Page 642 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“Look Syd, I know we don’t always see eye to eye about the mill, and I know I’m not the easiest person to get along with.”

Sydney rolled her eyes. “That’s an understatement.” He tensed, and she instantly regretted her remark. “I’m sorry. Please go on.”

“The safety procedures you’ve implemented have really helped. I’ve seen a lot of improvement since you came.”

She studied his dark eyes to see if the compliment was sincere. “Thank you.”

He reached and touched a strand of her hair. His nearness was electrifying. When he drew closer, she realized he was going to kiss her. And she wanted him to. Why was she always attracted to the wrong type of guy? The warning bell was going off again in her head, and she made one last ditch effort to think of Kendall. But it was no good, she could see only Sean. She pushed the last fringes of doubt from her mind and closed her eyes and parted her lips. She waited. Nothing happened. When she opened her eyes, he was studying her. There was a trace ofamusement glittering in his eyes. She backed away from him, heat burning through her veins. He got out to open her door, but she beat him to it.

It was an effort, but she managed to keep her voice light. “Well, it has been interesting. Goodnight.” With that she turned and walked away before he could respond. She could feel his penetrating gaze eating into her back. She hurried up the sidewalk. He was still watching when she went into her house and locked the door.

“I can’t believeyou went out with that creep.”

Sydney rolled her eyes. She should have known better than to call Ginger. Ginger was used to hearing Sydney complain about Sean and had dubbed himthat creep. “A temporary lapse in good judgment. I assure you.”

“Does Kendall know?”

“No, of course not. But what if he did? It’s not like I’m married to him or anything.” Sydney tried to keep her voice indifferent, all the while wondering if Kendall had dropped by her house today.

“What were you thinking?”

The incredulous tone in Ginger’s voice struck a nerve. Everything was so black and white with Ginger. Ginger with her close family and perfect marriage. It was all too easy for her to sit back and cast judgment. “I guess I’m just not perfect like you,” Sydney said. She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth.

It took Ginger a moment to respond. “I’m not trying to judge you.”

“It’s been a rough day,” Sydney said, trying to soften the blow.

Ginger slipped back into her guard dog mode. “He didn’t try anything, did he?”

A dry laugh escaped Sydney’s lips. “No, he was a perfect gentleman.”

“Do you have a busy day planned for tomorrow?” Ginger asked. Her voice was innocent, but Sydney knew she was fishing. Ginger was dying to ask if she was going to church.

“No, I don’t have much planned.” She broke into a smile. “Except for going to church.”

“Halleluiah!”

Sydney wasn’t sure why she’d said that. She hadn’t been planning on going. Maybe she’d told Ginger that because she felt guilty about snapping at her. Oh well. Whatever her reasoning, she’d committed to go, and now she had to follow through. She said goodnight to Ginger and hung up the phone.

She went to her front window and looked through the blinds, half expecting to see Sean still parked in her driveway. The driveway and street were both empty. She looked at Hazel Finch’s house. The lace curtain moved, and Sydney imagined the old woman standing on the other side, her beady eyes watching through the window. Her face flushed. Hazel had probably been spying on her the entire time she sat in the car with Sean. There was no escaping the woman. It was like living in a fishbowl. Sydney snapped off her porch light and then flipped off the lamps in the living room. “Feast your eyes on that,” she said and stalked to her bedroom.

21

“AND I GIVE MY HEART TO KNOW WISDOM, AND TO KNOW MADNESS AND FOLLY.” —ECCLESIASTES 1:17

It was a smaller building than the one in Ft. Worth, about a quarter of the size. Still it loomed larger than life. She sat in her jeep, trying to decide if she was going to get out. Sydney had allowed an extra fifteen minutes, but it hadn’t been necessary. She found her way here without a glitch. She’d promised Ginger that she would go to church—and here she was, in the parking lot. She smiled ruefully. If she turned around now and left, Ginger would never know the difference. Even as she contemplated it, she opened her door. People were walking into the building. She gave her lipstick one last check before grabbing her purse and heading that direction.

“Hi, I’m Julie Parkinson. It’s nice to meet you.”

Sydney extended her hand to the petite brunette who was so pregnant that she looked like she was going to pop. Julie followed Sydney’s gaze and rubbed her belly in reply. “My doctor has promised that if I don’t go into labor by Tuesday, then he’ll induce me.”

“Mom, Derek won’t give me back my car.”

Julie looked apologetic and turned her attention to the distraction. Sydney looked down at the little boy who was furiously tugging at his mother’s dress. He was the mirror imageof his mother with his brown eyes and dark hair. Julie’s face grew stern. “Kevin, what did I tell you about bringing toys to church? You know the rules.”

The little boy shrugged and she tousled his hair. “Now, you and Derek behave and listen to your teachers.”

“Okay, Mom.” He let go of her dress and ran down the hall.

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