Page 83 of Explosive Evidence

He wanted to kiss her. To hold her close. But doing so felt awkward. The case was over. She was leaving. She was probably here to say goodbye. As much as losing her was going to hurt, he didn’t want to add to his humiliation by letting her see the pain. “How’s your dad?” he asked.

“Recovering from three broken ribs but in good spirits.” She smiled. “He said he hasn’t had this much fun in years.”

“Sounds like he misses the Bureau.”

“He misses being involved. Making a difference. But he has some ideas for after he’s healed.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. While he was in the hospital, he read about a program here in Colorado that takes disadvantaged youth on camping and hiking and backcountry skiing and climbing trips. He’s already contacted them about getting involved.”

“So he plans to stay in Colorado?” Again that quickened heartbeat. She would have a reason to stay here.

“In Grand Junction,” she said. “So not far away.”

Even better.“How do you feel about that?” he asked.

“Good, actually.” She traced a pattern on his desk with one finger. “As much as I complain about him interfering, I’ve missed him. And it’s kind of nice, having someone nearby who cares about me.”

Pain gripped his heart, and he put a hand on her shoulder. When she looked up and met his eyes, his courage almost failed him, but he pushed on. “I care,” he said. “Very much.”

Then he kissed her. A long, tender kiss, one he hoped conveyed what he wasn’t good at putting into words. He broke the kiss and looked into her eyes, trying to gauge her reaction.

What he saw there alarmed him. Her eyes were wet and shiny.

His throat constricted. This must be really bad if she was crying. “What’s wrong?” he managed to croak.

She shook her head. “I was just thinking how lucky I am. To have come here. To have met you.” She put her arms around him and moved in close.

He held her, confused but no longer panicking. “I can come to Denver to see you,” he said. “Every chance I get. It’ll be easier in the summer. And we can talk and text. We’ll figure something out.” Was he talking too much?

“Or you could come to Grand Junction,” she said. “That’s a lot closer.”

He pulled away to look at her. “Grand Junction?”

“That’s where I’ll be. There’s a satellite office there, under the Denver field office. I’ll be a resident agent, working with area law enforcement.”

“That’s great. Isn’t it?”

She smiled. “I think it’s pretty great.”

“No more Agent Anthony expecting you to make coffee or file reports.”

“Damien has actually been pretty decent,” she said. “He gave me credit for all the work I did tracking down Shane Greer and the others. He even alerted me to the opening in the Grand Junction office.”

“Maybe he wanted you out of his way.”

“Maybe. But it doesn’t matter. I have plenty of reasons for wanting to be here.”

“Your dad is here.”

“Farley is here,” she said.

Connor blinked. “You want to be near Farley?”

“I want to be near Farley’s person.” The smile she hit him with sent heat straight through him.

“Farley’s person wants to be near you.” He pulled her close in another kiss. His heart beat faster at the thought of being closer to a woman who amazed and confounded him in turn. But challenges were good, he reminded himself. And with Stacy, the risk was definitely worth the reward.