30
ASPEN
I picked up a ridiculous number of stuffed animals scattered across the floor as Cady chattered away. But my focus was on the men in the living room. It was as if it’d hit me for the first time that even though Roan worked for Fish and Wildlife, he was still a law enforcement officer. He carried a gun. He could be hurt.
“What do you think, Mama?” Cady asked, breaking into my spiraling thoughts.
“Sorry, Katydid. Can you say that again?”
“I’m gonna be a ballerina on the weekends and a game warder during the week.”
My mouth curved. “You mean a game warden?”
She threw her hands out wide. “That’s what I said.”
A knock sounded on her door, and I quickly opened it. Roan filled the space, his expression stormy.
“What happened?” I whispered.
A muscle popped in his jaw. “Someone was killed. Might be tied to a series of animal deaths.” Roan pitched his voice low so Cady couldn’t hear.
I sucked in a sharp breath. “Oh, God.”
“I need to go to the crime scene.”
“Of course.”
“The girls and Holt are coming over to hang with you until I get back,” Roan said.
“They don’t need to do that,” I argued.
“Please.” Roan slipped his hand beneath my hair and squeezed the back of my neck. “I won’t be able to focus if I know you’re here alone.”
And he needed that right now.
“Okay,” I said softly.
He leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to my forehead. “Be back as soon as I can.”
My throat tightened. “Please, be safe.”
“Always,” he assured me.
“Where ya going, Mr. Grizz? Gotta help another deer?” Cady asked.
“Not tonight, Tiny Dancer. Gotta help Lawson with something.”
She nodded as if that made all the sense in the world. “You’re a good brudder.”
Something passed over Roan’s expression—pain or guilt, I wasn’t sure. He ignored her statement and instead said, “Take care of your mama.”
“I always do,” Cady shot back.
We followed Roan to the door just as my friends piled onto the porch.
Grae held up a bottle of wine and pointed it at me. “You are in big trouble.”
I winced.
Wren shoved Grae. “Don’t freak her out.” She strode toward me and wrapped me in a tight hug, even with her pregnant belly between us. “I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” I whispered.
She just squeezed me harder. “You don’t have anything to apologize for.”
Wren released me, and my gaze immediately went to Maddie. She was the person I was closest with. I’d never forgive myself if I hurt her.
Maddie moved quickly to me and pulled me into another hug. “I knew it was bad. I just didn’t know how bad. I hate that you’ve been in this alone.”
My eyes burned. “I wasn’t, though. I had all of you.”
“If you make me cry…” Grae warned.
“Oh, crap,” Holt muttered. “I don’t know if I’m cut out for this estrogen fest.”
Wren smacked her fiancé. “You cried the last time we watched Little Women.”
“Whatever,” he muttered, his gaze cutting to me. “The alarm components for your house should arrive in the next couple of days. We’ll get it installed ASAP.”
My brows pulled together. “What do you mean?”
Holt grimaced. “Roan didn’t tell you that he asked me to order an alarm system?”
“No, he conveniently forgot,” I said, pinning Roan with a stare.
He just shrugged. “You needed one.”
“Well, I’m guessing I can’t afford whatever fancy-A one Holt just ordered.”
“It’s a friend’s company,” Holt interjected. “He gives them to me at cost, and Roan and I work for bakery treats.”
I just scowled at Roan. “We will be talking about this later.”
Grae let out a low whistle. “Someone’s in trouble.”
“Who?” Cady asked. “Who?”
Grae bent to Cady and stage-whispered, “Roan.”
Her eyes went wide. “Uh-oh, Mr. Grizz. You gonna get grounded?”
Everyone laughed.
Roan just shook his head. “Lawson and I have to go. You guys all set?”
Holt jerked his head in a nod. “I got ‘em covered.”