Falling for Home

by Jody Holford

  “Don’t,” she grumbled. He gave a soft, muffled laugh and kissed her lightly.

  “I heard something. Move your hand sleepyhead,” he said. Her eyes launched open in the darkness. His face was close, and she could make out the features she’d memorized in the soft moonlight that came through the cracks in the blinds.

  “Heard what?” she whispered, heart hammering.

  “I don’t know. That’s why I need you to move your arm,” he replied, also in a whisper.

  “You’re going to leave me here?”

  “Honey, I’m just going to look out the window. I’ll be right back,” he replied, moving off of the bed and leaving the cool air in his space. He pulled on his shorts, which he’d dug out earlier when they decided they had better eat something. Lucy was surprised that they had slept so soundly. She rubbed her eyes and scooted herself into a sitting position. Alex opened his side table and took out his gun. Lucy straightened, coming fully awake.

  “You’re taking your gun?” she squeaked.

  “Just stay here. Everything is fine,” Alex assured her and walked from the room.

  Lucy looked around, her eyes adjusted to the darkness, and saw that it was almost three-thirty a.m. She hadn’t been home yet. She and Alex had barely surfaced from his bedroom to eat. She knew her family wouldn’t be worried, but now, thinking about someone prowling around, concern for them had her wondering if she should get up. She also had to pee, but she was too nervous to move.

  “Alex knows what he’s doing. He’s very good at his job,” she told herself, shivering.

  “Yes, he does and he is,” Alex agreed, coming back into the room and making Lucy squeal. Alex laughed and put his gun back in the bedside drawer.

  “You scared the hell out of me,” Lucy spat, getting out of the bed.

  “Where are you going? I didn’t mean to scare you,” he soothed, reaching for her.

  He ran his warm palms up and down her skin, pushing the thin strap of her tank top back onto her shoulder.

  “There’s no one outside. Nothing that I can see. The street is quiet. Get back in bed,” he yawned.

  “I have to pee,” she said, then, when he laughed, she added, “Why is that funny?”

  “It’s not. Just, it’s a good thing I heard something so you could get up and pee. Do you want me to come stand guard?”

  “Shut up,” she suggested, walking toward the bathroom.

  When she returned, he was kneeling on the window seat, looking through the cracks of the blinds.

  “I thought you said everything was quiet,” she whispered, coming up beside him.

  “It is. I was just checking from here. Want me to carry you to bed?”

  “You’re a real comedian in the middle of the night,” she commented then laughed loudly when he dramatically scooped her up into his arms.

  “Yes. But that’s top secret. Only the woman I love can know that.”

  She laughed as he tumbled them both down onto the bed. She knew they were being silly, like lust-filled teens, but even in high school, she had never felt this carefree, this full of hope and possibility. If the price of that was some cutesy banter, it was definitely a worthwhile bargain.

  Chapter 15

  Alex whistled as he strode through the parking lot toward the back of the sheriff’s office. The sun had risen over the Messabi Range, which the locals called Giant Mountain, only forty minutes ago. Alex felt ready to conquer crime and fight bad guys. He laughed to himself as he unlocked the back door and went through. More than likely, his day would be conquering paperwork, arranging schedules, and returning phone calls.

  “Morning,” Cam greeted when Alex walked into the small back room that mostly served as a lunchroom. Cam, his uniform perfectly pressed, was making himself a cup of tea, and Alex was in such a great mood he didn’t even feel the need to razz him about it. Cam still lived with his mom, and the guys often gave him a hard time about her cutting his hair military style, pressing his clothes, and making his lunches.

  “Good morning, Deputy Stevens,” Alex replied. After unzipping his jacket, Alex hung it on the wall in the break room and noted Cam’s arched eyebrows. Being the new guy, Cam didn’t comment on Alex’s obvious good mood. Mick would have called him on it in a second.

  “Everything quiet so far?” Alex asked. Cam picked up his tea, sipped it, and followed Alex out to the front where Elliot Peters was sorting files at his desk. Elliot had been working as a police officer in Angel’s Lake for five years. He was a good cop—quiet and thorough.

  “Been deader than a cemetery, Sir,” Cam replied.

