Page 641 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“It’s so beautiful up here.”

“There’s nothing else like it.”

Sydney forced herself to pay attention while he pointed out various sites of interest. She tried not to think about the nearness of Sean or his strong, steady hands on the wheel. The ride was over all too soon for Sydney. She loved being in the plane, soaring free like a bird.

When they got back to the car, Sean opened her door. A comfortable silence stretched between them. He started the engine and turned out of the parking lot. “Thanks for bringing me here. I had a really nice time.”

Sean chuckled. “I’ll bet you say that to all your dates.”

Her face reddened, and she changed the subject. “You’re a good pilot.” She studied his chiseled profile then cocked her head. “Where did you learn to fly like that? As a matter of fact, you’re very cultured, considering you grew up on the streets of Houston.”

“Woodland, north of Houston.”

She smiled. “Close enough.” She watched him squirm. Were her questions making him nervous? He was always drilling her. She was going to give him a taste of his own medicine for once. “Why did you come to Stoney Creek?” She motioned at the passing scenery. “I mean, I know this is a beautiful area, but I’m sure it took a lot more than that to attract the illustrious Sean O’Conner to backwoods Stoney Creek.”

“Hey, I like Stoney Creek.”“So do I. Don’t try to evade my question.”

Sean looked in both directions when they came to the main highway. “I can’t remember which way we turn.”

“Turn left to go to Marietta.”

“All right. Left it is.” Sean looked at Sydney. “For an out of towner, you sure seem to know your way around.”

Blood rushed to Sydney’s face. “I never go anywhere without looking at a map first.”

Sean raised an eyebrow. “I’m glad you had enough foresight to check your map before we rushed out of your house this morning.”

There was nothing Sydney could say to get out of this one so she remained silent.

Sean spoke first. “I don’t know about you, but I’m getting hungry.”

“Me too,” Sydney said, glad he’d changed the subject. She relaxed in her seat, and then stiffened right back up at his next comment.

“So how are things going with Kendall?”

Discussing Kendall with Sean was the last thing she wanted to do. She already felt guilty for spending the day with Sean. “Things are fine.”

“How well do you know Kendall Fletcher?”

Sydney frowned. “Well enough.”

“You sure about that?”

“Just what are you trying to say?”

Sean shrugged indifferently, but Sydney noticed that grip on the steering wheel had tightened. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt, that’s all.”

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The next words shot out of her mouth. “Thanks for your concern, but I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”

“Okay, whatever.”

Sydney folded her arms tightly and turned away from him to look out the window.

It wasdark by the time Sean pulled into Sydney’s driveway. Things had loosened up between them at the restaurant, and Sydney found herself telling Sean about her life in Ft. Worth. She figured that was a safe subject and one that would help erase any doubts in Sean’s mind concerning where she was from.

He turned off the engine and turned in his seat to face her. “Thanks for coming with me today.”

“It was fun,” she said mechanically, all the while waiting for him to spit out whatever it was he was trying to tell her.

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