Page 14 of One Little Memory
“But just think of how happy they’ll be when they find out you’re alive.”
That was true. She really hopedsomeonewas out there looking for her.
Hazel breezed into the room. “I have some clothes for you. They’re mine. I think we’re about the same size. I had them in my locker. Don’t worry. They’re clean.”
“Oh, Hazel, that is so nice of you. I…well, I appreciate it so much. I’ll get them back to you as soon as I can.”
“No rush.” Hazel shot a smile at Phoenix, and Jo’s stomach knotted. Were they dating? That would be…disappointing.
Hazel glanced at her phone screen. “I’m heading out. I’ve been here since four a.m. I had to come in to cover part of two shifts. It’s noon and I’m starving, not to mention exhausted. I was going home to sleep, but Aiden and Jory are working on the kitchen, so now I’m going to my mom’s. All that to say, I have extra clothes there. I can bring you some if you’d like.”
Jo blinked. “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
Hazel raised a hand. “No worries. Aiden will be happy. He worries every time I go to my mom’s because I come home withmore stuff. Aiden is my boyfriend by the way, and Jory is my brother. They’re with the fire department.”
“The friends I was telling you about,” Phoenix said to Jo. And then he explained to Hazel, “Aiden and Jory spoke with their boss, Chief Vickers, and it’s a no-go on getting to the car until Wednesday at least.”
“That’s too bad, so I’ll definitely bring you some clothes then.”
Jo wanted to hug Hazel. Just knowing she’d have something to wear was one worry gone. The question was, where would she stay?
Hazel started towards the door. “Wait,” she said as she turned around. “Where are you going to stay, Jo?”
“That’s a good question. I have no idea.” And she really didn’t. She swallowed the panic building in her throat.
“She’s going to stay at my place,” Phoenix said.
Jo froze.What?
Phoenix must have seen her distress because he rushed to explain. “I have a small garage behind my house that I turned into an apartment for my brother, but he bought a house a couple of months ago so now it’s empty. I haven’t gotten around to renting it. You can have it for the foreseeable future.”
“I…that is…I just… I don’t have any money at the moment, but I promise I’ll pay you as soon as I…figure out who I am.”
Phoenix waved her off. “Don’t worry about it. I don’t think you’ll be there long. I have calls into all the surrounding towns here and just over the border in New Jersey. Someone will claim you soon enough.”
From his lips to God’s ears.
CHAPTER 6
Phoenix was standingin the hospital hallway, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. He was waiting for Jo to get dressed. Cahill had released her, and Hazel had finally filed the paperwork.
He had no clue what the fuck he’d been thinking when he’d offered to let Jo stay in the garage apartment. How stupid could he be? He had no idea who she was or what she was doing in town. He also had no clue how she went over the embankment. All of it added up to trouble. But somehow, seeing her in that bed, with fear in the depths of her big, brown eyes, he just couldn’t help himself.
She had nothing and no one. It made his insides go cold, thinking about her alone on the street. Chief Bowers was going to give him a hard time about it, but he didn’t see what else he was supposed to do. He couldn’t ask anyone else to put themselves in jeopardy by having her stay with them. Not that he thought she was really dangerous, but to be fair, she could be a serial killer for all he knew. And she didn’t have any money so she couldn’t stay at any of the small inns in Cherry Valley. At least this way he could keep an eye on her.
If the chief said anything, he’d just say that the other option was having her stay with Hazel or Hazel’s mom. He was dating Hazel’s mom, and there was no way he’d let either woman do anything that might put them in a precarious position. He grinned. That should shut him up.
The room door opened, and Jo stood there. She was smaller than he’d thought. She came up to the middle of his chest. Her thick chestnut hair was curling around her shoulders. She had on a light black cotton sweater and faded jeans that fit to a tee. Her curves were generous, and her smile was genuine as she searched his face. “I know I look a mess.” She put a hand to her bandage over her eye in a self-conscious gesture.
“You look fine.” More than fine. Her deep brown eyes were warm and her lips were full and kissable. He needed to stop right there. She was off limits. He knew nothing about her, and she was an accident victim. No go. It didn’t matter that she stirred something in him, something that he’d thought was long dead.
She was out of bounds, and he needed to remember that.
His phone went off. He glanced at the screen. Jagger. Phoenix wanted to swear. He was already behind in the investigation. He had a ton of shit to do, but he couldn’t leave Jo on her own. He sent a text to Jagger that he’d be in his office in a half an hour.
“Ready to go?” he asked as he started down the hallway.
“Um, yes, but there’s one problem.”
