CHAPTER 6
RIA CUPPED THE warm surface of the coffee cup as she listened to Sheriff Cade explain what he’d been investigating. “That’s not possible, Phoenix. Leandra wasn’t involved with Mason. I would know.”
“With all due respect, you didn’t know that Cox was a felon.”
“But Leandra was my assistant as well as my friend. Why would she not tell me? Not only not tell me, but why lie?”
“If she was hiding something.”
“Because you think she and Mason were doing something illegal.”
“If I had to guess, I’d say whatever Mason was in to, your assistant knew about it. Maybe even had her hands dirty.”
Sitting back in the cracked vinyl seat of the booth, she tried to wrap her brain around what exactly he was telling her. “I feel there’s something you’re not telling me.”
There was a long, awkward hesitation. “Perceptive.”
“Call it intuition. I have a right to know everything.”
“I found a list of names that Cox had uploaded onto your computer. It was under a disguised file.”
“A list of names? I don’t understand.”
“I compared the names with those in your online scheduler and none match.”
She placed her hands flat on the table top, still trying to understand what he was telling her. “Okay, so that I’m clear, my assistant was seeing Mason Cox who was an ex-con who had hidden a file on my computer that had a list of names. Why, Sheriff Cade?”
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out.”
“But you have suspicions, right?”
He blew out a long breath. “It appears the names could be linked to a prostitution ring.”
“What? I-I’m lost.”
“So am I. We’re still trying to find more evidence. Cox was smart. He didn’t keep all his eggs in one basket so to speak.”
“Do you think he planted more secret information in my house?”
“No. We’ve searched everything, twice. I thought maybe he’d hidden something at Leandra’s apartment, but nothing there connects her to the names on the list. Her apartment looked clean, almost as if she wasn’t living there. It’ll take time to put the puzzle pieces together. Things are a bit more complicated than when we first started.”
She breathed in deeply, trying to calm her nerves. Tears stung the backs of her eyes, but she refused to let him see her cry—refused to weaken. It seemed she had been used, and how much was unclear. Ria didn’t want to believe that Leandra, someone she’d relied upon and cared for, could have been involved in something illegal. “So, you believe my computer was just one place?” It was more matter of fact than a question.
“Logically, that’s what would make sense.”
Running her hands up and down her arms, the short-sleeved blouse suddenly felt too thin. “This is a lot to take in,” she admitted.
“I know it is, but there’s more.”
“More than finding out that my assistant, the woman who knew as much about my life as I did, could be part of a prostitution ring? That is what you’re saying, right?”
He cleared his throat and she could hear by the shuffling of his feet that he didn’t like what he was about to say. “Once the killers get wind they left behind a witness, you will be in danger.”
The air hissed from her lungs “I didn’t see their faces.” She dropped back into the seat.
“No, but you gave me enough information that I think you could identify them.”
“How long do you think we have before they realize I was in the house?”
“About as long as it takes for one of them to read a newspaper.”
She wrapped her arms around her waist. “The paper printed the story? How did I not know any of this? About Mason and his dealings. Mostly that Leandra wasn’t who she said she was.”
“Cut yourself some slack. Cox was a criminal—a sly, smart one at that. I know it’s hard to accept that your assistant had lied, but I do think her intentions were in the right place when it came to you.”
“But these criminals, they’re going to kill me.” She placed her trembling hands in her lap.
“No, they won’t. I won’t let them.”
“Explain again about the corrupted file on my computer.”
“He had used a disguised recycle bin folder. Are you aware of how they work?”
She shook her head. “I use the recycle bin every day.”
“Cox used the Delta program as a ploy to get access to your computer.”
“It seems like so much trouble to go through for just a list of names,” she said in a soft voice. “Who’s on that list?”
“Hang on a second,” he said just as Ria heard the waitress ask, “Can I get you both another cup of coffee?”
“No, thanks,” Ria and Phoenix answered in unison.
Hearing the waitresses’ squeaky shoes fade, she leaned closer. “Who’s on the list, Phoenix?”
“I want to tell you, but not here.”
“I can’t stay with my friend, Phyllis. I can’t put her and her family in danger. She has a husband and kids.”
“It’s for the best you don’t stay where you usually go.”
Working her bottom lip, her head spun. “That leaves nowhere.”
“I have a place in mind.”
“Where?”
