Turning her head, she gazed out the window. Did she have tears in her eyes? The warrior princess herself was getting emotional? Yeah, she cared for Callie, but he’d never seen her like this before. Something inside him began to melt and warm.
He reached over and patted her knee. “We should help them find more time with each other. It’s not like we can do anything to put Victor away but maybe we can find a few more ways to sneak them into the same place at the same time.”
Heather sniffed and wiped her fingers against her eyes. She tried to hide it, so Scott looked out his window to give her time to pull herself together without being embarrassed.
“Yes, that’s a great idea. I’m not sure how we can do it, but we’re both pretty smart people. We should think of something.”
“This deal I’m cooking up with the state colleges could help. They want to renovate all of their dorms over the next ten years, one or two at a time. If I can get the contract, Jack would have the opportunity to be close to Callie and Jonathan. Not sure how safe that would be though. Victor has people everywhere. It’s a thought.”
Heather pulled into the Park and Ride next to Callie’s car. So soon. The conversation with Heather had been invigorating. Putting the car in park, she turned to face him.
“Thank you, Scott.” Her gratitude was genuine. It was a nice change from the usually sarcastic woman he dealt with.
He waved it off. “You know I’d do anything for Callie. She’s like a sister to me. If things were different, she probably would be related. I don’t mind helping, no matter how much crap I give you about it.”
She smiled and reached for his hand. He’d never taken the time to notice how pretty she was. Usually too busy teasing her.
“I didn’t mean simply for coming to get the car, though I appreciate that too. I wanted to thank you for trying to help Callie and Jack. Maybe it’s impossible and we’re simply spinning our wheels but Callie won’t move on if Jack’s even slightly in the picture. She made a promise to him when Jonathan was born and it’s keeping her from getting on with her life romantically. But I also think it’s because she’s in love with Jack and can’t picture herself loving anyone else.”
Scott sighed, hating the situation his cousin was in. But if the cops and FBI couldn’t do anything, what could he possibly do? Not much besides be there for the people he cared about.
He squeezed her hand. “So we try and get Jack in the picture a little more. We’ll think of something. You’ve got my number.”
Heather laughed, back to her old self. “Oh, I’ve got your number, all right. Here are Callie’s keys. I’ll meet you back at the house.”
He nodded and made to open the door but Heather pulled on the hand that was still holding hers. Her lips pressed against his cheek. It was nice, more than nice.
Getting out, he made his way to Callie’s car. As he started it up and maneuvered out of the parking lot, he thought maybe Callie and Jack weren’t the only ones who needed a bit more time together.
