After All These Years by Sally John Page A

Lia shook her hands, then pressed them to the sides of her head as she shuffled around in a circle, squealing out a string of Chinese phrases.
    He laughed. “I think I’d skip the coffee. Do you speak Chinese?”
    â€œOnly when I’m very upset. Angry upset. Frustrated upset, I sing.”
    â€œYou were frustrated upset in the shower?” he teased.
    â€œNo, Deputy, just glad to be home. Mind if I shut this window? It’s getting cool in here.” She struggled with the old wood-framed window behind the table.
    He touched her shoulders and gently pushed her aside. “Let me.”
    â€œI really am independent when you’re not around. Impressively independent.”
    â€œI’m sure you are. Oomph.” The window rattled and banged shut. “I’m surprised these old things still open and close at all. I could probably replace the sashes, that might help.”
    â€œCal, you’ve already done so much! First the deadbolt and new lock, then the doorbell this week. Not to mentionlugging Chloe upstairs and ordering me to install the alarm. And now this Nelson business.”
    â€œMaybe I’m just looking for another home-cooked meal.”
    â€œOpen invitation on that. I love to cook. You don’t even have to work for it. Of course, you could buy your toothpaste downstairs here. Aspirin. Maybe a card for Tammy.”
    â€œOkay, okay. Want me to shut this window while I’m at it?” He went into the other end of the combined kitchen/living area separated only by the beginning of a braid rug.
    â€œPlease. Then have a seat. I’ll be right in with dessert.”
    He manhandled the other window behind the couch, then sat in the chair, anticipating the apples and cinnamon he smelled warming in the oven. Lia’s apartment was small, but clean and neat. The recliner was a soft leather, worn and comfortable, located across from a plaid couch. A television and a couple of lamps and tables filled the room. An afghan, a painting of snow-capped mountains, silk-looking flowers, and small family photographs made it feel comfy and lived in.
    He watched Lia as she prepared a tray. She was probably 5’ 8”, shorter than his Tammy by a few inches, but still taller than average. Tammy was on the scrawny side compared to Lia, whose angles were more rounded, making her softer-looking. She usually wore skirts and collared shirts beneath her white lab coat. Tonight she wore a light blue, soft-looking short-sleeved dress belted at the waist. He hadn’t seen her in spandex. She was attractive and would probably look pretty good in spandex. Although it wouldn’t fit her personality. She was outgoing and yet…quiet. No, that wasn’t the word. She was…serene. Her long black hair swayed with her hips. Whenever she laughed, which was frequently, her black eyes lit up, sparkling through incredibly long lashes.
    He wondered why she was single. Then he remembered Chloe. Major disadvantage there.
    Lia set a tray on the coffee table; then she handed him a huge piece of apple pie with crumbly topping and ice cream melting beside it.
    â€œWhoa. I’m going to sleep through the third shift tonight.”
    â€œYou don’t have to eat it. I’ll send the pie home with you.”
    â€œCan’t I eat this
and
take the pie home?” He grinned.
    â€œIs that kind of like eating your cake and having it too? Here, coffee will help keep you awake. Black?”
    â€œThanks. So why are you still single?” The question slipped out. “Sorry, hazard of the trade, pumping you like that.”
    â€œNo problem.” Lia curled up on the couch, coffee mug in hand. “I told you. I’m impressively independent.” She grinned before growing serious. “Oh, there are lots of reasons. I’ve been preoccupied with school and Chloe, of course. Buying the store and moving to Valley Oaks. And a long time ago I decided that I want no part