Dash didn’t say another word. Not even to get me to break my promise to Scott. I waited until nine thirty before my boredom got the best of me, and I went inside to wait for him in baggage claim. It still took another half hour.
Later that evening, amidst the humming and laughter of activity in our backyard, I couldn’t help but think we might as well turn the place into a wedding venue with all the events we hosted. Maybe then Dash wouldn’t have to take another grueling case that left its mark—a semi-permanent frown etching itself across his face most of the time.
My phone buzzed, and the candid video made me pause. Dash real-time video called, showing himself in the center of a packed dance floor, our children clinging to his legs like monkeys. They were relentless, challenging him to move with their weight hanging on to him. They sent him toppling onto his ass in a heap of laughter and shrieks, and the joy in their faces was something I wanted to bottle up and save forever.
I found them on the dance floor. Dash, with his seemingly limitless energy, wore a grin that lit him up in a way I hadn’t seen in a while. I snapped a few pictures, capturing the moment while the ache of his absence in my chest softened into something warmer. I wanted to be with them, in the innocence of it all, piling on and laughing like the world beyond our backyard didn’t exist.
“Everyone, gather to the front porch and driveway,” Lauren’s voice crackled through Amelia’s prized microphone, pulling me from my overthinking. “Scott’s outside, guiding people where to stand.”
The kids shot to their feet. Their wedding energy was boundless. They started to bolt toward Scott’s house like it was their second home, which honestly, it was.
“Hold up,” Dash called. His hands landed on the back of Fisher’s shirt and Mia’s arm. “We’ll go together. It’s dark and I don’t want you getting hurt because people can’t see you.” His protective tone was both gentle and firm, the kind of authority that made me admire him all over again.
I went toward the gate, closer there than they were, and began to wrangle my six together, knowing they’d get distracted with a half-dozen other fun things along the way.
“Stay close,” I told them, grabbing their attention with a new objective. “We need to take our birdseed pouches. Remember what I showed you—throw the birdseed high in the air when Daisy Mae walks past. Aim for height and distance, not each other.”
Lauren had a small table strategically placed at the fence gate which was neatly arranged with ribboned pouches. Mia’s face lit up at the sight—tonight’s romance was something she was soaking in wholeheartedly. She shot me a grin, one that warmed my heart, and grabbed a sack. Her other hand wiggled into mine.
We searched for an empty place along the driveway. “You’re a great paw for teaching them how to throw the birdseed properly.” Dash’s chin brushed against my shoulder as his arm circled my waist, drawing us to a spot a few feet from the festively decorated getaway car.
I leaned into his simple touch, savoring his warmth and unwavering inner strength. “I didn’t want them blinding someone by chucking the stuff like a baseball. West, by the way, is determined to play T-ball. Starts in a few weeks.”
Dash chuckled. His breath was soft against my ear. “What about the other two?”
“I’m steerin’ Fisher toward basketball. He’s got too much energy not to burn it off on the court.” Before he could answer, cheers erupted around us. Daisy Mae and her groom emerged from the house, quickening their steps as they descended the porch stairs, their heads ducking as birdseed showered over them in a messy, joyful fall.
“Throw now!” I reminded my crew, lifting my arm to demonstrate the motion again. Of course, their aim was chaotic, most of the birdseed ending up on themselves. I couldn’t help but smile, hoping at least one photographer captured the moment.
“Daisy Mae,” Mia’s voice rang out, cutting through the noise. Daisy Mae turned back, breaking protocol and beamed as she rushed toward the girls for one last hug. “You look so beautiful in your wedding dress,” Mia said, her awe shining through.
Their hugs were a tangle of arms and love. “I’m gonna miss you three,” Daisy admitted, her voice cracking as a tear slipped free.
“You don’t have to miss us,” Livie chimed in. “We have you on WhatsApp. We can talk every day.”
Daisy nodded, her smile bittersweet. “Then we’ll talk every day. Maybe you can even visit us.”
Ava’s eyes darted to Dash and me, her expression an unspoken question. I felt Dash nod subtly behind me, but deep down, we both knew the visit wouldn’t happen anytime soon.
23: The Investigation
Dash
Stone’s fingers were a blur while moving over the keyboard. His gaze stayed glued to one of the three monitors on his desk, displaying a page of line by line blacked out text. He turned the monitor my way. “They released the complaint, but most of it’s redacted. Why release it then?”
“My father’s trying to play the victim,” I explained, barely glancing up as I thumbed through the physical mail left for me on Stone’s desk. “It’s the reason for every extra moment we took to get this right. Why’s the sound system off?”
“It’s not off in your office,” Stone replied, still typing. “Upstairs complained the music you were selecting was too distracting.”
Distracting? A soft instrumental?
Heat crept over me. I began to feel my own sense of harassment from my team. Every last one of them needed to be placed on disciplinary action for having no refinement or taste for a better life. Music equaled the path to great things.
“Maybe you should,” Stone said, his eyes finally lifting to give me a knowing look.
“Did I say that out loud?” I asked, though I knew the answer.
“No.” His gaze moved back to the screen. “I know you too well. You want to begin the process of firing everyone who works for you.” Yeah. He proved he’d read my thoughts accurately. “I say we should move them to a new building where they can’t mess with this vibe. It’s a great office.”
