by Tara Randel
“I’m not telling you this to prepare you for the worst. Really, I don’t know why I said anything at all. I’ve never talked about that day. To anyone.”
“I’m honored,” she whispered, her voice shaky.
They stood together, staring at the garden. How odd that he seemed to be sharing his strength with her. He’d always been the one to lead the way, take the castle by storm, make sure he rounded up the bad guys. When had he decided he needed to be strong for Eloise? Did it come from the helplessness he’d experienced the day his dad died? Realizing the depth of his feelings for her had put her first in his mind? He was no counselor, but it wasn’t too hard to put the puzzle pieces together.
“My grandmother died when I was young,” he heard Eloise say. A small smile curved her lips. “Grammy Beth and I were pretty tight. I spent hours at her house when I was a kid, playing and having a good time. When she died, so did my childhood. My folks expected me to grieve in silence. Act all grown up and cover my feelings. When I couldn’t, that’s when I started staying in my room, out of their way so they couldn’t see what a disappointment I was.”
“C’mon. They were that detached?”
Her chest rose and fell as she took a breath. “It felt like it at the time. Now I’m not so sure.”
He shook his head, his heart going out to her and her unhappy memories. “As much as my brothers make me crazy, at least we had each other.”
“And no matter what happens to Martha,” she said quietly, “I have you?”
He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Yeah, you have me.”
Once their little heart-to-heart ended, Dante got Eloise to sit. His coffee had gone cold, so he abandoned it. After a while, he felt Eloise move against him, then her head landed on his shoulder, her jasmine scent invigorating him. It shouldn’t feel right, but it did. Like she was meant to fit into the curve of his side. Instead of pushing his feelings away like he normally did, he wound his arm around her shoulders and she nestled in beside him. It felt good to be needed and to comfort her in return.
She’d just dozed off when a doctor appeared.
“Detective Matthews?”
Eloise jumped up as Dante answered, “That’s me.”
“I’m Dr. Hayes. I wanted to tell you that Mrs. Jamison is finally stable. Apparently her chest grew tight after she went to bed. When she rose to get her medicine, she got dizzy and fell. We’re moving her to a room.” His eyes grew somber. “Thanks for alerting the rescue team. Your quick timing made all the difference.”
“It was Detective Archer’s fast reflexes, really.”
The doctor glanced at Eloise.
“Can we see her?” she asked.
“She’s just being settled and I’m not sure if she’ll feel up to visiting.” The doctor must have seen the disappointment on Eloise’s face because he said, “It’s much too early for visiting hours, but for the detectives who saved her life, I can make an exception. Give her some time to rest, though.”
Eloise lit up. “Thank you, Doctor.”
“She’s in Room 223. Keep it quick.”
“We will.”
The doctor walked away. Dante felt Eloise tug on his sleeve, moving toward the elevator. Once on the designated floor, Eloise resumed her pacing.
“Do you think enough time has gone by?”
He wasn’t sure, but considering Eloise’s restlessness, she’d waited long enough. “Why don’t you look in on her.”
Eloise grabbed his hand. He didn’t put up a fight as she pulled him down the hallway, but once they were outside of Martha’s room, he held back.
“You go,” he told her.
“Are you sure?”
He nodded. “I’ll wait in the lounge by the elevators.”
“Okay.” She gave him a tight hug and then, taking a breath, disappeared into the dark room.
* * *
ELOISE TREADED ON light feet. A steady beep, beep, beep filled the silence. She wrinkled her nose at the disinfectant smell, then at the tubes attached to her friend. Lying on the white sheets, hooked up to machines, Martha seemed smaller than Eloise remembered. Pulling a chair to the bedside, Eloise gently took one of Martha’s hands in hers. After a few moments, she began to speak.
“It looks like you’re going to be okay, but I have to say, you scared the life out of me.”
She was rewarded with a trembling smile. Relief washed over her.
“I really hope this is a onetime thing. I couldn’t handle another call like the one I received from you tonight. Or rather, this morning.”
“I knew you’d come,” Martha whispered.
“Don’t wear yourself out,” Eloise chided.
Her lids fluttered, then Martha’s gaze met hers. “Thank you.”
“Are you kidding? How could I not make sure to get help?”
“The doctor said...bad attack. Up on my feet...soon.”
As Martha spoke, her voice grew a little stronger. Eloise said a silent prayer of thanks.
“You’ll have to take it easy for a while.”
Martha shrugged. “A day... Or two.”
Eloise chuckled. “I’ll make sure you have whatever you need once you get back home.”
Martha frowned. “No.”
“It will be my pleasure.”
Martha’s lips wobbled again and her lids closed. In the dim room, Eloise took comfort in knowing her dear friend would see another sunrise. That she’d have more time to spend with this woman who had filled an empty spot in her heart. She hadn’t realized how important this was, how much she’d needed Martha to fill Grammy Beth’s place. Except Martha hadn’t really taken her grandmother’s place; instead, she’d added new memories, a new voice for Eloise to cherish.
Thirty minutes passed and Martha stirred again.
