Belle sighed, “Well, if you and Colt have children, then at least you will have been through this once.”
At those words, Carrie blinked, both at the thought that she and Colt would stay together and have children, and at the thought of how adorable Colt’s children would be. Nibbling on her lips, she wondered if she was brave enough to become a mom again.
Looking around, she realized the others had grown quiet, all staring at her.
“You’re a great mom, Carrie,” Belle said. “If it does happen again for you, you’ll be even more amazing the second time around.”
Giving her head a little shake, she said, “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I have no idea what the future holds in any way. Especially with me and Colt.”
Katelyn laughed and said, “Just remember…these men don’t waste their time once they find the right woman. And I can’t imagine anyone better for Colt than you.”
Their conversation was interrupted when a cheer arose from the crowd, and she looked toward the pier. From her place under the tent she was unable to see clearly, but it sounded as though the first team had brought in their fish. “I hope Jack and George catch something today or he’ll be so disappointed.”
“Which one? Jack or George?” Jade asked.
Laughing, she replied, “Both of them!”
Colt wandered through the throngs of people filling the Baytown beach. The fishing competition had brought in townspeople, others living on the Eastern Shore, and vacationers. Baytown only had Mitch and four police officers, so Colt’s Sheriff’s Department always assisted when there was a large event happening in the county. He had several deputies on duty, handling everything from parking, traffic, and assisting with the Baytown Police.
He had passed by the food trucks earlier, the scent of grilled meat and vegetables and spices filling the air, already making him hungry. But it was the tents containing the baked goods that truly captured his attention. Or rather, the one beautiful woman standing behind the table selling cookies to a group of children, a wide smile on her face, that had him grinning.
He had helped at many of the events in the county over the last five years but had never looked forward to one as much as he had this one. Jack and George’s enthusiasm had been infectious, and he was looking forward to checking on them later in the day to see what they had caught.
The American Legion had grown to mean a lot to him since his return a couple of years ago in Baytown. When Carrie had mentioned that Belle had invited her to a meeting the prior week of the auxiliary, he was happy for her. He recognized that her world had mostly been the diner and Jack, and he wanted to encourage her new friendships. Plus, with her caring personality, she would fit right into the Auxiliary’s activities.
A cheer arose from the fishing pier, and he assumed the first catch of the day had occurred. As he turned to take a walk near the beach, he observed Grant and Ginny rushing in that direction. Moving quickly through the crowds as he listened to the codes through his earpiece, he headed to assist. A fight had broken out between two teenage boys, and it was quickly subdued. It appeared they were fighting over the same girl who was standing off to the side in tears.
Seeing that it was handled by Grant and Ginny, he continued through the beach crowd and back to the sidewalk on Beach Road near the food trucks. Hearing his name called, he turned around and lifted his chin in greeting as Mitch walked up to him.
“All okay?” Mitch asked.
Giving him the rundown, they laughed about the teenagers and Mitch said, “It’s hard to believe we were ever that young and that dumb.”
Colt agreed, then admitted, “I’d like to think I wasn’t that dumb, but I probably was.”
“I don’t know if you even remember Tori since she didn’t go to Baytown High School. Her grandmother owned the Sea Glass Inn in town, and Tori would spend her summers here. I fell for her when we were kids, and we actually dated in high school even though she lived in Virginia Beach.”
Shaking his head, he said, “I had no idea until she moved back here as an adult that you two had known each other before.”
“She was married for a little while before coming back,” Mitch said.
Colt admitted, “Yeah, me too. I got married early when I was just as young and dumb as we were talking earlier. I suppose we have to live life before we learn how to be smart.”
“Well, you being with Carrie is smart,” Mitch said. “I’m real happy for you.”
Just then, Mitch’s dad, Ed, strolled by with little Eddie, and Mitch plucked his son out of the stroller, giving him a kiss. Gareth walked up, his son in his arms as well. Colt admired them before tossing a wave goodbye, continuing to make his way through the crowd.
As he neared the bake sale tents again, he saw Carrie reaching her hands out to hold a baby while a young mother was digging in her purse for money to pay for the baked goods her toddler was holding onto. He jolted, seeing Carrie holding the baby. She had always appeared so natural in the role of Jack’s mom, but he never thought about how she would have looked when Jack was a baby. In that instant, he knew that if her arms were filled with his child, she would not be more beautiful. Sucking in a quick breath, he waited to see if thoughts of children would make him feel panicked or trapped. Instead, it sent a warm surge of longing through him.
A few hours later, both he and Carrie were off duty and walking along the beach. Something caught his eye as it sparkled on the sand and he bent to scoop up a piece of green sea glass. “Hold out your hand,” he said.
She did as he requested and watched as he placed the sea glass on her uplifted palm. Tilting her head to the side, she asked, “Is that sea glass?” Grinning widely, she said, “I’ve never had a chance to look for sea glass. It’s beautiful!”
“It reminds me of you,” he said, closing her fingers around the smooth surface. “The broken glass is tossed and tumbled by the water and sand, making it smooth and beautiful. Just like you.”
