Chapter 9
“I got confirmation that they poured the cement for the addition foundation,” Scott told his cousin as they sat in a local bar having a quick beer before calling it a night.
“Yeah, I stopped by at lunch time and checked.”
“You don’t trust that I set it up right?” He smirked, knowing full well why his cousin liked to stop at homeduring the day.
Jack’s face flushed. “I promised Callie I’d drop off a gallon of milk so Jonathan would have somefor his lunch.”
“What did she think of the drawings forthe addition?”
“She loved them. Attaching the garage is a favorite of hers, especially for hauling in groceries in the cold weather. She figures the little office you threw in on the first floor will be great to keep all her accounting stuff in so the kids don’t get at it.”
“Kids. It’s still weird to hear you talk about kids.”
“Jonathan will be three in a few months.” Jack’s jaw clenched.
“I know, but for so long you could never mention him in public. It’s nice to hear it now.”
“You don’t have to remind me. There are times I want to shout it fromthe rooftops.”
“And everything’s good with Callieand the baby?”
“The doctor says all is great. The little aches and pains she has are perfectly normal. She thinks I’m being overprotective. Maybe I am.”
“Listen to the doctor. Now that you aren’t on the run, you can actually go to her checkups, right, to assure yourself?”
“Yeah, I loved seeing the ultrasound. Knowing my child is growing inside her. I never got a chance to do anything like that when she carried Jonathan. I hate to admit I still look over my shoulder at times, thinking Cabrini—or one of his men—is going to jump out at me. I don’t know how long it’ll take for me to get overthat paranoia.”
Patting Jack’s shoulder, he said, “It hasn’t been that long since Cabrini was killed. Give yourself some time, and keep reminding yourself he can’t hurt you anymore.”
“I remind myself every day.”
“How’s it going with the job?Are you happy?”
“We had this conversation not too long ago, Scott. I told you I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I’m happy working for the company in any capacity you want.”
“And you’re doing great. I guess I was wondering if you missed the Bureau.”
Jack glanced around the bar room. “You know, I thought I loved that lifestyle and would always want it, but after spending three years on the run, I think I’ve had my fill of cloak-and-dagger for a lifetime. To wake up next to Callie every morning, and be with her every night, it’s the most thrilling thing I’ve ever done.”
“You don’t miss the challenges of the FBI?”
Jack laughed. “Oh, believe me, trying to deal with a pregnant, hormonal woman and a two-year-old holds its own challenges. Ones far more complex than anything I came up against in the Bureau. But I wouldn’t give it up for anything. Callie and Jonathanare my world.”
Picking up his mug, Scott took another swig of the cold brew. Envy pricked along his spine. What would it be like to wake up to the same woman day after day? A woman who was everything to you. Not that he’d ever had anyone like that in his life. Memories of Heather in the bed next to him after the wedding flitted through his mind. Shit, he’d wanted to wake her up and finish what they’d started. For some strange reason, he’d been satisfied with simply watching her sleep.
He wouldn’t lie and say he hadn’t been turned on by her gorgeous naked body or that he hadn’t stared at her quite extensively before he turned off the light. The next morning, his hands had itched to touch the perfection, see if she would respond to him like she had the night before. But he’d also spent time inhaling her unique scent and reveling in the warmth of her body pressed to his. His completely clothed body, because he wasn’t stupid enough to press naked skinto naked skin.
Even in her sleep, she exuded a confidence and determination he found as beautiful as her outward appearance. As much as he’d wanted to touch her again, he hadn’t. He respected the hell out of her. Disrespecting her that way would have been wrong. A cold shower and the thick covers over her was what he’d managed.
As if his cousin could read his thoughts, he asked, “How’s the new project with Heather coming along? Any more problems since the wall collapsed?”
And Heather hadpatched him up.
“No, Jian’s men seem to have scared off anyone intent on more damage.”
“I still can’t believe the relationship you have with a gang leader.” Jack shook his head. “But more power to you if you can use their strength for your own good. Legally, of course.”
