Page 87 of More Than a Hero
She smiled, touched by the tenderness threading through his voice. “I will. I promise.”
There was a moment when neither of them spoke, as they shared a breath across the distance. Then he sighed again, his voice dropping to a rough whisper. “Thanks, Angie. I owe you.”
She leaned her head back, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “You do,” she teased. “But I’ll let you make it up to me later.”
“If I make it back in time, I’ll come to the Y. Meet you there.”
She heard the lingering uncertainty. “No worries,” she said, with quiet confidence. “I have it all covered. And I can swing by and feed Queenie, too. You just take care of you.”
“You do the same, babe.” His voice had a little gravel in it now, that edge she loved. “And thank you.”
After they disconnected, Angie couldn’t stop the soft and lingering smile that bloomed across her face. She already missedthe idea of seeing Pete tonight, but at the same time, there was a quiet contentment in knowing where they stood.
They hadn’t made a big declaration. They didn’t need to. Somehow, they’d just become a couple. One day, she was teasing him over coffee, then the next day, they were texting good night like it was the most natural thing in the world. Now, even if he wasn’t beside her, he was with her. The thought stayed in her mind all through the afternoon, making even the drudgery of budget reports and expense columns feel bearable.
By the time she waved goodbye to her staff in the late afternoon sunlight, she was practically humming with purpose. She headed straight to his place, unlocking the door with the spare key he’d given her. It was a simple gift, made in case he needed a backup person to feed his cat. But the gesture had meant more than he’d ever said out loud.
The house greeted her with a hush until Queenie emerged from the back room like a queen returning from court with a loud meow.
“Hey, Queenie Girl,” Angie said, crouching down with a fond smile.
The aging cat responded with a loud, throaty meow before weaving herself through Angie’s ankles in greeting. Angie reached to scratch gently behind the cat’s ears, affection curling in her chest. Pete could be the very definition of no-nonsense. But then he’d adopted this older rescue with arthritis and a crumpled ear as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She loved how he gave quietly, not trying to impress anyone.
She found Queenie’s dish, portioned out her dinner, and stood by as the cat buried her nose into the soft food with eagerness.
“Good girl,” she whispered, fingers brushing Queenie’s back before she locked up behind her.
The drive home was peaceful, the late sun casting long golden rays across the farmland. As she pulled into her driveway, she spotted her grandparents out in the yard. Just the sight of them brought a warmth she’d never stop being grateful for.
She greeted them both, savoring the comfort of their familiar hugs. They moved to the porch, where three lemonades already waited on the small table. Angie raised a brow. “Were you expecting company?”
“Of course we were,” Grandma Dorothy said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “You.”
Laughing, Angie settled onto one of the vintage rockers, sipping the lemonade.
Grandpa Stan shot her a knowing look, a glint in his eye. “Seems like that nice young police officer you’re sweet on has been around a lot lately.”
Before she could respond, Grandma Dorothy gave him a light swat on the arm. “Stanley, don’t you go embarrassing her.”
Turning to Angie with a conspiratorial wink, she added, “Although… I wouldn’t mind if he came by for dinner one evening.”
Angie chuckled, a blush rising to her cheeks. “Well, I’m pretty sure you’ll be seeing a lot more of him, so yeah… dinner can be arranged.”
“Oh, good.” Dorothy clapped her hands lightly. “Then things are progressing?”
“They are,” Angie said with a nod. A small pause. “I guess it’s moving kind of fast…”
Dorothy’s voice was warm and sure. “Honey, when it’s right, you just know.”
Stan nodded beside her. “Your grandma and I knew on our first date.”
Angie leaned forward, heart soft. “Really? Tell me more.”
But Grandpa Stan glanced at his watch and shook his head with a grin. “We would, but isn’t this your night at the Y?”
“Oh! Shoot!” She sprang up, kissing their cheeks before dashing toward the house. “Love you both!”
A quick change into leggings and a loose, comfortable top, a fast bite to eat, and Angie was out the door again, heading back to the ESAAA center to grab the larger van.
