Threads of Love

by Frances Devine

  Eve pulled back to look into Jason’s bloodstained face. She placed a finger near the cut.

  He flinched.

  “You did that for me?”

  Jason smiled, his brown eyes warm, despite the injury. “And I’d do it again.” He wrapped his long fingers around Eve’s hand and squeezed it. “You look like the night I first saw you.” He ran a finger through her wet, wavy hair.

  Eve felt a spark and laughed. “Yeah, well you look pretty rough, not at all like the first time I saw you.”

  Jason leaned in toward Eve’s face, his moist breath inviting her to kiss him. She lifted her lips to him.

  “Let’s mop up,” Bingham yelled.

  Jason pulled back.

  If Eve had the energy, she would have thrown a very large stone at Bingham.

  “Let’s get the thief collared.” The sheriff raised Logan Briggs, cuffed and still woozy, to his feet.

  “Gotcha,” Bingham whooped and shot a fist high into the frigid air.

  As a calmed Lucy ambled to Jason’s side, one of the lawmen exited the shack. He held several items in his arms, one of which was Eve’s box.

  “My box,” Eve shouted. “Thank God. I’ll take it now.”

  “Sorry, miss. You’ll have to wait. This is evidence.” The man continued his stride.

  “No.” Eve stepped away from Jason to go after the lawman.

  “Eve, it’s okay.” Jason drew her back.

  “It is not. I’ve got two days until my cousins gather. I’ve got to have that box.”

  “Eve.” Jason nodded toward his waist. He pulled up his T-shirt to reveal Gran’s quilt squares rolled up and pushed into the waistline of his jeans. “Shh,” he cautioned in a low tone.

  Eve grinned. “How can I ever thank you?”

  “Jason.” The sheriff approached.

  Jason quickly smoothed his shirt down.

  “We’ll need you to fill out some paperwork.”

  “Yes, sir,” Jason replied. “Bingham, can you take Eve and Lucy home?”

  “In the Jeep?” He grinned. “My pleasure.”

  “And don’t get stuck,” Jason teased.

  Bingham made his way to the Jeep.

  Jason grabbed the quilt squares and discreetly handed them off to Eve. Just as discreetly, she jammed them inside her sweater.

  His eyes lingered on her. “Got to go.” He turned and took steps toward the sheriff’s SUV.

  “You know what this means?” Eve called after him.

  Jason turned toward her. “What?”

  “I’m not your client anymore.”

  A huge grin spread across Jason’s face, and he climbed into the vehicle.

  Eve watched the SUV pull away. “My real-life hero,” she whispered. “And the emphasis is on my.”

  Chapter 12

  Jason felt a gentle shake to the shoulder. He had fallen asleep. The odor of germicide collided with the harsh fluorescent lights of the waiting room. Distant sirens and an intense headache reminded him he was still at the hospital.

  Bingham was at his side. “Jason, I’m here to take you home.” The young man stared at Jason’s bandaged head. “Aren’t you supposed to stay awake for the next four to five hours?”

  Jason nodded. “I’m tired, Bing. It’s just a precaution. They don’t think I’m concussed.”

  “Maybe you should stay with Dale and Candy tonight. I’ll take you there.”

  “What about Lucy?”

  “I’ll take care of her. Come on; let’s get out of this place. Hospitals and I are not fond of each other.”

  In the parking lot, Bingham helped Jason into the passenger side of the Jeep.

  “CSPD said you filled out the paperwork in the ER while you waited to be treated.” Bingham raised a brow. “How many stitches?”

  “Ten.” Jason put a finger on the protective bandage and looked at his reflection in the rearview mirror. “Yep, here they come. Two black eyes, just like the doc said.”

  “Cool. Scars of combat.”

  Jason blew out a long breath. “Scare the clients more like.” He shivered. “I could do with a strong cup of blazing hot coffee.”

  “Eve said you’d probably need some.” Bingham held up a thermos. “She ordered it at the hotel and sent it along.”

  Jason smiled and took the thermos. “You got her to her room okay?”

