Chaney nodded. “And are you still insisting that I return to Baltimore?”
“Not if you are happy out here,” her father said. “We are hopeful once you finish your education that you will consider returning to be closer to us, but we realize that your job in Linguistics may take you across the country.”
Chaney grinned and looked down at the floor, then back up at them. “About that… I’ve been meaning to tell you I’m changing my major.”
“You are?” Her mother said. “To what?”
“Social work.”
The blood drained from her mother’s face, but she didn’t speak, she only swallowed for several moments. “That’s nice, dear.”
“If that is what you think you want to do,” her father said.
“It is. I’ve already been volunteering at a youth shelter for the last several weeks to get my feet wet in community service,” she explained.
“Volunteering?” her mother’s face lit up as the color slowly came back into it. “Like charity work? You know I am a big fan of charity work.”
“It’s different type of work, mother, but yes, it could be still considered charity work.”
“I suppose it runs in our blood,” her mother beamed.
Chaney’s father leaned close. “Dear, who is that young man who is hoovering close to you?”
“Oh.” Chaney reached for Rawlins’ hand and pulled him over. “Mom. Dad. I want you to meet Rawlins. He’s my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?” her mother chirped. “How did you ever have time to meet?”
Her father was repeating his name over and over under his breath. “Wait. I knew I remembered that name. Broderick saidHank Patterson hired you a bodyguard to protect you until the trial and his name was Rawlins.”
“That’s right, sir.” Rawlins said. “I am her protector and we have gotten close during our time together.”
“I see. Just how close is close?” Webster Daniels asked Rawlins.
“Not that close, sir,” he assured him. “But close enough I’ve decided to stay on in Colorado Springs instead of returning to Texas for the near future. Chaney will have to testify when Leland Warshafsky stands trial too.”
“Aren’t all Brotherhood Protectors former military?” Webster asked.
“They are. I’m a medically retired Army Ranger.”
“Thank you for your service,” he said.
“Why don’t we all go to dinner?” Gwen suggested. “I don’t know about you, but all this legal business has left me famished.”
“Wonderful idea,” Webster agreed. He reached into his suit pocked and pulled out his phone. “I’ll call our hotel and make a reservation for us in the dining room.”
“Or you could come home with us, and I could cook,” Chaney offered.
Her parents gave her a shocked look.
“You. Cook?” Her mother finally said. And then laughed.
“I do have a gourmet kitchen after all,” Chaney reminded them. “It doesn’t take much to learn to prepare a decent meal.”
Her parents chuckled and headed out of the rotunda.
Chaney looked at Rawlins. “I don’t think they believe I can cook.”
“It’s okay, sweetie. I know you can,” he said, kissing her on the temple. “You’re getting better with every meal you prepare.”
“They may be in counseling, but I am not dumb enough to believe that it will fix all our issues overnight,” she said. “But it isa start, and I’m glad they’ve made that effort before I lost me for good.”
“I am too,” he agreed.
She turned to him wrapping her arms around his waist and he leaned his forehead down to hers. “I love you, Rawlins.”
“I love you, too.”
