1
CARTER
Carter River raked a hand through his hair. Exhaustion settled into his bones. He set the hose on the ground. He’d been at this for two hours. Smoke continued to rise from the hotel like the tentacles of an octopus reaching for its prey. This was no way to start the month of December. This time of year was supposed to be filled with joy. Not devastation and destruction.
“Go home, Carter. You’ve done enough.” Silas slapped him on the back. “You have a wedding in a few hours and a grandson to say goodbye to. The fire department has this covered. There isn’t anything you can do now.” He wiped his soot-filled hands across his coat. The pain and sorrow etched in the man’s eyes dived deep into Carter’s soul.
Carter had known Silas his entire life. They had been friends since they were young boys hanging out in the town center doing nothing but getting in trouble. Their bond had always been strong, even when Silas had become somewhat of a recluse living up on his mountain and Carter had married the town’s crazy woman.
Neither one of those things were true, but people loved to gossip, and neither Silas nor Carter gave a fucking rat’s ass. They certainly did get a few good laughs at poker over the insane rumors the good people of Candlewood Falls told about both of them. Some of them were downright hysterical. The ones that weren’t, Silas and Carter generally got the last chuckle.
However, one currently weighed heavily on his mind, but that had nothing to do with Silas, and Carter wouldn’t dare bring up his own troubles now.
“Are you sure? I can stay a little while longer,” Carter said.
“Avoiding Weezer?” Silas laughed.
“Something like that.”
“Go home, old man. And don’t give me the old song and dance about the Holiday Showcase. You know we can’t hold it now.”
Carter glanced around at half the town. Old and young had come out to help. Most he knew well. The majority he called friends. Some he tolerated. And a few he searched for a similarity to one particular person, something he did more often than he cared to admit. “I’m just overwhelmed with this so-called small family wedding. You know Weezer. She puts her heart and soul into everything she does.”
“That’s why you love her.” Silas smiled. “But seriously. Get your ass home.”
“Call me if you need anything,” Carter said. “And I mean anything. You hear me? And don’t you and Claudia worry about coming to Merlot and Talbot’s wedding. They will understand, considering the circumstances.”
“Are you kidding me?” Silas laughed. “Claudia would put me six feet under if we missed that. Talbot is like a daughter to her and she helped raise Corbin. She’s going to want to see that boy off. I can’t believe he’s going to be Delta Force. He’s one amazing young man.”
“He sure is.” Carter nodded. “Weezer will send over some food.”
“Not necessary.”
“Doesn’t matter. She was up in the kitchen when I left. You’ve always been there for us when things got tough. It’s the least we can do.”
“I’m sure that was a ruse for working on the Holiday Showcase. She’s already told Claudia not to worry about a thing. She’d take all the plans Claudia had and use them. I also wouldn’t put it past Weezer to be plotting how to get Noir and Tamsyn to admit they’re in a relationship.”
Carter cocked his head. “And what the hell would you know about that?” Carter didn’t keep much from Silas. Outside of Weezer, Silas was the one person he could tell anything to, but he didn’t often give up the secrets of his children. That was where he drew the line on most days. Especially when it came to what was happening in Noir’s life. He would have enough to deal with when that came to light. He didn’t need his father gossiping with Silas.
“Are you going to deny it?”
“No, but I don’t think those two want anyone to know, and I’m sure you can understand why.”
“Any luck finding out who her father is?” Silas asked.
“That trail has been cold for a few years, but I haven’t given up.”
“Does Tamsyn know you’re still looking?”
“She hasn’t asked me about it in a while. However, I promised her I’d always keep my private investigator on retainer for it and I always keep my word.”
“That you do.” Silas waved to Claudia. “I best go see what she needs. That woman sure keeps me on my toes.”
Carter’s lips curled into a smile. It was good to see his old friend happy. Claudia had been good for him in more ways than one. “I’ll see you later.” Carter strolled toward where his son, Malbec, stood with his sons-in-law, Trey and Dax. “Come on. We best get going. I’m sure your mom is putting a hole in the kitchen floor by now.”
“This is just terrible.” Malbec, Carter’s oldest son, turned on his heel, stuffing his hands in his sweatshirt pocket, and strolled toward the parking area. “I can’t believe this happened, and right before the Holiday Showcase.”
“Let’s not remind your mother about that. I’m sure once we get past this wedding, it’s all she’s going to be able to focus on. But for now, that attention needs to be on Talbot and Merlot. They deserve this day.”
