Page 75 of Together Is Where We Belong

“I’ll keep you posted,” he promised, and I stood as well. He walked around his desk and shook each of our hands.

I let go of Carolina’s hand and put my hand on the small of her back as I guided her down the hallway. I didn’t miss the shiver that passed through her at my touch. The sheriff followed us out of his office and to the receptionist’s desk.

“I’m goin’ to walk them out. I’ll be right back,” he said and Suzanne gave him an understanding smile.

“Y’all have a great day,” she said to us with a wave.

“You too,” we said in unison before we walked out the front door.

“Thanks again for your help,” I said as we stopped just outside the door and turned to face Sheriff Henry.

“That’s what I’m here for,” he said as he tipped his hat.

He turned and walked back into his office. Once he was gone, Carolina tensed beside me and looked up and down the sidewalk on this side of the street then to the other side.

“Can we go to Café Latte and get a coffee?” she shyly asked.

“Yeah. That sounds good,” I agreed.

Our fingers brushed as we stepped off the sidewalk to cross the street.

Without thinking, I grabbed her hand and linked our fingers together. Her hand tensed for barely a second, before she tightened her hold on my hand.

I looked over at Brooks, and he had a smirk on his face as he looked down at our hands then back up at me.

“Don’t,” I mouthed in warning, and we walked past him and looked both ways before we ran across the street with Brooks trailing behind.

We got back to the ranch in the early afternoon to find Luke at the island with my mom mixing something in a bowl. I needed to find a way to broach the thought that came to my mind while we were at the sheriff’s office. Carolina would likely disagree, and I had to find the right words to say and the right manner to suggest it.

“Are you making cookies?” Carolina asked as she walked around the island and kissed Luke on the side of the head. The kitchen smelled of cookie dough, and my mouth watered.

She peeked down in the bowl and smiled, but it didn’t quite meet her eyes. Worry still etched behind them that she’d tried to hide.

“Hey, Mom. Would you mind keepin’ an eye on Luke a little longer while Carolina and I go for a walk?” I asked. Carolina’s eyes snapped to mine. She gave me a questioning stare, but remained quiet.

“Not at all. We’ve got cookies to bake,” she said with a smile as she helped Luke stir the dough.

I nodded toward the door. Carolina sat her purse down on the island and walked to the back door, and I followed her out onto the back deck. She turned toward me, her arms crossed over her chest.

“What’s up, Leo? I’m exhausted and just wanted to get Luke and go home,” she replied with a deep sigh.

“About that,” I said as I held out my hand to motion her to go down the porch steps. She let out a wary sigh as she slowly made her way down the stairs.

“What about it?” she asked as she stepped off the last step to the ground below and turned to face me.

“Let’s take a walk, and I’ll tell you what I’m thinkin’,” I suggested as I waited for her to move before I stepped off the step.

She looked at me, her eyes full of questions as she turned and started walking. When we were far enough away from the house, she turned around to face me.

“What did you want to talk about?” she asked as she wrapped her arms around her middle.

“I had an idea while we were at the sheriff's office.” I was nervous to even suggest this. I didn’t want her to think she couldn’t keep Luke safe, but I had to try and see if she’d see things my way.

She gave me a pointed stare as she waited impatiently for me to continue.

“I don’t know how to say this without you takin’ it the wrong way, so I’m goin’ to say it, and I’d like you to let me explain before you say anythin’.”

“Oookay,” she said, as she swallowed hard.