Holding Their Own XI: Hearts and Minds by Joe Nobody Page A

uninvited.”
    “No, not Miss Terri,” Butter interjected. “She’s not that sort of lady, sir. I see how she looks at you.”
    Bishop and Grim exchanged glances, both questioning Butter’s knowledge of female ways and means.
    “I bet this is an ice cream truck,” Bishop mumbled, lacing up his boots.
    “A what?” Grim asked, now completely confused.
    Bishop sighed, “An inside joke. Before we were married, I was away on a job and the phone connection wasn’t very clear. I told her that when I got back, I was going after her like a fat boy chasing an ice cream truck. Somehow, Terri heard that little analogy wrong and thought I had insinuated she was like a fat boy chasing an ice cream truck. Ever since then, whenever we have a miscommunication or misunderstanding, we both call it by that name.”
    Butter found the nuisances of his supervisor’s relationship fascinating; Grim was still trying to work it out. Bishop ignored both of them. “Do either of you know where Terri is?”
    “One of the security team told me she’s still at the courthouse. Turns out that the guy you punched is the new ambassador from the good ol’ U.S. of A. I gotta hand it to you, Bishop, you sure know how to find the deepest shit around.”
    “I have to talk to Terri,” the Texan said. “I’ll be back in a bit.”
    “Let me go with you,” Butter said, rising from his perch. “We don’t need another fat… ice cream truck.”
    Bishop smiled at his teammate and friend. “Thanks, big guy, but no. I need to do this alone. I promise not to start another international incident. I’m cool.”
    Both members of the SAINT team relaxed a little when Bishop didn’t take his rifle or knife.

    He saw her coming two blocks away, her outline against the backlight of Alpha unmistakable. She was pushing Hunter, on a direct path for the guesthouse. Bishop instinctively increased his stride.
    Terri spotted her husband a second later, her legs involuntarily lengthening their step.
    Both of their stomachs were churning, both had weak knees. Both kept coming, each keenly aware of the collision course that lay between them.
    They met in the middle of an intersection, studying each other in the pool created by the streetlight above. “I’m sorry,” both said at the same instant.
    And then she was in his arms, the embrace sending waves of relief surging through their cores. Bishop held her so tight, Terri melting into his chest. They felt warm, safe, and finally secure.
    After a very long time, he held her at arm’s length, having a million things to say all stuck in his chest. Nothing would come out.
    “I need to explain,” Terri finally blurted.
    “No, you don’t. I love you, and I trust you. It’s all good.”
    She shook her head, “No, I need to explain for me. I have to make you understand.”
    “We had an ice cream truck,” Bishop said with confidence. “That’s all there is to it.”
    Terri laughed, the analogy making her adore him even more. “Yes, we did, and I’m glad it’s over. I love you more than anything, Bishop. You have to know that.”
    “I do.”
    “Come on, let’s take a walk. I don’t want to let one little old fistfight ruin such a perfect evening.”
    After Bishop had checked on his son, they began walking. It took Terri almost 20 minutes to explain the earlier events. For the most part, her husband pushed Hunter’s buggy and listened, only occasionally asking for clarification.
    “Well that explains why you didn’t shoot him on the spot,” Bishop teased after she’d finished.
    “He had a little too much wine and was always a bit aggressive. Right before you slammed him to the ground he was apologizing.”
    Bishop digested her remark but wasn’t quite finished. “After you’ve spelled it all out, I have no issue with you, darling. I did, however, clearly see Mr. Chase McGuire’s eyes and body language. He still has the hots for you, and I think you need to be careful. If there is ever a next time, I