Because of Love

by Jill Sanders

  “Open up, Bradley,” he called out. Figuring he was rousing the man from a deep sleep, he continued to bang on the door.

  “Hell’s bells,” Brad said when he opened the door. “Robert, why are you…” The man stopped when he swung open the screen door and got a look at Aiden. “Shit, Aiden? Is that you?”

  “It is.” He ran his eyes up and down the older man, assessing the new bruises and the cut above the man’s left eye. “Looks like you had a good time last night at AJ’s?”

  The man beamed and smiled, and Aiden noted a missing tooth that he hadn’t noticed a few days ago when he’d run into the man on the street.

  “It was my birthday,” Brad answered.

  He glanced around the man’s driveway. “Did you walk home?”

  Brad frowned and wiped his hand over his face. “Nope, got a ride.”

  “From?” Aiden asked.

  “Shit, I can’t remember.” The older man laughed. “Didn’t get lucky, so it must’ve been a buddy.”

  “Right.” Aiden sighed. “Care if I come in? Have a look around?”

  “Shit, Aiden, why don’t you let me get back to sleeping the night off? Come back around after—”

  “Can’t.” He stepped past the man. The bloody dish towel on the counter in the kitchen was all Aiden needed to see.

  “Brad, do you happen to know where your car is at the moment?” He turned towards the man.

  “I assume in my driveway.” The man glanced out the window and then frowned. “Did someone steal it?” He turned to him, and Aiden could see the old man’s wheels turning. “I want to file a missing… I mean a… theft.” He nodded. “Yeah, that’s it. Someone stole my car. It’s missing.”

  Aiden sighed. “It’s not missing. It’s wrapped around Beth and John’s tree in their front yard. I’m going to have to take you in for suspected driving under the influence.”

  “Shit, Aiden. Your old man would’ve—”

  “My father isn’t here. You’ve destroyed a perfectly good oak tree and the display cases of a new business in town.”

  “What? The hell I did,” the man said as Aiden pulled out his handcuffs. “Okay,” he said when Aiden took his arms and started to cuff him. “I might’ve parked my car in the Roberts’ front yard, but I didn’t hit anything getting there.” He frowned and glanced back at him. “Except the tree.”

  “Right,” Aiden said as he started pulling him out the front door.

  “Shit, Aiden, at least let an old man get some pants on before you go draggin’ him out the front door.”

  Aiden glanced down and realized the man was in his tighty-whities.

  Stepping back in the house, he glanced around and noticed a pair of pants hanging over the back of a chair and held them out so Brad could step in. Then he set a pair of boots in front of the man and helped him step into them.

  “Better?” he asked him.

  “My wallet.” He glanced at the counter. “I expect I’ll need it.”

  Aiden stuffed it in the man’s back pocket and walked out.

  “Someone will have to feed Whiskers.” He motioned to a large white cat sitting on the outside stairs.

  “I’ll get your neighbors to do it.” He helped the old man into the back seat of the car after reading him his rights.

  He never really realized how much paperwork went into his father’s job. When he finally broke for lunch, he’d gone out on eleven calls and had spent more than half that time filling in the paperwork for each one.

  “There has to be a better way,” he complained to David and Simon as they sat at the Golden Oar after finishing their lunch. “I mean, two hours’ worth of paperwork for an hour’s work?” He shook his head.

  David laughed. “That’s nothing. Wait until the end of the month rolls around.”

  “Hopefully, I won’t be around then,” he said just before both men’s eyes moved beyond him.

  “You keep saying that,” Suzie said smoothly as she stopped by their table. “Doesn’t make it happen any sooner.”

  Chapter 7

  Suzie smiled at the two men sitting with Aiden. She’d taken a quick break from her busy day to swing by and grab lunch for her and Kate.

  Parker had come and gone, cleaning up the mess of the destroyed displays and promising her something new and more indestructible as soon as he could build it.

  She’d pulled a few of the larger potted plants out front since she didn’t want the space to look bare. The new display had worked since she’d sold several potted plants already that morning.

