Chapter Eighteen – Tightrope #2
We stared at each other for another long moment. Then, he leaned in, planted a kiss on my forehead, and stepped back. “See you at five, Havoc. Wear something warm and casual as we’ll be in the backyard quite a bit.”
My chest expanded at the nickname I’d first recoiled at. With my lungs tight and my throat closed around a well of emotions, I just nodded and slipped into the hotel.
? ? ?
From across the Wylees’ yard, strung with twinkle lights, I watched as Cooper threw his head back and laughed at something the mayor said. It exposed the long line of his neck—the same one I’d been two seconds away from biting this morning before we’d been interrupted.
In jeans and a thermal layered beneath a button-down and a heavy blue coat that accentuated his eyes, Cooper looked like he belonged here on his family’s farm. Or maybe like he’d stepped into a movie about a ranch and never bothered to leave.
Mayor Nattingly clearly agreed, flirting with the unabashed enthusiasm of someone who’d stopped worrying about appearances decades ago. Her white hair peeked out from beneath a cowboy hat, and her black jeans and gray sweater were as practical as her smile was bright.
Cooper lifted the two beers he’d gone to fetch and pointed in my direction. Even at this distance, I could read the mayor’s surprise.
“You’re going to be the talk of the town tomorrow,” Maisey said, bumping my shoulder.
I turned, startled to see her—even though I shouldn’t have been. Half of Swift Rivers would be here tonight, and with Beckett’s role as fire chief, it would be odd for him not to show up with the other town leaders.
The intricate braid in Maisey’s hair showed off her glowing smile. Like most of the guests, she wore jeans and cowboy boots. A yellow sweater peeked out beneath a dark coat. The faint curve of her stomach wasn’t obvious yet, even though most of Rivers already knew her secret.
“Hey,” I said, nudging her back. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Sweeney will be crushed,” she said with mock solemnity. “Years of asking you out, and when you finally say yes, it’s to the new man in town. I mean…I can’t blame you. He is a very good-looking man.”
A growl lit up the air right as Beckett wrapped Maisey in his arms. He leaned in, dark-brown hair flopping over his eyes as he kissed her cheek. “Who’s good-looking, Wife? I clearly haven’t done my job well enough if you aren’t blind to any other males.”
Maisey elbowed him, her cheeks blushing delightfully. “I can’t help the facts, Fireball. Cooper is an attractive man.”
“Why are we talking about Coop?”
“Because Andie came with him tonight. Like on a date.”
My heart did something strange, speeding up before settling again.
A date.
I was on a date.
The word felt unreal, even now. Maybe because Luca and Akela had accompanied us here. Maybe because we’d been surrounded by people almost from the moment he’d knocked on my door and led me to his truck with his hand on the curve of my back.
Before I could respond, Lydia rang a cowbell, calling out, “Soup’s on!”
“Hurry, get in line while I’m still hungry and not nauseated,” Maisey said. She grabbed Beckett’s hand and rushed for the house just as Cooper leaped up the two steps from the grass to the deck.
He handed me one of the beers. “Sorry. I got ambushed.”
“The mayor seems very taken with you,” I teased.
He smiled, eyes dancing, and my insides did that familiar swoop. “Jealous, Havoc?”
“If I’m going to lose you to an older woman”—I sighed dramatically—“at least it’s someone I respect.”
He laughed, easy and unguarded, and it struck me how different he seemed tonight. Lighter. The edges of him softened. No trace of the anger or fierceness I’d witnessed up till now. Just a man at home among people who loved him.
I wanted to be just as light. I wanted the laughter and joy I felt infusing the party to infect me, even if only for a few hours. So, as he guided me toward the food line, I let myself focus on his touch. His warmth. The affection threaded through the air like music.
We were nearly at the counter when the man ahead of us turned sharply. “You find the bastard who broke into my house yet?”
“I’m working on it, Jerry,” Cooper said evenly.
Jerry’s eyes slid to me. “Looks like you’re working real hard.”
Cooper’s smile vanished. “Did you install the alarm or the doorbell camera I suggested?”
“I shouldn’t need an alarm or a stupid camera,” Jerry grumbled.
“Rivers used to be a safe place. Hell, you could leave your door unlocked, and no one would ever think of coming inside if you weren’t home.
” The man gave me a pointed look. “It’s that damn resort.
It’s brought all sorts of people here, raising all our prices and making it impossible for families who’ve been here for decades to afford to stay.
And don’t get me started on the complete strangers renting houses on our street through those damn online apps. I bet one of them trashed my place.”