“A horror movie,” Silas added. “With a romance subplot.”
“But the important question,” Anthony said, “is has he taken you to his cabin yet? Because that’s the ultimate test. If Carson takes you to his sacred cabin, you know it’s serious.”
“We spent two weeks there,” Nora confirmed.
The table erupted. “Two weeks!” “The cabin!” “I told you he was serious about her!”
Carson’s ears turned slightly red. “Can we talk about something else?”
“No,” everyone said in unison.
For the next hour, they grilled Nora about everything—her business plans, her thoughts on Carson’s terrible coffeemaker, whether she could tolerate his workaholic tendencies. She answered honestly, and by the end, she felt like she’d passed some kind of test.
These were Carson’s people. His found family. And they were welcoming her into it.
“Bathroom,” Nora said eventually, standing.
“I’ll come with you,” Jade said, also standing.
In the bathroom, Jade fixed her makeup while Nora washed her hands.
“You’re good for him,” Jade said without preamble. “Carson, I mean. He’s different now. Less...intense.”
“He’s still pretty intense.”
Jade tipped her head, considering. “True. But it’s a good intense now. Before, he was intense because he was trying to outrun his demons. Now he’s intense because he has something to protect. Someone to come home to.” Jade smiled. “We’re glad he found you. He deserves to be happy.”
“So do you,” Nora said. “Are you seeing anyone?”
“Not currently. My last relationship ended badly. He couldn’t handle the hours, the stress, the fact that I see dead bodies regularly.” She shrugged. “Occupational hazard.”
“The right person won’t care about that.”
“That’s what I keep telling myself.” Jade headed for the door. “Come on. Let’s get back before they tell you about the time Carson got stuck in a dumpster during a chase.”
“That happened?”
Jade’s grin was almost blinding. “Oh yeah. And it’s hilarious.”
They returned to the table to find Knox in the middle of that exact story. Carson looked mortally embarrassed but was trying to hide it.
“—and he’s wedged in there, right? Can’t get out. The suspect is long gone. And Carson’s just yelling for help while covered in garbage—”
“I caught the guy eventually,” Carson protested.
“Three days later,” Knox said. “After we spent an hour extracting you from the dumpster.”
Nora slid back into her seat next to Carson, trying not to laugh. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”
“Because it’s not relevant to anything.”
“It’s relevant to me understanding the full scope of your detective skills.”
Everyone laughed, and Carson shook his head, but he was smiling. Nora realized this was what he needed—not just her, but this. Connection. Community. People who knew him and loved him anyway.
“You fit right in,” Silas observed, studying Nora with his profiler’s eyes. “Not many people can handle cop humor. Especially not people who’ve been victimized by crimes.”
“I’m tougher than I look.”
