Page 19 of Crossroads of Innocence
Sighing, Wade carried Macey over to her plush dog bed beside the fireplace and set about righting his apartment. Anger hummed through him. He’d dealt with his fair share of tough blows, but he’d never been violated this way. Never had a stranger tear apart his world piece by piece in search of the one thing that had always meant more to him than anything.
Jude.
He found the broom and his chest tightened. Jude had certainly crashed back into his world like a wrecking ball. Too bad he couldn’t pick up the broken parts of his life as easily as the cracked dishes.
* * *
A barkof laughter cramped Jude’s stomach. Snorting, she covered her mouth with her hand and gasped for air. She couldn’t remember the last time she sat and enjoyed talking with someone—enjoyed a simple moment of plain fun. “You’re kidding? Chet said that and you still ended up moving in with him?”
Grinning, Mia rolled her eyes. “What can I say? I can’t resist a grumpy recluse with a heart of gold.”
The description of her old friend sobered Jude. She tucked her feet under her on the armchair and took a sip of hot tea Mia had made. “He was always quiet. More reserved than the rest of us. I hate to think of him as grumpy and reclusive.”
Mia shrugged. “I understand now that was a defense mechanism. A way to cope with everything that happened with Laurie and Riley. What he lived through would have destroyed most people.”
Jude cradled her warm mug in her hands and stared into the flickering flames of the newly built fire. “I should have come home when I heard about what happened. I should have been there for him.”
“He wasn’t ready to let anyone be there for him for a long time,” Mia said. “You’re here now, and for however long that is, be his friend. I might not know you well, but I can tell you’re a good one. It’d be nice to have you around for a while. Chet would love hearing us giggling through the walls.”
She grinned at the image of Chet pissy and irritated while he tried to relax in the attached apartment. But that was a fool’s dream. She couldn’t stay, no matter how badly she wished it was a possibility.
A soft knock on the door turned her attention to the front of the room.
Wrigley jumped from his spot curled beside Mia on the couch and barked.
Jude frowned. “Is that Chet?”
“Doubt it. He’s working at the retreat all day. Won’t be home until after dinner is served, which won’t be for another six hours or so.” Mia stretched onto her feet and hurried to the front window, peeking through the blinds before her shoulders relaxed. “It’s Wade. He’s usually slammed on Sundays. What in the world is he doing here?”
A ridiculous lightness fluttered in Jude’s core, and she rose to her feet as Mia let Wade inside. The scowl on his handsome face quickly sent the flutters packing and anxiety crept in to take its place.
“Sorry I didn’t call, and I hope it’s okay I brought Macey.” He hefted the small dog he held in his arms. “I didn’t want to leave her alone.”
Wrigley bolted forward and whined, as if Macey had been brought for him to play with.
“Of course you can bring her,” Mia said, scooping Macey from him and holding her close.
The little dog trembled and burrowed under her chin.
“What’s wrong?” Every tight muscle in Wade’s body screamed that something bad had happened.
He rubbed his palm over his face. “My apartment was ransacked. Macey was scared to death. It’s not safe for either of us to be there.”
“Oh my God,” Jude stammered and sank back down to the chair. “Do you think it was the detective?”
“I know it was because he was waiting for me at the bar when I got back. And he’s not a detective. Cruz made some calls. The police in Mill Harbor have never heard of the guy. Gave a fake name and a fake business card.”
She shook her head, words escaping her.
“That’s awful,” Mia said.
“I have a bag in my truck,” he said, hooking his thumb over his shoulder. “Figured I’d call Brooke.”
“Can you stay here?” Jude asked, finally finding her voice. She hated the way her words shook, as if her need to have Wade close were broadcasted for all to see.
Mia darted a questioning look between the two of them then set Macey on the floor, where she pranced around Wrigley, tail wagging. “Chet and I have plenty of room for you at our place, or even here, but it’s whatever you two are comfortable with. Why don’t I head into town and grab the items Jude still needs while you two talk?”
“You don’t have to do that,” Jude protested. “You’ve already done too much.”
