Chapter 4
four
GAGE
“Are you ready for this?” Reid, another deputy and my good friend, asks as I walk up to him outside the courthouse later that morning.
“It’s a routine traffic stop violation. Nothing to get nervous about.”
“I always get nervous when dealing with a judge. It doesn’t matter how often I do it or who the judge is,” I hear Reid’s voice as he continues talking, but my attention is dragged away by a woman I’ve never seen before.
Ashford Falls is far from a tourist town. While we get the occasional person driving through, it’s not very often you see them walking up to the courthouse. My traffic violation is indeed an out-of-towner, but she isn’t this out-of-towner.
No, this woman is impossible to forget.
She’s dressed professionally in a matching pantsuit and blazer, with heels that make it seem like her legs go on for days. Though, it’s clear she isn’t tall, definitely no taller than Olivia. Her hair hangs loosely down her back in soft waves, framing her small, heart-shaped face.
She glances over toward Reid and me briefly, and I’m struck by the look in her eyes. Even though she’s looking right at me, I can tell she’s not seeing me—but I see her. I know absolutely nothing about this woman, but her stare is empty as if she’s haunted by something, and I’m instantly curious about her.
Reid pushes my shoulder, bringing my attention back to him. “Have you heard anything I’ve said?”
“No,” I answer honestly, my eyes following the woman as she enters the building. I contemplate leaving her alone for the briefest moment, but realize I can’t ignore the look I saw on her face.
“You’re due in court in ten minutes, Gage!” Reid calls after me as I walk away from him.
“I’ll meet you there,” I say over my shoulder.
I immediately start searching for the woman the second I step into the courthouse and find her easily. She’s standing in the small center atrium, looking at the signs, definitely trying to decipher where to go. And now I don’t have to come up with an excuse to talk to her.
“Can I help you find what you’re looking for?” I ask as I step in front of her.
She doesn’t even glance at me before responding. “No, I’m fine. Thank you, though.”
While she continues standing there, studying the signs around the atrium, I study her. I was right about her appearing taller than she is. Even in her heels I still tower over her, and up close I can see her eyes more clearly now. They’re a pretty hazel color, with a golden ring surrounding them—familiar to me somehow, but I can’t place it.
That emptiness I thought I saw outside is even clearer while standing this close. There’s also a stiffness to her posture, as if she’s waiting to wage war against someone.
Something in me wants to cause physical harm to whoever caused the look in her eye, but I don’t know why when I don’t even know this woman. Maybe it’s just the principle of the whole thing—being in the army and now law enforcement, I always want to find justice when deserved, and anyone who can put a look like that in someone else’s eyes deserves the worst kind of justice.
She still hasn’t moved, and now I’ve been standing here studying her for way too long. I know I’m coming off like a creep, but, even knowing that, I can’t turn away.
Slowly, her eyes move to mine. “You going to stand there staring at me all morning? Or do you have somewhere to be?”
I shake myself from my trance and answer with a partial truth. “Sorry, you look familiar, but I can’t figure out why. I wouldn’t forget meeting you.”
“Does that line normally work for you?” She holds her hand up, stopping me from responding. “Wait, I already know the answer to that.” Her eyes track down my body slowly before coming back up to mine. “Of course it does. I mean, look at you—attractive and in law enforcement—who wouldn’t fall to their knees for your attention?”
I hear the sarcasm in her voice but decide to run with it, a smirk forming on my lips. “You think I’m attractive?”
“Of course, that’s what you focus on.”
“What man ignores when a beautiful woman calls him attractive? That’s not very smart, and I like to consider myself a smart man.”
“Is that so?” Her tone suggests she thinks I’m the farthest thing from smart, but I see her shoulders drop from her ears, her body relaxing the slightest amount. Even if she never gives me the time of day, knowing I gave her a moment’s reprieve from whatever is troubling her will be a win.
“Well, I did graduate high school a year early and at the top of my class, so that’s gotta count for something.”
“Book smarts don’t always equal street smarts.”
“That’s true. But life experience typically brings street smarts, and I think I’ve had my fair share of life experience.” I lean closer to her, lowering my voice. “You never pass up an opportunity to talk to a beautiful woman, even if she turns you down. You only regret the opportunities you never even try to take.” I stand straight again, giving her back the space I invaded. Though, I note she never backed away from me, leading me to believe she might not have minded me invading her space too much.
“A Lewis Carroll fan?”
“I don’t think that’s exactly what he said, but I’m a fan of anyone who offers a positive way to look at the hard moments in life.” I can’t be sure, but she seems a little impressed I know who Lewis Carroll was and that I misquoted him. I’m honestly a little impressed she knew my words resembled the famous quote. Most people might recognize it, but I don’t think they would know exactly who said it.
We both stand there studying the other, and I’m sure we would have continued to if it weren’t for Reid walking up to us.
“Gage, man, we’re gonna be late for court.” Reid offers a polite smile to the woman in front of me. “Sorry, ma’am.”
I ignore Reid, and reach my hand out toward the woman. “I’m Gage Flynn.”
She hesitates, her eyes bouncing between my offered hand, my face, and Reid behind me, but it’s only a moment before she places her hand in mine. “Ava Day. You might know my brother, Declan. Maybe that’s why I look familiar.”
It’s a peace offering, her giving me that information, and I gladly take it, a genuine smile forming on my lips as I squeeze her hand lightly. “Nice to meet you, Ava.” I pause momentarily before offering her my help again, “Can I help point you in the right direction?”
I don’t release her hand from mine, but I loosen my grip so she can retract her hand if she wants.
“I’m looking for the county clerk’s office.” Even though she has to tilt her head, she looks me straight in the eye, leaving her hand in mine.
I gesture to our left with my free hand. “It’s straight through that doorway there. You can’t miss it.”
“Thank you.” I hear the genuine gratitude in her voice and offer her a small smile in return.
“I hope to see you around, Ava.” I squeeze her hand once more, giving her a slight head tilt, before releasing her and walking away. I want to glance over my shoulder, but I keep my focus straight ahead.
“What was that?” Reid whispers at my side.
I don’t answer him right away, trying to figure that same thing out for myself.
It started as me wanting to talk to a gorgeous woman but quickly morphed into something else. What that something was, I don’t know. That haunted look in her eye and that stiff posture stood out to me. Maybe it reminded me a little of myself when I was first discharged from the army, and I wouldn’t wish those feelings on anyone.
I remember feeling lost and alone when I first came home. People constantly tried to reach me, but I never wanted to burden anyone with my problems. So I kept it all inside, burying it deep, until I couldn’t ignore it anymore, and it all came crashing down around me.
“Gage?” Reid places a hand on my shoulder, bringing my attention back to him. “You good?”
“Yeah, I’m good.” I offer him a small smile, reaching over and squeezing his shoulder in return. “Just got caught up talking to a beautiful woman. You know how that is?” I joke, brightening my tone to prove everything is good.
Reid chuckles, patting me on the back before heading into the courtroom. I glance back the way we came. I can’t see the atrium from where I stand and I know I won’t be able to see if Ava’s still standing there, but I hope, more than anything, I see her again.
I shake myself from my thoughts and enter the courtroom. Now isn’t the time to focus on any of that, now is the time to focus on the job.