by Bess McBride
Penny flicked on the television, browsed a few uninteresting channels and then turned it off. She headed for the bedroom in a huff.
She broke his heart? He could have waited. He could have come to visit her. Broke his heart indeed! She undressed and slid into bed, turning onto her side with her spare pillow clutched in her arms as an ache developed in her throat.
Had she broken his heart? Had he truly loved her that much? He’d never said the words. How would she know he really loved her if he never said the words? Would she have stayed if he’d asked her to marry him?
A single hot tear slid out the side of Penny’s eye and rolled down to the pillow. Yes. She would have married him if he’d asked. He’d never asked.
Chapter Eight
He crept up the stairs and paused at the top of the landing. Just after midnight. The world was silent...just like he liked it. He pressed his head against the door and listened for a moment, keeping a watchful eye over his shoulder for unwanted witnesses. No sounds, no TV, no talking. He was certain she was alone. He’d been watching her place all night.
He tried the knob, but she’d locked it. Finally, the woman was wising up. He shook his head and grinned, wondering if she had noticed the key in her dresser drawer was missing. He pulled it out of his pocket and eased it into the door, holding his breath. Had she noticed?
Nope! She hadn’t. The well-oiled lock turned easily. He pushed open the door and peered inside. The apartment lay in darkness. With a last glance over his shoulder, he slipped inside and closed the door behind him with a whisper of a click. He was in.
He waited until his eyes adjusted to the dark. A faint sheen of moonlight came through the sliding glass door, enough to help him get his bearings. The bedroom was to the right. He should know. He’d spent enough time in there already.
He padded quietly across the carpet and paused at the open bedroom door. She appeared to be sleeping on her side, her face turned toward the window. Unhurriedly, he moved around to stand by the bed near her face. The same faint light glowed on her, highlighting her pale cheeks. She didn’t move. Her hair sprawled on the pillow behind her.
He lowered himself to his knees so that he came face to face with her, taking care not to breathe on her. His gloved hand folded over the knife in his pocket, and he pulled it out. Things were too stagnant...too dull. He needed to kick it up a notch. Luckily, there was enough moonlight to see her face...her throat.
Knives weren’t really his thing, but he’d left his gun with Jerry...so to speak. He smiled. That was funny. He’d have to remember that line.
Reluctant to rush through the fun, he leaned back on his haunches and stared at the pale face half buried beneath the covers. What hold had this woman kept over Jerry?
Penny says this...my therapist says that... Jerry quoted her like some kind of god. She hadn’t saved Jerry’s life though, had she? He fingered the knife.
A burst of Calypso music jarred the stillness, and he fell back in surprise, dropping the knife to break his fall. He scraped the ground with his gloved hand and scooped it up.
****
Penny awoke to the sound of her phone ringing, but she couldn’t quite remember its location. Blinded in the dark, she reached out to pat down the nightstand beside her bed and felt nothing.
The ringing continued. She rubbed her bleary eyes and tried to focus in the dark. The phone! What if it were Travis...or her mother? What if something had happened?
She threw back the covers and crawled off the end of the bed nearest the door. The ringing came from the living room. She flipped on the bedroom light and ran for the phone on the coffee table.
A check of the caller ID revealed a strange phone number she’d never seen before. Oh, please don’t let it be a hospital! She yanked open the phone.
“Hello!”
“Hey, Jackie, what’s going on?” She could barely hear the female voice over the background noise of loud music.
“What?” Penny said. “Who is this?”
“Jackie? Is that you? How come you didn’t come tonight? This place is rocking!”
“Who’s Jackie?” Penny pulled the phone from her ear to check the caller ID again. She couldn’t even place the area code. “I don’t know a Jackie. This is my phone.” She recited her number.
“What? I can’t hear you. Well, whatever. Tell Jackie when she gets in to come on down to the bar. We’re having a great time. Later.”
The line went dead, and Penny staggered for a moment. Her heart pounded in her throat, and she patted her chest as if to slow the beats down.
A wrong number! It was just a wrong number. And apparently, they were having a great time...in some other area code. Penny checked her watch. Twelve-thirty. She shook her head and went into the half bathroom to get a drink of water. Carrying the phone with her, she turned to head back to the bedroom, but paused and stared at the front door.
Certain she’d locked it, she thought she should check it...just because. She walked over to the door and twisted the knob. The door opened readily.
Startled by the give, Penny fell back. With a rush of guilt and apprehension, she rushed forward and slammed the door, twisting the lock on the door. She was sure she’d locked it!
Matt would kill her if he knew she’d left it unlocked. Well, not kill her exactly, but his disappointment would feel like death. She checked the lock one more time and headed back into the bedroom. How could she have been so stupid!
****
Penny awakened to the sound of knocking on her front door. Again? She looked at her clock. Eight in the morning. She’d been sleeping a long time, enjoying her continuing sensual dreams of Matt.
She climbed out of bed and dragged on a pair of shorts under her pajama top. Shuffling sleepily to the door, she peered through the peephole. Matt! She pulled open the door, thanking her lucky stars that she had to fumble with the lock to do so.
“Matt! What brings you here? I mean...Good morning!” she sang out, suddenly wide awake.
