other, but jobs kept them in different spaces. Pax was the marketing director for a genetic lab based in San Diego. He used to run one of the labs, but he was happier after the move to the PR position. “Fewer test tubes and more people,” as he explained.
And seeing as Bigfoot didn’t often hang around in downtown San Diego, moving was not really an option for any of them.
“But we are all still agreed that we’re retiring together at Catalina Island, right?” Tess asked.
“We’re in,” Pax said. “Now let’s eat.”
Fifteen minutes later, they were seated at a quiet Italian restaurant. Tess grabbed a roll from the bread basket. “So, what’s going on at work?”
“Oh, same old—except there was a big hubbub about a paternity test that was done at the lab involving an unnamed celebrity,” Pax said. “The media has been camped out trying to get the name. I’ve been fielding calls all week. It’s been a zoo.”
“And he’s loving every minute of it,” Shawn said.
Pax grinned. “That I am.”
Tess smiled as she watched the easy camaraderie between the two. She’d had that with her fiancée, David, too. It had been as if they could read each other’s minds. The thought of David still hurt. Three years after his death, though, she was finally able to think about him without debilitating sadness. Now it was merely an ache, one that, she knew, would never completely go away. He had been young, and kind, and hers. And a drunk driver had taken him away.
Her phone rang, jarring her back to the present.
Shawn frowned. “I thought the no-phone rule was in place.”
“Sorry. But I’m waiting to hear on a grant.” She read the name on her screen and stood up. “Holy crap. It’s them.”
“Go get ’em,” Pax called after her as she made for the quieter balcony.
Steeling herself, Tess answered. “Hello?”
“Dr. Brannick, Thaddeus Regan here.”
“Mr. Regan. Nice to hear from you again.”
“Yes, you as well. Mr. Hayes has decided to fund your research for two years. At the end of two years, depending on how the research is progressing, he will have an option to extend. Five hundred thousand dollars annually is the amount we have reached. Would that be acceptable to you?”
Tess’s head spun. Five hundred thousand dollars . She could get new cameras, maybe hire an assistant, afford electricity and food. Holy cow . “Um, yes, yes. That is acceptable.”
“Excellent. I’ve emailed you a copy of the contract. Please review it, have it notarized, and send it back to the address listed within the week. Mr. Hayes looks forward to sharing your research successes.”
Thaddeus disconnected the call without waiting for a reply. But that was fine with Tess, because she wasn’t sure she was going to be able to form one. She walked back to the table in a daze.
Pax took her hand as she resumed her seat. “Tess?”
She looked over at him and saw the concern on his face. Shaking herself from her shock, she said, “I’ve been funded for two years by Carter Hayes.”
Both Shawn and Pax went quiet, then both got up and hugged her.
“I am so proud of you,” Pax said.
“I knew you could do it,” Shawn said.
The waiter appeared. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”
Pax grinned. “Margaritas all around. We’re celebrating.”
CHAPTER 10
T he next afternoon, Tess got off the plane at Susanville Municipal Airport with a groan. The sun was awfully bright. She said a silent thank-you that she hadn’t driven herself to the airport.
Last night, she, Pax, and Shawn had celebrated with margaritas. Lots of margaritas. They’d left Pax’s car at the restaurant and taken a cab back to his and Shawn’s place. This morning, Tess had then had to rush to the hotel to grab her stuff, check out, and get to the airport.
Now her head pounded as she made her way past the gates at baggage claim. A tall brunette in khaki slacks and a sweater made her way over
And seeing as Bigfoot didn’t often hang around in downtown San Diego, moving was not really an option for any of them.
“But we are all still agreed that we’re retiring together at Catalina Island, right?” Tess asked.
“We’re in,” Pax said. “Now let’s eat.”
Fifteen minutes later, they were seated at a quiet Italian restaurant. Tess grabbed a roll from the bread basket. “So, what’s going on at work?”
“Oh, same old—except there was a big hubbub about a paternity test that was done at the lab involving an unnamed celebrity,” Pax said. “The media has been camped out trying to get the name. I’ve been fielding calls all week. It’s been a zoo.”
“And he’s loving every minute of it,” Shawn said.
Pax grinned. “That I am.”
Tess smiled as she watched the easy camaraderie between the two. She’d had that with her fiancée, David, too. It had been as if they could read each other’s minds. The thought of David still hurt. Three years after his death, though, she was finally able to think about him without debilitating sadness. Now it was merely an ache, one that, she knew, would never completely go away. He had been young, and kind, and hers. And a drunk driver had taken him away.
Her phone rang, jarring her back to the present.
Shawn frowned. “I thought the no-phone rule was in place.”
“Sorry. But I’m waiting to hear on a grant.” She read the name on her screen and stood up. “Holy crap. It’s them.”
“Go get ’em,” Pax called after her as she made for the quieter balcony.
Steeling herself, Tess answered. “Hello?”
“Dr. Brannick, Thaddeus Regan here.”
“Mr. Regan. Nice to hear from you again.”
“Yes, you as well. Mr. Hayes has decided to fund your research for two years. At the end of two years, depending on how the research is progressing, he will have an option to extend. Five hundred thousand dollars annually is the amount we have reached. Would that be acceptable to you?”
Tess’s head spun. Five hundred thousand dollars . She could get new cameras, maybe hire an assistant, afford electricity and food. Holy cow . “Um, yes, yes. That is acceptable.”
“Excellent. I’ve emailed you a copy of the contract. Please review it, have it notarized, and send it back to the address listed within the week. Mr. Hayes looks forward to sharing your research successes.”
Thaddeus disconnected the call without waiting for a reply. But that was fine with Tess, because she wasn’t sure she was going to be able to form one. She walked back to the table in a daze.
Pax took her hand as she resumed her seat. “Tess?”
She looked over at him and saw the concern on his face. Shaking herself from her shock, she said, “I’ve been funded for two years by Carter Hayes.”
Both Shawn and Pax went quiet, then both got up and hugged her.
“I am so proud of you,” Pax said.
“I knew you could do it,” Shawn said.
The waiter appeared. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”
Pax grinned. “Margaritas all around. We’re celebrating.”
CHAPTER 10
T he next afternoon, Tess got off the plane at Susanville Municipal Airport with a groan. The sun was awfully bright. She said a silent thank-you that she hadn’t driven herself to the airport.
Last night, she, Pax, and Shawn had celebrated with margaritas. Lots of margaritas. They’d left Pax’s car at the restaurant and taken a cab back to his and Shawn’s place. This morning, Tess had then had to rush to the hotel to grab her stuff, check out, and get to the airport.
Now her head pounded as she made her way past the gates at baggage claim. A tall brunette in khaki slacks and a sweater made her way over
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