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Her phone rattled again, and she picked it up, reading the text from Geo.
Deer. No threat.
She put the phone back down. “Well, as difficult as it may be now, we need some sleep.” She’d rather keep kissing Trevor, but dealing with Sharlene Murphy wasn’t fun on the best of days. “We’ve got to be sharp tomorrow.” She slid under the covers, knowing she’d sleep better with a joy-filled heart.
Trevor put the bags down at the ends of the bed and shuddered. “Just saying her name was enough to kill the moment.” He chuckled and sat on the other bed, his gaze running down her body under the blanket. “Well, almost. Enough that I can stay over here where I belong, anyway. For now.” He grinned and took off his left shoe, leaving his prosthetic leg on. “I can’t wait for this whole thing to be done, so we can start over.”
Sam turned on her side, fluffing the pillow under her head. “What are you going to do here, anyway? Other than fix up your house?”
“Move into yours?” He laughed, probably at her automatic frown at the thought of sharing her space, and flopped back on the bed, rolling to face her. “When I told Aviss I was resigning, she told me to wait. She wants to keep me. I can work out of the Missoula office when necessary. Maybe I’ll resign anyway and work as an independent contractor. That would give me a lot more flexibility.” He smiled. “I can work around your schedule and be there when you need me. Like the upcoming hearing with the abusive scumbag.” His smile died, then rekindled. “Or when one of us needs to stay home with a sick kid.”
Sam’s heart thudded, elation filling her. “Kids, huh?”
He held up a hand. “Only if you want them. But yeah, I’d love to have a little girl just like you.”
Sam laughed but couldn’t help imagining the weight of a baby in her arms, the sweet smell rising, with a funny little smile between chubby cheeks. “You remember what we were like at sixteen, right?” They’d been crazy for each other, finding make-out spots everywhere and driving their parents wild.
He snorted. “I’ve got better weapons handling skills than either of our fathers. Those boys won’t stand a chance.”
She smirked. “Or maybe we’ll just teach our kids what they’re worth and not let some stupid kid convince them otherwise.”
Trevor winced. “So much for that forgiveness, huh?”
“I forgive you.” Sam smiled. “I really do. But forgiving isn’t forgetting. Besides, it wasn’t entirely your fault. Our parents have a lot to be sorry for, too.”
Trevor reached out, and she put her hand in his. “We’ll do better.” He squeezed her fingers then released, letting her palm slide across his fingers.
His caress sent shivers down her spine. “We’ll do so much better.”
“But first, we need to make it through tomorrow.” He sighed and rolled on to his back. “Goodnight, love. Sleep well.”
“Goodnight.” Avoiding temptation, she turned away from him. But she felt the warmth of his love and the comfort of his protection. They’d sleep, survive, celebrate, and truly live the life they were meant to have—together.
On their way to the bank the next morning, Sam rubbed her hands together, trying to warm her chilly fingers.
Trevor took one hand off the wheel, enclosing her hands in his. “We’ll be fine, Sam. It’s a good plan, we’re wired, and they’ve already arrested the scum trying to enter the bank last night.”
“Sure. But what if Sharlene doesn’t want to turn? What if this whole thing is a trick to lure us in and she’s going to shoot us?”
“That’s a possibility.” Aviss’s voice was clear through the left ear bud hidden under her hair. “But if she really wanted to do that, she wouldn’t meet you at Marcus City Bank in the middle of the day. No, she’s got something else in mind. I’d bet it’s a bribe for your services, Sam. Trevor’s presence might put her off, but if you mention he’s looking for accounting clients, she’ll try to bring him in too. Then we’ve got her.”
“I’d rather get her on accessory to murder, or racketeering, or trafficking.” Trevor spun the wheel and pulled into the bank parking lot.
He drove to the back and backed into an end slot. Even if someone blocked their SUV with a vehicle, they could jump the curb and drive across the lawn. Damaging the grass would annoy Sharlene more than her daughter marrying Ryan. Sam smiled grimly. Well, maybe not, but it would come close.
“Showtime,” Aviss said. “Stick with the script.”
“Copy that.” Trevor put the vehicle in park but didn’t turn it off.
Sam dialed Murphy’s office number, Sharlene’s secretary answering. “Marcus City Bank, how may I help you?”
Sam replied, “Good morning, this is Samantha Kerr. I have an eleven o’clock with Ms. Murphy. I’m in a hurry, so I was wondering if she could come out and speak with me?”
“I hardly think so, Ms. Kerr. You can come in, or we’ll reschedule.”
Sam rolled her eyes. “I’ll be in shortly. But I am in a hurry. I’d appreciate it if she’d meet us in the lobby. I don’t work for the bank anymore, and I will not put up with a lecture for whatever Ms. Murphy believes I’ve done wrong this time. Tell her I’m not setting foot in her office. If she wants to ream me out that badly, she can make an appointment with my secretary in my office.”
Her secretary huffed. “Really, Ms. Kerr, that’s inappropriate. But I’ll pass on your request for speed.” The line went dead.
