Chasing Rainbows A Novel - By Long, Kathleen Page 0,60

his proximity did nothing to slow the beating of my heart.

“You scared the crap out of me.” I took a sideways step, moving clear of his reach.

“You didn’t answer when I knocked.” He grinned. “I had to make sure you weren’t lying somewhere unconscious in need of resuscitation.”

I tried to swallow but the move became impossible at that particular moment. As I watched, he took in my small kitchen, studying the place as if memorizing every detail.

“Nice.” He nodded toward the coffee maker. “Thought you didn’t drink coffee.”

“I don’t.” I wracked my brain for a believable answer. “I keep it around for...company.” I smiled, nodding my head. “Company,” I repeated. “Want some?”

He shook his head slowly, his gaze locking on mine, the intensity of his stare sending heat climbing up my cheeks. The message in his eyes was clear.

He didn’t believe a word of my story.

His lips quirked before he broke eye contact and refocused on the back door. Poindexter charged back and forth across the yard, barking with abandon.

He tipped his chin. “We could all learn a thing or two from your dog.”

“Like what?” I moved next to him, but stayed far enough away to ensure our arms didn’t touch. “Aiming high?”

Number Thirty-Six shook his head then met my questioning look. “I was thinking more like not worrying about what anyone else thinks.”

Was it my imagination or was he visually measuring the length of my nonexistent hair?

“He’s true to himself,” he added.

“He’s a dog.”

A quick shrug. “Doesn’t matter. He’s got a better grip on life than most of us do.”

“What is it you do?” I asked again.

“Take care of your dog.” He opened the door and whistled. Poindexter came running, screeching to a stop and sitting on Number Thirty-Six’s command.

When he lifted his paw to shake, I rolled my eyes and headed for the dog’s bowl. “I’ll pack his things. Thanks again for your help.”

“It’s what neighbors do.”

“Well--” I shook my head “--I owe you one.” I frowned, thinking for a second. “Actually, I owe you two. Or three.”

He gathered Poindexter’s paraphernalia into his arms, stopping to speak softly next to my ear as he passed. “I’ll make a note of it, Number Thirty-Two.”

“I thought you said you didn’t have an agenda?” I called out. My heart beat at a ridiculous rate as I watched the two of them head down the sidewalk toward Number Thirty-Six’s house.

“Maybe I changed my mind,” Number Thirty-Six said.

And even though he didn’t break stride or turn around to deliver the line, I could picture the grin on his face just as clearly as if he had.

o0o

Late that night, I drove Ashley home. Diane and David had decided she needed to be in her own bed, and since Number Thirty-Six had things with Poindexter under control, I figured I could keep Ashley company.

David wanted to stay with Diane, even though they’d discontinued the mag sulfate and were ready to start a second drug that would allow her to come home if her contractions remained under control.

“Aunt Bernie?”

I smiled at the tone of Ashley’s voice. The kid had used the same pre-favor pitch since she’d spoken her first words.

“What do you want?” I glanced at her in time to catch her frown. I patted her knee. “I’m teasing. What?”

“Can we stop off at the convenience store?”

“Peas?” I asked, shaking my head.

“Mm hm.” She sat quietly for a moment trailing one finger along the edge of the door. “I’m pretty sure we’re out of them.”

Well, I had to admit the last two days merited peas if ever they’d been merited.

“Peas, it is,” I said as I clicked on the car’s turn signal and changed lanes.

“Thanks, Aunt Bernie.”

But her words were dulled by the sound of a blaring horn. Another driver had moved into the same lane, at the same time, without use of a turn signal.

My middle finger flipped into the air of its own volition. “Nice driving, asshole.”

Beside me, Ashley giggled.

Shit.

“Uh, sorry about that, honey.”

She shrugged. “No biggie.”

But I realized suddenly there was a lesson to be learned here.

“Listen,” I started in on my rationalization. “I’m not saying it’s right to swear or give other drivers the finger, but what just happened is a good example of expressing yourself.”

I sneaked a peek at her and was rewarded by her smirk of disbelief. She gave me the adults-are-so-stupid face. “You cut him off.”

“Minor detail.” I shook my head, not wanting to lose my train of thought. After all, I was about to make a major point.