“My family has a cabin on Blue Ridge. You’ll be safe there. It’s off the beaten path—”
“Wait. I appreciate the offer of your cabin, but…well, it’s not as simple as just picking up and settling into another place for me.”
He reached across the table and laid his hand on hers. The touch sent an electrical jolt through her. The gesture calmed her. “I thought far enough ahead, Ria. I wouldn’t take you somewhere and drop you off. I’ll be there with you. It’ll take some adjustment time, sure, but the place isn’t big and you’ll get the lay of the cabin.”
“You have an investigation to run. You don’t have the time to watch over me.”
“No worries. I’ll still be working the case. Blue Ridge is about an hour outside of town so I can come back as needed.”
“I don’t know…”
“Unless you have another option, this might be your only choice. I have my deputies working hard on finding any leads. Considering there are very few, and I doubt any of the men on the list will confess to any misconduct, this could take some time….and…”
“What, Phoenix?”
“I’m guessing this case is bigger, more complex, than just the killing of your assistant and client. Cases like this aren’t solved overnight, or even months, because they protect one another…like a family.”
“Are you talking about drug dealers?”
“Maybe, and human trafficking. A few years back we had a problem here in Abbie with prostitution, and we thought we had pushed out most of those issues, but it would seem the bad blood has trickled back in.”
“You really believe Leandra was prostituting?”
“I’m thinking she liked the term “escort.” Assuming Miss Watson earned a modest income, she was living in a fairly upscale apartment, which might not raise any flags considering how one looks at it.”
“But something did.”
His hand tightened on hers. “Inside her apartment we found a walk-in closet full of expensive designer clothes and jewelry. Had she ever said anything to you that seemed odd? Maybe out of the ordinary?”
“The last I knew she lived only a few miles from me. I didn’t know she had moved. She’d never said anything to me that would make me think she was in trouble or hiding a secret. Yes, her income was modest, and I know she was working her way through med school.”
He cleared his throat. She realized it was a habit when he was about to mention something undesirable. “I checked. Miss Watson didn’t have a single student loan.”
“When I first hired her, she was always on time, or early, and over the last six months I found that she seemed preoccupied—scatterbrained. Just like the day that she was murdered, she had been running late and I called her. I felt guilty because I thought maybe if I hadn’t called her, she wouldn’t have shown up at the studio when she did.”
He patted her hand. “You had no clue.”
She tilted her chin. “She had family, Phoenix. Are they in danger too?”
“I don’t think they are. They don’t live in the area and I wouldn’t see Miss Watson sharing her, well, after-hours activities with her parents. Typically, these types of killers want to get rid of those who have crossed them along with any witnesses. That day, it was Cox and Miss Watson—”
“And me,” she said.
“Yes, and you. Unfortunately, it’s hard to keep details about a double homicide out of the paper. Which brings us back to keeping you safe.”
Being blind meant being logical. She couldn’t go to Phyllis’s house. And she couldn’t go home no matter how much she wanted to. Phoenix offered refuge, and what other choice did she have? As much as she cared about her safety, she also cared about finding the men who did this, those who dared to come into her home. Leandra might have gotten involved in something illegal to work her way through school, but that didn’t mean she deserved to be killed. She had a future ahead of her that was abruptly taken.
Ria’s sense of peace and safety had been taken too.
Little did she know that when she’d danced with Phoenix he would become such an intricate part of her wellbeing. She had learned from her mistakes with Jamie and she didn’t want to rely on any man ever again. It was safer to only depend on herself.
She moved her hand and hit the cup, spilling the coffee over the side and onto her skin.
“Are you okay? Here’s a napkin.” Instead of handing it over, he gently dabbed her wrist.
“This entire situation makes no sense to me. I need fresh air.” She slid out of the booth, grabbed her cane, and found her way through the tables.
“Wait for me,” Phoenix called out.
When he caught up to her, he took her wrist and led her the rest of the way to the door. The bell dinged loudly as they stepped through and out onto the sidewalk. The sun was shining, but there was a chill in the air that matched the feeling inside her bones. “Here, let’s sit down on the bench for a minute.” Again, he guided her, but this time he’d moved his hand to the small of her back that eased some of her worry.
Ria held out her hand until she touched the back of the bench, then felt her way into a seated position, securing her cane beside her. He sat down next to her and suddenly the air wasn’t as cold.
