Chapter 24
LAWSON
“Fill me in,” I clipped the second I hit the deputies’ desks.
“Harriet Johnson called thirty minutes ago,” Clint began, reading from a notepad. “Thought it was weird her daughter, Adrienne, wasn’t up yet since she’s an early riser. Knocked on her bedroom door, no answer. Opened it, and the room’s empty, bed hasn’t been slept in.”
Nash’s expression was hard as he leaned back in his chair. “Adrienne’s home from college for winter break and picked up some shifts at Dockside. She usually walks to and from since they live close, but she worked the late shift last night.”
I cursed, an ominous feeling sweeping over me.
Reed shifted in his chair. “She probably went out partying with friends after work. That’s what I’d be doing at her age. Probably just forgot to text her mom that she was staying with a friend.”
I stared at the man, understanding why he’d never made it past officer rank in all his years on the job. Reed had moved to Cedar Ridge from Idaho about six years ago and was more of a headache than any help.
“Do you really think we should assume that a young woman around the same age as our murder vic just went to hang out with friends and forgot to tell her mom?” My voice vibrated with fury.
Reed grimaced. “I’m just saying she might be fine.”
“And I hope to God she is, but we are going to get all of our asses out to look for her,” I snapped.
Daniels sent his partner a quelling look. “Hope for the best but prepare for the worst, right?” He turned to Nash. “No one saw her on the way home? Getting into a vehicle? Anything?”
Nash shook his head. “No one from that last shift saw her after she headed out. So far, no one that lives on her route has either.”
Daniels drummed his fingers on his desk. “God, I hope this sicko doesn’t have her.”
“Law.” Roan’s voice cut in from behind me.
I turned, my back molars grinding. “Thanks for coming in.”
“Of course. You got a photo I can send to our officers?” he asked. While Fish and Wildlife mostly dealt with poachers and wildlife issues, it wouldn’t hurt to have them out looking.
Nash stood. “I pulled a recent one from social media. Texting it to you now. And I have Wren putting together some flyers.”
“Thanks, man.”
Nash clamped a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “We’re gonna find her.”
We would. I just hoped we weren’t too late.
Worry and unease gnawed at my gut as I tromped up the steps to my front door. We’d combed through downtown and the surrounding areas and found only one sign of Adrienne. Her cell phone, cast alongside the road, presumably where she’d been walking home.
No twenty-one-year-old just casually tossed their cell onto the ground. And there’d been marks in the dirt that could’ve indicated a scuffle. Nothing good.
We’d pulled every available officer in to search, and local volunteers had gotten to work handing out flyers and talking to their neighbors. Nothing.
At this point, I knew something bad had happened. It felt beyond wrong to go home. But darkness had closed in, and there was nothing else we could do. The officers patrolling tonight were on alert, and we’d all be back at it first thing tomorrow.
Sliding my key into the door, I turned the lock. Charlie’s and Drew’s laughter met my ears as I stepped inside. I quickly plugged in the alarm code and locked the door behind me.
The boys were moving around the living room, playing battle with what looked like pool noodles, blissfully unaware of the darkness swirling just outside their door. My gaze kept moving, searching.
I found Luke and Hallie sitting at the dining room table, working on a puzzle. Hallie’s hair was piled in a bun atop her head, and my fingers itched to pull it loose. To watch the blond locks tumble down her back.
Luke looked up at my approach, concern lighting his features. He pitched his voice low. “Did you find her?”
My brows lifted.
“Vi told me. Her dad’s helping organize the civilian search.”
Of course. Normally, I would’ve made the connection much sooner, but I was exhausted. “We haven’t found her yet.”
Hallie’s face paled as her fingers curled around a puzzle piece. “Poor girl,” she whispered.
I moved then, not caring if my son was sitting right next to her. My fingers curled around her shoulder, squeezing and kneading. A silent promise that I was there. That she was safe.
“Can I do anything, Dad?” Luke asked.
I glanced at my son. “I’ll show you her photo. You can keep an eye out. And you can get your brothers ready to head to your grandparents’ for dinner.”
Luke sent a look in Hallie’s direction. “Maybe we should just stay home tonight.”
God, I loved my boy. I’d forgotten he could be this way. Protective. Always looking out for his people. “We’re going. All of us. Hallie, too.”
Hallie’s body jerked at that. “I don’t know—”
“Mom and Dad have been dying to meet you, and this will take all our minds off what’s going on.”
She bit the corner of her lip but nodded. The fact that she’d given in so easily meant she was scared to be here alone. Damn, I hated that.
