A wonderful story by Nandini.
Sheridan unpacked her luggage and very neatly arranged each item in the drawers and closets of her bedroom. She knew she was deliberately delaying her inevitable meeting with her father but she didn't care. If it were up to her, she'd put off any confrontation with him forever. But she would have to go see him eventually, it was her first night home in five years, and she was expected at the mansion for dinner. And her father loathed tardiness. She combed her hand through her long blond hair that hung in loose curls over her shoulders. She should cut it, she thought gazing at herself in the mirror of her dressing table, she was almost 19 and her long hair made her look no more that 16. She applied a very light coat of pale pink lipstick, she didn't dare wear a darker shade in her fathers presence. It made her look cheap, Allister had commented on her last visit home. And then there was her height, she was the same height as he was, a fact her father clearly disliked for some reason.
It was late afternoon as she finally ventured out of her cottage, there was nothing else left to do. She started up the path towards the Main house, enjoying the beautiful flowers that were scattered in neat garden beds around the grounds. It was early summer and even though a cool breeze was blowing, her palms felt moist. But not being nervous wasn't an option when it came to dealing with Allister, his deep cold voice and cutting words could reduce anyone to ashes. She would never get over it, she thought as she entered the house through the front door.
Everything looked the same, except for a few newly added pieces and the flower arrangements. It felt as cold and empty as she'd remembered. She hesitated a moment as images invaded her mind, then on a deep breath she crossed the huge seating area and entered a short corridor that led to the study. She was almost to the door when she froze, hearing her name being spoken. She quickly recognized the voices as her father's and brother's and they were talking about her. She already knew it couldn't be anything good even as she strained closer to the half open door to hear the conversation inside.
"I want you to keep a close eye on your sister while she's here," Allister was saying, in that same deep, unconcerned voice she remembered so well.
"I'm not her baby-sitter, Father."
"Don't argue with me Julian," Allister warned in an irritated voice. "Just do as a say. Make sure she doesn't get into any trouble. She's caused enough bad publicity after that damned car accident in Paris."
"I still can't believe she was driving drunk. I always thought she hated alcohol."
"Well, I always knew she would scandalize this family one day. It was only a matter of time. She should have just stayed in Paris. I have enough to deal with here, without her getting in the way. And it won't be long before she starts dredging up the past and asking questions about that damned night."
She thought she heard Julian shudder, she couldn't imagine why. They'd told her that night never happened, it was just a nightmare.
"I'm flying to New York tonight."
"You're leaving tonight? It's Sheridan's first night home in five years."
"She can wait, business can't," he said and added an annoyed sigh. "Katherine should just have had an abortion, she might still be alive today but, I can't say that I miss her. She always thought I was a soulless bastard. She was always in the way, just like her daughter is in the way now. "
Julian didn't even blink, he'd gotten use to remarks like that, had forced himself to get use to them.
And Sheridan ran, escaping the house without being noticed, not that anyone ever did notice her. She ended up in town and walked to the Pierre. She stood by the water for hours and watched the sunset.
She didn't get it. She couldn't understand what it was about her that dissatisfied Allister to no end. He treated Julian with almost the same apathy as he did her but, Julian seemed to have grown immune to him. Julian didn't care really, he wanted only one thing from his father. Money and Power. So he kept his mouth shut and did everything Allister said.
And she might as well not exist for all the interest Allister had taken in her. A liability, as she'd once heard her father refer to her, she was in the way. He was convinced she would shame the family one day. And according to him, she'd already started. He didn't know what really happened in Paris. And, he would never know, because the truth wouldn't matter to him.
And her brother Julian was just too busy with his affairs and doing fathers bidding to notice her. Sometimes she would see the sympathy in his eyes, but he never said anything. Then how could he? it would displease father.
She was devastated when they sent her away to school, and then she was glad, it was a relief really. She wouldn't have to see her father's displeased looks and hear his hurtful words anymore. She'd returned on short visits on holidays over the years, and everytime she returned her father's coldness hurt a little less. It had been five years since her last visit and she'd thought she was over it, she'd thought she'd finally accepted but, it took only a few minutes for her to realize her father still had the power to crush her heart into pieces. He didn't even have to try, it came naturally to him.
She was only glad Ethan didn't have to live through the same coldness she did. Ivy kept him as far away from her husband and her father-in-law as possible. But it was different when it came to Ethan. Allister had always been partial to his eldest grandson. She supposed because he was a boy and the precious Crane heir. In any case, he was free from all the ugliness that filled the house. But not her.
The sun was long gone and she was still standing on the pierre, not wanting to go home. But, what choice did she have? She would have to return eventually. She realized then that she'd never ventured this far away from the mansion before. She'd snuck in and out of the house countless times, but she'd never actually left the grounds. She began walking, and at first she thought she recognized some things she'd passed on her way there but, the more she walked the more unfamiliar her surroundings became. She stopped and realized that she had no idea where she was. She was surrounded by trees, old buildings, old streets, all of which her mind failed to recognize. What could she do? It was late, and most of the shops were closed already. She'd never seen this part of the town before, not that she knew any part of Harmony well. A loud crash was heard from nearby and it sent her immediately into motion again. She walked faster not knowing where she was going, only that she had to get away from there. Dark streets, threatening shadows, deafening silence. She hugged her coat tighter, feeling fear rising. She was nearing a slightly better lit street when it happened. Someone lunged out from the side and grabbed her, pulling her into the black alley. She opened her mouth to scream but his hand was on her mouth pressing hard, muffling her cries. She couldn't see his face, it was too dark. He was tall and big and she could smell his sweaty scent. She began struggling but he was too strong, the hands that were holding her against the rough surface of the building wall were even more powerful. She stuck her elbow into his ribs, hearing his groan as his grip eased on her. She freed herself from him and didn't look back as she made a run towards the main street. But she didn't make it, tripping on the uneven alley ground. Her elbow hit harshly against something hard as she fell to the ground. Her mind had barely enough item to register the pain before she was grabbed again and pulled forcefully to her feet. He slammed her back against the wall, his breath rugged and hot on her face. And then he struck her in the jaw, hard, ripping a cry from her throat. "You're not getting away from me," he said into her ear, pressing himself hard against her. "I was just going to take your money, but your just too pretty to pass up." And then he was tearing at her clothes, yanking her jacket off of her which he couldn't do with releasing atleast on of her hands. Sheridan reached out and managed to claw his face before he grasped her hand again. "You bitch!" He struck her again, this time so hard that for a moment she only saw blackness.
"Freeze. Step away from her." Sheridan opened her eyes, a man stood just inside the alley. Her eyes were too blurred with tears to see clearly. She couldn't see his face either, only his silhouette against the street light behind him. "I said step away from her!"
Suddenly the man wasn't holding her anymore and she remained weakly against the wall, unmoving, not being able to move. She heard his foots steps as he took off running and the other man yelling after him to stop. What was happening? She could hear everything, but her mind seemed not want to focus.
She felt someone's hands on her again and she cried out, struggling to get away. Her arms were grasped so that she couldn't hit him.
"It's okay, I'm a police officer." Only then did she stop struggling and opened her eyes to look at him. But she couldn't see his face in the darkness.
"Please help me," she whispered and felt her legs give way. He had to tighten his grip on her arms to prevent her from falling. A moment later she was lifted into his arms and she closed her eyes and let him carry her.
