By the time they were all settling in the backyard, music was flowing and a large, galvanized water tub had been filled with ice and adult beverages. And a few bottles of water as well. Rarity sat on the side of the pool dangling her legs in the water while Archer, Drew, and Sam played in the water. Killer curled by her side, barking at the crazy humans. Shirley and Terrance were at the table, talking.
Rarity smiled as she looked around her deck. Her new tribe all liked each other. Her business was like working with family. Darby was home from Scotland. And the spring run of festivals, before it got too hot, had started out strong. She stood and walked over to where Shirley had a calendar and a notebook out making notes. “Please tell me you’re not working. It’s a party. A welcome spring party.”
Shirley tapped her pen on the calendar. “I’m not working. Terrance and I are looking at going on a cruise this summer to Alaska. Separate cabins, of course. I’m just not sure about being on a boat that long.”
“It’s a ship, not a boat and it will be fine. You’ll love it. Besides, I’ve never seen Alaska. We need to get up there before it all melts.” Terrance took a sip of his beer. “You and Archer should come with us. It will be fun.”
“Maybe,” Rarity said as she turned to see Sam climb on a floating chair in the pool. “Maybe all six of us should go.”
“Sam and Drew seem to be doing better lately,” Shirley noted as she watched Drew get out and hand Sam her drink from the table where they’d left it earlier. Rarity got herself another wine cooler and opened it, watching as her friend took her drink, then laughed when Drew splashed her with water. “Maybe we should all get away.”
“Let’s get those steaks going and we can chat about it over a meal.” Terrance stood and headed into the kitchen to get the steaks from the fridge.
Shirley watched him go inside, then met Rarity’s gaze. “I know. He’s a good man.”
“He is, and I’m glad you know that. Look, I know you’re in a hard place, but just know we’re all here for you.” Rarity followed Terrance into the kitchen.
They were just finishing dinner when Drew’s phone rang. They fell silent and Rarity turned down the music.
“It might just be the station checking in.” Drew stood and walked to the back of the yard, Killer following at his heels.
When he came back, he looked at Rarity. “Do you want to change before you go?”
Her heart sank as she heard his words. “Did the store get broken into?”
Drew shook his head. “Not the store. Someone broke into Darby’s house. Nothing’s gone or trashed, but I don’t think she should stay there alone. Can you put her up in your guest room?”
Rarity nodded. “I’ll go get changed.”
As she left the group, she heard Shirley directing the cleanup from dinner. She would take care of things here so Rarity could go save one of their own.
It was what family did in a crisis. And this group was family.
Chapter 2
After picking up Darby at her house and checking in with the officer in charge, Drew drove them back to Rarity’s. He pulled the truck into the driveway and climbed out.
Rarity looked over at him. “Are you hanging out for a while?”
“The guys have the investigation in hand. Mike hates it when I hang around, looking over his shoulder while he works. Ever since he got his last promotion, he’s been trying to show off his leadership skills.” He grabbed Darby’s bag from the bed of the truck. “You okay, squirt? Not much of a welcome home for someone to break in like that.”
“I’ve been gone for over a year but as soon as I come home, people are all trying to mess with my stuff. What kind of police department are you guys running here?” She reached for the bag, but Drew held it over her head. “Okay, sorry for the jab. Can I have my bag?”
“Once we’re in the house, yes. My mama raised a gentleman.” Drew nodded toward the house, and the three headed to the front door.
Archer must have been watching because he held the door open. “Everything okay?”
“Nothing missing. I’m not sure what the guy was looking for,” Drew said as he handed Darby her bag. Rarity pointed out the guest room. After Darby left the living room, he dropped his voice. “Unless they were after her. Has she said anything about having trouble with someone? An old boyfriend or anything?”
Rarity shook her head. “She hasn’t mentioned anything to me, but I’ll ask Katie and Shirley. She might have told them.”
“Well, let me know if she does.” Drew looked around the room. “Is Sam outside?”
Archer nodded. “Shirley and Terrance came in right after you left and put everything away from dinner. Then everyone went back out to the pool. I heard you drive up.”
“Go join them,” Rarity said. “I’ll check on Darby and see if she wants to come out for a while.”
She walked over to the guest room, Killer at her heels. She heard the door open to the patio and then shut. She knocked on the open door. “There’s an attached bathroom, and the dresser has two empty drawers. The bottom drawer has an extra blanket and pillow if I keep it too cool in here.”