Hallie pushed to her feet. “I need to freshen up. I’ll be quick.”
I watched as she headed for her bedroom, long, leggings-clad legs carrying her down the hall.
“She’s tweaked,” Luke said, bringing my focus back to him. “She covers it pretty well, but I can tell. I don’t think she should be here alone when it’s dark.”
I nodded. “Thanks for looking out for her. Hallie’s lucky to have you.”
Luke shifted uncomfortably in his chair and then stood. “Gotta get my jacket.”
I guessed we weren’t at the praise part of our reconnection. “Hey, warriors, grab your stuff for dinner.”
Charlie’s head popped up. “Can we bring our lightsabers?”
I had to fight a chuckle. I guessed that was what the pool noodles were. “Let’s leave the weapons at home.”
“Aw, man,” Charlie complained.
“You know your grandparents have approximately eighty-two million toys for you to play with at their house, right?”
My parents spoiled the boys. I didn’t mind because it seemed like a grandparent’s right.
Drew dropped his noodle onto the couch. “What’s for dinner?”
“Not sure. We’re gonna have to go over and find out.”
Drew gave me a chin lift that made him look ten years older. “I could eat.”
I couldn’t hold in my chuckle this time. I clamped a hand on his shoulder. “Then let’s go. Get your coats. It’s freezing outside.”
Footsteps sounded in the hall, and I looked up, suddenly wishing I hadn’t. I would’ve done anything to erase the image that would now be forever implanted in my brain.
Hallie walked toward us wearing jeans that hugged every curve and dipped into leather riding boots, a soft pink sweater molded to her body like a second skin, giving me a peek of the swells beneath—swells I wanted to trace with my tongue.
Her hair cascaded around her in soft waves from being tied up in a bun all day. Her gray eyes were deeper somehow, lined with kohl and pulling me in. And her lips... They were coated in some sort of gloss that I wanted to lick off.
I was fucked.
“You look so pretty, Hallie! Like a princess,” Charlie said in wonder.
She flushed but smiled. “Thank you, Charlie. That’s very kind.”
Drew grinned at her. “Total bae status.”
Luke hit him upside the head.
“Bruh,” Drew clipped, whirling on him. “That was a compliment.”
“Don’t make her feel uncomfortable,” Luke shot back.
“He didn’t,” Hallie hurried to assure them. “I know that’s Drew-speak for the ultimate compliment.”
Drew’s chest puffed up. “See? Hallie gets me.”
Her orange-blossom scent wrapped around me, stronger than before. “Let’s go.”
My voice was gruff, a few tones deeper than usual as I motioned everyone toward the door.
The kids led the way, but Hallie was close behind them. I let her get a ways ahead of me. Establishing distance so I didn’t have to be tempted by her scent. But that got shot to hell when we got into the SUV. I was half-tempted to roll down the window.
I tried to focus on Charlie’s chatter about seeing Cady, their plans for next week, and the animals at Aspen’s.
Hallie was quiet on the drive, but I was grateful. The sound of her voice on top of her scent would’ve been too much.
As we pulled up to the gate, I rolled down my window and sucked in a deep breath, trying to wash her out of me. It was no use.
I punched in a code, and the gate opened.
As we headed up the drive, my childhood home came into view. Built into the mountainside, the blend of stone, wood, and glass felt as if the mountain itself had birthed the house.
“It’s beautiful,” Hallie murmured.
“It was a great place to grow up,” I admitted.
A smile played on her lips as I parked next to the other vehicles. “I’m glad you had that.”
But she hadn’t. I’d figured that much.
“We’re here!” Charlie yelled, unbuckling his booster seat and jumping out of the SUV.
The other two boys followed him.
Hallie met me around the front of the vehicle. “You’re sure it’s okay that I’m here?”
I glanced over at her as she pulled her coat tighter. So damn beautiful. “They’d be pissed if I didn’t bring you. And Aspen will be here, too. If it gets to be too much, just let me know.”
She bit the corner of her lip and nodded.
Luke waited for us at the bottom of the steps, taking Hallie’s other side. The door above opened, and Grae’s tiny form filled it. “My favorite boys.”
Charlie’s arms flew around her instantly. “Aunt G!”
You could just see a hint of a bump on her stomach if you looked closely enough. The thought had my chest squeezing. I was happy for her but scared as hell that her type 1 diabetes might create complications for her pregnancy.
She ruffled Drew’s hair. “How’s my heartbreaker?”