Matt held up a paper bag and grinned bashfully. “Breakfast?”
“Really?” she squeaked. “How nice! Come on in. I’ll make coffee.”
She pulled the door wide, and Matt stepped in. He followed her to the kitchen. He set the bag down on the small round table, strolled over to the balcony door and looked out onto the day. Penny started some coffee and turned to look at him. The sun shone through the glass and highlighted the glossy streaks in his dark hair. It was all she could do not to run over and leap into his arms. Something about just getting out of bed...and Matt standing before her.
“Well, this is a nice surprise,” she grinned. “What did you bring?” She moved to the table and opened the bag, pulling out several still warm breakfast sandwiches. “Everything looks great!”
Matt turned to her and smiled. “I felt bad about running out on dinner last night.”
“Oh, that’s all right. You had to go,” Penny mumbled as she moved away to get some plates and cups. She put the plates and napkins out on the table, nervously aware that Matt watched her quietly.
“So, did everything go all right last night? Your phone call?” She began to pour coffee.
“Phone call? Oh, yeah.”
Penny’s hand shook as she set the coffee cups down. His short answer caught her by surprise. She’d always known him to be very forthcoming, few secrets...then. She glanced at him from under her lashes. His facial expression bore a faint look of...irritation? He pressed his lips together and sat down without looking at her.
She swallowed hard and sat down heavily.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.” She bit into her food though it suddenly tasted like cardboard.
Matt glanced at her quickly.
“You’re not prying, Penny.” He picked up his coffee and took a slow sip. “It was just an old friend who needed something.”
“Oh!” She waited.
“That’s all.” He picked up a sandwich and began to eat.
“I see.
More coffee?” she asked briskly as she jumped up from the table. An old female friend?
“What? I’ve barely had a sip! Come here and sit down, Penny. I’m sorry I was short about the call. I’d rather not talk about it though, if you don’t mind.”
Penny reluctantly returned to the table and sat down.
“Did you get some sleep last night?” he asked.
Penny nodded. She would have loved to ask him the same innocuous question, but now it seemed somehow laden with a hint of interrogation.
“I got to bed around two this morning, back up at six.”
“Oh, dear.” She dared not ask. The phone call that he didn’t want to talk about. Was he seeing someone? She hadn’t even asked.
“Alone, Penny.”
She glanced up startled to find him watching her with a smile. Alone. Yes! She rubbed her nose and grinned.
“I didn’t ask.” “I know you.”
Though he grinned, he looked exhausted. He had apparently found time to shower and shave this morning. She remembered the scratchiness of his five o’clock shadow last night and how he’d tickled her neck with his face. She wiped at her cheek, hoping he wouldn’t notice her heated flush.
“What’s up, Penny?” Matt leaned back and took a sip of coffee.
“What do you mean?” She looked at him with wide eyes.
“Your face is red.” His eyes twinkled.
“Oh, is it? I don’t know. The coffee maybe?” Penny leaned an elbow on the table and covered one cheek as best she could while she held the cup up to her lips.
His grin broadened. “I remember that blush. You used to turn so red when you were embarrassed.”
“Really?” She cleared her throat again. “Well, I’m older now. Probably high blood pressure.”
Matt laughed, and Penny fell in, enjoying the sweetness of being in his company once again. He looked at his watch and sighed.
“Well, I’d better get to the office. I’ve got to check with Cliff and see if he’s got anything on the bank job.”
He rose and Penny stood with him feeling slightly awkward. He picked up his jacket and slipped it on while walking to the door. Penny followed.
“Thanks for breakfast, Matt. The food was great!”
Matt turned at the door. He lifted an eyebrow. “How would you know? You hardly ate.”
“I’m sorry. I feel hungry, but I just couldn’t eat.” She touched his arm lightly and pulled back. She lowered her lashes, unwilling to tell him that her stomach did somersaults every time she looked at his beloved face.
“Really?” he murmured. “Maybe we have the same problem.”
Penny glanced up to find him watching her with an inscrutable smile. He reached up and ran a gentle hand along the side of her head, his fingers lingering on the ends of her curls before he turned and stepped out the door, closing it quietly behind him. She moved to the door and leaned her forehead against it to cool her face. He hadn’t changed a bit. He still had that shy boy-flirtatious man quality that never failed to bring a flutter to her heart.
She returned to the kitchen and picked up the dishes and coffee cups in a bemused state, humming a little song as she washed up. She ignored the little voice in her head that asked when she might see Matt next. At least, she tried to ignore the nagging voice. Matt was not likely to rekindle their romance. In fact, it had been she who had kindled it in the first place. She’d fallen madly in love with the quiet, reserved man in her philosophy class. The Matt she’d known was too practical and sensible to turn to her now and say, “Hey, I love you. Leave Michigan and come down here to live with me.”
Penny couldn’t help but grin at the bizarre image. No, not Matt. He would always hold back. And who was this old friend he didn’t want to talk about?
