Crime & Passion (17 page)

She wanted to call him, but by now he
probably romped around his bedroom with another woman, not giving a
thought to the fight they’d had.

Madeline grabbed the tea service and carried
it into the kitchen to clean the pot. She hoped Lindsey was right
and she’d soon forget about Donovan.

His blue gaze waited for her every time she
closed her eyes, seducing her, begging her to call him.

Donovan stood outside Woofy Cuts the next
morning at 7:50. The store opened in ten minutes, so Maddie should
pull up anytime. He spent the night wondering how to make up with
her. She sure could hold a grudge. Most women melted when he
presented them with flowers. The chocolate tea should have ensured
his forgiveness.

Then again, Maddie was more complex than the
women Donovan usually pursued.

He knew she was upset with him, but he really
didn’t want her in the shop alone. He’d just hang out until someone
else came into work.

Madeline’s apartment was within walking
distance, but he couldn’t imagine she’d be foolish enough to walk
to work. However, as he looked up the street, there was a figure
jogging along the sidewalk. He smiled when he recognized Maria
Rains—Lindsey’s other employee, and someone Donovan counted among
his friends.

Perhaps Lindsey had also realized it wasn’t
safe for Madeline to work alone. That would ruin his plan to play
the big hero this morning.

The older woman smiled at him widely when she
noticed him standing there. “What’re you doing here, honey?”

“I came to keep an eye on Madeline while she
worked this morning. Are you working too?”

“Aren’t I always?” Maria laughed and smoothed
her artificially darkened hair behind her ears as the morning
breeze flirted with it. “Actually, Madeline called and asked me to
cover for her for a half hour or so.”

“Is she okay? What’s wrong?” Donovan didn’t
like how desperate his voice sounded, but he couldn’t help it as
anxiety twisted his gut.

Maria gave him a knowing smile. “I heard you
have a thing for her.”

“I—” Hell, there was no point denying it.
“Yeah, I do.”

Maria circled his waist with her arm and gave
him a squeeze. “’Bout time. I never thought you’d find a girl you
cared half a wit for. Jeremy and I have been worried about
you.”

Donovan hugged her back, touched by the
gesture and her concern. Maria and her husband, Jeremy, had always
been good to Donovan. They’d often invited him over for a
home-cooked meal. He and Jeremy occasionally watched a game of
football. Spending time with them was always a pleasure. It was
almost like having a true family.

He looked on Maria as a sort of surrogate
mother, and she treated him like a son, even though she had three
children of her own. Then again, Maria was great to everyone. She
always had a ready smile or a kind word for anyone around town.
Everyone loved her. It was rather how he imagined his own mom would
have been, had she lived.

“So, Maddie’s okay, then?” he persisted.

“Sort of.” Maria pressed her lips together
and shook her head slightly. “The school called her and asked to
have a meeting before her next music class.”

“And they’re going to tell her not to come in
until the killer is caught.” Donovan’s heart sank. He feared that
would happen, but hoped it wouldn’t.

Maria nodded. “I’m pretty sure that’s the way
the wind blows.” She stuck her key into the door. “Since you’re
already here, would you mind coming inside with me? I’d feel safer
if you checked things about before racing off to comfort
Madeline.”

Donovan nodded. “So long as you aren’t afraid
to be alone with me.”

“You’ve known me for twelve years. Do you
really think I’d believe the gossip about you?”

“No, I know you wouldn’t. I shouldn’t take my
frustrations out on you. It’s just that Brandon’s veiled
accusations are making my life miserable.”

“Anyone who believes you’re a killer doesn’t
know you very well. I’m sure you have more support in this town
than you know. You’re a good cop, and a great person.”

“Thanks for saying that.” Donovan hoped he
wouldn’t blush. It wasn’t often someone paid him a compliment.

“It’s nothing more than the truth. You’ve
done a lot for the people of this town, and always look out for the
kids. People count on you to coach little league and basketball for
the younger children if no one else is available. You do it and
never complain.”

“You know I love helping the kids. I wish I
could do it more often.” He shook his head. “No one seems to
remember that about me right now though. They think I’m some sort
of monster.”

