Running with Secrets

Untitled Part 44

As Kristin kissed Heath back, she thought so many things about the last three weeks of her life. Especially how the sullen police detective who was unapproachable in every way was kissing her now. And she was liking every second of it. And how safe she felt with him. She had felt safe with Matther, but because of the company he kept, she never felt safe all the time. Whenever she had been in Heath's company, she was always one hundred percent safe. From each time she had an episode at Sally's to each episode she had on the road, and especially when they received word that Matther was dead. It was a dramatic change.

Heath turned his body so he could cradle her face with both hands and Kristin rested one hand on his chest and the other wrapped around the back of his neck. As he deepened the kiss, Kristin felt herself let go part of the pain and animosity Matther had left behind. It was not a kiss of reckless abandonment, but one of caring and thoughtfulness.

When they broke the kiss, he gave her two sweet, chaste kisses as if to fill any gaps that might have been left open. He rested his forehead on hers and they both had to take a few moments to catch their breath. Both of them ignored anyone who might have been passing by, completely caught in the moment.

"Not too soon," was all Kristin could whisper out. "I think we'd better get back to your grandma's house. She's going to wonder...I can't imagine a two year college being all that big."

"She'll be fine." He said, remembering Kathleen's censure. "You're right though. After all, if she asks, you need to tell her what you thought of the campus."

Kristin huffed a little. "I suppose." She reached for his hand as they walked around the car he helped her into the passenger side.

When he shut the door, he took a moment to think about what just happened and raked his hands through his hair. Taking a deep breath and exhaling just as quickly as he walked around to his side.

*****

When they got to the college campus, almost two hours back in the direction they had come from, Kristin was armed with enough information she could brief Heath's grandmother when she asked. She especially liked the pool, and wanted to swim right away, but settled for meeting the pool director.

Clark seemed excited about the prospect of hiring someone to teach and be assistant coach to one of the youth swimming teams. "We've actually been double booked with our coaches and need one more. If you can come tomorrow, we can see what you're made of and go from there."

"Sterner stuff." Kristin smiled as she reached out to shake Clark's hand. "Thank you."

"What's that?" He asked, placing his clipboard under his arm. "Sterner stuff?" He said through his accent.

Heath pulled his smile to a halt, only letting one corner slip as he shoved his hands into his pockets and dipping his head.

"Nothing really." Kristin said with a smile lining her eyes. "Someone recently told me I'm made of sterner stuff." 

"Oh. OKay." Clark said. "I leave at 5, but if you want to come later today to practice, the pool closes at ten."

Kristin smiled and shook his hand again. "Thanks again, Clark." She looked over at Heath. "I think I can get back later today and warm up a little."

Heath nodded. Clark didn't miss the way they looked at each other, even though neither one initiated touching the other. It made him jealous because he found Kristin very attractive. At first meeting, knowing nothing about her, he already liked her.

They finished the conversation and Kristin thanked him again. "I'll be back tomorrow then." She said. Heath had still not contributed much to the conversation.