Her mind was on a roller coaster and she wanted to get off, but she was stuck to endure all the loops and twists. She wanted her calm life back, even if she had to endure the suffocating presence of her sister. A part of Ria ached to hear Kora’s voice, but if she called, how could she resist asking her sister to come home? Eventually, she would call and Ria would have to pretend everything was okay.
“We have a problem.”
“Many of them,” she added.
“I won’t try and minimize the threat here. You deserve the truth. These men, they will look for you with the intention to harm you, but I can say without a doubt I won’t let anything happen to you.”
The slight worry in his voice made the hairs on the back of her neck stand. “I’m not your responsibility.”
“I beg to differ. You’re the only witness I have to help catch these assholes.”
“I don’t want to rely on anyone, and you shouldn’t rely on me. I’m blind,” she said, recognizing the trembling in her voice.
His hand was on her again, his long fingers easily wrapping around her wrist. Her heart picked up in speed, but somehow, he calmed her. “That’s not a choice here. We’re in this together.”
“We’re not even safe sitting here, are we?” She moistened her lips. “What if they kill you to get to me?” The last thing she wanted was for more people to be put in danger. “I’m a lousy witness. If I could see you’d have me looking at mug shots of bad guys, or doing something besides wanting to whisk me off to safety. How could I get caught up in such a mess?”
“Let’s take one thing at a time.”
“That’s easy for you to say.”
“I understand this is a lot to absorb, but the quickest way we can get your life back to normal is finding the men who turned your life in an upheaval. We’ll be creative in how we catch them. Help me help you, Ria.”
She clasped her hands tightly in her lap and he removed his touch. “What can I do?”
“Don’t discount yourself as a witness. What you heard, smelled, the killers’ voices are all a part of the puzzle. You’re a bigger help than you can ever imagine, but I’d never put you in more danger to solve this case.”
“I’m glad to help, but…” her shoulders slumped.
“Go on,” he urged.
“Who can I trust?”
“You can trust me. I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”
Goosebumps popped up on her arms. Over the years she’d gotten skilled at listening to a person’s voice to understand their emotions and he seemed sincere. From what Kora had told her he had a reputation of being a hard-ass that got the job done. More than ever she needed someone like him on her side.
“Now, how about let’s get off the street. Okay?”
“I’ll go with you to the cabin, but I want to make it clear that I don’t want to take you away from your investigation. I don’t need a sitter.”
“Think of me less as a sitter and more of a bodyguard.” His light chuckle made her smile.
~~~**~~~
Phoenix had never made a promise that he couldn’t keep, but when it came to Ria things were far riskier than many of the cases he’d faced over the last ten years. He didn’t want to admit it, even to himself, but he liked her. A lot. That wasn’t supposed to happen. Lawmen took an oath to protect, not to allow their emotions to get involved because feelings were like Kryptonite to Superman. Not only did he have to find the killers, but he had to find Tammy too because she wasn’t safe either, all the while protecting Ria and making sure she had everything she needed. In all honesty, he wasn’t sure exactly what those things were, but he hoped she trusted him enough to tell him.
As they drove up the narrow, rocky road toward the cabin, he wrapped his brain around what the hell he was doing by taking her there. What other choice did he have? He meant it when he told her he’d protect her. He tried remembering the last time he had a woman at the cabin. Never. Not even Katy. He had lots of fond memories here with his family. The place wasn’t much, but he knew the lay of the property.
He looked across the seat to where Ria was sleeping. Her head was leaning against the window with her hands tucked up under her chin. She looked peaceful and he guessed this was the best sleep she’d had since the shooting. She intrigued him and that took him by surprise. He’d always kept boundaries between him and witnesses, but the lines were blurred. If it wasn’t that they were embroiled in a homicide he would have asked her out on a date and probably another, and another after.
Having had been in a disastrous relationship, he’d found himself automatically categorizing the women he would meet. Too young. Overbearing. Too passive. Flirtatious. Untrusting. Angry. Bitter. And yet, he needed to create a special category for Ria. But what would it be? Stubborn? Independent? Stunning. Smart. Resilient. The list could go on and on. Most women, when put into her dire situation, would be turned upside down and bawling their eyes out, but not Ria. She stayed strong, although he had a feeling she wanted to let some emotion flow. No doubt, protecting her emotions was a way of not getting hurt again.
