Free Random Acts by Alison Stone Page B

on the edge of the door.
    Henry’s face grew solemn. “How is Jenny?” His brown eyes glistened with concern.
    “She’s hanging in there.” Danielle didn’t really know what to say.
    “I’d like to see her. Do you think that would be okay?” Henry toed the rusted metal of the doorframe.
    “I don’t think she’s up for visitors right now. But when she’s feeling better, I’ll let her know you were asking about her.” Something about this guy seemed off. Or maybe she was being overly suspicious.
    Henry nodded slowly, a hesitant look in his eyes. “Tell Mrs. Carson to call me when it’s a good time. I’ll pick up the door then.”
    Danielle watched Henry toss his toolbox into the back of the beat-up truck. After he backed down the driveway, she tipped her head toward the rake in Patrick’s hand. “Planning to do some yard work?”
    Patrick glanced down at the rake in his hand as if he had forgotten it was there. “Raking leaves around here is like brushing your teeth while you’re eating.” A genuine smile lit his eyes. “But sometimes I like to do some manual labor and let my brain relax. I equate it to thinking in the shower.”
    Danielle’s eyes flared wide before she quickly schooled her expression. “My sister’s case is wearing on you.”
    Patrick reached out and cupped her face, sweeping his thumb across her jaw and taking her by surprise. Briefly closing her eyes, she drew comfort from his warm touch. “I’ll find out what happened to your sister. Trust me.”
    Butterflies took flight in her stomach. Could she really open herself to trust him? Danielle took a step back and slipped her hands into her pockets, her fingers brushing her sister’s cell phone. She pulled it out. “Oh, I found this in Jenny’s room. I can’t believe she’d go anywhere without it.” She handed it to Patrick who turned it over in his hand.
    “It’s password protected.”
    Patrick nodded slowly. “I’ll have one of our tech guys look at it first thing Monday morning.”
     
     
    “I appreciate the ride to the hospital,” Danielle said as she sat across from Patrick in his cruiser, twisting her fingers in her lap. “And thanks for taking Gram to church with you.”
    Danielle turned her head to stare out the passenger’s window. “I haven’t been to church in years.” A certain sadness laced her voice, or maybe he was imagining it.
    “I understand.” He didn’t feel it was his place to press. Not now. It wasn’t his business. Yet it pained him to know she didn’t have a relationship with God. To go through life without faith…well, he’d keep her in his prayers that the Lord would eventually touch her heart.
    When they arrived at Jenny’s hospital room, they found Jimmy Parker, Jenny’s boyfriend, sitting on the edge of the bed. He pressed Jenny’s fingers to his lips. Danielle froze at Patrick’s side, the subtle intake of her breath barely discernible.
    Suddenly feeling like a voyeur, Patrick cleared his throat. Jimmy lowered Jenny’s hand to the bed as if she were made of crystal. He shifted, wiping his wet cheeks on his shoulder. His brown hair was mussed as if he had run his fingers through it a million times. His red-rimmed eyes brightened in recognition. “Hi, Officer Kingsley.”
    Taking that as an invitation, Patrick stepped into the room and placed his hand on Jimmy’s shoulder. “You all right, son?”
    “I feel horrible.” Jimmy swiped a trembling hand across his cheek.
    Patrick glanced over his shoulder. Danielle stood ramrod straight in the doorway, her bloodless lips pressed into a straight line.
    “Why’d I go fishing?” Jimmy scratched his head, sending a tuft of hair sticking straight in the air. “If I had been here she wouldn’t have been out. She wouldn’t have gotten into trouble.” He sucked in a quick breath. “I’ll never forgive myself if she doesn’t…” He glanced past Patrick and seemed to regard Danielle for the first time.
    “It’s not your