She was placed into the passenger seat of a police car and he had to remove her hands from his shirt because she was clinging to him. When he came around and got in the car with her, she finally saw his face.
And he saw hers. Her face was bruised and she had a small cut on her left brow. He'd never seen her before. She looked young. She couldn't be a hooker, she didn't look like one and her clothes looked far too conservative and expensive. She was shaking, silently staring out of the windshield. It worried him. He reached out to touch her shoulder and she jerked away as if he'd burned her. Her back was pressed against the passenger door and she looked at him with fear in her eyes. "It's okay," he said very slowly and gently. "I'm not going to hurt you."
He noticed her torn blouse, and then she noticed it too. She covered herself with her arms and looked away.
"Here," he said shrugging off his police jacket and draping it over her shoulders. She only flinched a little this time when he touched her. He watched her hold the edges of his jacked tightly around her, her knuckles were scraped and bloody. "I'm taking you to the hospital."
"No," she said suddenly in a desperate voice. "Please, I don't want to go to the hospital."
"You're hurt."
"I'm fine. Please. Just take me home. I don't need to go to the hospital." She sounded completely terrified of the hospital, why?
"Okay, I won't take you to the hospital," he said. "What's your name?"
She didn't answer for a long moment, then quietly she said, "Sheridan."
"I've never known anyone with that name before," he said with a small smile. "Are you going to tell me your last name?"
She seemed kind of hesitant when she said, "Crane."
Luis stiffened, and he saw that she noticed. "You're a Crane?"
She lowered her eyes, and nodded.
"What were you doing down here?"
"I...I got lost."
He didn't ask anymore questions after that and Sheridan was grateful. She sensed that he didn't like her family very much, but then not many people did. She turned her face towards the window and remained that way until they pulled up in front of the mansion. She should have told him to take her to the cottage, she realized with alarm. But he was already out of the car and opening her door.
"Is your father home?" He asked. He sounded like he was talking to a child.
"I think so."
She looked lost, he wondered what she was thinking. "Look, we'll find the guy who did this. Did you see his face?"
She shook her head, hugging herself. She was trembling, she hadn't stopped trembling. He wanted to take her hand, and comfort her but he didn't. "I didn't either," he said instead. "It was too dark."
He was about to ring the door bell and she wanted to stop him. But she was suddenly incapable of speech. "My name is Luis. When your ready, I want you to come to the police station to make a report.. And maybe by then you'll remember something about him that will help us catch him." She was silent again, not meeting his gaze. He turned to look at her beside him. "Okay?"
She just nodded without looking at him. A maid answered the door, and Luis had to take her hand when she hesitated going inside and lead her into the elegant foyer.
Even though his mother had worked for the Cranes as long as he could remember, he'd never actually seen the inside of the Mansion. He'd refused to set foot inside the house. He looked around the richly furnished room, then looked at Sheridan, who was sitting in the middle of a very expensive looking sofa looking like she didn't belong in that house anymore than he did. She was silent, too silent. A moment later, a man came down the stairs, he was much older than Sheridan, but not old enough to be her father. Luis recognized him, it was Julian Crane. He froze inside the room, his gaze moving from him to the girl sitting on the couch. "Where the hell have you been? we were expecting you for dinner," he said. Sheridan looked up at him, as if coming out of a daze. Julian frowned, noticing for the first time the bruises on her face and hands. "What in the world happened to you?"
She didn't get a chance to answer as an older man entered the room from an entry way at the back of the room, a much younger woman trailing after him, who looked to be his secretary. He was dressed in a black suit, his face and hair old, his eyes hard. Luis had never seen the man before but he knew who he was. Just as the man before him, his gaze went first to Luis then shifted to Sheridan. "What happened?" he asked, his voice deep and emotionless. Although he was staring down at his daughter, Luis knew the question was directed to him.
"You're daughter was attacked. The suspect got away."
"Where did this happen?" He said, again in that uncaring voice that irritated the hell out of Luis. There wasn't even a flicker of worry for his daughter in the old man's eyes, just growing irritation. He had to be a very cold person, Luis realized.
Luis looked at Sheridan, she was still silent, not saying a word, staring down at the coffee table.
"In Breckwood, near the docks," he replied, and watched Allister Cranes face harden even more as he stared at his daughter.
"What the hell were you doing down there?"
She finally looked up. "I'm sorry, Father. I was-"
"Oh just shut up. I don't even want to bother hearing your pathetic excuses," he said, so cruelly that all Luis could do was stare.
She lowered her eyes to the coffee table again and Luis watched a single tear escape her eye and slid slowly down her pale cheek. Allister was saying something about bad publicity but Luis wasn't paying attention. He was looking at the young girl on the sofa, suddenly wishing he'd never brought her home. He should have just taken her to the hospital, at least there she wouldn't have had to deal with her father for a while.
"I don't have time for this," Allister announced abruptly, glancing at his wrist watch. "I have a plane to catch. I'll be gone for a week. I'll deal with you when I get back."
Luis couldn't believe his ears. His daughter had just been brutally attacked and he had a plane to catch? What kind of man was he? By reputation, Luis knew Allister Crane was a cold ruthless businessman, but how could he treat his own daughter do cruelly. He felt his hands clench into fists but still he said nothing. It wasn't any of his business. How Allister Crane treated his daughter, or any member of his family, was no concern of his. He was just there to do a job, he'd done his job.
"This is your own fault," he added with disgust. "If you hadn't been where you're not supposed to be, none of this would have happened. "
Luis couldn't stay silent any longer. In an expressionless tone he said, "I don't see how what happened could be your daughters fault, Mr. Crane." The old man stiffened and Sheridan glanced up at him too. "Whether or not she should have been down there alone, she is the victim. And she didn't go there by her own will, she got lost."
Allister was looking at him with a hateful gleam in his eyes. "Well, at least she learned a lesson from this. Next time my daughter will think twice before deciding to roam the streets alone at night," he said calmly and Luis just wanted to hit him. "Thank you for bringing Sheridan home, Officer," he added pointedly but Luis didn't budge. "Take her upstairs and get her cleaned up," he instructed the maid that had answered the door. Then, he turned and nodded to his young secretary who followed him out of the mansion.
"Sheridan? Oh my God, what happened?" It was his mother, he hadn't even noticed her come into the room. Sheridan's gaze immediately went to her, and she sprang up from the sofa and into her arms. And for the first time since he'd met the young woman, he saw her cry. She hadn't cried until now, he supposed she'd been in shock before. He could see her shoulders shaking with deep painful sobs he knew she'd been holding back all night. He hated that his mother worked for the Cranes but, right now he was glad she was there for Sheridan. Luis glanced at Julian, standing by the fireplace, who had been drinking himself into a stupor the whole time. He suddenly couldn't wait to get out of that damned house. He hadn't been there more than 20 minutes and already he knew the cold ugliness that fill the place. He nodded towards his mother, then let the maid show him out.
