Free A Pacific Breeze Hotel by Josie Okuly Page A

material of her dress bright red.
    There was no sign of Morgan. O’Rourke leaned forward and checked for a pulse in her neck. He detected a beat, but Felicia’s head lolled back on the seat and her mouth was slack. O’Rourke put pressure on the wound, all the while praying to God he wouldn’t lose the woman he’d waited a lifetime to find.

    ÇÇÇ

    “So you’ve decided to go home to Phoenix?” The familiar and much loved voice sent a tingle up Felicia’s spine.
    O’Rourke stood beside her bed at Heart of Mercy Hospital. Her wounded arm was bandaged from shoulder to elbow and Felicia counted herself fortunate the bullet hadn’t struck any vital organs. In fact, she was due to be released that afternoon.
    “Yes, I’ve had enough of Hollywood to last me awhile.” And that was the understatement of a lifetime.
    “Yeah, I’m beginning to feel the same way about Los Angeles. It’s lost some of its appeal for me.” He paused. “Not that it had much to begin with.”
    -66-
    Pacific Breeze Hotel
    O’Rourke walked over to the window and stared down at the parking lot. Felicia knew she would miss a few things when she returned home, like the beach and her friend Lila. But, most of all, she would miss him.
    This tall, handsome man who had saved her life.
    “Thanks for taking me to the hospital.” Felicia remembered his taut mouth and pale complexion as he had carried her to his car. As she’d slipped in and out of consciousness, he’d tried to make her comfortable before speeding out of Griffith Park. His encouraging words had made the pain bearable. When they’d arrived at the hospital, he’d kissed her cheek when the nurse insisted he could follow her no further. When she awoke in her hospital room, he sat beside her bed and held her hand.
    O’Rourke walked back to his chair and sat down. He took her hand in his. “It was my pleasure.”
    As her hand rested in his, Felicia knew she’d never felt happier in her life, despite the circumstances. It seemed as if O’Rourke had always been part of her life, and always would be. Then reality crashed down on her.
    She was leaving California and might never see him again. Then she remembered Vance, who’d been the cause of her misery. Somehow, she couldn’t hate him for what he’d done. If not for him, she’d never have met O’Rourke. Still, a man lay dead because of Vance’s jealousy.
    “Is Vance…?” Felicia bit her lip and prepared for bad news.
    O’Rourke’s expression darkened. “They picked him up in Griffith Park. He was incoherent, stumbling around the park mumbling to himself. He’s been arrested for first degree murder. They’re trying to determine if he’s fit to stand trial. He may be transferred to a psychiatric facility.”
    “We were struggling for the gun. He didn’t mean to shoot me.” Felicia closed her eyes and rested her cheek on the cool pillow. This is all a nightmare. I’ll wake up soon.
    -67-
    Josie A. Okuly
    “Do you need a ride home?” He squeezed her hand, but she couldn’t bear to look at him any longer.
    She shook her head. “Lila is giving me a lift. She had lunch with Detective Nolan and she’ll probably be here any minute.”
    “What I meant was,” O’Rourke paused. “Do you need a ride home to Phoenix?”
    Felicia opened her eyes and stared at him in confusion.
    “I was thinking I could take some vacation time and see if the desert climate agrees with me.” O’Rourke gave her a sheepish grin, but his gaze was sharp as he studied her face. “I thought I’d see if there were any openings with the Phoenix Police Department.”
    Felicia’s eyes widened and her heart brimmed with happiness. “You just made this decision on the spur of the moment?”
    His gaze held hers. “I guess I did.”
    “Won’t you miss your job?”
    “I can get a job anywhere.” O’Rourke gave her a warm look which melted her heart and fired up her blood. “But I’ll never find anyone I could love more than