“Wanna push an old lady around the dance floor?” Liza J asked, appearing at my elbow when the band shifted into George Strait’s “All My Ex’s Live in Texas.” It was one of Mom’s favorites, which made it one of mine.
“I’d be honored,” I said, offering her my arm.
We found a spot on the dance floor surrounded by friends and family. I knew every single face here and recognized what a miracle that was. What a privilege it was not just to be part of this town but to serve it.
“So I’m just gonna get this out,” my grandmother announced. “I was thinkin’ during the ceremony when everyone else was bawling like a bunch of babies. If things had worked out differently, there wouldn’t have been a wedding today without you. If that Dilton asshole had better aim, we wouldn’t be standing here watching your brother marry a woman who’s so far out of his league he’d better never quit trying to earn her. You taught Knox how to be brave. To do the work. And I’m real damn proud of both of you.”
I was so taken aback I actually missed a step. Morgans didn’t talk about feelings, especially not to other Morgans. “Well, shit, Liza J.”
“Shut up. Not done yet. Your mom wasn’t yours to save, Nash. It was her time. Nothing you or anybody else could have done to stop it. She lived as big and loud and colorful as she could in the short time we had her. We were damn lucky to get those years with her. And I’m damn lucky to have the grandsons she made. I don’t know if you know this, but when she was little, your mama wanted to be a cop. Eventually, real life got in the way. But I know for sure Jayla’s up there tickled pink watching you serve and protect down here.”
For the second time that day, my eyes went cloudy.
“Mind if I cut in?” Wraith in his formal motorcycle leathers offered his hand to Liza J.
“Yeah, we’re definitely done here,” my grandmother announced. She danced away with the burly biker before I had the chance to say another word.
“You look like you could use a drink.” Lina came into my line of sight.
“How about a dance instead?” I reached out and pulled her into my arms “You look happy,” I observed, moving us to a quiet corner of the dance floor.
“I mean, you’d kind of have to be a heartless monster not to be happy today,” she said, swaying with me to the beat of the music. “I just got off the phone with Nolan’s ex-wife.”
“Oh, really?” I spun her out, then pulled her back to me.
She laughed. “She’s at the hospital with him. He’s gonna be fine. And I think there’s a possibility that they’re gonna be fine. Especially since he told her he’s moving to the private sector.”
“Lucian offered him a job. I still don’t know if he did it just to keep Nolan from dating Sloane.”
Lina took a fortifying breath before confessing, “He offered me one too.”
“Did he now?”
“It’s with his research team. It would mean a bigger paycheck. No time in the field. The only travel would be between where I live and DC once or twice a week.”
“Sounds like quite an opportunity,” I said.
Her eyes sparkled. “Naomi and Sloane also asked if I’d be interested in helping with their new venture.”
“Really? What are you gonna do?” I asked.
“I think I might take some time off first. I have a boyfriend I’d like to get to know better before I commit to another job.”
“A fiancé,” I corrected.
“No second thoughts yet?”
I shook my head. “If you’re planning on sticking around, I guess we’d better start looking for a house,” I drawled.
Lina blanched and stepped on my foot. I grinned down at her and hoped I never lost the power to rattle her.
“You want to buy a house together?” she squeaked.
“There’s no way your entire wardrobe is gonna fit in my closet. Might as well find a place that’ll hold all those nice bags and shoes.”
Her eyes narrowed as she rose to the challenge. “You know, if we’re buying a house together I guess a wedding might be kind of fun,” she mused.
“I think so,” I agreed amicably.
“And after seeing Knox and Waylay…maybe one kid wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.”
“One kid definitely wouldn’t be the worst.”
She rolled her eyes heavenward. “How can you be so blasé about all this? This is your entire future we’re talking about. Real estate and marriage and babies.”
“Angel, as long as you’re by my side, none of that scares me.”
She shook her head and looked up at the canopy of trees and sky above us. “Well, I’m pretty damn terrified. What if you change your mind?”
I dropped her into a dramatic dip and reveled in the way her arms tightened around me. “Too late for that.”
“No, it’s not. In fact, now’s the ideal time for you to change your mind before we do anything permanent.”
I righted us both and cupped her face in my hands “Let me show you exactly how permanent this is right now.”
“Lead the way,” she said.
I was towing her away from the party when someone called my name.
“Dammit,” I muttered.
I turned and found my father standing there. The man who’d sat next to him during the ceremony was behind him.
“I just wanted to say goodbye,” Dad said, shifting his weight from foot to foot. He had his jacket slung over his arm and his shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows. The 0522 was still visible, though faded to a grayish blue on his skin.
“This is Clark, by the way. He’s my sponsor,” Dad said, making the introductions.
Surprised, I offered my hand. “Good to meet you, Clark.”
“You too. Your dad’s been making some positive headway,” he said.
“Glad to hear it.”
Dad looked past me and offered Lina a small smile.
“Dad, this is Lina. My fiancée.” I couldn’t wait to change that word to wife. My wife.
“I figured that one out during the ceremony,” Dad teased. “Congratulations to you both.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Morgan. Your sons turned out pretty great,” Lina said, shaking his hand. She looked down at his arm at the number inked into his skin, then looked at me, her gaze going soft.
“Call me Duke. And I can’t take credit for my sons. All the good in them came from Jayla.”
I hadn’t heard my dad use Mom’s name in years. Maybe there really was hope.
“Not all the good,” Lina countered.
He gave her a small, grateful smile. “Well, figured it was time to hit the road. Don’t think I’m quite ready to face an open bar,” he said.
“It was good to see you, Dad.”
“Good to see you too, Nash. Nice meeting you, Lina.” He started to leave, then paused. “I’m real proud of you, Son. Real proud. I know that probably doesn’t mean much. But I also know your mom would be over the moon.”
I couldn’t find the words so I settled for a nod.
We watched them go.
“You okay?” Lina asked, scratching her nails against my back.