  “Quit calling me sir, Cam. Morning Elliot,” Alex said.

  “Hey. How are you, Sheriff?” Elliot asked, picking up a ridiculously large cup of coffee and taking a long swallow. The only person at the station who liked coffee more than Alex was Elliot.

  “I’m good. We’ve been missing each other on shifts. Things alright?”

  Alex came around the counter, glanced at the files Elliot was reading through—cold cases that he couldn’t let go of—and picked up a stack of messages, blessedly written on message pads. He thumbed through them and glanced at Elliot, who tossed down the file he held and scrubbed his hands over his weathered face. With somewhat shaggy hair and a goatee he was a little too proud of, Elliot seemed more like a dark-haired surfer than a cop. But he had cop eyes that noticed details and paid close attention.

  “Good. Gina didn’t show to pick the kids up last night and it was a long one. Both girls are having nightmares lately. But mostly, things are good,” Elliot answered. Elliot and his ex-wife, Gina, shared custody of their five-year-old twin daughters. Mostly, Elliot did all the work, and Gina popped in when it suited her to take on her share. Elliot rose with his coffee cup and clapped Alex on the back. “Saw your dad last night. Waved to him, but I guess he didn’t see me. Looked right at me and ducked into his house.”

  Alex stopped looking through the messages and glanced up. “My dad’s out of town.”

  Elliot shrugged and walked past, saying, “He must be home. It was him.”

  Cam tuned the radio to a classic rock station and sat down at his own desk. Alex frowned at Elliot’s retreating back and started for his office. He turned, looking at Cam.

  “Dolores still out of town?” he questioned. Cam looked up and nodded.

  “Said she’d be back by Saturday. She’s having a good time with her family.”

  Alex took his messages to his office and tried to shake the snake of annoyance that had slithered into his morning. Why would his dad be back early? Had he imagined sparks between his dad and Dolores? Sometimes it’s better not to know. He opened the blinds and the window in his office.

  Putting a French Silk coffee into his machine, he sorted his messages by order of priority. He needed to contact a lawyer that was calling him as a witness, the mayor wanted to meet, and a reporter called to ask about the vandalism and get a statement. He pulled the last message from the pile and looked at it. Stacey Whitman Traverse Moore. Did she think that Alex would forget who she was if she didn’t leave her full name? He had no plans to return his mother’s phone call. Wadding the paper, he tossed it into his trash bin and willed the coffee to hurry up.

  Lucy jammed the last of her clothes into the washer and hoped it didn’t explode. Kate came up the stairs as Lucy pressed start and exited the laundry room. The sun was slanting through the sunroof, casting diagonal spotlights over the hardwood floor and banister. Little specks of dust danced in the light.

  “Hey. How was New York?” Kate asked, backpack on her shoulder and laptop case slung over her chest.

  “It was really fun. I have the most amazing art pieces from Lola’s gallery. Plus, I was able to pick up the travel vouchers and a few other little things. How was class?” Lucy, clad in pajama bottoms and a tank top, followed Kate to her bedroom where she unloaded her bags.

  “Four more. Of this one, anyway. Four more weeks in total. Then I am a college graduate,” Kate sa
id without enthusiasm. Lucy bit her lip, uncertain if she should bring up the internship. Kate unzipped her hoodie and hung it behind her door. Crossing the room, she yanked out her hair tie and tossed the elastic onto her busy desk.

  “Speaking of which,” Lucy said, taking a chance, “I have a unique graduation present for you.”

  Kate smiled over her shoulder as she dug out running clothes.

  “Is it money?”

  “No. It’s something money can’t buy,” Lucy teased. She pulled a book off of Kate’s shelf: Fangirl by someone named Rainbow. She held it up and asked, “This any good? Who names their kid Rainbow?”

  Kate laughed and walked into her small, walk-in closet. “Someone who sees the best in all situations or knows that things will turn out bright. That book is one of the best I’ve ever read. Actually, it’s about a relationship between sisters. How even when you need them, they can be really annoying.”

  Lucy read the jacket flap and smiled. “That rule must apply just to younger sisters. I’m borrowing this. Do you want to know your gift or not?”

