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"Yeah, but did something else happen?"
"Yes." Sam's face fell. "Did you want me to tell her, Erin? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything here."
Erin shrugged. "It's okay; I don't have any secrets from Deb." And the chatter in the brewery was loud enough to cover their conversation.
Sam filled Deb in, quietly.
"That guy is trouble with a capital 'T'." Deb drew the letter in the air.
Sam grinned, a fierce grin that was more a baring of teeth than a smile. "But no match for Erin's security expert." She sobered. "I'd like to meet her, Erin. That's a woman no man should ever mess with. I have some pro bono clients who could use some help like that."
Erin grimaced. "She headed back home this morning. But she is thinking about moving to the area."
"Good. She'll do well here. Can't imagine she's very popular in a city wearing all that hardware."
Ryan glanced at Sam. "She doesn't go out much."
"Really? Why?" Sam's eyebrows arched.
"Not my story to tell." Ryan bit off the words.
"Sorry." Sam half-smiled and shrugged.
Ryan's smile flickered, but Erin could tell it was forced. Sam didn't mean to be obnoxious, but she'd lived here most of her life—in Marcus, everything was everybody's business.
Sam took a drink. "Well, if she needs any legal help, please let her know I'm happy to help, and I won't ask personal questions. And if she wants to do more of the kind of work she did on Erin's place, I know some folks who would hire her in a second."
Ryan slashed a hand. "It was a favor. She's a computer security expert. Works online mostly, doing design, assessments, and testing."
"Still, I know people who'd like that kind of work too."
Sam never knew when to give up, but that made her an excellent lawyer.
"So you said. I gave her your card." Ryan glared, then turned away.
"Thanks." Sam wrinkled her nose, facing Deb. "Your name fits—he's definitely sexy but silent."
Erin held back a snort. Sam wasn't used to working for attention. Ryan grimaced and studied the room again. A server brought their food. Deb and Sam filled Erin in on all the local gossip while they ate and drank. Ryan focused on a group gathered around a large table near the front. "Someone you know?" Erin asked.
"A bunch of folks from school."
She smiled and tilted her head toward them. "You're not tied down here. Go talk to them."
"Maybe." Ryan shrugged. "Don't have much in common with them anymore." He turned to her. "Besides, the company is better here."
Erin smiled at him but saw movement out of the corner of her eye. A cute little blonde cheerleader-type minced on high heels, a puzzled look on her face. "Ryan? Ryan Walsh?" Her mouth dropped open, then she pushed past Sam and threw herself at him. "It is you! When did you get back? Why didn't you call?" She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Hi, Starla. How are you?" He tried to push her away, gently, but it was impossible. Starla locked on Ryan like a mountain lion on a deer.
"I'd heard you were back, but you didn't call, so I thought they were lying. Why didn't you call? Or email or something! I can't believe you didn't let me know!" She seemed to latch on tighter with each exclamation, and her voice pitched higher, leaving all of them wincing from the piercing noise. Starla finally let go, grabbed him by the hand, and towed him over to the group at the front. There were a lot of hugs and handshakes.
"She's enthusiastic. I'll give her that." Deb rubbed her ear.
The girl, Starla, pushed Ryan down in her seat, and sat in his lap. He had his back to Erin, so she couldn't tell if he was comfortable or not, but his back sure was stiff. He held his left arm down at his side. Then all the eyes at the table turned their way, stared for a moment, and most of them turned away. She could see some of the boys' eyes staying on Sam. Erin huffed out a laugh. "Looks like you've made new conquests, ladies."
"I don't think it's just us." Deb chuckled. "But they seem so young. Ryan doesn't."
Erin snorted. "Hard to stay that young when you've been to war. I don't really fit in with most of our graduating class either."
