Chapter 30 Aspen
ASPEN
I picked up a ridiculous number of stuffed animals scattered across the floor as Cady chattered away.
But my focus was on the men in the living room.
It was as if it’d hit me for the first time that even though Roan worked for Fish and Wildlife, he was still a law enforcement officer. He carried a gun. He could be hurt.
“What do you think, Mama?” Cady asked, breaking into my spiraling thoughts.
“Sorry, Katydid. Can you say that again?”
“I’m gonna be a ballerina on the weekends and a game warder during the week.”
My mouth curved. “You mean a game warden?”
She threw her hands out wide. “That’s what I said.”
A knock sounded on her door, and I quickly opened it. Roan filled the space, his expression stormy.
“What happened?” I whispered.
A muscle popped in his jaw. “Someone was killed. Might be tied to a series of animal deaths.” Roan pitched his voice low so Cady couldn’t hear.
I sucked in a sharp breath. “Oh, God.”
“I need to go to the crime scene.”
“Of course.”
“The girls and Holt are coming over to hang with you until I get back,” Roan said.
“They don’t need to do that,” I argued.
“Please.” Roan slipped his hand beneath my hair and squeezed the back of my neck. “I won’t be able to focus if I know you’re here alone.”
And he needed that right now.
“Okay,” I said softly.
He leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to my forehead. “Be back as soon as I can.”
My throat tightened. “Please, be safe.”
“Always,” he assured me.
“Where ya going, Mr. Grizz? Gotta help another deer?” Cady asked.
“Not tonight, Tiny Dancer. Gotta help Lawson with something.”
She nodded as if that made all the sense in the world. “You’re a good brudder.”
Something passed over Roan’s expression—pain or guilt, I wasn’t sure. He ignored her statement and instead said, “Take care of your mama.”
“I always do,” Cady shot back.
We followed Roan to the door just as my friends piled onto the porch.
Grae held up a bottle of wine and pointed it at me. “You are in big trouble.”
I winced.
Wren shoved Grae. “Don’t freak her out.” She strode toward me and wrapped me in a tight hug, even with her pregnant belly between us. “I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” I whispered.
She just squeezed me harder. “You don’t have anything to apologize for.”
Wren released me, and my gaze immediately went to Maddie. She was the person I was closest with. I’d never forgive myself if I hurt her.
Maddie moved quickly to me and pulled me into another hug. “I knew it was bad. I just didn’t know how bad. I hate that you’ve been in this alone.”
My eyes burned. “I wasn’t, though. I had all of you.”
“If you make me cry…” Grae warned.
“Oh, crap,” Holt muttered. “I don’t know if I’m cut out for this estrogen fest.”
Wren smacked her fiancé. “You cried the last time we watched Little Women.”
“Whatever,” he muttered, his gaze cutting to me. “The alarm components for your house should arrive in the next couple of days. We’ll get it installed ASAP.”
My brows pulled together. “What do you mean?”
Holt grimaced. “Roan didn’t tell you that he asked me to order an alarm system?”
“No, he conveniently forgot,” I said, pinning Roan with a stare.
He just shrugged. “You needed one.”
“Well, I’m guessing I can’t afford whatever fancy-A one Holt just ordered.”
“It’s a friend’s company,” Holt interjected. “He gives them to me at cost, and Roan and I work for bakery treats.”
I just scowled at Roan. “We will be talking about this later.”
Grae let out a low whistle. “Someone’s in trouble.”
“Who?” Cady asked. “Who?”
Grae bent to Cady and stage-whispered, “Roan.”
Her eyes went wide. “Uh-oh, Mr. Grizz. You gonna get grounded?”
Everyone laughed.
Roan just shook his head. “Lawson and I have to go. You guys all set?”
Holt jerked his head in a nod. “I got ‘em covered.”
“Thanks,” Roan said. His gaze cut to me, and I saw so much promise in those blue depths. Then, he was gone.
As the door shut, Grae turned to us. “We need some epic girl talk.” She glanced at her brother. “Could you play with Cady for a little bit?”
Cady grinned. “We could play tea party, Mr. Holt. It’s really fun. I make the best tea!”
Holt winced and glanced at his fiancée. “You owe me for this. Favors for a week.”
“What kinda favors?” Cady asked.
Grae snorted. “Real special ones I don’t want to know anything about.”
Maddie smirked, and Cady just looked confused.
“Come on,” Holt said. “Fix me some of this tea.”
Cady squealed and ran down the hall, Holt striding after her.
“We need cups,” Grae instructed.
I grabbed glasses from the kitchen. “Wren, do you want anything nonalcoholic to drink?”
She shook her head. “I’m good. If I drink anything, I’ll have to pee every two seconds, and I don’t want to miss anything.”
Nerves bubbled up as I grabbed three glasses. I returned to the living room, placing them on the coffee table.
Grae immediately popped the cork with a wine opener she’d brought and started pouring, but she conveniently skipped herself.
I lowered myself to the couch next to Maddie. “You don’t want wine, G?”
Her eyes shifted to the side.
Wren jerked upright. “Grae Hartley.”
She winced. “I might be knocked up.”
“Might be?” Maddie squeaked.
A smile of sheer joy spread across her face. “Okay, I’m most definitely preggers.”
Wren burst into tears. “We’re going to have babies together. They’ll be in the same grade just like we were.”
Grae’s eyes shimmered. “It’s going to be the best,” she whispered.
Wren stood and wrapped Grae in a hug. “I’m so happy.”
“Me, too.”
Pressure built behind my eyes as Wren released Grae. “This is the best news. I needed this today.”
Grae shot me a grin. “We can thank Caden’s super sperm for that one.”
Maddie snorted. “I don’t need those kinds of details.”
Grae just shrugged and turned to me. “How are you? Really?”
Maddie squeezed my thigh. “You don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to.”
“The H-E-double-hockey-sticks she doesn’t,” Grae argued. “I need to make sure she’s safe.”
“I am,” I told her. “At least as much as that’s possible.”
Wren rubbed a hand over her belly. “I’m so sorry about your sister.”
My throat burned. “She was amazing. The best mom ever.”
Tears filled Wren’s eyes again. “I know she’s watching over you and Cady, so grateful for what an amazing mom you are to her girl.”
“Thank you,” I croaked.
Grae fanned a hand in front of her face. “It’s too early for tears.” She turned to me. “Are you really okay?”
I swallowed hard. “Most of the time, yes. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I just—it felt easier this way. Safer. If I didn’t tell a soul, then no one would ever know.”
“Except someone found out,” Maddie said softly.
“I don’t know how. I got a threatening letter from John, and then the podcasters showed up.”
Grae jerked upright. “What threatening letter?”
I winced and recounted the anonymous threat.
“I think you and Cady should move in with Caden and me,” Grae said the moment I finished.
“Caden already offered, and I appreciate it. I really do. But I don’t want to uproot her. Routine is so important at this age. And Roan’s staying here—”
“Wait, what?” Wren asked, shock filling her voice. “Roan is staying at your house?”
I nodded slowly, heat rising to my cheeks. “He has been since the podcasters showed up.”
“Roan doesn’t even stay at his parents’ on Christmas Eve when everyone else does,” Maddie said. “Says he can’t handle not having his own space.”
“I didn’t know,” I mumbled, the heat flaring in my face.
Grae’s eyes narrowed on me and then flew wide. “Holy cannoli, you’re banging my brother.”