Part 16 (1/2)
”You find out anything on my guys?”
”Haven't gotten to them yet so I'll probably wait until I'm through before taking action.”
”That's probably best.” Russ stood. ”I'm going home to take a shower and sleep for a couple of hours, then I'll get back on Bishop. Joel's watching him now. Have you checked on the Wallace girl?”
”Yes. Everything's quiet there. Will's questioning Freddie Frye to find out if he supplied the party. Other than that, it's quiet, and that has me worried. Something's going to happen and I hope we're ready.”
Russ's hand went to his mouth and Daniel realized the proverbial toothpick was missing.
Daniel raised an eyebrow. ”Lose your security blanket?”
”About four o'clock this morning I jerked awake and almost swallowed the d.a.m.n thing, so I threw it away. I could sure use a cigarette.”
Daniel smiled and handed him a pencil. ”Chew on that until you find another.”
Russ took it, grinning. ”Are you saying my toothpick-chewing is less offensive than smoking?”
”You got it. And when you ask Faith out, don't have a toothpick or a cigarette in your mouth.”
Russ's grin widened. ”Haven't you noticed that when I have something in my mouth I don't talk as much.”
”Good point.”
Russ twisted the pencil. ”So you think I have a better chance with Faith than with Sarah?”
Daniel stared at him. ”Definitely. Sarah is off-limits.”
”To everyone but you.”
”Don't start,” he said, knowing Russ was only trying to get a rise out of him. ”I'm not in a mood to get into it with you.”
”h.e.l.l, Daniel, arguing with you is the best part of my day.” Russ moved toward the door. ”I'll catch you later.”
Daniel went back to his search.
SARAH'S MORNING went smoothly. She talked to Brooke and the police had her looking at more mug shots, but she seemed in good spirits. Her parents were taking turns staying with her and that gave the girl an added sense of security. Love had amazing powers, as Sarah was discovering herself. She'd felt alone most of her life, but now at this dark time she felt truly loved by her family. And fear could not defeat that. Nor could it defeat her appreciation of Daniel.
The day seemed endless. She played cards with Chad and thought about Daniel. She kept glancing at the clock, counting the hours until he was back. For years she'd ignored her feminine side; her looks and her att.i.tude were all tempered by what had happened to her. At last she was finding her way back to the woman in her...all because of one special man. If she closed her eyes, she could still feel his lips on hers-tender yet strong, tempting an eager, natural response from her.
When he'd stopped, she was hurt at first, but she knew he was right. This time she was going to take it slow and enjoy the crescendo before the climax, so to speak. She'd savor all these new feelings until she was ready to express them. Now she couldn't wait for Daniel's return.
”Ms. Welch?”
”Hmm?” Chad's voice finally reached her.
”I'm waiting for you to draw a card.”
She laid her cards down. ”I'm sorry. My mind's not on the game.”
”Yeah. It's not much fun with two playing.” He gathered the cards and shuffled them. ”You're a counselor, right?”
”Yes.”
”Can I ask you a question?”
”Sure.” She curled her feet beneath her.
”I'm dating this girl and she's getting possessive. She doesn't like me going out with the guys and sometimes I need that kind of break. When I'm not working, she wants me with her. I was thinking I was in love, but now I'm not so sure.”
”Why not?”
”Because I don't want to live the rest of my life like that.”
”Like how?”
”If I play basketball or go bowling with the guys, she cuts off s.e.x for two or three days or until I apologize profusely.”
”This girl is manipulating you to get what she wants. She's probably insecure about your feelings and the more time you spend with her, the more secure she feels. You need to talk to her honestly, tell her how you feel and why you need some guy time.”
Chad fiddled with the cards. ”I'm not good at talking.”
”Oh, dear,” she sighed.
”How do you know if you really love someone?”
”I'd be the smartest person on earth if I could answer that.”
”But you have an idea,” he persisted.
She gazed toward the door. ”Well, when you want to be with that person more than anyone. When you think about them all the time and can't wait to see them. And when you're with them, you're happier, content and feel a sense of belonging.”
Chad stared at her.
”What?”
”You sound as if you're in love.”
She s.h.i.+fted nervously as what she'd said seeped into her heart. Did she love Daniel? It was only last Sat.u.r.day when she'd told him to stay out of her life. Now she was feeling so differently. How could that have happened in so short a span of time? Because she didn't want Daniel out of her life-she just didn't want to deal with her feelings for him.
When she didn't answer, Chad asked, ”Is there something between you and Daniel?”
Her eyes narrowed. ”Why do you ask?”
”Daniel doesn't handle protective custody personally, so for him to be doing this I figure you're pretty special to him. And I've seen the way he looks at you.”
”How's that?”
”Besotted.”
She laughed. ”I don't think that's how he looks at me.”