“Yeah, filled the truck and made the thirteen-hour drive in eleven and a half.” He glanced around the diner. “It’s crazy that this town never changes. Everything’s always exactly the same.”
“Not much changes here.” Not even the bad coffee.
“You’ve been here often?” Aspen asked.
“I’ve crashed a few of the Davies family holidays.”
“It’s not crashing if you’re invited,” Jesse corrected.
Aspen frowned. “You don’t celebrate withyourfamily?”
There was a small tensing of Holden’s muscles. It was so subtle, most wouldn’t have noticed. Jesse knew him too well to miss it.
“My mom died when I was a teenager, and I never knew my dad.”
Jesse’s stomach clenched. Holden’s father had left his mother before he was born, and his mother had gotten sick with lung cancer and died when he was sixteen. Then he’d bounced around a couple of foster homes before enlisting in the military.
Aspen’s eyes softened. “I’m sorry.”
“Thanks. I heard you’re having a rough time withyourmother.”
Aspen cringed. “Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a smooth time when Karen Davies is involved.” She glanced at her phone.
She’d done that a couple times. “Are you expecting a message from her?”
“I asked her when she’s leaving for Misty Peak, but she hasn’t responded. She’s also not answering my calls.” Aspen lifted a shoulder like it was no big deal, but Jesse knew it was.
He squeezed her thigh beneath the table. “I’ll touch base with George to see what the status is on the cabin.”
She gave him a small smile. “Thanks. I’m just going to go to the bathroom.”
He stood to let her out, but before she could step away, he grabbed her arm. “Don’t venture too far, okay?”
Humor danced in her eyes. “The bathroom is right there. I think I’ll be fine.”
She kissed him and he watched as she crossed the diner.
When he lowered back into the booth, he caught Holden staring at him. “What?”
“You really like her.”
“Yeah. Does that surprise you?”
“A bit. I’ve seen you date, but this seems different.”
“Aspen’s different.”
Holden’s mouth curved. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks.”
The smile dropped from Holden’s face. “No progress on finding Dylan?”
“No. And it’s driving me fucking crazy.” He wanted eyes on the asshole, and he wanted eyes on him now. He felt blind and helpless, and he hated that.
“He won’t be able to do much in this town without someone noticing.”
“I’m counting on it.”
