Chapter 8 Dean
DEAN
Dean climbed out of Ace's truck in Willa's driveway and immediately felt the familiar tug of bittersweet memory.
Cars lined the sandy drive, and the sound of laughter drifted from the back of the house where the beach stretched out beyond the deck.
This house had been the center of so many gatherings when Shaun was alive, and stepping onto the familiar ground always brought back a flood of emotions.
The front door opened before they reached it, and Dean watched Ace's entire face light up when Willa appeared in the doorway.
Dean knew he should probably feel some loyalty conflict for his late son, but he didn't. Ace and Willa were his only family now, along with the grandchildren, and they both deserved happiness.
The problem was that they were both still denying their feelings for each other.
Ace because he and Shaun had been best friends for years, and Willa because Dean honestly didn't think she'd even realized she had feelings for Ace deeper than friendship.
Dean sighed wistfully as they approached the house.
Love and life were like constantly trying to scale a rocky cliff.
There were easy patches where you could find secure footing and catch your breath.
There were hard, painful sections where every grip threatened to give way beneath your fingers.
And then there were the deadly parts where one wrong move could send you plummeting into darkness.
Dean had experienced most of those challenges over the years.
Okay, nearly all of them. He'd never experienced the deadly kind.
That stalker, jealous, obsessive type of love that destroyed everything it touched.
And he never wanted to, but he'd witnessed it a time or two during his years with the fire department.
He'd seen his share of evil and violence in this world, usually when domestic situations escalated beyond reason.
"Dean, Ace," Willa's voice broke into his thoughts, and he brushed away the melancholy that always started creeping in this time of year. The anniversary was only two weeks away, and it always affected his mood. "Welcome, come in. Everyone's out back."
"Who all is here?" Ace asked, following Willa through the familiar hallway.
"Holt, Rad, Mina, Tyler, my mom, Aunt Carmen, Tom, and Lucy," Willa listed off as they walked.
"And us," Grace's voice came from the stairs, her grin that reminded Dean so much of Shaun that it made his chest tight.
"Sorry, and my kids," Willa corrected with a laugh as Grace was followed by Becky and Andy.
"Grandpa! Ace!" the kids called in delight, rushing forward to greet them with the kind of enthusiasm that was filled with unconditional love.
Dean looked up to see another teenage boy standing politely by the foot of the stairs, clearly waiting to be introduced.
"This is Tyler," Willa said, gesturing toward the boy. "Our town’s new detective, Rad Dillinger’s son."
"My great-grandson," Mina Dillinger said, stepping through the kitchen door with a warm smile. "Hello, Ace." Her eyes fell on Dean, and her smile widened. "Dean, how delightful to see you again."
Dean acknowledged Tyler with a firm handshake and a welcoming nod before turning to greet Mina.
She was like the matriarch of Sandpiper Shores now, being one of the few remaining people who remembered the town's founding families.
Her presence always brought a sense of stability and continuity to any gathering.
Before anyone could speak again, another car pulled up in the driveway, and Becky squealed with excitement as she glanced out of the window.
"Zoe and Katey are here!" she announced, rushing off with Grace and Andy to greet the new arrivals.
Noah Peltz climbed out of the driver's seat, followed by his wife, Ginny, and their two daughters. Dean knew Noah well. He'd been elected mayor the previous year and was doing an excellent job managing the town's growth while preserving its character. He was also Lacey’s son.
"Hope we're not late," Noah said as he and his family stepped into the house.
"Not at all," Willa assured them. "Perfect timing, actually."
They all moved further inside together, and Dean was introduced to Rad. Lucy and Tom were standing together near the kitchen, and Dean felt a surge of happiness seeing them as a couple. About time, he thought. If ever two people were meant for each other, they were.
They greeted him warmly, and Dean found himself scanning the room automatically, looking for familiar faces. His heart dropped slightly when he realized who was missing.
"Are Margo and Lacey not coming?" he asked, trying to keep his tone casual.
"Oh, Margo borrowed my car because she had some problems with hers, and it's in the shop," Lucy explained, clearly frustrated.
