40
Terry had been splitting his attention between the game and Sandra from his position by the fence. When he saw her slip down from the bleachers and approach Harrison Blackwood, every protective instinct he possessed went into overdrive. He made quick excuses to the other fathers and worked his way through the crowd, arriving just as the BMW was pulling away.
"What the hell was that about?" he asked quietly, his voice carrying controlled tension as he tried not to make a scene.
Sandra's chin lifted with the stubborn determination he'd come to know well. "Confirming your suspicions about those Norfolk suppliers. Harrison got defensive when I suggested using local businesses."
"Sandra, you need to be more careful." Terry glanced around, ensuring they weren't being overheard. "These aren't just contractors padding invoices. If you're right about the money laundering, these people are dangerous."
"Part of my job is investigating what's happening to my clients," Sandra replied, her voice equally quiet but firm. "I can't just sit back and let Manuel Garcia lose business because it might be risky."
Terry felt a familiar surge of protectiveness warring with admiration for her courage. "I know you want to help, but?—"
"Dad!" Toby's excited voice interrupted them as he jogged over, still in his grass-stained uniform. "Did you see that double I hit in the fourth inning?"
"I saw it, buddy. Great hitting." Terry ruffled his son's sweaty hair, forcing his expression into proud father mode despite the adrenaline still coursing through his veins. "You're getting faster around the bases, too."
Emma appeared with her book tucked under her arm.
"Toby!" Karen Robbins called out as she and Mark approached with their kids. "Great game today."
As the kids chatted with the Robbins family, Karen turned to Terry. "We wanted to ask if Emma and Toby might want to spend the night at our place. The kids are planning a movie marathon, and Luke and Allie Purdue are sending their kids over too. We figured we'd make it a group sleepover."
Toby's eyes lit up immediately. "Can we, Dad? Please? Benji really wants me to come."
Terry glanced at Sandra, seeing his own thoughts reflected in her expression. An evening alone together sounded perfect after the tension of recent days.
"You sure about this?" Terry asked, giving Karen an out. "They can be a handful when they get excited."
"Absolutely," Mark added with a grin. "The kids will have fun, and you two can have a quiet evening for once."
Thirty minutes later, they were back at Terry's house, watching Emma and Toby pack overnight bags with enthusiasm that suggested adventure rather than just a sleepover.
"Don't forget toothbrushes," Sandra called out, having naturally slipped into the role of making sure they had everything they needed. "And Emma, grab an extra book in case you and Olivia want to share."
"Got it!" Emma replied, stuffing her backpack with enough reading material for a week. “Olivia’s older sister also likes to read, so it’ll be fun to see what she’s got.”
Terry loaded both kids and their bags into his SUV for the short drive to the Robbins house. The controlled chaos of multiple families dropping off children filled their driveway, and Terry felt himself relaxing as he watched his kids blend into the excited group.
"Thanks again," he told Karen and Mark as his kids disappeared into the house. "Call if they give you trouble."
"They won't," Karen replied confidently. "Go home and enjoy your evening off."
The drive back felt different, charged with anticipation and the rare luxury of uninterrupted time together. Sandra was waiting on his front porch, having changed into jeans and a soft sweater that made his pulse quicken.
"So," Terry said, climbing the steps to where she stood, "what sounds good for dinner? We could try that new place in?—"
"Actually…" Sandra interrupted, her hand finding his chest. "I don't really want to go out. Let's stay in."
The simple words sent heat spiraling through him. "Chinese delivery?"
"Perfect." Sandra's smile was soft and intimate in a way that made the empty house feel full of possibilities. "Just us, no interruptions, nowhere we have to be."
An hour later, they sat on his living room floor with containers of Chinese food spread between them, the coffee table pushed aside for their impromptu picnic. Sandra had pulled her hair back in a messy bun, and Terry found himself distracted by the curve of her neck and the way the lamplight caught the gold flecks in her brown eyes.
"This is perfect," Sandra said, settling back against the couch with wine in hand. "Sometimes I forget how nice it is to just be quiet together."
"No cases, no kids, no one needing anything from either of us," Terry agreed, reaching over to tuck a loose strand behind her ear. "Just us."
