Page 111 of Lost Cause
He liked Mina and could see himself working for her. Was he crazy to hope it would happen? Their Monday meeting would tell him for sure. Nothing to do now other than to tell Abby the good news and wait. He shook off his thoughts and trailed her down a dark, dingy hallway.
He followed Mina through a doorway on the left and into a room exactly as she’d described—a large meeting room with sixties furnishings. Around twenty to thirty people mingled in small groups near a long refreshment table overflowing with appetizers and home-baked goodies.
Above the table hung a sign declaringHappy Anniversary, Lost Lake Locators!The company had formed more than a year ago, but they’d been too busy with investigations to celebrate their success.
He didn’t have eyes for the food or a desire to celebrate. He wanted Abby. Found her talking to Reece. The pair were extreme opposites. Abby was petite with short dark hair. Model-slender Reece towered over her with her blond hair falling below her shoulders. Finally Abby turned and locked gazes with him.
His heart somersaulted, and he struggled to breathe. He couldn’t wait to tell her about the job offer. Evenifhe didn’t know if he would take it. Transitioning from the large county office he worked in to a small sheriff’s department was a step back.
But, in the long run, the way his heart just responded, it probably didn’t matter what job he went to if it meant he could be close to Abby.
Burke strode toward Abby. She could barely breathe. All she wanted to do was throw herself into his arms, and it seemed likeforever for him to reach her. Like a slo-mo scene in a movie, each step measured and unhurried.
Reece grabbed her arm. “Breathe, sweetie. Or you’re going to pass out before he gets over here.”
“I am, aren’t I? I’ve never felt like this before.”
“From the look on his face, I bet he’s thinking the same thing.” Reece sighed. “It’s like I have my own romance movie playing before my eyes. Only this is better because it involves one of my very best friends and her handsome hero.”
Abby forced her gaze from Burke to smile at Reece.
“Oh yeah,” Reece said. “I’m going to be a maid of honor before you know it.”
She couldn’t deny it. Burke was looking more and more like a forever kind of guy. No matter when she got married, Reece would be her maid of honor.
She turned back to him as he took his final strides to stop in front of her. “Hi.”
“Hi,” she said back.
Reece laughed. “The two of you sound like a couple of lovestruck teenagers.”
Burke arched an eyebrow in her direction. “Good to finally meet you in person, Reece.”
“And I can read in your expression what you’re not saying. ‘Nice to meet you, but take a hike.’” She grinned. “I’ll go check the refreshments and give the two of you some time alone.”
She gave Abby a pointed look and took off for the table loaded with fabulous refreshments she’d made for the party.
“Speaking of time alone,” Burke said. “I know you should be at the party, but is there somewhere we can talk in private for a few minutes?”
Taking his hand, she led him across the room, her heart thumping at merely touching his hand. She was tempted to step into the hallway and kiss him, but when she kissed him again,she wanted them to be alone. No place more alone than looking over the cliff at the ocean, so she pulled him to the door and outside.
She continued across the lot to the edge of the cliff, the sky blazing with the midday sun, waves crashing in rhythm below. God’s majesty unfolding before them.
He rested his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him, his eyes only for her. “I couldn’t wait to tell you what Mina talked to me about on the way in.”
Her butterflies evaporated. “Not something about the kidnapping investigation, I hope.”
“No, no. Sorry. I should’ve started another way. It’s about a job. Her department received a five-year grant to investigate cold cases. She wants me to be the detective in charge.”
Abby squeezed his hands. “What wonderful news. I mean, the best news, right? You could move here, and we could be together.”
He didn’t answer right away.
A knot formed in her stomach. “You don’t want to move here. You want me to be the one to move. I don’t want to leave the team, especially since Victor not only paid us the big fee as promised but gave us a very generous bonus, and the business is doing well. But for you, I will.”
“No, that’s not it at all. I absolutely would be glad to move here to be with you. I just have to meet with Mina first to determine if I’m up for the job, and if we have the same standards.”
The knot loosened. “I can’t speak to the job, but I do know you both have the same standards. She’s a stickler for protocol and doing things right. Just like you. The only place I could see snags between you is stubbornly butting heads over things you might not agree on.”
