Page 20 of Vanishing Legacy

“Exactly. I know Penny is still at risk, and I can’t afford to underestimate the danger. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Even if it means admitting I need some help and advice. So, can you teach me what I need to know?”

He expected her to teach him a lifetime of skills in what? One conversation? “Oh, Cash, I don’t know about this. I’ve been in law enforcement for years. Even with my background I had to go through a rigorous training program to provide effective private security. How could I possibly teach you everything I know?”

“I’m not asking for everything you know. Just a few basics. My military training can handle the rest.”

She chewed her lower lip. Last night she’d been determined to make sure Penny stayed safe, and helping Cash was one way to do it. “You’d really be better off hiring a bodyguard. If it’s a money thing, we could?—”

“The money is not an issue. Believe me. It’s just…I know you’ve seen Penny generally in good spirits, but it’s not always that way. Like tonight, we’d planned to go to the hot air balloon festival, and if we don’t go, it could throw her off for days.”

“The hot air balloon festival? Cool! Can we come too?” Rocco appeared behind Cash with Penny by his side.

“Please, please, Daddy!” Penny begged, tugging on Cash’s sleeve.

Alana put a fist on her hip and narrowed her eyes at her son. “What have I told you about eavesdropping?”

Rocco lowered his head. “I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to. We were coming to ask if I could show Penny my robot in the living room. But can we go, Mom? Please? I love hot air balloons. It’s going to be so cool!” Rocco bounced on his toes.

“It would be a great opportunity for me to pick your brain.” Cash grinned. “I mean, unless you have plans or something.”

Plans? She almost always had plans. The day was reserved for Rocco’s robot. They had to work out the kinks before the upcoming competition. Even though Cash had given her an out, the eager faces of Rocco and Penny, both pleading with clasped hands, stirred her heart.

She faltered. “I mean, I guess we could go. We don’t want to intrude.”

“It’s no intrusion,” Cash said. “We’d love to hang out, wouldn’t we, Penny?”

Penny and Rocco erupted into cheers. It was good to see Rocco so happy. Acting like a kid. Especially after their heavy conversation last night. How could she deny him a bit of fun after all they’d been through?

“All right, all right,” she said. “You’ve twisted my arm. We’d love to come along.”

“Great! It’s a date,” Rocco said.

A warm smile spread over Cash’s face, and he locked eyes with her. “Yes, it’s a date, then.”

Cash’s words hit her.

A date? No, no, no. She’d been so focused on protecting Penny and helping Cash, she hadn’t considered the implication of two single parents hanging out on a Friday night.

Cash scooped Penny up and tossed her in the air. Amid the joy and laughter in her living room, Alana was unsettled. In a matter of minutes, a new layer of complexity had woven itself into her life.

Now she’d have to figure out how to untangle it.

* * *

HUTCHISON ISLAND

FRIDAY, 7:45 P.M.

What on earth had possessed Cash to go and use the word date with Alana? The word sort of fell out of his mouth. Probably because he’d had the daddy-daughter date on his mind.

Now everything was all sorts of awkward. Or maybe it was just him, because Alana acted as cool as a cucumber, strolling through the bustling crowd at the hot air balloon festival, enjoying a box of popcorn.

They walked shoulder to shoulder along a line of deflated balloons waiting to be filled. Pilots and crew members busied themselves with checks and rechecks of their equipment to prepare for the night flight.

“Nice evening.” He cringed at his lame attempt at small talk. Could he be more awkward right now?

“It is.” Alana offered him the box of popcorn. “Want some?”

The savory aroma of butter and salt wafted up to his nose. His mouth watered. “Thanks.” He took a handful and popped a few kernels into his mouth.

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