Chapter 13
HALLIE
“You really didn’t have to make breakfast,” Lawson said as he cut off a bite of the egg casserole.
“Shut it, Dad. This is amazing,” Drew mumbled, his mouth full.
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. “I really don’t mind. I need to cook for myself anyway, and it’s hard cooking for one person.”
Drew shot me a grin. “Marry me, Hallie. My babes will understand.”
Luke snorted. “Like you could pull Hallie.”
Drew sent his brother an affronted look. “I’m a catch.”
“For one of your middle school sycophants, maybe.”
“What the Hades is a syco-whatever?” Drew snapped.
“Children…” Lawson warned.
But just the fact that Luke had said anything in my presence gave me a bizarre sense of hope.
Drew turned to his dad. “That’s a curse, isn’t it? You should take his phone for another day.”
Luke glared at Drew. “Pick up a book once in a while, moron.”
Drew shoved back his chair to go at Luke, but Lawson caught him by the T-shirt. “No bloodshed before first period. Go get your books. You need to leave in five.” Then Lawson turned to Luke. “Apologize to your brother for the name-calling.”
Luke’s eyes went hot. “Sorry,” he grumbled.
Drew pulled out of Lawson’s hold and headed for his room. “Real believable.”
Charlie’s gaze ping-ponged between all the participants of the altercation. “Is it a bad word?” he whispered to me.
“No,” I assured him.
“What’s it mean?”
I glanced at Luke. “It’s a fancy word for a follower. Your brother must be reading some pretty advanced books to know what it means.”
Luke pushed back from the table. “Gotta get my stuff.”
Lawson sighed. “Never a dull moment.”
I sent him an empathetic smile. “I’d think you’d be used to this with four younger siblings.”
He squeezed the back of his neck, the movement making his biceps bulge beneath his uniform shirt. “I’ve certainly apologized to my parents for the he—Hades we put them through.”
“I know the h-word, Dad,” Charlie said as he took the last bite of his breakfast.
“Father of the year over here,” Lawson said sheepishly.
He was way too hard on himself. He clearly loved his kids like crazy and would obviously do anything for them. Most importantly, he was present. He wasn’t checking his phone at meals or skipping out to hang with his friends. His boys knew he was there for them, no matter what.
“I think you get more than a passing grade.” I stood, gathering dishes, and Lawson followed.
“I’ve got these. I don’t need to leave for the station for another thirty,” he said.
My surprised gaze flicked to him. “You’re paying me to do it.”
Amusement filled his expression. “You’re already going above and beyond. I can handle a few dishes.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but Lawson just squeezed my shoulder. “You handle carting the ragamuffins. I’ll take care of cleanup.”
Tingles spread through me at his touch. I had no idea if that was a normal reaction since a man getting too close would usually send me into a panic attack.
I’d lain awake last night, tracing the same scar Lawson had, following the path his finger had taken. Echoes of the feeling still coursed beneath my skin, phantom energy I never wanted to lose.
“Okay,” I whispered.
He squeezed my shoulder again and let go. I instantly missed the contact. The warmth. The comfort.
“Hallie, can you help me find my other shoe?” Charlie called.
That jolted me back to the present. I wasn’t in some daydream. I was working a job. Lawson was paying me to be here.
I hurried to help Charlie with his shoes as Drew and Luke headed for the SUV. Charlie yelled goodbye to his dad, and we followed his brothers out. Drew had called shotgun, and I helped Charlie into his booster seat in the back.
When I rounded the SUV, Luke stood by the back passenger door. He shuffled his feet. “Hallie?”
I stilled at his use of my name, waiting.
He swallowed, his throat working on the action. “I’m sorry about what I said yesterday. It was a dick move.”
I tried not to smile like a feral clown. “Thank you, Luke. Water under the bridge.”
He looked up, his eyes locking with mine. “Whatever happened to you, it had to hurt. I’m sorry about that, too.”
My chest burned. There he was. The real Luke. Tenderhearted and probably feeling too much. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and hug him tightly. Instead, I met his gaze and put every ounce of emotion I could into my words. “Thank you.”
The Brew’s sign beckoned as I headed down Main Street and away from the elementary school.
I made a last-minute decision and pulled into a spot just in front of the café.
I bet the boys would be thrilled with some of those double chocolate muffins for an afternoon snack. And I wouldn’t mind a hit of caffeine.