“I’m going to rally the neighbors to pitch in and help so you don’t have to worry about a thing,” Eloise said after having time to think. “I’ll take time off from work.”
Martha’s lids opened. “Can you do that?”
“Of course. Just a day here and there until we get this sorted out.”
Martha stared at her, alert, despite the night’s events. Her voice gained strength the longer Martha was awake. “Ellie, I heard Dan call for help.”
Oh, boy.
“I know he’s a detective. I’m guessing you are, too?”
Shocked, Eloise leaned back in the chair.
“It makes sense actually. Ted and Janice taking off suddenly. It didn’t seem right.”
Eloise wasn’t sure what to say, so she kept quiet.
“Then newlyweds moving in next door, asking all kinds of questions about the neighborhood.”
Had they been that obvious? And did she admit the truth now that her friend had discovered their real identities?
“Wait. You are Ellie, aren’t you?”
“My name is Eloise, but I like being called Ellie.”
“Then Ellie, it is.” Martha shifted her hand to cover Eloise’s. “Don’t worry, my dear. Mum’s the word.”
Eloise’s heart squeezed. She had no doubt Martha would keep the truth to herself. “Thanks.”
Martha closed her eyes again, drifting to sleep. Eloise rose, tiptoeing from the room to find Dante. He was sound asleep on the couch in the lounge.
“Hey,” she said, tapping his arm to wake him.
He jerked, eyes wide. “What? I’m awake.”
She chuckled and sank onto the couch beside him.
When he realized it was her, he relaxed. “How’s the patient?”
“Sleeping.”
“So we’re heading home?”
“Actually, I’d like to stay if you don’t mind.”
He searched her eyes. Cupped her face with both his hands. “Sounds like a good idea.”
&nbs
p; She beamed at him.
“I’m sure her family will be here as soon as they’ve been notified, then we can get back to the job.”
Her smile slipped. She hadn’t thought about family coming to the hospital. Being involved in Martha’s recovery.
“I have some news on the case,” he went on to say, “but it can wait until later.”
“Are you sure?”
“For now.”
“Thanks. For everything. For bringing me here. For talking me down.”
“The out-of-control Ellie was kinda scary.”
She playfully slapped his arm. “Despite your attempt at humor, it meant a lot for you to stay with me.”
“Who said it was humor?”
She rolled her eyes.
“Besides, where else would I be?”
Where else indeed? she wondered. Took him at his word.
Their gazes caught and held. He leaned in, hesitated. She blinked, waiting, then he kissed her. Gently, at first. Then with a little more passion. It took her breath away, leaving her wanting more when he pulled away.
“I’ll go home, keep things running smoothly. Call me when you want me to pick you up.”
She nodded, unable to speak. This kiss was different. It was...right. Honest. True.
Home.
When they stood, she walked him to the elevator. He pressed the button. Flashed her a grin. “Miss me, okay?”
She laughed instead of answering. The door opened and he stepped inside, giving her a snappy salute as the doors slid closed.
Shaking off her powerful reaction to his kiss, she moved quietly to Martha’s room. Would they find a way to work out a relationship once the case was over? No matter who got the promotion? She touched her lips, still feeling the warmth of his kiss. She hoped so.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
TRUE TO HER WORD, Eloise had taken the next day off from the garage, hovering over Martha, but couldn’t risk the operation by missing a second day of work. Dante had filled her in on their part in Ben’s latest intel and she knew it was now or never to wrap up the case.
A half dozen cars had been delivered to the garage yesterday for the crew to work on and Dante expected more would arrive today. Eloise needed to be there to keep an eye on everyone’s movements, but she dropped Dante off at the garage and hurried to the hospital to check on Martha before the day began.
Coffee in hand, she swerved around busy nurses and other hospital personnel en route to Martha’s room. Just before she reached the door, a woman with blond hair, looking close to her age, stood in the doorway. “Yes, Grandmother, I know you’d like a different breakfast but the doctor is limiting your sodium intake.”
A disgruntled voice sounded from inside the room and the woman laughed. “I love you, too.”
The woman turned and barreled straight into Eloise. “Oh, clumsy me.”
Fast on her feet, Eloise sidestepped and balanced her coffee to keep it from spilling. “It’s okay.”
The woman smiled. “Good. I’d hate to make you waste your coffee. It is the most important way to start your day.”
Eloise laughed.
“Do you know my grandmother?”
“We’re neighbors. My, um, husband and I brought her here two nights ago when she had the heart attack.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Ellie.”
“Oh, my gosh! Grandmother has told me about you. I’m Kristin.”
Martha had talked about her? Her heart swelled just thinking about it. “Your grandmother has mentioned you, too. Nice to meet you,” Eloise said after the shake. “Is Martha doing okay this morning?”
Kristin’s expression took on an amused air. “Ready to get out of here.”
“I can imagine.”
“I have some arrangements to make, so I’m glad you’re here. I don’t like the idea of leaving her alone.”
“I planned on sitting with her for a little while.”
“Perfect. We got in late last night and I have tons to do.”