***
Sheridan sat on the edge of the bed as a maid attended to her cuts and bruises. She could taste the blood from her cut lip. Pilar was there stroking her hair, telling her she would be fine. But she didn't feel fine at all. She was still wearing the officer's jacket, clutching the front edges tightly around her, trying to stop trembling. The doctor came moments later, and only then did she take off the jacket. Her face was throbbing, as was her bruised elbow. The doctor said it wasn't broken but it still hurt like hell. And then finally she was left alone to rest. She took a hot shower but no matter how hard she scrubbed she knew she couldn't wash off the ugly memories. The way that faceless man had made her feel, the way he still made her feel. She wouldn't forget his voice or his brutal hands on her body. He was still out there, and maybe he would come back for her. She felt fear creep into her body. She came out of the shower and got into bed. She was in one of the rooms at the mansion, it was beautiful and cold like the rest of the house. She saw the pale green jacket drapped over the chair at the dressing table. She slipped out of bed, put the jacket on over her cotton nightgown and hugged it close. For some reason it gave her comfort wearing it, made her feel safe. Slipping under the covers again, she closed her eyes for a few moments feeling exhaustion fill her body, but she knew she wasn't going to sleep that night.
Chapter 2
Luis felt unsettled as he tried to concentrate on the stacks of files on his desk, which wasn't surprising since he hated paperwork. But that wasn't what had him moving in his chair restlessly and checking his watch every 10 minutes. He hadn't been able to fall asleep until late last night either, which would explain the edgy mood he was in this morning. Usually stress kept him up all night but not last night, a woman had kept him from falling asleep until the early hours of dawn. He kept thinking about Sheridan Crane, worrying about her. Which was absurd, he didn't even know her. He'd spent not a total of one hour with her last night. Still, he kept seeing the look in her eyes, the fear, the uncertainty, the sadness.
Too consumed in thoughts he didn't understand, he barely heard what the officer standing in front of his desk was saying. He looked up at him, then at the young woman standing just behind him. The first thing he noticed were her huge eyes that were the most beautiful blue he'd ever seen. She didn't look as young as she did last night, her long blond hair was combed and tucked neatly behind her ears. The bruises on her right cheek and jaw had turned a dark pink, clashing against the rest of her white flawless skin, or of what little he saw of it. She wore a white sweater over a pale blue dress that seemed to continue past her knees but Luis wasn't sure from his seat behind his desk.
"Miss Crane, I wasn't expecting you so soon," he said, not realizing he was completely ignoring the man standing next to her.
When she stepped up beside the officer, Luis saw that she was much taller than him. It sent a smile tugging at the corners of his lips but he hide it, keeping his expression serious. There was a questioning look on officer Reed's face when Luis had said her name, but he shrugged and walked off towards his own work station in the front of the room. Which reminded Luis of his own opinion of the Cranes. He hated them.
"I didn't sleep last night, I wanted to come and get this over with," she explained nervously. "I brought your jacket, thanks for letting me use it."
Luis watched her drape his pale green jacket over the back of the chair in front of her, her eyes thoughtful as she stared down at it for a moment.
He gestured his hand towards the chair opposite him, and she sat down, letting her gaze wander over his desk before meeting his gaze again. She didn't look at all comfortable and she didn't look at him. Long delicate fingers were nervously fidgeting with the straps of the purse on her lap, while unconsciously she chewed on her bottom lip. She was staring down at his desk again.
She looked either like a criminal being interrogated or simply a young woman who was still getting over the frightening incident of last night. Which she wasn't going to get over anytime soon. It isn't every day a woman is savagely attacked and almost raped in some dark alley.
"Are you all right?" he asked in a very low voice but still managed to startle her.
"I'm fine," she said quickly, finally meeting his eyes again.
"You look nervous."
Her gaze wandered towards the front door where a drunken man in handcuffs was being lead into the station by a tall middle aged officer. He was grumbling a line of profanities that Sheridan barely understood. "I am, a little."
"Are you hungry?"
Her eyes shot to his, her brows creased in confusion. "What?"
"I asked if you're hungry. I don't know about you but I'm starving. I didn't have time for breakfast this morning."
She realized she hadn't eaten since lunchtime yesterday and now reminded of food she felt famished. "I haven't had breakfast either," she murmured distractedly. "You're Pilar's son?"
She was staring at his badge but he found himself unable to look away from her face. "Yes."
"I didn't realize. You only told me your first name last night."
"Well, now you know. Come on, let's get out of here."
***
He took her to the Book Cafe, which was a few blocks away from the police station. The woman at the counter was petite and pretty and seemed to recognize Luis immediately. Sheridan realized just how well they knew each other when she leaned over the counter and kissed Luis on the mouth and he kissed her back. Sheridan couldn't understand why she felt weird witnessing this innocent act of intimacy between two people who obviously were a couple. She looked away, letting her gaze drift over the comfortable cafe. Why hadn't it occurred to her before now that he must have a girlfriend? He was very attractive, of course he would have a girlfriend. He obviously cared allot about her, loved her. The kiss was over, 15 seconds Sheridan guessed, yet she felt an odd sense of unease nonetheless.
When the woman finally did notice her, she winced at seeing the bruise on her face. Sheridan couldn't help but lift a hand to self-consciously cover her right cheek.
"That must hurt," she said sympathetically.
She lowered her hand and folded them across her middle, not knowing what else to do with them. "It does."
"Beth, this is Sheridan Crane," Luis said, finally introducing the two women.
"You're Sheridan Crane?" she asked disbelievingly. "I thought you looked familiar. Weren't you in a car accident in Paris a couple months ago?"
It was a casual enough question, but Sheridan felt a rush of embarrassment. Like everyone else, Beth probably read about the incident in the tabloids, or their version of it.
Unlike Beth and most of the citizens of Harmony, Luis wasn't interested in knowing the Crane's business. He wouldn't know anything about their personal lives, let alone some car accident Sheridan Crane was in. Luis looked at Sheridan, their eyes connecting briefly before she glanced away. She looked embarrassed and uncomfortable when she said, "Yes, I was." And he sensed she didn't want to talk about it, so he reminded her of why they were there and ordered their breakfast.
"She's Pretty, your fiancee." She said as they settled down at a table at the back of the cafe.
"How did you know we're engaged?"
"I saw the ring on her finger."
"You're very observant," he said taking a sip of his coffee, then setting the cup back down before he continuing. "That's a good thing. So do you remember anything about the man who attacked you last night?"
"No, I wouldn't be able it identify him if he were caught." she said. "But he had a light mustache and beard, I felt it."
"Anything else?"
"I scratched his face. I think it was the left side."
"That's good. At least now we know to look out for a guy with a beard and a scratched up face," he said with a smile but saw that she wasn't smiling. Her huge eyes were still filled with cold fear.
"So far, it looks like this was just a mugging and an attempted rape."
"Do you think he knows who I am?"
"Did he take any personal items, your purse?"
"I didn't have it with me, but he ripped my coat off, my keys were in there. The key chain was a gift from a friend, it had my name inscribed on it."
"I don't think he had the coat with him when he ran off but it's not unlikely he came back for it later."
"So my coat could still be there?"
"It's possible. If you want I could drive over there and check it out. Maybe you should come along, you might remember something else that could be helpful in finding this guy."
"Okay."
"I'll tell Beth to wrap up our breakfast to go."
She looked down at her untouched pastry and nodded.
***
The coat wasn't there and he could visibly see the dread on her face.
He told himself it was because he was a cop that felt this protectiveness towards her. But he wasn't sure if that's all it was. "Don't worry, anyone could have taken it."
