“I kinda proposed on our first date.”
“Whoa. That’s nuts. But in the same breath, I’m so happy for you. I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Stick around and you will. How long are you in town? How’s the renovation going?”
Smoothing my sunflower-printed skirt over my knees, I let out a heavy sigh. “Well, my camper van sprung a leak, and the cabin has no roof, so…”
“Oh, shit. Is that why you’re back home?”
“Not really. I had somewhere to stay, but…” I lean back and sigh again. “Now that I have to say this, I feel really silly.”
Setting his donut to the side, Wes twists his body so he’s facing me, his face filled with concern. “Hey, sis. This is me you’re talking to here. I’ve seen you use a sharpie in place of eyeliner and I still think you’re pretty cool. So why don’t you just spit it out and I’ll see if I can help with that troubled look in your eyes.”
Rolling my lips together, I nod and decide to just come out with it. “My neighbor… He’s been helping me with the rebuild and…I kind of feel in love with him.”
“Did he hurt you?” he asks instantly, the big brother protectiveness burning as bright as ever.
“Oh no. No. He didn’t hurt me. I don’t think he’d ever do anything to hurtme.In fact, I didn’t think there was a dangerous bone in his body until…” It’s so much harder saying this out loud than I thought. I mean, how do I admit to my brother that I left home and fell in love with an ex-cop accused of murder?
“Mill.” He sets his hand on top of mine. “You’re scaring me.”
“I was in his kitchen trying to make breakfast and I needed a dishtowel. But when I was looking, I found a folder with some newspaper articles in it. Have you ever heard of a cop called Dylan Valentine? I was before your time. But the headlines were pretty serious. They…they said he killed…” I swallow hard. “That he killed an unarmed kid.”
“Shit.” Wes shakes his head. “I don’t know anything off the top of my head, but the name does ring a bell. I can ask around and try to find something out for you. What did he say about it?”
“He only told me that he left the force because he saw some terrible things when his partner died. I didn’t know the details until I saw the articles in his drawer.”
“And you didn’t ask him about the articles?”
Lifting my shoulders, I shake my head as my eyes burn. “I got scared,” I whisper. “So I ran, packed a bag and drove straight here.”
Nodding slowly, Wes lifts his gaze and slowly scans the area. “Do you think he’s a threat to you?”
“Oh no. God no. I just… You know how I am, Wes. I trust so easily—especially when I love someone. He could tell me anything, and I’d wholeheartedly believe him.”
“So you came to me to find out the facts?”
“Yeah. Can you help me?”
“Of course. Give me a day or two and I’ll find out everything I can. In the meantime, where are you planning to stay?”
“With Mom. I already texted her and told her I’d be home for dinner.”
“OK,” he says, giving my hand a squeeze. “She’ll be happy to see you. And do me a favor, Mill?”
“Yeah?”
“Maybe just lie low for a few days. Don’t let this Dylan guy know where you are. Just in case, OK?”
“I’m sure he could find me if he really wanted to, Wes. Besides, I honestly don’t think he’d—”
“Please, Millie. Just humor me here? If he loves you, and this all turns out to be nothing, he’ll understand.Please.”
“OK,” I whisper, letting him help me up as he stands.
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
