Diamonds or Donuts

by Lucie Ulrich

  “That sounds nice.” Pippa’s eyes remained trained on Mike’s. “But only if it’s okay with Sarah and Kevin.”

  “I don’t care what the two of you do,” Kevin said. “As long as we can get out of here and I can change into comfortable clothes and get some sleep.”

  Pippa retrieved her keys from her purse. “I’m going to open the car and slide the front passenger seat back for Kevin. Mike, you make sure he doesn’t fall or anything.”

  Kevin’s brows drew together in a deep frown. “I’m not going to fall.”

  “Maybe not, but you’re stubborn enough to want to keep pace, and that’s out of the question.”

  Sarah was quick to catch up with Pippa as she hurried through the hospital doors. “Is there anything you want to tell me?”

  “About what?” Pippa beeped the door unlocked.

  “Don’t play dumb with me, Philippa Bradshaw. I saw the look you and Mike shared, not to mention the dinner invitation.”

  Pink blossomed on Pippa’s cheeks. “Mike and I are just friends.”

  “The same way you and Kevin are just friends?”

  “Not exactly.” She opened the door and adjusted the seat. “But now is not the time. The guys will be here any minute, and I don’t want to say anything in front of Kevin.”

  “Afraid he’ll be jealous?” Sarah grinned.

  “No. I’m afraid he won’t give Mike a moment’s peace, and until Mike and I are sure we want to pursue a relationship, neither of us wants to make a big deal out of things.” She stood and glanced over her shoulder. “We can talk more later, but please promise me you won’t say anything for a while.”

  Sarah held up three fingers, reminiscent of her scouting days, though it was accompanied by a grin her scout leader would not have approved of. “On my honor.”

  With Kevin settled into the car and Mike on his way back to work, Pippa drove the few miles toward Kevin’s house. Sarah remained silent while sitting behind Kevin’s seat. She’d had fun joking with Pippa, but now she was about to spend several hours with the man she should be steering clear of. At least she’d have Pippa around to ease any discomfort.

  Kevin tugged on the seatbelt and pulled it away from him. “There’s really no need for all this fuss. I have pain meds I’ll take as soon as I get home, then I’m climbing into bed. There is little to no probability I’ll be a danger to myself.”

  “Pain meds are exactly why you need someone around.” Pippa made a sharp left turn. “You’re stuck with us until Mike gets back.”

  “Fine, just don’t expect me to entertain you.”

  Sarah stifled a laugh, while breathing a sigh of relief at the same time. The thought of being entertained by Kevin was more pleasant than it should be.

  When they pulled into Kevin’s driveway, he quickly unhooked his belt and pushed the door open. With a loud groan, he slid out of the car. Instinct had Sarah jumping out just as quickly. She stood by his side and reached for his arm. “Let me help you.”

  The intensity in his eyes and smile on his face nearly melted her to the ground. What was she doing? She withdrew her hand, put it out again, then pulled back a second time. Sarah stopped to breathe. “How can I help?”

  “You can relax. I got this.” He slammed the car door shut and inched toward his front door, leaving her behind.

  The sting of his rejection brought Sarah back to reality. Her place wasn’t that far. It would be easy enough to make an excuse and head home. That’s what she would do. Pippa would understand. Grabbing her purse from the backseat, she closed her own door and looked Pippa’s way.

  “Don’t even think about it.” Pippa kept her voice low. “We’re in this together.”

  “She doesn’t have to stay if she doesn’t want to.” Kevin spoke with his back to them. He unlocked the door and went inside.

  The guy certainly didn’t have any hearing problems. Though the well-deserved second rejection stung as much as the first, Sarah took it in stride. She followed the two into the house.

  Kevin was in his bedroom changing when Pippa announced she was on her way to the drugstore to pick up Kevin’s prescription.

  Panic dried Sarah’s throat. She forced down a drop of saliva. “I thought he had the drugs with him.”

  “Only one dose.” Pippa grabbed her purse and keys. “I’ll be back as soon as possible, but I have a feeling Kevin will be asleep long before I return.”

