It Had to Be Him (29 page)

Josh pushed Haley in the swing at the park as he waited for Eric to finish up at the dentist’s office. He stared into people’s faces as they strolled past the town square, looking for the person Watts promised to send during the celebration. The agent would be dressed as a tourist, casually window-shopping, scoping things out before they made their move.

Then he spotted her. Watts had done that on purpose, the bastard. Of all the agents in their department, he sent a woman Josh used to hook up with occasionally between missions before he’d met Meg.

Evans met his gaze and lifted her chin slightly in greeting before turning to stare at the display in the T-shirt shop’s window.

It was go time. Time to find out what was going to happen if Megan’s father was sent to jail, and how Meg would react when she learned of his role.

And there was Meg now, strolling toward them with a big smile on her face. She surprised him when she threw herself at
him, wrapped her legs around his waist, and planted a noisy kiss on his mouth. “I found homes for both the pups and you’ll never believe what just happened!”

Josh glanced over Meg’s shoulder in time to spot Evans and the sneer on her face before she moved on to the next shop.

Meg grabbed his face with both hands, forcing his attention back to her. “Hey. You’ve got the ‘old Josh’ look on your face. What’s the matter?”

He forced a smile. “The ‘old Josh’ look? What’s that?” He needed to pull it together. Get his head in the game. He couldn’t afford to be responsible for blowing the one mission that would finally set him free.

“The look where you get all serious and distracted. Something wrong?”

Haley called out, “Push, Daddy!”

He sent Haley flying so high she giggled as Meg slid down his body. “I was just thinking it was taking Eric an awful long time. Maybe I’d better go check on him now that you’re here to watch Haley?”

“Okay.” Meg frowned like she didn’t believe him. But after giving Haley another push, a smile slowly lit Meg’s face. “Mrs. Jenkins took the other puppy. Tara will be glad to know. Tell her, will you?”

“Yep.” He gave her a quick kiss. “Be right back.”

Relief filled him as he turned to go check on Eric. Seemed Meg believed him after all. He was so damned tired of lying to her. Hopefully in a few days it’d all be done with and he could finally start his life over.

His phoned buzzed with a text from Watts.
Hey, didn’t catch the time the movie starts. Hope it’s not three hours long.

He wanted Josh to let him know when the mayor was giving his speech and how long Evans had to get the task completed. Josh
was trying to steer clear of the whole thing, but it made sense to help this one last time.
Need to check showtimes.

After he put his phone away and crossed the street, he felt her presence. They weren’t out of Meg’s sight yet, so Evans stayed just behind him.

She said softly, “I’ve missed you, Sam. Let’s get together after.”

Megan and Watts were the only ones who knew his real name before. Even among his fellow agents. He’d wanted to leave his old life completely behind. But the wariness and the deeply buried vulnerability in Megan’s gaze when they’d first met made him need to tell her the truth. At least about his name. Even if he’d had to lie to her about everything else.

He increased his pace. “Negative.”

After tugging Tara’s office door open, he walked inside and then took a second to compose himself.

Evans could be trouble. She might not know he’d quit and think he was undercover playing a part. Hopefully she’d take his curt response for what it was meant to be and leave when she was done planting the tracking software.

Tara had told him to go on back when he returned, so he ventured past the empty receptionist’s desk and the torture chairs. He found Eric and Tara laughing and playing with her puppy on the floor in her office.

Eric’s cheeks had turned red when Tara smiled at him when they’d first met. He obviously wasn’t too young to appreciate a pretty woman.

But Tara had fear in her eyes when she’d greeted him. Someone had hurt her. Probably someone Josh’s size. So now he pasted on a friendly smile. “How’d it go, guys?”

Tara turned and looked at his chin as her smile faded. “We fixed his cracked tooth, so he should start feeling better soon. But his x-rays showed a few other problem areas we should see to right away.”

Eric’s face turned panicked. “I don’t know if I have enough money to pay you. Maybe I can ask my grandmother?”

Before Josh could tell Eric not to worry about it, he’d cover it, Tara said, “Well, how about a payment plan? I’m going to need someone to walk my puppy now and then while I’m busy seeing patients. We’ll work something out.” Tara stuck her hand out for a shake. “Deal?”

Eric smiled and returned her shake. “Deal.” Holding her hand pinked up Eric’s cheeks again, so he quickly hopped up and stood beside Josh.

Josh gave Eric’s shoulder a sympathetic squeeze. It was tough to be ten and crushing on an older woman.

When the boy didn’t flinch at his touch, Josh left his hand on Eric’s shoulder. “Meg said to tell you Mrs. Jenkins took the other pup.”

Tara stood and finally looked him straight in the eyes. “That’s great. You guys have fun at the dinner this evening.” She quickly turned and picked up her dog.

He had an overwhelming urge to look into her situation, to be sure she wasn’t still in danger, but he quickly shut it down.

He was almost done with that part of his life.

Forever.

W
ith Haley on her hip, Meg led the way through the pouring rain toward the high school’s steps for the Founder’s Day celebration. Josh and Eric jogged closely behind. Her father expected the family to be in place first, so the parking lot was empty and they found a spot right up front. She hadn’t taken the extra time to get all fixed up just so the rain could ruin her makeup, so she powered forward.

As they approached the big set of doors, she expected Josh to move ahead and open it for her like he usually did, but he was busy with his phone. Again.

