by Barb Han
Not that she had much of one. She’d been saving tips to take a few computer classes so she could get a nine-to-five job. She wasn’t particular about where she worked as long as it didn’t involve hustling drinks or food. She’d done both. Often at the same time to make rent.
Summer and her sister had had a crazy dream when they were little of owning their own shop. When they were super little, the dream had been to open a toy store and then they’d wanted a small bookstore. At least, Summer had. Autumn had said she didn’t care as long as there was a coffee shop attached for her to manage.
Then, her sister started drifting around and moved farther and farther away, not just physical distance. The calls had stopped coming. Autumn was later and later returning Summer’s calls.
The reason Summer had been working in restaurants and bars was to save up enough to start their business. She’d been working every job from waitress to assistant manager trying to learn everything she could about running a business.
Everything came to an abrupt stop after Autumn sent news she got married. Her life was going to be with her husband and she said that Summer shouldn’t worry about finances because Autumn had married well.
At first, Summer questioned whether or not her sister had married for a bank account. The look on her face in the wedding picture had given Summer hope that wasn’t the case. Finding out her sister had forced Dawson’s hand still didn’t sit well. Now there was the fact she’d actually never truly been married in the first place.
But she’d wanted Summer to believe she was married, and still was married. She turned on the dryer and headed back to the kitchen. She walked over to the pen and wrote down the word married.
“My sister didn’t tell me about the divorce.” She flashed eyes at him. “Even though it was all fairy tale or smoke and mirrors, however you look at it.”
“It wasn’t real,” he seemed quick to confirm.
“But she wanted me to believe it. I’m wondering if she wanted someone else to believe it, too.”
“Possibly someone named Charley?” he asked.
“It’s all I can think of,” she said. “It worked with me. I really thought she was happy and I stopped worrying about her.” The fact she’d rarely returned messages in the past year had barely registered with Summer. “I was busy coming up with a Plan B for my life after hers seemed settled.”
“So, her wanting you to believe she was married was important,” he agreed.
“It’s also strange that she left this box here.” She motioned toward the wooden box with what was supposed to be her sister’s most prized possessions. “She knew she was leaving. Right?”
“I believe so.”
“Then, why take off without something so personal? I’m guessing the way she left things with you that she never intended to come back,” she said.
He rocked his head. “That’s been my assumption this whole time. The main reason someone leaves something of value behind is the person is in such a rush they forget it.”
“I’m probably just wanting to see the best in my sister but I wonder if she left my necklace because she wanted to protect my identity.” She picked up the pendant and let it rest on her flat palm.
“It’s highly possible.” He reached for the pen she’d set down and wrote “protect loved one.”
“Have you considered that she might have been trying to protect you?” she asked him.
“It crossed my mind that she picked me for my ability to protect her.” His response was honest, and she could give him that. There was far more hurt in his tone when he talked about Autumn now. He’d said before that he was in full-on investigator mode.
“That might be true. She seemed like she was hiding and making rash decisions. Some of it feels illogical.”
“We have a lot of puzzle pieces missing,” he agreed before glancing at the wall clock. “In a couple of hours, we leave for Austin.”
His cell buzzed and this time it was still sitting on the granite island. He walked over to it. The look on his face when he checked the screen nearly stopped her heart.
Chapter Eight
“Thank you for letting me know.”
Those six words were going to change Summer’s life forever. She just knew it. Her legs gave and she smacked her hand on the island to stop herself from going down. All along, she’d known it. And yet confirmation of her sister’s death nearly pulled her under.
Dawson was by her side in the next second, his strong hand steadying her, helping her stay upright.
“I’m sorry.” Two words she hated more than anything in that moment.
He helped her to the couch and brought a fresh cup of coffee. For a long time, she couldn’t speak as tears streamed. Dawson gave her space. He set his laptop up at the granite countertop and took a stool. He’d moved it to the side presumably so he could keep an eye on her.
Summer didn’t want to know the details of what had happened just yet. She just sat there, suspended in time, unable to think or speak. Her brain refused to process. A fog descended, cloaking her with a heaviness that pressed so hard on her chest she could barely breathe.
Sipping coffee to try to jar herself out of the haze of grief, she hugged a pillow to her chest.
The dryer went off at some point. She didn’t care. She heard Dawson move around without really registering what he was doing. The coffee in her cup had long since gone cold. She rolled the mug around in her palms.
Tears dried up at some point. She couldn’t be certain when and didn’t care. The sun came up and she cursed the fact. How could life go on when her heart had just been ripped out of her chest?
Come on, she finally tried to rally. She’d known this news was coming. She’d had time to deal with it. There was something extra devastating about that final blow, something extra cruel and final. She curled up on her side and pulled the blanket from last night over herself, suddenly feeling very cold.
