“Yeah. He said he can work your car into the rotation. He’ll keep up the maintenance and make sure it’s started. I know you weren’t really ready to consider that, but if you ever decide you want to, it’s an option.”
“That’s very nice of him. Something about letting it out of my control still makes me nervous.”
“I understand. Maybe one night when you’re in town I can take you to dinner there so you can meet the owner. It might make you feel better about the arrangement.”
“I guess we could do that.”
He’d hoped for a little bit more excitement in her voice, buthe’d made it sound more like a favor than a date. Maybe she’d have reacted the same way if he’d asked her out point-blank. That sullied his mood. “It’s late. I better let you get back to your book.”
“Yeah, I have to get up early in the morning. I’ve got a job now. I’m driving seniors to appointments as a way to get my foot in the door, and it’s been an easy way to learn my way around town. Anyway, they might have some openings where I can put my nursing degree back to good use.”
From bad to worse. He wished he’d ended the call sooner, or maybe not called at all. There was no salvaging this day. He’d hoped she’d end up back in Richmond or at least closer, where they might have more of a chance to interact and build their friendship… or more.
“Today,” she went on, “I found this great lookout point up on the ridge. I sat there sketching for hours. It was really inspiring. I can’t even put into words how beautiful it was.”
“You’ll have to show me sometime.”
“Definitely. You can see for miles. It was pretty spectacular.”
You’re pretty spectacular.But he kept that to himself. The bounce in her voice was new. She sounded relaxed. Happy. Maybe she was just excited about the new lead. He hoped the lead was more successful than his attempt to ask her out.
“Let’s plan that visit soon,” he said, unwilling to let the call end without something positive.
“You’re the one with the busy schedule,” she reminded him. “You let me know when and we’ll make it happen.”
“I’m overdue for some fishing.”
“You know where to find me.”
“I’ll look into this lead. It makes sense that the truck wasdown in Williamsburg, and the storage place was in Virginia Beach if he’s in the Outer Banks. That would be kind of between here and there.”
“I hope so.”
“Me too. I’m up to my ears in cases with Hutchens out of the office, but I’m going to try to make a couple calls on this in the morning. I’ll check my calendar and we can set that fishing date too.”
“Looking forward to it. Thanks, Randy. It was good talking to you.”
“You can call me anytime you get bored in that sleepy little town and don’t have anyone to give a ride to.”
Her laugh was light. “I’ll do that. Bye.”
He hung up his phone and lay there. It would be easier to put in for a day off after the workload he’d been handling this week. Sooner rather than later. He needed to make that happen, and see if the feelings in his gut about this gal were real. Unable to shake her from his mind, he slept right there on the couch that night.
When he woke up the next morning, he was still on the couch in his dress pants and shirt from the day before. He didn’t even remember falling asleep. Talking to Natalie had been a nice way to end his day.
Waking up with her on his mind was even better. Eager to make some calls about the information she’d given him last night, he sat up. He’d be lying to himself if he put Natalie in the same category as all his other cases. He was drawn to her in a way he’d never experienced, and maybe it was time to passher case to someone else just to be sure it was done with a clear head. But then, what if they let it sit?
He had some things to figure out, and the sooner the better.
Since it wasn’t quite five o’clock in the morning yet and it was still dark outside, he headed to the gym, which was about the only option at this hour.
He changed into workout clothes and carried a suit to change into.
There were perks to getting up this early. Randy finished his workout in record time with no waiting for equipment, and when he got to the precinct the break room smelled of fresh coffee.
He poured a cup and made the second pot so whoever came in next wouldn’t have to wait either.
The stack of teetering folders on his desk made him sigh. At least the paperwork was up to date online. There was still a lot of paper in their precinct. Hopefully at some point they’d get everything online.
