Those lips I can’t stop thinking about turn up into a small smile. “I know. I should’ve texted, but I thought I’d take a chance that one of you would be here.”
“Weston and Buck are off today.” I have no business feeling proud when she doesn’t look disappointed, but I do. “Is everything okay?”
Her head tilts to the side, and her braid brushes her shoulder. “That depends on what qualifies as okay.”
“Come on inside.” I lead her out of thecold and into the empty kitchen. The other guys are working out. The captain’s in his office.
I pull out a chair for her without thinking about it, and she thanks me as she sits down.
“Coffee?” It’s probably old, but not undrinkable.
She shakes her head. “I’ve had enough caffeine today.”
That surprises me. She looks tired, but not in a way that makes her any less attractive. The weariness in her eyes makes me want to stand between her and everything pressing in on her.
I lean against the counter instead of sitting across from her. At least it’s some version of distance. “What’s going on?”
CHAPTER 14
CALDER
Elena unbuttons her coat and lets out a breath. “Buck’s been patrolling the streets around Mae’s house.”
That tracks. He doesn’t stop working just because he’s off-duty.
“He had door and window alarms installed at Mae’s,” Elena says, “and at my house. Cameras, too.”
“That’s smart.”
“I know it makes sense, and I appreciate it.” She brushes a couple of tiny crumbs from the table with the tips of her fingers. “I’m just wondering what’s going to happen next … and when it’s going to happen.”
I keep quiet because I don’t have anything useful to say. Waiting is part of it. Sometimes the worst part.
Her lips curve up again, and her eyes soften. “Ed Winslow is at Mae’s right now, visiting. They’re both helping T.J. work on a LEGO set.”
“Oh yeah?” I smile at the image. “You have inside access to the town’s favorite romance.”
Elena shrugs and shakes her head. “Not really. He’s been over a few times while I’ve been staying there, but their relationship looks a lot like it does out in public. He brought over firewood yesterday, and she scolded him for carrying too much, then she scolded him for tracking in snow. He stood there and took the criticism like it was the reason he came over.”
I shake my head and snort a laugh. “Sounds about right.”
“I did find out she keeps a stash of homemade peanut butter cookies in her freezer, and she wraps up two for him to take home every time he comes by.”
“Wait, homemade cookies? Mae Whitaker bakes?”
Elena shrugs again, her smile growing. “That was the impression I got. I didn’t actually see her bake them, though.”
“My money’s on them coming from the bakery, but you’ll have to keep an eye on the situation.”
Elena gives me a salute. “I’m on it.” We laugh together for a few pleasant seconds, and then she says, “I’m looking forward to moving back into my house soon, but I’m going to miss living with Mae. T.J. loves her. She’s always up to build things with him, though she does more supervising than building.”
I nod, picturing the old woman and the boy sitting together.
“She complains that the LEGO pieces are too small, and she constantly encourages him to change the design rather than following the directions. Every few minutes, she says, ‘You know, if you move that piece over there, it could be better.’”
“Maybe that’s good advice.” I rarely smile so much, and it feels good.
Elena’s smiling too, genuinely, and it hits me in a way I’m not expecting. I look down at my boots like there’s something interesting there, and the room goes quiet again.
