“Definitely,” I said eagerly. “But there’s something I need to tell you.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line.
“Don’t tell me there’s been another bank heist,” Ian said, half-jokingly.
I couldn’t help smiling. “I’ll tell you all about it at supper.”
CHAPTER 27
“So,” Amy said with a grin, “how is Stone handling the fact that you managed to get yourself caught up in another bank heist today?”
“He’s coping,” I said.
Amy laughed and lifted her wine glass. “That’s one way to describe it.”
We had managed to grab one of the tables on the deck of the Treetop Restaurant. The tall trees surrounding the deck and branches stretching overhead gave just enough shade to make sitting outside pleasant. A steady breeze moved through the leaves, carrying with it the scent of numerous herbs and flowers that overflowed in the planters running along the deck railing, as well as the various sizes of terra cotta pots.
“I’m glad we got here a little early,” I said. “It gives us time to talk before the guys show up. Apparently, they got stuck in a late business meeting.”
“Does Ian know about your stint as a hostage?”
“Oh yes,” I said. “Once he told me he’d be late and that you and I should go ahead and have a drink while we waited for them, I gave him a short description of the excitement in case he heard about it before he got here. And I wisely let my dad know too.”
Amy lowered her voice. “Don’t look now, but Thomas and Lola are headed this way.”
That, of course, made me want to look immediately.
I managed to wait until their shadows reached the table before glancing up.
“My two favorite women,” Thomas said.
“When did I become a favorite?” I asked and grinned. “I know. Whenever you want something from me.” I narrowed my eyes. “Don’t even think to ask me to take your shift at the garden center tomorrow.”
“I won’t, but Danny might need extra help,” he cautioned. “We were swamped today. And, not that I want to admit it, but it’s not half as entertaining when you’re not there.”
“To torment me just as you and Josh did when I was young,” I said with a glare that meant to intimidate. It failed.
Thomas laughed. “Exactly.”
But like when I was young, I didn’t back down. “If you haven’t noticed, I’m not your little sister anymore. I’m all grown up and can defend myself.”
Thomas laughed again. “Those bruises tell me otherwise—the rug won.”
Amy tried not to laugh but failed.
“And, Pepper, you will always be my little sister,” he said with a wink at me.
Lola shifted uncomfortably next to Thomas, fanning herself with her clutch purse. “I don’t know how you can sit outside in this heat.”
“There’s a lovely breeze up here with all the trees around,” Amy said pleasantly.
Thomas nodded. “It’s actually pretty comfortable.”
Lola touched his arm. “Thomas, we really need to go if we’re going to make the movie on time.”
“Right,” he said, though he lingered a moment. “See you both soon.”
“You too,” Amy said.