She went into the bedroom and dressed for the day in a T-shirt, light windbreaker and shorts before heading out for a walk on the beach. The sun shone brightly overhead, and she shuffled through the warm sand toward the water’s edge. The emerald waves attacked the shore briskly again, but there seemed to be little wind driving them. Penny paused to watch their hypnotic motion. A small sandpiper hopped by on one foot, stabbing the sand with his beak in search of food. He dragged the other useless leg behind. He paused in front of Penny as if to appraise her, bracing himself by thrusting his damaged leg out at an awkward backward angle.
Penny’s heart melted.
“Hey, Hoppy! What happened to you, little guy?” she murmured.
The little cripple hopped toward her feet and then veered away. She wished she had a snack for him. This was one bird she would consent to feed. Seeing she had nothing more substantial than sympathy to offer, he heroically hopped down the beach on one tiny, matchstick leg.
“I wonder what happened to him?”
Penny turned in surprise. Cliff stood behind her, his hands shoved in a light jacket. He wore blue jeans this morning.
“Cliff! What are you doing here? I mean...did you get settled in somewhere?”
A pleasant smile emphasized his tanned face. “As a matter of fact I did. I’m in that hotel over there.” He turned to face the beachside condominiums and pointed toward a tall white building with a façade of seemingly hundreds of glass windows and balconies.
“That’s right near my building.” She took in his casual attire. “Are you taking the day off?”
Cliff shook his head. “No, I thought I’d take a walk this morning before I head in to the station to see what’s going on.” He tilted his head toward the sun, drew in a deep breath and let it out with a sigh. “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”
“It is.” Penny responded to his enthusiasm and returned his grin. She found herself dragging in the sea air along with him, savoring the faint smell of fish and salt.
“Would you like to take a morning stroll?”
Penny turned startled eyes on him. His smile broadened, and she couldn’t resist the idea of some company.
“Sure! That would be nice.”
They turned to the west and began to walk. Cliff matched his longer steps to hers, and she relaxed into their pace.
“I hear you’re from Michigan, Penny. So am I. I’m a Southern transplant.”
“Well, I’m not originally from Michigan, but that’s where I’ve been for the last eight years.” She glanced up at him occasionally but kept her eyes on her feet for the most part as she avoided treading on seashells. “I love it here,” she breathed. “No wonder you moved down here. How long have you been here?”
“Oh, about twenty years, believe it or not. Can’t you tell by my accent?”
Penny laughed. “You don’t have a Southern accent, Cliff. I still hear some Midwest stuff going on, a certain twang here and there.”
“Surely not! I’ve really worked hard to develop just the right drawl to avoid being called a Yankee.”
“Well, you’ve got more work to do, that’s for sure,” Penny giggled.
Cliff shook his head in mock dismay.
“Do you have family here?” Penny allowed her curiosity free rein.
“No. I don’t. None. Not even married. How about you, Penny? Any family?”
“Yes, I have a son in college. He’s in California.”
“A long way away.”
“Yeah,” she sighed. She watched a lone gray pigeon hanging around with a flock of seagulls who dotted the beach while they poised, waiting for whatever it was that seagulls waited for.
“Where are you from in Michigan, Cliff? I don’t think I heard.”
“Traverse City. Grew up there. In fact, I was just up there recently.” He gave her a sharp look. “Have you heard of it?”
Penny came to an abrupt stop and jabbed a thumb toward her chest. “I’m from Traverse City. Really? What a small world.”
He stopped and tilted his head with a half smile. “No kidding? What do you do up there?”
She turned to move on, wishing she’d said nothing. “I’m a therapist. Well, not right now. I mean I am, but I’m not
working... I’m on sabbatical.”
“Sabbatical,” he repeated as if exploring the word. “I see.” He gave her a searching look.
“Yes.” Penny cursed herself for mumbling her way through the explanation, her prevarication guaranteed to provoke curiosity and questions--the last thing she wanted.
“How do you like being a therapist?” Cliff asked.
Penny’s shoulders sagged. The light seemed to have disappeared though the sun continued to shine unimpeded. She threw Cliff a quick glance, but his gaze seemed riveted to the sand as they plodded along the beach.
“At the moment, I don’t. It’s a long story.” She clasped her hands behind her back. “How do you like working for the FBI?”
Cliff didn’t answer, and Penny turned to look at him. He seemed lost in thought.
“Cliff?”
“Hmmm?” He glanced at her with a preoccupied expression.
“I was wondering...how do you like working for the FBI?”
“Oh, the FBI. I like it. I’ve been with them a long time...twenty years. I started here in Mobile.” He looked at his watch. “Well, listen, I’d better turn around and head back. Can’t slack off too much with the robbery and all.” He grinned. “I’ve got some stuff to do at work. Thanks for the walk, Penny. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
Penny nodded wordlessly and watched him walk back down the beach, long legs suddenly picking up speed on the return trip. He turned once and waved, and she waved back. A sandpiper darted through the retreating waves in search of food left behind. While he was cute, he certainly wasn’t Hoppy. She sighed and turned to head back to her apartment. She could still see Cliff in the distance moving at a rapid pace. At some point, he turned away from the beach and headed toward his hotel.
****
Matt walked into the station with a light step.
“Morning, Chief. Lookin’ mighty chipper.”
“Thanks, Patty. I feel good this morning.”
