Colton's Secret History

by Jennifer D. Bokal

  He ignored it all, and said, “Looks like you did get cut. Do you have any antibiotic ointment and a bandage?”

  She pointed to a cabinet with her free hand. “In there.”

  A first-aid kit sat on the second shelf. As he rummaged through the contents, Luke tried not to think about how much he liked holding Bridgette’s hand. Or how having her close brought back memories of a time when he was younger and anything was possible.

  With bandage and ointment in hand, he turned back to Bridgette. “Got it,” he said.

  “Thanks.” Bridgette took a moment to wash and dry her injury. Then she reached for the tube of ointment and applied a dab. After opening the bandage, Bridgette tried to center the adhesive tabs on the side of her hand. “Do you mind?” she asked. “Getting this bandage on is awkward.”

  “Not at all,” said Luke, a little too fast to be anything other than eager to touch her again. “I’m happy to help if you need it.”

  “Thanks,” she said.

  Luke smoothed the bandage over the cut. “There,” he said. “Good as new.” Yet, her hand remained in his. She didn’t pull away. Luke dared to look at Bridgette. She was watching him. Their gazes met and held. He moved closer to her, so close that he could smell the lightly floral scent of her shampoo.

  She inched forward, closing the distance between them. He slipped his hand to the small of her back and pulled Bridgette closer still.

  Luke bent to her. His lips hovered above Bridgette’s. Their breath mingled, becoming one.

  The door opened with a bang. “Are you two in here?” Neil called out. “Mom needs the serving stuff and we all want another beer.”

  Bridgette slipped out of Luke’s arms at the same moment her brother entered the kitchen.

  Neil stopped short. Drawing his brows together, he asked, “What’s going on here?”

  Sure, Bridgette was a grown woman. It was also true that Luke had dated her when they were in high school. It was also a fact that nobody—Neil included—wanted to see their sister kissed by any dude.

  “Um...” said Luke.

  “Who got hurt?” Neil asked, gesturing to the first-aid kit and bloodied towel.

  “I cut my finger,” said Bridgette, holding up her injury as proof. “Dry off the flatware and I’ll finish up. Luke, beer’s in the fridge, help yourself.”

  Had she really let the moment slip away in an instant? Was Bridgette’s heart racing like Luke’s? Or had she not been moved by the moment at all?

  * * *

  Bridgette stood alone in her parents’ kitchen. From the window, she had a clear view of the entire lawn that sloped down to the lake.

  Everyone had gathered around the table, bathed in the glow of a dozen candles. Her eye was drawn to Luke, and her lips began to tingle with the kiss that never happened. In the quiet kitchen, Bridgette admitted, if only to herself, that she was attracted to Luke.

  It was more than his blue eyes, or strong arms, or broad shoulders, or tight ass, that drew her in. It was him. His smile. His willingness to lend a hand, no matter the personal inconvenience. Like the old saying went, they didn’t make them like Luke Walker anymore.

  Then again, could she really give her heart away again?

  Hadn’t Bridgette learned her lesson? Everyone she ever truly loved would one day die.

  The back door opened and closed. “Bridgette. Are you still in here?” called Jordana.

  “In the kitchen.”

  “What’s keeping you?” Jordana asked. “You know Mom won’t let anyone eat until we’re all together, and no offense, but I’m starving.”

  “I didn’t mean to keep people waiting. Let’s go.”

  Jordana said, “Wait a second. You look spooked. What’s the matter? Is it because your car was vandalized?”

  “I’m fine,” said Bridgette. “But let’s go. I really don’t want people hungry on my account.”

  Without a word, they walked out of the house and across the patio.

  “Why are you so jumpy tonight?” Jordana asked.

  “Why are you so nosy?”

  “I’m your big sister and a cop. It’s kind of my job.”

  Bridgette gave a quiet laugh. “Coming back home has made me realize how many secrets we try to bury in the past.”

