Matters of the heart are the most powerful issues to consider as we navigate through life. In Heart Shadows, the final book of the Dream Catcher Series, we're introduced to what might be a new budding romance. My loyal readers might have suspected I would bring Steve and Vanessa back since they're such interesting characters in Loving Night. But did you think they'd be together ... as a couple? Hmm. Will they or won't they?Here's a scene to tempt you.
Steve leaned past Vanessa and opened a drawer. He pulled out a large plastic bag, dumped the unclaimed brownies into it, and zipped it shut. He settled onto a stool and pushed the bag as far away from the poacher as he could.
“I didn’t mean to insult you,” he said sincerely. Vanessa shrugged and kept eating. “My point, that I obviously didn’t make very well, was that you were successful in getting a known criminal to fall in love with you, and I respect your talent and sacrifice because what you did was dangerous and difficult. I just think that you could use those same skills of persuasion to win over your team members. That would help your relationships with them as well as the investigation.”
“Hmm … con my coworkers into liking me. That sounds like a wonderful idea because, after all, I wouldn’t want anyone to get to know the real me and think that maybe Vanessa isn’t so bad, that maybe she actually is a likeable person.” She finally looked at Steve and wasn’t totally successful at hiding the hurt that mixed with her anger.
“Is that your recommendation, Supervisory Special Agent Steve McDaniels? That I don’t even bother making real friends? Because it’s easy being a female FBI Agent in a new city, in a position that other agents would kill for, and a situation where I have to prove—again—that I’m more than just a pretty body that could con and betray a criminal, right? It’s no big deal that people think female agents who go deep under like I did are liars and whores who naturally fit into those roles.” She spread her hands in a gesture of surrender. “I honestly didn’t expect that from a man who has led undercover operations that I respected and was excited to be working with.” She stood and pulled her keys from a front pocket. “I thought … What I thought doesn’t matter.”
She looked around for Chaz and Stephanie so that she could say good-bye, but they’d obviously slipped away at some point during her quiet rant.
“Special Agent Long, please sit down.” Steve stood and waved a hand toward the stool she had just vacated.
“Are you seriously going to pull rank?” Fire flashed in her eyes for the man who towered over her by at least six inches and was addressing her in the same tone he uses in the office.
“No, but you’re going to sit down and hear me out the same way I listened to what you had to say. Now sit. Please.”
“I prefer to stand.” She crossed her arms and glared at him.
In less than two seconds, Steve had grabbed her shoulders, pushed her down onto the stool, and caged her in by placing his hands on either side of her tense body. He could almost feel the heat rolling off her.
“You’re going to sit and you’re going to listen.” He stared into her eyes and remained silent until he saw acquiescence there. When he spoke again, his voice was softer in both tone and volume.
“Everything you said about the way people perceive you and how difficult it can be to regain the respect of other agents after you’ve been deep undercover is true. I wasn’t thinking about any of that when I made my flippant suggestion, and for that I apologize.” He shook his head slowly without breaking eye contact. “I didn’t mean to hurt you as an agent or as a woman. I’ve never thought any of those things where you’re concerned, and I promise that you have earned and will always have my complete respect.
“You weren’t supposed to know this, but I quietly fought to bring you to Cincinnati. I found out about you from Chaz when your investigations crossed in Kentucky. I followed your case and admired your commitment and professionalism. When I watched the video of the arrest of Damien Granger, I didn’t only see a beautiful woman who had conned and betrayed a criminal. I saw a powerful and strong agent who deserves the promotion you’ve been given and you should never have to defend your integrity again—you’ve given more than most people can imagine.
“There weren’t any opportunities for you in Indianapolis or St. Louis, so I helped to make one here. When Pete Richards, who happens to be a friend, mentioned that he was thinking about retiring, we manipulated a few procedures and relationships so that you would get his position. That’s how much I admire and respect you. So, I’m going to ask you again, Vanessa, to please forgive me.”
“Okay,” she whispered after a long silence. “You’re forgiven.”
Steve could read the conflicting and confusing emotions behind her eyes. He forced himself to step back. There was so much more that he wanted to say but knew he couldn’t. No, he didn’t only see her as a beautiful woman who had seduced and conned a criminal; but he definitely didn’t just see her as an amazing agent either.
“As a peace offering, I’ll even let you take all of the brownies.”
Vanessa smiled and shook her head. “Sir, you really need to do something about your addiction.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and took another step back. He definitely needed to get himself under control. “Give me a minute and I’ll walk you to your car.”
When she stood and twirled her keys around in her hand, Steve grabbed the bag of brownies, unzipped it, and shoved the ones she’d neatly stacked on her napkin in with the others. He dampened a paper towel and wiped off the counter before announcing that he was ready to leave.
“You’re really taking those brownies?” Vanessa had re-crossed her arms and was staring at him.
“What? I agreed that I need to do something about my addiction. That doesn’t mean I’m going to start today. It would be sacrilegious to let these go to waste.” Steve didn’t crack a smile.
“Seriously?” Vanessa marched over to the drawer she’d seen him open earlier and procured a second plastic bag. Holding it out to him, she said, “If you’re not leaving them here, then you’re going to share.” She raised an impatient eyebrow when he didn’t move to take the bag.
“Damn, you’re bossy.” He frowned but his eyes held warmth and admiration.
“I’m a federal agent; what do you expect?” She held the bag open while he retrieved the ones he’d wrapped in her napkin and dumped them into it.
“Good. Now you can walk me to my car.”
Steve didn’t let her see him roll his eyes and bite back a smile as he followed her out of the kitchen.
