Chapter 14

Brian volunteered to drive and I had the kids with me when he pulled up in some kind of vintage convertible. It looked like it was a mile long and was painted bright yellow. He laughed at my expression.

“It’s a long story. I got it from a former client who offered it as partial payment for my services. I think the real reason was to keep it away from his ex-wife. I always meant to sell it but just can’t seem to get around to it.”

We got the kids into their seats in the back and pulled out to Amanda waving and trying not to laugh. He gave me an appraising look as he held the door for me. My mane was in a high ponytail and I was amazed at how long it had gotten. I’d gone very light on the makeup because we were going to be in the sun all day, but I did highlight my eyes. I had on a sundress in his favorite color that stopped just above my knees and had a square cut bodice. I didn’t show any cleavage but it fit me quite nicely. I may have let the hem ride a little high when I got in, grinning when I watched his eyes drift South. I didn’t bother to tug the dress down.

The car rode like a dream and it felt like we were floating along. “I’m going to drive this one day.”

Brian pulled into a parking lot and got out. He went to the passenger side and opened the door. “Scoot over. Make a grand entrance in front of your friends.”

I said a silent thank you to the guy who invented bench seats. When we pulled into the parking lot we did indeed draw a crowd. The men lusted after the car. And I think, a bit over me. I saw Brian frown when the sleaze salesman commented on how nice I looked. I just grinned. “Thank you. I picked the dress because it’s my boyfriends’ favorite color.” Brain stood up just then, dwarfing Mr. Sleaze by six inches. He suddenly found someone else he just had to say hi to and scurried off.

The ladies lusted after Brian in his tight tee shirt and cargo pants. He’d taken my hand when the sleaze ran away. I locked down on his and practiced my Star Wars Death Stare. Mine!

Martha grinned as she came by and hugged me. “Good on you, girl. Nice car, and the accesories aren’t bad.”

Brian was bent over getting Tammy out of her seat. I wanted to rub his butt so bad I almost reached a hand out. Martha had her grandchildren, a girl Tammy’s age and two boys close to Marcus, and they were soon charging around, trying to do and see everything at the same time. I guided Brian over to a bench where we could watch.

We settled onto the bench and I sat so close we were touching. He took my hand and smiled. “Thanks for this, Angel. It’s good to hear the laughter of children again. My boys would have loved this.”

I squeezed his hand. “If this makes you uncomfortable, we can leave.”

“No, no, this is good for me. I’m finally getting over the mourning but I’ll always remember the loss.”

I almost volunteered to bear him a hundred babies and grinned at the thought. Maybe three would be more practical. Or four. Or five.

Jackson found us and grinned hugely. He and Brian exchanged man hugs while his wife Cindy looked like she was giving me a threat assessment. In a way she was. She was a medically retired police detective and had worked with Brian in the past. He’s the one who introduced her to Jackson and she had a soft spot as far as he was concerned.

We talked as the guys went off to play horseshoes or something. “So, you and Brian?”

“Not yet but it isn’t from lack of trying on my part.”

“Good,” she said as she smiled. “He could use a good woman. I still have friends in the department and they ran you for me. You’re the real deal. Brian saved you from your nutjob husband, right?”