Chapter Thirty-Eight
Adam
Brian showed up in his personal truck, wearing the jeans and polo he’d had on earlier. But he’d thrown on a bulletproof vest that read “POLICE” on the back and held his badge and gun, so I guess that meant he was there in an official police capacity.
He came through the bakery door and made a beeline for Lainey; immediately wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug and kissing the top of her head.
“We’re going to catch the bastard who did this.”
“I know you will.”
He looked at me and Hugh. “Did either of you see anything?”
I told him, “We’d just gone upstairs when it happened. I’d picked up takeout from Clay’s and met Teresa and Hugh as they got out of their car.”
“Did you notice anything while you were outside? Was anyone around? Any cars you remember?”
Hugh shook his head. “No, the diaper bag had fallen over in the backseat and spilled some of its contents, so I was gathering that up while Teresa struggled to unbuckle Conor’s car seat.”
“And I was talking to them, so I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”
Brian replied, “With your training, you would have noticed if something was out of place. It becomes like second nature, so you don’t even notice when you do it.”
“I like to think you’re right.”
A black suburban pulled into a parking spot next to Brian’s truck. It was amazing how much street noise the window had buffered. Now that it was gone, I could hear everything.
Angus got out of the SUV, also in jeans, loafers, and an untucked short-sleeved button-down. Unlike his son, he didn’t have a vest on, but he wore a badge clipped to his belt, and I’d have been willing to bet there was a gun in the waistband of his jeans.
I was anxious to get my department-issued weapon, as well as my personal gun currently in Massachusetts.
The chief mirrored his son’s movements after he entered the bakery—heading straight to Lainey and hugging her before shaking Hugh’s hand, then mine.
“Did anybody see anything?”
Brian spoke up and motioned to the group of us.
“These guys didn’t, but patrol is going door to door in the area to talk to people and to see if anyone has camera footage.”
“Good. I called in a favor to get additional resources on this. Major Brunsforth from DPS is sending their special investigative squad out. They should be here within the hour.”
I suggested, “In the meantime, let’s get this window measured so we can get some plywood to board it up.”
All four of them scowled at the same time, and I cocked my head. “What?”
Brian spoke up. “The hardware store is closed on Sunday.”
“What? Why? Isn’t that when people would go to the hardware store? On the weekend, when they’re off work?”
Hugh chuckled. “Believe me, I’ve been making that same argument to Gary for years—since before I retired. He doesn’t care. Says he’s open on Saturdays, and people should get their project supplies then.”
Just as I was about to grumble about small towns, Angus, who was scrolling through his phone, said. “I’ve got Gary’s cell number; I’ll call him. I’m sure he’d be willing to help us out with something like this.”
He clicked a button, put the phone to his ear, and stepped away to talk.
Lainey’s focus was on the lined yellow paper wrapped around the rock.
“I wonder if there’s anything written on that.”
I had no doubt there was, and I’m sure it was as nasty, if not nastier, as the first note.
Brian replied, “We’ll see when DPS gets here. In the meantime, do you want to take Conor to my place tonight?”
I think the seriousness of the situation had finally sunk in because she didn’t argue.
“I’ve got a portable playpen he can sleep in.”
Hugh interjected. “Or you’re welcome to stay with us.”
She gave him a soft smile. “I think I would feel weird staying in Shawn’s room.”
He nodded. “I understand. Teresa and I would be happy to keep Conor tonight. We have a crib already set up.”
Nope .
That baby boy wasn’t going to be out of my sight tonight.
“I’m sure Lainey wouldn’t be able to sleep a wink if Conor wasn’t close by.”
She nodded. “He’s right. I really appreciate the offer, but I need to be under the same roof as my son.”
Hugh seemed to understand when he replied, “Of course.”
Lainey surveyed the broken glass with a sigh then said, “I’m going to go pack some things,” then spun on the heel of her foot and walked toward the door leading to the kitchen.
Hugh motioned in the direction she’d disappeared.
“I should probably check on Teresa and take her home.”
“Thanks again, Hugh,” I said as I shook his hand.
“Thank you .”
I felt a crease form between my brows.
“For what?”
“For being here to keep them safe in Shawn’s absence.”
Not this shit again.
“Like I said before, of course.”
He turned his attention to Brian, “Keep us posted.”
“Absolutely.”
Hugh left and Brian reached into his pocket to pull out his truck keys and hand them to me.
“Why don’t you take Lainey and Conor to my place and get them situated.”
“Yeah, I’ll go help her pack and get my stuff as well.”
