Page 20 of Finding Forever

Beckett nods. “He was serious about school, but we had a lot of fun together. The man’s wicked smart. His parents were self-absorbed, but he pulled himself through it.”

I want to ask him more about Luke, for any tidbits of information that would fill in the vast void in my knowledge of him. I don’t though, because while I thought we shared a connection, I’m increasingly unsure if he’d felt anything beyond thanks for helping him when he needed me.

“You ready to go?” Beckett asks. “Wren says you’re staying at the farm. I can give you a ride over there.”

I shake my head. “You don’t need to wait. I don’t want to be without a vehicle so I’ll drive myself. Plus, I want to take a shower and need to pack.”

Beck shakes his head. He scoops a delighted Penny onto his lap. “Beyond this being a crime scene, Luke would have my ass if I left you here on your own. I’ll wait while you do what you need to do. If you want to take your truck, I’ll lead you out.”

Well then.

After a quick shower, I pack a bag and gather what I need for Penny. My mind is jumping from one thing to another, all centered on Luke Elliott. Will he need surgery? Is he in pain? I’m positive he’ll be admitted to the hospital, but for how long? Will I see him again?

Snow falls as we pull up to Peace & Love Farm and stop in front of the farmhouse. Beckett is out of his SUV when Wren and her sister Fallon step out onto the porch.

Beckett’s family lived down the road from Peace & Love Farm. The Cooper and Donovan kids had grown up together. Unlike her sister, Wren doesn’t have any hang-ups about Beckett.

She gives her future brother-in-law a fierce hug, saying, “I’m glad the fugitive was arrested and you’re all safe. Gideon says the marshal who caught him is injured though.”

Beckett glances my way, then nods. “It’s Luke Elliott, my college roommate. He was shot. Kit kept him alive through the worst of it. I’m guessing he’ll be in the hospital for a couple days, but he should be fine.”

Wren’s brows nearly disappear into her hairline as she sends me a look. I’m in for some questions later.

She picks up Penny and kisses the top of her head. Beckett takes my bags and I gather Penny’s things.

A creak on the porch alerts Fallon to another visitor. “Police Chief Donovan, so nice of you to visit,” Fallon says. Her tone lacks her usual snark, and there’s relief on her face. She’d been worried about Beckett too.

“Now’s not the time to poke at me, Fallon.” Despite his tone, Beckett’s gaze travels over her, all-encompassing. Tension eases in his shoulders, like he needs to know Fallon is okay for everything to be right in his world.

“What’d I say?” she asks innocently.

Wren tips her head to indicate the door before leading the way. “Come on in, Kit. We’ll leave these two to their foreplay.”

I stifle a laugh because it’s true. At some point all that bottled up emotion will erupt and Fallon and Beckett will end up in bed together.

After leaving my bag in the guest room, I return downstairs.

“Can Penny stay with you?” I ask my friend.

“Sure. You’re not going back to the inn, are you?”

“No. I’m going to the hospital.”

Wren’s brows rise. “Are you okay? What’s going on?”

“I’m fine. I want to check on Luke.”

Wren’s lips form a perfect O of surprise. “The marshal who was shot?” At her nod, Wren continues, “How bad is it?”

“He was shot in the shoulder and is still in a lot of pain.”

“He spent the night at the inn, right?” She taps her chin. “Wait, you threw out all the old mattresses, and the new ones haven’t come in yet. That means…” Wren reaches the obvious conclusion and cackles with glee.

“Tell me you two shared a bed.” She points a finger at me, eyes gleaming with delight. “I love when that happens in rom-coms.”

Memories from that morning flash in my mind and I’m sure I turn beet red. I fan my face with my hands.

“Oh my god, Wren. It’s been crazy. Yes, we slept in the same bed. Nothing happened. Or mostly nothing happened.”