fingerprints. Since she was in a hurry to see Melissa, she’d left her disabled car in the parking lot and had taken the bus to the hospital, rather than deal with the hassle of getting her car towed.
She couldn’t help wonder if the man with the navy blue jacket and baseball cap who’d followed her the other day was the same person who’d slashed her tires. His baseball cap had been pulled low over his eyes, and the collar of his jacket was pulled up to cover his face so she hadn’t gotten a good look at him.
Now that it was so late, she couldn’t help but glance around, searching for anyone wearing a baseball cap as she made her way to the bus stop.
The shelter outside the bus stop wasn’t deserted, as she’d hoped. There were two men standing there—neither wore a baseball cap—but one of them looked extremely disheveled, taking deep drags off a cigarette despite the signs declaring the area as nonsmoking. Her steps slowed as she hesitantly approached, and she glanced up the street hoping the bus would arrive soon. After her tire-slashing incident, it was difficult not to look at everyone around her with uncertainty.
She gathered her courage and lifted her gaze heavenward. Please, Lord, keep me safe.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she did her best to remain warm in spite of the chilly night temperatures. She didn’t have her coat; she’d left her office in such a hurry she’d forgotten it.
“Ms. Carmichael?”
The sound of her name had her spinning around in a rush, her heart thumping in her throat. Lieutenant Max Forrester stood a few feet behind her, his face etched in a deep scowl.
“Oh, no, did something happen to Melissa?” Fearing the worst, she took several steps toward him. “Is she…?”
He held up a hand. “No, she’s fine. Not fine, but her condition is unchanged.”
Relief flooded her. “You had me worried.”
“Ma’am, why are you out here waiting for the bus?” He swept a gaze behind her, noticing the two men sharing the bus stop with her. “It’s late, half past nine at night. You’d be much safer in a taxi.”
Her pride was stung by his somewhat condescending tone. She welcomed the surge of annoyance. Obviously if she’d wanted to take a taxi she would have. Maybe she didn’t normally take the bus, but she wasn’t about to tell this stranger her problems with vandalism. “Thanks for your concern, Lieutenant, but I can take care of myself.”
“Ma’am, I’m sure you can, but since I grew up in St. Louis, I know the crime rate isn’t something to brag about.”
“I grew up here, too, so I’m well aware of the crime rate.”
The fact they had something so minor in common shouldn’t have made a difference, but she couldn’t help feel a sense of kinship with Melissa’s brother.
“Fine.” He gave her a brisk nod that was more like a salute, widened his stance and crossed his arms over his broad chest, reminding her of a human shield. “If you’re going to ride the bus home alone, I’ll ride along with you.”
TWO
Her jaw dropped, and she gaped at him in surprise. While she appreciated his gallantry, his protection wasn’t necessary. There was no reason for her to spend any more time with him. Besides, he needed to stick close to the hospital for Melissa. “I thought you wanted to stay in one of the hotels nearby? There’s no need to go out of your way.”
“I’ll find a hotel room on the way back. There’s no rush.” He frowned, and his voice grew soft and slightly grim as he added, “Lissa’s not going anywhere. As you said earlier, she’s in good hands.”
Biting her lip, she pondered her choices. If she simply gave in and took a cab, she knew the lieutenant would step back and go about his own business. If she stubbornly took the bus, she had no doubt he’d ride along with her.
Trying to hide a shiver, she turned away, reaching into her purse to subtly check her pocketbook. She hadn’t spent any money on lunch, having packed some leftovers from home, but she had filled up her gas tank earlier in the week. She didn’t think there was much cash left and verified the dismal amount rather quickly. With a sigh, she closed her purse with a quiet snap.
There was no choice but to strengthen her resolve and take the bus home. Borrowing money from the stranger would be much worse than enduring a protective shadow on her ride. If the lieutenant wanted to ride the bus she couldn’t stop him. Besides, she didn’t have the energy to fight.
A heavy fabric dropped over her shoulders, carrying the enticing, musky scent of man. Startled, she glanced up at Max, who was straightening the camouflage jacket over her shoulders.
“You were shivering,” he stated in a matter-of-fact tone, dropping his hands and refastening his duffel bag. “And I appreciate your help in lightening my load.”
She wanted to smile at how he’d tried to make her believe she was really the one helping him, but sudden tears pricked her eyes. When was the last time anyone had noticed if she was tired, hungry or cold? Ridiculous to so grateful for a chivalrous gesture, and she swiped the moisture away with an impatient hand trying to pull herself together.
“Thank you, but I really wish you wouldn’t do this,” she told him. “I hate taking you out of your way.”
In that instant, the bus lumbered up to the stop. With a sigh, she took her place behind the man who’d been smoking, grimacing a bit when he tossed his cigarette butt directly in front of her before he boarded the bus. There weren’t many occupants at this time of the night, and most of them were men. One passenger wore a baseball cap backward on his head, but he looked too young to be the man she’d seen following her.
She slipped into an empty pair of seats taking the one closest to the window, not at all surprised when Max chose the seat right next to her. His broad shoulders brushed lightly against hers, and she found she was grateful for his reassuringly protective presence.
Safe. For the first time in three weeks, her underlying sense of fear melted away. If anyone was following her, he’d certainly think twice about approaching her now.
And for that small favor, she owed Lieutenant Forrester a huge debt of gratitude.
Max tried to ignore the rumbling in his stomach and slid a sideways glance at Ms. Carmichael, hoping she hadn’t heard the betraying sound.
He’d stop for something to eat after he’d seen her home.
Just then, her stomach let out a low gurgle, a grumbling sound that was even louder than his.
She blushed and let out a small chuckle. “Sorry, I guess I’m hungry. I skipped dinner.”
Max stared at her, realizing with a start how pretty she was. Her cheekbones were high, her skin translucent. In his anxiety over Lissa he hadn’t really noticed her mesmerizing blue eyes. Not that he had time to think about a pretty woman, especially since he needed to get back to the hospital to see Lissa. Even taking this much time away bothered him, but he couldn’t ignore Tara’s plight, either. Besides, he planned to be there for his sister, offering strength and support for the duration of his leave.
He
