I glanced at Carolina. They must have been on a date.
“Thanks for coming,” I said. “I think we may have some news for you.”
She stepped inside, then looked around. “Where are the guys?”
“I didn’t call them.”
She looked at me. “My cousin said word around the station is that they did the overprotective alpha male thing at the scene today. Are you angry with them?”
“I’m not really comfortable talking about this. Can I get you both something to drink?”
She pulled out her phone. “I know they can be, well, themselves. But I also see something with the three of you. This really does affect them too. Can I please call them?”
“I did bring two pies,” Carolina said.
I knew I wanted to see them. “It was embarrassing.”
“Let me ask you something. When you got the call about the bomb at the library, didn’t you worry about the guys?”
I remembered the second of shock and paralysis before I moved to get on the ambulance. I had thought about Burris being there and I wanted to get there quickly to make sure he was okay. I didn’t want to say that in front of her.
Rhonda studied my face, then made the call.
“I’d hate to be a criminal interrogated by you,” I grumbled.
Bryan laughed, and put his hand on Rhonda’s back while she talked to Greg.
***
We’d all eaten dinner by the time the guys arrived an hour later. I opened the door while the others were on the back patio, wanting a minute along with them.
Burris was holding a small gift bag. I wanted to roll my eyes and tell them they couldn’t keep giving me gifts, but then I saw it was a stethoscope.
“We’d meant to give this to you before your first day, but you were hired so fast,” Greg said, kissing me on the cheek as I stood there holding the perfect gift.
“It’s engraved,” Burris said. “I did it so we could get it to you faster but I’m a bit out of practice.”
There was a rough and medical heartbeat symbol, with B&G below it. I felt tears.
“I’m sorry we were overprotective today,” Greg’s voice was low.
“Have you ever said that to anyone before?” I teased, blinking back tears. One spilled down my cheek anyway.
Greg wiped it off with the pad of his thumb. “No, I haven’t. You are representing a lot of firsts for us.”
Burris kissed my mouth. “I could only think about you when we heard the bomb go off.”
I hiccupped. “I panicked when the call for the library came in, knowing you were there.”
I pulled them both close, and we stood there a moment.
“Good. Can we have pie now?” Rhoda said from the back porch, where I hadn’t realized everyone could see clear to the front hallway, where we were standing.
“Is that strawberry rhubarb?” Greg asked as we all crowded into the kitchen to get our pie. “That’s my favorite.”
I looked up at Carolina, who was avoiding my gaze.
“And you know I’ll never say no to your chocolate pie, Carolina,” Burris added.