The details could wait. In a few hours, she’d learn the condition of what would now be referred to as the body. She hoped like hell there was some evidence, a fingerprint or piece of DNA that could bring closure to the case and justice for her sister.
A small part of her didn’t want this investigation to end. She didn’t want to go back to the nonlife she’d had in Washington. The one where she had no real purpose anymore.
But then if wishes were being granted, she wanted her sister back. No matter how irresponsible Autumn had been or how lost, there had been something very good inside her that had been worth fighting for. At least Summer thought so.
Summer leaned forward and set the mug on the coffee table. A few seconds later, Dawson brought over a plate of food. She glanced at it, figuring there was no way that a breakfast sandwich was going down. It could go down but she highly doubted it would stay there for long.
The glass of water, on the other hand, she decided to try.
“Okay if I sit with you?” Dawson asked.
“I’d like that a lot.” She meant it, too. The only light in this dark situation was the fact she hadn’t been alone when she’d heard the news. Having been on her own for most of her life caused her to learn to depend on herself early. Being completely alone for the rest of her life was one of her worst fears. She’d been so afraid that if she lost her sister she would fade away, too.
She scooted over enough for him to sit next to her. It was unexpected for him to be her comfort. But she didn’t hesitate for a second when he tugged her toward him.
Burying her face in his chest, she released the pent-up frustration that had been simmering for years.
* * *
DAWSON KNEW BETTER than to be Summer’s comfort for too long. It was dangerous territory for him because it would be all too easy to get lost in her violet eyes. He couldn’t argue how right she felt in his arms. Instead of giving in to what he wanted, he put up a wall.
His mind was still spinning from everything he’d learned in the past twenty-four hours. Autumn’s lies stacked up from the fake pregnancy to the fact she never went to college or had a living relative. There was a lot to unpack and try to digest. Even though a year had passed, learning he’d been lied to and tricked caused all his old walls to shoot up. The thought of letting anyone else in seemed about as appealing as drinking motor oil.
Except, when it came to Summer, he found that he wanted to trust. There was a quiet strength and vulnerability in her that touched him in a deep place. Losing Autumn had hurt his pride. Losing Summer would break his heart.
Dawson’s cell buzzed where he’d left it on the granite island. Summer tensed and then pulled back as though she realized the worst blow had already been delivered. It had. He couldn’t imagine losing one of his brothers out of the blue like that.
He pushed up to standing and got to his phone in time to answer after a glance at the screen. “Hey, Colton.”
His older brother was sheriff but there was no need for formalities.
“I wish I had better news.” The fact that Colton was getting right to the point sent an icy chill racing down Dawson’s spine.
“What is it?” Dawson asked.
“It’s Dad. A private investigator came forward and said he gave Dad information about possible known associations of Mrs. Hubert a few weeks before Dad’s death. Someone might’ve come onto the property to stop him. And there’s more.”
“What else?” The question had to be asked.
“Someone used his credit card two days ago, so we’re diving in to figure out who and how the person got it.” Colton said.
“If Dad was following up on a lead and that’s what got him killed, would the killer be crazy enough to use the credit card?” Dawson asked.
“It’s a reasonable assumption. The fact that his credit card was used a few days ago could mean a lot of things. He might’ve dropped his wallet and someone found it before he was murdered.”
“True.” There was no need for them to go over all the possibilities since both worked in law enforcement and both had seen plenty in their time on the job.
“Where was his credit card used?” Dawson asked.
“Convenience store in Beckridge.”
“That’s not far. There’d be camera footage. Right?”
“The Mart doesn’t keep the recordings. They wipe them out every day. It would be impossible to know who used the credit card based on any footage,” Colton explained.
“We could determine if the person was male or female, though. And the clerk might have a description. Let’s see, the highway runs straight through there.” Dawson was grasping at straws, hoping for a witness.
“The clerk couldn’t remember who used the card. And, I talked to mother and she wanted to increase the size of the reward for information about Dad’s murder. What do you think about that?” Colton asked.
“Ten thousand dollars is already a lot of money for someone to do the right thing.”
“You won’t get any arguments out of me there.” At least he and his brother were on the same page.
“Did you tell her that might invite gold diggers into the party? The amount of false leads would go through the roof if we increased it five or ten thousand dollars?” Dawson asked.
“I sure did.”
Dawson was preaching to the choir. His brother was a top-notch sheriff and would have already thought of all those things.
“For the record, I’m against the idea. I think it’ll bring too many quacks out of the woodwork. You probably have your hands full as it is with a ten-thousand-dollar reward,” Dawson said.
“All of us are in unison on that,” Colton confirmed. He, no doubt, would have contacted their other siblings.
“Changing subjects. Are you doing okay with everything?” Colton asked. The emphasis he’d placed on the last word gave a strong hint that he was talking about Summer.