"What if he took it? What if he knows who I am?" In the light of the day, the alley wasn't so threatening, but the feeling of what happened to her there last night still scared her enough to stay close to Luis.
"Even if that was the case, I don't think he'll come after you again but you can never be too careful," he said, hating to scare her but wanting to warn her. "Until this guy is caught I think it's best if you don't go anywhere alone. "
She nodded weakly before following him back to the car.
***
They were passing the pier when she turned in her seat to look out the side window. "Stop the car."
Her voice broke into his thoughts and he braked, a little too abruptly. Pulling to the side of the road he turned to stare at her. "What?" he asked but she didn't answer as she got out of the car. He got out as well, walking to where she stood and staring down over the railed cliff at the pier below and the ocean that stretched beyond it. He didn't see anything out of the ordinary as far as his eyes could see, but something had obviously caught her attention. "What is it?"
"Is that a carnival they're setting up?"
He followed her gaze a short distance to the carnival which was in fact in the process of being set up.
"Looks like it," he said, unable to understand why she was so fascinated by that. When he brought his gaze back to look at her beside him, he found he couldn't take his eyes off of her. Long strands of hair were blowing softly with the breeze, touching the smooth skin of her face and neck. He watch a thin strand brush against her soft full lips, lips he suddenly wanted to kiss very much. "They hold the carnival every summer," he heard himself say. He knew he was staring. He didn't care.
"I wouldn't know," she murmured softly, looking down at the pier almost longingly.
"How old were you when you left Harmony?" He asked a and saw her expression change.
Sheridan thought back to the night before she was sent away. She felt a chill wash over her and hugged her arms around herself. She didn't like thinking about it. Even now, nine years later, she still woke up at night in a cold sweat, screaming. No doctors, psychiatrists, or therapists, her father hired, could take the memory of that night away. Only she wasn't sure if it even was a memory. She'd been told so many times that nothing happened. She'd imagined it. It was just a nightmare and nothing more. So why was it still haunting her?
"Sheridan?"
She turned to find him staring at her, confusion and concern on his face.
"What's wrong?" he asked, lifting a hand to touch her arm.
"Nothing," she replied shakily. "Let's go."
Before he could say anything more, she was already walking towards the car. It was obvious she didn't want to talk about it and he didn't want to pressure her.
***
"Why don't you live in the mansion?" he asked when she told him to drop her off at the cottage.
"I don't like it there," she said simply. "Thanks for driving me home."
He opened the door for her, and she flinched in pain when he touched her arm. "Sorry. I forgot about your elbow."
"It's okay. It hurts even more now then it did last night."
"Call me if anything happens."
"Thanks."
He watched until she was inside her cottage before getting in the car and driving away. He couldn't believe he'd spent the whole morning with a Crane, who would have thought?
Sheridan slipped off her sweater and lay down on the couch. She turned on the television but within minutes she fell asleep. When she woke up, the room was dark. She sat up, switching on the lamp by the sofa and checking the time. It was close to 8 p.m., she'd been asleep since 10:30. The phone began to ring, and she contemplated whether to answer it. It was most likely a family member and she wasn't in the mood for a lecture. Ignoring the annoying ringing she went to the kitchen to get some ice for her elbow, but the ringing continued. She finally answered it in the kitchen. "Hello?"
"I know who you are."
That voice. It was him. She felt paralyzed as she held the phone to her ear, tears filling her eyes. "Who are you?"
"You'll find out very soon."
Chapter 3
In her blind panic, Sheridan was barely able to calm down long enough to grab a butcher knife from the counter and call Luis. Sinking to the floor in a corner where she could see the adjoining door that lead into the kitchen, she held the card Luis had given her with shaky fingers, dialed his number and waited. By the time he answered, tears were blurring her vision. She blinked them back, focusing on the door, gripping the knife harder.
"Officer Lopez-Fitzerald."
"Luis?"
"Sheridan? Are you all right? What''s wrong?"
"H-he knows who I am. He-"
His heart twisted hearing the panic in her voice. And he felt fear crash through his own body. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"No."
He heard her soft sobs and was already out of the station, rushing towards his car. "Are you at the cottage?"
"Yes."
His connection began to break up and he realized his cell phone was low on battery. She was saying something but he couldn't hear her. He only heard static and rising panic in her voice.
"Luis?"
"Don't move, Sheridan. I'll be right there."
The dial tone sounded and Sheridan's heart sank painfully. She gripped the knife in her hands, drawing her knees up even closer to her chest. She realized she was trembling. She couldn't move, she couldn't do anything. She prayed that Luis would get there soon.
***
Luis knocked on her door, feeling the unfamiliar sense of panic intensify when she didn't answer. He slammed his fist harder against the wood, calling her name. He was about ready to knock the door down when he heard the sound of the lock turning. The door flew open and then she was in his arms. Luis wrapped his arms around her shaking body, holding her tightly.
"Sheridan, it's okay. I'm here." He gently set her away from him. Her eyes were wide and filled with tears. "Are you okay? What happened?"
Her mind was so numb with fear she could barely answer. "He knows who I am," she said only.
He lead her inside, urging her to sit down in an armchair while he took a seat on the coffee table in front of her. "Just calm down and tell me exactly what happened."
Her hands were linked on her lap and she clasped them together firmly to stop them from shaking. She didn't meet his gaze. "He called me on the phone," she said in a low voice. "He said he knows who I am."
"How do you know it was him?"
"I recognized his voice."
"Did he say anything else?"
Sheridan remembered every word and they made her sick with fear. "I dropped the phone but I could still hear him talking. He said I was a Allister Crane's little spoiled bitch daughter and that I was going to get what's coming to me. He was going to make sure of it." She bit her trembling lip and wiped her cheeks. "What does he want from me, Luis? What did I ever do to him?" she asked in a pained voice that made Luis hands curl into fists. And he wanted to kill the bastard who was doing this to her.
He reached out and touched her damp cheek and she looked up to meet his gaze. He could see that she was just as confused by his gesture as he was feeling. But, he couldn't help it. He needed to feel her, comfort her. "I won't let him hurt you," he said and only reluctantly dropped his hand from her face. He realized how much he hated seeing her cry, and that thought made him uneasy to his bones. Made him get up and move away from her.
"I'm just gonna call the station and let them know what's going on," he said picking up the cordless phone and and turning back to look at her. He watched Sheridan lean back wearily against the armchair and hug her arms around herself. He wanted to wrap his arms around her, hold her until she felt safe again. But that wasn't part of his job, cop or no cop. She looked withdrawn, distant, like she had been in the book cafe that morning and he had to wonder what she was thinking. He let his gaze sweep over her, not missing a single inch. He noticed her painted toe nails, the tiny heart shaped birthmark on her left ankle, her long tanned legs, her light blue cotton dress that matched her eyes perfectly, her bare arms that he could see now that she wasn't wearing the sweater, the smooth skin of her slender neck, her silky long hair that flowed down to her elbows. He couldn't see her eyes, they were cast down, shadowed by her thick lashes. And then Sam asked if he was okay and Luis realized he had stopped paying attention to him some time ago. Luis turned away from Sheridan so that he wouldn't have to see how soft and pink her lips were, or think about how they would feel pressed against his. This was crazy. It was more than crazy, it was down right insane. She was a Crane. He hated Cranes. And then there was the matter of his engagement. To Beth, the woman he'd asked to marry and spend the rest of her life with. Why was that fact so hard to remember when he was with Sheridan, someone he'd barely known for two days?
