Page 32 of Fatal Deception
“Fox, oh, isn’t that a perfect name? Magnolia and Fox. I love it. I’m going to head out right now. Can I pick anything up on the way?”
“No. Between my parents and Vi’s, we’re drowning in just about anything we could need. We aren’t going anywhere. I think she’s going to video-call Franny. Too late in Italy to call Rosalie just yet, but we’ll get there eventually. Vi just wants to see you, but no rush. Whenever you get here is just fine.”
“I’m on my way. I can’t wait. See you in a few.” She clicked End. She didn’t want to acknowledge Copeland, but she had to. Even if she didn’twanta ride into town, she didn’t want to fight with him over it. And worse, she didn’t think she could drive very well with her ankle feeling the way it did.
He’d stood, taken a few steps back, but he regarded her with those intense dark eyes, and that stern expression made all the moresternby the stubble of the equally dark beard.
Just looking at him made her stomach do leaps and left her completely speechless.
“You need to stay off that foot,” he said, which reminded her that words existed and so did her own will.
“I need to meet my honorary nephew.”
“He’ll still be around in a few days.”
“I’m going to the hospital, Copeland. You can drive me, or I can drive myself. But I’m going.” She even pushed off the couch to prove it. She put all her weight on her left foot and speared him with a stern look to rival his own.
He rolled his eyes. “Fine. Enjoy a bum ankle for weeks. What do I care? I’ll drop you off like I said. I imagine you’ll want to spend a few hours.”
“Yes.”
He nodded. “That’ll give me time to head over to the station. Sit down and get your shoes on.”
“I’ve got a present. It’s upstairs.” She gestured at the stairs.
“And I suppose you’d like me to get it?”
“I can—”
“Hell, Audra, just ask.”
She didn’t want to. She really, really hated asking for things, but hobbling up the stairs would be embarrassing and no doubt bad for the ankle. But she could leave it, give it to Vi later…
And that was too stubborn even for her. “Would you please get the present that’s up on my dresser in my bedroom? It’s wrapped with a bow, just sitting on the top.”
“Did it kill you?”
“Not immediately, but maybe it will. A slow, silent death.”
He chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled and shook his head. It wasn’t fair, that rare smile, that rare humor. Not at all fair that it had her insides getting all mushy. She much preferred the buzzing anger/attraction from fighting over anything that made her feelsofttoward him.
He disappeared upstairs and she worked to get her boot on. She tested putting some weight on it. She could get by with a little limp, and not too,toomuch pain.
When he returned it was with the present, and a bottle of something in his hand. He tossed the present on the couch next to her, then disappeared into the kitchen. He returned with a glass of water, and two little pills she figured were ibuprofen in the other.
“Take those.”
“Has anyone ever ordered you around?”
“Sure. I went through the police academy.”
“And how much did you like it?”
He shrugged. “Part and parcel.”
She scowled at him but took the pills because it was the sensible thing to do, even if she wouldn’t mind beingasked.
He didn’t carry her to the car, which she was glad about. Certainly not disappointed. But he helped her hobble over to it, carrying the present under his other arm.