Free Passion and Pearls (The pearl series) by Dani Marie Page A

counter. Blu frowned at the woman and handed her some money. She gave the man his change and looked him right in the eyes, hoping he’d say something.
    “How are you?” he asked her. She continued to look right at him. That was it?  ‘How are you?’ Aqua was getting angrier by the second and it must have shown in her expression because Blu took a step back.
    “Fine!” Then she turned and looked out the window, no longer looking at the man she loved. How was she? How was she? The man was exasperating. That’s how she was. She heard him gather his items and head toward the door. “Aqua, I’m…” was all he got out, she still wouldn’t look at him and he really didn’t know what to say. With a shake of his head he walked out the door and headed to work. Aqua wiped the few tears that were trickling from her eyes and tried to smile as the clerk thanked her and she headed to her store to open for the day.
    Blu sat at his desk wondering what was going on with him and Aqua. He wanted her. He missed her and whether he wanted to admit it or not he respected her as well. But, the whole psychic thing was making him nuts. Blu tried to think of other women but that did no good as Aqua’s face kept replacing whoever he thought of. He groaned in frustration, what the hell was wrong with him?
    Blu pulled out the file on Bobby and went over what he had on the ten year old boy. Unfortunately the file was pretty thin. Blu knew the boy’s father was a mean SOB but he wasn’t sure what he could do about it. So far, there had been hints to illegal activity but nothing he could prove. Blu knew the kid was scared of his dad but the one time he’d gotten him alone Bobby wouldn’t say a word. It was damn frustrating not being able to help the kid. Bobby’s Mom had left the area when the kid was just a baby. Blu couldn’t imagine how a Mom could leave a baby with a man like Bobby’s father. Blu did some further research and spoke with the boy’s neighbors but still found nothing that could help.
    Heading back out of the police station, Blu decided to take a walk down Main Street since he still had some time left and sitting in the office wasn’t doing him any good. As he wandered down the sidewalk talking to folks, Blu was reminded how much he loved living here. There might be a few rough characters but in general the people were open and friendly. He knew most everyone and felt much better once he’d made the rounds on Main Street , climbing into his Bronco to head to the ranch.
    He was about 5 miles out when his cell phone rang. He pulled over to answer the call and was surprised to hear Aqua’s voice sounding a little frantic.
    “Blu are you ok?”
    “Yeah, just headed out to the ranch, why?”
    “Something is wrong, very wrong. I’m not sure but I think it’s bad, I feel like there is something scary wrong going on.”
    Blu wasn’t sure what to say to her. He was so drawn to this woman, when he was being honest with himself he knew he was well on the way to being completely in love with her. But this psychic business was something he didn’t know how to handle.
    “Aqua, everything is fine. Nothing bad is going to happen, don’t worry. Maybe we can get together tomorrow and talk?” He sighed when she didn’t say anything. “I miss you darl’n and really want to see you. Please.”
    Aqua couldn’t stop the feelings of dread that were washing over her. She knew he still didn’t believe in her gift. Right now though , she just wanted him to be safe. “Ok, how about I cook for you. Lunch at about noon sound good?”
    Blu told her he’d be there then got back on the road. He had been driving another 5 minutes when a call came through for him on the police radio. “Dispatch to unit 19, Blu you there?”
    Picking up the radio mic, Blu answered “19 go ahead.”
    “Blu, you better get over to your place in town, it’s on fire.” The dispatcher was so upset she didn’t even follow radio protocol.
    “10-4 on my