Page 667 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“Yes?”

“Are random drug checks being done on a regular basis?”

“Of course.”

“Who’s in charge of it?”

“I am.”

“And the tests have been coming up clean?”

“So far.”

“I just wanted to hear you say it.” She opened the door and left the room.

Ginger dippeda spoon in the peanut butter jar and pulled out a tablespoon-size portion and slathered it on her apple. She plopped down on the sofa and kicked off her shoes, sending them sprawling across the room. She gnawed away at the apple with her front teeth.

“You look like a beaver when you do that.”

She stopped and looked up at Mark. “Oh, sorry.”

“No, I like it.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Really?”

“Yeah, you’re comfortable in your own skin.”

“Thanks.” She loved that about Mark. How he would compliment her on the most ordinary of things. She took another bite of her apple. “You know what? I had a great time at Sydney’s, but it sure is good to be home.”

He sat down next to her and scooted close. He kept his face serious, but his eyes danced with mischief. “I’m glad to hear you say that because I was beginning to wonder. I know how closeyou and Sydney are, and I was afraid I might have to catch a flight and drag you home.”

She held the apple out from her mouth and then poked him in the ribs with her free elbow. “Oh Mark, you know better than that.” She snuggled into the curve of his shoulder as he draped his arm around her. She held up her apple. “Wanna bite?”

“No thanks.”

She shrugged and then took another plug out of the apple. “Mark, you wouldn’t have recognized her.”

His face contorted in a mock surprise. “Don’t tell me: she cut off her hair and dyed it red.”

Ginger rolled her eyes, even though she wasn’t really annoyed. She loved it when Mark teased her. “Seriously, she’s changed.”

“How so?”

“Well for one thing, everything wasn’t all about her. There’s this crazy neighbor who dresses like aHawaii gone badcommercial. Sydney looks after her. She insisted that we take Hazel—” Ginger looked at Mark, “that’s the lady’s name. Anyway, Sydney takes her a plate of cookies at least once a week. And then there’s Stella.” She caught herself. “This other lady that Sydney’s grown really close to.” She almost saidSydney’s grandmotherand then caught herself. Ginger shook her head. “It’s obvious that she cares about these people. She didn’t seem so caught up in herself.”

“That’s fantastic. How’s the boyfriend situation? Who’s the man of the hour?”

“There are two of them in the picture right now.”

“Only two?” This earned him another jab in the ribs.

“That’s not fair.” Ginger wrinkled her nose. “I met both of them and was surprised that Sydney was leaning toward Kendall, the coach. Kendall looks like an all-American boy. He’snice but shy. Sean, the other one, seems like more her type. He’s outgoing and handsome as the devil.”

Mark moved his arm from her shoulder and encircled her neck in a chokehold. “Hey now.” He let go.

She laughed and then batted her eyelashes before turning and looking into his eyes. “Well not as handsome as you. No one’s that handsome.” Ginger grew serious. “I liked Sean better at first. Now, after the drug thing, I’m not so sure.”

Mark’s eyes grew wary. “Drug thing?”

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