Song of the Blackbird (Albatross Prison #1) (15 page)

“It’s past two o’clock. The clinics are almost closed. And all the doctors were there today.”

“How do you know?”

“I was there. When you didn’t show, we called your cell but nobody answered.” He gave her an accusing look. “We were worried. By policy, if an employee doesn’t show up at work, we’re supposed to locate them to make sure they’re okay.”

“That’s why you’re here?” Emma blinked a couple of times. “You could have sent someone else. Aren’t you busy with stuff?”

“I wanted to come.” He gazed down at her, a peculiar look in his eyes. “To thank you for your help with my father. You were there for hours. I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome. Sorry I couldn’t do more.”
Did he actually show up at work today? It was too soon. He definitely should’ve taken more time off.
“How are you doing?”

“Hanging in there. I have to collect his things from the nursing home so I should probably head off.” He turned to go but suddenly swung around. “Before I forget, what did you want to tell me that day in the car?”

“Oh, that.” Emma sighed.
Should she trouble him about Cavendish now when his father had just died?
“Maybe this isn’t the right time.”

“Why?” he said in that abrupt tone of his.

Her stomach let out a loud growl all of a sudden. “Sorry, I haven’t eaten yet.”

Maxim frowned. “Come on. Let’s get you some food. You can tell me what’s going on over lunch.”

“You’re sure they’re okay about me not coming in today?”

“Yes. Positive.”

“What about the nursing home? Weren’t you planning to go there?”

“It can wait. If it’s about my prison, I’d rather hear it now.”

“Okay, then. Lunch sounds great.”
In every way. How nice to be able to spend some extra time with him.

Chapter 17

Whatever time they had together, Maxim had to make it short. He hadn’t planned for the lunch. No
.
It was supposed to be a swift in and out. Make sure she was okay, thank her for her help with his father, and then deal with whatever she had wanted to talk about when she’d called him in the emergency room.
So much for his good intentions.
When her stomach had grumbled and she’d looked near famished, how could he not suggest lunch? He wasn’t going to have her starve, not on his watch. She was thin enough already.

And just because she was beautiful and generous to a fault, that didn’t really concern him, did it? The intense connection he’d felt with her at the hospital had been a product of their environment. Nothing personal. He’d been overwhelmed with grief, kind of shamefully so. He’d even imagined her almost kissing him when she’d caressed his cheek.
Kiss him? Who was he kidding? She’d been showing him sympathy, nothing else.
Maxim shook his head. Hopefully, she’d forget about the whole episode.

For God’s sake, Emma was his employee. He had no business feeling anything for her. Least of all the consuming worry that had clawed at him when she’d been a no-show at work this morning. Had she fallen asleep at the wheels the day before? Panic had gripped him, thinking she was lying hurt somewhere. Of course he had to come himself to make sure she was okay. He was a responsible employer, nothing more. And his world was filled with bitterness and vengeance, a dark place he had no wish to drag her to. She was everything good in the world and deserved to be surrounded by sunshine and happiness.

If he’d dreamt about her last night, it was only a dream, nothing substantial. And this morning with that old robe on, surely it was only his recent lack of sleep that had him thinking it was the sexiest garment ever. That had him imagining sliding it off her, exposing her smooth, silky skin. She’d smelled like fresh clean soap and shampoo. When had soap ever turned him on?
Never.
Maxim’s point exactly. Lack of sleep was addling his mind.

Thank goodness she’d changed quickly. But why the heck was she wearing those tight jeans and that close-fitting purple top? Where were her plain slacks and oversized dress shirts? Damn. He had to make it short, had to ignore the deep sense of contentment that seeped through him as she smiled at him from across the table at the restaurant.

“So, what’s good here?” she asked, her stomach making another growl.

“Everything if you’re hungry. What do you like?”

“Anything with pasta or seafood, but no fish.”

“Okay, their angel hair shrimp scampi is really good. And also their seafood jambalaya.” He perused the menu. “Spaghetti with meatballs is another good one.”

“All right, I’ll take them.”

“Which one?”

“All three,” she said, her gaze direct as usual. “You don’t mind, do you? We can split the bill.”

“No.” He’d never heard anything so distasteful. Of course he’d pay. “I’ll pay. It’s just…you’re sure you can eat all that food?”

