“We’ve been able to track down most of them.Several of them have chosen to help the investigation, and we’re trying to work out with the prosecutor how to deal with them.In most cases they’re probably as much victims as the people they stole from.They’ll need some support for sure.”
This past week, Clem has talked to me a few times about his dream of offering an apprenticeship program, giving some of those kids a second chance.I don’t know if I’m speaking out of turn, but this seems like an opportune time to bring it up.
“Clem actually has a really good idea for some follow-up with those kids,” I start tentatively.
In the relatively short time he’s been in our lives, I love how much this man has already come to care about me and my boys.Friday night he went with us to see Linc play, and I could tell from the way my eldest kept looking up to the stands, it meant the world to him.He’d already become something of a hero to Remi, with this morning’s display in the kitchen just another example of how much my son looks up to Clem.
And to me…well, to me, he’s become the one I can see myself growing old with.
I love him.
Chapter29
Tessa
I don’t knowwhy I’m nervous, it’s not like I don’t know most of these people already.
Still, it’s taken me half an hour to decide what I’m going to wear.Which is hilarious when you think about it, since most of what I own is the typical mom-uniform: jeans and T-shirts.Hell, even at work I mostly wear jeans with a department-issued shirt or sweater.
Clothes aren’t something I’m usually that concerned about, which is why I own only two summer dresses, one little black number I forgot I had, and a handful of tops that are not T-shirts.Clem doesn’t seem to care much what I wear either, but then again, he’s never seen me dolled up.
That’s what I’m doing,dolling up, just because Brenda mentioned she loves the chance to dress up a little, and this department Thanksgiving gathering is apparently the prime opportunity.
We never had any department get-togethers when I was working at the State Crime Investigation Department, but clearly that’s something else that’s done differently in Silence.
Thanksgiving isn’t until next week, but Hugo explained to me, the sheriff’s department tends to be extra busy with calls between Thanksgiving and the new year, so they plan this thing a little early.
I’m sure the weather has something to do with those extra calls.This month we have already been caught off guard by two substantial snowfalls that weren’t in the forecast and had the department scrambling to keep up with anything from fender benders to road closures.
“Mom!”
Remi scares the shit out of me when he yells right behind me from the doorway, and the ancient lipstick I’d dug up and was carefully applying, partly ends up on my cheek.
“Jesus, kid, I’m right here.”
“Yeah, but I called you a few times already and you didn’t hear me,” he explains before adding, “Clem is here.”
“I’ll be right down.”
When he’s gone, I take a look at my reflection.
Ugh…that lipstick looks like I’m trying too hard.I grab a washcloth and scrub the almost offensive orangey color off my face.I’ll stick to my lip balm instead.I fluff out my hair with my fingers, take one last critical look in the mirror, and brush my hands down the outfit I picked.Then I resist the urge to change out of the angora sweater vest I’m wearing over the little black dress I found at the back of my closet, and into a more comfortable pair of jeans, before I head downstairs.
“Wow.”
Clem gets to his feet and repeats, “Wow.”
I guess sticking with the LBD was the right choice.I paired it with black leather, heeled boots that come halfway up my calves, leaving a respectable piece of leg to just above my knee visible.I was worried it might look gaudy, but Clem seems to like it.
“I can say the same for you.You clean up good, Tanek.”
He looks sharp, the pale gray of his shirt matching his eyes and the silver above his ears.He forfeited a tie, but is wearing a nice charcoal suit and matte black dress shoes.It’s quite the departure from his usual casual garb of jeans, flannel, and boots.
The smile on his face as he approaches me has me break out in happy goosebumps.The man doesn’t need words to make me feel beautiful, he’s more of a show than a tell kind of guy.His eyes scan my face, his hand reaching for a strand of my hair, letting it slide through his fingers.
“Fucking love your hair down,” he mumbles, right before he takes my mouth for a slow kiss full of promise.
Remi’s “Aww, come on, guys…” is followed by stomping feet going back up the stairs.