Dawson wasn’t ready to discuss anything about the sisters with his brother just yet. Especially not where he was on a personal level with Summer and he knew that was the real question Colton was asking. Dawson paused for a minute and the pieces started clicking together. Given how many of his brothers worked in law enforcement, the news about Autumn’s death would’ve traveled through the family by now. He’d intended to call his brothers once he got his mind around the news. For now, Summer had been and still was his priority.
“We have a lot going on over here. I’m planning a road trip to Austin in a couple of hours. There are a few people I want to interview over there,” he said. “And if we can keep the news about Autumn as quiet as possible, I’d appreciate it. And that goes for everyone who knows, not just the family.”
The news about Autumn had been hard but not because of any residual emotions. He’d turned those off a while ago and was down to a bruised ego. Any anger he had toward her dissipated the minute he heard she was in trouble. It explained a lot about the way she’d acted. He was down to being genuinely sorry for her and her family on a human level rather than as an ex-husband. Hell, their marriage had been too brief for him to put down roots in the relationship. She’d swept in and out of his life like a spring thunderstorm.
“It’s true. What you heard about Autumn,” he said to his brother.
“I saw Laurel yesterday. I was in the barn when she brought Shadow over.”
“Then you’ve probably pieced together the fact that Autumn has an identical twin sister. She’s here and I’m going to help her see this through.” Dawson braced himself for the argument that was sure to come from his brother—a brother who would have Dawson’s best interest at heart without a doubt.
“You know each and every one of us is here if you need anything.” The way he emphasized that last word suggested the offer covered more than their brotherly bond. There was a hint of confusion in Colton’s tone, which was understandable under the circumstances.
Dawson had no way to discuss something he didn’t understand for himself. That “something” was his need to make this right for Summer.
“You say you’re heading to Austin in a little while?” Colton brought the subject back to the investigation.
“That’s right.”
“You want any of us to tag along?” Colton asked.
“I got this. I appreciate the offer, though.” Dawson figured he had enough contacts in Austin to get backup if anything went down. For now, he wanted to visit a coffee shop and a so-called minister. An internet search of Texas lawmakers didn’t reveal anyone with the first name of Charles or Charley.
“You know I’m just a phone call and a couple of hours away if you need anything. I’m also pretty decent with the database, so if you need any help with research, I’m here for that, too,” Colton offered.
“I appreciate you more than you know.”
“It’s what we do for each other. Right?” Colton said. It was true. Any one of them would drop what they were doing on a moment’s notice for the other one.
Dawson thanked his brother before ending the call. He moved to the sink and filled a glass with water, and then polished it off. He’d pace if it would do any good. Frustration built when he thought about someone using his father’s credit card like it was nothing, like they knew they wouldn’t get caught. Finn O’Connor was strong and tough for any age. Under most conditions, he would have been able to hold his own. Most being the operative word.
Anyone could be taken down under the right conditions no matter how strong or well prepared. He needed to make a pit stop at the convenience store on the way to Austin. Shadow would be okay hanging out in the barn for a couple of days. He’d have to let the ranch foreman know, but that was easy enough. Shadow loved being at the barn so no reason to feel bad there. Apollo could certainly use the company.
From behind him, he heard the sound of Summer’
s bare feet on the wood floor. He could sense she was moving toward him. Her clean, fresh-flower smell filled his senses when he took in a breath meant to calm himself.
“Was that news about your father?” Summer’s voice traveled over him, detonating in his heart.
“Yes. His credit card is in play a couple of towns over.” He heard the hurt in his own voice when he spoke about his father—hurt he was usually so good at masking.
He set the glass down on the counter and released his hold on it for fear he might break it. He gripped the bullnose edge of the granite countertop instead.
There were a whole lot of should nots rolling around in Dawson’s thoughts. He should not turn around. He should not take a step toward Summer. He sure as hell should not kiss her. But that’s exactly what he did.
Dawson dipped his head down and captured those sweet, full, pink lips. He exhaled against her mouth as her tongue darted out.
Now it was Summer’s turn to take in a breath as he pressed his lips against hers harder and the two melded together. She pushed up on her tiptoes and brought her hands up, tunneling her fingers in his hair as she took the lead, deepening the kiss.
Electricity pulsed through his body, bringing him back to life. He looped his hands around her waist as she pressed her body flush with his. Through the cotton material of the robe, he could feel her full breasts against his stomach. She was perfection and fit him perfectly.
She parted her lips, which gave him better access, and he drove his tongue inside her mouth. She tasted like dark roast coffee and a little bit of peppermint from brushing her teeth earlier. Dark roast coffee mixed with peppermint was his new favorite flavor.
Dawson’s pulse skyrocketed and his heart jackhammered his ribs. Summer molded against him. When she opened her eyes and pulled back just enough for him to see those incredible violet eyes of hers, his heart detonated.