Oracle Rising (25 page)

“The last year, I made a pact with myself. Instead of wearing some woman’s drink, I usually get a beer, watch some comedy, and stay in on the weekends. It’s safer.”

“So you’re not some Casanova?” she asked.

“I wish. If I was, I wouldn’t be scared shitless you’re going to ditch my ass at the pizza place and grab that cab. Please tell me that’s not why you asked if Crosspointe has cabs. I need an ego boost right about now.”

She tipped her head. “I was being serious. My last date ditched me. Are you being honest about the drink in your lap?”

He nodded. “Yeah, I am. Girls trip me up. They always have. My brother is the Casanova. He taught me everything he knew, and then I forgot it on the first time out the gate. Apparently, I didn't retain it. I can change a tire, cook food, and even separate my whites and colors when I do laundry, but I can’t figure out how to pick up a beautiful woman. I’m going to try honesty.”

She laughed, charmed by him. “I see.”

“I’m not going to hurt you. Well, unless I spill a hot beverage on you, and that’s always possible. I’m lumbering and not exactly graceful. Avalon took me to the ground with a single punch, so you can always use that technique if need be.”

God, he hoped he wouldn’t get a nut shot and end up being humiliated in the pizza place. He was running out of places to eat.

Juliett relaxed. She could see he was being honest. She liked that in a man.

“I happen to think you’re incredibly attractive, so spill away. I’m washable.”

He blushed.

Rhett could feel the heat creeping up his neck.

“You tie my tongue up in knots. I just met you, and I can’t think straight. I’m sorry that I told you this was to talk about the case. I lied. I don’t want to think about work. I want to think about you.”

Her heart skipped.

“Thank you for the rose,” she said, sniffing it.

Then, she did something really daring and very unlike herself. She leaned over and kissed him softly on the cheek. Not only did he smell really good, but he didn't try to kiss her back.

He wouldn’t ditch her.

Rhett Longfellow was a gentleman.

It helped her relax. While she wanted some man to want her, she didn't want an octopus either.

“Shucks,” he said, grinning.

“What do you like on your pizza?” she asked, signaling that she was ready for their date. His honesty had helped calm her down. She didn't have anything to worry about.

Or so she hoped
.

“Mushrooms.”

“Hmmm. Pepperoni,” she countered.

“Half and half,” he stated.

“Deal.”

He pulled back onto the road, glad he took the time to talk to her. Maybe this night wouldn’t be a disaster after all. Two shy people could have a good night together.

Maybe he stood a chance with Juliett.

She didn't look freaked out, and he only prayed he was hiding his nerves.

He could do this.

He could pull it off.

Or so he prayed.

Rhett didn't want to get his hopes up. The night was still very young.

       
                
* * *
  O R A C L E   * * *

Juliett’s Cabin

While Avalon was showering, Jagger took that moment to talk to a man who wasn’t only his boss, but his friend. He didn't want Nate running into any relationship landmines, but he saw one coming.

Hell!

If Nate didn't see Avalon’s reaction to the sheriff’s rose, he was in for a world of hurt.

“Hey, do you have a minute?” he asked, as Nate continued working.

He slipped off his glasses and glanced over. “Yeah, what’s up?”

“It’s about Avalon.”

That had his attention. It was funny, because Nate wasn’t really working. He was thinking about the woman he loved, and how she responded to the romance the sheriff had offered up to Juliett.

“What about?”

“She’s not going to marry you.”

“What?” he asked, leaning forward. “Did she tell you that?” he asked, starting to feel a panic overcoming him.

“Not in so many words, but she may have been talking to Juliett, and I may have overheard her discussing it.”

That turned his blood ice cold.

“What?”

Nate was getting that sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He couldn’t lose Avalon, and he knew he’d gotten the far better deal. She healed him, she saved him, and now she was pushing him away.

He thought back to the last time they had sex. She had fallen asleep instead of talking about their relationship.

Oh hell!

She was faking.

“Is this going to make me freak out?”

Jagger shrugged. “She told Juliett that she was lucky to be going out on a date, and that she’d never had one.”

He started thinking about the last couple weeks together.

“We went to Maura and Luke’s wedding.”

“Yeah, that’s a social obligation, boss. You gotta stop keeping her locked up and treat her like she’s a girl. Women like when a guy takes them out, buys them dinner, and then makes them feel like the center of their world.”

“She is the center of my world.”

“I didn't say she wasn’t, but if she’s not feeling it, then she’s not going to say yes. In fact, if you asked now, would she marry you?”

He swallowed, but he didn't say a word.

“Yeah, no need to answer that. Just the way you look freaked speaks louder than words. She’s still Oracle to you, and that’s not going to work. She’s free, but you’re keeping her in that cage.”

His heart started pounding in his chest. “I don’t mean to do it. I’m just scared shitless that POTUS is going to find out she’s alive and take her from me. If that happens…”

Jagger leaned forward too. “Listen, Maura and I have friends in high places. We have feelers out. If we get notice that Avalon is made, we’re getting her out of this country, and fast. We have ways to keep her free, but you’re not helping. She’s a girl, and girls like romance.”

