“Lie to me.”
“Clark, I don’t even know who she is right now. We’re two people trying to keep our heads above water.”
“It’s okay, Carey. If she was going to be with anyone, I’d want it to be you.” His hollow tone didn’t sit right.
“You’re jumping the gun there—”
“No, I don’t think I am. The air between the two of you practically sizzled.”
“With anger.” Most of the woman’s responses were hot and cold, tinged with anger or colored by pain.
“Hmmm.” The doubtful expression on Clark’s face earned an eye roll.
Carey turned on the ignition and digested what his brother said. “Please don’t try to play ghost matchmaker.”
Clark burst into laughter. “Oh I’ve missed you something fierce.”
“Ditto, little brother, ditto. Can you … talk about where you were?”
“No, just that I was happy and taken care of.”
“That’s good enough for me.” There were a million questions he wanted to ask Clark but right now his brain was shot. Too much had happened in such a short amount of time. Right now his twin was back and really that was all that mattered, even if they did have their work cut out for them.
Chapter Three
She stood at the kitchen counter mixing a blend of cream and sugar in her coffee. Dressed in a pair of black sweatpants and a gray shirt from the academy, she was struck silent by how good it felt to be home. Her job was so all-encompassing that by the time she surfaced for air, long chunks of time had flown by. If her best friend didn’t also work in the same office she’d be lonely indeed.
“It’s good to have you home, sweetheart.” Her mother padded over in a pair of pink slippers and a matching bathrobe.
“Morning, Mama. It’s good to be home.” Savannah bent to hug her close, inhaled the scent of soap and coconut hair product.
“Could’ve fooled me the way you stay away,” her mother grumbled as they pulled apart.
“You know I just get caught up in my work.”
Her mother pulled down a mug from the cabinet and began her own coffee routine.
“We understand how important your work is to you, Savannah. We just worry. You need more than cases in your life. They can’t take care of you when you’re sick, keep you company, or warm your bed.”
“Mom!” Her face burned.
“What? I’m old, not dead. Besides, how do you think you got here?” She wiggled her eyebrows.
“A stork.”
Her mother laughed. “I’m so glad you got my sense of humor.”
Savannah leaned in. “Me too,” she whispered.
Footfalls sounded on the stairs, and a few moments later her father entered the room. The Ex-Navy man was tall and slender with silver hair cropped close to his head and skin the color of warm syrup. Retired, he worked at the V.A. Hospital.
“There’s my June bug.”
“Hi Daddy.” She placed her mug on the counter and moved over to hug him. He surrounded her with his arms and rubbed her arm before he stepped back.
“Good to have you home. How’s work?”
“It’s good, Dad.”