Page 85 of Sudden Summer

“Nothing is going to happen to either of us.” She pulled back, her hands brushing back his hair. “What happened? Were you on the amber alert case?”

He nodded, his eyes filling with tears.

“Those types of calls…I just can’t imagine,” Dolly whispered as Danny covered her hand with his.

“Do you want to go home?” Violet asked. He didn’t hesitate before he nodded.

“I’m sorry, guys. I’m just not going to be good company tonight.”

“We understand.” Hawk nodded as he scooped Beckett off the chair he was currently climbing.

“Of course we do,” Jessie added.

“Thanks. We’ll see you guys later.” Colt smiled as he scooped Connor out of his high chair.

Lots of ‘love you’s and ‘let us know if you need anything’s’ filled the air as we all watched them walk out of Lachlan’s house. My knee hadn’t stopped bouncing since Colt’s arrival. Even as Beau’s hand landed on my thigh and squeezed reassuringly, I knew I had to get up and say something. As the chatter around the table returned to a normal level, I pushed my chair back and made my way out of the house, too.

“Hey, Colt. Wait a second.” I bounded the steps towards the truck.

“Yeah, Birdie? You good?” he asked as he stepped back from getting Connor into his car seat.

“I knew her.”

His eyebrow raised.

“Alexis. She was my patient. I don’t know if it’s helpful, but the hospital trespassed her boyfriend while she was in labor. There has to be security footage. My report is in the system. If you can use any of that when you find him…”

Colt nodded. “That’s really helpful. I’ll pass it along.”

My voice caught in my throat as I tried to blink away the tears making Colt blurry. “I knew what he was like. He physically pushed me when I tried to help her. I should have done more. That poor woman. Her baby…”

“Hey.” Colt’s arms wrapped around me, and I felt Violet’s hand land on my arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze before I heard her get in the truck. “There is no doubt in my mind you did everything you could for her. You’re such a compassionate health care professional, and I’m not just saying that as someone who thinks of himself as your big brother. I’m saying that because I saw it first hand with how you helped me and Vi after Connor was born. This isn’t on you, Birdie. So many things broke down and failed her, but you were not one of those things.”

“I could have done so much more. I could have…I should have…” Colt’s arms tightened around me before another set of hands took over. Suddenly, I was surrounded by warm spice and worn leather. I didn’t have to open my eyes to know that Beau had me wrapped up in his arms.

“I’ll get that information to the guys in charge of the investigation, Birdie. Thank you.”

I nodded against Beau’s chest, not sure if Colt could see me or not.

“Who has Juniper?” I asked as we slowly made our way back to Lachlan’s house. The thought of having to go back inside, to sit and eat, and pretend like I didn’t have the worst pain in my chest right now, felt overwhelming.

“Don’t worry about her. She’s being loved on by one of my brothers. Just focus on your breathing. Scared me half to death hearing you cry like that in Colt’s arms.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize for having the biggest heart, Chickadee. But you can’t put the weight of what happened to her on your shoulders, either. That blame belongs with her boyfriend, and no one else. And I have no doubt Colt and every deputy he works with will find him and make sure justice is served.”

“I hope so. I wish we had more resources to give women in that situation. I have to point them to safe houses in Dallas, sometimes even farther away. There should be something like that here, in Clarence County. Something to just help victims of domestic abuse get back on their feet.”

“You’re right, baby. There should be.”

And as we walked back into Lach’s house, that little idea took root in my head…and my heart.

Beau

Birdie hadn’t got any fucking color back in her cheeks. Not throughout dinner, where I watched her push her food around her plate. Not when she hugged my family goodbye and we started the walk back home. Not even as she took Juniper from my arms, holding her close to her heart.

“There’s a couple of boxes.”