Lilah kept her gaze focused on the neat, even rows of batter as the mixture filled each well of the muffin pan. She knew her friend struggled—from the close call with her ex to the even more startling revelation that her sister, Leah, was killed by her former brother-in-law.
The news had come as a shock—Robert’s confession coming as he attempted to kidnap Cassidy—and Reed had begun working that murder angle, as well. Not that he’d been willing to share much the night before, which had been the ostensible reason for his visit.
“You okay?”
Lilah glanced up from the pan. “Yeah, why?”
“You just looked really annoyed there for a minute.”
Willing that strange mix of frustration and intrigue over the stoic detective to stop messing with her focus, Lilah smiled. “I’m just glad you’re okay. And I’m really glad Tucker is here.”
“Me, too.” Satisfied the telling moment had passed, Lilah shifted to the next pan and continued the precise deposits of batter.
“What did Robert get himself involved in?” Cassidy crossed to the sink and busied herself with rinsing off the beaters. “And how could I have been so oblivious?”
“You were in love.”
“No.” Her friend shook her head before turning at the sink. “I understand what it truly means to be in love now, and what I felt before wasn’t even close.”
“It doesn’t mean you didn’t have feelings. Or a basic belief that your fiancé was above theft, kidnapping and possible murder.”
Cassidy scrubbed at her cheeks, the tears fading in the bright morning sunlight that flooded the kitchen. “You sound so rational when you put it that way.”
“Because it is rational. You didn’t do anything wrong.” The words were honest—she meant each and every one—even as a tiny voice rose up and whispered what a hypocrite she was.
Not to mention terribly inept at taking her own advice.
“You’re right. I know you’re right. Maybe if I say it enough times I’ll believe it.”
“Don’t worry.” Lilah ran a spatula around the rim of the bowl, capturing the last bit of batter for the cupcakes. “Tucker’s hell-bent on convincing you. And what he misses, Vi and I can manage.”
“He’s surprisingly stubborn.” A tremulous smile tilted Cassidy’s lips. “Sort of like two friends I know.”
Lilah dropped the now-empty bowl into the sink, then gave Cassidy a quick squeeze. “Skills, we’ve got ʼem.”
“And you bake like an angel.” Cassidy’s arm wrapped tight around Lilah’s waist. “Is there no end to your talents?”
“Nope.”
Lilah reveled in the gentle affection, the love and comfort of her best friend going a long way toward banishing the dark memories that had accompanied her earlier.
Basking in the light of a pretty summer morning and the love of her best friend, she doggedly fought off the memories of a congenial man with the personality of a monster. The deception that lived behind a jovial wink and a knowing nod for the rest of the world.
She’d left that nightmare behind over four years ago, and there was no way in hell she was ever going back.
Reed scanned the paperwork on the clipboard and tried to make sense of what he saw. A hastily scribbled signature at the bottom of official papers ensured one Robert Barrington was released from jail three days ago.
The printed name underneath the scrawl was no doubt fake, but Reed tapped it quickly into his phone before shoving it back into his pocket.
“Thanks, Gannon.”
The officer nodded, his face bright and eager, such a huge departure from the man he’d been a few years before. “Glad I could help.”
“How’s the baby?”
“Jade’s crawling already.” Gannon’s deep brown eyes sparkled brightly, a happy haze filling them up as he spoke about his daughter. A picture soon followed the words and Reed found himself oohing and aahing over a chubby little girl with mocha skin, eyes that matched her daddy’s and the sweetest smile he’d ever seen.
Reed let Gannon talk—partly because he was happy for the man and partly because it was good to see his old friend engaged in life again—and smiled through a story of how the baby had managed to wedge herself behind the couch while learning to crawl. “She’s amazing.”
Reed could only nod his agreement. “Of course she is.”
He let the conversation run out naturally, ending it with a quick handshake before he headed out into the noon sun. August was blazing in full force and he briefly toyed with marching back into the office building and finding something else to work on.
He’d lived in Dallas his entire life. But even with thirty-two years of Texas summers under his belt, every time he thought he’d gotten used to the heat, about a million degrees rose up to slap him in the face.
Or give him a full body hug was more like it.
Reed slipped into his car, the quick blast of air from the vents keeping him company with his thoughts.
Thoughts that had taken a decidedly dark turn as images of three bloodred rubies rose up to edge out the heat.
He paid his way out of the downtown parking lot and then used his voice controls to call his partner.
“Jessie, it’s Reed. I need you to look up a name for me.”
He rattled off the spelling of the name Gannon had given him and the sound of tapping computer keys on the other end was audible.
“Okay, the computer’s searching. How’s Gannon doing?”
“Raving about his baby daughter with a smile that could rival a beauty queen’s.”
“I could eat that baby up with a spoon she’s so sweet.”
Reed didn’t know if he quite agreed with the analogy, but any attempt at protest faded as Jessie started in on a funny story about the three of them from high school. They’d both worried over their old friend and were happy to know Gannon’s return to civilian life from the service had begun to take a more positive turn.
He shook his head to himself at Jessie’s easy transition from cop to high school gossip. She wore one as simply as the other, and—oddly—both suited.
“Sasha and Jade are good for him. Real good.”
“That they are.”
The veteran’s organization they’d finally convinced Gannon to