He rubbed his gritty eyes and sighed. Sure, going to the cabin put a wrench in the spokes of the investigation. Usually, he wouldn’t leave the station until a case was solved, especially one of this magnitude. There was a lot of pressure from the community for him to find the killers and put them behind bars. People were on edge. Knowing two people from their community were murdered could make townsfolk suspect everyone, maybe even give cause for doors to be locked at night. The office had been saturated with calls from people wanting to know the details. He couldn’t blame them, but he and his deputies had to be careful about any information they let out. Tate had his ears open at the bar and would call if he heard anything. Sometimes adding alcohol made people loose-lipped. Phoenix’s deputies were reliable and were working endlessly. Eventually, they’d get another lead.
Ria moaned and shifted. He wanted to reach over and lay a hand on her to calm her, but he kept his hands gripped to the steering wheel. The light on the dashboard illuminated her face. He found her attractive. Beautiful. Mystical. He wanted to get to know her better. He allowed himself to wonder what it would have been like to take her to dinner. He hadn’t been out with a woman since Katy and he was a bit rusty. Thinking of dipping his toes into the dating pool again didn’t sit well with him, although he couldn’t deny that he missed having someone to call his own. Missed a lot of things. Ria could make a man think about what he wanted in life and if there was a chance he’d find the woman for him.
Silly considering he’d just met her.
But didn’t a person know from the very start? From the first glance?
He gave his head a mental shake. Damn. Had he been implanted with a romantic bone? He needed to keep things in perspective. He was Sheriff, and Ria was the witness in an important case. This wasn’t a time to lose himself in pretty eyes and a sparkling smile. Certainly wasn’t the time to break any rules by crossing a professional line.
Anyway, she needed more than a man who dedicated himself to his job.
Being Sheriff came with a relationship caveat. He worked long hours. Sometimes he didn’t see his bed for days. There was also the danger that came with putting criminals behind bars. Although he dealt more with misdemeanors than homicides, on occasion he did work cases like this double homicide. Although ninety percent of the time Abbie could be described as a calm, happy town, but every apple tree had rotten fruit. He needed to give some thought to hiring on another deputy and stop and take in life a bit more, just as his family prodded him to do.
He’d also been told enough by Katy that he worked too much, but in the end, he’d realized if she’d really loved him, his long hours wouldn’t have made her find comfort in another man’s arms. She would have understood that working in law enforcement was in Phoenix’s blood. His grandfather and father had been a cop. It just seemed the most likely step that Phoenix and his siblings would wear a star too. His parents had been proud when he’d graduated at the top of his class from the police academy and they’d supported his decision to enlist into the Navy instead of jumping into a career.
He came home and was offered a position walking the beat in Columbus, Ohio. He’d taken the job and spent two years wearing blue, working himself up to detective where he single-handedly solved a hundred cases. He enjoyed the position, learned a lot from his fellow lawmen, but when he learned that his hometown needed a Sheriff, he ran for the position and was elected as the youngest to ever hold the job. Abbie had grown a lot since he was a kid. The population had almost tripled. New businesses and shops lined the maze of streets, but one thing seemed to stay the same—Small town politics. His father, retired now, warned his son that he needed a good balance of political insight and hardcore law to be a good sheriff. Phoenix didn’t really consider any of the politicians he worked with as “friends”, but he knew how to tolerate and rub elbows with them at weekend barbecues. They might not want to see him reelected come next term if a few had their names outed in involvement in a prostitution ring. It wouldn’t keep Phoenix from doing his job. He took his position seriously.
The landscape changed some as they drove deeper into the snowcapped mountains. The air was cleaner. The scenery more beautiful. He loved this place and why he knew the importance of keeping the peace. He had good friends here. He also felt he’d built up a good support network among surrounding counties who also desired to keep drugs and bad guys out. Serving at the place where he’d grown up made him feel good—accomplished. It was like protecting a part of himself, his heritage.
He had his eye on purchasing a hundred-acre plot of land where he could build a modest homestead, buy some horses, and enjoy the beauty that Wyoming had to offer on untouched land. His brothers teased him that for a man to put such big dreams into action he needed to get over being commitment-phobic. Hell, it wasn’t the commitment Phoenix feared. He was afraid he’d make the wrong choice again.
In the meantime, he needed to find the connection with this current case with a few of the others. It seemed every crime was mingled with all the rest. Same people. Same mistakes. Same issues.
