"Tina Wainscott - Dreams of You [rtf]" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wainscott Tina)

It was silly to even notice a man that way. More so, it was rarer yet to find such a specimen in her world. Most of the men her age who came through this part of town were into drugs, evident by trembling hands and the glazed look in their eyes. Adrian was healthy, and his warm, brown eyes were filled with life. Why was he so healthy, and yet on the streets? She remembered that he'd come down for a job that didn't materialize. Okay then, why was he still around? Certainly not for her. He'd said she didn't fit in there. This was the one place her life depended on fitting in.
Nikki had to admit it was fortunate that he happened to be around the corner when Crackers got hit. Suspicion made her heartbeat slow. Or was it just fortune? She looked at Adrian through wary eyes, trying to see some sign of deceit. What had Ulyssis said about the man who had come into the gallery with a sketch that looked like her? She couldn't remember him saying anything about him. She did remember the name on the card, though: A. Wilde. A as in Adrian, maybe? Still, A. Wilde had only asked about a woman who looked like her. It had to be a coincidence that he'd also bought her collection.
When Nikki glanced up at Adrian again, she felt silly for her thoughts. He was rubbing his temple, an expression of worry on his handsome face. Most hired killers didn't give a whit about people, much less animals. Physically Adrian could fit the bill: strong, large, with an air of determination about him. Something in her heart stirred, a strange ticklish feeling, as he turned to catch her staring at him. She looked down at her fidgeting hands, though it took all her will to tear her gaze away.
The door behind Adrian opened, and a short, thin man walked out. Both Nikki and Adrian walked up to him, and the man backed up a little, taking in their homeless garb.
"You brought in the dog that was hit by a car?"
Nikki saw Adrian wince slightly before saying, "Yes, we did. Is he okay?"
"He's fine. And very lucky." He glanced at his papers. "Cracker?"
"Crackers," Nikki quickly corrected, though she didn't know why. Other than her name for him, the dog was a Rover Doe.
"Crackers only sustained a broken right leg. It was a simple break. Do you own this dog?"
"No," she answered quietly. "I think he's a stray."
"Oh." The doctor's expression looked grave. "In that case, I'll call the Humane Society. He's going to need some care before he's healed."
"I'll take care of him," Nikki found herself volunteering. At once she wanted to take those words back. How would she be able to take care of a dog when she lived in a van? Even as a puppy, Crackers would take up half the floor space. Still, she couldn't bear the thought of his absence at the laundromat, or the thought that he'd be put to sleep.
The doctor seemed to sense her hesitation, but after a moment he said, "Okay, if that's what you want to do. I'm going to have to give him his vaccines, though. If he's a stray, I'm sure he hasn't had them. The anesthesia should wear off soon, and then I can release him. Keep a close eye on him and check his excretions for blood. That would indicate internal injuries, though the X rays didn't show any. Don't let him play or jump around, even though his leg is in a cast. Bring him back in two weeks for a follow-up."
"How long will he need the cast?" Nikki asked.
"About four to six weeks, depending on how fast it heals."
When he handed the paperwork to the woman behind the counter, Nikki suddenly realized there would be a bill to pay. From her recent sale, she had enough to live on for a few months, even with Crackers's extra food added on. One vet bill could deplete the whole thing, and most homeless shelters didn't give extra food for pets.
"How much do I owe you?" she asked softly, cringing in anticipation.
The woman glanced at Adrian, then said, "The dog isn't yours, is he?"
"No, he's a stray. But I brought him here."
"We always allow a certain amount each month to take care of strays. Luckily, we haven't used this month's kitty yet, so you're covered."
"Oh. Thank you."
An hour later, the doctor reappeared with Crackers in his arms. The dog's head lolled to the side, and his tongue stuck out between his teeth. Adrian took the dog gently into his arms.
"He's still a little out of it, but I think he's fine to go home now."
"Thank you," Nikki said to both the doctor and the woman. She walked up to Crackers and stroked his head. When her fingers grazed Adrian's skin, she felt a jolt of electricity and jerked her hand away.
"Is something wrong?" Adrian asked.
"No, just static electricity. Must be the cold weather."
As they left the veterinarian's office, Adrian said, "I hope you don't live far from here. I think this dog has gained five pounds since we brought him in."
With a cold chill, she realized she had a problem: how to get the dog home without revealing to Adrian where she lived. And without seeming overly suspicious.
