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Hallie shook her head. “No, I was just...waiting, I guess.”
Caden gestured to the empty chair beside her. “May I?” He held his breath for the two seconds it took her to nod and place her purse in her lap.
Caden sat, crossing one leg over the other one to angle himself more toward her. She had on a white blouse, dark blue slacks and a light pink sweater. A small necklace around her neck had its clasp down in the front. It made him want to reach over and fix it. The perfect excuse to touch her milky white skin. He swallowed, adjusted his sidearm under his jacket so that it wasn’t digging into his side, and folded his arms in his lap.
“Waiting for what?” Caden asked. There was a long pause. He once again felt her weighing her words and he hated that she felt the need to do that with him. Though he understood why.
“I just...The other agent said Agent O’Connell was alive, but after the news reporter announced what hospital he’d been taken to…I guess I just had to see for myself.” Her words came out in barely a whisper.
Caden wanted nothing more than to take her hand in his and promise her everything would be all right. It was ridiculous since he’d just met her last week. He barely knew her, but he knew himself, and these strong feelings he was having were definitely out of character for him. “He got hit in the shoulder.” Caden told her plainly. “It’s painful, but I assure you, he will be just fine after some rehab.”
Hallie gifted him a relieved smile. “Thank you,” she said. “For telling me, I mean. I tried asking a nurse, but she told me I’d have to wait to ask a family member. I was so worried. I don’t know him, but I just...I hoped he’d be okay.”
Caden had never encountered a killer that wanted to ensure the wellbeing of their victim. He’d also never been so happy to be right about someone.
Weighing his own words now, he needed to tread carefully to avoid her shutting down. “You own that eclectic shop on Main Street, The Mystic Cow, right?” He hoped mentioning something familiar would keep her from running away from him again.
Hallie’s face lit up and she nodded. “Yes, that’s my store. I didn’t think you remembered.”
How could he forget? “There are certain rules I have to follow in those rooms. If you know what I mean.” He left out the word interrogation on purpose.
Hallie nodded. “You were just doing your job. I understand.”
The way she said it had Caden thinking that she was just so damn understanding, but the best part was that she was here. He couldn’t believe the woman he was on his way to see happened to be right where he was. It felt almost kismet. “I told my boss I was taking a long lunch today. Maybe you could join me at the new little pizzeria that opened on Fifth Street?”
There was a look of surprise in her expression. Then she started fidgeting with her purse. “I can’t. I really should get to my store soon.”
“How about coffee then? I passed a coffee shop on the way here that looked good.” Caden hoped someone who liked books and fun accessories also liked caffeine. It was a stretch, but he didn’t have much to go on. “It’s the least I can do to thank you for saving my friend’s life.” And there it was. The thought had been on his mind ever since he’d learned about her tip and he couldn’t hold the words back any longer. If it hadn’t been for her tip, Blake would’ve gotten to the scene as planned and been killed for sure.
Whatever else she might’ve done, Caden had no doubt Hallie Owens’ tip saved Blake’s life, and he needed to know how and why she’d done it. He hoped saying the words aloud showed her that despite his badge and the interrogation he’d put her through, she could indeed trust him.
The expression on her face would’ve brought him to his knees if he hadn’t already been sitting. Her eyes widened and there was a hint of - relief? But then she sobered. “I didn’t do anything,” she said quickly, the look of innocent joy gone almost as fast as it had appeared.
Caden sighed and looked her in the eye, not believing that self-deprecating statement. “I think we both know there’s more to that story. I also know you’re not exactly motivated to share it with me, especially after the conversation we shared the other day. But I promise you, I won’t pry or ask questions. I won’t make you talk about anything you don’t want to. Just coffee, and we can talk about books. What do you say?”
Hallie slightly relaxed, much to Caden’s relief. “Okay,” she smiled. “I can do coffee and books.”
A mixture of relief and excitement coursed through Caden’s veins. He only hoped she hadn’t agreed because of some kind of perceived pressure she thought he was putting on her. He hadn’t meant to force her into spending time with him and he had no intention of doing anything more than getting to know her.
Hallie had risked so much to send that tip. She didn’t know him or Blake and there was no way she could’ve known about the case his friend was working on unless she was in on it.
Caden didn’t think she was, but his gut told him there was more to Hallie Owens than met the eye. And he was determined to find out what it was.
Chapter 3
As soon as Hallie stepped inside Mocha Madness, she was assailed by the overwhelming scent of coffee. It was absolute heaven for someone like her who was addicted to sweet blended coffee drinks. She often wondered how she ever kept her slim figure when she drank those caloric treats on a near daily basis.
“I hope this is okay,” Caden said. They’d driven over in their own vehicles and arrived at the same time. “I wasn’t sure if you were into those fancy coffee drinks or if you were more of a black coffee with one sugar type of person.”
His smile made Hallie’s insides melt. He was so sweet when he wasn’t sitting across a metal table from her in a brightly lit room demanding answers. “I love fancy coffee drinks,” she admitted. “I practically live on them. There’s a coffee shop about half a block from my store. I think most of their profits come from me.”
Caden’s smile widened and Hallie returned it, then looked away, pretending to study the oversized menu on the wall over the register. She didn’t want him to catch her gawking at how gorgeous he was. Those broad shoulders, piercing steel gray eyes, and that bright smile, were making her feel things in places she’d long since ignored, ever since breaking up with her ex.
“So, what would you like?” Caden asked.
“Oh.” He’d caught her off guard. Was this...a date? No. That couldn’t be right. “You can go first,” Hallie said, hoping to take the pressure off.
“My treat,” he insisted. “Please.”