Over the last few years, drugs and human trafficking had trickled in from the metropolitan areas and they were arresting the same individuals. Heavy drug dealers and pimps had been pushed out of the larger cities by other criminals. Phoenix took an oath to fight crime and there was no way in hell he’d allow his county to suffer.
Phoenix wouldn’t allow Ria to suffer.
He didn’t know a lot about the needs of blind people, but he wanted to be open to her needs. When they’d started for the cabin she’d asked questions, like, “Where is it located?” “Will I have to maneuver stairs?” The basic questions he figured most blind people would ask.
Over the last few hours he’d held her hand more than he had Katy’s in the last year they were together. Ria’s hand was small and felt fragile against his large callused fingers. Although, he didn’t see her as small and fragile. She was strong-willed, intelligent, and seemed larger than life.
She hadn’t complained when he’d asked her to wait at the station while he finished up some paperwork and other odds and ends before they took off for the cabin. It had also given Connor the time to go over the list of names they’d retrieved off Ria’s computer, which she didn’t recognize any of them.
Overhearing Ria laughing at something Connor had said, Phoenix liked the nice, melodic sound, which only made him more interested in her. He hoped maybe he could hear it again on their hour drive to the cabin, but she’d fallen asleep almost instantly once they were on their way.
He rubbed his jaw and sighed. The best way to keep her safe was to find the men who killed Cox and Miss Watson. As of right now, they had a handful of suspects. Any one of the men on the list had a motive for wanting Cox dead if he’d threatened to release the list, especially anyone in an elected position. But it was just a list. There was no proof at this point that any of the men had participated in illegal activity. The names and times Tammy had jotted down in her diary wouldn’t hold water either, unless they found her and she could shed some light on the situation, like why she was living at the condo with Miss Watson.
As if on cue, his cell buzzed from the console. He grabbed it and read the screen. Pushing talk, he brought it to his ear. “Deputy Holloway. Please tell me you have some news.”
“Sorry, Sheriff. We’re halfway through the list and we’re getting nowhere except a shitload of men who can’t keep their zippers closed or can’t seem to find a date unless they pay.”
“Don’t hold back.” He chuckled. Lauren Holloway was all law and no political restraint. “I didn’t think you would have any of them help. Keep me posted if anything changes. I’ll be back in the office before you know it.”
“No worries. Right now, Ria needs you. There’s nothing you can do here that you can’t do from the cabin.”
He shut off his phone and looked at Ria who was now awake. “Sorry. Did I wake you?”
She stretched, lifting both arms high above her head, sending the hem of her shirt high enough to expose a sliver of stomach. He swallowed hard and removed his gaze. Although she’d slept at least a half hour, he could still see the worry lines and dark circles around her eyes.
“You doing okay?” he asked.
“Under the circumstances, I guess so. That call was about the case? Anything new?”
“Nothing new to tell you. I know it must seem like things are moving slowly, but we’re doing all we can.”
She shrugged. “I guess when you’re on this end of things each minute feels like forever.”
He could see her furrowed brow. “I guess I fail to see that at times. I’ve been on this side of things for so long it’s easy to forget how frustrating things are from the victim’s standpoint.”
“Are you just saying that to appease me?” Her chin tilted.
“One thing you’ll learn about me, I never say anything just to appease anyone. In fact, I’ve been accused of not being fluffy enough with my wording. I guess I was born without the fluff gene.”
“No, I get how that’s needed in your position. Trust me when I say, no victim wants to be lied to or coddled. The truth, no matter how harmful, goes a long way.”
“Note taken. Are you thirsty? I have some bottles of water.”
“Yes. I am.”
He handed her one of the cool bottles from the center console and opened one for himself, drinking half of the water in one gulp. There was something about the woman in his passenger seat that made him dysfunctional. His friends would laugh if he told them he was off kilter over a woman. They usually teased him about always being calm and collected. “What did your friend say when you called and told her you’d be staying at a cabin in the woods with me?”
One corner of her mouth played with a smile. “You’d have to know Phyllis and her sense of humor. It teeters on naughty sometimes.”
“Sounds about like Tate. You can tell me what she said. I’ve heard about everything.”
“Alright. She told me to be very careful. You’re dangerous to a woman who hasn’t had sex in a while.”
