“I’ve got some explaining to do, don’t I?”
“Uh. Ya think?”
“I had to leave. I was technically AWOL.”
“AWOL? Like in the military?”
“Sort of. Phoenix PD. I took off after a case went south.”
Lou slides into her seat. Shutting the door, I jog around to my side. Once inside, I turn to face her. “I work missing persons. I have for the last fourteen years. At first, it was rewarding. I thought I was doing good. But after years of working cases that we couldn’t solve or that ended—well like the last one—I lost it. I jumped in my car and drove. I hit the highway and didn’t stop until I saw your house.”
“You said it piqued your interest.”
“It was more than that. It was a beacon.”
Lou smiles, but it’s one of those small, unsure ones. I decide to say more. “The second I saw it, I knew there was something special about it.” It turns out it wasn’t the house that was special, it was her.
“You had to go back to Phoenix?”
“I did. I was facing a reprimand if I didn’t get back.”
“You could have told me who you really were.”
“I know.” I reach out and take her hand in mine. “I’m sorry about that. As fucked up as it sounds, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing with you.”
“I see.” She attempts to pull away from me, but I hold tight.
“No. I have feelings for you, but I had to go home. I needed closure there before I could come back and ask you…”
“Ask me what?”
“If we could start over.”
“Start over?”
“Yeah.” Pulling my hand from hers, I hold it out like I want to shake hers, I tell her, “My name is Chase McNamara.”
Lou smiles, placing hers in mine. “Velma Lou Hamlin.”
“Velma? Like from the old cartoon?”
“Exactly like that.” She giggles. “My dad still watches it.” She leans in and kisses me softly. “Yes. Let’s definitely start over. I need to learn about the real you, and I want you to do the same for me.”
“Is the real you a lot different from the other you?”
“A little. I’ve changed since you took off.”
Her words cause me to frown. “I hope not.”
“Ah.” She pats my shoulder. “Don’t worry, it’s not all bad.”
I watch Lou buckle her seat belt. “I need to get home. I want to check on my dad.”
“Let’s pick him up something to eat on the way.”
“Great idea. I’m starving.” Pulling out into traffic, I reach over and take her hand in mine. “I’ve been meaning to ask.”
“Yes?”