  “Yeah. You know what she did? After you left the crime scene and we were ready to go, she stood by the Jeep. She just stood there. Finally, I rolled down the window and asked her what she was doing. You know what she said?” Bingham scrunched his nose. “Listening. Now what’s that about?”

  Jason’s smile broadened. The action pulled on his stitches and it hurt. He put his finger on the bandage again. “The silence of snowfall can speak to you, Bing. You should try it sometime.”

  Bingham just shook his head.

  Jason opened the thermos and poured some coffee into the cup. Steam rose in the evening coolness of the Jeep’s interior. The harsh blue light of the neon hospital logo flooded the inside of the vehicle.

  Bingham gripped the steering wheel and watched as Jason took a sip of the coffee. “I know your head’s bashed up, but this is a great moment. You got the bad guy.”

  “I did. With Eve’s help.” Jason took another long sip.

  “You should be celebrating.”

  How could he tell Bingham that for all he gained today, he had lost something, too? Despite the excitement of capturing the thief in the presence of a desirable woman, there was also disappointment.

  Bingham started the Jeep. “Is Priscilla going to be displeased that you went on a stakeout with a female client?”

  “No.” An ache flashed through Jason’s chest. “Priscilla gave me the push today.”

  “What?” Bingham killed the engine. “She found out about Eve.”

  “She found out about Harry.”

  “Harry?”

  “Her old flame. Climbing the ladder of the East Coast financial sector. Has a posh Manhattan apartment. And he’s back on the market.”

  “They’re reconnecting?”

  “They’re reconnected.”

  “When did she tell you this?”

  “At the airport.”

  “Ouch, that’s cold.”

  “She said it was either that or a text message.”

  “Gruesome.” Then Bingham’s eyes sparked. “But that makes the way clear for you and Eve.”

  “It does.” Jason ran his finger up and down the thermos cup. “Right now, I’m pretty banged up, and not just my head.”

  “Do you want to tell Eve to get out of your life?”

  “No!” Jason took another long sip of coffee. “I dated Priscilla for almost a year, Bing. You don’t just walk away and pretend it never happened.”

  “Why not? Priscilla did.”

  “You’re a great comfort, Bingham.” Jason pursed his lips. “And to add to it, I’ve known Eve less than a week. In a few days, she leaves. Despite all that, I think I’m falling in love with her. Nothing makes sense.”

  “Since when did love make sense?” Bingham started the Jeep again. “Anyway, Eve’s full of surprises.” He smiled at Jason. “She really is full of surprises.”

  Jason noted Bingham’s silly grin but was too exhausted to ask questions. “That’s great, Bing. Now can we get a move on?”

  Candy and Dale’s home was a warm welcome. Candy had some chili and hot corn bread ready for him, and a hot shower relaxed his muscular pain from the fight with Briggs. But Dale’s words were the real medicine.

  “Priscilla was an important part of your life, Jason, but don’t let that hurt steal away a relationship with Eve.” Dale always had such keen insight. “To be honest, Candy and I think Eve is far better suited for you. We really like her.”

  Their endorsement meant a lot to Jason.

  “I don’t want to bounce to Eve on the rebound. That wouldn’t be fair.”

  “Rebound? You were drawn to her before Priscilla
left.”

  “You knew?”

  “I have eyes, Jason.”

  “That obvious?”

  “For someone who knows you well, yes. Don’t cheat yourself here. You’ve got an opportunity ahead of you. If you think about it, could the timing be more divine?”

  What Dale said made a lot of sense. Jason knew he couldn’t let Eve leave his life, even though she would leave Colorado Springs. He pulled out his phone and called her.

  “Eve, hi, just wanted to say thanks for the coffee.”

  “I knew you’d be ready for some hot java.”

  Her voice was a sweet melody to his ears. “How’s your leg?”

  “Sore, but much better since I’ve warmed up. How are you feeling?”

  He gulped. “Feeling?”

  “How’s the head?”

  “Oh.” He felt warmth on his face. “Apart from the sensation that a herd of wild horses just galloped across my skull and kicked me in the eyes, I’m fine.”

  “I wish there was something I could do to make you feel better.”

  “As a matter of fact there is.” Jason took a deep breath. “Meet me tomorrow after work.”

  “I’ve got something going on then.”

