The Stone Family Heart - Taylor Hart Page 0,15

with the volume low. He looked freshly showered too, and he was holding a glass of wine.

Tim didn’t like the guy. There was something too polished about the way he spoke and the casual way he acted like he already knew them.

Their eyes met, and Mr. Banks looked back to the television. Surly. It was a weird look for a dot-commer. More like a criminal kind of look. Tim turned away, not acknowledging the man. He didn’t like new people. That was part of the reason he’d left town and joined the Marines in the first place. He had hoped some worldly experience would cure him of that. But oddly enough, he found himself not liking new people more and more. It wasn’t a great quality, but at times like these, he had to trust his intuition.

Right now, his intuition screamed that the guy was a thug.

Lucy and Kensi were talking at the speed of light, the way women did when they were excited and scared and their adrenaline was hyped up. Tatum stuck to her father’s side, and Matt spoke animatedly to the women as well.

Tim caught a snippet of conversation—Lucy was telling Kensi about her cat, which she was holding like a baby.

Tim rolled his eyes as he moved to Kensi’s side. Pathetic.

“Did she tell you that she risked all of our lives for that stinking cat?” He doubted he would forgive Lucy for that anytime soon.

Lucy pulled in a huge breath. “Tim, I swear. You have a bad attitude and it’s been noticeable in this town.”

It was their usual sparring fare. “Hmph.”

“She just got through telling me how you didn’t even flinch,” Kensi said; she seemed enthusiastic about the story. “You just hoisted yourself up there, got the cat, dropped the cat, and you were off.”

Matt laughed, looking flustered. “I’m not as nimble as you, and …” He trailed off, staring at Lucy.

The man was completely whipped.

“You shouldn’t have allowed them to stay there like that for a cat,” Tim told Matt.

Sheepish, Matt looked at the floor. “I tried to talk her into leaving, but Tatum wouldn’t let it go, either.”

Tatum moved from her father’s side to Lucy’s, petting the cat. “We love Aphrodite, and that storm would have killed her.” She shot Tim an accusing look.

The timer went off on the oven.

“I have pizza.” Kensi rushed into the kitchen. Apparently, she’d taken it upon herself to cook some frozen pizzas. Tim appreciated that; he was starving.

“I’ll help you.” Lucy gently gave the cat to Tatum and moved into the kitchen.

Matt turned to Tim. “I’m really sorry, man. I tried to get them to go, but the more I pushed …”

“The more stubborn she got.” Tim knew it; he’d dealt with Lucy his whole life. “I remember trying to color with her and share crayons in second grade, and she was just the same.” Gingerly, he reached out and patted Aphrodite’s head. The cat purred like an engine.

Tatum grinned. “She likes you, Uncle Tim.”

It warmed his heart to hear the child call him “Uncle Tim.” It wasn’t a title he’d imagined he’d have. He bent and lightly tugged on her ponytail. “Well.” His tone was easier now. “She may like me, and I like her, but …” He touched Tatum’s nose. “I like you more, so if it’s between your life and Aphrodite’s life, I choose you.”

The little girl giggled, wrapping one arm around him. “Lucy said that you’d be ticked but that you’d come and save all of us.”

Warmth blossomed through his chest, easing his anger at the situation. He grinned at the little girl. She’d had a hard year with the divorce of her parents. She was a good girl, and Matt was an amazing father. Lots of times, she spent her out of school time right at her father’s side on construction projects. Tim would often stop when he saw them and give her a treat or chat with her for a few minutes. Now that Trey and Ava were in South Port, they’d all become even closer. “I’m glad you’re safe,” he said, hugging her in return.

Matt swiveled to face the couch. “Sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”

This gave Mr. Banks a chance to stand and formally introduce himself, his plans, and the fact he was “richer than God.”

Matt laughed awkwardly, a clear sign that Mr. Banks had turned Matt off, too. “Well, that’s … I guess I’m glad you’re safe.”

“Let’s eat,” Kensi said, waving them all over and giving Tim a look.