Page 17 of Control Line

“Yep. I met Mr. and Mrs. Malone, and Grant, after my jump. It was Emerson’s little spur of the moment welcome surprise.” She turned her attention to the Malones as Betsy joined them. “However, I didn’t get a chance to chat much with either of you yesterday, but I’m hoping to remedy that soon.”

Grant and Emerson joined them. “What is that?” Grant recoiled as Emerson reached toward Zee’s shoulder to scratch Norman’s mangy head.

Barney couldn’t help but laugh. “That was my reaction, too.”

“Men. You’re all big babies,” Zee scolded.

“Guilty,” Barney admitted shamelessly. “When it comes to Norman.”

“I never thought I’d say this, but I gotta agree with Barnes.” Grant laughed and Barney flipped him off.

“Children,” Betsy admonished.

“Anyway, I think we had a great turnout today and we’ll have a safer camping season for it,” Barney’s captain said, coming up behind him and clapping him on the back.

“Agreed. I think this was our best turnout to date.”

“It’s the chili,” Zee deadpanned. “It has hypnotic powers, I’m told. So, load me up,doll.”

“Minx,” Barney breathed as he filled her bowl.

And just like that, Barney’s whole day changed. He was the reason she was smiling and joking. That made him feel like he was fireproof. He would analyze that later.

Zee walked off with the Malone crew, minus Emerson, to enjoy their food on a table he’d set up earlier.

“Barney, don’t.” Two words and a sad face caused his happiness to slip away. He could ask, but why bother, he knew precisely what Emerson meant. She meant don’t mess with Zee. His reputation for hitting it and quitting it wasn’t exactly exaggerated.

When he said nothing, she lifted her bowl and spoke while he scooped. “She’s been through so fucking much, and she doesn’t need anyone to play games with her.”

Barney had a million questions, like how the hell did Emerson know her history when he was just learning himself, and the only time she’d spent with her was before and after a jump.

But then it hit him. The powers that be would’ve checked her out, a little anyway, when she moved here and set up shop.

He was so tempted to grill Emerson, but he found he wanted to learn those things on his own; earn them.

Barney wasn’t looking for a relationship. Hell, he was the furthest thing from relationship material there was, but he didn’t truly want to hit it and quit it either, and that confused the hell out of him.

“I’m not playing with her,” was all he could offer Emerson by way of a whispered explanation.

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