“Thanks.” I peered up at the bright moon shining down. “She kept a lot of things to herself apparently. None of us knew about her writing. I remember visiting her house and seeing her books sitting on a table. She snatched them away from me before I could touch them, saying they were too steamy.”

“That’s what some of the women are saying around town. They’re seeing your aunt in a whole new light.”

“Aren’t we all?” I joked back. “But it’s cool how she was able to live two lives. Some people never even live one.”

“Very true.” Thomas moved away the car and stood to face me. He stared into my eyes with the moonlight illuminating behind him. I suddenly had trouble breathing. Maybe some rescue CPR would be in order here. He’d have to touch my lips and boobs.

“So tell me. You go by Trish now, right?” Thomas eyed me with a cocked brow and waited for my answer.

“Yes, I wanted a new beginning when I left Marietta, so I buried Patty somewhere along the highway as I drove to Boston for college.”

“It appears that you were very successful with the burying part. Because your nothing like the young girl I remember.” Thomas grinned at me and placed his hand down on the hood. His body loomed above mine, and I wanted to spread my legs like a hussy. It wasn’t like we just met. I loved trying to rationalize my dirty mind. “So tell me what have you been up to for the last eight years?”

“College, moved to New York City for my first job, lost said job, and now I’m being bribed by my late and scheming aunt to move back here.”

“Eight years in one sentence? Sounds like you might be trying to hide a few things.” Thomas glanced down at the finger I would have a wedding ring on if I was married or engaged. A smile curved across his lips as he found it bare, and I was glad I’d pawned the ring that used to be worn on that finger to buy this damn car. “No significant other?”

“Nope,” I clipped my answer, hoping he would drop the subject of men, boyfriends, or manwhores, which was my term for the male population in New York City under the age of forty. “Single and not looking.”

“Well a beautiful woman like you shouldn’t have to look or be single.” Thomas raised himself to full height. “Unless she aspires to be a nun.”

“Definitely not nun material. Mainly because I’m a Christmas and Easter Methodist, but I’m content with my life.” I wanted to say except the part where I lost my job and had to move away from the city I loved. In other words, I was lying through my teeth right now, and had no clue why. Silly pride perhaps.

“Glad to hear about the nun part, but I’d like…” Flashing lights pulled up right beside us before Thomas could finish. Dammit. I wondered what he’d like. Hoping in secret that he might like me.

“Let me talk to the driver while you put Tommie back inside the car.” Thomas acknowledged the tow’s arrival and held out his hand to help me off the car’s hood.

I lifted Tommie’s carrier off the car and watched Thomas walk away. What had gotten into me? I’ve followed every order he gave me. Sit here. Confess this. Do that. Yes, everyone last one. And strangely I liked it. Very, very much.

“I can’t believe the car was out of gas.” I shook my head in disbelief as the tow truck driver gave me the news. I wanted to blame it on the fact I’ve rarely driven a car in three years or that the gas gauge might be busted. But there was no excuse for my stupidity, as usual. Or was it ass as usual?

“You’d be surprised how often this happen.” The tow truck driver tried to cheer me up. “I bet it’s once a day. That’s why we always carry a full can of gas with us.”

“Well, at least the car doesn’t need repairs. Not so sure about my ability to drive one though.” I quipped under my breath as the driver put the cap back on the now empty can. “How much do I owe you?”

“Taken care of right, Bernie?” Thomas stuffed a few bills into Bernie’s shirt pocket. His hands were so quick I wasn’t able to see how much money he’d put inside.

Dammit, I hated owing anyone a dime, and once again Thomas was in charge. I wondered if he thought of me like a kid sister since I was Mel’s best friend. One thing for sure, I appreciated his help and the view.

“Thanks. But I owe you.” Thomas just smiled and shook his head. It didn’t appear I’d win the argument with him either. “I’ll make a donation to the policeman’s fund in your name.”

“How about I follow you back to your aunts? That’s where you’re staying I presume.” Thomas opened the car door for me and I slipped inside.

“Yes, but I’ll be okay on my own.” Part of me wanted him to follow me home and tuck me into bed for the night while he slipped in next to me under the covers. Naked. “I survived living in New York City for three years and you know what they say…”

“If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.” Thomas crooned and a sweet tingle ran over my skin.

“Where did you learn to sing like that?” I’d never heard him sing all the times I’d hung out at their home when I was a kid. I would’ve remembered because he sung in a way no one could forget.

“There’s more than muscle behind this badge, Patty Cake.” Thomas closed the door to my car now that I was seated behind the wheel and staring up at him in awe and lust. Mainly lust.

“Hey. It’s Trish to you buster.” I teased him with a smile through the car’s open window.

“Fine, Trish,” Thomas spat out my name. I would’ve preferred that he sang it.

“Fine.” I returned with a mocking tone.

“You’re something else, PC.” Thomas reached in and tasseled the hair on the top of my head, adding to the already messed up do.

“What the…” But it was too late. Thomas had already headed back to his patrol car.

After putting the car in drive, I steered out onto the road. A pair of headlights shone in my rear view mirror as Thomas followed close behind.

When my car hit the paved driveway of Aunt Marge’s house, I noticed how dark it was without a light shining from a window. The place didn’t look like the same inviting home I remembered now being cast in darkness. I was glad to see Thomas’s patrol car stopping right behind mine.

I had mixed emotions about going inside the house since I’d really not said farewell to Aunt Marge. She left specific instructions in her will. Since she knew her time was short, she dictated exactly how she wanted her funeral services. Basically none. A short but sweet memorial service was planned at the college she taught at for some time in mid-November. Other than that, she asked for no fanfare. And no goodbyes

Tap. Tap. Tap.

There was Thomas again at my window while I sat daydreaming and thinking about my aunt. Walking into the lonely house couldn’t be avoided, so I took a deep breath, reached for Tommie’s carrier handle, and opened the door.

“You okay?” Thomas asked in concern.

“Yeah. Just thinking. Seems weird to come back here and Aunt Marge’s gone.” Thomas took the carrier from my hands as we started to make our way toward the front door.

“When was the last time you saw her?” Thomas questioned while we walked up the Victorian’s wooden steps.

“She came to visit me last Christmas in New York. I had no idea she was sick at all. She didn’t tell a soul.” I could almost feel my aunt’s arms from the last hug we shared. If I’d only known then…

“Give me your keys.” Thomas ordered in a quiet but firm way. Without thinking I dug the keys out of my pocket and handed them over. I obeyed Thomas very well. I hope it earned me some brownie points.

The door creaked open and the smell of roses hit my nose. Tears soon followed.

“Let me get the rest of your stuff out of the car while you get settled.”

I wiped my eyes and pushed back my hair before I turned to face Thomas. “Who knew you were such a nice guy?”