“They’ll remember. Maybe I should remind a
few people just how much you’ve helped them. Heck, if it weren’t
for you, my youngest would’ve had serious problems up there at make
out point her junior year of high school. She wasn’t quite ready
for what that boy wanted.”

Donovan grinned, thinking about how many
would-be amorous situations he’d broken up at ‘make out point.’
Most times, the boys were pissed, the girls relieved, and the
parents grateful. “Thanks. You’ve officially made me feel better.
I’ve been a bit down these past few days.”

“I know you’ve had a hard time settling with
one woman, but people should quit judging you because of that. It
doesn’t make you a bad person.”

He laughed. “If I can earn Madeline’s
forgiveness, maybe she’ll be Miss Right.”

“Let’s hope so. It’s time for you to have
babies and teach them to call me Granny.” Maria winked and then
opened the door to the shop. “Let me turn off the alarm.”

Donovan followed her inside, reassured by the
loud beeps. Maddie said the alarm was already off the day she found
Brutus. With it still activated, Donovan was sure no one waited for
them in the shadows.

Maria punched in the code and the light
turned green as the beeping stopped. “Okay. I’m going to let you
search for intruders, if you don’t mind. I’ll turn on the open sign
and wait up here.”

Donovan nodded, happy to do his part to
reassure her. He walked through the aisles containing pet supplies,
relieved when each was empty. Madeline thought the intruder had
hidden in the coat closet the other day, so he searched that
too.

After satisfying himself no one lurked in the
front part of the store, he walked through the double doors into
the kennel area. He searched the bathrooms too.

“All clear,” he told Maria as he walked
toward her. “You’re safe and sound.”

“Thanks for checking. I have to admit, I’ve
been a bit spooked.” Maria shrugged and gave him a half smile, as
though embarrassed. “Now, go find Madeline. I’m sure she’ll be
heartbroken if the school laid her off. She loves those kids so
much.”

“I’ll find her.”
And hopefully she’ll let
me talk to her.

“I don’t want to seem insensitive, but if you
could get her back here as soon as she’s able to cope, I’d really
appreciate it.” Maria led Donovan to the front door. “It’s
Brianna’s birthday and I promised to bake cupcakes and bring them
to the school.”

“How old is she now?”

“Seven,” Maria replied, beaming like the
proud grandmother she was. “Where does the time go?”

“I haven’t a clue.” Donovan gave her another
quick hug. “We’ll be back soon.”

He climbed into his car. With all the recent
speculation about him being involved in Frank’s murder, Donovan had
worried he might become the town pariah. Thank goodness for Maria.
She kept a level head and never listened to gossip, using her own
good sense to make decisions.

Donovan backed onto Main Street. A car raced
up behind him and nearly rammed into his rear bumper. Donovan
slammed on the brakes. Turning to glare out the back window at the
offending driver, he was surprised to see Brandon behind the wheel
of the other car. Brandon turned into the parking lot and pulled
into the space nearest the door.

Brandon didn’t own any pets, so Donovan could
only imagine he also thought Madeline would be at work. He probably
planned to badger her for another story...or another date. The
bastard needed to leave her alone.

Donovan snickered as he pulled onto the road.
At least Brandon wouldn’t see Madeline this morning.

He didn’t have time to worry about the other
man right now, however. Maddie was all that mattered. He needed to
hustle so he could wait for her outside the school. He wanted to be
there to support her when the meeting ended. If her heart broke
afterward, like Maria thought it would, Donovan wanted to help
gather the pieces.

***

Madeline walked out of the school building
and headed for her car. It was so unfair. She understood why the
school board decided to let her go until the police caught the
killer, but if Brandon had never written that article, it wouldn’t
be a problem.

She reached the far end of the parking lot.
Donovan leaned against the driver’s side door of her car. She
didn’t quite know what to say to him. She hadn’t expected to see
him yet.

Even though dark sunglasses shielded his
eyes, Madeline could feel him watching her every move. She took a
deep breath and continued walking toward him, determined to get
along with him this morning.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She stopped at the front of the car, resting
her hand on the hood. “Not really. I don’t have a job with the
school until this all settles down.”

