Page 65 of Last Girls Alive
“Thanks for taking care of Cisco last night.”
“Anytime.”
“I want to get this out of the way, okay,” she said.
“What’s that?”
“Look,” she said. “Things have been piling up on me and I’m not the best at decompressing or letting things go. And—”
“Wait,” he said. “You don’t have to—”
“Yes, I do,” she interrupted. “That’s not how partners treat each other—or friends, or anyone for that matter. I took liberties and willfully antagonized Keller. And I know it’s not only me that takes the heat from this, it’s you too. I’m skating on some thin ice, so…”
“Katie, I know. With everything you’ve been through…”
“Let’s just put it behind us, okay?” she said.
“Deal,” he said and held his hand out.
She reached to shake it and he pulled her to him in a bear hug.
Laughing, she said, “Okay, okay. Ready to get started?”
“Let’s go.”
They began jogging slowly to warm up.
“You look good,” she said. “I think you’re slimming down.”
“Ah, flattery with get you everywhere.”
They finished their picturesque three-mile circuit through the trees and came back to the beginning.
“That was great,” she said. “You’re doing well.”
“Yeah, I’m feeling better too. It’s trying to find the balance between sitting at a desk and not.”
“I guess I never thought about that because I move around so much.” Katie began her cool-down stretches. She felt fantastic after a good cry, a good night’s sleep, and a morning run in one of her favorite places.
McGaven slowly stretched his calves and quads. “I actually feel pretty good. I can get out of bed in the morning and not groan now.”
“Do you have some time today?” she asked.
“Sure, a little bit. Why?”
“I know it’s Saturday, but I wanted to go and take a look at Elm Hill Mansion. There’s little chance anyone is around and I wanted to get a better look now I know its history.”
Cisco barked twice. His tongue was hanging out and he was having fun running around Katie and McGaven.
“A look, huh?”
“Yeah, what would it hurt?”
“Sure, I’ll meet you both over there andwecan have a look around.” He smiled.
“Absolutely. C’mon, Cisco,” she said, moving toward her car as the dog padded along behind her.
“Hey, when are you going to buy a new car?” he called after her.
