Searching for Always (Searching For 4)

She giggled to herself. About time.

twelve

ARILYN FINISHED TENDING her herb garden. Tilting her head up to the weak rays of sun that streamed down, knees in the dirt, she smiled. Gardening was like meditation and helped ground her mentally. Nature in all its forms reminded her there was a place for everyone in the great, big world.

Humming under her breath, she plucked a few leaves of basil and oregano for dinner. She had enough time to begin cooking, shower, and get ready for her date.

In a way, Stone had been right. She woke up with a headache and a hangover, and wondered if she would've regretted taking him into her bed. Remembering him in his uniform, unbuttoning his shirt in a class-act strip show, her mouth basically watered for him to do it again. The way he'd dared her to take more, though she already knew he wouldn't have gone any further with an audience. No, that was his way of forcing her to take control and take what she wanted.

The man was brilliant.

Wiping the dirt off her jeans, she brought the herbs into the kitchen and began grinding them for the meal. Her famous vegetarian lasagna was hearty, and the soy protein crumbles she used as a substitute for meat would be perfect for Stone. Crushing the organic tomatoes she purchased at the farmers' market, she slipped into the beauty of preparing wholesome food to nourish, sinking into the sounds and smells of the cozy kitchen.

Once the lasagna was in the oven and she'd kneaded the dough for the bread, Arilyn took a quick shower and changed into a long gauzy skirt and a pretty button-up cream peasant blouse. It may not be sexpot, but the loose material floated over her body and gave her a feminine, flirty look. She even put on some of the red lipstick Kennedy had bought her and donned long, jangly silver earrings that made noise when she moved her head. The coconut body oil rubbed into her skin gave off a yummy scent and wet sheen.

She was ready.

The doorbell rang.

Arilyn glanced at her watch. Hmm, he was early. She smiled and flung open the door. "I hope you brought your--Poppy! What are you doing here?"

Her grandfather stood on the porch with a small brown bag in his hand. His silver brows drew together in a fierce frown. "I ran away." He stepped over the threshold and dropped his bag. "What are you cooking? That smells good. I'm starving."

Her mouth fell open.

This was so not happening.

"Are you okay? What happened? Did you tell them you were coming over?"

He went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. "A, you need to buy some beer. I'm not really a wine drinker. The center doesn't know 'cause I snuck out the laundry room."

Arilyn groaned. "Poppy! You know you can visit me anytime, but you have to tell them."

He pulled out some cheese sticks and began munching. "Emma told Ted I was a bad influence, 'cause she's mad I got Ted hooked on poker and took his money. Emma's sweet on Ted and jealous he spends more time with me. I set her straight, and then Al got all crazy 'cause he's got a crush on Emma--which I don't understand, because the woman is a real pain in the ass--and then the staff got involved and sent everyone to their rooms. Like I'm five and need to be punished. So I figured screw them. I walked into the laundry room, borrowed one of the uniforms, and walked right out the back with my bag. They need better security. Got any soda?"

"Soda is bad for you and so is beer. I'll get you some water." She rubbed her temple. "Umm, okay, why don't you bunk here tonight? Did you bring your insulin and your shots?"

"Of course."

"I thought things were getting better. Didn't you go on an outing a few days ago?"

He rolled his eyes. "We took a bus to the Poconos, where they had this dance teacher trying to show us how to country line dance. Lame. I found a ride down the road and hit the casinos instead. It was awesome, but I got in trouble again. Was told the program I signed up for was the only thing I could do, and that I wasn't allowed to go off on my own."

Emotion surged. Dammit. Her grandfather wanted to embrace life to the very last minute. Inside, he felt young, and diabetes wasn't about to stop him. What was she going to do?

"Poppy, I want you to move in with me. I'll look for a bigger place and hire a nurse, and we'll make it work." She couldn't stand knowing he was unhappy. He'd taken care of her and supported her, and he deserved a home he loved.

She waited for his excitement, but instead he laughed and took her in his arms for a hug. The smell of Old Spice and Irish Spring soap comforted her. "Sweetheart, don't be silly. I don't want to live with you. I actually like the center for what they offer. I'm just finding my way. Besides, you'd cramp my style."

She sniffed against his shirt. "I love you. I want you to be happy."

He patted her shoulder. "Life isn't about constant happiness, you know. Sometimes it's work, and you need to allow time to do its magic. I'll be fine. I like being able to walk to your house, take care of the dogs, and be a part of your life. But I need to live on my own. Can I stay for dinner?"

"Of course. I'm cooking vegetable lasagna."

"Sounds perfect. You have enough for three, right?"

"Yeah, I forgot to tell you I'm having--where are you going?"

He trudged toward the door. "Going to invite Joan over for dinner."

"No! Absolutely not."

Her grandfather clucked his tongue. "Why not? I had a great time last week. She's alone too long in that house with her binoculars. She needs company."

Arilyn shook her head. "She doesn't have friends because she's mean, Poppy! And it's a telescope so she can spy on the whole block!"

Poppy laughed. "Smart woman. Now, don't be rude. You're usually the first one to say we need to open our house not to the easy ones but to the more difficult ones who need love. I like her. She's got spunk."

"Ugh. I never said that. Plus, there's another reason."

"What?"

"I'm having a date over for dinner," she finally burst out.

"Really? That's wonderful; no wonder you look so nice. I always said you should wear more makeup. Then it will be a celebration. We'll get to know him a bit better. I'll be right back."

Her voice died out. She watched her grandfather disappear to invite the Wicked Witch of Verily into her house, where she'd probably sneak in a hatchet and cut down the Tree of Spite on her way home. The night was officially ruined. No hot sex. No slipping her panties off under the dinner table. No crazy orgasms.

She'd be lucky if Stone didn't run for the hills

now and sign off on the whole thing.

Arilyn reached into the refrigerator and uncorked a new bottle of wine.

She was going to need it.

THE DATE WAS NOT what he expected.

When she opened the door, his breath literally caught. She was gorgeous. Didn't matter if she was in yoga pants, a short skirt, or nothing at all. The woman owned her body, and he loved how each motion held an undercurrent of deliberate grace. Like a dancer, she moved as if music were always playing.

He handed her the bottle of wine and the six-pack of beer, bent to kiss her, and stopped cold.

Seemed his date had become a threesome.

And not in a good way.

Mrs. Blackstone--was that her name?--stood a few feet behind Arilyn, glaring in her usual way. He'd met her only a handful of times, but she was a constant complainer and the cops usually ducked when she called. She'd been the one to catch the vandal in action over the summer, but she kind of scared him with her narrowed eyes peering behind thick frames and a harsh manner. What was she doing here?

Another older gentleman had his back to him. Probably her grandfather. Stone leaned over to whisper, "We have an audience?"

"I'm so sorry. My grandfather surprised me and invited the witch--er, Mrs. Blackfire to dinner. I couldn't stop him."

She looked worried, as if he'd be pissed. Actually, his sense of humor kicked in because it was kinda funny. Stone patted his pocket. "Guess I won't be handing over these babies tonight."

She flushed, but then a chuckle escaped her lips, and Stone couldn't help it. He leaned down and kissed her again, right in front of her audience. He had a feeling Arilyn would always be picking up strays along the way and inviting them to dinner.

"Stone Petty?"

He jerked back at the familiar, booming voice. Lifted his head. "Patrick? What are you doing here?"

Patrick let out a laugh. "I'm Arilyn's grandfather. You're her date?"

Arilyn glanced back and forth. "You two know each other?"

Stone grinned and moved forward. "Are you kidding? We call him 'the Hustler' down at Ray's Billiards. He's always making our wallets lighter on the force. How the hell are you?"