When he'd explained the situation to Sam, he walked to the sofa and sat down. She looked at him as if coming out of a dream. She seemed to have been in her own world.
"I don't want to frighten you anymore than you already are, but I need know if there's anyone you know who would want to hurt you? Or your family?"
She hugged her arms around herself more tightly, trying not to tremble as she recalled the phone conversation that had terrified to her soul. "No," she answered quietly then realized what he was getting at. "You think he has something against my family?"
"It's possible. Just about everyone in this town does?"
She stared at him silently for a few moments, then in a soft voice he had to strain to hear, she asked, "What about you?"
He chose to misunderstand her question. "What about me?"
"Why do you hate my family?"
Was it that obvious, he wondered. He hadn't said anything against her family, not directly anyway, nothing to make her believe he hated them. But, he also knew her talent for keen observation first hand. She would defintely make an excellent detective. "I'll be honest. I'm not the Crane's biggest fan."
Her gaze didn't waver, neither did her voice. "You're not answering the question."
"It's a long story and I don't like talking about it," he said calmly. "My opinion of your family has nothing to do me protecting you. When it comes to my job, I treat all the citizens of Harmony equally, and that includes the Cranes."
She gave him a weak nod, dropping her gaze to her lap. " I don't trust many people," she said in a low voice. "But I trust you."
"Why?"
"I feel safe with you."
"I won't let him touch you again." She looked up at him again and he saw some of her fear had faded.
There was another stretch of silence, but it was interrupted when she asked," How long have you been a cop?"
Luis knew her question was for the sake of conversation. She seemed to be just as aware of that uneasy silence between them as he was. Talking was good. Talking kept his mind off other things that he was better off not thinking about. "Not long. But, don't worry, I'm very good at my job."
"Could you stay the night?" She waited for his answer with uncertainty. She hadn't wanted to ask him but she didn't want to be alone either.
"I wasn't planning on leaving," he said.
"Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me, Sheridan. I'm just doing my job." Just doing his job, he repeated silently to himself, wanting to believe that that was all he was doing. There was that uneasy silence between them again, one that he needed to end urgently. "How about some coffee?" he said suddenly and she looked at him with a mix of confusion and uncertainty.
"Sure," she replied finally and disappeared through the hallway.
Sheridan grimaced at the unused coffeemaker. She could have coffee sent over from the mansion but she didn't want Luis to think she was completely helpless. The least she could do was make him some coffee. How hard could it be?
Luis dialed Beth's number to cancel their plans for the evening. She would be disappointed and maybe even angry. It was the second time that week he'd had to cancel because of his job.
She answered on the second ring, somehow already knowing it would be him. "Luis?"
"Yeah, it's me."
"Where are you? You were supposed to pick me up 15 minutes ago."
She sounded angry as he'd expected her to be. "I know, and I'm sorry."
"Please don't tell me you're going to break our date again."
"I'm afraid so. I'm sorry, Beth."
There was a pause at the other end of the line, then a frustrated sigh. "Not as sorry as I am."
"I'll make it up to you baby, I promise."
"You better," she said softening her tone. "Should I wait up?"
"No. I won't be coming over tonight."
Another pause. "So, what kind of job is it?" There was a hint of suspicion in her voice Luis heard loud and clear.
"I'll explain later, okay? I have to go now, Beth. Good night."
"Good night. And, yes, you will explain later."
He replaced the phone on it's cradle, staring down at it for a long moment. When he turned around from the window, he saw Sheridan in the doorway, holding a dark blue mug in her hand.
"I'm sorry," she said walking into the room and handing it to him. "I shouldn't have asked you to stay. I didn't realize you had plans with your fiancee." Actually she'd forgotten he even had a fiancee.
"Sheridan, I would have stayed anyway."
"But what about Beth?"
"Beth and I will have many other nights to spend together. She knows cancelled plans comes with being involved with a cop."
"She seemed disappointed, you must be disappointed," she said urgently. "You know I'm feeling much better now. I'll be fine, you don't have to stay."
"I want to. I'm not going to leave you here all by yourself."
"I'll be fine. It was just a phone call," she said, even though terror ripped through her just thinking about it, remembering his voice. His promise. "I don't think I'm in any danger. Besides, he can't get past Crane security."
"Well, I'm not going to take a chance with your life. And trust me, it's very easy to get past the security in this place. I know, because my mother works here and I come and go as I please."
His concern for her warmed her heart. It was an odd feeling. She wasn't use to it, someone actually caring what happened to her. But, like he said, he was just doing his job. Somehow the thought disappointed her and she wasn't sure she wanted to know the reason behind it.
"I spoke to Sam about your case. He thinks he can have an officer assigned to protect you full time until this guy is caught."
"Who's Sam?"
"He's the Chief of Police, and a close friend," he said and lifted the cup to his lips. He took a sip and swallowed it down like a mouthful of pebbles. She was watching him intently.
"You don't like the coffee?"
Clearing his throat, Luis gave her a half smile. "It's good," he lied and he knew he wasn't convincing anyone. He never was very good at lying. "It's just a little strong." And extremely sweet. It was like drinking coffee flavored syrup.
"Sorry," she replied softly. She wasn't about to admit it was the first cup of coffee she'd ever made in her life. He was watching her. She realized she was wringing her hands together and dropped them back at her sides. She always did that when she was nervous, and right now she was nervous. It was the funny thing about Luis. He could make her feel safe and at the same time, uneasy as hell. "I, uh, don't have an extra bedroom."
"That's fine. I can sleep on the couch."
Sheridan nodded and bit her lip bottom lip. She watched his gaze drop to her mouth and nervous didn't describe what she was suddenly feeling. She felt the need to say something, break the silence. "Are you sure you don't mind?"
"Well, it's either the couch or I bunk with you." He was joking, but she wasn't laughing. She actually looked embarrassed, stunned even. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that."
"It's..it's okay," she stammered and tried to smile but failed miserably. She only prayed her cheeks weren't as red as they felt. "I'll go get you sheets."
She was gone in a flash and he found himself smiling in the empty livingroom at the way she'd blushed. When was the last time he'd actually seen a girl blush? It was nice and very attractive. God, he needed to stop this. It would be much easier if Sheridan was more like her family. He could focus on his job and walk away when it was over. But he knew he couldn't walk away from her, not now anyway. As for later, well, he would deal with it when the time came.
Chapter 4
The living room was dark and chilly but rather than make use of the fireplace, Luis grabbed his undershirt draped over the back of the armchair and pulled it on. Then he laid back down on the couch and returned his gaze to the ceiling he'd been staring at for the past two hours. The clock on the mantel indicated the approaching dawn but, he was wide awake, unable to sleep. He'd woken up exactly two hours before to the sound of rain pattering heavily on the roof top and the wind loud and violent against the windows, rattling the shutters of the cottage every few minutes with a forceful blow. It was odd, the weather last night had been warm and calm, and now it was it was anything but. At least Sheridan didn't seem to be aware of the storm outside, her room was silent and she was probably sound asleep. He'd heard her moving restlessly in bed for hours last night before finally settling into sleep, and he'd followed sometime later. It was two thirty in the morning when he was coaxed out of sleep by the violent wind outside and an odd sense of worry. But all was still and quiet when he'd snuck a peak into Sheridan's room through the open door to check on her. Still, he hadn't been able to fall back asleep.
