Page 60 of Sycamore Circle

Her face pinkened. “Sorry. It’s just... well, I like it when you call me sweetheart.”

“Is that all right?”

“Yes. It’s just, um, unfamiliar. My ex wasn’t into endearments.”

“No?”

“No.”

He grinned. “Good.” When she frowned, he added, “Sorry, but I need all the help I can get to keep your interest, Joy.”

She shook her head like she couldn’t believe what he just said. “You’re... you’re something else, Bo Beauman.”

“Right back at you. Now, we could go to the police station tonight, but it might take a while. They’re going to ask you questions and then you’ll probably have to file a report. I think you might as well wait until tomorrow.”

“You sure that they won’t think it was wrong of me to wait?”

“I’m sure. Besides, Lincoln called me when I was driving over. He’s going to see if his buddy is available tomorrow. The guy’s a detective and easy to talk to. If so, he’s going to stop by, and that way you won’t have to go to the police station.”

“That’s so nice of Lincoln.”

“He was in the room when you called. I told him about what’s been going on. He agrees that this”—he shook the paper in his hand—“is disconcerting, to say the least. His friend will help.”

She nodded and took a small breath. “So I don’t have to worry about that note any more tonight?”

“I don’t think so. Put it out of your mind if you can.”

She pursed her lips and nodded but didn’t exactly look any more at ease.

There was no way he was going to leave her.

“So, since I’m here and you’re alone, do you mind if I hang out for a while? Or would you rather I take you out? Want to grab something to eat?”

“You don’t have anything else planned?”

“Nope.”

“Well, um, would you like to stay a while? I could make some snacks. Do you like charcuterie boards?”

“You don’t need to go to so much trouble. But I would like to stay for a while.”

“I have beer. Do you want one?”

“How about a glass of water?”

She got him that, then poured herself a glass of white wine. “Do you mind?”

“Not at all. Come on. Let’s go sit down and you can tell me about the rest of your day.”

“It was pretty awful. You sure you don’t want that beer?” she teased.

“If I change my mind, I’ll let you know.”

When she sat next to him with her feet curled under her, he kicked off his boots and simply listened to her talk.

And watched the way the ends of her hair curled around her shoulders.

And thought about how, in spite of the situation, he was glad to be seeing her again. He liked sitting on her couch with her, liked doing nothing, just talking. And he really liked that she’d called him when she’d needed him, and that he hadn’t messed this up by being busy.

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