by Tanya Agler
“What if Colin had been the person Mo had identified? Would you have been on his side?”
“Brooke.” He breathed out. “If this is always going to be hanging between us...”
“No, it won’t. I just need to know you’ll have his back when he deserves to have it.” She shook her head. “And mine.”
“Having your back may be doing or saying the hard things sometimes. You’re a parent, surely, you understand and accept that. Now that I know him, and you, I’d have his back even though I am and will always be fully committed to doing my duty. I know Izzy doesn’t feel like I have her back right now. She didn’t know I was outside the door when she bragged to Vanessa about getting away with cheating on a test. I made her tell her teacher. I’ve loved her forever. Still do, but she had to face the consequences of her actions.”
And this was what separated him from Hayden, who made promises but turned his back on those same words as soon as his actions gave way to real consequences. With Jonathan, that would never come between them.
“You know, Isabella thought I was trying to be her mom. Guess she saw something between us before we did.”
Without another word, she closed the distance to him and kissed him, pouring everything she’d held back for so long into the kiss, into them. His hands weaved themselves into her hair, and she craved his touch, not just now but always. The sugary taste of the frosting gave way to the taste of him. For years she’d convinced herself she’d be stronger alone. It wasn’t a matter of giving herself up. Instead, it was sharing her load, her happiness, herself.
The kiss deepened before he wrenched away from her. “You need to know everything,” Jonathan said.
She blinked, her eyes adjusting to the dim light of his kitchen instead of the brightness of the stars she’d seen when he kissed her. “Like what?”
And he wasn’t the one who should be revealing everything. She should tell him about the phone call. First, though, she needed to listen.
“I might also have been putting distance between us this week.”
She processed what he was saying. “But why?”
“I had everything in the palm of my hand, and then with a small swerve that turned into a collision, it was taken away.”
Part of her understood. She’d been on track to graduate high school second in her class. Instead, two lines on a pregnancy test changed everything. She didn’t regret Colin, though. “When I found out I was pregnant with Colin, my mother took off. I dropped out of school so I could work full-time. Sometimes things don’t work out the way we planned, but we forge another path.”
He exhaled, and it was as though the weight of the world was lifted from his shoulders. “I haven’t told anyone else this.” She’d be honored if she wasn’t scared of what he was about to say. “I don’t know what will happen if I don’t get this job, and I might have to start down another road. The benefits of becoming detective here are a boon, as are the challenge of new cases and potentially saving or protecting more lives. However, if they hire the other candidate, Anne’s parents live in Savannah, and I have connections there. I’ve been offered my choice of two different jobs. If I moved, I’d have more say over my future, something I can’t do here with three people in charge of my fate.”
She understood a thing or two about being unsure of the future, but it was time to concentrate on the here and now. “Did I tell you about the final two weeks of my previous job?”
He shook his head, looking almost as if he were relieved. “Not that I can recall.”
Then she hadn’t. His attention to detail was meticulous. “I loved my boss. He was more of a mentor, really. He was close to retirement age and knew I was finishing my degree online. He recommended me for the director’s position, but he suddenly died, and someone else with less seniority was promoted. When Aunt Mitzi told me about this opening, I was thrilled to leave that old job behind, but without a recommendation from my former boss, Mr. Whitley decided on a six-month trial period with other strings attached like keeping the center on the up-and-up. If I’d been promoted at my last center, I wouldn’t have moved here.”
He set his lips in a straight line, most unlike his usual smiling self. “Then you think I should move? Start over?”
“No, that’s not what I meant. I understand pride.” A little too well. Her stubbornness had kept her from asking Aunt Mitzi for help sooner, but it also propelled her to move every time a better offer came her way and always made Colin leave his friends behind. “Your heart is here in Hollydale. You’re committed to the place and the people. That’s something you can’t take with you and not something you’ll necessarily find everywhere.”
“I want to explore what’s between us, but it feels like I can’t control anything here. Once this case is wrapped up, once I know about the detective position, once Izzy comes around...”
“But control in that sense is impossible to have.” Brooke picked up her purse, shaking her head. She donned her coat and tied the belt. “You had no more control over those issues than I did over mine. You do have control over your choices. For instance, you can slather that frosting on thick or you can spread it thin.”
She went over and brushed her lips across his, her purse not the only barrier between them. “The past has a hold over you, and it’s in the way. Until you accept it and move on, we have no future.” His eyes widened, and he reached out for her, but she slipped away.
“Brooke—”
“There’s nothing more to say. I’m sorry.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
THE FINAL INTERVIEW for the detective position had taken longer than Jonathan had expected, considering it was the day before Thanksgiving. At least it was over and behind him. He circled the community center three times before a kind older lady pointed to her car, indicating she was leaving. He set aside his frustration at missing most of the center’s Heartsgiving gathering, including his daughters’ presentation, and was in awe of what Brooke had accomplished in the short time she’d been here.
Since their conversation, he’d done a lot of soul searching, mostly whenever he’d eaten a piece of that delicious cake. Brooke was right. Lack of control had manifested itself in guilt.