“Trust me.” She gave him a lopsided smile. “When I’m hungry, I can eat the whole house down.”

And she meant it.
Fascinating.
He’d never seen anyone eat that much. She’d started with the scampi and cleaned the plate within ten minutes. Next she attacked the spaghetti with gusto, leaving only a few meatballs behind, and then the jambalaya had slowly but surely disappeared over the next hour.

“Where do you put all of it?” Maxim asked, still not quite believing his eyes.

“Fast metabolism,” she said. “Is there any dessert?”

Maxim laughed and felt the unused facial muscles work for the first time in what felt like forever.

“Hey, you laughed,” Emma said, her emerald eyes shining at him. “You should do it more often.”

Damn. Those eyes were going to kill him.
And what the hell had happened to keeping it short? Fool that he was, he’d been too distracted by her eating.

“What’s wrong?” Her worried voice came across the table.

“Nothing,” he said quickly.

“I’m such a pig, aren’t I?” She screwed up her pert nose and curved her lips in a self-conscious smile.

“I don’t mind,” he said. And immediately winced. “I mean, you’re not a pig.”

“Gee, thanks.”

He looked up, expecting censure. Her eyes were instead warm with humor. A lightness seeped into his soul. “Got me, didn’t you?”

“Two laughs in a row.” Her eyes twinkled. “You should do it more often. It makes you look friendlier. Less intimidating, less…”

“Like a barbarian?”

She looked down and started folding her napkin. “Sorry. I did say that, didn’t I?” 

“What? It’s true. I’m a big brute.”

“Maybe sometimes.” She smiled, abandoning the napkin. “But not all the time.”

Damn if that smile didn’t do queer things to his insides.
And those freckles.
Maxim shifted in his seat. “So what’s this thing with work you want to talk about?”

Emma fiddled with her pendant. “Can I tell you what happened the other day?” she finally asked, her beautiful eyes filled with anxiety.

“Sure.”
What the hell was making her nervous?
He wanted nothing more than to chase away her fears.

After she was done with her story, however, those eyes looked even more troubled than before. “So what do you think?” she asked in a small voice.

“Someone has to be responsible for that beating.”
Damn his officers. They should have done more.
“I’ll look into it and make sure Custody monitors the dorms better.”

“You’d do that?” There was a weird note of wonder in her voice.

“Of course. Rules are made for a reason. No cigarettes means no cigarettes.”

“Oh. You don’t know how happy I am to hear that.” She grabbed his hand and squeezed with her tiny fingers. “I thought you might blow over it. Not even care.”

“Of course I care. It’s my prison,” he said, trying hard to keep his hand still. She was pure danger. Distracting him with those eyes, killing him with that smile, and now torturing him with her touch. Her hand was soft and smooth, perfectly nestled in his palm. As if it belonged there.
What the hell?
Maxim yanked his hand back, his heart racing.
Short. Damn it. He had to keep it short.
His sanity depended on it. He shook his head in disgust and pushed his chair back.

“Is something wrong?”

“No.”
Did the woman have to be so observant?
“I have to go to the nursing home.”

“You want me to come with you?” she asked.

No, of course not.
“Sure. If you want to.” He bit back a groan. Those eyes had bewitched him somehow.

They drove to the nursing home, her long, beautiful black hair whipping in the wind between them. It was weird but the deep grief and ache of his loss seemed to ease each minute in her company. She helped him gather his father’s belongings: a stack of old books, an antique watch, some clothes, and a wedding photograph. She was silent during most of it, not saying much.

“When’s the funeral?” she asked as they walked back to the car.

“Saturday at noon.”

They got in the car and finally it was time to drive her home. Maxim should have been happy about it but why the hell did he feel all wrong inside? His sanity depended on them separating but his thick mind didn’t seem to comprehend. “Thanks for going over there with me.”

“No problem. Glad I could help.” She gazed up at the sky for a second and then suddenly shrieked. “Wait. What’s the date? It’s the twenty-fourth, right? Oh my God, I have to run. I’ve got to be somewhere.”

“What? A hot date?”
Not that he cared one way or the other
. Still, the thought of her on a date curdled his stomach somehow.

“Yeah.” Her eyes twinkled. “You can say that. Although he’s not really hot. He’s actually pretty cold.”

“Cold?”

“Yeah, his name is Holmes.”

