“I have a car.”

“Great! I’ll see you here at seven.”

Long after she rushed out of the room, Bill strolled in. “You ready, brother?”

He looked at his best friend. “Yeah.”

“We’re all talking about doing one of those walking tours tonight.”

“Sorry. I already have plans.”

Bill put a hand on his arm. “You aren’t serious.”

Rick turned to face him fully. “I am dead serious.”

Bill tapped a finger against his chest. “You are out of your mind. Do you know that? Did you not listen to a word I said?”

“Relax, Bill. Even Peña thinks it’s a good thing. And it’s his job to keep us on the straight and narrow path.” At the black look that crossed Bill’s face, he realized something. “You’re jealous.”

His friend took a step back. “Shut up.”

“You are. Of course. You had a lot of personalized attention from Cynthia. And since some misplaced propriety has kept you from asking her out, you think I should be bound by the same rules.” He stepped closer to Bill. “I can’t believe you’re being that selfish.”

Bill’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not good enough for her. None of us are.” He held his hands up. “Look at this place. This is where she’s from. This is her world. How do you plan to fit in here, Kentucky boy?”

“I’ve never put stock in environment, Bill. I know you do.” He stepped close enough that the toes of their highly shined boots almost touched. “I’m sorry you didn’t feel good enough to ask her out, but it’s not going to stop me.”

“You need to take a step back.” Bill looked pointedly at Rick’s rank insignia and said, “Sir.”

They glared at each other for several moments before Rick stepped back. “Sorry, brother. Let’s get everyone rounded up.”

Chapter
Twenty-two

When Cynthia opened the door at seven, it pleased her to see that Rick had listened to her about casual clothes. He wore jeans and a light-blue button-down shirt that turned his green eyes almost sea-blue. She had on a loose-fitting sleeveless green top and a pair of white jeans.

She grinned widely at him. “Hello! Right on time.”

He stepped to the side as she walked out onto the porch. “I don’t have to come in and go through some ritual conversation with your parents?”

She raised her eyebrows. “I’m hardly a teenager, Rick. No ritual conversations required.”

He led the way down the steps to his car. She got in and he shut the door. As he climbed into the driver’s seat, he asked, “Where to?”