Malicious Intent (Soulscape #5)

CH 27

NOTE: Ok, so maybe I'm not "quite" finished posting chapters ;) I can't get this book out of my head.

__________________________________

"They seem to be getting along." Frank sat beside Ron while James and Alec took a stroll down to the dock.

A faint smile touched Ron's face. "James gets along with everyone." He sighed and leaned forward, resting his elbow on his knee and his chin in his palm, staring at the two men.

"Penny for your thoughts." On one hand, Frank wanted to know what had caused the change in Ron... but on the other—the thought of an honest answer caused him unease.

"Not really thinking," Ron mumbled. "Just enjoying the peace and quiet of the country."

That may be true, but it wasn't the whole truth; he was "thinking" plenty. Ron was a visual thinker—it showed on his face when his mind was at work. And right now, it was working overtime... as he watched Zeke.

"It's definitely a change from the hustle and bustle of the city." Frank turned his focus from Ron to Alec. "I kind of love it out here. I never thought of myself as a small town, country kind of person." He smiled. "But it's nice."

Ron straightened in his chair. "Any trouble with the locals? Small town folk aren't known for their liberal thinking."

Frank shrugged. "We've had a couple of issues, but... they worked themselves out." The death of Randall Scott "ironed out" the majority of their problems, but he kept that to himself.

"Doesn't hurt that you have the county sheriff in love with you." Ron looked at him and smiled.

"I don't know about in love," Frank replied even as his heart warmed to the notion—as it had when Alec suggested the same. "But I'd like to think he's headed in that direction."

"I'd say he's already arrived at that destination." Ron chuckled.

"Maybe." Frank pursed his lips in a smile, feeling flushed. "I wouldn't be opposed."

"Love is amazing," Ron whispered and leaned forward again. This time, his gaze settled on James. "I didn't know what I was missing until James came back into my life."

"You're a lucky man," Frank murmured sincerely. "And so is he."

Ron nodded and fell silent as his eyes followed the two men on the dock.

"What James said about me starting up a private practice..." Frank quietly cleared his throat and Ron looked at him. "I don't know about an actual practice, but... Zeke and I have discussed therapy sessions for him, because of his abusive childhood."

Ron stared at him, then smiled small. "I think that's great. You're good with people, professionally and personally. When do you plan to start the sessions?"

"Soon. Possibly within a day or so." Frank averted his eyes. "I think it's time. He's holding a lot inside that he needs to... deal with." Frank tried his best to keep the anxiety out of his voice and off his face. He wasn't lying about "Zeke"—the real Zeke surely needed therapy. But it wasn't Zeke's mind he would delve into during the sessions, but Alec's.

"I'm sure, the sooner he deals with it, the better he will feel," Ron murmured, turning his eyes back to the lake. He went quiet again as he continued to watch Zeke.

Twisting his glass of iced tea on the wooden armrest of the chair, Frank glanced at the warden. "Are you going to tell me what's on your mind? And don't say nothing. Since last night, when you and Dennis were here alone, something seems to be bothering you. Did Dennis say something?"