Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Vance
Claire might have asked me to come to dinner, but she avoided me all through it. We’d flirted our way through setting the table, but as soon as everyone gathered and conversation began, she became unusually quiet. She never even looked at me.
Which was probably a good thing since I was having a hard time keeping my eyes off her. The red sweater she was wearing looked incredible on her, a fiery color to match a fiery soul. But the sweet scent of coconut that clung to her matched her easygoing, playful approach to life.
She was a study of contradictions and I was dying to discover more.
Claire’s careful avoidance said she didn’t feel the same.
It might have been awkward had fewer people been there, but the rest of the Hawkins family more than made up for her silence.
Dinner was loud and chaotic, with everyone eager to tell their stories from the day.
Everyone was welcoming, but they didn’t make me feel like some awkward guest of honor expected to answer questions about myself or my job.
Family dinner was their time, a time for the men to boast and try to one-up each other while the women rolled their eyes and poked fun at them.
My mother would have been appalled by the lack of manners and the level of noise around the table, but I loved every minute of it.
They were a family. A messy, teasing, loving family.
I envied every one of them for growing up around a table like this.
For having that kind of anchor to hold on to through life.
They were damn lucky.
When everyone was finally stuffed, Walker stood at the head of the table and grabbed his dishes. “The men have dish duty tonight,” he said, winking at Naomi. “Come on, boys.”
Jonathan groaned, receiving a sharp elbow from Travis for it.
I picked up my plate, intending to follow the guys into the kitchen, but Naomi stopped me.
“You don’t have to do that. You’re a guest.”
“I don’t mind. It’s the least I can do, considering your hospitality.”
She smiled. “Tell you what. If you’re brave enough to come back for another one of our family dinners, we’ll let you help then. Deal?”
“Deal.” I grinned. “Thanks again for the invitation. It was delicious.”
“You’re welcome anytime.”
I turned to say goodnight to Claire, but she’d slipped out when I wasn’t looking.
As I left the Hawkins home, something drew me toward the stables. The doors were still open and a soft light glowed from within. I poked my head inside, then stopped.
Claire was sitting on a hay bale beside one of the last stalls, her knees pulled into her chest as she faced the starry night sky.
Her golden hair spilled down her back, and her dappled gray horse nuzzled her shoulder.
Claire leaned into the beautiful animal, stroking the horse’s nose, though her eyes stayed on the sky outside.
It made a beautiful picture. But it felt wrong to be there. She’d slipped away for privacy, and the right thing to do would be to respect that.
I found myself walking toward her anyway.
“You found me,” she said with her back still to me, before I even made it halfway to her.
“How did you know it was me?”
She let out a little laugh. “I can smell your cologne.”
I didn’t know why I continued to be so surprised by how perceptive she was. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” I asked as I moved toward her.
She scooted over, making room for me on the hay bale. “It’s nice cologne,” she admitted. Then she looked at me and smirked. “Probably cost a fortune.”
I rolled my eyes, despite my grin. I didn’t mind her teasing me—as long as she was talking to me again.
But her smile quickly faded.
I bumped my shoulder to hers. “You okay?”
She sighed. “Yeah.”
“You were quiet at dinner.”
That got a laugh out of her. “Someone needed to be.”
“Your family is great.”
That earned another smile. “They really are, aren’t they?”
So beautiful. Those freckles, that smile… But tonight, it didn’t reach her eyes. The shadows had crept back into them.
I desperately wanted to wipe them away. “What’s wrong?” Let me in.
“It’s stupid.”
“You listened to my woes today,” I reminded her. “Stupid or not, it might feel good to get whatever’s bothering you off your chest.”
Her throat bobbed. “Rhett and Cheyenne are getting married a week from tomorrow.” Her voice was fragile. I’d never heard that tone from her before.
“Is that a bad thing?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s wonderful. They’ve always been meant to be together. Ever since we were kids.”
“Then why do you look like you just lost your best friend?”
Apparently that was the exact wrong thing to say, because her eyes filled with tears. She blinked them back frantically, determined not to let a single one spill.
But she failed.
I touched her cheek softly, brushed the lone tear that escaped. “Hey. What is it?”
“I told you it was stupid.” She tried to laugh, but like her voice earlier, it sounded strange. Fragile. Fake.
“It’s not stupid if it’s bothering you. I just don’t understand.”
“I don’t, either.” This time, the embarrassed laugh was real. “It’s just that everything is changing. Cheyenne and I have been best friends practically my whole life. Now, she’ll be my sister, and it’s everything I could have ever hoped for. But…”
“But you feel like you’re losing her in some way.”
She nodded. “Yeah. I don’t know. When she and Rhett got together, I thought nothing would change.
