Pamela Hearon - Out of the Depths

“Liberal environmentalists who stir the shit that closes companies and causes good people to lose their jobs are the dark side personified.”

“On the contrary, Counselor, liberal environmentalists save lives by enlightening the public about the way these companies ravage our natural resources.”

“Damn, Kyndal.” He wiped a hand down his face in a gesture she’d seen him make thousands of time. “Have you forgotten completely about who you are and where you’re from?” He bent toward her, bringing his eyes level with hers. “You’re a Paducah girl, and Paducah’s a river town. The Ohio means industry. Jobs—”

“Birth defects…cancer.” She raised on her tiptoes, causing him to straighten. “And death if we sit back idly and allow the dumping of poisons into our rivers to continue.”

He peered closely at her. “You’ve changed,” he said, making it sound like an accusation.

“And you haven’t.” She allowed a smirk of her own. “I hear you’re working for your dad.”

His jaw tightened. “With, not for. I’m a partner in the firm.”

“Well…good for you.”

The small office was getting awfully warm and the conversation had moved into a sparring phase she wasn’t up to at the moment. Pretty soon, he would start questioning her again about the new magazine and figure out how far she’d actually fallen. What category ranked below “Total Loser?” Oh, yeah, that would be “My Dad Was Right about You.” She couldn’t face that on top of everything else today.

She moved toward the door the sheriff had closed behind him. Escape seemed to be the best plan. “By the way, thanks for offering the ride, but Jaci’s on her way to pick me up.”

Chance moved more quickly and claimed the doorknob. He didn’t turn it immediately, pausing momentarily as if weighing his next comment. “I’m sorry, Kyn. This is no way for us to act. Are you in town long?” His free hand touched her casually below the shoulder blade.

There was nothing casual about her body’s reaction to his touch. Her nipples tightened as though they had no memory of his walking out of her life without a backward glance. A thin line of perspiration popped out along her upper lip and made her cringe. Before answering, she camouflaged a quick wipe of the area with a cough. “No, I’m going back to Tennessee this afternoon.” He removed his hand, and she immediately felt the loss.

“Ah. Well, I was hoping I could make this up to you somehow.”

This he wanted to make up for. Not for breaking up with her and breaking her heart. Not for his major role in the whole men-as-deserters drama of her life.

“This isn’t something you need to make up for,” she snapped.

He smiled. Nothing forced this time. A genuine, tender, gorgeous, all-the-way-into-his-eyes smile that indicated he took her at her word instead of reading the nuance in her voice.

She considered another comment. Something more pointed than the last. Something that would wipe the smile from those yummy lips. But he opened the door, and a welcome rush of air cooled her face. This would all be over soon. She let her comment drop.

The lady working the outer office placed Kyndal’s bags on the counter with a curt “Here’s your stuff” then went back to typing without giving them a second look.

“We need to get together sometime, and you know…catch up.”

Yeah, sometime when I’m gainfully employed…in an awesome job…and married to an awesome guy. Kyndal unzipped her bags and made a cursory check of their contents. She didn’t expect to find anything awry, but it was a good way to avoid eye contact. “Um, yeah. That’d be nice. Sometime.”

Chance’s cell phone rang before he could follow up, and Kyndal sighed her relief when the yellow of Jaci’s VW Beetle flashed through the window blinds.

“It’s all in the file on Alice’s desk, Dad. I finished it last night.”

Hearing Chance address his father stirred up memories, but Kyndal had no intention of allowing them to surface, considering how the rest of her day had gone. She inclined her head toward the window to indicate Jaci’s arrival, gathered her bags and hurried out the door.

Chance was close behind her, still talking, with obvious irritation. “I told you I’d be there before two, and I’m on my way.”

Jaci’s eyes widened when Kyndal and Chance exited the sheriff’s office together, and Kyndal answered her unspoken question with a don’t-you-dare-ask-any-questions-yet glare.

* * *

JACIGAVEATIGHTSMILETO indicate the message had been received although her brain was spinning at the sight.

Kyndal and Chance Brennan? Had hell frozen over?

She popped the trunk open and rolled her window down as Chance shoved his phone into his pocket. “Hey, Chance.” She forced a smile. “Haven’t seen you in forever. How are ya?”

“I’m doing well, Jaci. How are you and Bart?”

“We’re fine.” But what have you done to my best friend? If you’ve hurt her again, so help me, I’ll—

“I’ve been hearing good things about Décor and More.”

“That’s music to my ears.” She grabbed a few business cards from the stash in the sun visor and handed them to him. “Keep spreading the word.”

A worried look crossed his face, and he seemed about to say something else when Kyndal slammed the trunk. He hurried around to the passenger side, but not before Kyndal had herself safely tucked into the seat. She closed the door and stuck her hand out the window. “Thanks, Chance. You always said you’d buy that cave someday. I’m relieved that you own it today.”

Chance owned the cave? Wow, this should be some story.

Chance’s dark eyes softened as he leaned down to peer in the window. “It was good to see you again. It’s been way too long.” He shifted his eyes to Jaci. “Um, Jaci, I heard something about Julia recently…”

Her throat tightened at the mention of her business partner. Chance was Julia’s attorney, and if he’d already heard, her bad news must be out. She nodded. “It’s true. Breast cancer. Bilateral mastectomy. But they caught it early, so no chemo or radiation.”

Sadness shadowed his face. “That’s good news, at least. Do you think she’d mind if I called? I’d like to let her know I’m thinking about her.”

His words dissolved some of the anger she’d been allowing to surface toward him in regard to Kyndal. “I think she’d like that.”

“I’ll give her a call, then.” He straightened up and pulled out a business card, scribbled something on the back, and handed it to Kyndal. “If you ever need anything, Kyn, here’s my card. My cell number’s on the back.”

Kyndal nodded. “Thanks.”

She waved goodbye, and Jaci could see the strain as Kyndal forced her lips in a smile.

When they got onto the street, Jaci reached into the backseat, grabbed a box of tissues and tossed it into Kyndal’s lap. “I can see you’re in no condition to drive. We’re going to my house, and we’ll get your car later. Now tell me everything.”

Kyndal told her long, dramatic story all the way to Paducah, pain evident in her voice, though nothing like it had been those weeks after Chance broke up with her. Thinking about that time still made Jaci want to castrate him.

She and Chance were the only two people in the world Kyndal had ever fully trusted. When he betrayed that trust, Jaci had watched her best friend fall apart…and she’d been the one left to pick up the pieces.

She pulled the car into the garage and turned it off. They sat in silence while the garage door closed behind them.

She couldn’t bear to think about Kyndal going home to that sad little apartment tonight. Meeting up with Chance again had been bad enough, but doing it when she was out of a job went beyond rotten luck. Classic Kyndal. “You’re gonna stay here tonight.” She held up a hand to silence Kyndal’s protest. “And we’re gonna go out and end this day on a happy note.”