  “Like how you feel about Luke Walker?”

  “Jeez, that’s pretty blunt.”

  “Like I said, I’m your big sister and a cop. Being blunt comes with the territory, too.”

  “For your information, I don’t feel any way about Luke.”

  “You used to.”

  “Yes, as in the past. Besides, I’m still not sure how I feel about Henry.”

  “You loved your husband.” Jordana placed her hand on Bridgette’s shoulder and pulled her to a stop. “But he really is in the past. Luke Walker is right here, and I can see how he looks at you. How you look at him.”

  Despite herself, Bridgette scanned the group gathered around the bonfire. Luke was talking to her father and brother, Ty. Looking up, his gaze met hers. He lifted his beer in a salute. She waved back.

  “See?”

  “No,” said Bridgette, shrugging off her sister’s touch. “I don’t see anything.”

  She stalked away, thankful to leave the conversation behind. Especially since Jordana had been right. Luke had awakened emotions in Bridgette she thought had died with her husband.

  Chapter 10

  Night draped its velvety cloak over the sky. The meal had been served and enjoyed. After the table was cleared, dessert was brought out—an obvious choice of a s’mores bar. Luke watched Bridgette and Yvette catch their marshmallows on fire and then giggle, much like schoolgirls.

  “Hey, Luke,” said Brooks. “I’d like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Gwen Harrison.”

  Gwen, a lithe redhead with a warm smile, held out her hand to shake. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Dex, cocktail in hand, stood nearby and snorted.

  Brooks rounded on the older man. “What in the hell is your problem?”

  “You know you can do better, right?” Dex asked.

  “What’d you say?” Narrowing his eyes, Brooks stepped forward.

  Holding up a hand, Dex slurped his drink. “My boy, I’ve been around a long time and I know a tart when I see one.”

  “Tart?” Brooks lunged forward.

  Luke didn’t think; he acted. Stepping between the two men, he placed his palms on Brooks’s chest. “Calm down, man.”

  Brooks tried to brush his hand aside. “You heard what Dex said to Gwen. How am I supposed to be calm?”

  The chatter from the other partygoers fell away, leaving the night completely silent except for the crackling bonfire.

  “It’s late,” said Luke. “Everyone is tired. Dex has been drinking. But you’re right, he was out of line.”

  Brooks tried to step forward again. “He is out of line and someone needs to put him back.”

  Luke, his hand still on Brooks’s chest, shoved him back a little. “How is getting into a fight with your dad’s business partner going to make things better? Is Gwen going to like you more? What about your mom? Or your sisters? Do they need to see you get violent?”

  Brooks, a bowstring pulled tight, let the tension lessen. “I guess not.”

  “Then come on,” said Luke. “Go roast a marshmallow. Everyone will feel better with something sweet.”

  Dex, seemingly oblivious to the problem he’d caused, walked away.

  Brooks nodded and turned to Gwen. “You okay?”

  “I’m shocked,” she said. “Offended. I’ve never met Markus Dexter before, so I don’t know why he has a problem with me.”

  “Dex is the problem,” said Brooks.

  Luke took that as his cue to give the new couple a moment alone. He walked away from the bonfir
e and into the darkness.

  “Luke, wait.” He didn’t have to turn around to know who’d spoken. It was Bridgette. Slowing his gait, he waited as she jogged to his side. “Where are you going?”

  “I guess I just needed a minute alone.”

  “Everyone can be overwhelming, that’s for sure,” Bridgette said. “It’s part of the reason I wanted to live in town. I need quiet, and sometimes it’s impossible to think around here.”

  She paused. He said nothing. His gaze on the ground, Luke gave a noncommittal nod.

  After a moment, she continued, “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay and thank you for stepping in. You did a great job defusing a situation that could’ve gotten real ugly real fast.”

  He dug the toe of his shoe through the grass. “You’re welcome,” he said.

  She stood at his side a moment longer.

