Cyrus
Chapter sixty-four
Heath
For once, the noise of the town, the responsibility of my job, and the memories clawing at me dissipated.
I’d started this summer, angry, unsure of the future that Liam and I would have.
My mind was a war zone, focused on getting straight and back to the FBI.
Something shifted seeing Fallon again; meeting Billy, having my mother and friends around made staying in Bluestone my goal.
A goal that plenty had tried to sabotage.
Heath, an old friend and damn good private investigator, sits across from me on his fishing boat. Fishing during a meeting might sound odd to outsiders, but the river is always the answer; we’re always looking to toss in a line.
His big, muscled frame leans casually on his knees, dark eyes scanning the embankment with practiced ease.
“Cyrus, this became a petty grudge that got out of control. Jordan and Fallon have never gotten along. Not that I’m blaming Fallon, sometimes two people don’t mesh.
” He shakes his head, clearly as confused as the rest of us with how far Jordan took it this time.
He glances toward me. “Jo’s responsible for most of it- not the photos, though.
I am certain of that fact.” He pinches the bridge of his nose.
“That one? That was Fallon’s mother. Nasty woman.
You understand that I don’t speak ill of women casually.
But that one has demons on her back. I don’t usually get involved in family drama, but I wouldn’t let that woman around Fallon and the little ones.
She needs to be locked up somewhere.” Shock coils through me.
How could a mother hate her own child so much?
“When I spoke to Jo, behind closed doors, she sounded sorry. Remorseful even. She never thought it would turn into the mess that it did. Though don’t expect her to admit it or apologize.
Jordan has always felt Fallon robbed her of you and her twin brother’s affection.
The longer time passed, the more successful Fallon became in her life.
I suspect it made Jordan appear inadequate to her friends.
In her anger, it led her to believe that she had the right to spend years tormenting Fallon. ”
“What?” I rub my face, attempting to make sense of it all. “What about the damage to the salon?”
Heath pauses mid-reel. He hesitates. “That was an unfortunate retaliation for what Lani has been doing.”
“What has my mother been doing?”
“Giving Jordan hell, anywhere Jo is, your mother hasn’t been too far behind. She and her friends have gone to great lengths to fight fire with fire. Jordan has been shunned from almost every event she hosts in Bluestone.” His face breaks into a smile. “That momma of yours sure is something.”
“Mom can be…protective. We’ll figure out what to do about Jo,” I say.
“Oh, don’t worry. I’m managing Jo.”
Eyes widening, I ask, “Heath, do I have to remind you I’m a cop?”
He smirks, flipping me off. “Relax. I wouldn’t hurt her. But a firm swat on that ravishing ass of hers might set her straight.”
I freeze. Heath and Jordan? That Jordan?
I cover my ears. “Nope. Definitely not something I want to hear.”
He grins, loving every second of making me uncomfortable.
“I have no doubt Jordan has learned a valuable lesson. Rosemary comes with a different set of challenges.” I reply, tension crawling through me.
“That’s trickier. Fallon would need to participate fully for Rosemary to be held accountable.” I don’t care about the cost as long as she stays away from my family.
He shoves a folder into my chest. “Here are the newly signed documents: an apology letter from Jordan that will be published publicly, the apology will be as loud as the disrespect was; and the new revenge porn law will cover what Rosemary did to Fallon. I recommend pressing charges. As much as I hate it, vandalizing charges need to be brought against Jordan, as well, if they haven’t already.
” He reels the line in, tossing it out again.
“We already did that. And I’ll talk to Fallon about Rosemary. We’ve touched on it briefly, but I feel confident that Fallon will go after her mother in court.”
“You’ve been busy this summer,” he remarks. I tuck the folder into my dry bag before casting my line out.
“You have no idea.”
Heath reels in his line with a smirk. “I might have some understanding.”
“How so?” I ask. He smirks, offering few details.
“I’ve been helping some friends lately.” He pivots, “So, you’re settling down this winter?”
I flash him a grin, catching that he changed the topic on purpose. “That’s the plan.”
“A winter wedding? In these mountains?”
“Whatever my ol’ lady wants, she gets.”
Heath lets the silence stretch as he leans back against the boat’s side, eyes tracing the ripples across the water. “Honestly,” he says finally, “I’m glad you’re sticking around. Bluestone needs good people. Someone who follows the rules, who stands up for what’s right—even when it’s messy.”
I watch the way the afternoon sun catches the lines on his face—a map of years spent chasing truth and trouble.
“Thanks, Heath. That means a lot coming from you.”
He grins, tugging his cap lower. “Don’t go soft on me now.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Going soft with Fal in this town? Not a chance.”
Heath casts his line again, the bobber landing perfectly between two lily pads. “I’m snitching to Fal.”
“Feel free to, one of my favorite things about her is that blush.”
“How is she coping with everything?”
“We’ll get through it,” I say, voice low but steady.
Heath relaxes. “Of course you will,” he says, clapping me on the back.
The boat rocks gently, the sun slipping toward the horizon.
Things are beginning to look up for us.