Her top teeth captured her bottom lip as she sucked in a quick breath. He turned so that they were facing each other, no space between their bodies. Bending, he kissed her lips, soothing the place she had nibbled.
Shouts erupted from the fishing pier and he knew the tournament was near the end. Hating to separate, he held her gaze, his thumbs sweeping over her cheeks. “Guess we better go see how they did.”
She nodded and snuggled into his side as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, tucking her in tightly as they walked along the fishing pier, admiring the view. The tournament was over, and Jack and George had won second place. Colt was not sure who was more excited…George, Jack, or Carrie. If he was honest, his name was in there as well because he had clapped and cheered as loud as anyone when their names had been called.
Townspeople smiled and nodded their greetings, their acceptance of he and Carrie together evident. He looked down at her face, and asked, “Happy?”
She stopped, turned to face him, placed her hands flat against his chest and looked up into his eyes. “There’s been a lot of times in my life that I’ve been incredibly happy. When Jack was born. Celebrating all his milestones. Having fun at Joe’s Place. Knowing that even though my dad is gone, my mom is still around to enjoy her grandson.” She sucked in her lips for a second, her eyes cutting away from his as though she were pondering her next words. He waited patiently and then she rewarded him when she looked up at him again, a wide smile spreading across her face. “But right now, with my son so excited to have spent the day with George, my mom working alongside of me and our new friends, and you standing right here with your arms around me…I’ve never been happier.”
Heedless of the people around, he bent and kissed her, knowing he could say the same and vowing to spend his life making her happy.
23
Colt did not often sit in on his detectives’ meetings, but being personally interested in this investigation, he wanted to know where they were with their cases. Trevon had joined Hunter and Elizabeth, and Hannah
and Liam were in attendance as well since they had also had elderly people robbed of their medication.
Trevon said, “One of our problems is that unlike a city where people are close together, in the county we’re so spread out. Many of our elderly live in homes that are along country lanes with neighbors far apart.”
“We’re considering getting notice out to the elderly in our county to make sure they lock their doors at night and maybe go so far as to lock up their medication,” Elizabeth said. “If so, I’ll make sure that it’s in Spanish as well as English.”
Hunter groused, “If Will is not directly giving the names of who he delivers to, how else are they getting them? Is someone following him? Is someone hacking into the pharmacy to get the list?”
“Following him would be easy,” Elizabeth said, “because he has set delivery times.”
“He also has that bright blue pickup truck that’s not too hard to disguise,” Trevon added. “If someone wants to follow him, it’s pretty easy.”
“Each of us has elderly assistance,” Colt said, looking at Hannah and Liam. “We need to tell our deputies and officers to increase their watch when they do their elder checks.”
“What about the phone calls when they check in?” Elizabeth asked. “Should we be asking where the medications are kept? And then advising that they should keep them locked up?”
Colt rubbed his chin, feeling the tension in his jaw. “My fear is that we’ll end up with more victims like George. When the robberies occur at night and the older person is asleep, whoever is getting in has no resistance and can make it a quick and easy theft. George heard them and went to confront them…or at least see who was there in his house. Then the robbery became an assault. And then it became arson and attempted murder.”
“So, you’re concerned that if we make the drugs more difficult for someone to steal, it could become more dangerous for the victims?” Trevon asked.
Shrugging, he sighed. “It’s a concern and a consideration that we need to think about.”
They continued to brainstorm for several minutes about making the elderly residents safer without putting them in more danger.
Trevon added, “Hunter has had me checking, but I see no tie into the organized gang activity that’s coming from the north or even from Virginia Beach.”
“So what’s happening with the medication that’s being stolen? There’s got to be a central person that it’s going to…someone who has the links to get paid for it.”
“Is there any tie into Tom Pearl?” Colt asked.
Shaking his head, Hunter replied, “None that we can see. Other than he and Will are friends.”
“Because we have identified the thefts occurring at houses where medications are delivered, I want to get hold of Will’s phone records and emails. We’ve got enough probable cause, so make that happen.”
Elizabeth nodded and said, “I’ll work on getting the warrant.”
“Let me know as soon as you have anything,” Colt said, pushing himself up. With a chin lift goodbye, he headed back to his office.
Carrie placed the plates filled with chicken fried steak and french fries onto the table, checking to see if her customers needed drink refills. The lunch crowd was thinning, but she could not deny that the tips had been good.
She jumped every time she looked toward the door, and Mavis finally asked, “Girl, what’s wrong with you? You’re as nervous as a cat sleeping under a rocking chair.”
“I talked to Peter yesterday and told him that we were ready with a decision. He’s going to come by. I said we could just talk on the phone, but he seems to want to visit in person.”
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” BettyJo asked.
Nodding, she said, “Yeah. The other day I was caught off guard, but I’m ready now.” Making her way around the diner again, refilling drinks and getting dessert orders put in, she looked up as the bell over the door rang.