Finally giving up trying, he sat up, switched the lamp on the end table on and looked around the room for the TV remote, though he doubted anything worth watching was on at this hour. Maybe he could bore himself to sleep. He spotted the controller on the floor next to the armchair and hated that he would have to get up to fetch it. But the sound of movements stilled him to his spot on the couch. It was Sheridan. He could hear her thrashing around in bed, mumbling words he couldn't make out. But, her voice was pained, muffled...grabbing his gun from the coffee table, he was off the couch and in her room in a flash. But, he found her alone in bed, crying out still. "No, no please. I didn't mean it. Please, I didn't mean it."
Luis crossed the dark room to the bed, her eyes were closed and he realized she was sleeping. Setting his gun down on the night stand, he sat down on the edge of the bed beside her and grabbed a hold of one of her hands that was moving as restlessly as the rest of her body. "Sheridan?"
He wasn't sure if he should be waking her up, but her nightmare was obviously horrible enough to cause real tears to stream down her face. "Sheridan, wake up," he said gently, cupping both of her shoulders and trying to hold her still.
"I didn't mean it. Please don't send me away. I-"
Even in the darkened room he still saw the terror in her eyes when she opened them. She started to struggle even more trying to get away from him. "Let me go!"
Luis realized he was holding her down against the bed in the dark when she'd just come out of a frightening dream. He released her immediately and she lurched up in bed, pushing at him and trying to untangle herself for the bed covers.
He grabbed a hold of her hand. "Sheridan, it's okay. It's me, Luis. Calm down, I'm not going to hurt you."
"Luis?" she stopped and turned to stare at him blankly. "I'm sorry," she whispered after a moment, her breathing hard and labored. He realized she hadn't known it was him she was struggling to get away from. He'd almost scared the life out of her.
"I heard you crying out so I came in to see if you were okay," he explained slowly, turning on the small bedside lamp. He should have done that before he'd tried to wake her up, but it hadn't occured to him then.
She leaned back weakly against the headboard, her chest heaving. Her hair was hanging loose around her pale face, her forehead damp with sweat, her bruised cheek visible in the dim light. She was staring past his shoulders at the door.
"Are you okay?" he asked gently. She brought her distracted gaze to his again, her eyes silently searching his.
"Was I talking in my sleep?"
The strained worry in her voice sent a million questions through his mind. She was afraid of what he'd heard her say in her sleep. "Yeah. You were saying you didn't mean to do it. What didn't you mean to do?" he asked, and watched the worry in her eyes grow into fear.
She looked away not saying anything. The image was so fresh in her mind it sent a chilling shiver down her spine at the mere thought. She looked down at her hands that were always covered in blood in her nightmares.
"Sheridan?"
"I...I don't remember," she said finally. He knew she was lying to him. She did remember and he had the feeling there was much more to her nightmare. The cop in him wanted to ask questions, get to the bottom of the mystery but he wasn't going to do it. He wouldn't pressure her. She would tell him when she was ready, whenever that may be. He was willing to wait.
"You're trembling," he said quietly, watching her.
She was, quite uncontrollably. Sheridan shut her eyes and tried to stop the tears that were threatening to fall. She felt his hands close around her upper arms, then very slowly he eased her into his arms. She didn't pull away, accepting his comfort, the safe warmth of his body, and let him hold her until she had stopped shaking. Her eyelids were heavy with fatigue, her whole body felt weak and worn out. But she was afraid to go back to sleep, she knew the images that were waiting to invade her mind the moment she closed her eyes again. "Could you stay with me until I fall asleep?" she asked, then regretted it. She knew it wasn't a good idea. What if she would start having her nightmare of that night again and might say something in her sleep again. She'd seen the suspicion in his eyes, right along with with the concern. But, she didn't care right now. Right now all she wanted was peace, she wanted to feel safe, it was the only thing she could think about. She felt both in his arms right now, and she wasn't ready to let it go. She'd meet him two days ago, and she trusted him with her life.
Luis pulled away from her, looking down into her eyes. "Sure," he said. Just until she fell asleep, he could handle that. But, he knew it would be crossing the lines of his duty as a police officer. He'd crossed it already when he'd come into her room. Sheridan moved to the opposite end of the bed, making sure there was plenty of space between them. Before she laid down and pulled the covers higher to cover herself, Luis noticed she was wearing white cotton pajamas with little pink hearts on them, then his gaze wandered to the empty spot she'd just vacated for him. He didn't get under the covers, he didn't think Sheridan would be comfortable if he did, and the uncertain look on her face told him he was right, so he stretched out on top of the comforter instead, then switched off the lamp. The room was dark again as he stared at the ceiling above him. The wind was still howling outside and the rain still pounding down above them, but the sound he was most aware of was Sheridan's soft steady breathing. He finally turned to look at her a long time later but her face was turned away. He was glad.
***
Luis woke up the next morning and was instantly aware of Sheridan's heat. Somehow during the night he'd ended up under the covers with her. She was lying against him, her arm wrapped loosely around his middle, one of her legs between his. He turned his head on the pillow to look at her lying next him, she was still asleep. Unable to resist, he lifted his hand and very gently traced her jaw with the tips of his fingers. He could have lain there watching her sleep forever, but his touch woke her. She opened her eyes slowly and Luis found himself staring right into them. He didn't think. Just leaned forward and caught her lips with his, finding them soft and moist. Just one little kiss, he told himself, even as he knew one taste of her wouldn't be enough. That's why he had to stop, now, before things really got out of hand. Luis drew back and looked at her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that."
"Yes, you did," she whispered and a moment later felt his hand cup her face and draw her mouth to his again. His tongue was in her mouth, stroking hers and his hands were on her body, caressing her through the thick cotton of her clothes.
The way she kissed him back sent desire hot and urgent burning through him. He wanted more. He wanted all of her. It would be so easy to pull of her clothes and slide inside her. Forgetting everything except his need for her, Luis pulled her full against him and heard her startled gasp when she felt his arousal.
Her reaction was like an alarm clocking waking him abruptly for the most wonderful dream. It suddenly reminded him of the many reasons he couldn't do this, shouldn't do this. He drew back from her and felt disappointment through every inch of his body. "I can't do this," he said sitting up and distancing himself from her. He could plainly see the hurt and embarrassment on her face.
"Don't get me wrong, Sheridan. I want to. God, I want to so badly right now. But, not like this. It's unprofessional. Not to mention I'm engaged."
Reality struck her hard, and she looked away from him. "Right. Beth," she murmured softly, her voice distant. "For a few moments I forgot."
"You and me both." He almost reached out and touched her again but stopped him just in time. He was there to protect her, not seduce her into bed.
She was relieved when his cell phone began to ring in the living room and he left the room to answer it. Because in another minute she wouldn't have been able to hold back her tears. She could hear his voice in the next room as she got out of bed and stood by the window, noticing for the first time that it was raining. Then she went into the bathroom to take shower before Luis could come back and tell her more reasons why he couldn't be with her. And, shred her heart even more.
