The very last thing.
9
Brooklyn stared at Colin on the video call, pondering his question. How could she think about it and answer him when all she wanted was for him to be here instead of still at the crime scene?
Barbie had gone home, and Brooklyn had taken over Sandy’s care, trying to get her to go to bed. No such luck. She curled up on the end of the sofa instead. They’d hadBreakfast at Tiffany’son the television and had been chatting with Eryn and Micha while half watching the movie. More like with Eryn, as Micha was the strong, silent type. Not rude, just not one to engage in small talk or really watch this vintage romantic movie. Besides, he was outnumbered, and the topics often went to things women usually found more appealing.
Brooklyn had been pacing off and on. Until the call. Then she’d settled down. Kind of. She was glad Colin phoned with an update, but she wanted more from him. She wanted to see him in person. She’d never felt this way about a guy before. Not even after dating for months, and she honestly didn’t understand it.
Then she also wanted to be at the scene. To help figure out who died in the fire. Man, how awful. Someone lost his life in ahorrific way. She prayed the reason he died had nothing to do with her. That Kane hadn’t somehow done it to scare her.
Because shewasscared. Maybe that’s why she wanted Colin at the cabin. By her side. Sure, Micha and Eryn were with her, but despite their sidearms and extensive experience, she didn’t get the same feeling of security from them. A silly thing. The pair of them were capable of protecting her and more.
“Did you hear my question, Brooklyn?” Colin asked.
“Sorry, I was zoned out for a minute,” she admitted. “Will you repeat it?”
“I asked how Mom was doing and if I should come home to help out.”
“Your mom is fine,” Brooklyn said.
“More than fine,” Sandy called out. “You found a winner in Brooklyn. I hope she stays for a long time.”
Had Sandy hinted to her son to do something about that? Not as in extend Brooklyn’s job, but maybe get to know her and develop a serious relationship? Or was Brooklyn just wishing for that? For something she couldn’t have until Kane was behind bars.
“Glad to hear it,” Colin said. “But don’t stay up too late talking and wear yourself out.”
Sandy frowned. Brooklyn suspected it had to be hard to have changed roles with her son where he’d become the parent figure.
“I’ll keep you updated,” he said. “Call if anything comes up or you need my help.”
“Go,” Sandy said. “I’m sure you’re neededthere.”
Ah, yes, Sandy might as well have said you’re not needed here right now so pay attention to where you are needed. But Brooklyn suspected she needed him too. Now for sure. But for how long? Maybe the next few days would tell.
The call ended, and Brooklyn set her phone on the table.
Sandy sighed.
Brooklyn swiveled to face her. “Everything okay?”
Sandy picked up a flowery pillow and hugged it to her chest. “It was hard enough to move in here, but to have my boys want to wrap me in bubble wrap is something they need to stop doing.”
Brooklyn tried to put herself in Sandy’s shoes and then in Colin’s too. “I can see how you would feel that way. It’s clear they both love you a lot and want the best for you. If my parents had a health issue, I could see myself doing the same thing.”
“Oh, I understand it. Trust me. I’ve thought about it enough, and I should be thankful I raised them to be so responsible. I just don’t want to ruin their lives by them thinking I’m top priority and require all of their attention.” She rested her chin on the pillow. “I sure don’t want them to put off their lives to be here with me. Which is why you’re so important. You’ll let them get on with things, and you could even help me encourage them to go about life as natural.”
“I can do that for sure.” Brooklyn would help, but if this turned into a long-term job, would she want Colin to go about his life? To find a woman to love?
“I can work on Colin too,” Eryn said. “See if I can get him to relax a bit.”
“Thank you,” Sandy said, but kept her focus on Brooklyn. “Realistically, how long do you think you’ll be here? Once this Kane guy is caught, will you stay or go back to your IT career?”
Brooklyn had to be honest. “Likely IT, but don’t worry. If I do, I won’t leave until you find someone to replace me.”
Sandy frowned. “I don’t know you well, but I suspect you’re going to be very hard to replace.”
“You’ll find someone.” Brooklyn let her thoughts wander to the future, but Kane came to mind, and she shut that down right away. “But then it’s not an issue unless Kane is behind bars, and for that to happen, we have to find him.”
