“Sounds good.”
I was impressed with the picnic that Scott threw together. Fruit, sandwiches, and brownies. He was setting it out on a table in the small shelter as the Beings and I approached.
Grant and Camarin had been subdued on the drive over. Their jobs would separate them after this evening. She must have been disappointed, but was he?
Should I force the issue?
This was so strange for me. Camarin and I had been opponents over my brother’s care. For so long, I’d believed that her actions—and inactions—had shortened his life. Now I knew differently. It would be bittersweet to say good-bye this time.
But I couldn’t deny the urge to see her happy. Could Grant be right for her? Was she right for him?
I had no previous inclinations for matchmaking, but I would give it a try tonight. Walking around to Scott’s side of the table, I took my seat. The Beings sat across from us, a small but distinct distance between them.
It was a nice meal, full of great food, conversation, and laughter. Even Camarin got into the spirit of things and made a few clumsy attempts to tease us and Grant.
After clearing our mess, the four of us walked to the jogging trail that wound through the park. At nightfall, streetlights had come on, illuminating our path. Camarin and Scott pulled ahead, deep in a discussion of drought-tolerant plants.
I fell into step with Grant, and intentionally made sure we lagged behind. “Is it true what you said to Scott? Do you not know what your next assignment will be?”
“No, I shall learn what is available when I return to our headquarters.”
“Could it be in Magnolia Grove?”
“I find it unlikely.” He chuckled. “We’ve done a remarkably thorough job here already.”
“So this is it?”
“Indeed.”
I halted and hugged him. “I’ll miss you, Grant.”
His arms closed around me. “Thank you. It’s been a pleasure to be part of your life.”
A wave of panic washed over me. Was this really happening? Was he about to leave? I wasn’t ready.
I hugged him even more tightly.
“Youareready, Sara.” He leaned back and searched my face. “Do you remember our meeting at Union Station? The girl I saw five weeks ago was adrift. The woman before me has purpose. You’ve got this.”
I drew away and dabbed at my eyes. Ahead of us, Scott had stopped to tie his shoe while Camarin stepped off the path to wander through the moving shadows of a weeping willow.
“Will you work with Camarin again?”
“I certainly hope so. She is...” He sighed, watching her. “She is a compassionate leader who is willing to listen and adjust. Perhaps it’s a technique that the League has taught her. Yet her manner is gracious and her desire to succeed genuine. Together, we serve a human exceptionally well.”
“She cares for you. I think you care for her, too.”
“Of course I do. As a member of the League, it’s only natural that I have a strong desire to look out for her.”
“That’s not what I mean.” I wanted to roll my eyes, but I didn’t. The effect would’ve been missed in the moonlight anyway. “Shelovesyou.”
“Human love?”
I nodded emphatically.
“Which version of human love?”
Scott had started toward us. I held up my hand, hoping that he’d wait just one moment longer. I needed to finish this without an audience. “Camarin feels the same kind of emotion for you that Kimberley shares with Mason.”
