and make a big mess of magic or, like I said originally, shine a light on things that some of us would rather stay buried.”
“You didn’t bury your hammer today,” he said.
I glanced down at the tool on my belt, which now sat on the floor, drying. “That’s about the extent of what I’ll do.”
“That and knock people down.”
“You frightened me when we met.”
Rufus glanced at his food, and I noticed that his eyelashes nearly brushed his cheeks. Like, why would anyone bestow a man with lashes that long? It wasn’t fair.
They should have been mine.
“I don’t know who I am and I don’t know what I’m really like, but I hope when I do find that out, I’m not ashamed of my past.”
Boy, are you in for a world of hurt.
But his words seemed sincere. Who would Rufus be when his memory returned? Would he embrace his evil past, or would the man sitting before me win out?
“What if…” I started to ask and faltered. Rufus’s gaze leveled on mine, and his dark eyes held worry.
“What if what?” he asked. “I discover something that I don’t like?”
“Yes.”
He shrugged. “I suppose things go on, don’t they? What if I discover that I have a wife and kids? What if I discover that I own a zoo but now I could care less about it?”
“Well, if I had a zoo, I would care about it,” I teased.
He laughed and it was a pleasant sound. Rufus possessed a level of charm that some women might find attractive.
Some women, not me.
“If I discover that I own a zoo, you can have it.” He pressed his hands to his heart. “It will be my gift.”
I shook my head. “No thanks, it’s your zoo.”
“But I insist. You see,” he said dramatically, “I’ve realized that I no longer care for such things and think it would be better in your capable hands. Just don’t go trying to use that golden hammer on anything. You do that and you might end up with a dilapidated zoo and tick off all the animals. See? I’ve already established that I can not only be nice, but I can be generous as well.”
“So generous,” I said with a roll of my eyes.
“Now”—he settled back, studying me—“you know my greatest fear.”
“Oh?” I said lightly. “Is that really your greatest fear?” I didn’t believe it, but I was willing to play along.
“Yes.” He sobered, picking at his fries. “Now you know what sits in the hollow of the stomach of John, the man who can’t remember his own real name. But there’s one thing I know.”
“What’s that?”
He wiped grease from his fingers and crumpled his napkin. “My name most certainly isn’t something as pedantic as John. I’m sure whatever my real name is, it has flare.”
“Hmmm. Maybe so.”
“Now,” he murmured, “I wonder what makes you tick.”
Steel barriers sprang into my eyes. “What do you mean?”
“If I had a wound, Clementine Cooke, I would tell you. What’s your wound? Why did you attack me when we met?”
His gaze searched mine, and I inhaled deeply, sucking as much air as I could before continuing on.
Chapter 15
Images of that night, of his smile, of our time together rocked me. I brushed crumbs from my fingers and shoved the plate away.
“I don’t have any wounds,” I said tightly. “I explained why I did that. You were out at night, it was late and I was surprised. That’s all. A girl has to stay safe.”
He nodded but didn’t buy my story. Rufus wouldn’t press me, and that was fine. Press me too hard and not only would I bite, but I also punched.
The sound of a bolt unlocking grabbed my attention. Willard opened the front door with a flourish. The rain had stopped, and out front sat my truck behind a towing vehicle.
“Look what’s back,” he said with a wink. “I’m guessing that if you try it now, your old truck’ll start right up.”
I grabbed my purse. “What do we owe you for lunch?”
He shook his hand. “Don’t worry about it. It’s on me. Just take care of yourselves.”
Rufus thanked Willard, and we stepped outside. The driver unhooked my truck, and sure enough, as soon as I cranked her, she started right up. I gave the driver the last of what was left in my wallet and sighed.
Rufus stood on the sidewalk. The rain had stopped, but both of us were still wet.
“Need a ride?” I asked.
Rufus shook his head. “No. I’m perfectly capable of walking, thank