?
She nodded and turned to the stairs.
“We’re okay, right?”
She didn’t answer me. And my damn phone rang again before I could chase her.
“Dammit.” I answered, “Brooks.”
“Hey, Sheriff. It’s Adam. Not sure if you’ve been put into the loop about Morty’s.”
“I just got called in.”
“Oh, good. Can you meet me at the florist’s? I’m on point for the fire until Jake gets back on duty. He’s off for the week for obvious reasons.”
“Right. No problem. I’m heading out now. I’ll be there in fifteen.”
“Perfect. Oh, and I’m sorry to say I don’t think it’s going to be a quick one.”
I blew out a breath. “Of course it’s not.”
“Sorry, man. It’s looking suspicious.”
“Shit. Really?”
“Yeah, we’re going to need to do a full investigation.”
Yeah, Bee wasn’t kidding. It was definitely going to be a long one.
Twenty-Four
Luna and Ryan tried to lure me in to hang out, but my exhaustion was at an epic stage. I offered up baby details and gave the wine bottle they plied me with a longing glance. However, Ryan’s place was tiny and if I had one glass of wine, I was pretty sure I’d be on my ass for the rest of the night.
I tucked Sami into her swing for a couple minutes and set her mobile to spinning with the music she loved so much. I couldn’t resist giving her a few extra nuzzles. She patted my cheek as if she knew I needed a little extra encouragement to get through the night.
“You’re such a sweet baby girl. Too bad your daddy is so clueless.”
She giggled at me, a drooly fist already headed for her mouth.
“Is that delicious?”
Her giggle intensified.
“How about we go get Sadie?”
Her eyes lit up at the name of her beloved best friend. The baby books said three months wasn’t enough time to understand things like names, but I had a feeling our—his—little girl was going to be far more advanced.
I switched her from her swing to her carseat and doublechecked all her buckles and tucked a blanket around her for warmth. As I rounded the car to the driver’s side, I texted Mason to make sure he was home. He had a small place above the restaurant while he was getting things off the ground.
The trip in from Ryan’s place in Kensington Square to Crescent Cove gave me far too much time to think. It was only a twenty-minute drive, but I usually kept myself busy with chores or work so I didn’t dwell on things too much.
But now?
Now there was nothing but dwelling. Brooks had our entire life mapped out, fictional baby and all. I could so easily let myself get swept away into it. He was right, everything between us was so easy. I was a simple woman who’d always wanted a family.
It seemed like this should just be a natural fit. Until he’d informed me that things were in a perfect line of checkboxes.
Oh, we should just move in together. What? Next, we’d get married on a Wednesday? Just skip over to town hall during our lunch break?