To Trust a Cop. Sharon Hartley

      “Heads up, Charlie,” Cody yelled.

      The shortstop grinned when a pint-size batter swung nowhere near the ball.

      “That’s strike two,” Cody said. “When this team is out, Charlie will be first up.”

      She nodded at the batter. “That kid’s not standing close enough to the plate.” Her brother had had the same problem his first year.

      “You’re a baseball fan?”

      “I used to be.”

      The little boy missed again, and she felt a twinge of pity as he fought tears. Poor little guy. Donny’d hated it when he struck out.

      “Third out,” Cody said.

      Ten small players raced toward the dugout. “Is that talented shortstop your son?” she asked.

      “Nephew.”

      Nephew? Interesting. “Is your son here, too?”

      “I don’t have a son.” He faced her and grinned. “Thanks for coming. How’d it go in Judge Robinson’s court?”

      “Other than not getting called until after lunch, fine.” Looking up, she smiled back, liking the friendly expression on his angular face. Damn, but Cody was tall. Okay. No son, but what about a daughter?

      She sighed. “I’m just glad my testimony is over.”

      He led her away from the game to a concrete bench in the shade of a large oak. The bench and the ground below were covered with oak leaves. Cody brushed the debris away.

      “Testifying is never a picnic,” he said as they sat. “Believe me, police hate going to court, too. It’s time away from our regular duties, and I’m sure you know how defense lawyers try to destroy our evidence, make us look bad.”

      At his mention of cops, familiar suspicion bumped into her good mood. So why was Cody acting so nice? He obviously wanted something. No one ever did anything for free, especially not cops.

      “Are you going to tell me why I’m here?”

      “Relax, Merlene. You don’t have to rush off to Ocala. Dr. Johnson is back in Miami.”

      “What? Are you sure?” She searched his face, wishing she could see his eyes behind the glasses.

      He nodded. “I confirmed it myself even though I’ve been reassigned. He’s at his office this afternoon.”

      “Reassigned?” she asked. “What does that mean?” When he leaned toward her, the scent of fresh grass and clean masculinity curled around her senses.

      “That you’re free to watch your favorite doctor as much as you want. He’s no longer under active investigation by my department.”

      “But why? Has he been cleared of whatever you thought he’d done?” Which Cody still hadn’t told her about, by the way. Was he about to tell her now?

      “No, ma’am. I didn’t say that. In fact, I was hoping you’d tape the comings and goings from the good doc’s house for me.”

      “What? Come on, Cody. You have to tell me what’s going on.”

      Cody removed his sunglasses and ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know why yet, but I’ve been pulled from the case. So has the county attorney my partner and I’ve been working with.” He leaned back and caught her gaze. “Guess what? It’s not because of budget cuts.”

      “Wow.” Merlene thought hard and came up with only one explanation. “Dr. Johnson must have powerful friends.”

      He nodded. “That’s what we think. So if you stay on him, at least I’ll still receive some information.”

      “Because his friends can’t call me off,” Merlene said, nodding. “And I suppose you’ll want a full report?”

      “I wouldn’t mind.”

      The complete irony of the situation caused a laugh to bubble up from deep in her chest. She tried to stop herself but couldn’t. At the confusion on Cody’s face, she clamped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry,” she murmured.

      “My case is a disaster, and you’re laughing?”

      “Because you chased me away twice and now...now you want me back.” She shook her head. “I never thought I’d live long enough for the police to ask me for help.”

      “At least something I say can make you smile.” He startled her by raising his hand, but merely brushed a lock of hair away from her face, then dropped his hand to her shoulder.

      She sucked in a quick breath but didn’t move.

      “Do you know you have a beautiful smile?” he said.

      She didn’t reply, only felt the weight of his hand resting on her shoulder.

      His eyes searched hers, and an unfamiliar yearning shot through her as he leaned closer. His hand inched closer to her neck. She found herself shifting in his direction. Was he going to kiss her? She suddenly wanted him to. Wanted him to more than she’d wanted anything in a long time.

      “Hey, Cody,” a voice shouted. “Get back over here. Charlie’s up next.”

      She stiffened, and Cody dropped his hand.

      He angled his head toward the ball field. “Want to come with me to watch my nephew at bat?”

      “No!” She jumped to her feet, furious with herself for letting down her guard. “No, no. I can’t. I have to go.”

      He stood beside her with a frown. “Slow down, Merlene. You don’t have to drive to Ocala, remember? Since you haven’t got anywhere else to be, why not enjoy the game with me?”

      “Thanks, but no. I—” She looked around, searching the bench so she didn’t leave something behind. Like her good sense. Or maybe she could find an excuse for why she had to run away from him. And, Lord, she needed to. Her flesh burned where he’d touched her. She resisted the urge to stroke the spot.

      “I have to catch up with Dr. Johnson again,” she said. There. That was the truth. “My client wants me to maintain constant surveillance on her husband.”

      “But I wanted to—”

      She stuck out her hand to shake his. He took hold and squeezed, so she quickly withdrew her arm. She needed to get away from Cody before she did something really stupid. “Thanks for letting me know about Dr. Johnson, Detective Warren.”

      “Sure,” he said. “Why don’t you—”

      “Really, I appreciate it. But I’ve got to get back to work.”

      Refusing to meet his gaze again, she fled toward the parking lot. When she got to her car she unlocked the door and collapsed inside.

      What had happened to her just now? For those few moments it was as if Cody had put her into some kind of a trance. She frowned. No, not exactly. She’d been conscious of every hammer of her pulse, exquisitely aware of him, silently urging him to take her into his arms and kiss her.

      She glanced back the way she’d come. At a baseball field. In front of children.

      Dear heaven, what was wrong with her?

      Long ago she’d promised herself to never, ever lose control of her actions. Losing control was what had happened to her parents when they drank. She’d learned to never let anything but logic and common sense rule her life.

      So obviously she had to stay away from this detective if he could make her forget where she was with a mere touch.

      * * *

      MERLENE SIGHED AND stretched her legs, trying without success to get comfortable in the Toyota’s bucket seat. What was that old country song about being back in the saddle again? Yep, that was her. And nothing