Page 6 of Knight's Desire

Brick nodded absently as he retreated into his thoughts. He could think of several times when Sam had an opportunity to share with him his desire not to be an investigator anymore. So why would Sam keep this from him? He had to know Brick would talk with Jay or Rock or both, and they would tell him. This was too important for them to keep it under wraps.

“You don’t seem surprised.”

Brick brought his attention back to Jay. “About Sam and Monica? I’m not. He’s been taking on some late-night surveillance cases. He goes home long enough to spend time with Aidan then he’s back to work. All he said was that Monica was going through something, and the less he was home, the less they would fight over stupid stuff. He made it seem like he expected it to pass. Now I’m wondering if that’s the whole story.”

Jay stood. “Well, I just thought you should know. We’re not expecting to add to the teams right now, but I’d be lying if I said Sam wouldn’t be my first choice to fill a spot. I was just surprised he wanted to get back in the field. After he was tortured like that, he seemed gun shy about working high-risk cases. Why do you think he changed his mind?”

Brick shrugged. “Once you’ve been in on the action like that, it’s hard to quit cold turkey and leave it all behind. Maybe he’s bored with the way things are.”

Jay nodded. “Maybe. Anyway, I’ll keep you posted on the interview for the computer analyst.”

Brick waved Jay out of his office, already lost in thought as he wondered what was going on with Sam. He hated to think that Sam and Monica were having problems and might split up, especially since they had a son together. But then not everyone could be like Jordan and Stella Raines, defying the odds that came with the job to have a happy and healthy marriage.

He just hoped if Sam was in trouble or needed help, he would come to Brick before things got out of hand.

Chapter Three

Hope waved goodbye to her last client of the evening before locking the door to the Shoppe and flipping the sign to closed. She reached to remove her pumps and wiggled her aching toes. Her shoes dangled from her fingertips as she walked back to the receptionist desk where Kayla was adding the details from the last sale into the computer, so the order could be placed first thing in the morning. She started to compliment her assistant on the great job she’d done today but paused. A bouquet of bright red tulips in a clear, glass vase rested on the counter like a bright spot of happiness on an otherwise stressful day.

Setting her shoes on the counter, she smiled as she pulled the card from the bouquet and read the scrawled message.Something to make you smile because your smile is more beautiful than the brightest star in the sky.There was no name on the card, but she didn’t need it to know whom the flowers were from.

“Parker?” Kayla asked without looking up from the computer.

“Yeah. They’re beautiful. I don’t know how he knew I needed these today, but they are like a breath of fresh air, aren’t they?”

Kayla hit the return button and looked up with a grin. “Romantic, good looking, employed…he’s definitely a keeper.”

Hope didn’t respond, but she agreed. Parker Bexley was as close to her version of the perfect man as a person could be. She almost didn’t give him a chance when they first met. That day, she had only been in Grayson Cove three days and was trying to find the right location as well as convincing the bank to give her a business loan for the Bridal Shoppe. Her mind certainly wasn’t on the handsome man standing behind her in the order line at the coffee house. That didn’t stop him from making small talk, jumping from one topic to another until she felt amused at his efforts. He paid for her latte and asked for her phone number.

Their second meeting was at the realty where Parker worked. She started working with Parker’s boss, but then Parker took over her account. He showed her the space for the Shoppe, and to celebrate, they had dinner together. That led to a few phone conversations, during which they talked mostly about real estate, and then a few more dinners. Eventually, they both admitted they were dating more than they were working.

Seven months later, they were still together. Parker wasn’t a romantic man, so the flowers were more special to her because he acted out of character just to make her smile.

“What do you guys have planned tonight?”

Hope’s smile faded. “Parker has to work late, so we didn’t make any plans.”

“Then why is he here?”

Hope whirled around to see her boyfriend waving at her from where he stood outside the door. She beamed as she hurried to let him inside. She wasted no time in raising on her toes, throwing her arms around Parker’s neck and planting a firm kiss on his lips. His arms encircled her waist to hold her steady as he returned the kiss.

She was breathless when she pulled away. “This is a nice surprise.”

He grinned. “I was about to say the same.”

She grabbed his hand and led him further into the Shoppe, where Kayla didn’t bother to pretend she wasn’t watching their every move.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you.” Hope paused by the tulips and studied his handsome face, noting the tired lines around his eyes.

“My eyes were starting to cross, and I finally admitted I was too tired to be productive. I thought I’d surprise you and see if you wanted to grab some dinner.”

“Yes. I’m starving. Give me five minutes. I’ll freshen up and grab my things. Oh, and the flowers are beautiful. They’re just what I needed. Thank you.”

She pressed a quick kiss to his cheek and hurried to her office. Darting into the adjoining bathroom, she smoothed the stray strands of dark hair back into place and reapplied her muted lipstick. Grabbing her purse, she walked over to the counter to retrieve her shoes, noting the serious expressions on Kayla and Parker’s faces as she approached.

“Kayla, don’t worry about the salon. I’ll come in early and straighten everything for our appointments tomorrow. Just close the Shoppe, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Sure, but um…” Kayla looked from her to Parker as if waiting for him to say whatever it was that seemed to be troubling them.

---