  What did Bridgette want? What should he say? Should he bring up what happened in the kitchen? Should he try to kiss her again?

  “Well,” she said with a sigh. “I don’t want to interrupt your time alone.”

  Bridgette turned to go. He should just let her walk away. True, Luke’s life was far from exciting, but Bridgette came with complications. More than the feelings she aroused in him, she had a large and messy family. Moreover, if his guess was right, she was still dealing with her grief after the death of her spouse. Wasn’t he content with his dull, predictable life? Hadn’t he had enough drama as a kid while dealing with his father’s illness?

  If all of that was true, why did he call to Bridgette? “You know, you can stay if you want. We can be alone together.”

  She laughed and the sound filled his chest. “If we’re together, then we wouldn’t be alone, would we?”

  “I suppose not,” said Luke. “But I really do like your company. In fact, I don’t know of anyone else I’d rather be with.”

  “Oh,” she said. She stepped backward as if surprised by what he’d said. “That’s quite a compliment.”

  “It’s true.”

  “Until earlier this week, we hadn’t spoken in decades. You can’t know anything about me. I could have changed.”

  “You haven’t changed that much, Bridgette.”

  She shook her head. “I’m not so sure about that.”

  A burst of laughter erupted from the party. Whatever issues had been brewing before seemed to have been forgotten.

  “Have you had any luck getting an animal shelter involved in the Boo-fest parade?”

  “To be honest, I haven’t had time. The beginning of each case is always involved. But I promise to look into it tomorrow.”

  “I wasn’t pressuring you,” said Luke. “Just asking because I want the downtown festival to be worthwhile. Who knows, maybe we can expand to the winter holidays or do something for spring.”

  “Sounds like you really love the town.”

  “Of course,” said Luke. “It’s my home. Don’t you love Braxville, too?”

  She shrugged. “Like you said, it’s home. But love? I don’t know. It seems like there are so many things I didn’t notice when I lived here last.”

  “Like what?”

  “Well, I’m sure you heard, but two bodies were found on one of the old construction sites.”

  “I heard about that,” said Luke. “Do the police know anything?”

  “You’d have to ask Yvette,” said Bridgette. “She’s the one working on the case.”

  Luke knew he never would but nodded. “Is that it? Are there any other secrets lurking in the darkness?”

  Bridgette shrugged again. “Maybe.”

  Her evasive answer covered Luke’s arms with gooseflesh. Maybe? “How’s your work? What brought you to Braxville?”

  “There’s a cluster of cancer cases in town. Several men have developed esophageal cancer. Statistically, it’s impossible for all of these cases to be random.”

  She kept talking, but her words grew faint, as if she were faraway. His chest tightened, making it hard to breathe. “Esophageal cancer?”

  “That’s what I said.” Bridgette laid her hand on Luke’s shoulder. “Are you okay? You look like you’re about to get sick.”

  A bead of sweat trickled down the side of Luke’s face. He wiped it away. “My dad was sick, back when we were kids.”

  “Yeah,” said Bridgette. “I remember.” Even in the dark, Luke could tell that the color drained from her face. “Oh, no. Don’t tell me that your father had esophageal cancer.”

  “He did.”

  “Luke, I’m positive that the state hasn’t identified him as being part of the cluster. Still, it’s my job. I have to speak to him.”

  “I can arrange that. What should I do? Bring my dad to your office? Do you want to come to his house?”

  Bridgette glanced over her shoulder and looked back at the party. Suddenly Luke wanted nothing more than to go home.

  “My family owns a fishing cabin on Lake Kanopolis,” Bridgette said.

  Luke remembered the property well. He’d lost his virginity to Bridgette under a cottonwood on that very same lake. “I know.”

  “We can go there tomorrow morning. It’ll give us some privacy.”

  “Can we make it after two o’clock in the afternoon? That’s when the store closes for the weekend,” he said. There were so many other thoughts taking shape in his mind. Things he wanted to say but shouldn’t. Things he wanted to ask for but wouldn’t.