Chapter 5
Stupid. That was the only way to describe his behavior. Completely, utterly, stupid. There were so many reasons he shouldn't have done what he'd done. The number one reason being the fact that he was engaged. He'd been angered by the suspicion in Beth's voice last night, but now he knew she had a right to be suspicious. Obviously he couldn't be trusted. To be faithful or to do his job properly. He wasn't exactly feeling to good about himself after almost taking advantage of Sheridan, either. That was what he'd done, taken advantage of her. She hadn't asked him to spend the whole night with her, just until she fell asleep. Which he'd done, but had ended up falling asleep right along with her. Even so, he should have left the moment he opened his eyes this morning but he hadn't. What he'd done was stay right where he was, and kissed her and almost made love to her. Would it have gone that far? The only thing that had stopped him was her reaction when he'd pulled her against him. It wasn't hard to figure out she'd never been intimate with a man before. He remembered thinking she looked young the first time he'd seen her, but exactly how young was she, he wondered with sudden alarm. Never mind his engagement, that fact was trivial compared to the fact that he very well could lose his job if she turned out to be a minor. God, he really hadn't been using his head.
Sheridan wiped a hand over the fogged bathroom mirror and gazed at her reflection. The bruise stretching across the left side of her face stood out darkly against her pale skin. At Least it didn't hurt as much any more. Which, was more than she could say for her elbow. She'd accidentally banged it against the shower door, and the dull sore of the already injured and healing elbow had turned back into a painful throb that went all the way to her bone.
But her aching arm wasn't the reason she'd taken her time in the shower. She wanted to give herself as much time as possible before facing Luis again. She still wasn't ready. Instead of letting her hair air dry as usual, she decided to blow dry it instead. Which would be no easy task with an injured arm but it would give her an excuse not to go back into the living room sooner.
By the time she finished drying her hair and dressing, it was past ten of o'clock. She stood by her window for a few minutes longer watching the dull rain outside, then regretfully she left the comforting silence of her bedroom. Luis was standing in front of the window by the door, his back turned to her. He must have sensed her presence, as he turned around to face her a moment later. He moved closer but kept more space between them than was necessary considering the inevitable conversation she knew was coming. She'd tried to prepare for it for the past hour, and she knew it didn't matter how he chose to say it, it would hurt all the same.
He stared at her for a moment, not sure how to exactly ask what he needed to without making her angry. It was a reasonable enough question, he told himself. So he decided to just ask it and get it over with. "Sheridan, how old are you?"
Her silent reaction was exactly what he'd expected. There was confusion in her stare and unmistakable anger. He waited.
Okay so that wasn't what she'd been expecting him to say but that didn't mean he wasn't going to get to it eventually. "Why do you ask?" She knew why he was asking, she just wanted to make him squirm a little while longer. Judging from the uncertain look on his face and the way he'd asked, he'd already been anticipating her reaction.
His jaw set impatiently then relaxed again. "Just curious," he said, his voice as light and unwavering as before.
"Just curious or are you afraid I'm younger than you initially thought I was?"
She was too smart for her own good, he thought grudgingly. But he couldn't lie to her. He didn't like the idea of dishonesty between them and he sensed she didn't either. "Both."
She stared, long and hard, then said, "Eighteen."
Luis couldn't hide his relief. Though in his opinion she was still too young.
"Do you want some breakfast?" she asked in a calm voice that surprised him. The anger he'd seen in her eyes was now nonexistent, but there was something in her voice that sounded weary and crushed. "I was going to call the main house and have it sent over."
"No. I'm not staying," he said quietly. "I called the station this morning and officer Williams is going to be taking over for me. He'll be your full time body guard until this is over."
"Oh."
Luis thought he saw disappointment on her face, but it was gone so fast he didn't know if it was actually there in the first place. "Don't worry. He's one of the best." Focused, professional, and always in control. Luis wasn't feeling any of those things right now.
"Do I really need a full time body guard?"
"Yes. Is your elbow still hurting?"
Sheridan looked down at it. She hadn't realized she'd been cradling it in the palm of her other hand. "A little. I banged it against the shower door."
"Do you want me to get you some ice?"
"No. I can get it."
"Sheridan?"
She stopped in the doorway and looked back at him.
"I'm sorry about what happened earlier," he said and hated that he sounded like he meant it. The truth was he wasn't sorry at all. Given the chance to do that morning all over again, he'd probably do the exact same thing. Just a little more than an hour ago, he had wanted nothing more than to make love to her. He still did.
"It's okay," she said looking at him but not exactly making eye contact, he noted.
"I shouldn't have kissed you. I should have never been in your bed in the first place," he said.
She wore light chinos with a loose navy turtleneck sweater that almost looked black in color. He could see as much of her figure now as he had in her oversized cotton pajamas. Still, he was hard as a rock. Because he knew beneath those bulky clothes there were luscious curves he had the pleasure of touching just an hour before. Curves he wanted to kiss and taste, every last one of them. "It won't happen again. It can't happen again," he clarified more specifically for him and his lusty brain.
It was funny how she knew what he was going to say before he said it. She'd thought that was good thing since that way the impact would be less harsh when he actually said it. It wouldn't feel like a slap across the face.
Only a slap across the face was exactly how it felt. She looked away. He was right of course. There could never be anything between them. She'd told herself the exact same thing earlier. It just hurt a lot more hearing it out loud. She realized he was waiting for her to respond. She met his gaze slowly again, but couldn't say anything so she nodded in agreement instead, their eyes fixed for a long silent moment. Then she turned and went into the kitchen.
For once he hated that he was good at reading peoples emotions, her emotions specifically. He'd hurt her. He'd seen it so clearly on her face. And he couldn't do anything about it except hate himself. He wasn't going to take back the words and he wasn't going to comfort her. He couldn't, even though he wanted to more than anything in the world. Walking silently back to the sofa, he dropped down against the soft cushions and tipped his head back against it. He heard the refrigerator door open, close, a chair dragged across the wood floor, and then he heard nothing but the rain falling softly outside.
Fifteen minutes later, as Luis waited for officer Williams' arrival, he finally took notice of his surroundings. He hadn't really noticed how small and simple Sheridan's cottage was until now. Somehow it didn't fit in with his image of a Crane heiress' choice for a home. But then again, nothing about Sheridan did. He didn't get a chance to dwell too much into the thought as he was interrupted by a knock on the door. He answered it and let Officer Williams inside. When Sheridan came back into the room, he introduced them, said his good-bye's and left. Strangely he felt like he was leaving something very precious behind. He probably was.
Chapter 6
The rain was still pouring when Luis pulled into the driveway fifteen minutes later. Though he lived at home with his mother and younger siblings, he only seldomly stayed there. Since his engagement to Beth five months ago, most of his mornings and nights were spent at her place. But he didn't feel like facing her today just yet. Not when his body was still burning with desire for another woman. A woman he knew beyond a reasonable doubt he shouldn't get involved with. And yet he had never felt this intensely for any woman as he did for Sheridan Crane. He jogged to the house, his shirt soaked to the skin by the time he reached the front door. He still had time to take a shower before leaving for the station. It would also give him time to clear his head and think before starting work. Because right now it was filled with thoughts of Sheridan.
After a hot shower and dressing for work, Luis headed into the kitchen for a nice hot cup of strong coffee. Of course not as strong as the one Sheridan had made him the night before, he smiled thinking back to the thick super sweet liquid she'd served him. But strong enough to get him focused again. But the peace and quiet he'd hoped to find in the kitchen wasn't what he got.