“Too much information.” He gripped the steering wheel. “Don’t worry. I’ll get you home as fast as I can.”

“He’s a comet.” She chuckled, her eyes now dancing. “We can see him together if you like.”

“A comet? You mean like in the sky?” Maxim felt foolish and lighthearted all at once.

“Yes. I heard he had an outburst a few days ago. And that starting today we can view him with the naked eye.” Her emerald eyes shone with excitement. “I have to see him. I promised to send my brother some pictures. He’ll be so excited.”

“Okay, then.”
Why not?
It was already past evening time. The day was almost over. He could handle another couple of hours in her company. As long as he had his defenses up, it couldn’t be that bad. “Let’s find Holmes. Where should we go?”

“Well, I was going to go to Skyline Drive near my studio. It’s pretty high up, but traffic is a beast heading that way right now.” Emma peered left and then right, shading her eyes with one hand. “We have to find some place high to climb. Away from the city lights. They’re too distracting.”

“I know of a place,” he said, feeling it was perfect. “It’s not far from here. Are you game?”

“Sure.” Emma settled back in her seat and looked up at the darkening sky. A few minutes of silence ensued as he headed the car back onto the road. “What made you go into corrections?” she asked as he entered the freeway.

“After my parents were killed, I wanted to go into law enforcement.”
He’d been willing to try anything to catch those bastards.
“Corrections was the fastest way. The training at the academy is only sixteen weeks long.”

“You must have advanced really quickly.” Emma tossed her hair back and gave him a quizzical look. “I always thought wardens were older. And you don’t look a day over fifty.”

“Fifty?” Maxim bit back a groan. “Do I look that old?”

“Just kidding.” Emma laughed, a beautiful, merry sound that seeped into his soul, warming him up from the inside out. “How old are you? Forty-something?”

“Thirty-nine,” he said. “I know, probably ancient by your standards.”

“No. Not at all.” Her eyes were thoughtful. “It’s what’s on the inside that counts. How long have you been warden? Was it hard to get there?”

“It wasn’t difficult. But it took a lot of work.”
So she didn’t think he was an old geezer
. The warm feeling in Maxim’s chest deepened.

“How do you become warden? Do you have to go to extra classes or training?”

“A little bit of both. I had a good mentor. Mr. Peterson, the sergeant at the Urgent Care, remember?” Maxim flicked the turn signal on to make a right lane change. “He showed me the ropes, what classes to take, what exams to sit for, how to get ahead.”

“How many years have you been warden?”

“This is my second year.”

“Seems like you really enjoy your job.”

“It’s kind of my mission in life,” Maxim confessed, surprised he was revealing so much of himself. But then this was Emma. She made everything easier in a way. “Somebody has to punish the criminals and make them pay. Make sure justice is served.”

“All the criminals, huh?” Her voice became small.

“As many as I can get my hands on.” Maxim glanced over, loving the way the moonlight danced on her face. She seemed sadder for some reason, though.
And why the heck should that concern him? Why this urgent need to take away her sorrow?
He finally made it to the exit and after several minutes commenced the long climb up.

“Where are we?” she said, her voice brighter. “I feel like I’m at Yosemite or something. Why are we the only ones on the road?”

“Because it’s private property,” he said.

“No, really?” She was quiet for a moment and then suddenly clutched his arm. “We’re not trespassing, are we? I don’t want to sneak in just to see a comet.”

“Don’t worry.”
How could her hand feel so soft?
He needed to concentrate here. The road had a lot of twists and turns ahead. Maxim pulled his arm away. “We’re not sneaking in. The owner gave me permission to use this place a long time ago.”

“Okay, that’s good.” She craned her neck out of the window. “It’s nice up here. The air is so fresh. How high up are we? The road is so windy you can easily get motion sickness.”

He pressed on the brakes. “Are you carsick? Do you want me to slow down?”

“No. I like the twists and turns. My brother is the one who gets carsick, not me.”

“The one we’re taking pictures for?”

“Yes. I only have one. We’re pretty close.” Emma’s voice suddenly dropped. “Thank you for doing this with me. I know he’d appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome.”

After another few minutes, he finished the ascent and pulled up into the driveway.

“Wow. What is this place?” Emma stared up at the house. “It’s huge. You’re sure the owner is okay with us being here?”