"I, uh, don't-the shelter! Let's take him to the Lord's Shelter." Her mind was working frantically as she walked beside him. She reached up and touched Crackers's limp paw bouncing in sync with Adrian's steps.
When they reached the shelter, she said, "Wait here while I talk to Dave. I know he's not going to like this, but it's only for a short time."
Lunch was being served, and the smell of vegetable soup reminded her stomach that it hadn't been fed yet today. She found Dave behind the long, stainless-steel counter dishing up soup to the line of cold, hungry people. He noticed her frantic expression and motioned for her to come around behind him.
"What's wrong?"
"I need to ask you a big favor." She looked down, hating to give away anything of her life, even to kindly Dave. "I saw a dog get hit by a car today-he's okay," she added quickly at Dave's expression of surprise. "But I've got to take care of him until his leg heals."
"You know we can't allow pets in here, Nikki," he said in that kind but authoritarian tone of his.
"I know, and I wouldn't ask you that. I just need to leave him here for a little while, until I can pick him up. It's too far to carry him to where I live."
"Only for a little while? You'll be back today?"
"Yes, I promise."
"Take him into my office, and use the entrance outside. He doesn't have fleas, does he?"
She twisted her lips, not wanting to lie to the man who was studying for the ministry. "If any get in your office, I'll hunt them down myself and remove them from the premises."
He laughed, dishing another bowl of soup. "Okay, you have a deal."
Dave's office looked dim and orangey from the sparse light filtering through the curtains. Nikki grabbed some towels from the back room and made a little bed in the corner.
Adrian knelt down and settled Crackers on the pile of old towels. The dog whimpered softly, but his eyes remained closed. Adrian felt a stab of guilt again, wishing for the umpteenth time that he'd taken another route to his secret parking spot.
Nikki knelt down beside him, stroking the pup's paw with her slender fingers. Adrian turned, finding her closer than he'd thought. The sleeve of her coat touched his sleeve, though he was sure she didn't know. Even bundled in her drab coat with her hair pulled back, the orange glow of sunlight streaming down over her made her look like an angel. For an unguarded moment, as she gazed at the sleeping puppy, her green eyes were filled with emotion. Her lower lip trembled so slightly that if he hadn't been crouched only inches from her face, he would have missed it.
"He'll be all right," Adrian assured her softly, feeling a strange urge to take her in his arms and comfort her. Instead, he placed his hand very slowly over hers as it rested on the dog's paw.
She didn't move away, as he expected, but he heard her slight intake of breath. The warmth between their hands intensified, and she looked up at him. There was such question in her eyes, and he wished he could answer whatever it was that she wondered. She moved her hand from beneath his, but he couldn't pull his gaze from hers.
"Thanks for your help," she whispered. She stood up quickly and turned around. "I have to go now, but I'll be back later." She glanced at the puppy, then back to him. "Good-bye."
Adrian knew she meant that word in more than a casual sense. It would be easier for him to bid her the same and return to his normal life. This woman of mystery, his Madame Blue, did not seem to want his help, or his friendship. She avoided his gaze every time he looked at her, crossed her arms in front of herself-everything to tell him to keep his distance. He closed the door behind them, stepping out into the afternoon sun. Nikki crossed quickly to the sidewalk and turned right, probably heading back to the laundromat to get her clothes.
In the sun, her hair had a strawberry hue beneath the webbed strands of the shawl still covering it. She didn't look back at him, but cautiously glanced behind her before disappearing around the building. He couldn't just leave her, not until he found out why she was in danger. Maybe he could help, once he'd gained her trust. He followed the direction she had taken, taking his time so she would pass where his rental car was hidden.
Nikki closed her eyes briefly as she walked, enjoying the feel of the sun on her face. She held her hand to her cheek, her fingers still tingling from Adrian's touch. Then she shook it, chastising herself for the silly notion. Perhaps he was just a friendly transient, a handsome man who cared about animals just as she did. Soon he would be gone, and judging from the way her heart's rhythm had shot up when he'd touched her, the sooner the better. In any case, she couldn't afford to befriend him.
When she glanced behind her, she saw him following a block behind. That cold fear crawled through her. veins. She had long ago learned not to show dread to the young men who hung on the street corners looking for customers, like the man on her left. They had stopped bothering her shortly after her arrival. But the handsome man who had come out of nowhere, who was following her, struck real fear into her. She glanced back again-he was still there.