Laurel sat up straight and nearly unseated herself. “What?”
Ignoring the question, Call went on. “Do you think I should ask her about it or wait for her to give it to me?”
“Stop. That’s not funny.”
“You know, I wouldn’t be surprised if it just shows up in my laundry. Lucky for me she’ll be collecting it today and I’ll get it back tomorrow.”
“You’re an evil man, McCall Landry.”
He crossed his heart. “I swear it’s true.”
Laurel’s shoulders slumped as she sagged in place. “Then she knew all along,” she said. “I’m not sure why she called you a good man.”
“She said that? Maybe you should believe her.”
“I’m not feeling kindly toward you just now.”
Call said nothing, merely watched her.
“My mind isn’t easy,” she said suddenly, as if the words were torn from her against her will.
“Oh?”
“I didn’t think it would matter to me if anyone found out about us, but I didn’t know enough to understand that it does. Rooster and Mrs. Lancaster, they both mean well, and even though I don’t want them looking out for me, they’re doing it because they don’t think I can look out for myself. In this particular situation, with you, I’m realizing they might be right.”
“So what is it you want to know?”
“I guess I want to know what you intend to do after your investigation is done?”
“After settling up with Mr. Stonechurch?”
“Yes, after that.”
Call’s eyes narrowed a fraction as he studied her face. “I wonder if you’re prepared to believe me,” he said. “You haven’t before.”
“You never said it straight out.”
“I thought I did.”
Laurel tried to remember. Had she been so concerned with protecting herself that she hadn’t been able to hear him? “I’m prepared to hear you now,” she said.
He stood rooted, tension in the line of his shoulders, in the curled fists at his sides, and said in a clear, steady voice so there could be no mistaking that he was serious, “I’m not going anywhere.”
Just like that, she thought. Simply put. Sincerely meant.
“Well?” he asked. “Do you believe me?”
Did she? She wanted to. Lord knew, she wanted to. Why was it so hard to lay herself open? The answer, when she found it, came from her guarded heart. “I believe you believe it.”
Call blinked. As though from a blow, he rocked back on his heels. “Jesus, Laurel, I don’t know if your aim could be any more true. That’s the last time you’re going to get the drop on me.” Turning, he began walking away.
“Wait,” she called after him. “I’m—”
Call glanced over his shoulder. “Go to hell,” he said quietly.
Simply put, she thought. And sincerely meant. She watched him walk away.
26