“It should make it that much easier for you tomorrow when you get the keys to the Garcia’s.”
If Brian thought for a second I was going to be staying somewhere other than with Lainey and Conor, he was sadly mistaken. But that was a discussion for tomorrow.
I swung the keyring around my finger.
“How are you going to get home?”
“My dad, or I can always walk. It’s not that far.”
I laughed.
“That’s true. It’s ten minutes—I timed it.” Then I realized what I’d admitted, and quickly added, “To the diner, anyway.”
He gave me a knowing smile, but said, “That’s the nice thing about Haven Springs. Everything is within walking distance if you have the time.”
****
Lainey
Over Adam’s objection, I put the folded-up playpen in my room and not his in the next room over.
“I still want to keep our schedule. I’ll take the middle of the night feeding,” he’d argued as I set it up next to my bed, where Conor was fast asleep after I nursed him.
“That’s not necessary. The bakery is closed tomorrow.”
I had no idea when it was going to be open again. I’d had to leave a message for Earl, and he hadn’t called me back yet.
“Besides,” I continued as I locked the rails in place. “You’ll be in your new place tomorrow night, anyway.”
“The only way I’ll be in my new place is if you and Conor are there with me.”
The words were nice to hear, but knowing he only wanted us there out of some sense of obligation to Shawn to keep us safe muted the sentiment.
After laying Conor on the mat in the playpen, I grabbed the baby monitor receiver and walked out.
“I think Brian would have a problem with that. Besides, the Garcias agreed to let you stay at their house. Not me and the baby.”
Adam followed me down the stairs.
“So, what, they think I’m not going to have guests? My brother’s coming Wednesday; should I tell him he can’t stay there?”
“No, of course not.”
“Exactly.”
We settled in the living room on the matching beige leather couches that faced each other across Brian’s coffee table with walnut legs and blue agate top.
This place was no bachelor pad, and I had to wonder if he’d had it professionally decorated.
“Anyway… not the point. The point is, I am going to be responsible for his feedings now. You’re starting your new job on Tuesday, I’m not going to let you interrupt your sleep.”
“Well, if my boots really get here by nine a.m. tomorrow morning, like the seller promised, I’m going in at ten tomorrow. And even if they don’t, considering the circumstances, I think Angus would let me slide with my current boots.”
I laughed. “I think Angus would let you show up in pajama pants and a t-shirt and try to say you’re undercover.”
“You’re probably right.”
Neither of us said anything for a beat as we stared at each other. It felt like a game of chicken—who was going to address the elephant in the room first.
Finally, I caved.
“So, that bridge we talked about crossing earlier… I think we’ve come to it. We need to make a decision about how we’re going to move forward.”
I still held onto a tiny bit of hope that he would insist we be together, consequences be damned.
But it quickly became obvious I’d read way too many romance novels, because he replied, “Sadly, I think you’re right. We don’t really have much of a choice, do we? I mean, we can’t dishonor Shawn’s memory by having a real relationship.”
My pride made me agree.
“Right. Of course we can’t. We knew it was just a secret fling when we started things.”
He reached for my hand.
“But I don’t want to lose you as my friend. Or not be a part of Conor’s life.”
My laugh sounded fake, even to my ears, and I pulled my hand back.
“You’ve probably realized by now that my bark is worse than my bite—”
The side of his mouth hitched as he interrupted me. “There’s nothing wrong with your bite, princess.”
I held up my index finger to stop him. “No. You don’t get to say that anymore.”
“Sorry… continue.”
“Anyway, what I was trying to say was, of course we’re going to be friends. And of course you’re going to be involved in Conor’s life. I mean, he’s why you’ve moved here in the first place.”
He swayed his head back and forth, like he only kind of agreed with my statement.
“Mmm, yes and no. I’ll agree that he’s one of the reasons.”
I didn’t ask what the other reasons were. Partly because I’d be hurt if one of them wasn’t me, and partly because I didn’t know what I’d say if he admitted I was part of his motivation for staying in Haven Springs, but he wasn’t willing to act on it.
“So, we agree—the secret part of our friendship is done.”
I think a tiny part of me still hoped he’d disagree.
His smile was sad when he replied, “Yeah. I think it has to be.”
I nodded, not trusting my words to come as I willed myself not to cry in front of him.
I didn’t know why I was upset. I’d known going into this that things between us would be temporary, at best. Anything after our first time together had been icing on the cake.
But no more cake for me.
In fact, I wasn’t sure when I’d be having dessert again.