just laid your statement on my desk. Where are you?”

“Well, I didn’t actually get to talk to you this afternoon, if you’ll recall.”

“Oh, that.” His voice quieted for a moment. “I’m sorry about that. Where are you?”

“I’m at my condominium.”

“Wait there. I’m coming right over.”

“Okay,” she said uncertainly--at once elated by his pending arrival and unclear on why he was coming.

The line went dead, and Penny stared at it for a moment. The best she’d hoped for was a chance to explain that Kevin was just a young fellow she’d met, though she wasn’t quite sure Matt really cared. His brief nod of greeting in the ice cream shop gave her no clues to his inner thoughts. Hardly a surprising state of affairs with her enigmatic ex-lover.

She trotted into her bedroom to pull on some jeans and a long-sleeved rose print shirt. She moved to the bathroom, ran a brush through her hair and applied lipstick, hoping no one would ever know she preened for what promised to be a quick official visit by the Chief of Police.