Perfect Fit (Serendipity's Finest 1)

She thought back and shook her head.

Alexa frowned. “Then he must have covered and ignored it. Appendicitis pain typically increases over a period of time. Stubborn man,” she muttered, knowing Sam as well as Cara did. “Okay, well, he’s in surgery to take care of the appendix, and barring any complications he should be fine. He’s also got a concussion from impact with the steering wheel, but again, barring complications, nothing life threatening.” She smiled at Erin, Michael, and Cara to put them at ease. “I’m going to go back in. As soon as he’s in recovery, I’ll let you know. You can see him later.”

“Thank you,” Erin breathed out in relief. “I’ll go let Mom and Dad know.” She rushed outside, probably to a place she could use her cell phone.

“Thanks, Alexa,” Cara said.

The other woman smiled. “I can honestly say it’s my pleasure. It’ll also be my pleasure to kick his ass for ignoring pain. And trust me, he had to have felt something earlier.”

“I’ll help you,” Mike muttered. “Thanks for everything.”

Alexa nodded. “I’ll be back soon with news.” She, too, took off, leaving Cara and Mike alone.

Most of her earlier shakiness had subsided, leaving Cara exhausted. “I’m going to get some coffee. Want some?” she asked the hulking, silent man beside her.

“No, thanks.”

She shrugged. “Suit yourself,” she said, more uncomfortable now that the mood between them had shifted from connected to awkward. But awkward was the way things had been since his return. She turned and headed for the door.

“Cara.”

Surprised, she pivoted back toward him. “Yes?”

“Thank you. For calling 911 and making sure Sam got here quickly.”

It was as much of an apology for his earlier rudeness as she was likely to get. If she hadn’t been in the room with him that night three months ago, under him, over him, him deep inside her, his recent behavior would have convinced Cara that the most spectacular evening of her life had never happened. But it had, she thought, shivering as her body recalled the intimate connection. And that brief time together along with the flare of heat in his eyes today had convinced her she wasn’t crazy. He’d been as affected as she was, whether he showed it or not.

It was his choice not to acknowledge it that proved he wanted nothing to do with her. Heck, he clearly didn’t even want a repeat performance, which merely reinforced Sam’s point. As he’d informed Cara before she’d left the bar with his brother, Mike vi

ewed everything and everyone in life as temporary. He’d even reminded her of Tiffany Marks, the woman he’d dated before leaving for Atlantic City. Everyone in town knew she’d gone so far as to make inquiries into booking the only church in town for a wedding Mike had never planned on happening. Except Tiffany had been certain Mike was on the verge of popping the question, and she’d been heartbroken when he’d left.

When Cara had agreed to their one night, she’d been okay with that. She knew that while he didn’t stick around, she was a small-town girl at heart, with small-town aspirations. She’d happily remain in Serendipity long after the big-city detective left his temporary job as chief of police behind. She had no doubt if she got involved with Mike again, she’d end up with a broken heart. But he wasn’t asking her for anything.

Yet if he pressed, she’d be tempted. And what did that say about her? She shook her head to dislodge thoughts of a man who clearly wasn’t interested. Cara wouldn’t chase after a man any more than she’d let one take advantage of her. Her mother and father’s unbalanced, unhealthy relationship set an example Cara refused to follow.

With that reality firmly in mind, she went for coffee.

Mike had faced down drug dealers and embezzlers with enough at stake to warrant killing him in order to keep their activities secret, and he hadn’t been afraid. He’d be damned if he’d let one pint-sized police officer with ocean-blue eyes get under his skin. His brother would be okay, and that was what he needed to focus on, not the way Cara, the always-in-control cop, had nearly broken down, reminding him she was also soft and female. He already knew that all too well.

After seeing Cara at the hospital yesterday, Mike had promised himself that except for work, he’d steer clear. He’d even thought his self-imposed directive would be simple. But when he came to visit his brother the next morning, Cara was already there, having stopped by on her way to work. He heard her laughter from the hallway as he approached Sam’s room.

Though he wanted to come back later, Mike wasn’t a coward. He gripped the handle and let himself inside.

“Nice way to get some attention,” Mike said to Sam, who was laid up in bed.

“I’m not stupid.” His light-brown hair was messed and sticking up at odd angles, his face pale, yet he managed a grin.

“No, you’re not. The nurses are lining up to take care of him,” Cara said, catching Mike’s gaze.

She rose to her feet. In her blue uniform, she looked every inch the professional.

“I was just leaving for work. I’ll let you two visit.” She gestured for Mike to take the chair she’d vacated by the side of the bed.

“Don’t let me run you off,” Mike said. “I’m sure your boss won’t mind if you’re a few minutes late for your shift.”

Cara pursed her lips. “Oh, I don’t know about that. He’s quite the hard-ass sometimes.”

Sam burst out laughing, then groaned and shut his eyes.