Sight Unseen(44)
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“GOOD GOD.” DEAN’S EYES widened as he watched Kendra enter the Starbucks glass door. “What truck ran over you?”
“Mom didn’t tell you?” Kendra lifted her hand to her bruised cheek. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”
“It couldn’t be. Coffee?”
“Black.”
“Me, too.” He told the server behind the counter. “And one of those Danish.” He turned back to Kendra. “All your Mom said was that you’d had a fall and that was why you hadn’t called me. I thought you’d probably tripped on a rug or something.”
“A little more than that. The fall was out of a second-floor window.” She took her cup of coffee from the server and moved toward a table by the window. “But it’s like Mom to use it as an excuse to gloss over my apparent rudeness so that you wouldn’t think badly of me.” She made a face as she sat down in a chair. “And to try to hide the fact that I’m not the kind of woman you should be hanging around if you want a calm and happy relationship. Maybe she thought we wouldn’t get together until the bruises faded.”
“How did it happen?” He sat down opposite her. “It sounds like an unusual accident.”
“You might say that.” Give it to him straight and see if he could take it. “I actually jumped from the window to get away from a serial killer.”
He blinked. “I … see.” Then he shook his head. “No, I don’t see. I heard something on the news about some case you were working on, but no one said anything about your getting close enough to be chased by the bad guys.”
“It happens. Not often because I try my best to avoid getting involved. But it does happen.”
He gazed at her thoughtfully. Then he smiled. “May I say I’m beginning to understand your mother’s fondness for me? If I kept you occupied, you wouldn’t be chasing around jumping out windows. Or if you did, I’d be there to catch you.”
“Would you?”
“You bet.” He took a sip of his coffee. “Did you catch the bad guy yet?”
“Not yet.” He’d taken it amazingly well. “But we will. It’s only a matter of time. We have to get him. He’s a monster.”
His smile faded. “I don’t believe I like your dealing with monsters all by yourself.”
She chuckled. “Wouldn’t you say that the San Diego PD and the FBI are capable of giving me a little help? They’d be insulted.”
“I’m afraid I don’t appreciate the mighty arm of the law. I saw it from the underbelly. It wasn’t a pretty view.” He paused. “I’d much rather you let me stick close to see if you need me. How about it?”
He meant it. There was no doubt of his sincerity.
She was touched. “Thanks, but no thanks.” She reached out and squeezed his hand. “Mom is right, you are a great guy, Dean.”
He turned his hand and grasped hers. “And the other half of what she told you is that you’d be a fool not to let me in your life. Believe her.” He lifted her hand and kissed her palm. Then he laughed and dropped her hand. “Hey, I’m coming on too strong, aren’t I?”
“Yes.”
“And it turns you off?”
“A little.”
“I’ll tone it down, I promise.” He looked around the shop. “Besides, this isn’t exactly the best place for romantic gestures. You’ve got to give me a chance to do it right.” He picked up his fork and cut the pastry. “This is always great pastry. Would you like a bite?”
She shook her head. “No, thank you.”
“No sweet tooth?” He took a bite and sighed blissfully. “I do. Though my favorite sweets are fruit pies. My parents had a farm in Seminole County, Florida, and my mother was a great cook. She’d make the greatest cherry pies for the family and the workers.”
“Are your parents still alive?”
“Not my mom. My dad married again and still lives on the farm. Nice woman. But I don’t go back and visit often. Too many lingering memories.” He finished the pastry and pushed the plate aside. “Besides, I think it’s time I made a few memories of my own.” He lifted his cup to her. “And you’re the most memorable woman I’ve ever met.”
“Yes, but not the kind you’re looking for. We have virtually nothing in common.” She was experiencing regret even as she said it. It was nice to think of making memories with a sweet guy like Dean. “I’m independent and I can be self-centered and I have trouble with the word compromise. Tell my Mom to fix you up with someone else.”