Perfect Fit (Serendipity's Finest 1)

When he arrived, she had no doubt he’d want to talk about what she and Sam were doing on Route 80, heading back to Serendipity from the outskirts of town. They’d been looking into a cold case Mike had assigned to them and were just beginning to realize that the implications of their findings might affect Mike personally. She wouldn’t share anything without Sam’s permission. Not even with her boss. Hopefully he wouldn’t push for information. If she had good news about Sam, maybe he wouldn’t delve too deeply into where they’d been or why.

Suddenly the street doors swung wide and Cara caught sight of Mike, his dark hair longer than regulation for a cop, his leather jacket giving him a dangerous edge. During the week, he wore suits and ties when he had scheduled meetings, but Cara knew he preferred his beat-up leather and jeans to the stuffy boss clothing the job demanded.

Mike barreled through the lobby and headed straight for her, his sister right behind him.

“How’s Sam?” Erin asked.

“What the hell happened?” Mike barked at Cara.

She straightened to her full height, which at five foot three wasn’t much compared to his almost six feet. “We were in an accident, Chief.”

“Any news on Sam?” Erin asked.

Cara shook her head. “Not yet, but he was conscious when the ambulance brought him in.”

“I didn’t have you two on the schedule today.” Mike pinned her with a steady stare.

Cara looked into his chocolate brown eyes, wondering how they could have been so sexy all those months ago and so cold and forbidding now. “And if you’ll notice, I’m not in uniform. Your brother and I were out for a ride. It’s a gorgeous day,” she said, hating the evasion that fell from her lips.

“Ease up,” Erin said, punching Mike in the arm. “She’s not on duty and she’s as worried about Sam as we are. And lay off the formalities. Cara’s like family.”

Cara and Erin were the same age, and though they hadn’t been best friends in school, they’d been in the same general group of girls, while Sam, a year older, had been a friend; it wasn’t until they both joined the force together that their friendship solidified and Cara became more a part of the Marsdens’ inner circle. By then, Mike had been long gone.

Erin pulled Cara into an embrace. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

Cara managed a nod and hugged Erin back. “It was scary,” she said, allowing herself to admit her fear for the first time. She stepped away from Erin. Suddenly cold, she wished she were wearing a heavier jacket.

“You’re shaking.” Erin said, breaking into her thoughts. “And your cheek is bruised.”

“Air bag,” Cara said softly.

“Were you checked out?” Mike asked, his tone deep and gravelly, sending shivers through her that had nothing to do with the earlier accident.

“The paramedics cleared me at the scene. It’s just a delayed reaction, I guess.”

Mike’s frown deepened. “Let’s sit.” Without waiting for her to agree, he grasped her elbow and led her to a chair.

Because Cara’s legs were truly unsteady, she let him have his way. Erin picked a chair across the aisle, while Mike chose a spot beside Cara. He sat next to her, so close the musky scent of his aftershave warmed her in ways she couldn’t think about now.

“What happened?” Erin asked softly.

In a weird way it was a relief to go back to the accident and share the experience. “Sam was driving. He was fine one minute, and the next he doubled over in pain. I reached for the wheel, but I had no leverage and the car hit a tree.”

She blew out a stream of air and steadied herself before continuing. “My air bag deployed. His didn’t. Sam’s head hit the steering wheel”—she winced as she recalled the awful sound—“and his side of the car took the brunt of the impact. I was able to call for an ambulance and here we are.” She clenched her fists until her nails bit into her flesh.

“Easy,” Mike said as his big, strong hand covered hers and he gently pried her fingernails away from her skin.

Her entire body reacted to his touch, awareness jolting through her like a sudden burst of electricity. Startled, she met his gaze and in that moment she knew he was as stunned as she.

Until he jerked his hand back and rose to his feet. “Where is a damned doctor with some news?”

Erin rose and put a hand on her brother’s shoulder. “I’m sure we’ll hear something soon.” No sooner had she spoken than a familiar voice called out Cara’s name.

“Alexa!” Relieved, Cara jumped up and turned to Dr. Alexa Collins, a beautiful woman with auburn hair now pulled back in a bun. She was not only one of Cara’s closest friends but the doctor on call.

“How is he?” Sam’s siblings asked at the same time.

“He’s stable. He had an appendicitis attack while he was driving.” She glanced at Cara. “Did he mention any pain during the day?”