“Thank you, sweetheart,” June gave her daughter’s arm a tender squeeze. “I’d better get going.”
“With the handsome FBI Director?” Willa's eyebrows rose, and a teasing glint gleamed in her eyes.
June felt the heat rise in her cheeks. "We're working on a case together," she said, which was technically true even if it wasn'tthe whole truth. “As you know, Chief Morrison asked me to help with legal aspects.”
“I’m just teasing you, Mom.” Willa laughed before her face sobered. “Although, if you were to date someone…” Her words trailed off. “I’d be very happy for you. It’s been eighteen years mom, Dad would want you to find someone new.”
“Yes, well…” June cleared her throat, uncomfortable with her daughter’s words. “I'd better go.” She stepped forward and hugged her daughter tightly. "I love you," she said, meaning it with every fiber of her being.
"Love you too, Mom." Willa returned the hug and then grinned. “Now go and investigate with the handsome FBI Director. Who I wouldn’t mind being my new dad!”
June stopped dead in her tracks as she looked at her daughter, stunned by her words.
“I… what?” June mumbled.
“Again, I’m just teasing you, mother,” Willa sighed, then changed the subject. “Can you stop by the store on your way home and get some groceries for the barbecue? I’m tied up here until six.”
“Of course,” June managed to find her voice again.
June hurried back to the car, her heart pounding with a mixture of love, guilt, and fear. As she climbed into the passenger seat, she saw Holt raise his hand in a wave toward the fire station.
She turned to see Willa waving back, with a big smile on her face, and June’s throat went dry.
The emotional weight of the moment nearly overwhelmed June entirely. She gripped the door handle tightly and forced herself to breathe normally as Holt started the car.
But as they drove away from the fire station, June couldn't shake the feeling that the secrets she was keeping were getting heavier by the day, and sooner or later, something would have to give.
The question was whether she'd have the courage to tell the truth before that moment arrived, or whether the truth would come out in a way that could destroy everyone she loved.
7
HOLT
The Sandpiper Shores Police Station felt different when Holt walked through the front doors carrying boxes from Teacups. Maybe it was the weight of what they were about to do, or maybe it was the knowledge that someone within these walls might be working against them. Either way, the familiar building that had always represented safety and justice in his hometown now felt like potentially hostile territory.
Rad appeared from the back offices as they entered, his expression immediately shifting to professional alertness when he saw the serious looks on their faces.
"Perfect timing. We have a way to create a distraction so your father can do what he has to do," June told him. "We're going to have a conference with all the staff to discuss the fires. Everyone needs to stay vigilant, and you can lead the conversation, touching on key points about what they should be looking out for."
Rad glanced toward Tom's empty office, then back at them. "Shouldn't Chief Morrison be handling this kind of briefing?"
Holt saw the uncomfortable uncertainty in his son's expression and felt a familiar surge of protective pride. Rad was trying to follow proper protocol while also trusting that his father had good reasons for the unusual request.
"There are reasons I can't discuss that require Chief Morrison to keep his distance for a while," Holt said carefully. "So you'll need to run with this for now."
"Okay," Rad said, stepping forward without hesitation, and Holt couldn't help but feel proud of his son's willingness to take on responsibility. He glanced at June, noting the approval in her expression as she watched Rad accept the challenge.
"June will be right beside you to help steer you clear of any pitfalls or prevent you from giving away too much information," Holt continued. "Whatever the two of you do, keep everyone away from their stations until I step back into the conference room."
He handed the Teacups boxes to his son. "And save me one of those cupcakes."
"Dad, really?" Rad said, his eyebrows rising in the expression that reminded Holt so much of his own mother. "You're recovering from a bullet wound, and you want to eat sugar-loaded cupcakes?"
"So now I can't have a cupcake?" Holt replied, letting a note of dangerous warning creep into his voice. "I've been listening to everything you've told me about taking care of my health lately." His eyes narrowed with mock menace. "But trust me, nothing is going to stop me from having one of Margo's cupcakes."
Rad sighed heavily and shook his head. "Fine. But if you get heartburn or your blood sugar spikes..." He shrugged. "Don't look to me for sympathy."
Holt rolled his eyes as June laughed beside him. The sound was warm and familiar, bringing back memories of countless similar exchanges during their marriage when she'd mediated between him and various authority figures who questioned his choices.
