Hope you are doing well. I’d like to meet up with you. Catch up and find out what you’re up to these days.
I feel terrible about the way things ended and know you must think the worst of me. But it’s not what you think.
I’d love to meet up with you and have a real conversation.
Please, Tansy. It’s important.
James
Sam must have made a sound or other reaction, because suddenly Tansy was beside him and reading the email. He looked up to see a speculative look on her face.
“I should do it.”
“No way in hell.”
She raised an eyebrow. “My life, my decision. If I meet with him, we can find out what he’s really thinking. I can find out who he’s dealing with and if he’s behind the break in. If I do nothing, we learn nothing.”
At least she was sayingwe, but Sam didn’t like the plan at all. “It’s not a good idea. We don’t know if he’s involved with something criminal.”
Tansy rolled her eyes at him. “It’s not like I’m going to meet him in a dark alley at three in the morning. I’ll meet him somewhere in public and find out what I can.”
“He’s not going to talk freely in a coffee shop where other people can overhear the conversation.”
Tansy frowned at that. “True.” Her eyes took on that thinking glaze. “I don’t want him near here or Phail, not even in Vermont. What about if I tell him I’ll meet him in a park? That way, you can be nearby without it being obvious that I have backup.”
Sam still didn’t like it. “What are my odds of talking you out of this?”
“Zero.”
He sighed and handed her the phone.
She sat on the couch beside him and let him read the email as she typed.
I will agree to one, and only one, meeting with you. After that, there will be no more attempts at contacts or I will inquire into a restraining order.
I will be at Robin Hood Park in Keene, New Hampshire, near the trailhead at noon on Saturday.
This is your only chance for a meeting.
She didn’t bother signing her name or adding any personal remarks. She sent in and tossed the phone on the couch cushion beside her. “Makes me feel icky just emailing him.”
Before Sam could respond, she shoved to her feet and paced around the cabin.
Her phone buzzed, and she turned to look but didn’t approach.
“Want me to check?”
She nodded, and Sam picked it up.
Thanks, Tansy. I’ll be there. I’m looking forward to seeing you. I’ve missed you.
He read it aloud and watched Tansy’s face tighten as she shuddered.
Another pace around the room and she looked at Sam. “I need to run or train. Maybe both.”
There was no room to train in the cabin and while he didn’t really want her spending excess time outside, he knew she needed to get control of her emotions, and exercise was her preferred method.
“Can you shut it down here for the night? Then we can run back to the lodge and do some sparring if you’re still bouncy.”