When had it started? Joe had come back into her life and turned everything upside down.
'Logan’s done everything he could to make things easier for me, and yet he didn’t interfere.
Not like some people I know.'
'That’s his mistake. He always took the slow, civilized approach where you were concerned.'
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'The intelligent approach.'
Joe just smiled.
She wanted to slap him.
'Sorry. Actually, I’m feeling fairly mellow toward Logan, and I shouldn’t fault him. For years I made the same mistake. There’s only one difference between us.' His tone was suddenly no longer light. 'He doesn’t want you enough. You’re not his center. He wouldn’t do anything to get you. That’s why he’ll lose.' He swung the wheel and the car coasted through the entrance gates of a pleasant little park. 'And that’s why I’ll win.' He parked at the side of the road. 'Now, stop thinking and relax. We’re here.'
She looked at him in bewilderment. 'Where?'
'Lunch.' He nodded at a food cart parked by the playground a few yards ahead. 'Galindo’s.
Herb says they make the best fajitas in Phoenix.' He pulled a pair of sunglasses from the glove compartment and reached for a black straw hat from the backseat. 'Put these on. You’ll look like Madonna incognito.'
'You’ve got to be crazy.'
'Just hungry. I thought it would be nice to sit on one of those park benches, eat, and people-watch.' He got out of the car. 'It’s too nice a day to be cooped up inside.' It was a nice day, and she didn’t want to quarrel with him. She wanted to relax
and try not to think of Logan or Dom. Tomorrow would be soon enough. Tomorrow they might have the photograph.
Eve and Joe were sitting on a park bench, eating Mexican food, as if they hadn’t a care in the world. She was smiling as she leaned toward Quinn and wiped a corner of his mouth.
Her entire attitude was subtly different today, Dom thought. Hope?
Perhaps. She had found Debby Jordan.
Dom had no objection to hope. He had wanted to drag the search out a little longer, let the tension build and the relationship with Jane MacGuire grow, but he could deal with optimism.
The fall was always greater when you’d climbed to the top. Perhaps it was even better that she’d found the woman so soon. Things were going to move fast from now on, and he’d be walking a tightrope. Excitement seared through him at the thought.
But pitting himself against Eve Duncan was more exhilarating still. She was evolving, toughening, changing just as he had changed. It was interesting to observe and know that he was responsible.
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So hope was fine.
But there was something else going on with her…
Watch her. Body language almost always told the story. If he studied her, it would come to him.
He had begun to know her very well.
It would come to him.
Sarah and Jane met Eve and Joe in the driveway.
Monty ran toward Eve, wagging his tail, when she opened the car door. She gently patted his head. 'He looks better.'
'He is. Thank God.' Sarah gestured and Monty ran back to her. 'Nice lunch?”
“Very nice. Fajitas and chili,' Joe answered. 'I think Eve enjoyed it much more than your Monty would have. I was tempted to bring him a doggy bag, but Eve convinced me it wouldn’t be wise.'
'I would have murdered you. Monty gets gas.”
“Have you been running all this time?'
'No, Jane and I had a picnic.' She smiled at the little girl. 'Jane said she couldn’t remember the last time she had a picnic lunch.'
Jane shrugged. 'No big deal. Just a lot of ants and dirt in the sandwiches.' Sarah shook her head. 'You’re tough.'
“Well, I guess Monty liked the picnic.”
“Because you fed your roast beef to him.'
'You told him to take it, and he needed it. He hasn’t eaten much lately.' Jane headed for the front door. 'Come on, Monty. I’ll give you some water.'
Monty didn’t move.
