That day had never come…but maybe she could do it now. She reached for the box, then realized that she still wasn’t ready. Would she ever be? She couldn’t keep putting this off.
Then an idea popped into her head. In six weeks, it would be the fifth anniversary of his death. She should take some time and go somewhere by herself for the weekend, drink a glass of her favorite wine and go through the box then. It could be a way to bring closure to what they had shared so she could truly move on.
Satisfied with her decision, she closed the closet door and went back to finish unpacking.
As she pulled the convention’s swag bag out of her luggage, she had to admit that this particular bag was a lot nicer than the ones she’d received in prior years. In addition to the usual promotional items, it was filled with a book written by one of the speakers and an assortment of treats.
Placing the bag aside to go through later, she picked up the mystery novel she’d bought at the airport and went out to sit on her balcony. Maybe the novel would keep her so engrossed she’d be able to forget about her new neighbor.
“YOU WANTED TO SEEme, Ro?” Stonewall asked as he entered Roland’s office Monday morning, easing into the chair across from his desk.
Roland could clearly recall the day he’d first met Stonewall. It was the same day he’d met Striker and Quasar. After being released from prison, the three had spent time with Reverend Luther Thomas, who’d dedicated his life to helping ex-cons get acclimated into society as easily as possible with strong, positive influences. Thomas himself had once been an ex-con who’d been falsely accused of a crime he’d later been cleared of, then released. Roland had met the three men through Reverend Thomas.
After he’d been acquitted and released from jail, Roland had had no intention of going back to work on the police force. So, with the restitution money he’d received, he’d started Summers Security Firm. Striker, Quasar and Stonewall had been the first men he’d hired as protectors/bodyguards.
When he’d wanted to expand the company, they’d helped him by investing in Summers Security. Becausethings had been going so well with the firm, the three men had been more than satisfied just being silent partners and letting Roland run things while they continued to work out in the field.
Now that the company had gone international, and had nearly tripled in size, Roland had hired several more men and women. And, with the increase in business, he’d convinced Striker, Quasar and Stonewall to take a more active role in the administrative duties. Since the three were now family men, they had agreed.
“Why didn’t you tell me Lennox was going to be my neighbor, Stonewall?” Roland asked, leaning back in his chair. “I’m sure you knew about it.”
A smile touched Stonewall’s lips. “Yeah, I knew. But the last time I mentioned Lennox to you, you got pretty damn salty about it and told me to mind my own business. So I did.”
Roland glared at him. “And when have you ever done what I’ve told you to do?”
Stonewall shrugged. “I figured you would eventually find out on your own. I take it you have.”
“I found out Saturday.”
Stonewall nodded. “In case you’re wondering why Joy hasn’t said anything, my guess is that she hasn’t figured out yet that you have the hots for Lennox. Besides, I’ve never mentioned to Joy what condo complex you were moving to.”
Roland tossed a paper clip on his desk. “I don’t have the hots for Lennox.”
“Don’t you?”
“No.”
“Call it whatever you like. So, how did you find out? Did the two of you share the elevator or something?”
“No. She delivered a welcome basket of cookies and wine to me.”
“That was right neighborly of her,” Stonewall said, standing. “So now, I guess the question is…what are you going to do for her that’s just as neighborly?”
Roland met his gaze. “I don’t feel the need to do anything.”
Stonewall shoved his hands into his pockets. “The two of you have an entire floor to yourselves. There’s nothing wrong with you and Lennox becoming friends.”
Roland didn’t see it that way. “I don’t think so.”
“That’s your decision, Ro. You’re the one missing out,” Stonewall said, as he walked out the door.
• • •
“Welcome back, Dr. Roswell, how was your trip?”
“It was great,” Lennox responded cheerfully to Sandy Brookins, her lab assistant. “I baked these this weekend,” she said, placing a platter of the cookies on the table. “Please let everybody know.”
Sandy’s face lit up the way it usually did whenever Lennox brought in baked treats. “I will, Dr. Roswell. I’m going to grab a couple of them now before William and McCade find out. They don’t know when to stop,” she said, getting up from her desk.