“Because I’ve seen you work. I’ve seen how you care about protecting people, how you never give up until youfind the truth.” She lifted our joined hands, kissing my knuckles. “Besides, I have a vested interest in your success now.”
“Because of the mating bond?”
“Because I’m falling in love with you.” The words came out soft, almost whispered, but they hit me low in the belly.
I stared at her, unable to think. “Riley?—”
“I know it’s complicated. I know my past makes everything harder. But being with you, working with you, seeing how much you care about doing the right thing—” She shook her head. “I can’t pretend I don’t feel it anymore.”
I set down my coffee mug and turned to face her fully, framing her face with my hands. “I love you too. I have since the moment you walked into my office. Maybe even before, when I was waiting for someone I didn’t know I needed.”
Her radiant smile transformed her face. “Really?”
“Really.” I leaned down and kissed her. “I love your analytical mind, your courage, and the way you challenge me to be better. I love how you fit in my life like you were always meant to be here.”
“I love your careful attention to everything, how safe you make me feel, and the way you see patterns in chaos. I love that you bought a grill because I mentioned liking grilled food.”
I chuckled against her mouth. “I’d buy a dozen grills if it made you happy.”
“Just the one is perfect.” She pulled back enough tomeet my eyes. “We’re going to figure this out, Dungar. I know it.”
As the sun rose over the mountains, we prepared for the day ahead. I organized my notes while Riley made breakfast. When we rode into town, the golden light of dawn painted everything in warm hues, including the future that felt possible despite the unanswered questions ahead of us.
Aunt Inla's store wouldn't open for another hour, but I could see her moving around inside, preparing for the day. I knocked on the door, and she appeared a short time later, her silver-threaded hair coiled into a neat bun at her nape.
"Dungar, what brings you here so early?" She ushered us inside. "And Riley! Good morning."
"We need to ask you about official correspondence from our king recently," I said. "Specifically, communications regarding luminook habitat modification."
Aunt Inla's expression shifted to confusion. "Oh, that. Yes, I received my copy not long ago, a beautifully written letter from His Majesty himself. Such lovely penmanship."
My stomach dropped. "Your copy?"
"Well, yes. As senior community liaison, I always receive copies of royal directives that affect town operations." She moved to a filing cabinet behind the counter, sliding open a drawer. "I assumed you received yours as well, which is why I didn't mention it. The king was quite specific about coordination between our offices."
She produced an envelope bearing the royal seal, thethick parchment unmistakable. I took it and read the elegant script that confirmed everything Mary had told us.
"This authorizes comprehensive habitat modification for surface-dwelling luminooks," I said, my voice tight. "Effective immediately upon receipt."
"With full cooperation between your office and the designated xenobiologist, yes." Aunt Inla studied my expression. "Dungar, dear, surely you received your copy?"
I shook my head, still staring at the document that validated everything I'd dismissed as suspicious. "No. I received nothing."
"But that's impossible. Royal correspondence always goes through proper channels. And I love my postmaster task here in Lonesome Creek. I tucked your letter into your mailbox myself."
A mailbox that I often forgot to open. I'd organized almost everything in my life, but this had somehow slipped through.
"Let's go see if Cara and Billy are up," Riley said. She explained to my aunt.
"Sounds like you might have your answer, then," my aunt said with a pert nod.
Riley's hand found mine, squeezing gently. "It's not your fault."
"Isn't it?" I carefully refolded the letter, placing it back in its envelope, tucking it into the folder in the drawer. "My entire approach to this case was based on incomplete information."
"You couldn't have known someone might tamper with the mail," Aunt Inla said. "Assuming that's what happened. Royal correspondence has never been intercepted before. Never."
But it may have been now, and the implications were staggering. If Mary, Ava, and Joyce weren't the thieves, then someone else was targeting the luminooks. Someone who'd remained hidden while I'd focused on the wrong suspects.