From the parking lot, orange and yellow balloons in a welcome arch greeted him along with music and the voices of the younger children staging what sounded like a funny play. He set his food donation of a jar of peanut butter in the full box near the front. Somehow he’d find Izzy and Vanessa in this maze of displays and people.
“Jonathan.” He craned his neck and walked over to where his aunt Tina sat at a long table surrounded by her friends. She jumped up to greet him. “Just the person I wanted to see.”
Uh-oh. That didn’t sound promising. This was usually the tone she used when she needed Uncle Drew to move the furniture or paint the living room. “What do you need me to do? Take something to your car? Come to your house later and help set up extra seating for tomorrow? My brawn is at your service, dear aunt.”
She laughed and motioned at the canvas in the middle of the table, one of three with price tags attached. “Not your brawn, but your pocketbook is requested here. How about you rescue your uncle Drew from having to purchase my artwork?”
How would Uncle Drew feel about unwrapping Aunt Tina’s painting of tulips on Christmas? He’d find out next month. Reaching for his wallet in his back pocket, he asked, “How much?”
“It’s for a good cause.” Aunt Tina accepted his credit card and swiped. “There’s a reason you’re my favorite nephew.”
“I’d like to say it’s because of my good looks and my devilishly witty humor, but it’s really because I’m her only nephew.” Winking at his aunt and sending a smile to the other ladies, Jonathan used the stylus and scribbled his name on the tablet.
“Oh, we all know who you are. You’re...” Everyone cleared their throats, and Hyacinth glanced at their di
sapproving expressions, their eyes wide. They seemed to exchange some telepathic message, but he didn’t know what it was. “I was going to say we know him as our favorite police officer. Really, give me some credit.”
“Hello, Mrs. Hennessy.” Jonathan pocketed his wallet. “I’m surprised you’re not selling pies. That would have raked in the money.”
Her cheeks turned as pink as her fuzzy angora sweater. She waved him off, her bracelets flashing in the brightness of the afternoon sun. “Now that Belinda and I create culinary magic together, I seek peace in other forms of beautification. It’s so relaxing to feel the earth under my fingers and plant spring bulbs, knowing that soon little buds will issue forth...”
“She says that because her paintings were the first to sell,” Fabiana interrupted, and pointed to the last two pieces of artwork. “My husband, Roberto, had to work today, but wouldn’t these look lovely in your house?”
Before he could pull out his wallet, he caught sight of Brooke walking toward him. Overtime had stopped him from calling her, but a kick in the pants had been exactly what he’d needed. This woman was too good for him. Yet the air tasted sweeter when she was around, and the world seemed more hopeful when she graced him with one of her smiles.
He did have control over his choices, he realized. And it could make a difference. Instead of ignoring what was happening to Caleb in the schoolyard when he’d been limping because of his scoliosis, he’d stood up to those kids who were making fun of his cousin. Just like he couldn’t control what had happened to Anne, but he’d made sure she received justice.
He smiled at Fabiana. “If they’re still here when I come back, consider them sold.”
When he walked toward Brooke, he heard one of his aunt’s friends murmur something about MCG in the flesh. He was confused but kept moving in order to catch up with Brooke. “Have a minute?”
She clutched her clipboard to her chest. While her normal glow brightened the air, she didn’t look too pleased to see him. “I’d prefer not to talk outside where someone might hear us. Follow me.”
He rushed to keep up with her. “How are things going?”
Brooke arched a well-defined brow. “It depends.”
“What if I said I was a world-class fool for not seeing what’s right in front of me?”
“Are you saying it or if you say it? There’s a big difference.”
They reached the main doors, and they opened automatically. Inside, the quiet struck him, a contrast to the joyous sounds in the courtyard. Yolanda, the assistant director, glanced up from her book at the reception desk and nodded. “A few people have come inside. Only those using the facilities.”
“I appreciate you volunteering for desk duty, Yolanda.” Brooke smiled and jerked her finger toward her office. “Officer Maxwell and I need to discuss some protocol. Please interrupt if anyone needs us.”
Having the desk staffed during public events was already one major improvement.
He scanned the area around the locker room door and didn’t find any marks or scratches. Brooke unlocked her office. He hesitated and stared at her keys until she tucked them in her pocket. She entered, and he followed.
New management, new keys, new security precautions. Were those the heart of the matter?
He’d briefly interviewed Ray Hinshaw once, but he was still unavailable.
“I checked the lockers this morning before everything got underway. The stash was still there, and nothing was disturbed.” Her voice sounded troubled, and he understood why.
The longer it took to have a new lead, the longer it would take to resolve this case. Had the suspect given up so easily? If this was a moneymaking operation, why stop?
So far, his following up on the laminator with the state logo had also resulted in zero new leads.
“Okay, well. We’ll just have to be patient. We’re doing everything we can at the moment.” He grinned. “You seemed pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to resist seeing you today, huh?”
“No, just pretty sure you wouldn’t forget to pick up your daughters is more like it.” Her wry sense of humor suited him.
Heck, he liked everything about her. Keeping him in line wasn’t a task for the faint of heart. “Once I find them, I’m not letting you go.”
