Page 36 of A Brambleberry Summer

In the wispy coastal fog, it looked mysterious, intriguing, though not nearly as interesting as the people who lived inside.

“Looks like our neighbor is home.”

Wyatt didn’t miss the way Rosa looked protectively toward the second floor, where a shadow moved across the closed curtain.

“Yes. I think she and Addie planned a quiet evening.”

“She doesn’t go out much, I’ve noticed.”

“Have you?”

As he expected, she didn’t take the bait, so he came right out and asked the question he had been wondering since he moved in.

“What is Jen’s story? You can tell me, you know.”

In the moonlight, he saw Rosa’s features tighten. “I don’t know what you mean.”

She did. She knew perfectly well. “Why does she seem so nervous around me?”

“Nervous?”

“Yeah. She has allowed her little girl to play with Logan a few times, but Jen herself clearly goes out of her way to avoid me. I’m not sure she’s ever looked me in the eye.”

Rosa looked away herself. “Maybe she does not like policemen.”

“Is she in some kind of trouble? Do you know?”

“Why would you ask that?” Her innocent-sounding question didn’t fool him at all. She knew exactly what was going on with Jen.

“I can’t help her if nobody will tell me what’s going on,” he pointed out mildly. He didn’t want to intrude, but he was an officer of the law and his job was to protect and serve. That included those who shared the same house with him.

“She has work at the store and she has a safe place to live. That is good for now.” She paused. “But thank you for being concerned for her.”

“I’m here to help, if you or she ever want to tell me what’s going on.”

She nodded slowly. “I will tell her this.”

“You know I’m one of the good guys, right? At least I try to be.”

She gave him a long look in the moonlight. “Yes. I know. I would not have let you move in if I did not think that.”

Her words made him feel as if he had passed some kind of test he had no idea he’d been taking.

He was suddenly glad that Carrie had encouraged him to take this apartment for the month, grateful for summer nights and lovely women.

Again, he felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her, this woman with secrets who was filled with so much compassion for those around her.

She didn’t trust him. He looked at the house, hating the idea of his empty apartment and his empty bed and the loneliness that had been such a part of his life since Tori died.

“I should probably go in.”

“Yes. You are working early tomorrow.”

He nodded. “Thank you for the lovely evening. I enjoyed the walk home. I think maybe I’ve forgotten how much I enjoy talking with a woman.”

She gazed at him, eyes wide. In the dim light of the moon, he saw her swallow and her gaze seemed to slide to his mouth.

The scent of her, sweet and feminine, with hints of vanilla and berries, drifted to him. He wanted to close his eyes and inhale her inside him.

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