CHAPTER 10

It started to snow as Lee and Amanda walked Conrad to his car. He had to be back at the shoe store in the morning, and he needed to catch his flight home.

"Aren't you guys glad that I came when I did?" Conrad asked excitedly. His eyes focused on Amanda, and he gave her a smile.

"Oh, yeah, Connie. Sure," she replied, nodding her head up and down. She reached out and straightened the shirt collar around his neck. "You'll certainly be the hit of the next school reunion again."

Lee watched Amanda and grimaced as she adjusted Conrad's collar. For the life of him, he didn't think he could ever figure out a person like Conrad Walter Barnhill. A grown man who couldn't even take care of his own tie or shirt collar!

"I have a news interview in the morning about catching Carlo and Redding." Conrad gave Amanda a gentle smile. "Just like old times, huh?"

"Yeah, Connie," Amanda said, grinning. "Just like old times."

"And you know, Amanda," Conrad softly said, his eyes looking at the ground. "Remember what I told you during the case with the Mongoose? It's still true."

Memories of Conrad's words made Amanda smile. His voice had been so timid when he told her that he loved her. "I remember," she gently replied. "And do you remember what I said? You stay exactly the way you are, because I like Conrad Walter Barnhill just the way he is." She leaned over and gave Conrad a kiss on the cheek.

An enormous smile spread across Conrad's entire face. He looked like he was going to burst into thousands of little pieces. "Maybe next time I visit, I can stay longer. Maybe a week, or even two weeks..." Conrad said excitedly, his eyes darting between Lee and Amanda.

"Uh-hem," Lee interrupted, loudly clearing his throat. "Look at the time, Conrad. Your plane's going to leave you if you don't get going."

Conrad looked at his watch. "Yeah, I'm always running late for things. Ever since my pocket watch broke when I was in school." He opened his arms and gave Amanda a big hug. "See you later, Amanda," he softly told her, his voice shy.

"Be careful, Connie," Amanda replied. "Have a safe trip." Amanda gave him another soft smile as Lee looked at his watch.

"Sure thing," Conrad said. He opened the door to his car. "Gotta go!" he exclaimed, waving at Lee and Amanda.

Amanda let out a gentle sigh as Conrad sped away in his car. She felt happy to see him so excited. She treasured his special friendship, and even though she knew that Conrad wanted more, it would always be just a very special friendship. Her heart waited for someone else.

Lee smiled broadly after Conrad left. He couldn't explain it, but watching Amanda give Conrad a kiss on the cheek deeply upset him. Frankly, he felt like tearing off Conrad's cheek with his bare hands. He felt oddly relieved now that Conrad had gone back home.

Lee placed his arm around Amanda as they walked to her car. They had already finished their debriefing with Billy, and it was time for Amanda to go home. He looked at her bundled in her coat.

"How are you feeling?" Lee gently asked her. His hand gestured towards her ankle. "It seems that your visit to the agency doctor was just what you needed."

"Oh, yes, Lee," Amanda happily replied. The wind started blowing harder, and she huddled closer to Lee's side. "The doctor bandaged up my ankle really well. It doesn't even hurt any more. He told me that it should be as good as new in a few days. Plus, Mother will make sure of that with her eighteen step therapy for ankles."

Lee chuckled at Amanda's comment. He made a note to himself to pass by the house later to see how Amanda was doing with her mother's steps.

"Mr. Melrose was very upset with you today," Amanda told Lee. "I've never seen him take so many antacids at one time before." She tilted her head in confusion. "Why didn't you wait for backup, Lee? You always tell me that an agent never makes a move without backup."

Lee knew the exact reason. He didn't have the time to wait for backup, not when it came to Amanda. Leaving her in the hands of Carlo and Redding for a fraction of a second longer wasn't an option for him.

"Let's just say that you're rubbing off on me," Lee gently replied. Amanda wasn't sure what Lee meant, but his words strangely soothed her.

When they were almost to her car, they passed a homeless man huddled against the side of a building.

"Wait a second, Lee," Amanda said as she stopped in front of the shivering man. She pulled out of Lee's arms and wiggled out of her coat. She laid her coat on top of the man and started walking again.

"Amanda, what do you think you're doing?" Lee questioned, turning her to face him.

"What?" Amanda asked, confused at Lee's comment.

"Why did you give that guy your coat? You're gonna freeze. It's expected to snow all day!" Lee immediately removed his jacket and placed it over Amanda's shoulders.

"Oh, it's no problem," Amanda replied, accepting Lee's jacket. "I have more coats at home. Besides, I have a warm sweater on me that'll keep me warm. You know, I think that if people were just a little nicer to each other, that the world will be a much better place."

Lee shook his head, again finding himself amazed at Amanda's character and generosity. Here she was, freezing outside, and she didn't even hesitate to give her coat to a complete stranger.

"The world is a nicer place, Amanda, because you're here in it," Lee softly murmured to himself.

Thoughts of a world without Amanda entered Lee's mind, and nothing scared him more. He remembered the gut-wrenching fear that seized him when he thought she would fall off the building. He had been on his share of difficult assignments, but the overwhelming terror that struck his very core was something that he never experienced before and never wanted to experience again.

Without a doubt, Lee cherished Amanda's friendship. He considered her his best friend, but for some reason, he couldn't help feeling that she was something more. She knew him better than anybody else ever could. She made him a better person, she made him complete.

When they reached Amanda's car, Lee had an unfathomable expression on his face. He desperately wanted to spend more time with her, to continue to hold her small frame in his arms.

"Amanda," Lee began, "mind if I drive you home?"

Amanda looked at Lee and smiled. "Drive me home?" she asked, shrugging her shoulders. "Why do you need to drive me home, Lee?"

"Believe me," Lee replied with a smile in his eyes. "You can never be too careful. The roads are getting pretty slick with all the wind and snow."

Taking his hand, Amanda laughed. She hoped that Lee's suggestion was because he felt something deeper for her, but whatever the reason, Amanda felt overjoyed. There was nothing else in this world that she wanted more than to have him by her side.

"Sure, Lee," Amanda replied as she looked into his eyes. "Mother and the boys are away for the weekend. They're spending it with Aunt Edna. If you like, you can come inside for some homemade hot chocolate."

Lee's eyes lit up at Amanda's invitation. Usually, he watched her from outside her home. He couldn't believe the excitement he felt at coming inside for something as simple as hot chocolate.

"Amanda King, I'll be happy to take you up on that offer," Lee said, giving her a brilliant smile. He reached out and gently tucked her hair behind her ear.

"If you stay for dinner, I can also make us some sandwiches," Amanda replied with a smile in her eyes. "And guess what," she said, leaning her head closer to his.

"What?" Lee whispered back, his eyes twinkling in delight.

"I'll even make the sandwiches with secret sauce," Amanda said with a grin.

Lee chuckled and gave her a wink. "Sounds like a plan," he replied tenderly.

Amanda looked into Lee's eyes, and she saw friendship and maybe something even deeper. She placed her hand in his, excitement filling her heart as he caressed her hand with his own.

TBC