Page 20 of Fight
"That's true," I agreed."that narrows the suspect pool some."
"But it may also mean you're being watched.I want you to keep an eye out.Watch for anything strange, out of place."
"I can do that."
"Not just that, but watch for the same faces to pop up, over and over.I'm not talking running into someone at the grocery store, but seeing them again two, or three, or four times, even from a distance, the same day, makes it suspicious.Even if it's not someone you know, they could know who you are, and be following you."
"I'll keep an eye out, I promise."
"Good."He kissed the top of my head."I don't want anything to happen to you."
"Me either."I tilted my head back, stretched up, and kissed him.A deep, languorous kiss as we stood in the hallway, in front of the door.
I was lost in his kiss, when my mother's finger poked me in the side.Startled, I jumped and tried to pull away from Devon.
"Enough you two.You can do that later.You're sister's almost here with the kids," Mom said."and we need to get the rest of the food done.Devon," She turned to him."will you be a dear and dump the potatoes for me?"
"Of course, Ma'am."He reluctantly let me go and headed into the kitchen.
Mom followed close behind."What have I told you about calling me Ma'am?"She asked sternly.
"Not to."he grinned, "But I can't seem to help it."
"Well you better figure out how to help it.I want you to call me Brenda or Mom.No more of this Ma'am crap.Especially after I had to break the two of you up like a pair of teenagers."She was teasing him, but making her point at the same time.
"I'll try, but I can't promise it won't slip out now and then."He pacified her as he picked up the large pot of boiling potatoes off the stove and carried it to the sink.He carefully poured the contents into the large colander, already sitting in the sink.He dumped the drained potatoes back into the hot pan and set them on the counter.He gave me a quick kiss on the forehead and went to rejoin my father and brother in the living room.I went back to getting things ready for dinner, as if nothing had disturbed me.The call lurked in the back of my mind.
I was setting the platters full of food onto the table, when the front door opened.I figured it was my brother Cameron, who had a habit of showing up just in time to keep Dad from yelling at him, and I didn't look, or scent the air, to find out who it was.I was as surprised as everyone else when we heard the familiar voice.
"Is this all the welcome I get?"
"Payson!"Mom breathed, rushing to clean her hands and go see my sister.
I finished placing the dish in my hand on the table and quickly grabbed a couple more, putting them in place before heading into the hallway to greet my sister.I knew that our parents would want to get their hugs, and to assure themselves she was really there, and it would be a couple of minutes before it was my turn anyway.
Stepping into the hallway, I snuggled up next to Devon.
"Is it always like this?"He asked softly.
"Pretty much."I answered."Anytime one of us lives out of town, and isn't seen very often, even when it was the boys, they get greeted like this."
"It's nice, you never doubt you're missed."
After my parents and Raine stepped back, giving Payson a chance to breathe, I stepped forward to get my hug.
"Hey, Nick, I hear you have a new boyfriend?"She teased.
"Yep," I replied, not taking the bait."I even brought him home to meet the family."I stepped away from her and held one arm out toward Devon, as if presenting him to her.
Apparently, whoever had told her I was dating someone, hadn't told her who it was, because when he spoke, the look of shock that appeared on her face was comical.
"Hey, Pace.How have you been?"He asked casually, a smile on his face.
"Devon Wilson!"She looked at me for confirmation."You're dating Devon Wilson?"
"I am."I shrugged.Devon stepped up beside me and wrapped one arm around me, as if backing up my claim.Brittney and her husband, Tracy and their kids, came through the door a moment later, stopping Payson from saying anything more.We once again went through the rounds of hugs and greetings, this time with the newcomers.
Payson turned back to me and Devon, smiled and shook her head."All those years ago, I never would have guessed."She looked at Devon."I thought you left town?I didn't know you were back."
