“Why do I get the feeling that you’re probably a good sailor too?”
“Must be because my younger years were spent in Newfoundland alongside him whenever he took out the Silver.” She saw his head turn questioningly and added, “Silver Joy was the name he gave his boat because of my mom’s hair. And he always referred to her as his joy. He loved her until the end, and to this day remains faithful. We all tried telling him he was young and deserved to find love again, but he’s stubborn, doesn’t see it that way. Says he’s happy on the Joy and to quit pestering him. He comes to Washington every few months to catch up with Bill and check up on me. You’d like him. He’s a man’s man.”
“No doubt, we’d get along. We both like silver-haired beauties.” Sam sat in thought for a few seconds and then continued, “If they’re back in Canada, how did you make the move to Washington?”
“Oh, right. I guess it is kind of complicated if you don’t know the story. My dad’s best friend moved to Washington with his family and became an FBI agent. There was a huge case many years ago, a serial killer who started out in Canada and eventually took himself off to do his dirty deeds in the U.S., ending up in Washington. My dad wasleadon the case and became totally invested in catching this killer. The prick had over twenty murders under his belt and Dad and Bill colluded to get the guy. In order to work the case together, Bill sponsored our family into moving there and helped Dad get hired by the Washington police department. All of us lived in D.C. for about five years until Mom got sick. She missed our old house so badly, they’d never sold it, and so the rest of them moved back to the Rock. I stayed because I’d started my training by then and had a future with the FBI. Bill promised he’d take me under his wing, and so Dad agreed. And here we are. All scattered, but I’d betellin’ you, we’re close and homecomings are a huge party.”
When Sophia put the empty bottle on the ground behind them, Sam slipped his hand into hers and held on. He chuckled. “You appear soindependent; it surprises me to know you have a large family. I’m glad. When you talk about them, you seem different.”
First, she glanced at their entwined hands and then into his face. “Different? Different how?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Happy, I guess. Alive. Hell, I can’t put it in words. You’re just softer.”
“Yousayin’ I’m usually a hard ass?”
He grinned, “What I’msayin’ is, youcouldbe a real hard-ass if you put your mind to it.”
Teasing, and shocking the hell out of him, she pushed him down and leaned over him. “Listen, Sam-my-man, I’m a real pussycat, and don’t you forget it.” Her lips found his, and her kiss was soft and sweet and way too brief.