He was well aware.

Was Nate really keeping her in the same cage?

“They like spontaneity. They like when you do things so off the cuff that they feel like a queen. By the way, that was her term, not mine.”

Nate was freaked out. “It’s hard to do something romantic. I can’t buy her a rose and be dashing, or gaze up at the stars with her.”

“You’re full of it.”

Nate opened his mouth.

“She can dream walk. Take her out for a stroll. There are so many ways you can adapt and still make her feel special. She’s never been with anyone else before, and you’re setting the bar. Now the sheriff just played the romance card, and you’ve never done that. Do you really want her thinking that there’s more out there?”

He opened his mouth. “I never thought about that.”

“You used her to get rid of the demons, but this time, take her to the dreams for something pleasant.”

He could do that.

Just not tonight.

Nate had something else in mind. “Can you send the information over to Callie and get a profile?”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to do exactly what you suggested. I’m going to show her some romance. I think I’m going to take her out for ice cream. I promised I would, and I never followed through. Now I see that was a huge mistake.”

Jagger grinned. “I think you’re seeing the error of your ways. I have hope that you’ll pull it off.”

Nate was up. He needed to get Avalon dressed and on their way, but first…

“Hey, Jagger?” he called, glancing back.

“Yo?”

“Thanks. I appreciate that you love her too. I was worried at first about our relationship, and the dynamics of the team, but I can see I was wrong. You do have her best interest at heart.”

“I do. She’s been through a lot.”

“Yeah, she’s definitely like a family member to you.”

He shrugged. “What’s one more sister? After one runs you through the ringer, it’s all the same thing.”

“Now you’re full of it,” Nate said, grinning.

Yeah, he totally was.

       
                
* * *
  O R A C L E   * * *

Pappa’s Pizza

Crosspointe

When he helped her down from the truck, Juliett’s heart skipped in her chest. The second his big hands wrapped around her hips, she again thought she was going to melt.

Then he did something she’d never had done to her before.

He held out his arm, letting her wrap her’s through it. The gesture was so sweet and gallant, that Juliett was caught completely off guard.

Inside, he waited for her to slip into the booth before getting in the other side. Immediately, his legs were touching hers.

“Sorry,” he offered, trying to shift.

She smiled. “It’s okay. I don’t mind.”

“Booths aren’t made for big men.”

Gently, she placed her fingers on his knee under the table. Again, being so unlike herself. She was feeling confident with this man. He had yet to push her away. “It’s okay, Rhett. I think big men have a charm all their own.”

He grinned.

When a man came over to take their order, Rhett ordered the pizza. “Beer or wine, Juliett?”

“I think I’ll have wine.”

The man rushed off to get their drinks.

He held up his pinkie. “Swear to me that you’re not going to dump it on me.”

She laughed. “Swear to me that you’re not going to check out all the other women while I’m sitting here.”

“There are other women here?” he asked, his eyes never leaving hers.

She wanted to giggle. “I swear,” she offered, pinkie swearing with him.

Suddenly, Rhett didn't want to let her little finger go. He wanted to hold her hand, but he was already pushing his luck.

“Thanks for going out with me.”

She shrugged. “Thanks for asking.”

“When’s the last time you dated?” he asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

She paused.

Rhett expected her to get upset, but she didn't.

“About five months ago. I’m generally busy with work. I love my career.”

“Yeah, me too,” he stated. “What do you do for a living?”

“I’m a nurse.”

“Guys like smart women,” he teased.

She laughed, and then took a sip of the wine when the man left. “Do they? Well, not the one’s I went out with. One inkling of my ‘gift’ and they ran.”

“Yeah, seeing that killer had to suck.”

“It was shocking,” she offered. “I didn't expect it.”

“It never happened before?” Rhett inquired. “That has to be a tough gift to carry.”

She knew what was coming next. It was time to scare the big man away. “Actually, that’s not my gift. Seeing this mess is something new.”

He was curious, but he wasn’t going to push her. Juliett was skittish as it was.

“You want to know, don’t you?”

He grinned. “Is it wrong of me? If you tell me your secret, I’ll tell you mine.”

“Okay.”

“You first, so you don’t chicken out,” he stated.

“I help the dead cross. I can tell when they’re dying, so I work in a hospice back home. As they take their last breath, I watch their spirits leave their bodies.”

He stared at her.

This is about when all the men freaked out.

“Wow.”

“This is where you tell me you’re running to the men’s room and sneak out the back door. I’ll need the name of the cab company now.”

He laughed, trying to calm her down. “Juliett, I don’t do that to anyone. Shy men like me don’t get a shitload of dates. There’s that little catch where we have to ask women out.”

Juliett knew he was stalling. He was processing what she had told him. “I told you. I’m a freak. This is why men run from me in droves. Now you know the truth.”

His heart broke for her.

He knew what it was like to be the odd man out. He was big and lumbering, and that intimidated people at times. It wasn’t easy to prove that he wasn’t a big dumb oaf.