Remember Love: Saints Protection & Investigations (5 page)

His eyes darted to every dog chasing balls, catching Frisbees, or just walking along with their masters. He made his way past the picnics and the college students lounging in the sun. Basketball courts were on one side with tennis courts on another. A large, flat area, big enough for a soccer game, had children running around kicking balls.

Turning around and around, he grew frustrated when there was no sign of her.
How big is this place?
He had driven by it many times but had never taken the opportunity to walk around. The enormity of the park when trying to find one woman was overwhelming, especially if that woman did not want to be found.

Privacy…she’d be looking for somewhere private.
Seeing a small pond in the distance, he headed toward it, noting benches along the path and into the trees bordering two sides of the water.

He was almost two-thirds around the pond when a deep bark sounded from the edge of the woods. His gaze jerked quickly to the sound and he saw a German Shepherd bounding toward a bench, partially hidden in the shadows of the trees. A few more steps and he could see…her. His Mystery Lady.

He let out a breath he did not realize he had been holding. She did not see him, but he could not take his eyes off her. Her hair, pulled back into a braid hanging over her shoulder, looked like it had been combed then braided. Still wearing the oversized jacket, on a warm day, he wondered now if it was to give her a place to put food if she came across it. His suspicions were confirmed when she reached into her pocket and pulled out a treat for the dog as it bounded back to her.

Blaise, rooted to the sidewalk, stared at her large eyes, sparkling in the daylight as her head was thrown back in laughter before she bent forward, grabbing the dog’s furry face in her hands and kissing its nose. Squatting, she wrapped her arms around the animal, both creatures sharing a moment of unadulterated love.
Beautiful.
And his heart squeezed once more.

Suddenly, the dog turned toward him and growled, planting its body protectively in front of the Mystery Lady once more. He watched as her gaze jerked to his and her body readied for flight.

“No, no,” Blaise begged, lifting his hands upwards. “Please don’t go, Miss. I only want to help. You and your dog. Please.”

She stood, her body tense, staring at the man she recognized from the previous night at the bar. Warily, she watched as he once again kept his distance, his hands up. “What do you want? Have you been following me?” she asked, fear evident in her voice.

“I just want to help.”

Licking her dry lips, she kept her fingers lightly on Gypsy’s fur, both calming the growling dog and calming herself.

“I don’t want to frighten you,” he said. “If you want, I can sit on the ground, not too close to you.”

She stared a moment, uncertain of his intentions. Watching as he sat down cross-legged about ten feet away, she noted he kept his hands on his knees where she could see them. Her head lifted in pride, although her eyes shifted nervously. “Why do you think I need help?”

Shaking his head, he said, “Miss, I’m sure you were hungry last night.” His eyes dropped to the dog, no longer growling, but watching him with the same wariness as his mistress. “And no one, not even a dog, should have to eat from a trash can.”

A flash of embarrassment crossed her face, quickly replaced by irritation. “I…I do what I have to do.”

“I’d like to check out your dog,” Blaise continued. “I’m a veterinarian. What’s its name?”

The woman was quiet for a long moment and he thought she was not going to answer him. He waited patiently, his gaze moving between the beautiful woman and the dog, who had now relaxed its stance.

Finally, she spoke, softly saying, “Gypsy. Her name is Gypsy.”

“Gypsy,” he repeated with a smile, thinking of the similarity between the dog and the woman. “That’s a beautiful name for a beautiful dog.” He held out his hand, palm up, and waited.

The woman nudged Gypsy and the dog trotted over to Blaise, immediately sniffing him, allowing him to run his expert hands over the dog’s body.

No broken bones, hips good, teeth good. Probably about three years old. Coat in decent condition.
Glancing back up to the woman, he wished that she would accept his offer of assistance.

Continuing to ruffle the dog’s fur, he said, “She’s a beauty, Miss, that’s for sure. Have you had her since she was a puppy?”

The change in the woman’s breathing was instant and Blaise was aware his question sent her into anxiety, but had no idea why.

“Gypsy,” she called sharply, “we have to go.”

The dog immediately trotted over to her and Blaise stood slowly. “Hey, I’m not trying to cause a problem. Please let me help. If nothing else, let me provide some food for both of you.”

That appeared to cause the woman hesitation and he continued to pursue that line of persuasion. “The dog’s bones and musculature are good, but the coat could use a good brushing and is definitely showing signs that the diet is lacking in some vitamins.” He pierced her with his gaze, a smile playing on his lips, and said, “Look, you’re completely right to be scared of me. I’m a stranger and you’ve got no reason to trust me. But, I swear, we can walk to one of the food trucks nearby for lunch. We’ll be out in the open and you won’t have to be afraid. Okay?”

Please, come on Mystery Lady…say yes.

*

She had been
stunned when the man from the bar stepped off the path near her and her instinct was to run.
Why didn’t I?
She felt safe with Gypsy guarding her, but it was more than that. It was the way he did not try to approach. The way he held his hands up again. Then it was the way he looked over her dog, carefully examining it.
And the way he calls me Miss.

His offer of help was so wanted…needed. But, not knowing what might be out there…if anyone…held her back. He looked so kind. So trustworthy.
How would I know?
she chastised herself. Just then her stomach growled loudly and the idea of eating something from one of the food trucks around the edge of the park had her mouth watering. Sparing a glance down to Gypsy, she looked into the dog’s trusting eyes.
How can I refuse?

