Page 16 of Steal My Heart

“So the burglary likely happened while you and Gramps were north of town.” He mentally chastised himself for not seeing that sooner. He should have been more in tune with the details. Proving his presence at Point Arena or Point Reyes might not have provided Brian with a rock-solid alibi. Still, it would have proven that Brian’s story was true and helped bolster his case.

“So…?”

“The trip south is less important than what you did afterwards.” He couldn’t help smiling. “Don’t worry. We aren’t beaten yet. But I think we need to be smarter this time.” He jumped up and grabbed a pad of paper, then sat next to Brian. “Write down everything you can remember about that day, including where you stopped and anyone you might have seen.”

“But is this really going to do anything?” Brian asked.

“Going north is closer to home. You live here, but I’m sure you spend time in Fort Bragg—everyone seems to. It’s got the only full-service grocery store. Maybe you saw one of Gramps’s friends, or someone you knew from high school. All we need is one person to remember you with your grandfather and we’re home free.” He sat back with a smile. “Just try to think about it.”

Brian began writing, and Hilliard watched as the dejected set of his shoulders lifted. “And what if we do find someone?” He paused, intense eyes once again filling with hope. Hilliard wished he could make him look that way all the time. Seeing Brian downtrodden tugged at his heart and made him angry at the same time. If the appropriate people had done their jobs, Brian would not be in this position.

“Then we get them to make a statement and go from there.” Hilliard knew he needed to put in his request to the California bar to complete their process for membership. He had already researched it and had the materials he needed to prepare.

“But what if we don’t find anything?” Brian asked.

“Then we keep looking. There’s something out there that will lead us to proving your innocence and to the real thief. We just have to find it.” He lightly bumped Brian’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to give up.” Those words sent a chill running through him.

“You look pale,” Brian said softly. Hilliard tried to wipe his expression clean but obviously failed. “What is it?”

“Nothing you can help with, I promise.” Everyone had regrets, and one of Hilliard’s biggest was one of his first clients. He had given up, thinking there was nothing else to find. But there had been, and if he had looked further, he could have spared his client and their family a great deal of heartache. The facts came to light eventually, but Hilliard always regretted that he hadn’t dug deeper and uncovered them sooner. “Just an old regret that I can’t do a damned thing about.”

“We all have those. I don’t regret taking Gramps on that road trip. He enjoyed himself, and that was what was really important, no matter how things turned out. If I had a choice, I’d probably do the same thing again. Regardless of what happened to me, Gramps had a good time, and we had a final great day together.”

Hilliard put an arm around his shoulders, and Brian leaned closer. Turning toward him, Brian smiled slightly, and Hilliard kissed him, unable to restrain himself. As much as he kept telling himself that he needed to take things slowly and that he was just getting over the crap show that was his relationship with Alan, being with Brian felt right.

He pressed Brian back against the cushions, shifting his weight so their kiss deepened. It was so easy to get lost in a moment like this with Brian, especially when he slipped his hand under Hilliard’s shirt, warmth spreading around him from where his hand slid over his belly.

Brian broke their kiss, both of them breathing deeply, Hilliard’s eyes a little unfocused. “You know, this may be the wrong thing to be doing.”

Hilliard held still. “We can stop if that’s what you want.”

“No.” Brian groaned and pulled him back down, their lips crashing together in a frenzy of need. Hilliard tugged at Brian’s shirt, pulling it upward. As soon as it was high enough, he stroked his belly, then sucked at a pert nipple while Brian arched his back, pressing his chest forward, groaning deeply. Brian tasted of fresh air and sunshine mixed with a heady hint of sweat and man. It was perfection, and Hilliard licked his way to the other pec, growling as he swirled his tongue around the stiffened bud. He slipped his hands around Brian, holding him tightly as heat and desire built.

A vibration between them made him pause. “Is that your heart?” Hilliard asked. Brian groaned and shook his head. “I didn’t think so.” He sat back, and Brian pulled his phone from his pocket.

“It’s Gran.” Brian answered the call. “Okay. Stay calm. I’m on my way.” Brian hung up and got to his feet. “Gran isn’t feeling well. I need to take her into the hospital in Fort Bragg.” He headed for the door, the beers they had barely touched sitting on the table.

“Come on.” Hilliard led Brian out the front door and to the car, pulling away just after Brian had closed his door. It wasn’t far, but he got Brian there fast and followed him inside.

“What’s wrong?” Brian asked.

“I’m really cold,” she said from her chair, under a blanket. The dogs huddled nearby. “And my head is a little spinny.”

“Okay.” Brian took Gran’s hand. “What did you have for lunch?”

“I wasn’t very hungry,” she answered.

Brian nodded. “Hilliard, there’s some apple juice in the refrigerator and some crackers on the counter. Can you bring them?”

He hurried to the kitchen, poured a glass of juice, and grabbed the crackers. Brian took the glass as soon as he returned and helped her drink. He also handed her a cracker, which she ate and washed down with more juice.

“Do you feel like you’re going to be sick?” Brian asked, and Beverly shook her head once, then stilled with a soft sigh.

“Then eat a little more,” he told her. Beverly finished the cracker and the glass of juice. Hilliard got some more and returned as Beverley finished the second cracker and started eating a third. He handed Brian the glass, and she drank some more. “Are you starting to warm up?”

“Yes.” She breathed deeply before settling more quietly in the chair.

“I’m going to heat up something for us to eat.” He and Hilliard left her with the crackers and headed to the kitchen. “She skipped lunch, and her blood sugar went too low. It’s happened a few times before.” He pulled out a container of pasta from the refrigerator and put it in the microwave. “I left this for her to reheat.”

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