He’d been engrossed with his phone ever since the park. Had she spoken too soon when she’d told the girls Josh had changed?

Meg switched Haley to her other hip, then yanked the heavy door, and they all entered the quiet building. With Eric’s wet sneakers squeaking against the highly polished floors and Josh bringing up the rear, they trooped past long rows of lockers. Eric walked beside her, his head swiveling back and forth, checking things out. He was a curious kid. Always asking questions. Just like her nephews.

But it was kind of embarrassing the lanky ten-year-old was almost as tall as she was. Even in her heels. “I hope you’re hungry,
Eric. There’s going to be a ton of food and tables loaded with yummy desserts. And you can go back as many times as you like. It’s all on my dad, so eat up.” Josh had told her earlier how Eric was worried about money, so she wanted to be sure he knew the food was free. The kid needed to put some meat on his skinny frame.

Eric grinned. “Thanks. This is a big school for a small town, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. We’re one of the few towns around with a high school. Kids from all the surrounding areas get bussed in. My dad fought hard to have it built here.”

It hadn’t been an easy battle. Her father had donated the land on the edge of town and spent many hours lobbying the state school board on behalf of Anderson Butte. Her dad wasn’t
all
bad.

“I was in the first class to ever go through all four years.” She detoured them down a wide side hallway to the front of a big glass case that held various awards. Pointing to some in the back, she said, “I still hold two school records no one has been able to break. In track and field, and swimming.” She pointed out her picture, smiling and sopping wet, holding up a medal. “See, Haley? That’s Mommy when I was younger.”

Haley nodded but couldn’t have cared less.

Eric’s face scrunched as he studied the engraved plaques. “Wow. After
all
these years, no one has ever broken your records? That’s awesome!”

“Hey. It’s only been ten. I’m not that old!”

Eric surprised her when he smiled shyly and said, “Just teasing. It’s really cool.”

Her sports records were the only thing she could be proud of from her high school days. She wouldn’t tell Eric, but she probably still held the record for most hours in detention too.

Josh stood behind them, his fingers still flying over his phone, just like he used to. Was the phone-obsessed Josh surfacing again?

She’d had enough.

“Who’ve you been texting all day?”

His head whipped up and he sent her a weak smile. “People from my old work. There’s a problem with something I used to be in charge of. Just helping out.” He quickly slid his phone in his back pocket again. “So, how’s this whole deal work? Will it last long?”

Was he on some sort of time schedule all of the sudden? “Normally, it’s outside on the football field. Everyone eats and plays games while my dad carries on over the stadium’s PA system. Afterward, we watch a fireworks show my brothers take great pride in putting on.

“But since it’s dumping rain it’ll all be inside. We’ll get our food from the cafeteria and then everyone goes to the gym to sit on the bleachers and eat while my dad bores everyone to tears. Haley and I will have to sit up front on the raised dais with the rest of my family.”

Josh nodded. “So . . . what? A couple of hours, then?”

“Got big plans after or something? There’s no set time, we just eat and visit until we’re done. Small town, remember?”

“Sure.” He turned and punched Eric lightly on the shoulder. “Want to try and set a new school record of our own for the most plates of food consumed?”

So Josh
had
been listening earlier. And he’d put his phone away and was interested in the plans. Maybe she was just being paranoid about the whole thing.

Eric sent an elbow to Josh’s ribs. “Bet I can beat a lightweight like you.”

“You’re on.” He held his knuckles out for a bump.

When Eric tapped his fist against Josh’s, Meg smiled. That was probably Josh’s sneaky way of getting some meat on Eric’s bones.

The kid was going to fit in with them just fine for the summer.

Hopefully the paperwork would get settled so Eric wouldn’t have to go back to that ranch.

Keeping an eye on the mayor to be sure he stayed put while Evans planted the tracking software, Josh held back a wince when Eric suggested just one more brownie. He was going to hurl if he had another bite of anything. Where did the kid put it all?

“No can do.” He held up his palm for a high five. “You win.”

“Yes!” Eric slapped Josh’s hand and grinned from ear to ear. “Be right back.”

As soon as Eric left, Zeke took the vacated seat next to Josh on the wooden bleachers.

“Granger. How’s it going?”

“Great. The food was fantastic.” He’d have to run five extra miles to make up for all he’d eaten.

Zeke slowly nodded. “I’ve been thinking about something I’d like to talk to you about.”

“Sure. What’s up?”

Zeke cleared his throat and sat up straighter. “I don’t have any children to pass my business on to, and I’ve worked too hard to let one of my numbskull nephews run it into the ground, so I’ve been putting off my retirement. But, now that you’re here, and have taken to the work like a duck to water, I was wondering if you’d consider letting me help you get certified to work on helicopters so I can finally retire? Then after that, I’d like to hand over my business to you. You’d keep all you earn.”

Josh started to speak, but nothing but air passed his lips. Shock that anyone would be so kind to him, offer him something so huge, rendered him . . . amazed. “What would your family
think of that, Zeke? Me running your shop and keeping all the profits?”

He shrugged. “None of their business. And you might be surprised how much my shop brings in. All the equipment is paid for, so you’d make plenty for your new family, and maybe even some extra so you can help a few more kids like Eric.”

He’d love to run the shop as long as he could find a way to help kids like Eric too. It’d be the best of both worlds, but things were going to get complicated very soon. “Zeke, I don’t—”