“Bruh, not the hair.”
Grae just grinned. “Get inside.”
Her smile widened as she took us. “Hallie! I’m so glad you came. Aspen’s been saying how amazing you are, and I’ve been more than a little jealous that she snagged you as a friend before I could.”
Hallie smiled back, but the action wavered a bit. “It’s so nice to meet you. Grae, right?”
She nodded. “I hope these hooligans haven’t been too hard on you.”
“Only when we’re playing Sorry!.”
Grae laughed. “Charlie?”
Hallie’s smile turned more genuine. “He’s a shark.”
“Completely.” Grae glanced at Luke. “Want to go a round on the Xbox?”
“Maybe a little later,” he mumbled.
Grae’s eyes flared at that. Luke always opted for video games over family time. But now, he followed us inside and stuck close as we hung up our coats.
Loud voices beckoned from the living room. We made our way deeper into the house, Luke and I sticking close to Hallie.
“Finally!” Nash called from the couch. “I swore he was lying about your existence, Hallie.”
Maddie’s dark hair shifted around her as she smacked her fiancé. “Don’t put her on the spot.” She glanced at Hallie and smiled. “Excuse Nash. He never did learn his manners, no matter how hard Kerry tried. I’m Maddie.”
Hallie gave a little wave.
Charlie raced back over to us, squeezing in and taking her hand. “This is my Hallie. She’s the bestest. She makes cookies and plays games and she’s real good at the voices with bedtime stories.”
Holt grinned from his spot next to Wren on the other couch. “Sounds like a winning combination to me. Hi, Hallie. I’m Holt, and this is my fiancée, Wren.”
Wren smiled widely. “I’d get up, but this basketball is making it a little hard these days.”
Caden’s lips twitched as he glanced at Grae. “I can’t wait until you’re basketball status, Gigi.”
Grae rolled her eyes. “That charmer is my fiancé, Caden.”
“Don’t forget baby daddy,” he cut in.
Hallie’s smile came more easily now. “Nice to meet you all.”
Aspen waved from the kitchen where she worked with Roan. “Welcome to mayhem.”
My mom crossed the space, my father at her side. “It’s so nice to meet you, Hallie. I’m Kerry, and this is my husband, Nathan. I’m so glad you could come.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Hallie,” my dad said, extending his hand.
Luke moved before I could, stepping in to give my dad a hug and block the shake. “Hi, Grandpa.”
Dad’s eyes went wide as he thumped Luke on the back. “It’s good to see you, too.”
My mom’s gaze tracked from the two of them to Hallie and back.
“Thank you so much for having me. I would’ve brought something, but—”
“But let me guess, my boy told you two seconds before you were leaving that your attendance was requested?”
I winced, rubbing the back of my neck.
Mom just shook her head. “You’ll never learn.”
Aspen appeared then, putting an arm around Hallie’s waist. “Want to help me in the kitchen? We have drinks.”
Relief washed over Hallie’s face. “I’d love to.”
“I’m helping, too,” Charlie hurried to say.
“Me, too,” Luke grunted.
Aspen led them all into the kitchen, and I watched Hallie relax a fraction.
My mom hooked her arm through mine. “And you’re coming with me.”
“I should stay and—”
“Five minutes,” she promised.
I knew it would take less time to just go with the woman and let her say whatever she needed to, so I nodded.
Mom guided me down the hall toward Dad’s office. “The boys are protective of her.”
“She’s good with them. They’ve bonded,” I explained as we stepped inside.
My mom closed the door behind us. “You’re protective of her, too.”
My spine stiffened. “Mom…”
“And she’s stunning.”
“Yeah, and a good thirteen years younger than me, not to mention my employee.”
I said the words as a reminder to myself as much as to her.
Mom waved me off. “Your father and I have a few years between us.”
“Don’t.”
The single word was low but firm.
Pain flashed across my mother’s face. “Lawson.”
“I can’t go there.” Pain sliced through my chest.
She moved in closer, lifting a hand to my cheek. “When are you going to stop punishing yourself?”
“I’m not punishing—”
“You are. Just because you had a partner who made poor choices doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be happy.”
I jerked out of her hold. “I don’t want to talk about it, Mom. I’m fine. We’re good. Hallie makes our lives easier, but I’m not interested in her like that.”
Lies, lies, lies. So many lies I was starting to smell the bullshit on my breath. But it was the only thing that my mom would understand because she was wrong. I didn’t deserve happiness. Not when my choices before had almost ruined us all.