  Kate came out of the closet dressed to run. “Yes,” she said.

  “It’s an internship at Posh Fashion. With Kael Makhai,” Lucy blurted, unable to keep the excitement off of her face. Kate continued to stand there, her face blank, as if she was waiting for Lucy to tell her the punch line.

  “What did you do?” she finally whispered. Kate shook her head, her face pale. Lucy’s heart stalled and then rebooted in high gear. She set the book on the bed and moved toward Kate.

  “Kael Makhai. He’s won Fashion Designer of the Year three times. We don’t even know anyone who can afford to buy his clothes. Kate, this is huge. I know you didn’t want me to say anything, but—”

  “Stop. Stop talking,” Kate snapped, shaking her head more vigorously. Kate began pacing the length of her room. She walked to her desk, and Lucy saw her close her eyes and inhale deeply several times.

  “Kate. I know you want this,” Lucy whispered, unease tickling her skin.

  “Of course I want this. Who wouldn’t want this?” she demanded as she whirled and stalked up to Lucy. “But I can’t have it. Which is why I put it aside. And now you’re throwing it in my face and calling it a gift.”

  “Everything okay girls?” Julie poked her head in the room. Both girls flinched and turned her way.

  “Everything is fine, mom,” Kate assured, her voice even, as though it hadn’t been laced with accusation and anger only seconds ago.

  “Are you trying to make your sister do your chores again, Lucy?” Julie joked. Lucy wasn’t in the mood to walk down memory lane and be reminded of how she used to con Kate into making her bed and cleaning her room.

  “Yes. Because I’m still twelve,” Lucy snapped, immediately regretting her words.

  “Don’t take it out on her,” Kate said, giving Lucy an icy glare.

  “Girls, what is going on?” Julie asked. She came into the room. Her brown hair was tied back loosely to the side. She wore a thin, flowing sweater that was slightly longer in the back over a pair of black leggings. She looked very earthy, and Lucy’s fingers twitched for her camera.

  “Nothing mom. I was just borrowing a book from Kate,” Lucy said, picking up the book off of the bed. She looked at Kate. “I thought maybe I had one she would like. I was wrong.”

  Kate crossed her arms over her chest and looked down as Lucy walked past. Julie stopped her with a hand on her waist, and Lucy placed a kiss on her mom’s cheek.

  “You look really pretty, mom,” she said quietly.

  “Thank you, sweetheart. I’m going to make some lunch. Do you want some?”

  “Nah. I’m not hungry.”

  Julie looked back and forth between her girls, assessing them with that mothering eye, her hand holding Lucy still.

  “Me neither,” Kate claimed.

  “I have some errands to run, and then Char is bringing the kids over. Do you need anything?” Lucy asked to the room in general.

  “I have some items I need from the store. Your dad was going to go, but this will save him the trip. He’s monitoring exams, so I’m sure he’d appreciate it,” Julie answered. Lucy nodded and looked back at Kate, who was still looking at the floor.

  “I was going to do some yoga. The breathing and calming poses are very good for restoring your balance and energy. Do you want to join me?” Julie asked, looking back and forth between them, ever the peacemaker. Lucy gave her mom a one-sided smile.

  “How about later? We could do it on the porch?” Lucy suggested, using her own ability to assess. The porch was certainly big enough, and most of it was covered and screened. Studying her mother’s face carefully, she noted that her jaw tightened, her lips opened, closed, and then drew into a firm line.

  “Actually, I have a DVD I use, so I need to do it in the living room,” Julie said, looking at Kate. Lucy bit her lip. Something made a steady pinging noise in the washer. “Okay. Sure,” Lucy agreed. Her heart ached as she looked at both women—neither of whom she could help. She shook her head slightly and left the room. She was pretty sure she could handle the laundry without messing things up, so she figured, for now, she’d stick with things she understood.

  When the call came in for a two-car accident about twenty minutes from town, in the general vicinity of his father’s house, Alex told Cam and Elliot he would cover it. He left through the front of the station, grabbed one of the three department cruisers sitting in the lot, and made his way to the town’s edge. Drumming his fingers on the steering wheel as he drove, he tried to think of why his dad would come home early. Why it was bothering him that he had. Something wasn’t sitting right. He’d just drop by and ask Chuck how his time at the cabin was after he dealt with the accident that he already knew had no serious injuries.