He hadn’t realized he was holding his plastic bottle tightly until he squeezed, sending the remaining contents ejecting out of the lid and onto the crotch of his jeans. “Shit!” He shifted as the cool liquid soaked through the material of his pants and boxers. His balls shriveled and yet he was getting hard at the same time. There was something very stimulating about the image his mind conjured after hearing Ria’s words. He’d been thinking about her and sex enough lately that he had been a walking hard on.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“I spilled a bit of water. That’s all.”
She chuckled. “I told you she’s something.”
“Sounds about like it, but all humor aside, I hope you don’t think I’m taking you up here to…well, take advantage.”
Turning in her seat, she stared over his shoulder. “If I thought that was your intention I would have refused to come with you. I don’t know you very well, and you don’t know me either, but I think we each have to trust a little. After all, I need to rely on you to keep me safe and you must trust me enough to believe that I didn’t have anything to do with any illegal activity.”
He sucked in a breath. “I didn’t think—”
“Ah, come on. It didn’t cross your mind once? I mean, it would have mine considering Leandra was my assistant, Mason was a client and the file was on my computer. I know it must be difficult for someone with your instincts to figure out how I was duped, not by one but two people.”
“Did one of my deputies say something?”
“Deputy Gelder didn’t come out and ask, but remember I read a lot into someone’s voice and choice of words.”
“Okay. For maybe a second or two, I did wonder. That’s my job to identify suspects and mark them off as innocent. The tech who discovered the hidden file found the date when it was created. Delta was installed on the same day. And if you were involved, why did he hide the list in a disguised file on your computer? He did this because he knew you wouldn’t find it.”
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I guess I should be grateful the evidence excludes me as a suspect. I’m not computer savvy. Never have been. I barely get by. In your professional opinion, who do you think killed my assistant and Mason?”
He scraped his palm down his cheek. “I don’t like to assume or make random guesses, Ria.”
“But you don’t have an opinion? If you’re wrong I won’t hold it against you.”
She played with a thread on the hole in her jeans and he couldn’t help but be intrigued by how graceful her slender fingers moved. He cleared his throat and turned his focus back on the safety of the road, clicking his headlights on bright. It wasn’t uncommon for large herds of elk to roam the area. “If I had to guess, I’d say Cox was blackmailing someone who didn’t appreciate it, or had too much to lose. So, they hired the two bastards to take care of Cox and find the evidence. Some of the men on the list are political figures and if word leaked that they found entertainment outside of their marriage, especially with girls who are underage, or close to, the spectacle would ruin not only their careers but everything they’ve worked for.”
“I must live in a bubble. Things like this actually happen in Abbie.”
Phoenix gritted his teeth. “Younger girls are being used to make a handful of people rich. The bastards get the girls hooked on drugs and it becomes a vicious cycle. I’d like to get my hands around the necks of the leaders.”
“You’re passionate about this.”
“I am. My sister, Kiersten, got caught up in light drug use right out of high school. Fortunately, she didn’t get involved in the trafficking circle, but it took her a few years to get back on her feet and away from a man who was dragging her down. Things could have gotten worse had it not been for all the support of her family. Some of these kids have no one to depend upon, or trust. A smooth manipulator happens along and gives them the attention they crave.”
“It’s amazing that your sister turned her life around. I wish others had the same support.”
“She’s amazing. She works with young girls who have been in the same circumstance. I’m close to her and all my brothers.”
“I’m grateful for my sister too.”
Phoenix laughed. “I’m surprised your friend didn’t try to talk you out of coming with me.”
“Well, in the big scheme of things, where else would I go? I can’t go back and stay with her and her family. If anything happened to any of them because of me I’d never forgive myself. I might as well have been killed rather than watch anyone I love hurt. My sister, Kora, is on the vacation of a lifetime. Sure, I’d call her and she’d come back immediately, but I can’t do that to her—wouldn’t do that to her, especially after I complain enough that I don’t need her to take care of me.”
“Understandable. If I was in your situation, I wouldn’t put any of my family or friends in danger either. Have you told your parents?”
She gave her head a shake. “No and I don’t plan to. After the accident, they were both there for Kora and me, running themselves ragged. In fact, they had health issues because of all the worry. It took everything I had to push them into doing what they’d always planned to do when they retired. Travel the country. I can do this on my own, Phoenix. Without them.”
“Hey, I’m not saying you can’t. Your sister was in the accident with you?” He didn’t want to overstep any boundaries, but he guessed she wouldn’t talk about anything she wasn’t comfortable with.
