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Lucy leaned her head back on the seat. "I guess. It's going to take a while to get used to the idea."
"Yeah, well, you have less time to get used to it than most, if you're already three months along."
The pressure on her chest made her rub at the spot, but nothing would ease it. There was so much to process. Mason. Her dad. A baby.
"Taylor, can you do me a favor?"
"Anything for you, babe."
"Don't tell anyone," Lucy said softly. "I need to tell Mason first, and I can't do that until I see him at some family function or another. He said he might come in for the Fourth of July, but he's not sure if he'll be done with training by then."
"What about Helen?"
Lucy rubbed her eyes. "Can't tell her either. Not until Mason knows. Swear you won't tell a soul."
"I swear, but if you think I'm going to let you do this along, you better think again, sister," Taylor growled out. "I graduated, so now I'm for sure moving to Crimson Creek."
"What about your job? You're so excited about the new job at the library in Denton."
Taylor hummed. "I'll work something out. I'll commute if I need to. But I'm going to be here with you every step of the way. You don't have to do this alone, Lucy."
Lucy felt the tears prick her eyes once more. "I—I'm so scared, Taylor. But I'm tough. I'm strong. I can handle it."
Taylor reached for her hand and squeezed it, reminding her of Mason. "That's the mantra that has seen you through countless hours of studying and school. But I'm right here. We'll be strong and tough together, ok?"
Lucy nodded, her throat choking up with emotion. "Taylor? I'm sorry about ruining your graduation night."
Taylor laughed as they pulled into Crimson Creek. "Hey, if something crazy didn't happen, I would've been a little worried. This one still tops yours, don't you think?"
Lucy giggled as Taylor pulled into the driveway of Ray's house. "I guess you're right. Will you stay the night? I don't want you driving anymore tonight."
Taylor turned the car off and said, "Uh huh, you sure that's the reason? It's ok to ask for help, Lucy."
Lucy shrugged and grabbed her purse and bag with her clothes from the graduation ceremony. "I know. It'll be nice to have company. Although I'll be going straight to bed."
Taylor chuckled as they walked up the sidewalk to the front porch. "Me too, girl. Me too."
Chapter 42
July
Mason stepped back into the office with a grin. He'd completed the US Marshal's training and had somehow been assigned to the Dallas office, just a few floors down from the joint FBI and Texas Rangers' office.
Simon was walking by and saw him get off the elevator. He grinned and held his arms wide. "Novak, you're back! Great to see ya. How was training?"
Mason hugged him in the standard bro hug, slapping him on the back before releasing him. "It was good. Not too much stress on the back. Of course, I was the oldest one in the class, but I expected it."
Simon laughed and tapped some files in his hand. "Come, tell me all about it. I'm sorry the FBI decided to not bring you on."
Mason shrugged and followed him to his office. "It's fine. It all worked out in the end, didn't it?"
Simon nodded and sat behind his desk, tossing the file on top. "That it does. I'm glad the Marshal's listened when I hounded them to take you."
Mason felt his stomach twist, and he grinned. "That was you? Man, thank you seems like such a small thing. Let me take you out to dinner tonight."
Simon laughed and tapped the file. "I suppose we can eat. I'm casing a restaurant tonight actually."
Mason pursed his lips and arched a brow. "It's not the Henderson, is it? Because that's my first case for the Marshal's."
