The world could wait. The fear could wait. For five more minutes, there was only this: the warmth of his arms, the steady beat of his heart, and the quiet certainty that whatever came next, they would face it together.
Chapter Twelve
The concert was Tessa's idea, and Brian had almost said no.
Three days had passed since Sergeant Diaz's visit. Three days of jumping at shadows, checking locks twice, watching the motion lights like they held the answers to everything. The Chicago PD had confirmed that Marcus Webb hadn't checked in with his parole officer in two weeks. His apartment in Wicker Park sat empty. No one knew where he was.
Which meant he could be anywhere. Which meant he could be here.
Brian had wanted to stay in. Lock the doors, keep the curtains drawn, wait for Sergeant Diaz to call with news. But Tessa had looked at him with those green eyes and said, "I can't let him take everything from me. Not again."
So here they were, spreading a blanket on the grass near the harbor as the sun began its slow descent toward the water. The charity concert was drawing a decent crowd despite the circumstances of the week. Families with coolers and lawn chairs. Couples with wine and cheese boards. A group of teenagers sprawled on beach towels, already singing along to the sound check.
Brian scanned the crowd out of habit. No gray caps. No sunglasses. Just ordinary people enjoying an ordinary evening.
"You're doing it again," Tessa said, settling onto the blanket beside him.
"Doing what?"
"Looking for threats instead of looking at the sunset."
He forced himself to turn toward the water. She was right. The sky was putting on a show, bands of orange, pink, and gold streaking across the horizon, reflecting off the bay in ribbons of liquid color. The copper light that gave this town its name was in full effect, turning everything warm and soft.
"Sorry," he said. "Old habits."
"I know." She leaned into his side, her shoulder warm against his arm. "I do it too. But we're here. We might as well try to enjoy it."
The band took the stage, a local group called the Shoreline Drifters that Hank had recommended. They opened with something acoustic and mellow, the kind of music that invited swaying rather than dancing. Brian felt some of the tension in his shoulders ease despite himself.
"Brian! Tessa!"
He turned to see Bree waving at them from a few yards away, a picnic basket in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. Hank was behind her, carrying two folding chairs and looking amused. Colby and Sabrina brought up the rear, Colby with a cooler and Sabrina with what looked like a plate of her famous brownies.
"Mind if we join you?" Bree asked, already spreading a second blanket beside theirs.
"Would it matter if we said no?" Brian asked.
"Not even a little." She plopped down on the blanket and began unpacking the basket: cheese, crackers, grapes, and little containers of things Brian couldn't identify but knew would be delicious. Bree never did anything halfway.
Hank set up the chairs and settled into one, pulling Bree into his lap instead of letting her take the other. She laughed and swatted his arm, but didn't move. Colby and Sabrina claimed a corner of the blanket, Sabrina immediately offering the brownie plate around.
"We heard about what's been happening," Sabrina said quietly, her eyes on Tessa. "Hank told us. I hope that's okay."
Tessa nodded. "It's okay. I'd rather you know than wonder why we've been hiding out."
"You're not hiding," Colby said. "You're being smart. There's a difference." He stretched his legs out, crossing them at the ankles. "For what it's worth, we've all been keeping an eye out. Hank talked to some of the guys at the marina. Tom Cooper's got the whole hardware store on alert. This town looks out for its own."
Brian felt something loosen in his chest. He'd known, intellectually, that Copper Moon was that kind of place. But hearing it spoken aloud, seeing the determination in Colby's eyes and the gentle concern in Sabrina's, made it real in a way it hadn't been before.
"Thank you," Tessa said, her voice thick. "All of you. I don't know what to say."
"Don't say anything." Bree handed her a glass of wine. "Just drink this and listen to the music and let us take care of you for a few hours."
Tessa took the wine with a watery smile, and Brian felt a swell of gratitude so intense it nearly choked him. These people. This town. He'd stumbled into Copper Moon looking for escape and found something he hadn't known he was missing: a family.
The Shoreline Drifters launched into an upbeat number, and the crowd responded with cheers and scattered applause. A few couples got up to dance in the grass, their silhouettes dark against the fading sky. The first stars were appearing, pinpricks of light in the deepening blue.
"Dance with me?" Tessa asked, setting down her wine.
