private, vulnerable part of her soul. Her friends and family barely knew his name. How he knew a man had done something to her was beyond her understanding, but somehow she realized he had the same type of instinct that she did, and she had walked right into his trap.
She almost jerked herself out of his grip and left without another word. Until his voice softened and he spoke so gently, she felt wrapped up in a cocoon of protection and warmth. “Tell me, little one.”
His endearment touched something deep inside, a yearning of such vastness she fought the trembling that wracked her body. If he had kept pushing, she could’ve fought him. But his tenderness broke her resolve.
“Jacob.”
She didn’t wait for a response. She yanked free of his grip, dove for the handle, and stumbled out of the car.
Arilyn refused to look back, but she already knew it was too late. Like a wizard casting a spell and obtaining a lock of hair, Stone now held her rare secret. With information came great power. The only way out was to make sure she obtained more on him to balance the scales. She ignored the flicker of guilt about violating her ethical responsibility as a counselor and reminded herself it was a good thing to probe Stone’s past. For his own good.
Not hers.
She headed past the Swan Pastry shop, walked into Ray’s Billiards, and found Poppy waiting for her. The place had stained, worn carpet, four pool tables, a full bar, and wood-paneled walls filled with weird mirrors and classic art like dogs playing cards. Straight from the seventies, Ray’s catered to the hard-core crowd that came to gamble, downed shots of whiskey, and smelled of smoke and must. Cigars? They’d gotten busted for not adhering to the no-smoking laws, and her neighbor Mrs. Blackfire called the cops on them weekly. The fines must be in the double digits now, yet Ray stayed open every day.
He slid off the stool, called a good-bye to Ray, and gave her a hug. “How was your day, sweetheart?”
She hugged him back and craved to tell him the truth. Her pain-in-the-butt police officer was not only driving her crazy but starting to turn her on. Horror. Instead, she sighed. “Fine. How about you?”
“Won twenty bucks. Helped Ray with the lunch crowd. Did you talk to the center about trying to jail me?”
“I will, Poppy, promise. I’ll set it up so they allow you to walk to Ray’s when you want. You just have to make sure someone calls or texts me so I know where you are. Deal?
“Deal.”
“Let’s go home for dinner.”
“’Kay. Listen, can you also tell them to do something about their chef? He sucks. Yesterday I wanted a cheeseburger with a Coke. They gave me grilled chicken with an Ensure. Do they think I have one foot in the grave? Ensure tastes like powdered chalk.”
“If you have a burger craving, I’ll bring you one. You can call.”
“You’re not my babysitter, Arilyn. You also try to sneak me a veggie burger, and there is a difference, kiddo.” His voice softened with a twinge of sadness. “You already spend too much time with me. You need a man to settle down with and marry, not an old coot who keeps you running back and forth.”
“I like your company, so stop. If you really hate it there, move in with me.”
He shook his head. “No way. I’ll never get any babies from you if you can’t even date. Maybe I’ll sign up for the bus trip to the city. They’re going to see a play on Broadway.”
Guilt coursed through her, but she swore to make the situation work. She knew the center was the best place for him. If only he could make a friend. Maybe with more time. “That sounds like fun. What play?”
Gray bushy brows snapped down. “Mamma Mia! Ugh, I hate Abba. I voted for Chicago. Hot women in prison. They shot it down. But I’ll try.”
Her lips twitched. “Come on. I’ll let you have a real burger tonight after I make sure your insulin is okay.”
“No Ensure?”
“Not tonight.”
“And fries.”
“I’ll roast some sweet potatoes instead.”
“I love you, A.”
Damned if those ridiculous tears didn’t sting again. “Love you, too, Poppy.”
She linked arms and led him down the street. She’d just need to work harder and be more organized to get everything done. When she returned to the house with Poppy, she realized things weren’t getting any easier.