Sleep had come in fits and starts last night. It wasn’t exactly surprising. My system was on overload. The caffeine wouldn’t help with that, but it would keep me upright.
I stared into the coffee shop, assessing. It wasn’t overly full, but it wasn’t empty either. I studied each person. No overt threats, but sometimes you couldn’t see danger coming.
I squeezed the wheel hard. “You’re safe. Just a coffee shop. You’ve done this a million times.”
Shutting off the SUV, I slid out and headed for the café. The bell tinkled as I walked in. There wasn’t a long line, but a woman was in front of me. When she stepped aside after ordering, I was greeted with a wide grin.
“Hallie! It’s so good to see you,” Aspen said, her green eyes shining with warmth.
“Hi. I didn’t know you worked here.”
“For over five years now. I know all the best items on the menu.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “I’m already pretty partial to the double chocolate muffins.”
Aspen echoed my grin. “A girl after my Cady’s heart. Would you like one of those?”
“Actually, can I get four to go? And a hazelnut latte?”
“Treat for the kiddos later?” she asked, already moving to the bakery case.
“Them and me,” I admitted.
“Now that’s a girl after my heart.”
I chuckled. “I do have a sweet tooth.”
Aspen rang me up, and I stepped to the side to wait while she made my drink.
The hair on the back of my neck prickled, a telltale sign someone had eyes on me. My muscles stiffened as I fought the urge to pull my pepper spray from my purse. I was safe. We were in broad daylight in a public place. Aspen was just feet away.
“We meet again,” the deep voice said. Close. Too close.
I turned to see the police officer from the other day standing next to me.
“Hi,” I croaked. The urge to bolt was so strong, but that would only give Aspen another reason to find me odd, and I liked her so much. I wanted to find friendship with her.
“Reed. Reed Hall,” he reminded me.
I just nodded like a bobblehead again.
“So, you’re either new in town or on an extended vacation,” he said with a grin, moving a step closer.
I tried to back up, but the bakery case prevented me from getting any real distance. My heart hammered in my chest, and my breaths came quicker. Tiny black spots danced in front of my vision.
“Reed,” a voice cut in.
Some part of my brain recognized the voice as Aspen’s. Safe.
Reed took a step back, sending Aspen a grin. “Hey there. How’s married life?”
She smiled at him, but I saw the strain around her mouth. “Everything’s good. You’ve met Hallie? Law’s new nanny?”
The second man from the other day appeared behind him. “The chief got a nanny?”
“He did. She’s just here picking up a few things for him and the kids.”
Something passed over Reed’s expression. Annoyance, maybe? Whatever it was, he quickly covered it. “Well, nice to meet you, Hallie.”
The second man gave me a warm smile, the expression lighting his dark eyes. He was probably a couple of years older than Reed and a bit taller, as well. “Welcome to Cedar Ridge. I’m Bryan, but everyone calls me Daniels.”
I managed a nod, but that was all I could do.
Confusion clouded Daniels’ gaze as if he didn’t understand my reaction, and I knew heat suffused my cheeks. I could feel Reed’s eyes, too, boring into me. It was all too much. My breaths came quicker, and my hands started to shake.
“You boys had better get going. Don’t want to be late now, do you?” Aspen said lightly.
Daniels slapped Reed on the shoulder. “She’s right. Can’t piss off the boss.”
Reed muttered something under his breath, his gaze cutting back to me before he turned toward the door.
Aspen moved in closer to my side as they made their way out into the sunshine. “You’re safe. Just take some nice, steady breaths. Follow me.”
She raised and lowered her hand so that only I could see. I tried my best to follow along, but it took me a few tries to get there.
My eyes burned as heat filled my cheeks. “I’m sorry, I—”
“The only thing that’ll piss me off right now is you apologizing for a damn thing. Reed is pushy. Couldn’t read a sign that a woman wasn’t interested if she wrote it in red on her forehead.”
A laugh wanted to push free, but it couldn’t quite get there.
Aspen’s expression gentled. “I’m going to tell you something I don’t tell most people.
I lost my sister to a monster that was supposed to love her.
He almost killed me, too. I know what it’s like to have darkness in your past. I know something’s casting shadows for you.
If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here. ”
I blinked back tears, trying to keep my emotions in check.
Aspen reached out and squeezed my hand. “And if you don’t want to talk about it, just know I’m a safe place that will always understand.”
My throat burned, fire scorching it. “Thank you, Aspen. Thank you.”
It was all I could get out, but it would have to be enough.