"She wanted to get some fresh pies for the barbecue that she'd baked at Teacups, and Lacey had an emergency with a sick dog she needed to go see.
I told her I'd handle it, but she wouldn't hear of it.
Margo said she'd help and make sure Lacey didn't overdo things. "
Dean couldn't help but smile at that. Lacey was a force to be reckoned with and would never let an animal suffer, even to the detriment of her own health. He'd seen her work through injuries, exhaustion, and illness when animals needed care.
"They should be here soon," Lucy added, noticing his expression.
Dean smiled, trying to look casual about his interest. "I actually ran into Lacey at the Henderson farm earlier today. She was doing a wildlife assessment of the burned area."
That led to a discussion about the fire, and Tom filled Dean in on the investigation.
The more Tom shared, the more worried Dean became.
Tom didn't have to spell out what they were both thinking, but it sent a chill down Dean's spine.
It was almost like it had happened ten years ago all over again.
It was showing the same patterns, the same sense of something dark moving beneath the surface of their peaceful community.
Twenty minutes later, Dean found himself standing on the back deck with the same beer in his hand that he'd had since arriving thirty minutes ago.
It was barely touched. He was looking out over the sea as the sun slowly descended toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink that reminded him of countless other evenings spent in this same spot.
"I do love this view," June's soft voice came from behind him, and he turned to smile at her. "Do you mind if I join you?" She glanced back toward where everyone was gathered between the sunroom and patio, where the barbecue was set up. "I needed a few minutes of air."
"Of course," Dean said, understanding the feeling completely.
He glanced toward the laughter and noise of the crowd gathered around Willa's house, and memories rushed through his mind.
Other times, like this, when Shaun was still alive.
This had been a summer tradition. Barbecue nights with all the family, neighbors, firefighters, police officers, and friends gathered on this very deck.
Playing volleyball in the sand, swimming in the cold water, laughter, joyful chaos, and squeals of delight from children playing in the surf.
"I remember this," Dean said softly as June joined him at the railing. "We need to do it more often." He swallowed the pain.
"I agree," June said with a nod, watching the scene in front of them. "I guess we're all finally healing." Her eyes met his, and they were filled with the kind of compassion that came from shared experience with loss.
Dean gave a soft laugh and nodded. "Yes, I think we are." He turned and leaned on the railing, looking out at the water. "I can't believe it's been ten years."
"I know," June agreed, frowning slightly. "This year feels different. I know it's ten years, and that's a milestone. But it feels different somehow."
"I felt it too," Dean told her. "Like when I was talking to Ace a few days ago, and he talked me into coming here early.
I had this pull, almost like I had to come earlier.
" He looked down at his beer and picked at the label absently.
After a moment, he sighed. He'd always been able to talk to June about anything.
He'd come to see her as the younger sister he'd never had.
“Did Ace visit you in Pensacola?” June asked.
“No, I was in Miami,” Dean answered.
"You were in Miami?" June frowned. "Have you moved from Pensacola and didn’t tell me?"
"What? No," Dean shook his head. "I was there for a check-up. I have Reactive Airways Disease from all the years of smoke exposure from firefighting. Ace came to visit me at my apartment rental in Miami. He knew I was there. Ace is always the first one to call me when it’s my check-up time.
" He glanced at the sea and took a small sip of beer.
"Ace told me I should come stay with him for a couple of months this summer.
He mentioned that you and Carmen were here too, so I thought, why not?
" He breathed. “And that pull I told you about.”
"I had that same sort of feeling when Willa and Carmen suggested I come here to recover,” June admitted and then smiled, reaching over and softly squeezing his arm.
“I'm glad you did come early," June told him sincerely.
"I know three grandchildren who are as well.
" She sighed and glanced back at the gathering.
"I always feel guilty that I don't get to see Willa and the kids every day. "
"Me too," Dean admitted. "Willa, the kids, you, Carmen, and Ace are all the family I have now."
"I feel the same way," June said softly.
Dean looked back toward the house, where he could see Holt talking with Ace, Rad, and Noah. "So that's the infamous Holt?" he asked.
"Yup," June said with a nod. "That's him."
"Does Willa know he's your ex-husband?" Dean asked quietly.