  “Hi, David. Hi, Simon.” She smiled and nodded to each of the other men before turning back to Aiden. “I was hoping you had an update on who destroyed my display stands.”

  He smiled up at her. “We do. We’ve got Bradley Rupert in our holding cell. His car is being pried out of the Roberts’ front oak as we speak.” His smile slipped. “It’s amazing the man walked away from the crash.” He motioned to the spot next to him. “Sit while you wait for your food.” She slid into the booth next to him. “Any word on your insurance?” he asked her.

  “They’ll cut a check as soon as Parker gives them an estimate on the material and labor to replace the stands.”

  He shifted slightly and laid his arm on the back of the booth. She could instantly feel the heat from his closeness, and the sight of that shirt stretching even further over those impressive biceps had her heart rate spiking. “So does the joys of running your own business outweigh the headache?”

  She tried to relax slightly. “Yes.”

  “I’ve been meaning to stop by and pick up some flowers for Karen,” Simon said. “And Mother’s Day is coming up too.”

  “Several weeks away,” she reminded the man. “We have some very lovely potted plants or, closer to the date, we’ll have plenty of fresh cut bouquets.”

  He frowned over at her. “Karen doesn’t really have a green thumb. I’ll probably go for some roses the day before.”

  Suzie smiled at the older man. “Good choice. I remember having your wife as my tenth-grade teacher. There used to be a hanging plant in the window of the classroom that she had me take care of.”

  “Yeah, that was a birthday gift I got for her.” He shrugged. “She always said she wanted flowers to brighten up her classroom.”

  “I took it when I left. Well, she gave it to me after telling me she’d kill it during the summer if I didn’t take it with me.” She chuckled. “I still have it in my apartment.”

  “You do?” Simon chuckled. “I’ll have to tell Karen.”

  Just then her sister arrived with her food. “Here you go. I threw in a couple brownies for you and Kate.” She handed her a large brown bag.

  “Thanks.” Suzie stood up and took her bag. “Gentlemen.” She nodded to the three men and started to walk away.

  “What was that all about?” Sara asked, following her towards the door.

  “Hm?” she asked and glanced back. “Oh, I was just seeing if they knew anything more about who crashed into my stands.”

  “And?” Sara asked, holding the door open for her.

  “Bradley Rupert is in holding right now. I guess he crashed his car into the Roberts’ front yard.” She shook her head. “He’s lucky he didn’t kill someone.”

  “Wow, I can’t believe… he was in here last night.” She shook her head. “I’m going to put him on our do-not-serve-liquor list.” She glanced around the dining room. “Oh, I almost forgot.” She turned and smiled at her. “Parker called and has a wonderful idea for your stands. He made me promise not to tell you, so…” She reached up and pretended to zip her lips.

  “Then why tell me in the first place,” Suzie said, rolling her eyes.

  “Because…” Sara giggled. “It’s a really great idea.”

  “Okay.” Suzie started walking away.

  “You’re coming for dinner Thursday night still, right?” Sara called after her.

  “Yes.” She waved before heading the six blocks back to her store.
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br />   She made it about a block when the patrol car rolled up next to her. “Where’s your car?” Aiden asked from behind the wheel.

  She glanced over at him and shifted the large bag in her hands. “At my place.”

  She hadn’t expected the sun to be so warm today, especially after all the rain they’d had over the last few days. She could feel a bead of sweat rolling down her back between her shoulder blades. And she was desperately wishing she’d worn a short-sleeved shirt instead of the longer one she’d picked out.

  “Why aren’t you in it?” he asked, still following her down the street.

  She stopped and turned to him. He stopped the patrol car next to her. “Because it’s a nice day, and I’m enjoying walking.”

  “It’s got to be close to eighty degrees out here.” He frowned and glanced up and down the street. “Aren’t you melting?”

  She chuckled and started walking again only to have him continue driving slowly next to her.

