Chapter 29

Steven had asked Robyn to meet him at his mother's house because it was nearer to where they both were when she called. Ellie Morgan, Steve's mother, had played a very important role in Robyn's life at one time. There had been occasions that she had wished the woman could become her mother. Years had passed, and Robyn had outgrown the childish desire. But she and Steve had remained friends and more in recent years.

The man in question was waiting for her on the brick steps that led toward the perfectly decorated porch. He'd removed his jacket, and was seated, elbows on his knees, looking across at her. Every blonde hair on his head was perfectly in place, as it always was. He stood and hugged her as she approached, and then drew away. His rugged features were creased with concern.

"Is your mom here?" Robyn asked, peering around him toward the closed front door. She wanted to at least greet the other woman before things got very serious between her and Steven.

"No," Steve replied, not bothering to look around. "She won't be back for a few hours." Then as an afterthought. "Do you want to go inside?"

"No, out here is fine," she settled on the step that he had just vacated. Steve settled beside her and waited. Now that the moment was upon her, she wasn't sure where to start. Steve was a good guy. And though their romantic relationship had done little more than meander along, she didn't want to hurt him.

Deciding that setting some groundwork would be best, she met his gaze and spoke. "Steve, where do you think our relationship is going?"

Steve frowned and looked out over the yard. Robyn thought she caught a hint of surprise in his expression. He shrugged. "We've always been friends, Rob. Seems as if that has been the case as long as I can remember."

"I know it seems that way," Robyn agreed. She hated to think that she was completely blindsiding him with this. "But what about beyond that? Do you think that there is more for us?"

Steve's frown cleared, and turned thoughtful. "Sometimes friendship is the deepest relationship two people can have." The words were spoken softly, as if he was repeating something that he had heard.

"What are you saying?" Robyn wasn't sure how she should take the statement. Did he mean that friendship was all that they could ever have, or that their friendship was special because it was the deepest of relationships?

Steve suddenly smiled. "Did you know that my mom and your dad have been spending a lot of time together?"

"Huh?" That derailed Robyn's train of thought because it seemed so irrelevant to the current situation. "They've been friends forever, haven't they?"

"Yes." Steve pressed her with a look. "Sort of like us . . . "

Robyn was missing something and that wasn't like her. Perhaps the day had turned her brain to mush. "How about a hint?"

Steve took her hand and laced his fingers with hers. "Sometimes two people are comfortable together. Then, if they try to be more than friends, that can be comfortable, too. Comfort isn't a bad thing. It's a good foundation as long as that is what both parties are willing to live with."

Robin squeezed his fingers and smiled, finally feeling as if she understood where the conversation was going. "Are you talking about us or our parents?"

"I think we're all done with comfort." He spoke the words as if he was making a statement, but his eyes begged the question. But before she answered him, she had another question of her own. "Is your mom the one who has been making sure that my dad has real food in his refrigerator? The one he's been refusing to talk about?" She recalled visiting her dad's home on that first day when she'd meet Sam.

"I don't know about that. But I do know that we had a long talk yesterday about you, your dad, relationships in general. That's when she said what I said earlier. That sometimes friendship is the deepest relationship two people can have. I didn't understand what she meant until a few moments ago when you started asking about our relationship."

The time felt right to tell him why she had come. "I've met someone, Steven."

"Sounds serious," Steve responded.

"It might be."

"So you're dumping good old Steve?" There was a trace of humor in his voice.

"I'm afraid so." Robyn allowed her mouth to quirk into a smile. A feeling of relief wound its way through her limbs. It was good to have things in the open.

"Is he the job you're currently working?" Steven's humor faded. Teasing was put aside as he slipped on the mantle of older brother.

Warmth suffused Robyn's cheeks. She had walked all over cardinal rule number one about becoming overly attached to one's assignment. "The assignment is a young girl. He's her father."

"Daddies and daughters," Steve murmured.

"My soft spot," Robyn admitted.

"Mmm." Steve didn't argue the point. "What does your dad say?"

"Someone else is being assigned, but I'm staying on. There is a chance that this is bigger than a simple assignment. Dad spoke to some old acquaintances."

"You'll be careful?" Gray eyes bore into hers, and she caught both his meanings.

"I will," she replied, then leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. "I need to get back," she added, as she moved to a standing position before him. "Thanks for letting me let you down easily."

Steve stood as well. "Thanks for letting me let you let me down easy." He grinned at the ridiculously out of character statement, then drew her into a hug. "Take care of yourself, Rob. You know that I'm going to want to meet this guy who has stolen your heart."

Robyn nodded. "Soon. Once we've cleared up his situation. Bye, Steven."