  Pippa was gone in seconds, leaving Sarah alone and feeling awkward. This day was proving to have more ups and downs than a teeter totter.

  Waiting a good ten minutes before venturing down the hallway, Sarah called out, “Can I get you anything, Kevin?” There was no response, so she inched closer to the end of the hall. Unsure which room was his she peeked into the first one she came to, only to find an empty antique white metal bed. The open bathroom door to her right left only—Kevin’s room.

  After a shallow breath, Sarah knocked lightly and kept her voice soft. “Do you need anything, Kevin?” When he didn’t answer, she had no other choice. The door was cracked, so she gave it a gentle push.

  Kevin lay on his back, propped up by several pillows. His mouth was slightly ajar, and his breathing slow and regular. The moment she took a step back, the floor creaked.

  Kevin opened his eyes and looked her way. “Don’t leave.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “It’s okay.” He gave her a small smile. “Please come in and talk to me.”

  “Are you sure you want me to?”

  The smile grew. “Positive.” He patted the right side of his bed.

  Sarah entered the room, but wasn’t sure about sitting on his bed, then laughed inwardly at her foolishness. It wasn’t like the man was in any position to make a move. Rounding the foot of the bed, she sat. “You look comfortable. Are you?”

  “As long as I don’t move or do much breathing.” His eyes twinkled, or maybe that was tiredness she saw.

  “How’s your head?”

  He touched a spot next to the cut and winced. “The ribs hurt so badly, I’d almost forgotten.”

  “Do you need anything?”

  “Just your company.” He held out his hand, which she hesitated accepting. “Come on, Sarah, let’s forget all this foolishness and get back to being friends.”

  Warmth reached her extremities. She wanted nothing more, yet held back. “Is that even possible at this point?”

  “It is for me.” He reached his arm out further, wincing in the process. “I hate all this avoiding we’ve been doing. I miss our talks, laughing with you, cooking for you.”

  Sarah’s heart drummed a steady, rapid beat. “So do I.” Now that she’d admitted it, she didn’t know what else to say, so she took his hand and gave a light squeeze.

  He smiled tenderly. “That wasn’t so hard. Was it?”

  Tears filled her eyes while the pounding in her chest intensified. “Actually, it was. Is. Every time I’m close to you, I feel like I’m cheating. It’s like my heart is split in two, with one side belonging to Logan and the other to you. I’m a confused mess.”

  Kevin released her hand and wiped the falling tear from her cheek. “A good portion of the blame is mine. I tried to stay away, not to get involved, but I couldn’t seem to help myself.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “When your note revealed you had feelings for me, I hoped backing away would make you want me more.”

  She swiped at the tears on the other cheek. “It did, which only makes me feel guiltier.” Kevin’s dark eyes held hers captive. She wanted to look away, but found it impossible. There was a decision in her future, but at this point she had no idea what it would be.

  The front door opened, and Sarah stood. “Pippa is back. I hope you don’t mind, but it’s probably best if I leave now. I’ll check on you tomorrow.”

  “You don’t have to come back.”

  “I want to. In the meantime, I have a lot of thinking to do, and you need to get some rest.”

/>   “I promise to rest if you promise not to overthink things.”

  She huffed out a small laugh. “Like that’s a promise I could ever keep.”

  “I know, but you have to believe I’m not kidding about us being friends.” He ran his fingers over her hand resting on the bedspread. “Until you figure out what you want, can we at least go back to the way we were?”

  “You’ll be satisfied with that?”

  “For a time.”

  The sensation his touch elicited felt so good, but did she have a right to it? “What if I break your heart?” she whispered.

  His tired eyes crinkled when he smiled. “What if I win yours?”

  ****

  Kevin didn’t remember much after Sarah left. He drifted off to sleep, and the next thing he heard was the sound of someone rattling around in his kitchen. His heart skittered in his chest. Had Sarah decided to stay after all?

  Using his right arm, he pushed himself to a seated position. Per the doctor’s orders, and with great difficulty, he sucked in the deepest breath possible. When the pain subsided, he gently swung his legs off the bed and stood.

