“And you’d be perfect for the job. You’re part of the Grannie’s family, and everyone knows Chase loves you.”
I gave Emily my number and told her I’d be happy to provide the name and number of a reference. “Their oldest is four, and their youngest is nine months. I started working for them two years ago.”
“I’m sure we won’t need it, but thank you.”
Beth’s word was more than enough for Emily.
“Miss Nina!” Chase barrelled towards me.
“Hey Chase,” I leaned down to hug him. “What’cha got there?”
“Pictures of Dino. Want to see?”
Dino—pronounced Die-no, like dinosaur, because Chase loved the long extinct reptiles—was Chase’s dog. Beth convinced Chase he didn’t need a puppy and helped him choose a three-year-old golden retriever from the shelter.
“Of course I do.”
Meg, Emily, and I oohed and aahed as Chase gave us the backstory of every picture. As soon as he’d shown us the last one, he asked, “Can I hold a baby?”
“Your Uncle John has Natalie, why don’t you go see him,” Beth suggested.
“Okay.” He wove his way around the tables and boxes of decorations scattered on the floor.
I’d be a happy mama if I my kids turned out like Chase.
Chapter 2
Austin
Atext Bryce lit up my personal phone.
Hey big brother, are you still coming home for the weekend?
What my eldest younger brother didn't know, and therefore it couldn't hurt him, was that I was currently in Dallas, investigating a cold case tied to my current case.
I texted my confirmation and then emailed my Aunt Mary to RSVP to my cousin Madi’s engagement party.
Was that really three days ago?
I’d missed Jack’s wedding a few years ago, and Jay’s wedding last month, but had attended Jamie’s, Madi’s twin, ceremony the year before.
I used my job and being stationed overseas as an excuse.
What I never said was that I was jaded beyond measure after having to investigate my now ex-wife after she accused me of cheating.
She thought it’d be an easy win in court, but I had resources she knew nothing about at my fingertips, and it hadn’t taken me long to find evidence of her affair.
Plural. She had several fucking affairs.
All with Navy guys who claimed they didn’t know she was married.
That’s all I was to her. A paycheck in a uniform.
After I left the Navy, she lost interest in me and our marriage.
My phone buzzed.
“Winchester,” I answered without thinking, or looking at my caller ID.