Donovan shook his head. He stepped toward her
and gathered her in his arms. “I was afraid of that.”

She shrugged and leaned against his chest,
not wanting to pull away from him, though she knew she should.
“Things could be worse. They still want me to take over the
full-time teaching position in the fall. Mrs. Chance is retiring,
so that would be nice. Assuming the killer is caught by then.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll find him and everything
will be fine.” Donovan released her, but took her hand in his
instead. “Are you up to working today or should I call Lindsey?
Maria asked me to hurry back.”

“You talked to Maria?”

He nodded. “I went to the shop to find you. I
know you’re mad at me, but it’s not safe for you to be alone. Maria
told me where to find you.”

He certainly had a way of confusing things.
Madeline didn’t know what to think about any of this. Maybe he
wanted to be friends, or maybe he needed her help. Either way, it
touched her that he wanted to protect her. She should be nice to
him.

Madeline squeezed his hand before letting it
drop. “That was kind of you, considering how things ended between
us last night.”

Donovan pushed his sunglasses to the top of
his head, staring deep into her eyes. He caressed her face with
gentle fingers. “I need you to forgive me, Maddie. Let me explain
things. I don’t want to do anything to hurt you.”

She knew she should feel good about that. He
hadn’t slept with her because he didn’t want to hurt her. She
pulled away from him, not able to bear his tender touch when she
knew he didn’t want her. “I wish you hadn’t been quite so concerned
with my feelings.”

“I want something real this time around,
Maddie. I don’t want another loveless fling.” He let out an audible
sigh. “I’m tired of playing the field. Whenever I go to Maria and
Jeremy’s house and see what they have...” He shrugged. “I start to
think I want the same thing.”

Madeline closed her eyes and forced a smile
on her face. The woman who answered his phone must actually be
something special, to make him feel this way after he’d pushed away
so many others. She should be happy for him, but she wasn’t. Still,
she could fake it. “I understand, Donovan. Don’t worry about it.
I’m glad we can be friends.”

He nodded, smiling widely. “Yes. Exactly. We
have to be friends. I think that’s where I keep going wrong.”

A guy who just wants to be friends. I
remember that from my fatty days.

She pulled her keys out of her purse. “I need
to get to work. Maria said something about cupcakes, and I don’t
want to keep her waiting.”

“I’m coming with you.” He walked to the blue
Ford Focus parked next to her and opened the door. “I’ll follow
you.”

Madeline nodded her agreement and got into
her car. On top of losing her teaching job this morning, Donovan
had relegated her to the friend zone.

It’s going to be a terrific day.

***

Donovan hopped out of his car and rushed to
open Madeline’s door when they got to Woofy Cuts. Brandon Feldman’s
car was gone from the deserted parking lot, making Donovan a very
happy man.

Madeline had been a bit too nice to him at
the school, and Donovan was a little worried. Considering the
stress she must be under having just lost her job, he wasn’t sure a
nice, calm Maddie was a good thing.

He offered her his arm after closing the car
door.

Her eyes clouded over for a moment, but she
slipped her arm through his. “We’re quite the gentleman today,
aren’t we?”

“I’m trying. I do have some manners.”

She snorted. “That’ll be something to
see.”

Yep. She was still pissed. If he wanted to
keep the peace, it would be best to keep his mouth shut.

“Huh. That’s odd,” Madeline said as they
stepped onto the sidewalk near the doorway.

Donovan turned his head sharply toward her.
“What’s odd?”

“The open sign.” She shook her head. “It’s
probably nothing. Maria must’ve forgotten to turn it on.”

Donovan’s heart clenched painfully in his
chest as fear stole his breath away. “Get in your car and lock the
door.”

“Why?”

Donovan reached for his gun, as was instinct.
His fingers brushed the fabric of his pants. Damn! He forgot Chief
took it. He should have grabbed his pistol from home. “Maria turned
that sign on while I was with her.” He softly pushed Madeline in
the direction of her vehicle. “I’ll make sure she’s okay.”