The woman taking out a fresh batch of blue berry muffins from the oven was none other than his loving fiancee. The muffins smelled delicious. Beth was a great cook but he wasn't hungry. All he wanted was some coffee and some peace.
"Hey," she said to him. The look on her face told him they were about to have a discussion. And it wasn't going to be anything he was prepared for.
"Beth what're you doing?"
"I'm making blue berry muffins."
He remained at the doorway, watching her uneasily. "I can see that. But what are you doing here?"
She removed her oven mitts, setting them on the counter beside the muffins, then turned slowly to face him. "I wanted to see you."
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"I don't know. Is there?"
This was exactly what he didn't want to deal with right now. But what choice did he have? "What do you mean?"
"I want to know why you've been so distracted lately. I feel like you're not even there when we're together. I could be jumping up and down naked and you wouldn't notice me."
His lips lifted into a half smile. "Trust me, I'd notice."
"Yesterday morning when I asked you what you thought of my new dress, you stared into your coffee cup and said it's nice, blue looks really great on you."
He gave her a confused look. "So?"
"I wasn't wearing blue. My dress was red. I don't even like blue."
"I'm sorry. I've just had allot on my mind lately."
"Like Sheridan Crane?"
"Beth..."
"You were with her last night weren't you?" Beth said slowly.
He paused a moment, wondering how she'd react if he told her everything that happened since last night. He didn't want to lie to her, but he didn't want to tell her the truth either. "I slept on the couch."
Well, he thought, that wasn't a complete lie. He had started off sleeping on the couch hadn't he? Beth didn't have to know he hadn't spent the whole night there, but ended up in Sheridan Crane's bed. She especially didn't have to know what happened between Miss Crane and him when he'd woken up in the morning. Beth still looked uncertain. "I told you already, this is just a job. That's all." He said the words slowly. And managed to hide any guilt he felt by saying the words.
Beth's face softened, and she looked at him guiltily. "I know. I don't know why I said that," she said, and moved closer to him. "I'm sorry."
Worst than having to lie to her was hearing her apologize. He felt stuck, trapped. He needed to get out of there. He needed to think. "Don't be. I know I haven't been spending much time with you?"
"That doesn't give me the right to act like a jealous fool."
"Beth, it's okay."
"No, it's not. When you called last night and told me you couldn't make it you have no idea how many suspicious thoughts went through me head," she confessed softly. "But then I realized I was being crazy. I mean she's a Crane and you hate Cranes. I know this is just a job to you. Besides I know you would never do anything to hurt me." She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a quick teasing kiss. "Will you forgive me?"
Normally they would have been in his bedroom by now "making up." But something was holding him back.
"Make love to me," she whispered seductively.
He leaned forward and dropped a kiss on her lips. "I want to Beth. But I don't have time."
Her hands moved to his butt and she pressed herself more firmly against him. "Not even for a quickie?"
He kissed her again, then placing his hands on her hips, he gently set her away from him. "Sorry baby, but I can't be late for work today."
He grabbed a muffin from the counter, kissed her on the cheek and was out of the door, aware of the stunned look on her face. He was stunned as well, for the same reason Beth was. When had he ever not had time for sex? There hadn't been a time. This couldn't be good. Not at all.
***
Luis stood on the porch of the cottage, under the clear night sky. He'd been standing there for a full five minutes now.
"I know you would never do anything to hurt me." Those words had haunted him since they had left Beth's mouth three days ago. He was frustrated by them as much as he was glad. Because it was those words that had kept him away from Sheridan for the past three days. But it hadn't stopped him from calling to make sure she was okay. He didn't care what Williams thought of his concern and tried to ignore the teasing remarks that he had a thing for Miss Crane. She'd answered the phone yesterday when Officer Williams was in the shower. He was glad. Secretly he was hoping she'd answer the phone. They hadn't spoken long though. He'd asked her how she was doing, she'd said fine. When she asked him if there was a reason he called, he'd said he needed to speak to officer Williams about the case. Which wasn't entirely the truth, but he couldn't tell her he called to hear her voice because he'd missed hearing the sound of it.
And now was standing on her porch contemplating whether to knock on her door or not. He wanted to see her, that didn't mean he should. But he'd woken up this morning with a strange need to see for himself that she was all right. He'd called the cottage and Williams informed him everything was normal. Still, he hadn't been able to shake off the feeling that something was wrong.
He raked his hand through his hair, staring at the door in front of him. He might as well do what he came to do since he was here, standing on her doorstep.
Especially now that she'd just spotted him through the window.
The door swung open a moment later and she was standing right in front of him. If she was wearing shoes, they would be eye to eye. The bruise on her face was healing. Only a pale pink patch remained along her right jaw.
"What are you doing here?" she asked. She had a strange look on her face. He couldn't figure out if it was confusion at seeing him or relief.
"I came to see how you're doing?"
"Why?"
"Because I wanted to," he said in one breath and changed the subject in the next. "You cut your hair."
Her hand shot up to self-consciously touch the tips of her hair that now ended just above her nape. "You don't like it?"
"I do. It makes you look older."
"Really?"
He nodded, fascinated by the shy smile that touched her soft lips. When he realized he was just staring at her, he asked, "So how's it going with Williams?"
Her expressions changed. "Not good at all," she said, throwing a sour look over her shoulder at the man on her couch. He was busy watching a game on TV.
"What's the problem?"
"He's refusing to take me to the carnival."
"The carnival?"
"Yes. you know, the one they are having at the pier. We passed on our way to the cottage the other day remember?"
"I remember."
"I already told Miss Crane it wasn't a good idea," Williams said without turning away from the TV screen.
"I agree. It's not safe," Luis told her softly.
"It is if Officer Williams goes with me," she replied, turning to Williams again.
Williams gave a long frustrated breath as he finally turned on the couch enough to face them. "I already explained to you that I can't protect you with all those people running around. Besides I got a bad knee. I can't be chasing after you at some carnival all night."
"But-"
"Look kid-"
Luis was watching Sheridan's face carefully and saw her frown deepen to anger. He'd never seen her angry before. "I'm not a kid," she informed him through clenched teeth. "I wish you would stop calling me that."
Williams grumbled something about woman under his breath as he went back to watching the game. Sheridan turned back to Luis and he knew she wasn't giving up just yet.
"Will you take me?"
"Sheridan..."
"I just want to go for a little while," she said earnestly. " We won't even have to be there long."
"What's so special about a carnival anyway?"
"I've never been to one."
"You've never been to a carnival?"
Now it was his turn to be the center of her irritation. "That's what I just said."
"Where'd you grow up, a convent in Antarctica?"
She pressed her lips together firmly, frowning at him. "You're wasting time. It's my birthday today and the only thing I want is go to the carnival. Is that too much to ask?"
Luis leaned against he railing, surveying her from the distance of only a few steps. "You're not lying about today being your birthday are you?"
"Would you like to see proof?"
"No."
Her face softened, and she looked into his eyes, deeply enough to stir his soul. "I wouldn't lie to you."
"I know."
"So are you going to take me or not?"
He stared at her. He wondered how he could ever say no to her. Maybe Williams was right. He really did have it bad for Sheridan Crane. "You better grab a sweater. It gets pretty cold at the pier at night."
To Be Continued...