  “After a few days of rain and clouds, I rather enjoy the sunlight and heat.” She thought about the ice-cold soda waiting for her back at her shop.

  “You look hot,” he said from his car.

  “Thanks,” she responded with a giggle.

  “I mean…” he started.

  “I know what you meant.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m fine, go… do something police related.” She waved him off with her free hand.

  “I am.” He pulled up and stopped the car and quickly got out. “I’m helping someone in need.” He took the bag from her hands.

  “I don’t need your help.” She tried to take the food from him.

  “Yes, you do.” He held the bag out of her reach. “You’re practically melting into a pool of sweat.”

  She cringed at that description. Did she really look that bad? She glanced at herself and realized she’d sweat through her thin blouse. Crossing her arms over her chest, she sighed. The walk to the Golden Oar hadn’t been that bad. She’d been so focused on enjoying the warmer weather, she hadn’t realized it was so hot outside until she’d stepped into the air-cooled restaurant.

  “Fine, you can take me back to the shop.” She moved over to get in the passenger seat.

  “Sorry.” He stopped her. “Only police up front,” he said, opening the back door for her.

  She laughed and shook her head. “Nope.” She tried to take her bag again.

  “Listen.” He lowered his voice and looked around. “If my dad got wind that you rode up front…” He visibly shivered. “Just hop in. It’s only a few blocks.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “You’re not going to give me my lunch back, are you?”

  He shook his head. “Everyone who looks at you knows you’re overheated. Your face is red, and you look like you’re about to pass out from heatstroke.” He waited as she thought about her possibilities.

  “Fine,” she growled, and she slid into the back seat. He smiled as he handed her back her lunch.

  Embarrassment caused her face to turn an even darker shade of red when she saw Mrs. Veno and Mrs. Smith glance their way as they stood outside of Baked. Both women’s eyebrows shot up at the sight of her sitting in the back of the patrol car.

  Scooting her butt all the way down, she groaned and tried to hide from anyone else that might see her.

  “They’re going to think I was arrested,” she complained as Aiden drove towards her shop.

  He chuckled and then embarrassed her even further by pulling out his handset and saying very clearly over the loudspeaker of his car, “I didn’t arrest Suzie; I’m just taking her for a drive.”

  “Oh god!” she exclaimed. “That’s even worse.” She snuck a glance at the two women who were now smiling and giggling. “Now they think we’re…” She couldn’t even say it. She watched as the women’s heads bent together as they talked. She was just positive they were already spreading the rumor that Aiden Brogan and Suzie Jordan were an item.

  “What?” he asked as he glanced back at her in the rearview mirror. “Dating?”

  “This was the worst idea ever.” She groaned.

  “I don’t know,” he said as he turned off Main Street. “That one summer you got a perm, now that was a pretty crazy idea.”

  She sat up a little. “You didn’t like my hair curly?” she asked a little hurt.

  “I didn’t say I didn’t like it. But you did get teased a lot,” he reminded her.

  “Right.” She sunk back down and hugged the bag of food to her chest. “Everyone called me Suzie-Q.”

  He chuckled and when she glared at the back of his head, he cleared his throat. “Kids can be so cruel.” He pulled up in front of the shop.

  “Thanks,” she said, reaching for the door handle, only to come up short.

  He chuckled and turned around to look at her. “Cop car, remember?” His smile grew. “So, I was thinking…”

  “Let me out,” she said with a sigh.

  “In a minute,” he said easily. “As I was saying, I was thinking… I enjoyed our chat last night and thought we ought to do it again sometime.”

  Her eyes narrowed. Was he asking her out on a date? God, what should she say? Could she keep her cool? She’d dreamed of this day for a very long time.

  “No,” she surprised herself by saying.

  “No?” His dark eyebrows shot up as his eyes ran over her. “Why not?”

  “You said it yourself, you’re only in town for a few weeks. I don’t play games.” She nodded to the door. “Now, let me out.”