  “Ah, boss?” Cam’s voice crackled through the radio. Alex shook his head at the deputy’s ability to make him feel like he was ancient.

  “Yes, Cam?” Alex answered back.

  “You—uh … well, you know—”

  “Spit it out, kid!” Mick’s voice boomed through the radio instead, making Alex chuckle.

  “What’s up, Mick? And what are you doing there? It’s your day off,” Alex said.

  “I picked up some supplies for the lunchroom and was dropping them off. You know someone’s done some shitty artwork on your truck?” Mick asked, breaking into a fit of coughing.

  “What? What are you talking about?”

  Alex pressed the button to lower the window, letting the fresh air and smell of trees push out the stale air and mingling scents of cigarettes and sweat.

  “Your passenger door. I parked beside you, was bringing in a couple cases of soda. There’s a bunch of squiggles and shit all over the door,” Mick replied.

  Alex tightened his grip on the steering wheel, then banged his fist on it.

  “No. I did not know that,” he ground out. The noises last night. “Listen, I’ve got to deal with this accident report first. I need to swing by my dad’s. Take pictures for me, okay? I’ll be back within a couple of hours.”

  Mick agreed, and as Alex pulled up on the accident site, he tried to get his head focused on one annoyance at a time. Two teens were leaning against the hood of a white Honda Civic. A girl with long, loose braids leaned on a boy’s shoulder. Beside them, another girl with hair darker than the asphalt was pacing back and forth, texting on her cell phone. Alex sighed as he pulled the cruiser up beside them. One thing at a time.

  Lucy glanced over at Julie, who was bouncing the baby in her arms and cooing something unintelligible. Carmen was staring intensely at the cards in her hand while Lucy watched in amusement. They were on the carpeted floor of the living room. Jake and his Neverland Pirates were singing a song that Lucy knew would be stuck in her head later. Carmen eyed Lucy over her cards.

  “Do you have any fours?” she asked.

  “Go fish,” Lucy said, unable to stop the smile. Carmen sat ramrod straight and puckered her lips
. With her brows drawn, she looked serious and older. She picked up a card from the scatter of them on the floor and gave Lucy a toothy grin, looking her age again.

  “Success!” Carmen laid down her pair.

  “Cookies are almost ready,” Julie said between trying to make Mia laugh, or at least smile.

  “I was thinking we could go for a walk after we have a snack. Your mom brought the stroller. We could take your sister,” Lucy suggested to Carmen. She looked over at her mom. “What do you say, Grandma?”

  “Grandma doesn’t like to go outside,” Carmen said. Lucy and Julie both whipped their heads toward Carmen. Looking back at her mom, Lucy saw that her cheeks had reddened. Lucy felt bad for continuously pushing but was happy that the obvious had been said by someone who likely wouldn’t receive Julie’s anger.

  “That’s not entirely true,” Julie said quietly, bringing Mia over and handing her down to Lucy. Lucy took smiling Mia into her arms and kissed her forehead. Julie sat down beside Carmen, who hid her cards.

  “Don’t look, Grandma. And mommy and Auntie Kate say that you don’t like outside. But that’s okay. I don’t like it that much, either,” Carmen said.

  “What about the park?” Lucy asked, trying to take the heat off of her mother, even though she’d intentionally thrown it at her.

  “There are a lot of germs at the park. But I like the swings. It’s your turn, Aunt Lucy,” Carmen stated.

  The buzzer for the cookies sounded and Lucy could smell the warm chocolate. Her stomach growled at the same time Mia began to fuss.

  “We’ll put the park aside for another day then,” Lucy said, looking at her mom and seeking forgiveness with a small smile. Julie nodded and rose to grab the cookies.

  By the time Char and Luke picked Carmen and Mia up, Lucy had lost at Go Fish four times, eaten six cookies, and been spit up on twice. Char looked tired when she shuffled in through the back door of the Aarons’ house. Carmen continued to focus on the cards, even when Char kneeled down next to her.