Page 36 of Laura's Truth
She arched one fine brow. “Okay. Will you also tell me what you’re thinking?”
“Not yet. You shouldn’t be thinking about anything at all right now.”
“Too bad. You’re thinking and I’m not good at the sitting still thing. Let’s multi-task.”
He wasn’t surprised. “I was thinking about how nice it is to think about something different.”
“Revenge can be problematic.”
“It can also be an effective motivator,” he countered. He wasn’t surprised that she understood just what he’d meant. Even under pressure in the churchyard, her intuition had been on target. She might not like what he’d done, what he’d had to do, but she’d given him the benefit of the doubt and the courtesy of a small shred of belief. “I’ve been motivated more by justice than revenge.” He shifted his hands again. “You have pretty feet.”
“Don’t change the subject.”
Clearly she wasn’t used to compliments, which was a shame. She struck him as a woman who spent more time in her professional role than was strictly necessary. He wondered, unwisely, what types of things she enjoyed on a personal level. Not wanting to aggravate her or tempt himself, he decided not to ask.
He released her foot but didn’t move from the chaise. “How’s that feel?”
“Much better.” She stroked her fingers over her foot, then leaned back and tested her range of motion. “Wow. Thank you.”
“You should still take it easy tonight.” He stood up. “Wait here and I’ll get the takeout menus.”
“Chinese food. Please?” she added, with a small smile.
“Sure thing.”
When they’d chosen their favorite dishes, he placed the order and returned to the balcony, more than a little pleased she hadn’t moved except to take off her other shoe.
“Well, Mr. Ketterly, what now?”
He felt the grin spread across his face. “After the food comes, we should check for any updates on the news.”
“Why wait?”
He settled into a chair at the outdoor table and traced the weave in the rattan. “I was hoping to avoid more bad news over dinner.”
“Ostrich strategy?”
“Is it wrong to want to delay the inevitable?” He stood up and crossed over to the balcony rail, soaking up the sound of the ocean lapping at the sand. In the distance, a cargo ship drifted by. Out here he felt small, but strangely enough not alone. In the moment, with Laura’s tentative trust, it seemed like anything might be possible, including a secure, real future.
For the past fifteen months, he’d only felt this small sliver of hope as he closed in on Hackett. Now, with the solution he’d planned ripped out of his reach, it was surprising to realize the hope was stronger.
Turning back, he knew where the credit was due: Laura. He should hate how much her interference cost him today, but he couldn’t. She’d more than held her own even as she struggled to come to terms with the things he had shared already. He wondered if that would hold up when she heard the whole story.
“I need to bring my boss up to speed and it wouldn’t hurt to check in with Ross. I’m sure he’s heard the news.”
Drew crossed his arms, studied her as the wind caught her hair. “It wasn’t my choice where Hackett settled, where he chose to make his deal. I don’t have any beef with Carpenter.”
“And I’ll be sure he understands that, but we could use some support, someone who knows the story in case either of us get picked up.”
“I’ve got it under control.”
“Really?” She shifted to her side, propping her head with her hand. “How do you plan to salvage the situation?”
“After dinner.”
“You know I can pick up the phone inside, right?”
He nodded.