“Kora walked away unharmed and I…well, as you see.”
He squinted. “That must have been difficult for your sister.”
“Guilt plagues her. She has become quite the Mother Hen and that’s why I wouldn’t dare draw her away from Paris. She can’t stop living because she doesn’t think she’s deserving. I hold no anger or disappointment.” She sighed. “I’m sorry. Maybe I’ve told you too much.” He couldn’t help himself. He chuckled. She stiffened. “Am I funny?”
“I think it’s great. If I didn’t want to know I wouldn’t have asked. I like hearing about you.”
“True, but I tend to ramble when I get upset.”
“And run away?”
She squirmed against the leather. “Now I think you’re referring to what happened outside of the bar.”
Did her pale skin turn red? In the lighting it was hard to tell. “Yeah, I am.”
Her shoulders came up and she dropped them in defeat. “Let’s not talk about this. I’m still humiliated. Give me a hundred years and I might get over it.”
“Ria, it wasn’t that bad.”
“Bad timing. I caught a bug and the dancing, drinks, and getting overheated…well, the rest is history.” She turned her face toward the front window. “I’m sorry for ruining your shoes.”
He laughed. “You didn’t ruin my shoes. I’ve had blood, oil, snow, you name it, on those things.”
“And that’s supposed to make me feel better how?”
“I’m saying that I don’t hold it against you. Life happens. We move forward. Just not running away. By the way, I planned to get your cell number and would have called you immediately. I wouldn’t have been able to wait twenty-four hours before asking you to dinner.”
“You would have? I thought I was just part of an offer?”
“One dance was the wager. The second was all me.”
“You mean the fact I’m blind doesn’t scare you away?”
“Ria? Are you serious? I don’t care that you’re blind. If any man has ever made you feel like he is scared, then you’re better off without him.”
She sighed. “My ex. He was with me after the accident, but I think in the long run it became too much for him. Yet, I’ll never know for sure. Maybe he and my cousin were just meant to be. Too bad I won’t be able to make their wedding to prove that I don’t harbor any hard feelings. Kora and Phyllis say that it’s the closure I need.”
“Are you sure you weren’t looking for an excuse not to go? I think your sister and friend are absolutely right. We all need closure after a bad break up. If you decide you want to go, I think we could manage it.”
“We?”
“Yeah, it’s not like I’d send you alone. You and me, we’re stuck together like glue until we catch the killers. I haven’t been to a wedding in a long time.”
“Ah, that’d really help in proving I’m moving forward by bringing a sitter with me and not a date. No offense, but no thank you.”
“Who said anything about a sitter. I’ll be your date. No one needs to be any wiser. I’ll leave my badge at home.”
“You’d do that? I thought men hated attending weddings unless it’s their own?’
He shrugged. “Hell, how bad can it be? In fact, I’d like to see the ex’s expression when he sees that you’ve moved on. He’ll realize just how stupid he was for letting you go.”
“Well, considering I won’t be able to see his expression I’d like to know what it looks like too. But he’s happy and I’m happy for him. In the end, that’s the best medicine. To draw the curtain on an empty stage inside our heart. He and I weren’t meant to be together.”
“That’s one way to turn a negative into a positive. I still get angry when I think of my ex,” he admitted, immediately wishing he’d kept the bit of information to himself.
“Are you still in love with her?”
Although he knew Ria couldn’t see his expression, he felt she could in a way. So, he couldn’t attempt to brush her question off. “I wouldn’t call it love. I’m more disappointed in myself than in her. I’ve learned some valuable life lessons.”
“Like?”
“To be careful who I trust.”
“Do you think you keep people at an arm’s length to keep from getting hurt? I know this because it’s been pointed out to me more than once. It’s true. It’s not that I’m still in love with Jamie, but I use him as a gate to keep people out. I’d rather be alone than have to turn a man’s life upside down to be with me.”
“My opinion might not mean anything, but any man would be lucky to have you. You’re beautiful, smart, and your positivity is contagious.” Had he just revealed that to her? He needed to jump out of this conversation. “It’s starting to snow.”
“I love the snow. It’s one of the things I miss seeing.”
“Up here in the mountain it gets pretty deep.” They came upon the road that would lead them to the cabin. He turned the truck and Ria jostled in her seat. “We’re almost there. Once we get inside I’ll show you around.” And with that, they both became silent.