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“Fern Avenue. The one I'd rented to Rose Wright's hockey boyfriend. He moved out there with her, and they're all shacked up now. Now I've got the space free. Found someone willing to rent it, and I trust her enough to let it go. Plus, she's bringing some little ones with her. I know it will likely be a long-term stay.”
Grisham scans the paperwork before asking, “How much will you need? I've got two five gallons of the stuff.”
“That will do. It only needs a little spruce before Caroline moves in. You remember Caroline James, don't you Ritchie? She was the cutest little thing we ever did see in these parts till she blew out of here... oh shoot. Let me stop. I'll see you tomorrow when I come pick it up. Don't sell my paint off!”
The line disconnects before anyone can say anything else. I'm not sure if Grisham did it or Ms. Verle. I'm thankful either way.
I turn to Beckett to follow his cue for what's to happen next. Instead of a fun-loving Wright like I usually find, his eyes are all fire, and his stance is combative.
“Beckett?” I press cautiously.
“Need a minute...” He rushes out the front door.
Grisham watches him with a curious look. “Oh, shoot. I completely forgot about them two love birds. Poor Beckett. You might want to go talk to your friend, son. He's going to need an ear to bite off and mine are no good.”
“We'll be right back,” I yell at him to ensure he heard me. His smile and nod are enough for me to take off out the front door.
I'm shocked to see Beckett hasn't made it all that far. He's parked himself inside the truck, his hands at the wheel and his eyes closed tight. When I open the passenger door, he doesn't even flinch.
“You want to tell me what the hell just happened in there, brother?” I use the same tone my captain uses when one of us is in trouble. It seems to work because Beckett swallows thickly before opening up.
“Caroline James is the only woman I ever loved. We were high school sweethearts up until our senior year. Something changed then. I don't know what, and she never really explained it to me. All I know is that she went from happy to miserable with me in a few short weeks. And then... and then her parents died. Double homicide by a guy who just happened to be blowing through town one night and needed cash to fuel his next stop. She was with me that night. It was the first time she'd seemed like herself in a while. We'd been here at the ranch making out in the hayloft for hours to make up for lost time. I took her home, and before I could drive off, I heard her screams. The scene... dear god, it was horrible. They caught the guy quickly, but even that couldn't heal the damage done to my Callie. She locked everyone out. Me. The town. Anyone and everyone was the enemy. She left the last day of school and never came back. Just drove out of town with her suitcase according to the neighbors.”
I didn't have words that would help him. There was really nothing I could say. Beckett was hurting. That much was obvious from his heavy breaths and his tear lined face. But worse than that, it looked like his past was coming to haunt him, and soon.
“What do we need to do, Beckett? How can I help? Do you need me to come into town for the order? Or maybe we get one of the other hands to do it? Or hell, even Donnie? We'll do what it takes to make sure you don't see her if you don't want to.”
He chuckles darkly. “I love you like a brother, Lachlan, but that's the dumbest thing you've ever said. Sorry to insult you. There won't be a single place for me to go in Firefly Cove that I won't hear her name or see her face. She's haunted me for years. I just got good at hiding it.”
“Damn. I can't imagine it, man. What I can imagine is the support you'll have. We've all got your back. And besides, you've got season tickets to the local Coyote games to keep you a little preoccupied along the way.” I tease him a bit, hoping it will break the morose energy he's giving off.
Beckett doesn't smile. Not really. But his half smirk, half wince is enough to let me know he's not going to fall apart on me. Not yet anyway.
I make a mental note to talk to Rose about it. I'm sure she'll want to warn the other Wrights about Caroline's return. If it's as bad as I think it is, Beckett will need all the support he can from his family.
“Let's get this shit and get home. Grisham should be done by now.” Beckett practically falls out of the truck; his body unsteady beneath the weight he's hauling now.
Yeah. I'm definitely going to have to warn the others.
CHAPTER 27
LOVING FOLKS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST GIFTS WE HAVE.
Rose
“Daddy? You in here?” I call out as I step inside the kitchen of the main house.
“In the living room, Rosie!”
I take off to find him, only to see he's got all the photo books laid out on the table. It always gives me pause when I see him with those. Is he going to be upset after going down memory lane or will he be happy? Is he upset that I took away the love of his life?
“What's up, sweetie? Everything ok?” he asks as he waves me closer.
Easing to sit beside him on the couch, I keep my gaze strictly focused on him. Some of it is because I'm trying to figure it out, and some because I struggle with looking at them myself.
“I just wanted to come see you today before I went to work. I feel like I haven't seen you in ages even though we live on the same land.”
He chuckles. “Life can be like that sometimes. The circle of people you have ebbs and flows as you grow. Some people leave completely and others, like me, watch from the sidelines as their little girl falls in love.”