Peter walked in, and she offered a small wave in greeting. Moving toward him, she ushered him to a booth in the corner and nodded toward BettyJo to indicate that she was taking her break.
“Carrie,” he greeted, his hands nervously clutched together on the old tabletop.
She had noticed his dress pants were ironed with a crease when he walked in and could not help but compare them to the perfectly creased, dark brown pants that made up Colt’s uniform. The two men could not be more different, but every comparison between the two only made her think more of Colt.
Blinking, trying to clear her mind, she focused on Peter. “I feel bad about you driving all this way,” she said. “We really could have talked over the phone.”
He nodded jerkily and said, “I realize that, but I felt like this was important enough to speak in person.” He sucked in a breath through his nose, and let it out slowly, his gaze on his hands for a moment before lifting his chin and holding her eyes. “I admit that Abigail read me the riot act after our last visit. And she was right. I do owe you an apology.” Sighing, he said, “I owe you a lot more than an apology.”
“You know, Peter, it makes me feel good to hear you say that, but we really don’t need to dwell on the past. We were young. I was in love and thought you were, too. But here we are, years later, and I can truly say that I’m happy.”
His gaze drifted out toward the diner, and she battled her ire, not wanting to fight with him. “I can see that you don’t understand how this job would make me feel happy. Quite frankly, sometimes it doesn’t. But I’ve found friends here. True friends. Friends who stepped in when I was sick or Jack was sick. I had my mom with me, and we were accepted here. It might not be the country club atmosphere that you’re used to, but it’s a life that I made for myself.”
Giving a quick shake, he said, “Please, I didn’t mean to imply that this was not a good life. I have no right to judge anyone’s life, considering that I’ve typically done whatever my father wanted me to do, including joining his law firm. I’m often not happy there, but I didn’t have the strength of character that you have to strike out on my own.”
Those words surprised her, and she leaned back against her seat, waiting to see what else he would say.
“I know that Jack probably doesn’t want to have anything to do with me,” he said, shaking his head slowly, “and I can’t blame him. If he ever does want to meet me, please know that I’m completely open to that.”
She licked her bottom lip, thinking of how she had practiced what she was going to say to him, and now it was time. Her stomach twisted slightly, but she forged ahead. “Right now, Jack says he does not want to meet you. But I have no doubt that he’s curious. I’m going to leave that decision up to him. I will also let you know that he said that he did not want any of your money, but he’s old enough to understand the meaning of child support and that we have never had that.” Ignoring the wince that crossed Peter’s face, she continued, “I am uncertain what all of your motives are. You never sought us out until you decided to run for office and then you realized you had what could be considered a skeleton in your closet.” She leaned forward, gaining and holding his attention as she said, “Don’t you see, Peter? Jack is anything but a skeleton. He’s not something to be ashamed of or something that you need to pay off. He’s a living, breathing, fabulous, intelligent, caring, wonderful, funny, inventive, light of my life boy.”
Peter’s eyes closed for a moment before opening again, nodding slowly. “I know that you’re right. My choice of words last time was unpardonable, and believe me, that was part of what Abigail blasted me about. In truth, what started out as what could be considered a payoff to make sure that you don’t speak to the press against me has now made me realize that I fucked up twelve years ago when you told me you were pregnant and I didn’t man up then, and I haven’t manned up since then. If the press comes asking questions when I announce my candidacy, you are completely free to give them your unflattering opinion of me, of which I realize I deserve.”
Shaking her head, she s
aid, “Peter, I may have been furious with you at various times during the past twelve years, but I’m not out to ruin your life. And I don’t need child support. I am completely able to take care of all of Jack’s needs myself. What I have decided is that it would be foolish for me to refuse you if you would like to open up a bank account for Jack to use when he’s an adult. Whether for college, travel, whatever he would like.”
He appeared relieved, whether because he truly wanted to help Jack or just felt like this was one more box to check off for his political aspirations. But she found that she did not care. Whatever his motivation, as long as it would make Jack’s life easier to pursue his dreams, then she was fine with it. She may have gone through all the difficult times with Jack, but of his two parents, she was the lucky one. She got the love of her son, and that was worth more than any of Peter’s money.
They slid out of the booth at the same time, and Peter tentatively reached his hand out. She did not hesitate, but clasped it in her own, smiling at the thought that only Colt’s touch sent shivers through her. She watched as he walked out of the diner and then turned around to see Joe, Mavis, and BettyJo observing her carefully.
Smiling, she walked over to them and said, “Stop worrying. The time when I give any thoughts to Peter and what I didn’t have is over. Now, I just focus on Jack and Colt and the future. It’s our time.”
Jack was waiting at the church, most of the other kids already picked up by their parents or rides. Today, his grandmother was picking him up, but his mom had let him know that she was running a little late. That was okay with him since it gave him a chance to hang with Shelley until her dad picked her up. Now, with most of the kids gone, he walked back toward the door to wait in the shade, where he could still keep an eye on the parking lot so he would not miss his grandmother.
Our Time (Baytown Boys Book 11) Page 18