  Jason gripped the phone tighter. “Oh.”

  “Could we meet later in the evening?”

  Jason relaxed his grip. “Yeah, that would be great. I’ll call you after work.”

  “Jason, thanks for all you’ve done. I’m going through Gran’s squares right now.”

  “I’m glad we got them back.” He paused. “See you tomorrow evening.”

  Jason rang off. He sent an arrow prayer of thanks. A sense of solace made him relax, and yet he couldn’t wait for tomorrow night.

  A busy work day has no respect for aches and pains, and it was busy. There was news that explained some details around the theft of Eve’s box. Logan Briggs fingered George Spiros as an accomplice in three of the hotel thefts. Eve’s was one of those three. George said he hated stealing from the guests, but the cash Briggs offered him was too much to turn down. George admitted he was struggling to get money to pay for his child’s operation. He overheard Eve’s phone conversation with her father that concerned something valuable to go in the vault and told Briggs. He had great remorse about all of it, though, and was the one who put the tell-tale note that broke the case in Jenny’s employee mailbox. That would buy him some clemency, but it was yet to be seen what would happen to him. Jason decided not to tell Eve all this. In time, it would become public information.

  On his way home after work, Jason wondered how Eve would react when she found out Priscilla was out of his life. He took a quick breath when he thought about how to tell Eve that he was falling for her. How would she respond? In a few hours, all his questions would be answered.

  Chapter 13

  Jason was relieved to be home. But as he got to the front door of his townhouse and turned the key, something didn’t seem right. He didn’t hear Lucy’s jingle of dog tags that usually greeted him at the door. He steeled himself for the unexpected and swung the door open.

  “Surprise!” His friends, wearing pointed birthday hats, were scattered all across his living room. Colorful streamers decked the walls, and big bunches of balloons waved above the backs of chairs.

  “Happy birthday, Jason,” Candy called, and Dale held up a glass.

  Jason laughed as he surveyed the crowd in his living room. He wondered if his bandaged knot and two black eyes would put anyone off, even though they were friends.

  “Here’s to the conquering hero,” Bing cheered, and Jimmy smiled.

  “You really are John Wayne,” hooted Shelly, the owner of the stables.

  “We had to celebrate your birthday,” Jenny, the sweet employee who helped with the case, added. Binjani, the desk receptionist who had also helped, nodded in agreement.

  Even Lucy had a party hat. She pawed at the plastic band under her chin.

  When Jason regained his equilibrium, he had to ask.

  “Who did this?”

  Everyone pointed to the figure emerging from the kitchen with a Superman birthday cake in hand.

  “Eve.” Jason’s pulse quickened. In her pointed, pink polka-dot hat, her presence was like a candle that lit the room. She stood without the aid of crutches.

  “Happy birthday to my hero,” she said.

  Jason stepped to her side. The scent of meadow flowers overwhelmed him as she placed her lovely, warm lips on his cheek and gave him a sweet kiss.

  A flame sprang up in his stomach. Forget the cake. He wanted to hold Eve and tell her how she had stolen his heart. He couldn’t see anyone else in the room.

  “You’ve got to cut the cake before we can eat any, Jason,” Isabel coaxed.

  “I told you Eve’s full of surprises,” Bingham said.

  Jason regained his awareness of the people around him. “And I thought all I was going to get for my birthday was a slurp from Lucy.”

  Everybody laughed.

  “So this is what you were ‘too busy’ doing after,” Jason said to Eve in a low tone. “How did you know it was my birthday?”

  Eve nodded toward Bingham.

  Jason smiled. “No crutches?”

  “My leg is much better.”

  He leaned close to her, inhaling her scent. “We’ll talk when everyone’s gone,” he whispered.

  Eve was stacking cake plates in the dishwasher when Isabel entered with more soiled dishes.

  “Here you are, Eve.”

  “Isabel, thanks. Set them here.” Eve pointed to the counter near the dishwasher.

  “Hey, when do you get together with the cousins?”

  “Tomorrow afternoon. I can’t wait to see everyone.”

  “Tell them hi from me,” Isabel chirped.

  “Of course,” Eve chirped back.

  “This party has been so much fun, Eve.”

