Fallon didn’t know what was worse. Knowing your parent was going to die or having them ripped from you in the middle of the night in a freak accident. “If you need anything, I’m always here. And if you don’t ask, I’m showing up when you least expect it, and I don’t care if I interrupt you and Dove.”
He chuckled. “That ended before I could make her a decent breakfast.”
“Seriously?” She lowered her chin. “Why? She seems like your kind of girl.”
“My mom needs me right now, and while Dove is fun, she doesn’t understand shit about the Glades, and she freaked out when I brought her to Mallor’s Landing.”
“Yeah, well, most women would. You’ve got a pond full of gators in the back yard.”
He shrugged. “I do have a favor to ask of you.”
“Name it.”
“Try not to treat my mom differently. Let her keep doing what she’s always done with Tessa’s Project.”
“I know what it’s like to have this town smile and wave as you walk by, but their eyes are full of something else. Then, the second your back is to them, they whisper. They all did it when they found out I was the one who was supposed to be working at the Crab Shack the night Tessa went missing.”
“No one ever blamed you for that.”
“Her parents did,” Fallon said. “They still do. While they permitted me to use Tessa’s name and donate every year because it’s a good cause, they won’t come and don’t speak to me. Honestly, I don’t blame them.”
“Because you still blame yourself.” He tapped his index finger on the back of her hand. “Just like I hold the government responsible for my father’s death.”
“We’re quite the pair, aren’t we?”
“I know you don’t want to hear this.”
“Then don’t say it.” She folded her arms, knowing exactly where this conversation was circling back to. She’d opened herself up the second she’d called them a “pair”.
“You fall in and out of love like some women change their hair color. But I can see in your eyes, he’s different, and don’t try to tell me otherwise, because I know you better than anyone. I just want you to be careful with your heart. This one has the potential of breaking it.”
“Why do you say he’s different?”
“Because of the way you look at him. The way you’ve always looked at him. And he’s looking back, but I see some of myself in Buddy. It’s what I see in Cullen. Those deep wounds that are so hard to come back from. I’m working on it. So is Cullen. What is Buddy doing?”
“We all have demons. We all have something we have to carry. But we’re barely a thing. It’s way too early to even have this conversation.”
“My parents met and were married three weeks later. They were madly in love and had a great relationship. I know I was young when all the crazy shit went down and he died, but I still have memories.” Trent lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. “People with bruised souls like you, me, Cullen, even Buddy, we find each other. I don’t want to see you hurt, or I’ll have to kick his ass.”
“He’s weirded out that we dated.”
“I would be if I were in his shoes.” He dropped her hand, shifted and grimaced.
“Yeah, well, he’s a better kisser,” she said, trying to lighten the mood and change the subject.
“My lips are offended.” He reached for the tray, snagged his water, and sipped. “So, any clues about what happened last night? Any leads?”
“Only that Buddy believes it’s tied to his last big FBI case. He’s so worried about it that he’s got Cullen playing babysitter when he can’t be with me.”
“That’s a good idea. But what about Cullen? How’s he holding up with that protection detail? That could be triggering for him, and I know Silas. He’ll be on all our asses if we do anything to upset that balance. He’s incredibly protective of his nephew.”
“I think Cullen’s fine, and I’m happy to tell Silas that,” she said. “Cullen was excited about the opportunity.”
“I’m sure it makes him feel useful.”
“That, and he likes being around Harley, who we see out there often.”
“Oh, he likes her a lot,” Trent said. “It’s good to see him have interests other than making things out of wood.” He shifted again, groaned, and grabbed his side. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”
