“My stalker decided to pay me a little visit.”
“Oh, no!” Jean looked her over from head to toe. “Are you okay, dear? Did he hurt you?”
“I’m fine. I wasn’t even here.”
She peeked around her shoulders, her gaze glomming onto Wade. “You were with the big hunk, I take it?”
Gracie nearly laughed. It was either that or cry. And she was so done with the tears. “Yes, I was with Wade.” She moved to let Jean enter, then closed the door behind her. “I’m glad you’re here. I was going to cal you. Wade and I need to go to the police station. I didn’t want you seeing the squad car out front and getting worried.”
“When did this happen? I didn’t even hear anything.”
“I’m not sure. Earlier in the evening sometime.” Another thought occurred. “Jean, I’m not sure it’s safe for you to be alone right now, especial y considering you live right next door. Can you stay with Brian for a little while? Just until this is al sorted out.”
She nodded. “Yeah, that’s not a bad idea.” She adjusted her robe, as if to cover herself better. “You’l be staying with Wade then?”
She couldn’t help it; she blushed. “Uh, yeah.”
“Good.” Jean pointed to Wade, a stern look on her thin, wrinkled face. “You’l take care of her, or you’l answer to me.”
Wade shoved his hands in his pockets. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Do you need anything, Gracie?”
Grateful for the offer, Gracie hugged her friend close and said, “Thanks for asking, Jean, but I’l be fine.”
Jean patted her on the back and told her everything would work out. Emotion clogged Gracie’s throat. Is this what it felt like to have a mother’s love? She didn’t know, but she did know she was grateful for Jean. Knowing the woman cared made al the difference in the world. In that moment Gracie realized how lucky she was to have friends concerned about her, offering their support. Her gaze caught on Wade’s. He watched her, tenderness softening his harsh features.
Her stalker might have destroyed a few pieces of cheap furniture, but he definitely hadn’t hurt the things that truly mattered. If only she could keep it that way.
17
Wade didn’t know what he had expected, but it hadn’t been Jean in rol ers and a bright rainbow-colored robe. The woman had the oddest fashion sense of anyone he’d ever known. And the way she bossed him around, she didn’t seem to realize he wasn’t one of her children. And why the hel was he putting up with it? Before he could get a word of greeting out of his mouth, she’d started issuing orders. His temples started throbbing. Damn, would this night never end?
Nothing had gone according to plan. He’d hoped to get Gracie away from the scene of the destruction as soon as possible. It pissed him off to see her so upset. If he were honest with himself, he’d admit that he wouldn’t feel comfortable until he had Gracie back in his home. He wanted to hold her, to know she was safe. Once they were both rested, he’d wake her, slowly, and make love to her for several hours. He was ready to explore every inch of her sweet tight body al over again. To know she was alive and safe. And his. His dick swel ed with the tantalizing image.
Wade put a stop to his train of thought and closed the front door. When he turned around and saw Jean enveloping Gracie in a tight embrace, he knew it was exactly what Gracie had needed in that moment. A caring friend.
“Hate to interrupt here,” Detective Henderson said, “but I have a few questions.”
Jean and Gracie both turned. The detective stood with the officers on the other side of the room. Gracie wrapped her arm around Jean.
“Detective, this is my neighbor, Jean Swinson. Jean, this is the detective who’s been helping me. Officers Andrews and Delaney responded to the 911 cal .”
“Ms. Swinson, did you hear or see anything out of the ordinary tonight?”
Jean rol ed her eyes and planted her hands on her hips. “Of course not. Don’t you think I’d have done something about it if I had?”
Wade hid his smile. Damned if it wasn’t nice having a break from Jean’s sharp tongue. He should feel bad for the detective, but he was stil pissed over the way the man had handled Gracie’s concerns when she’d first filed the complaint.
“I see. Which unit is yours?”
“I’m to the right. Directly next to Gracie.”
The detective quirked a brow. “And there weren’t any unusual noises?”
“Wel , truth be told, I had my earphones in for most of the night. Music is the only way I can get any sleep. So, no, I didn’t hear anything.” She looked at Gracie, her eyes ful of regret. “I’m so sorry, dear. I should have been more alert.”
Gracie hugged the smal er woman close. “This isn’t your fault, Jean,” she soothed. “If you had heard something, you might’ve come to check it out. And I don’t even want to think what this guy would’ve done if you’d interrupted his temper tantrum.”