  “Two o’clock works just fine,” she said. “Let’s go back before someone comes looking for us.”

  “Hold on for one more minute,” said Luke. Sure, he was about to step over the line, but tonight he didn’t care. “What can you tell me about the cancer cases?”

  “At the moment, not much.”

  “Is that because it’s confidential.”

  “Right now,” said Bridgette, “I’m just trying to understand what all the victims have in common. It’s that one thread—a simple thin thread—that will run through the life of each man. We will find that thread and follow it until it leads us to the cause.”

  “You know, my dad was diagnosed with cancer when I was just a kid. In a way, I lost my childhood to the disease. For a long time, I was mad. Mad at my dad for getting sick. Mad at my mom for needing me to take on extra responsibilities around the house. Mad at God for letting everything happen. Mad at myself for, well, being so damned angry.” He paused and drew in a breath. “But I really didn’t think there was anyone to blame.”

  Luke tilted his head back. Stars, a thousand pinpricks of light, shone through the eternal blackness of the night sky. “And now you’re telling me that someone or something might be at the root of all this suffering?”

  “I want to be very careful with what I say next, Luke. I don’t know that your father belongs in the cancer cluster.” She sighed. “From what you’ve told me, there’s enough evidence for me to investigate further. That’s it.”

  “I have no right to ask this of you, Bridgette,” Luke began. “Promise me that you’ll figure out what’s happening in Braxville. Even after all these years, you’re still the smartest person I know.”

  “Getting to the bottom of all of these cases is why I’m here,” she said. “It’s my job and I will make things right for everyone in town.”

  He took a step toward her. And then another. And another. Luke was so close that he could hear her breathing and see the pulse thrumming at the base of her neck. “Promise me,” said Luke, “that you’ll find out what happened in our home. Find out what happened to my father.”

  She looked down. For a single moment, time stopped and Luke was positive that she was going to refuse his request.

  What had he been thinking? He never should have asked anything of her, yet he had. And once Bridgette said no? Well, would he ever be able to face her again?

  “For
you, I promise to do my best and never give up,” she said.

  “Your best is more than enough,” said Luke.

  Still, she stood close. All he had to do was lift a finger and he would touch her. He remembered the feel of her skin. She’d been soft and warm. In her arms, he came to understand what it meant to be a man. And it had nothing to do with discovering sex. Being a man meant protecting those you loved. It meant showing up even if you didn’t feel like it. It meant always being an example worth following.

  Another burst of laughter erupted from the party. Bridgette looked over her shoulder and the moment was gone.

  “Come on,” she said. “Let’s make a s’more before everything’s gone.”

  Without speaking, they returned to the party. Luke had been so focused on their past that he hadn’t actually realized what he wanted from Bridgette. But he knew now.

  It was a future.

  Then again, Bridgette was still a grieving widow. Did that make Luke a fool for wanting more?

  * * *

  The flat tires on her car and the tussle between Brooks and Dex notwithstanding, Bridgette considered the annual Colton bonfire a success. In fact, she was sincerely sorry when the evening ended, and not counting the minutes until the family event was over.

  As she waved goodbye to her parents, Bridgette realized that she hadn’t spoken to either one about Colton Construction’s possible connection to the cancer cases. Sure, she’d been distracted by Luke, but really, Bridgette knew there was more.

  She felt as if she were trapped between the proverbial rock and a hard place. She didn’t want to upset her parents or seem disloyal to the family.

  Then again, several of the men in her investigation were former employees of Colton Construction. It wasn’t a detail she could ignore. In fact, she’d be neglecting her duty if she didn’t investigate.

  With Luke at her side, they returned to his truck. He opened the passenger door and Bridgette slid into the seat. After rounding to the driver’s side and getting in, he started the engine and drove down the long drive and took the road back to Braxville.