Once (Gypsy Fairy Tale) by Dana Michelle Burnett Read Free Book Online Page B

shirt pocket, “Just take your time.”
    I hated the patronizing tone in his voice. I wanted to remind Officer Reynolds that I knew him back when he was just Brad Reynolds, the guy working summers on his uncle’s farm and cruising the shopping center in his beat up old truck. It wasn’t exactly like he was some seasoned crime scene investigator or anything; he was just a regular small town guy that got lucky with the job.
    “Like I said, it all just happened so fast.” I said, deciding it was better to just play along and then there was the way Kieran was watching me. “I came out from the back and there he was with a knife. I thought I was dead, and I probably would’ve been if it wasn’t for Kieran.”
    Stepping closer, he turned his attention to Kieran.
    “Yeah,” he said, clicking his pen a few times. “How did she get so lucky?”
    Kieran kept his eyes on me, “I was just across the street at our camp. I heard her scream and came to see what was the matter.”
    Officer Reynolds motioned to the gaping hole that was once the window, “And is that how the window got broke?”
    “The door was locked.”
    “I see,” Officer Reynolds said as he made a few more scribbles in his notepad. He looked up at Kieran, seeming to study him for a moment.
    “You’re awful cut up there,” he said with a wave of his hand towards Kieran’s face. “Maybe I should take you over to the hospital.”
    Kieran still kept his eyes fixed on mine, “It’s just a scratch or two.”
    I wasn’t sure what it was Kieran was trying to mutely tell me but I knew that I would never find out with the local law enforcement hanging around.
    “I’m just glad you and your partner got here so quickly,” I said to Officer Reynolds before he could ask another question.
    “No problem,” he said, seeming to take the hint by moving towards the door. “Do you need help with all of this glass?”
    I came around the counter to shake his hand, trying to politely usher him out the door.
    “No,” I said, waving my hand at the mess. “You’ve already done so much. Thanks.”
    He looked past me to Kieran, “Are you sure that you’ll be okay?”
    “Oh yes,” I said, moving him toward the door. “I’ll be fine.”
    Officer Reynolds looked back one last time and then joined his partner in the squad car. I watched until they went through the intersection at the corner and then on up Capitol Avenue.
    I shut the door and leaned back against it. “I don’t think he likes you.”
    “Ah, tis alright,” Karen said as he dabbed at the cuts on his forehead.
    “Let me get you another towel,” I said and stepped away from the door, but my feet slipped in the shards of broken glass.
    Kieran was at my side grabbing my arm before I could fall.
    How did he do that?
    I looked up at him, wanting to ask him that very question, but he let go of my arm and backed away.
    “Why don’t you let me help clean all of this up before you hurt yourself?”
    It should have been a simple thing, sweeping up the glass, but as we moved our brooms across the floor, I became very aware of his every movement. Each time we got near each other, my skin tingled at the possibility that we might touch. I closed my eyes and waited for that moment, anticipating that jolt when our shoulders would brush against each other.
    “Now what are we going to do about this then?” Kieran asked.
    I opened my eyes and turned around. Kieran stood before the gaping hole that had been the front window.
    The night air was drifting in, hot and smelling of honeysuckle. I could see the mosquitoes flying in, passing Kieran to come nibble on my arms.
    I smacked at one bloodthirsty mosquito, “I have some plywood in the back. I’ll just nail it up until I can get the glass replaced.”
    “Let me help you,” he offered as he stepped up and examined the window frame.
    “No,” I argued. “You’ve already done enough.”
    Kieran turned from the window shaking his head and holding up his