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“Wolfgang. Can you help me with the smoker? I’d like to get it out of the workshop to start cooking for Sunday dinner.” He pushed his hip off the counter.
“Sure thing.”
Pat closed the door to the workshop. “I want to keep you up to date, Sylvia doesn’t know, and the only thing you have in common with the few pictures is a dark haired woman and a bearded man. They can’t make out any facial features or nothing. I’m assuming the female suspect knew an exit strategy because they don’t have a lead, they should probably lay low still.”
“Thank you for the update. Pat, I wanted to offer you something.” He turned to the car, “I can’t take this with us, and if you can’t use it or don’t want it, sell it for money.”
“Serious? Why don’t you sell it for money?”
“Money isn’t usable on the island, when we leave, we will leave the keys inside the house along with that paper the seller gave us.”
“The title?” He turned to walk towards the back of the shop.
“Yes.” Wolfie followed.
Pat stopped next to the smoker. “Can we trade?”
“What do you mean?”
“Can you take the bike? Between the two you should be able to fully restore one of them. Most of the parts on my bike have been replaced. It runs but your dad’s bike is probably more sentimental.”
“I can’t take your bike.”
“Wolfgang I am fifty seven years old, I haven’t got on that thing in five years. Syl don’t like me on it anymore and my son in law sees it as junk. Take it if you can.”
Wolfgang’s cheeks lifted, “Thank you Pat.”
Juniper
She stood in the living room, receiving hugs from Kaylee and Tyler as their three kids ran off. Sylvia had given her a warm welcome and refused to let Juniper help in the kitchen. She kept claiming it was an easy pasta dish. She sat at the counter, giving her company as Wolfgang helped Patrick chop wood in the back. She was well aware there was enough wood for the fire they were planning tonight in the back but who was she to interrupt them? Wolfgang hadn’t had an uncle his entire life and was finally getting that. He also hadn’t had any older male role models in over ten years.
They welcomed Wolfgang, excited to meet him, their only cousin on their fathers side. She watched how easily they clicked, as if they knew each other growing up. He was so happy. They were kind to her as well, but it reminded her of her family growing up, she didn’t know where her cousins were now, if they were alive or dead and if they would be able to have something like this if the conditions were different. She was happy for Wolfgang anyway.
He closed the bedroom door while Juniper climbed into bed, ”Are you okay?” He whispered.
“Yeah, I'm fine. It was just a long day.” Zeppelin had made his way up to the bed below Juniper’s feet.
“Wolfie,” she looked at him. “What if we stayed here?”
“What do you mean?” They continue their hushed tone, not knowing if they would be heard or not.
She sat on the side against the wall, watching him, “You seem really happy.”
“I am but I don't want to stay here.” He slipped a leg in each pajama bottom. “On the island we have my mom, your roommates and most of all, peace of mind. This has been fun and I would love it if they came with us, but it's not realistic. How would we work? I don't have any credentials here.” He tossed his used clothes in the corner.
Juniper hadn’t thought of that, she just wanted to let him know, she was willing to do what he wanted to be happy, “Okay I was just checking. I was happy around the island but I didn't want to uproot you again.”
He turned the light off and pulled his side of the comforter up, getting close to Juniper's face as he laid down, he murmured sarcastically, “You already ruined my life, what more do you want?” and kissed her.
Chapter Thirty Two
July Tenth
Juniper
Sylvia had hitched a ride back with her daughter, Crystal and despite Pat retiring early, she still worked. Juniper sat on the couch across from Pat, with Zeppelin laying on the floor entertaining both of them. Wolfgang had run up to the store to grab a few things on his uncle's motorcycle. He figured they would look less suspicious outside of the cabin, if they were separated. Even then, the news for the murder was dying down, new things had come up giving her some relief that it was headed towards a cold case.
Pat, look at her and open his mouth. "You know, for Brigham, I’m going to ask, how do you see this going? Wolfgang obviously loves you, considering he is here. I'd hate to see him get hurt in the end."
