Page 130 of Fierce-Zander

To her that was completely different than wanting to have a retirement home in a different city.

Raising children was an important responsibility that you had for your life. One that Kyle didn’t have to do because Kellen was already in college when her mother met and then married him.

“I just can’t,” she said. “I’ve heard a lot of things in my career, but this one takes the cake.”

“Speaking of cake,” Kellen said. “What’s for dessert?”

“Pecan pie,” Kyle said. “I’ve been dying for it. I told Deborah that I’m not a fan of lemon cake with roast beef. It’s too close to the texture of the cornbread she made.”

Regan started to laugh at Zander’s expression.

“What is so funny, Regan?” her mother asked. “You said Zander liked roast beef. You know what the meal is.”

“My favorite,” Kyle said. “I find it funny that Dennis loved it too. But Deborah makes it better than anyone else. Perfect every time. Just like your mother.”

“Okay,” Zander said on the drive home. “You win. That’s creepy. I can’t wrap my head around any of it. I don’t even want to try.”

“The only good thing I can say about today,” she said, “is that having Kellen here was a great excuse not to stop in at the Fierce Christmas Eve party. I just don’t want to see all those happy couples when this is what I was exposed to.”

“Hey,” he said. “I was exposed to one of those happy couples. There isn’t anything wrong with it.”

She turned her head to look at Zander. “You’re right. There isn’t. Maybe there is hope for my future yet. Just not set plans, okay?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

39

WANTED TO PROTECT HER

Over three weeks later, Regan and Zander pulled into her townhouse at the same time.

She went into the garage and he stayed in the driveway.

They’d made it through Christmas and the Fierce New Year's Eve party that he wanted to avoid, but neither of them had an excuse as to why they couldn’t go.

Sure, he had a ton of work on his plate and every time he turned around had another case landing in his lap. Many that he was talking to Regan about and getting her opinion too. He found that she had a different insight and could lead him to something a bit faster. Or at least open his eyes to something else.

Sometimes it didn’t pan out, but it did remind him that his first instinct wasn’t always right.

“Can you grab my mail?” she shouted to him when he got out of his SUV.

“Sure,” he said, walking down the driveway and getting it from the mailbox out front.

He turned and walked back, then grabbed his laptop out of his front seat and went in. He’d stay at her house all weekend like he’d been doing. Even if he got called out for work, sometimes she went with him to keep him company.

Funny how he always thought he’d be better off working solo and that was the last thing that happened with his father now.

Even having Regan with him on cases.

“I’m starving,” she said. “I’m going to change and then we can order dinner. I’m too lazy to even cook unless you want grilled cheese.”

“Grilled cheese sounds good and is faster than takeout,” he said. “I’ll make it. You go change.”

“Thanks,” she said, moving over to kiss him on the cheek. “What a great boyfriend you can be.”

“My life’s purpose,” he said.

She laughed and walked away while he moved to the kitchen and pulled out a pan, the bread, butter and some cheese. One of his specialties since he all but lived off of these for years if he didn’t want to get takeout.

---