They started down the path together, him leaning heavily on the cane, her holding on to his left arm to keep him from falling over, and Zeus happily sniffing and following along at the end of his leash.
When they reached his rental car, she was surprised and a little disappointed to see that he’d chosen a luxury BMW sedan. Its dark blue color and the four doors gave it a decidedly mature, boring appearance even though it was definitely a nice car. Bryson Anton was still a young guy, in spite of his teasing her for being several years younger. And he really was hot. He’d look much better sitting in a red, sporty convertible with the top down than a glorified grocery-getter. Or maybe even a jacked-up four-wheel-drive truck with a gun rack in the back, although that seemed a little too country for him. He was refined, but not upper-crust. Definitely the convertible sports-car type.
But after he insisted on holding the door open for her, then slid into the driver’s seat, his deep sigh and the look of relief on his face explained why he’d chosen this car. He needed the plush seats and comfort of a vehicle that would smooth out a bumpy road because of his bad hip.
“Have you thought of getting a second opinion on your hip?” she asked. “I mean, there has to be a way to fix it so it doesn’t hurt so much all the time.”
“I’ve had second, third and fourth opinions. The bullet is lodged close to my spine and presses on a nerve that makes the hip ache. Surgery isn’t an option. I’m told there’s a fifty-fifty chance that it will loosen on its own one day and then be removable and I’ll be good as new, or it will loosen on its own one day and nick my spinal cord, putting me permanently in a wheelchair.”
She pressed a hand to her mouth. “Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry.”
He shrugged. “I’m learning to live with it. Partly thanks to you. I admit to wallowing a bit in self-pity before you came along. Now, if the bullet shifts and I can’t walk anymore, at least it will happen while I’m trying to do something good rather than sitting around my house all day drinking tequila.” He put the car in drive but kept his foot on the brake. “Enough about me. Where to, Ms. Ray?”
“Do a U-turn, Mr. Anton.”
With Zeus taking up the tiny space behind the seats and lolling half-across the console that separated them, Bryson followed her directions to her parents’ home, at the end of a long pond on Birch Bark Court, and pulled into the driveway. Beautiful mature crape myrtles dotted the sides of the yard, their hot pink flowers waving in the warm spring breezes. And standing out front on the walkway between the garage and entry were both of her parents, currently in the process of planting a batch of white and pink periwinkles in one of the flower beds.
“Give me a minute to get your door,” he said as he popped open the driver’s door. “Please don’t embarrass me by getting out first. My mother would never forgive my poor manners if you do.”
She grinned and gave him a thumbs-up. Of course she didn’t need him to get her door. But she didn’t mind the show of chivalry and old-fashioned manners, especially since he thought that she was special and made it hard for him to focus. Shecouldn’t help chuckling at that declaration as he leaned on his cane, obviously struggling not to limp very much as he rounded the car to her side. Behind him, her dad and mom were staring with unabashed curiosity at the gorgeous white guy who’d brought her home, no doubt wondering what was going on.
After she and Zeus got out and he closed the door behind her, she gathered the dog’s leash to keep him from taking off and looped her arm around Bryson’s left one again.
He arched a brow in question. “That’s probably not a good idea. You might give your parents the wrong impression about our relationship.” He kept his voice low even as he nodded in answer to her father’s wave.
Instead of letting go, she tightened her hold. “Did I ever mention that my dad has a bad heart?”
His eyes widened as they started up the driveway toward her parents. “I’m sorry. I had no idea.”
“Oh, it’s under good control. But it would probably make his heart go into palpitations if he realized that I’m investigating the killer again.”
He stopped beside her. “They don’t know?”
“Nope. And I aim to keep it that way. To protect Daddy.” She tugged his arm to get him going again.
“Then what are you going to tell them about why I’m here?” he whispered harshly before passing his cane to his left hand so he could do the expected handshake with her father. Her mother hung a few feet back, glancing curiously between the two of them.
“I’m Nick Ray, Teagan’s father. That’s her mom, Sylvie.”
“Nice to meet you both. I’m—”
“Bryson Anton, from Gatlinburg.” Teagan flashed her best smile at her parents before dropping a bombshell. “My boyfriend.”
Chapter Eleven
“Your boyfriend?” Bryson hissed almost two hours later as he was finally driving Teagan away from her parents’ house. “And after telling that zinger you left me at the mercy of your very curious mom and dad while you disappeared to take a shower. I haven’t had to dance that loose with the truth or change the subject so many times to avoid being pushed into a corner in, well, ever.”
“But you did it. You managed to get through the inquisition and dinner while spinning the truth like a practiced politician—minus the lies. I especially liked it when my dad asked how long it had been since we’d first met and you said it felt like only yesterday.” She flashed her magazine-cover smile at him.
He swore beneath his breath. “Why did you do it, Teagan? Lying by omission, or by not correcting what someone else said, is still a lie. And why trap me there for dinner when we were supposed to be there just long enough to drop off Zeus?”
Her smile faded and she looked out the window as he wove through the maze of streets toward the back of the development where the newer houses were built, where the Brodericks now lived.
They didn’t want to be reminded of what had happened any more than Teagan did. It had taken quite a bit of cajoling to get them to agree to talk to him tonight. Thankfully, when he’d stepped outside of the Rays’ home to make a call to ask them whether it was okay to bring Teagan, they’d said it was. He didn’twant to surprise them by showing up with her. And he hadn’t wanted to disappoint her either, since she was so set on going.
“Teagan?” he pressed, when she didn’t answer.
She finally sighed and turned in her seat to face him. “I’m not going to apologize for doing it. Because I’d do it again if given the choice. But I do regret that I didn’t warn you, and that it was so difficult for you. Honestly, I was selfishly focused on myself. I love my parents and assumed you’d enjoy their company. And my mom is a terrific cook. I hoped you would love her zucchini lasagna as much as I do and have a fun couple of hours before we—” she waved her hand toward the road as he made the last turn “—dove back into...this. I needed that break, that moment with my parents to prepare for the interview.”
