Threat of Darkness(19)
“No problem,” John said flatly, “as long as he keeps his mind on his work.”
Walter hooted as if he’d just heard the punch line to a great joke. “Yeah, well, see that you do the same. You may have a fancy diploma that says you’re the smartest detective since Sherlock Holmes but around here you’re just one of the boys.”
“I know that. It’s what I wanted when I came back to Serenity. I’d have hired on with the Sheriff’s Department again if Harlan had had an opening.”
Obviously highly amused, Walt chuckled. “Okay, suppose I buy that, and I’m not sayin’ I do, how come you’re always first on scene when something bad happens to Ms. Rochard? You tryin’ to tell me that’s pure coincidence?”
“No.” John spoke aside. “I stumbled into this mess when I responded to the hostage crisis at the hospital. Ever since then I’ve been keeping an eye on her on my own time.”
“You wouldn’t be tryin’ to get back into her good graces by settin’ her up so you can pretend to rescue her, would you? ’Cause if I found out you were, I’d have to report you.”
Sobering and shaking his head John assured the veteran cop that his intentions and actions were honorable. “All I’m trying to do is prevent another crime.” He raised his right hand. “I swear it.”
“Okay. But just you remember that Samantha is one of ours. Always was, always will be. If someone was to try to hurt her I’d be the first one in line to even the score.”
“Right after me,” John vowed. “Thanks for your concern. I feel better knowing you and I are on the same page.”
Watching the others drive away, John returned to Samantha.
She arched a brow. “What was all that about?”
“Man talk.”
“Oh? Then why did Glenn leer at me and why did Walt look as if he was thinking about punching you in the nose?”
“Let’s just say that I no longer worry about either of them causing your problems. Glenn wants a date and Walt warned me that I’d better not do anything to hurt you.”
Although Sam was still smiling when she said, “Where was he five years ago?” John could tell there was far too much truth behind her candid comment.
* * *
The trip to the only local store open on Sundays, the Walmart in Ash Flat, was relatively uneventful. Samantha wished she’d thought to change into flat shoes before going shopping but all in all, she managed well.
“How about grabbing lunch?” John asked as they loaded their purchases into the open bed of his pickup truck. “The pizza place across the street used to be pretty good.”
She hesitated. Yes, she was hungry. And tired. And stressed from the eventful morning. Yet she wasn’t sure she was up to sitting in a familiar restaurant and sharing a meal with him. It might seem too much like one of their old dates, even though it wasn’t, and she was afraid her blissful memories would be more than she could take right now.
“I should get home to Brutus. He’s all alone.”
“And armed to the teeth, pun intended. Besides, what are you going to do with him tomorrow when you have to go back to work? He’ll be by himself then.”
“I know. And I don’t like it.” Another problem suddenly occurred to her. “Uh-oh.”
“What?”
“Will I have any way to get to work by then?”
“Probably not. I can pick you up. What time?”
She stopped tying the handles of the plastic grocery sacks long enough to make a face at him. “You don’t think I’ll have my car back by then?”
“I doubt it. Besides, how are you planning to drive it without keys or a decent place to sit?”
“You don’t need to bother,” she said with conviction. “I can phone a friend for a ride to work now that I have a new phone.”
“Only if you can get it activated right away.”
He was staring at her as if he could look through her eyes and see into the deepest reaches of her heart and mind.
That obvious emotional connection bothered Sam so much that she purposely averted her gaze. “You’re a bundle of sunshine, aren’t you? Why does everything have to be so complicated when you’re concerned? I’m sure I can manage to activate a phone.” The sound of his soft chuckle caused her to look up. “Well, I can.”
Catching herself smiling, she realized she truly was glad to be in this man’s company. What would it hurt to allow him to help her out for a day or so more? After all, they had been close at one time.