Something flickered in Elsie’s eyes that told me she understood. “There’s something powerful in finding purpose to the pain.”
I nodded, wondering what she’d been through. I kept hoping she might open up, but she never did. Still, she hadn’t left Cedar Ridge. Maybe she was trying to find the courage to be a part of a community again.
“It’s finding those little silver linings,” I agreed.
Like the fact that all the events of the past month had brought Roan into my life. Into my home. Into my bed. And he wanted to stay.
The urge to giddy-squeal embarrassingly loud was strong. He hadn’t said anything about officially moving in, but I wasn’t sure what else, “I’m not going anywhere,” could mean.
The bell over the door jingled, and I turned to welcome the newcomer. Only it wasn’t a customer. It was a guy who looked to be in his early twenties, carrying a massive spray of red roses.
“Aspen Barlow?” he asked.
“That’s me,” I said, crossing to him.
Elsie let out a low whistle. “That man of yours is not messing around.”
“Thanks,” I said to the guy, taking the flowers and setting them on the counter. I frowned at the arrangement. This didn’t really seem like a Roan choice. He was more of a wildflowers-he-picked-on-a-hike kind of guy. But maybe I was wrong.
I pulled the card out of the holder and opened it.
RED FOR ALL THE BLOOD OF YOURS THAT SHOULD’VE SPILLED. NOW IT WILL.
38
ROAN
I strode into the conference room to find Nash stuffing his face with a sandwich while Lawson combed through a file on the table.
Nash lifted his chin. “Hey, man.”
I grimaced at him. “Your face is covered in mustard.”
He shrugged and kept eating. “I’m hungry.”
“You say that like it’s a new revelation,” Lawson muttered. “You’re always hungry.”
I lowered myself into the chair next to Nash and nabbed a potato chip.
His hand smacked down on mine. “Do not eat my potato chips.”
“Get a grip. There are more in the vending machine,” I grumbled.
“Then go get yourself some. These are my favorites. They’re maple bacon. Mads orders them special for me.”
I jerked my hand free and popped the chip into my mouth. “Mmm. They are good.”
“You’re a bastard,” Nash growled.
“Children,” Lawson warned. “Please dial it back before everyone else gets here. I don’t want to have to stick both of you in the drunk tank.”
Nash scrunched up his nose. “It smells like puke in there. I’d never be able to finish my sandwich.”
I snorted. “Always has his priorities.”
I moved to snag another chip, but Nash hauled the bag to his chest. “Mine.”
I couldn’t help it, I laughed. He looked like Gollum in Lord of the Rings.
Both my brothers’ eyes widened, and they gaped at me.
“What?”
Lawson shook himself out of his stupor. “You laughed.”
“So?” I said, a hint of annoyance slipping into my tone.
Nash studied me for a moment. “It’s not that you never laugh; you chuckle sometimes. But it’s not like that.”
Lawson grinned. “It’s Aspen. She’s got him whistling a merry tune these days.”
“Oh, grow up,” I muttered.
Nash leaned back in his chair. “It’s true. You’re different. Lighter. You talk more, too.”
It was probably because I was around Cady all the time. She never stopped talking. I’d gotten used to the noise instead of constant silence.
I fought the urge to squirm in my seat.
“Happy for you, man,” Lawson said. “Commitment looks good on you.”
I glanced at my older brother, taking in the circles under his eyes and the scruff on his jaw. “Could look good on you, too.”
Lawson’s face closed down. “Think I’ll pass on that.”
Nash popped a chip into his mouth. “It’s a freakin’ waste, seeing how all the single women in this town would give their left ovary for a chance at the chief of police.”
He glared at Nash. “They would not.”
I arched a brow at him. “I don’t know about that. I’ve seen you with some stage-five clingers.”
That glare turned to me. “I think I liked you better when you didn’t talk.”
Nash burst out laughing. “That’s cold.”
I just shook my head, but my lips twitched. “You guys were always on me to participate, join in. Careful what you wish for.”
“Don’t worry, I’m regretting it right about now,” Lawson muttered.
A knock sounded on the open door, and Sheriff Jenkins stepped inside. “Afternoon.”
“Bruce,” Lawson greeted.
“Law,” he said in return, taking a seat. “How are things around here?”
“Quiet,” Lawson said. “I don’t like it.”
Sheriff Jenkins frowned. “I get it. That prickle at the back of your neck that says this isn’t over.”
Lawson nodded.
Nash set his bag of chips down. “Maybe the vet and Luisa are wrong. If the knife marks aren’t actually a match, then this death could be an isolated incident. Wrong place, wrong time sort of thing.”
Sheriff Jenkins let out a low whistle. “Don’t be letting Luisa hear you think she got it wrong.”
Lawson chuckled. “I’ve learned my lesson once before.”
The corner of Sheriff Jenkins’ mouth kicked up. “I’ve done the same. Won’t make the mistake twice.”
“It was just a thought,” Nash grumbled.
“Or someone’s waiting for the heat to die down before they make another move,” I said.
Sheriff Jenkins glanced at me. “I’d guess that’s more likely. I saw the photos of the body. This was either extremely personal or someone with a taste for killing.”
I nodded and turned to Lawson. “Did you get ahold of Anson?”
Lawson’s mouth thinned. “Yeah.”
“Who’s Anson?” the sheriff asked.
“An old friend of mine who used to be a profiler with the FBI.”
Nash scoffed. “Can you call him a friend when he tells you to screw off whenever you get in touch?”
Lawson pinned him with a stare. “He went through a lot during his time with the bureau. Wants away from that world. I get it. I could just really use his insight right about now.”
“I take it he wasn’t eager to help?” Sheriff Jenkins asked.
Lawson shook his head. “He hung up on me.”
Nash chuckled.
“Hell,” Lawson muttered. “He might be broodier than Roan used to be.”
I scowled at my brother. “You’re an asshole.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out. A text flashed on the screen.
Tender Heart
I got something at The Brew. I think it might be from John.
I was on my feet in a flash, moving for the door.
“What the hell, Roan?” Lawson asked, getting to his feet.
“Aspen.”
It was the only thing I said, and it was all my brothers needed. They followed me out the door and through the police station.
Blood roared in my ears as I shoved open the door and stepped out into the sunlight. The brightness didn’t do a thing to warm the frigid ice swimming through my veins.
“What happened?” Lawson clipped.
I shoved my phone at him, and he cursed as he read the text message. “She’s fine. She’s at The Brew. Safe.”
My gut churned. He didn’t know that for sure. We had no clue what was in play.