  Clutching his mid-section directly below the lowest broken bone, Kevin padded into the kitchen to find Mike making all the racket. Slightly deflated, but not completely surprised, he asked, “What time is it?”

  Mike spun around. “Four thirty. Figured you’d be hungry, so I picked up barbecue on the way over. It’s in the oven, warming.”

  “Sounds good.” Kevin pulled out a chair at the table, and took his time lowering himself into it. “Pippa’s gone, I take it.”

  “Yeah, she left about thirty minutes ago.” He retrieved a couple of plates from the cupboard. “Sarah wasn’t here when I arrived.”

  “I know. She left earlier.”

  “You okay with that?”

  “It’s not like I have a whole lot of choice in the matter.” When he managed to find a comfortable position, Kevin heaved out a long, slow breath. “So, what’s going on with you and Pip?”

  Mike’s laughter bounced off the kitchen walls. “You, sir, are going to make a great detective.” He set the plates on the table. “We’ve been out a few times. Taking it slow to see how we feel. I figure there’s no need for the whole station to know what’s going on.”

  “Smart move.”

  “You’ll keep our secret?”

  “You know I will. You also know I’ll hurt you if you break Pippa’s heart.”

  Mike laughed, then stopped when Kevin didn’t join in. “Um, yeah, I got it.”

  “Good.” Kevin grinned. “Now, how about that barbecue? I’m starving.”

  “You got it, buddy.”

  While Mike went on and on about his newfound feelings for Pippa, Kevin thought back to the small breakthrough he and Sarah had reached. Whether or not things progressed beyond this point would be up to Sarah.

  As much as he wanted her to choose him, Kevin had to put himself in Logan’s shoes. Not knowing Logan and having him so far out of the picture had made it easier on Kevin, but definitely unfair. That wasn’t to say Kevin wasn’t in it to win it, but he had a feeling Logan’s presence would be felt more than ever.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Sunlight streamed through Sarah’s living room window. She peeked out onto the street to find the usual early morning traffic—most of it on foot. It was a perfect slice of Americana, and she would forever be grateful to Antonio for allowing her to share in it.

  With her purse adjusted across her body, Sarah headed downstairs for a cup of coffee and something sweet. Oatmeal was a better option, but after yesterday’s events and last night’s lack of sleep, caffeine and sugar were a must.

  Antonio grinned the moment she stepped into the bakery. “Miss Sarah, I have something speciale for you this morning.” He hurried to the back while Sarah wondered how he knew she’d stop by. Then again, it seemed he always had something special whenever she showed up—special and free. Without a doubt, she had the best landlord ever.

  Sarah poured coffee and added French vanilla creamer while she waited, grateful Antonio had decided to update the décor, but mostly for the coffee bar. She found an empty table by the side window, and enjoyed her first swallow.

  When Antonio returned, he placed a flaky, golden-brown pastry in front of her. “Made fresh this morning, just for you.”

  Sarah took a bite, savoring the light dough with just the right amount of bitter chocolate to offset the buttery flavor. “Antonio, I do believe you have mind-reading capabilities. How did you know I was craving chocolate this morning?”

  The pastry chef grinned. “Is a gift.”

  “I’ve never had this before. What’s it called?”

  “Pain D’Avignon.”

  “Really? French pastry from an Italian baker?”

  Antonio’s hands took on a life of their own as he waved them wildly. “I no discriminate. Pastry is pastry, no?”

  Reaching for one of his hands, Sarah slowed his movements. “I was teasing. There isn’t a thing I’ve tasted from your shop I haven’t loved. I don’t care what country it comes from.”

  “Bene. I know you no mean anything.” He chuckled. “I just like to be silly, si?”

  She smiled up at this wonderful man, happy to know him. “I do see.”

  “How is our poliziotto?”

  There were so many things Sarah could say about Kevin, but none of them had anything to do with Antonio’s question. She sipped her coffee. “In pain, but that’s to be expected. Knowing Kevin, he’ll be rushing to get back to work before the doctor gives him the okay.”