  “It has been. I’m so glad it worked out that Bingham could lend me Jason’s key.”

  “Jason was so surprised.” Isabel lowered her voice as she stacked the dishes with Eve. “And now it’s your turn for a surprise. You’ll never guess what Mr. Hill told me today.” She grinned.

  “He’s sending you and Raul to Hawaii for a week?” Eve chuckled and placed a couple of plates in the rack.

  “I wish. No, his assistant who’s out on maternity leave has decided to stay home with her baby.”

  “Oh, that’s nice for her.”

  “Eve, don’t you see? That means there will be a job opening, right away. Mr. Hill needs a new administrative assistant.”

  “Oh.” Eve widened her eyes. “Do you think I could—”

  “I’ve got you signed up for an interview tomorrow,” Isabel interrupted. “Ten o’clock in Mr. Hill’s office.”

  Eve yelped.

  “It may shrink your wallet, but, from the looks of things, it could be a gold strike for love.” Isabel giggled.

  “You okay in here?” Jason asked as he and Raul, Isabel’s husband, entered the kitchen carrying dirty glasses and cups.

  Isabel laughed. “We’re fine.”

  Eve’s stomach flip-flopped. An interview. Could God be opening a door for her and Jason to be near one another? Things seemed to be galloping along at high speed.

  “That’s it. All cleaned up. Everyone else has gone home,” Raul said. He set the glassware on the counter.

  “We need to go get Mateo,” Isabel said. “My mom’s probably ready to give him back.” She wiped her hands with a towel and gave Eve a wink. “Behave,” she whispered as she and Raul left. Jason saw them to the door.

  Eve removed her party hat and stacked the glasses in the dishwasher. She took several deep breaths when she heard Jason’s steps return to the kitchen. She was alone with him now, and his nearness made heat rise within her.

  “I loved my party.”

  Her back was to him as she loaded more glasses. “Yes, I think everyone really enjoyed themselves.”

  “Leave those.�
�� Jason took her hand. He turned her to face him. “Come with me.”

  Eve enjoyed the clasp of his hand around hers. He took her to the sliding glass doors that led out to his redwood deck.

  Eve observed the bright stars that danced across the now dark sky.

  Jason opened the door and pulled her out with him.

  “It’s cold,” she objected. Even though she had on a warm sweater, she could feel the chill of the mid-October night.

  “Don’t worry about staying warm,” he said with a tease in his voice.

  A small fire pit danced with orange flames. Jason brought her close to it, and she let the warmth fill her as he squeezed her hand.

  “What are we doing out here?” she asked, looking into his face. His warm eyes sparkled, despite the blue circles. His bumps and bruises were badges of bravery to her.

  Jason took a deep breath. “Something has happened I think you should know about.”

  “Priscilla’s a fool for leaving you.” The words tumbled out of Eve’s mouth before she could stop them.

  “You know then.”

  “Candy told me.” She put her hand on Jason’s chest. “I also know it must hurt.”

  “But I can’t let that hurt stop me from what you and I might have together.” He ran a finger through a wave of her hair.

  Eve swallowed hard. “What you and I might have?”

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about,” Jason said with a faint smile. He placed his palm on Eve’s hand, still resting on his chest.

  Yes, Eve did know. But she wanted to hear it from Jason’s lips. “What are you saying?”

  “Eve, we’ve known each other less than a week, and you leave Colorado soon. But I don’t want you to go. I want you in my life.”

  Eve felt fire rise to her cheeks.

  Jason looked down and took a deep breath. He raised his head and stared straight into her eyes. “I know Priscilla just left. But I had feelings for you before that. It sounds insane, but I’m falling in love with you.”

  Eve felt a swirl start in her stomach that raced to her head. “Then we’re both crazy.”

  He leaned his bandaged forehead against hers. “Eve,” he whispered.

  He pulled back. His eyes danced with those autumn fires she recognized the first time she met him. But the blaze was more intense now. He pulled her to him and wrapped his massive arms around her. The considerable heat of his sturdy body warmed her against the chill. She let her arms find their way around his strong back and lifted her lips to him. He softly placed his mouth on hers and kissed her.