  “I think you’d like the games I play,” he said. When she balked, he quickly added, “Not that. Get your mind out of the gutter.”

  “Okay, then what could you possibly have in mind?”

  “Mutual entertainment,” he said with a smirk.

  She raised her eyebrows slowly and he sighed.

  “As I said, get your mind out of the gutter. I mean, the friendship kind of entertainment. I mean, we’ve known each other all our lives. It’s not like we’re strangers.”

  “True. But there was that kiss.”

  He smiled. “How could I forget.” His eyes moved to her lips now, and she felt her body heat even further. “I could tell you that it won’t happen again…” His eyes moved back up to hers. “But I’d be lying.” He sighed.

  “Why, then, would I want to chance anything?”

  “Like I said.” He shrugged. “What else is there to entertain ourselves with in town?”

  She laughed. “Plenty.”

  “Oh?” He waited.

  She glanced towards the shop windows and noticed Kate watching them.

  “Fine.” She threw up her hands. “If it means getting released from this awkwardness.” She motioned to the store and to the locked door. “Thursday night. Dinner at Sara and Parker’s house,” she said without thinking. “That way you and Parker can guy hang.”

  “Done,” he said with a smile. He got out and opened the back door for her. When he reached in a hand to help her, she swiped it away and got out by herself. “See, I knew you’d come around.”

  She glared at him but couldn’t help smiling at the same time. “I guess it pays to have a badge after all,” she said smoothly.

  “You would’ve agreed to it even if I hadn’t tricked you,” he called after her.

  “Would I?” she asked as she stepped into the store.

  She set the bag of food down on the counter, and Kate motioned behind her. “He’s still there,” she said with a smile.

  Suzie glanced over her shoulder and noticed Aiden was leaning against the patrol car, arms crossed over his chest. He looked like a poster for a police movie. One where the lead cop was a cocky hunk.

  “He’s full of himself,” she said with a smile.

  “Yeah, and from that look in your eye, you ate up the attention.” Kate pulled her sandwich from the bag.

  “Who wouldn’t?” she said with a sigh when he saluted her and wiggled his eyebrows. He climbed back in the car and drove away.

  Man,
was she in trouble.

  Chapter 8

  By the end of his fourth day, Aiden was wondering how his father dealt with the job. Every muscle in his body ached, thanks to helping Bob Stevens push his old truck a block and a half to the gas station when he’d run out of fuel. Not to mention he’d spent almost an hour chasing the Rothchild’s goose, which had broken free from its pen. After finally catching the bird, he’d been rewarded with a quick peck from the creature and had a bruised forearm to show as thanks.

  After clocking out on Thursday evening, he headed back to the cabin to shower and change. Then he drove by Suzie’s apartment to pick her up.

  When he knocked on her door, he realized he was more nervous than he’d been on his very first date.

  It was strange. He’d known her and Sara his entire life. What was there to be nervous about?

  Then Suzie opened the door and he knew the answer. She stood there in a soft cream-colored sundress. Her long blonde hair curled softly around her face and several small braids framed her face.

  The waist of the short-sleeved dress was tied with soft blue material that hugged and accented how narrow it was. The front of the dress was cut low, very low. Low enough that he felt his blood heat.

  “Ready?” she asked, stepping towards him slightly. She was wearing cream-colored wedges that had the top of her head hitting his shoulders.

  “You look…” He shook his head. “Good enough to eat,” he heard himself saying.

  She smiled slightly. “Thanks, I think.” She nudged him on the shoulder and frowned when he didn’t move aside. “Are you ready to go?” She motioned. “Sara and Parker won’t wait for us to get there before they start eating.”

  “Right. I didn’t mean to be late,” he said as they started down the stairs. “Paperwork.” He rolled his eyes. “Who would have known there was so much of it to do.”

  She chuckled. “You could’ve asked your father.”

  “I did,” he said as he opened the car door for her. “He lied.”

  She laughed as he rushed around and got behind the wheel. “So where is Sara and Parker’s place?”