“I thought I saw a car in her driveway.”
“We came as soon as we got the call.” Kristin’s expression turned serious. “Thanks for looking out for my grandmother. I hate to think what might have happened if you hadn’t called 911.”
“Thankfully she’ll be okay.”
“Yes, and now I get a chance to pamper her, even though the stubborn woman will fight me tooth and nail.”
Eloise chuckled. Kristin had described Martha to a T. “She is independent.”
“To a fault. That’s why I’m glad she finally agreed to come home with us.”
A flutter of surprise swirled in Eloise’s stomach. “Home? Where is that?”
“Ohio.”
Eloise coughed. Ohio. At least a day or two drive from Florida.
Kristin dug around in her purse and extracted her cell phone. “I’ll be back in an hour.”
“Right. An hour.”
The perky woman hustled along the hallway, greeting the staff like they were long-lost friends. Eloise helplessly watched her progress. Martha would be leaving? The thought never occurred to Eloise. She expected her friend to always be there when Eloise needed her.
Standing outside the door, her thoughts tumbled over each other. Did Martha want to leave? Was her granddaughter forcing her? She needed to hear it from her friend. Determined to get to the bottom of this newsflash, Eloise marched into the room, thrilled to see Martha sitting up in the bed. Color had returned to her face and her eyes were bright. After worrying over her friend for the last forty-eight hours, she couldn’t have asked for anything better than Martha resembling her old self.
“Ellie. I’m glad you’re here.” She shifted as if looking around Eloise and said in a stage whisper, “Can you get me a cup of coffee?”
“I understand the doctor has you on a special diet.”
“A boring diet,” Martha groused.
“You better stick to his orders until you get home.”
Martha crossed her arms over her chest. “Which can’t come soon enough.”
Eloise set her purse and cup on a rolling stand. Martha was in rare form this morning.
“Speaking of leaving, I ran into your granddaughter in the hallway,” she said, lowering herself into the chair beside the bed and deliberately moderating her tone. “She mentioned you’re going home with her?”
Martha unfolded her arms, picking at the white blanket with nervous fingers. “Yes. I know it’s a long trip, but it’s been an ongoing discussion. After this latest...episode, Kristin and the family want me settled someplace where I’ll have constant care.”
“What about the rest of the family?”
“My children have downsized. It would be difficult for me to move in. Kristin has a big house and her husband does quite well for himself, and since she doesn’t work, she’s offered to take care of me. The other grandkids are farther away. She’s my best option.”
“You’d actually move that far away?”
Regret flickered in Martha’s eyes. “I’m afraid so, my dear. As much as I love my home, I can’t take care of it like I used to. The yard work is too much. Housekeeping wears me down.”
Eloise understood. Didn’t like the idea of her friend leaving, but realized Martha needed to live in a place with less responsibilities.
“What about our morning coffee together?” she asked in a teasing voice, covering the quickly mounting sorrow at the loss.
“How much longer would you be living next door to me, anyway? Once your job is finished you’ll move on.”
Martha nodded to Eloise’s work clothes. She’d dressed like she did every day, in one of Rico’s garage polo shirts and khaki shorts.
True...but... “I had this crazy idea we’d be friends even after I returned to regular duty.”
“Which I would love, but i
t will have to be long distance. Kristin is helping put the house up for sale.”
Sadness washed over her. Eloise suspected they might not see each other every day after she returned to her normal schedule, so why did the idea of Martha moving hundreds of miles away make her heart ache even worse?
“About the job,” Eloise said, quickly pulling herself together to cover the pain spreading across her chest. “I’m sorry I lied to you. We’re working undercover.”
“Which requires secrets, I would imagine.”
“In order for it to work, yes.” She turned to stare blankly out the window, then met Martha’s patient gaze. “Dan and I aren’t really married.”
Martha tilted her head. “I could see you have feelings for Dan, but there was something missing whenever you two were together. Not a tangible thing, really. More like a heart connection.”
“You mean like real marriage vows?”
“That would do it.” Martha chuckled. “But what about a future with Dan after the job? What’s standing in your way?”
“Let’s see, the case we’re working, the fact that we’re at the same police station and—the bigger and most complicated hurdle—we’re both up for the same promotion.”
“You don’t make life easy, do you, Ellie?”
Actually, before this op, her life had been pretty simple. She went to work and took care of her apartment. But after sitting vigil with Martha all these hours, she realized she’d fallen in love—a revelation she’d mull over in detail later—and made friends she really liked.
Martha interrupted her thoughts. “What do you want, dear?”
What did she want? Everything. But hoping for it all was counterproductive. She did, however, want to discover what could be with Dante, along with earning the promotion.
“Well?” Martha prodded.
Eloise met Martha’s perceptive gaze. “I was just thinking, could I have both?”
“I suppose that depends on Dan.”
Yes, there was that small obstacle of Dante wanting the sergeant’s position, too.
“I told you how much I wanted to go to nursing school, the story of how I got there. I still managed to find love and fulfill my dream.”
Eloise leaned forward. “You’re telling me to go for the promotion?”
