of these players. When all this goes down and people start digging, they won’t even know I exist, let alone that I’d have a motive or means by which to play a part. That means I should be doing all the leg work, and you should be focused on Jules and Betty.” Piper knew she was overestimating her abilities and oversimplifying the risk, but if she didn’t believe she could do it, then who would?
“What about Michael? Is he someone you think we can trust?” Bobby left the question hanging there between them. He didn’t try to argue why he thought Michael could be trusted; he wanted to hear Piper’s opinion.
“I trust Michael. He’s a good friend and through his work I’ve come to believe he’s a principled and reliable man. The problem is he thinks this type of thing is a disservice to the greater good. He’s had ample opportunity to take on situations like this in his career, and I think he’s turned a blind eye because he believes doing his job is his best bet for holding people accountable. I don’t think he’d be interested even if we talked to him, but I don’t doubt he could be trusted,” Piper said, pulling her sweater closed as a small chill overtook her body. The nights had finally started to cool. That didn’t matter though, because even if it were snowing, which it rarely did in North Carolina, she’d still stay out as long as she could, swinging with Bobby.
There was something sexy in the rhythm of his legs while rocking them both along. She rarely let her own feet hit the ground while they sat. She would kick off her shoes and curl her legs up close to her body. She liked that he did all the work, that he didn’t mind keeping them both moving. It reminded her that Bobby was the kind of man who would gladly carry the heavier load when you needed him. You could fall—eyes closed, arms open—and know he’d be there every time to catch you. He’d keep the swing moving, he’d drive the truck, and he’d agree to help you carry out the most outrageous plan even though it went against his instincts. Piper recalled Jules’s wise words from months earlier. Bobby was the kind of man you make room for in your life.
“Here,” Bobby said, standing up and shaking himself out of his uniform jacket. “My adrenaline is pumping so much I don’t need it.” Piper leaned forward and Bobby wrapped his coat around her shoulders. The way the jacket completely enveloped her made her feel instantly warm and comfortable and seemed like the perfect metaphor for how this house and everyone in it was making her feel. She had no idea how this would play out, but she knew for certain when it was all over she wanted to be sitting right here with all of them.
Bobby smiled at the sight of Piper cuddled under his coat. He let his mind wander for a moment to the idea of her wearing only his coat, or maybe one of his shirts, waking up at his place. But he cleared his mind and throat as he continued on. “I think Michael would help if we asked him. I had a good read on him that night outside the bar, and I know you’re not going to like this, but I’ve had a few conversations with him since. He actually called me on Wednesday. I was pulling in here for dinner, and he caught me off guard. I thought something may have happened to you. He wanted to let me know you seemed to be cooling off a little bit and you hadn’t been on a date with a single Donavan since I had seen you last. He told me that if I really cared about you it was time to get over myself and call you. He warned me if I didn’t make my move he couldn’t continue to keep you from falling in love with him. He said it was a lot of work and he was getting tired of your constant advances.” Bobby couldn’t hold back his laugh as he recounted the conversation with Michael. “I think if we ask him, he’ll help. I think it’s the kind of guy he is. I also may have done a background check on him after I met him that first time.” Bobby saw Piper’s eyes narrow. “Don’t give me that look.