Lifting her gaze once more to the man, patiently waiting for her reply, she allowed herself a moment of wishing he really could help her.
I need someone. I can’t keep living this way.

Nodding slowly, she said, “Okay. Yes. Uh…I’d like some lunch.”

Stepping back onto the path, Blaise grinned, making sure to give the woman and Gypsy a wide berth to walk beside him without crowding them. She offered a small smile in return for the gesture.

The dog trotted between them as they walked at an easy pace. “I know Gypsy’s name, but we haven’t been introduced. I’m Blaise. Blaise Hanssen.” A few steps passed and he looked over at his companion. “And you are?”

Stumbling, she blurted out, “I’d rather not say.” Breathing rapidly, she cringed.
That sounded rude! Why couldn’t I have come up with a name…any name?

Noting her hesitancy, he simply nodded. “I can understand you wanting to be cautious. I’m a strange man to you.”

They stood awkwardly for a moment before he said, “I hate not calling you anything. How about you tell me what you’d like me to call you.” As she seemed to hesitate, he added, “I hate to call you the Mystery Lady.”

At that, she smiled and appeared to relax. “It was nice when you called me Miss.”

Keeping the pleasant smile on his face, he now knew she might be running from something or someone.
Her hesitancy is more than just being wary of a strange man.
Wanting to alleviate the panic from her face, he simply nodded and pointed to a few of the trucks on the park’s edge. “What are you in the mood for, Miss? Looks like we have tacos, barbecue, hot dogs, Korean, and,” he stretched over to look further down the road, “probably meatball subs.”

Her stomach growled loudly again, the intoxicating smells holding her hostage. She wavered on her feet, suddenly overwhelmed with the choices. Blaise reached out and grabbed her arms to steady her.

“Hey, let’s get you some water first,” he said. Quickly paying for two water bottles, he ushered her to a seat nearby. Most of the lunch crowd had passed and they sat in silence for a few minutes, drinking the water after she offered some to Gypsy.

Blushing, she gazed up at Blaise. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I felt a little…” her voice trailed off, not knowing what else to say. Swooning at the handsome man’s feet was hardly what she expected to do.

Pleased to be sitting close to her, he smiled. “Look, Miss. Let’s be honest. I know you’re hungry. I know your dog must be hungry. I don’t know what your situation is, but honest to God, I only want to help.”

She peered deeply into his eyes, searching for…and finding…sincerity. Nodding slightly, she agreed. Looking over at the trucks again, she said, “It all sounds so good, but I think what I’d really like is a hotdog.”

Grinning at the progress, Blaise confirmed, “Then hotdogs it is! Come on, you can fix them the way you and Gypsy like them.” Standing, he reached for her hand without even thinking about it.

Startled, she held on tight as his long legs headed toward the hot dog truck with her dog trotting right along with them. And for the first time in weeks, she smiled. Her heart felt ever so slightly lighter. And it looked like her stomach was going to soon be full. Allowing him to link fingers with her, she eagerly walked toward food.

*

An hour later,
both woman and dog were sated, full of hotdogs, fries, and even a milkshake from an ice cream vendor.

The conversation was slow, as Blaise realized it would take more than a full stomach to earn her trust. He was cognizant that she kept the conversation light and definitely off of anything to do with her.

Looking over, he grinned, seeing the satisfied expression on her face. He had pretended not to notice when she snuck a few pieces of her second hot dog into the pocket of her jacket, sure that it was for Gypsy later on in the evening. He had no doubt she took care of the dog before her own needs.
A woman after my own heart…wait, what?
His smile slipped as the thought ran through his mind.

“Are you alright?” she asked, her face full of concern.

“Yes, yes,” he hurriedly answered.

“Okay, well, I should be going,” she replied. “I want to thank—”

Just then Blaise’s phone rang. Seeing it was Luke, he said, “Please stay…I just need to take this call.”

Receiving her nod, he only walked away a few feet, unwilling to let her out of his sight again. “Luke, sorry. I’m talking with
someone.
”

Luke, catching on, asked, “You found her? Where?”

“I’m having lunch at the park.”

“Can you get any info from her? Does she need our help?”

“I’m working on the file you’re interested in. I think it needs more work,” Blaise responded cryptically. He caught her smile and he smiled in return.

“Got it,” Luke answered.

“Right,” Blaise replied before disconnecting, walking back over to the picnic table.

“Sounds like I’m keeping you from work,” she said, standing, wiping her hands delicately on the napkin.

“No, no, it’s fine. I’m okay. In fact, I’m having a nice time,” he said honestly.

She peered up into his face once more as though searching for something. He had no idea what she was looking for, but hoped she found it in him.

Sticking out her hand, she said, “I really need to go, but I want to thank you. I appreciate you buying us lunch.” Her other hand was fingering Gypsy’s fur.

Blaise took her hand in his much larger one. Giving it a small shake, he discovered he did not want to let it go. Staring into her dark chocolate eyes, he was stuck with the thought that she was not just a charity case. A mystery. A mission to assist someone down on their luck.
I want to know this woman. I want her to trust me enough to tell me what is going on in her life. I want—

Her hand pulled back from his, jerking him out of his musings.

“It was nice meeting you, Blaise.”

“And you too…uh…Miss.” He caught the slight wince as he hesitated over what to call her. “I’d like to see you again. Is there any chance that perhaps we can meet tomorrow?”