As was Autumn’s family. The one thing she’d noticed about them, they were very similar in manner: strong, smart, resilient, determined. Much like Autumn herself. They were traits Charlie admired in a person. But what always caught her off guard was their innate ability to poke their nose into her personal business. Worse, because of that country charm, she found herself telling far more than she ever intended.
“So that’s a yes?” Slade teased.
“I like her all right,” she teased back.
“She’s smitten with you, you know?”
Yeah, she knew. And she was equally smitten with the woman. Had been from the very moment they met, which in itself was something Charlie had never experienced before. She’d dated plenty of women over the years, enjoyed their company just fine, but never had she met one who made her heart flutter the way Autumn did.
Unfortunately, their fast and furious beginning had slowed significantly in recent months. First because of Kylie Walker’s tragic death and the impact it had on the entire community, then because of Charlie’s personal responsibilities. With her mother’s deteriorating mental health, Charlie found she didn’t have much time to dedicate to anyone else. Thankfully, Autumn seemed to understand, and their relationship was proving to be strong enough to weather the storms.
“Fine,” Slade said with another gruff chuckle. “I’ll leave it be.”
“Thank you.”
“While we’re at work,” he clarified. “When I see you at family get-togethers, I’ll be givin’ you shit.”
Of that she had no doubt. The Jameson clan was a close bunch, very similar to the Walkers from what she could tell. It only made sense that the two families had merged at one point when Autumn’s aunt Lorrie had married Curtis Walker.
“Tell me, Slade, what made you want to apply for this job?” she asked as she pulled off the toll road and continued on toward the country club.
“Kylie Walker,” he said simply. “Her death and the actions surrounding it made me want to get involved.”
Charlie understood that. Being that the task force had spent six months searching for Juliet Prince with no luck, Charlie knew that, had anything gone differently, Kylie might’ve still been there with them. Instead, she’d been taken from this world far too soon, leaving behind five young children and two husbands. Every member of the task force felt responsible, still beating themselves up over the what-ifs.
“How long’ve you been a bounty hunter?” Charlie still remembered being surprised when she’d seen that on the resume she’d been given. “And is it a lucrative job?”
“Six years now,” he said, his gaze on the buildings they passed. “Got into it because a buddy of mine asked for some help. Figured what the hell, why not?” He barked a laugh. “And no, I don’t do it for the money.”
“But you like it?”
“I love it.”
“So why do this?”
“A change, I guess.” His tone shifted, going darker than before. “I think it’s just time for a change.”
Because they’d agreed to keep things business at work, Charlie decided against pressing him for details. No doubt there was something that had him rethinking his life. From what she knew, he was only thirty-one, just a year older than she was. He was also single, having been married and divorced when he was in his early twenties. She didn’t know the story behind it, but Autumn had mentioned it when they were talking about their family and friends who’d married and then divorced. Charlie still didn’t know how they’d gotten on that topic. Then again, they talked about pretty much anything and everything, something she adored about the woman. There was nothing off-limits for Autumn, and Charlie appreciated that.
“How do you wanna handle this?” Slade asked when Charlie stopped at one of the many red lights that dotted this stretch of road.
“Honestly?”
He peered over at her. “Yeah.”
“Well, I think you should use that good-ol’-boy charm.”
His eyebrows popped. “That right?”
“Yes. I think it’ll put people at ease. You’re easy to talk to; maybe it’ll get them to open up.”
“And while I’m doin’ that, what’ll you be doin’?”
“I figure I’ll talk to the club’s manager, see if I can get a feel for how well he knew Mr. Hawkins. I have to believe this is a tight-knit community, one that considers itself a class of its own. I’d like to find out whether or not Mr. Hawkins was in a relationship with someone other than his wife.”
“Without makin’ a harsh accusation, right?”
Charlie grinned. “Of course.”