That Rhett would just be another addition to the party, know what I mean?
But it’s different now. Different than when we were kids and they were dating.
They’re building a new life together, one that I’m not part of.
And on top of that, she’s changing her SAR work and we won’t even be partners anymore. ” Her voice wobbled.
I let out a deep breath. “Cheyenne mentioned her canine training as soon as we sat down to dinner. Is that what you’re talking about?”
“Yeah. Like I said, it’s stupid. I’m literally the worst friend in the world.” She put her hands over her face.
“No, you’re not.”
“I am. My best friend is marrying her soulmate and training on a new skill she’s really excited about. I should be happy for her. We’ve always been happy for each other. I’m being selfish and stupid and I hate myself for it.”
I put my hands on her arms and turned her so she was facing me. “You are happy for her. But you can be happy for her and also honor the fact that you’re losing a partner.”
She looked up at me with something like hope in her eyes. “Really?”
“Really. Look, I’ve been there. I had a partner on the force leave for personal reasons. It was terrible. When you’ve worked with someone day in and day out, literally trusting them with your life, losing that can shake you to the core.”
“You get it,” she whispered.
“Yeah. I do. I was so down when I lost my partner that I drank all weekend and ended up with the worst hangover of my life. And he and I hadn’t worked together for nearly as long as you and Cheyenne have.”
“I haven’t been able to tell anyone else this,” she admitted. “They wouldn’t understand. The family would just think I was being petty. Mom would probably think it’s because I need a man.” She rolled her eyes.
I laughed. “Probably.”
“Even Cheyenne wouldn’t understand because she isn’t going through the same thing. Rhett’s training to join the team. He’s a probationary member now, and I’m sure he’ll train to be her dog’s second handler. She’s not losing a partner. She just traded me for him.” Her voice wobbled again.
“I’m sorry.” It was all I knew to say, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted to pull her into my arms and tell her everything would be okay.
She took a deep breath, steeling herself. “You were right. Getting it off my chest helped—especially since you understand.” She gave me a timid smile. “Thanks for listening.”
“Anytime. And I know it’s not the same, but you have a new partner, too.”
Her green eyes brightened—for just a moment. “For a little while at least.” She looked at me like she wanted to say more. Instead, she stood and brushed the hay from her jeans. “It’s freezing out here. I’m going to head in. See you in the morning?”
I nodded. “Sure.”
She turned and walked away.
My phone rang early the next morning, waking me from a deep sleep. I rubbed my eyes and sat up, grabbing my cell from the table beside my bed.
“Agent Weston,” I said, answering it.
A deep, familiar voice chuckled. “Good morning. Did I wake you?”
I scrubbed my face. “Oh. Hi, Dad. Your name wasn’t on the caller ID.”
Not that it surprised me. He had a multitude of burner phones.
“How’s your case going?” His tone was commanding, as if he were my director instead of my father.
I tried to remember the last time he’d called to ask how I was doing instead of how work was going.
I couldn’t think of one. The difference between our relationship and the ones I had witnessed last night had never felt so apparent.
“It’s on track,” I answered.
“Excellent. How soon do you think you’ll have it wrapped up?”
I stifled a sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. How soon? I had no idea. We currently had one real suspect, and my gut said he hadn’t done it.
“I’m not sure. I’ll know more after the interviews I have scheduled for today.”
“Good, good. Keep me posted. If you think you’ll be finished within two weeks, I have an ideal first assignment for you. We can make this official and get your contract signed.”
I hesitated. And despite how little he really knew me, he noticed.
After all, his ability to read people like a book was what had made him so good at his job.
“You don’t think you’ll be wrapped up that quickly?” His tone turned sharp, as if I’d disappointed him.
I raked my fingers through my hair. “Dad, I have another offer.”
He let out a booming laugh. “If you want to negotiate your starting salary, you’ll need to take it up with HR.”
“That’s not… No. It’s not about salary.”
“What is it, then? I have to say I’m surprised. You’re the one who asked for this opportunity.”
Two years ago, I wanted to remind him. But I didn’t bother.
“I worked on a joint task force with the FBI a few years back. It went well. They had an opening come up in that department and reached out asking me to apply. I did. They made the official offer a few days ago.” I kept my tone casual.
“Well. That’s … wonderful.” The sharpness in his voice changed to surprise. “It’s not often that they personally recruit people like that. You must have impressed them. Have you accepted?”
“Not yet. I asked for some time to think it over.”
“The job is in New York, I take it?”
“It is,” I confirmed.
He was quiet for a moment. “Are you still considering my offer as well?”
“I am.” I wasn’t. But something stopped me from saying so.
Another beat of silence.
“Let me know what you decide.”
The line went dead as he hung up.