Searching for Disaster Read Online Free PDF

complete with cafés, wine bars, bakeries, a dog park, and a bunch of artist shops. On a warm September evening, as dusk fell over the valley, touched by a blend of color from the leaves just beginning to turn, the view of the majestic mountains was breathtaking. Jagged, shadowed cliffs rose up from the river, with Verily squeezed right in the middle, like a jewel encased in gold.
    Unfortunately, there wasn’t much crime in the town. A drunken brawl, speeding ticket, or weed bust kept them occupied, but they were never going to see the hard-core action one of the city boroughs would. Stone had come from the Bronx originally before transferring to Verily, and had some tough issues to deal with.
    Devine used to love the fact he could do his part without burning out or losing his faith in humanity. Too many of his fellow officers did, especially after 9/11. But lately an itch crawled under his skin, urging him to break out of his usual routine and do something different.
    Something crazy.
    But he didn’t do crazy. Never had, never will.
    He tried to explain in words that didn’t even make sense to him. “Maybe I’m going through some weird midlife crisis. I watched my brother get married and he’s so damn happy. Hell, even you’re happy, and I never would’ve bet the ranch on Arilyn loving your sorry ass.”
    Stone grunted. “So, you want to find your love match or something? Why don’t you let Arilyn hook you up with Kinnections?”
    â€œHell, no. That’s humiliating. I don’t need an agency to find a date.”
    â€œNot talking about a date—you’ve found plenty of those. Talking about a real match with a woman you can connect with. Maybe that’s why you’re restless.”
    Devine stared at his partner in shock. Damned if his once surly, sarcastic, sometimes mean-tempered friend had gotten bit by the love bug. Now he was shitting sunshine. “You’re scaring me.”
    Stone shrugged. “I’m happy. Sue me for wanting you to be happy, too.”
    Devine couldn’t argue with that statement. His friend deserved everything he had finally found with Arilyn—and their rescue Chihuahua, Pinky. He’d missed both of them during his family trip. He’d missed his job, too, and Ray’s Billiards where he hung out, and the life he had built here.
    Then why did he feel so lost?
    He rubbed his temple and forced the thought aside. Maybe Stone was right. Maybe he needed to connect with a woman on a deeper level and not just scratch a physical itch. He’d dated plenty of nice women and usually had his pick. Quantity wasn’t the problem and never had been.
    It was quality. Especially with the type he kept searching for but couldn’t seem to find.
    The shimmer of memory caught him like a sucker punch. Not her again. It was ridiculous how a silly one-night stand still affected him years later. Probably the lure of the unknown. It was easy to spin tales of what could have been and not deal with the reality. They’d barely known each other, and after a week together they would have probably broken up.
    Yet her scent and face still haunted him. He’d just learned to live with it.
    â€œJust think about joining Kinnections. You may find what you’ve been looking for. Sometimes you gotta do something different. Mix things up.”
    Devine agreed. He was stuck in a cycle that was pleasant and comfortable but lacking. “Do I have to go through counseling?”
    Stone groaned. “That would suck. Arilyn probably wouldn’t do it, because she knows you too well. Maybe I can get her to sneak you a free pass and you can just start hooking up right away.”
    â€œYeah. Okay, why don’t you talk to her for me and see first?”
    â€œNo problem. I’ll use my charm and sex appeal and you’ll slide right through the door with none of that bullshit they put the other guys through. Hey, look at the