LITMIR.BIZ

       TWO

      Eva could feel Finn’s intense gaze boring into her and desperately wished she could see him more clearly. Unfortunately, he was standing with his back to the large window overlooking the street, and the light coming in behind him cast a shadow over his face.

      “Is something wrong?” she asked, finally breaking the strained silence.

      “No, of course not.” Carefully, Finn folded the paper her boss had given him and tucked it into his pocket. “Wade, do you mind if I take Eva down to the station with me? I’d like her to work with a sketch artist. We need all the help we can get identifying this assailant in order to get Cocoa back.”

      “That’s fine,” Wade agreed. “Eva, why don’t you take the rest of the day off? You were planning to leave early anyway, right?”

      “Yes, I was.” Normally working with the animals relaxed her, but since her brother-in-law, Pete Stallings, had just left town to attend a conference, she needed to pick up her three-year-old nephew, Mikey, from his preschool program. Spending extra time with him would be nice. The poor little boy was struggling after his mother’s death just three weeks ago.

      She picked up her purse from the counter, wishing there was a way to get out of going with Finn. She really didn’t want to work with the police sketch artist, knowing that what little she’d been able to see of the man wasn’t enough to recreate a good likeness. Yet she wasn’t about to reveal her degenerative eyesight issues to Finn Gallagher, either. She knew only too well that men treated her differently once they discovered the truth. Sure, her ex-fiancé, Rafe Del Rosa, had denied breaking off their relationship because of her diagnosis, but she knew the truth.

      Rafe was an artist and the ability to see was very important to him. The fact that one day she wouldn’t be able to see or appreciate his work had bothered him. Considering they’d met at one of his art exhibits, she could somewhat understand.

      Despite what she’d heard on the rare times her parents had taken them to church, love did not conquer all.

      Losing Rafe, her sister, Malina, and all too soon her vision had been three life-changing events too many. She’d turned away from the church, unable to believe that all of this adversity was part of God’s plan.

      There was no plan. Wasn’t she living proof of that?

      “Eva? Are you ready to go? Joey, our sketch artist, will meet us there.”

      She realized Finn and his yellow Lab, Abernathy, were hovering near the main entrance, waiting for her. She shook off her depressing thoughts and moved toward him.

      She wasn’t blind yet. She cleared her throat. “How far away is the K-9 headquarters?”

      “In Jackson Heights. Don’t worry, I can drive you home afterward.” Finn held the door open, and in the bright sunlight she was able to see him more clearly. Earlier, she’d been too worried about Cocoa to notice, but now she could see just how broad Finn’s shoulders were and how handsome he was. His dark brown hair was longer than most cops she knew generally wore it, a lock falling over his forehead and his green eyes were incredible. There was a tiny part of her that wanted to take the time to memorize his features so she could picture him in her mind’s eye forever, but she gave herself a mental shake.

      A relationship was out of the question. In a few years she’d be deemed legally blind. Her diagnosis was such that her field of vision would narrow over the next few years, until she could only see through a small circle. She’d already accepted the fact that she’d spend the rest of her life alone. At least she had her nephew, Mikey, to help care for. And the dogs she trained were also important to her.

      She didn’t need anyone else.

      “Where do you live?” Finn asked.

      “Not far. I don’t need a ride home, but maybe you could bring me back here to the training center. I live a short subway ride away.”

      “We’ll see,” Finn said, his tone noncommittal. She sensed he wasn’t the type to take no for an answer, but she didn’t need his help.

      Remaining independent was very important to her. No way was she going to start leaning on a man now. The more she took the same route to and from work, the better she’d be able to navigate once her eyesight vanished for good. Granted, she’d have a guide dog of her own by then, but still it was important to establish a routine so she could continue to work. Who better to train guide dogs than a blind woman?

      Finn opened the back of the police SUV so Abernathy could get into the back. Then he came around and opened the passenger-side door for her.

      “Thanks,” she said, sliding inside.

      “Not a problem.” Finn closed the door behind her, and instantly she became aware of the musky scent of his aftershave, which seemed to permeate the interior of the vehicle.

      “You mentioned your sister passed away three weeks ago. What happened?”

      The change of subject was odd, but she sensed he was making small talk. “Malina was hit by a car and killed on impact. It’s been a difficult time for all of us—her husband, Pete, and their little boy, Mikey.”

      “I’m sorry to hear that.” Finn paused, then asked, “Did your sister have a job?”

      “She worked with me at the training center for a while as the receptionist slash part-time bookkeeper, but then decided it was too hard to juggle her responsibilities there while caring for her son.” Eva didn’t add that Malina suffered from the same disorder she did, retinitis pigmentosa. Her sister was three years her senior and in the months before her death, Malina’s eyesight had begun to rapidly deteriorate.

      “I see. And how old is Mikey?”

      “Three and a half.” She glanced over at Finn, sensing there was more to these questions than mere curiosity. “Why do you ask?”

      “No reason.” Finn grinned and, ironically, the softening of his features made him all the more appealing. “Sorry I was playing twenty questions. As a cop, it’s my nature to be nosy.”

      “Occupational hazard, huh?”

      “Yep.” Finn expertly navigated the busy Queens traffic as he drove to the K-9 headquarters. Eva paid attention to the streets they passed to familiarize herself with the area.

      “I really appreciate you taking the time to do this, Eva.”

      She did her best to smile,

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