Page 28 of One Little Spark

She nodded. Now, she was totally wound up about all this. She was thrown by his response. She’d thought he would dismiss her as being silly. Shit. She wished she was back at Aiden’s. She always felt safe when she was with him.

Chapter Thirteen

Phoenix waved as he pulled out of the parking lot. Hazel waved back and was about to head home when she got a text. It was from Doc asking her to come over to help him. She glanced at the clock. It was only eight-thirty. She knew Phoenix wanted her to go directly home, and so would Jory and Aiden for that matter, but it was Doc. She really wanted to help him find his Hawaii money. After fifty years of looking after everyone, he deserved to retire in style.

She glanced around the parking lot, but it was deserted. So was the street. She could go to Doc’s and then straight to her mom’s. They were near each other. She’d call her mom before she left to make sure someone was waiting for her. Also, to make sure the police chief was dressed. She snorted to herself. She hoped her mother’s sex life was going better than her own.

She texted Doc that she was on the way and pulled out of the parking lot. Fifteen minutes later, she was at Doc’s place. She took a quick look around and then bolted inside. “Doc? It’s me,” she said as she closed the door behind her.

She locked the door and pulled down the shades next to it. She promised herself she’d shut the blinds on the windows so no one could watch her.

“Doc?” she called out.

“Hi, Hazel.” Doc popped out from the room to her left.

“Oh!” she screeched, raising a hand to her throat. “You scared the life out of me.”

“Sorry. I was just rummaging around in there.”

She flashed him a quick smile. “I’m a bit jumpy, I guess.” She shook her head. “Where do you want to start tonight?”

Doc gave her the once-over and pursed his lips. Then with a nod, he said, “Let’s go upstairs.” He started up the stairway,and Hazel followed. When they got to the top, Doc went into the second door on the right. She frowned. She’d never been in there before. It was Doc’s private sitting room.

“Doc?” she said as she entered, “what are we doing in here?”

He turned and looked at her. “I thought you could use a nice cup of tea and someone to talk to. I heard about what happened today.”

Hazel glanced around the room. It was done in cream wallpaper with pink roses. There was a large, overstuffed armchair and a lovely cream-colored sofa with pink throw pillows. On the walls were pictures of Doc and his late wife in various stages of their lives. A coffee table sat in front of the sofa with a fine China tea pot with matching China cups and saucers in the center. There were cookies on a plate.

Hazel promptly burst into tears. “I’m sorry, Doc,” she got out between sobs. “It’s—it’s just been a long day, and this is so sweet of you.”

Doc patted her on the back and steered her toward the sofa. “Oh, Hazel, there’s nothing wrong that a cup of tea won’t make right. That’s what my Helen would say if she were here. Sit down while I get you a tissue.”

She sat down heavily on the sofa, and Doc brought her a box of tissues. She blew her nose and dabbed at her eyes. “Thanks, Doc. I feel so silly.”

“Nothing for you to feel silly about.” He poured out the tea and handed her a cup. “It was only a matter of time before you and Aiden, er…got together. Any fool with half a brain could see you two making eyes at each other every chance you had. I was surprised you two held out for this long. I can only assume you did so out of respect for Jory.”

“Yeah, but we blew it. Jory is furious at me, at us.”

Doc took a sip of his tea and swallowed. “Your brotherwill get over it. He’s just bent out of shape because he couldn’t control the situation.”

She sipped her tea. “What do you mean?”

“Jory likes to take care of you and your mother, not because either of you need his help, although it’s come in handy a few times, I’m sure.” He winked at her. “No, Jory does it because he thinks if he controls the situation, nothing bad can happen.” Doc shook his head. “Anyway, he will get over it.” Doc poured more tea for both of them. “The bigger question is, what are you going to do?”

“Me? What do you mean?”

Doc smiled. “Hazel, you need to decide if you are going to let your brother dictate who you love or not. It’s as plain as the nose on your face that you love Aiden.”

“I…that is, I like him and, yeah, he’s fun to be with, but love might be a bit strong of a word.”

“Really?” He looked over the rim of his teacup at her.

Hazel frowned. Did she love Aiden? She bit into her cookie. He was the one she went to every time she had a problem with her brother, for sure, but that didn’t mean anything. She also sought him out whenever she needed comfort. Maybe that did mean something. She trusted his advice as well. The only time she’d felt safe recently was when she was in his arms.Jesus. She closed her eyes. She really was in love with him. And she’d hurt him, badly.

She opened her eyes. “Oh, Doc, I screwed up royally. I think I’m going to need more tea.”

Doc laughed. “I’ll go downstairs and make us another pot.” He shuffled out of the room.

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