  Antonio pulled his brows together and he shook his finger at her. “You tell that man no rest, no more sweets from me.”

  “Don’t listen to this old fool.” Rosa pushed Antonio aside and set a box on Sarah’s table. “Tell your young man there will always be something sweet waiting for him. After saving our business from a robber and arsonist, is the least we can do.”

  Her young man? Sarah nearly choked on a bite of her breakfast. Yes, she was attracted to Kevin, but that hadn’t always been the case. What image had she been presenting? Had she never told Antonio and Rosa about Logan? She stared at her ring then held up her hand. “Rosa, you do know I’m engaged, right?”

  Rosa waved a nonchalant hand. “Oh sure, but that can change. You and Kevin are perfetto. Such a sweet couple.”

  Sarah rubbed tired eyes. “Somehow I don’t think my fiancé would feel the same way.”

  “Your fiancé no here, Kevin is.” Rosa pushed the box forward. “You bring these to Kevin and tell him Rosa sends her love.” She waggled her brows. “Maybe you send your love, too?”

  Sarah took a sip of her rich coffee in an attempt to clear her head and get off this subject. “I had no idea Kevin saved your shop.”

  “He never brag,” Antonio said. “You two kiss yet?”

  Rosa slapped her husband’s arm. “Stupido, you no ask questions like that.”

  The bell over the door chimed and a family of five walked in. Rosa greeted them, Antonio bustled back to the work area, and Sarah took that as her cue to leave. It was time to have a serious conversation. She pulled out her cell phone while walking to her car.

  Ten minutes later, Sarah stood in front of Kevin’s house. She knocked on the front door. When he didn’t answer, she checked to see whether it was open or not.

  It was.

  She stepped into the living room. “Kevin, are you up?”

  “I’m out back.”

  Sarah found him on the patio, sitting at the wrought iron table. He smiled when she walked through the back door. “You came.”

  “I told you I would.” She handed him the box from the bakery. “You never told me you were their hero.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t seem to get them to understand I was only doing my job.” He opened the box. “That said, I do appreciate the perks. Will you join me?”

  “Thanks, but I already had one. I wouldn’t mind another cup of c
offee, though. Can I get you a refill?”

  “I’d appreciate it.”

  She picked up the red ceramic mug and headed back inside. The doorbell rang while she was on her way to the kitchen. She looked at him over her shoulder. “I’ll get it.”

  A young boy, no more than nine or ten, stood next to a tall, slender woman who held a small casserole dish in her hands. The woman smiled. “Hi, I’m Tina from next door. Is Kevin home? My son, Peter, would like to speak to him for a moment.”

  Sarah couldn’t be sure, but from the downward cast of the boy’s face and the non-stop shuffling of his tennis shoe-clad feet, she got the impression Peter might be one of the kids Kevin encountered yesterday. She pulled the door open wider and beckoned them inside. “Kevin is out back. I was just getting him another cup of coffee. Can I bring either of you anything?”

  “Thanks,” Tina said, “but we won’t be here long.” She held out the dish. “Maybe you could put this in the fridge?”

  “No problem.”

  Tina ushered the boy through the living room. “You know where the backyard is.”

  ****

  Peter stood before Kevin, face down and feet shuffling. Kevin winked at Tina then put on a stern face. “To what do I owe this visit, Peter?”

  The young boy looked up with tears in his eyes. “I’m really sorry you got hurt because of me.”

  “I appreciate that. Want to tell me what you and your friends were doing?”

  Peter turned to his mother, who nodded. “Tell him, son.”

  Eyes downcast again, Peter spoke in a whisper. “Smoking.”

  “I see,” Kevin said. “And what made you think that was a good idea?”

  “I didn’t.” Peter lifted his chin. “Tommy Bryant said his big brother smokes all the time and that makes him cool.” The boy scuffed a toe on the patio. “I wanted to be cool.”

  “And did it make you feel cool?”

  “No, sir, it made me feel sick.”

  Kevin rubbed a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing. It took several long seconds before he spoke again. “And you won’t do it again?”