I nodded, sitting on the top step. “Yep. Go on in. I’ll wait for you out here.”
Chaucer sat with me, both of us staring at the trees, whipping to and fro in the fierce wind coming off the ocean. I shivered, but I refused to go inside and get a sweatshirt while that man was walking through Gran’s house, determining what Justin could get for it. Justin, that sack of excrement who insulted and cheated on me for our whole marriage, was going to take this away from me, too.
Scooting closer, Chaucer broke the full force of the wind and warmed my side. I dug my fingers into his fur and hugged him tight. Yes, I know dogs don’t particularly like being hugged, but I needed it. I may have even cried. Thankfully, dogs are good at keeping secrets.
Chaucer made a soft woof, his head coming up. I took a moment to wipe my face clean before I sat up. Police cruiser. Right. I’m a shallow bit of nothing. Wouldn’t want to forget that.
Aiden stepped out and walked slowly toward us, as though afraid I would explode at any moment. I wished. I’d love to splatter the asshole with gray matter and burst organs. Try washing that out, you bastard.
“I hear you’re having a rough day.”
He actually looked concerned. Must be something they teach in the police academy, how to approach cornered and possibly vicious animals. Me, not Chaucer. Chaucer was a sweetie, through and through. Whereas I was a homeless, shallow bit of nothing who had just learned the truth about herself. Very dangerous.
“You’re shivering. Don’t you have a coat?”
I sat up straighter, willing my teeth not to chatter. “Is there a problem, Officer?”
He looked confused. And sexy. The bastard.
“Why are you here?” I put as much anger as I could into my voice. I would not break down in front of him. “No more animals caught in traps. No need to keep wasting your time on nothing. Nothing to see here. Nothing at all.” My voice caught on the third nothing. I cleared my throat and continued, “Move along.”
Sighing, he ran his hands over his face. “Katie, when I said that, the nothing thing, it was your first day back. I didn’t know you. I was angry about Alice, and I knew Pops would try to set us up.”
I laughed. It was bitter sounding, even to my own ears. “No worries there. Your grandfather thinks I’m the Antichrist. Trust me, no one wants a loved one to date the Antichrist.” I heard something in the house and turned.
“Why are you sitting out here in the freezing wind in only a T-shirt and shorts?”
I scooted closer, draping Chaucer’s warm, furry legs over my knees. “It’s refreshing out here. And last time I checked, being cold wasn’t illegal. Bye now.”
He walked back to his car. Good.
Unfortunately, he jogged back holding a big sweatshirt. “Put this on before you freeze to death.”
“Nope. I’m good. Buh-bye.” I shivered uncontrollably. Stupid Maine weather.
He walked closer and shoved the sweatshirt over my head.
I sputtered. “What the—dude, you cannot just force clothing on unsuspecting people! Go arrest yourself.” Ah, warmth. I pulled the sweatshirt down over my bent knees. My entire body folded within the sweatshirt. “But before you fingerprint yourself, could you pull up the hoodie?”
Brushing stray curls from my face, he pulled the hood forward. Warm, calloused fingers brushed my jaw and tipped up my chin. “I’m sorry.” He paused. “About a lot of things, actually.” Scooting me over, he sat on my other side, adding another heat source and wind break.
He nudged my shoulder. “Thanks for keeping the secret.” Tipping his head toward the front door, he continued, “About the open windows and the animals.”
I nodded, shifting away from him, leaning into Chaucer.
“Why did you?”
“I promised you, didn’t I?”
He leaned forward, his arms braced against his knees, and sighed. “Yes, you did.” He stood abruptly, cursing. “I’ve got to go do something,” he said as he strode back to his cruiser.
“What about your sweatshirt?” I didn’t want to give it up, but he already thought I was a cruel, shallow bit of nothing. I didn’t need him to add thief to his assessment.
He waved away my question and drove off.
Score! New sweatshirt for me.
The front door opened, and the Mark guy came out. “Ma’am, I have a preliminary number for you and your husband?—”
