They were standing looking at Phil’s café, where his sister worked. For some reason he felt calmer with this woman at his side. Calm even though he was talking about something that usually he avoided even thinking about.

“My dad was pretty cool, though.”

“I like him, always have.”

“He’s a good man, just too soft.”

She laughed. It was a husky sound that rolled up and down his spine. Sweet, he thought, very, very sweet.

“There is nothing wrong with being soft.”

“Yes there is, because people tend to walk all over you in heavy boots,” Dylan added.

“Not always.”

“I spoke with her.”

“Who?”

“Mom.”

“About what?”

“Her persecution of the Trainer family for supposed wrongdoings... that were actually my wrongdoings.”

“I bet that went down well.”

They started walking again, toward the café.

“Not so much, but I’ll keep working on it.”

She took the step up when they reached it, and then turned to face him. The day was cool, and she wore a fitted deep green sweater under her wool jacket, and it hugged her lovely curves, dipping to a V at the neck. Her scarf was a lighter green that made those Trainer eyes pop. Tight black jeans added to one hell of a package, Dylan conceded, but then she could wear a sack and look hot.

“You do that. And now I have a café to run.”

“As it turns out, I need a coffee.”

“You just had a scone, why didn’t you drink tea with it?”

“I’m a big boy. I need constant nutrition, and I do not drink tea. No good, self-respecting FBI agent would.”

“You drank tea with the seniors.”

“I was being polite, plus it got me Pearl’s meatballs and sauce recipe.”

She had to laugh then.

“Do you love your work, Dylan?”

“Mostly.”

“But some parts of it must leave a really nasty stain on your soul,” she said softly.

Her words couldn’t have been more accurate.

“Sure. It’s not all like the TV shows and movies. And there’s a lot of paperwork.”

Her smile did strange things inside Dylan, which sent a warning shot through him.

“I’m sure it’s not. I mean let’s face it, no way in hell could there be that many sexy men and women in one place, all working together in perfect harmony.”

“Yes, it’s hard being the only one.”

Piper’s laugh was loud and full, and his own lips twitched to respond. She turned to head inside. Dylan followed.

The café was busy, the white chairs and tables mostly full. One wall was covered completely in plants, all hanging from pots, and the others held modern artwork.