“That would be hard to do since I’m working. I’ll walk you to their table.” She tapped the clipboard. “They’re with Olivia.”
She led him to the side entrance, and the sun shone bright over the reds and oranges of the mountaintops. Only a few puffy white clouds accented the blue of the sky. This was the type of day to share with someone special, and there was no better person than Brooke. He had no control over the weather either, but he did have control over how he approached their relationship. “I thought about what you said—”
Before he could elaborate, Vanessa ran toward him.
“Daddy!”
An avalanche of arms encircled him, and he embraced his daughter. She released him, and he notched his knuckle in the dimple in her cheek. “How was the third day of Heartsgiving?”
“The best yet. Come see what I made for you. You’re gonna love it.” Vanessa pulled him toward the table until Izzy rushed toward them.
“Dad can’t see it.” Izzy sent her sister a laser beam of a glare. She then faced him with her angelic expression intact, something he’d seen less of in the past couple of months. “After all, it’s just boring stuff. Nothing important. Nothing you haven’t seen before.”
Izzy sent a silent plea to Brooke with her eyes. While it didn’t take a police detective to figure out Izzy and Vanessa were hiding something from him, likely a Christmas surprise, his keen sense of observation told him somehow Izzy had accepted Brooke.
Brooke hugged her clipboard to her chest and winked at Izzy. “Jonathan, no advance sneak peeks for you.” It was as if she fit right in with his girls. “These two were a big help today.”
Vanessa pulled on her windbreaker. “At first I thought my hand would fall off cause I put mayonnaise on so many sandwiches, but Olivia and Brooke said I was a really good assistant and gave me an I Helped sticker. See?” Vanessa showed off her sticker on her jacket.
“And Izzy created a shortcut for the sandwich line that saved us time.”
He turned to Izzy, who shrugged off Brooke’s compliment. “It was something new, and it was sort of fun.” She scuffed the toe of her sneaker on the sidewalk. “Brooke’s right. If you give something a chance, you might like it.”
Izzy complimented Brooke? The woman was a miracle worker in disguise. His parents might have been workaholics, but they taught him to appreciate what was right in front of him. And what was in front of him was one remarkable woman, and a patient one, since she’d won over Izzy, same as she’d won over Izzy’s father. He reached for her free hand, the one not holding the clipboard. “That’s a wise observation.”
Brooke didn’t let go of his hand. That was a good sign. “I like to think everyone won today.”
“Brooke.” She met his gaze, and the crackle in the air had nothing to do with the crispness of late fall and everything to do with his reaction every time he saw her. “Thanks for the kick in the sweatpants.”
She smiled. “You’re welcome. It’s a perk of knowing me.”
“Do those perks include kisses?”
He stepped closer, and he didn’t care how many people were around. Izzy and Vanessa also needed to know this relationship had the potential to be something special. She nodded, and the smell of vanilla filled his senses.
With her soft lips kissing his, he’d found where he belonged. The clipboard clattered on the sidewalk, and she broke the quick embrace.
“Um, I’m still on duty.”
“Would you and Colin like to join us tonight for dinner?” he asked, hopeful the good feelings would continue.
She bent down to pick up her clipboard and then s
traightened with an apologetic grin. “I told Joe I’d help him with cleanup and storage. Then the staff is decorating for the holidays.”
“We have a tradition of Chinese takeout the night before Thanksgiving. Want us to order something for you and return with dinner and help?” he offered.
Brooke looked at Izzy, who nodded and asked, “Do you like steamed dumplings? I love them, but Dad and Vanessa always insist on egg rolls.” Izzy tried to sound nonchalant, but her tone gave too much away.
“I’ve never had them, but I’ll try anything once. That’s a way to find new favorites. Sounds like it might be fun to make a party out of this.” She tapped her fingers on the clipboard and hummed. “If you don’t mind signing a waiver of liability.”
He brushed her lips with a kiss, the sheer electricity of it filling him with a contentment he hadn’t felt in forever. “Brooke?”
She looked up, seemingly startled but happy. And then he knew as plain as the sun in the sky. He wanted to make her happy every day. “Yes?”
“I’ll sign the waiver and be back to help along with dinner and the girls. I’ll check with Aunt Tina to see if she can pick them up after that, so they don’t get in the way.”
All around him, families were getting into the spirit of Thanksgiving with some parents oohing over kids’ crafts and others enjoying the beautiful cool day laden with the anticipation of tomorrow’s feast. Now he looked forward to something as well.
What was a little heavy lifting and decorating when he had the promise of dinner and kisses as a reward?
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“I’M GOING TO eat the couch in a minute, Mom,” Colin whispered in Brooke’s ear. “I’m starving.”
“How can you be hungry when you’ve been eating for the past hour? If Isabella and Vanessa can wait for Jonathan without complaining, so can you. It’s Thanksgiving, after all.”
Brooke raised her first glass of pinot noir to her lips and sipped. She was enjoying the comfort of Tina and Drew’s basement, her new favorite indoor spot in Hollydale with full-to-bursting bookshelves and couches with plump, inviting pillows. The couple had set up a makeshift bar in the corner to serve their guests their favorite drinks.