“No,” Georgiana said, leaning forward as far as the seatbelt would allow. “But we did start to ask about Ronnie’s, and then we talked to Bobby Castanza, who leads the Silverville Snowmobile Club, and he mentioned a hottie named Rona, and well, we went from there. Got a description of her, talked to Bernie, and then we just had to find out when the next poker run or ride was happening.”
It was late afternoon, and the sun had disappeared, so I double-checked that my headlights were on. It was decent detective work, actually. “You two did a really good job.” It was true, and I appreciated it. “I’m not sure how long it would’ve taken to find her if you hadn’t been so successful.” They’d found Sharon before Pierce could, which was impressive.
Thelma preened. “It’s so nice to find a calling late in life. We were getting a little bored.”
Georgiana patted my shoulder, having no problem reaching me from the back seat. “We do need to find a hacker. You know? Somebody who can break into everyone’s computers.”
I swallowed rapidly. “That’s illegal, Georgiana.”
She lifted both hands. “Sure, but every detective agency has a good hacker to crack cases.” She eyed me through the rearview mirror. “You have tons of relatives. Surely one of them can break into the Pentagon or something.”
“Nope,” I said instantly. “The Albertini’s aren’t good with computers. Sorry.” Actually, I could name several relatives who probably could hack into a bank database or something, but none of them would do it. Probably. Either way, I wasn’t getting involved with that one.
We drove in silence for the rest of the way until I dropped them off, politely refusing the tray of cookies they offered. I’d eaten their spiked bakery goods before and wasn’t taking the chance. Then I drove across town and parked in front of Mac’s Burgers, Violet’s workplace, ducking through the snow to find her at a table across from Jolene O’Sullivan.
I blinked away fury as well as snowflakes, my boots squishing on the tiled floor to reach the booth. “Violet, how’s it going?”
“Good.” The girl sipped what looked like a milkshake, looking young and sweet in her yellow sweater and faded jeans. “I finished work about a half-hour ago and was just eating a really late lunch.” Her deep blue eyes sparkled. “Your friend sat down, and we’ve been chatting.”
“Great.” I forced a smile and barely kept from smacking Jolene on the back of the head. “Why don’t you get your stuff, and we’ll take off?”
“Sure.” Violet scooted from the booth. “Nice to meet you, Jolene.” She took her empty glass and basket, heading around the counter.
I slid into her seat, losing all niceties. “What do you think you’re doing?” I kept my voice low.
Jolene smiled, still looking like the perfect high-school cheerleader with her blonde hair and light blue eyes—until you really looked at those eyes. They held a boatload of calculation and what I imagined to be evil. Maybe not pure evil. Just the annoying kind like tree sap on a new car. “I was just talking to your young friend about how you’re helping her to find a good place to live and not foster care. Do the authorities know about this?”
I could not believe Aiden had dated this witch in high school. “Have you been following me?” That was the only way she could’ve known about Violet.
She shrugged. “You won’t talk to me about the Santa murder, and my editor wants the story. Now.”
“Translation is yes, you have been following me.” I wondered what she’d do if I just smacked her on the nose. Probably hit me back, and then we’d be in a fight at a burger joint and not illustrating a good example for young Violet. “Leave me alone, or I’ll have you arrested for harassment.” I started to scoot from the booth.
“Before or after I call the authorities about your young friend?” Jolene purred.
Yeah, I so wanted to hit her. If for no other reason than she put a dent in the sisterhood and how we should treat each other. “I have no comment on your story, Jolene.”
She sat back, looking like a cat that had caught a good ball of yarn. “How’s Aiden, anyway? You two finding domestic bliss, or have you discovered that there’s no way that man is settling down? Ever.”
Violet returned with her pack over her shoulder and a donut in her hand, Bowser trotting behind her. He must’ve been hidden in the back somewhere. “Do you want a pastry?”
“No thanks,” I said, ushering her to the door. “We should probably get going.”
“I’m not done with you, Anna,” Jolene called out. “I’ll be at your office first thing in the morning, and I suggest you talk to me.” She left the threat unsaid.
The one against Violet.
Chapter 29
We were already on the other side of the pass, dog snoring in the backseat when my phone buzzed. I saw on the car’s navigation screen that it was Aiden, so I swiped it. “Hi. You’re on speaker with Violet, Bowser, and me.” I peered through the windshield at snow that seemed to be blowing sideways.
“Hi, Angel,” Aiden said.
Violet sighed, snuggling deeper into her seat.
I hid my sigh but tingled all over. “Hi.”
“Where are you?” he asked.
“About ten minutes out from my aunt’s,” I said.
The sound of papers being shuffled filtered through the speakers. “What’s Yara serving, anyway?”
“Her taco bar.” I passed a camper going way too slow.
“Oh, man. I played football with a couple of her boys, and she made that taco bar every season. It’s the best,” he murmured.
“I’ll bring you leftovers.”
Bowser snored louder in the back seat.
Aiden cleared his throat. “I’m having Saber install a security system at your house, including outside cameras. There’s a good chance we’re headed out next week again, and I’d like you covered.” Now he sounded all business.
I took the hit and forced a smile. “Sounds good. I don’t want some crazy alarm that I accidentally set off all the time.”
“No worries. Saber is the best,” Aiden said. “I’ll see you later tonight—might be late. Text me before you leave Silverville and are on the road.” He ended the call.
Violet watched the snow ting against the front window. “He’s kind of bossy, but I like him.”
“Me, too,” I murmured, letting Jolene’s words echo in my head. Was he ever going to settle down? For that matter, was I? Yeah, I was, and I was kidding myself if I thought differently. Not that my life would change a lot. But I would like a big family wedding, kids, basketball tournaments, and the whole happily ever after scenario. Did Aiden? We’d only dated for about five months, and most of that time had been apart from each other. How much of our emotions were from the past, from when he’d saved my life?
“What’s wrong?” Violet asked.
I cleared my expression. “Nothing. Just wondering what to get Aiden for Christmas.” I looked at her. “By the way, what did you and Jolene talk about?” I’d waited to ask, so the subject didn’t seem important or stress her out.
Violet shrugged. “Not much. She asked about my past, and I told her. She also wanted to know about your cases, and I said I didn’t know much about your work.” She picked at a string on the hem of her sweater. “Figured if you wanted anybody to know about the bloody finger sent to you in a box that you would tell them.”
Thank goodness for untrusting teenagers. “Thank you. She’s a reporter, and she would’ve run with that story.”
Violet winced. “Shoot. She didn’t tell me she was a reporter.” Panic lifted her voice. “Am I in trouble? Is she going to turn me in?”
“You’re fine,” I said, hoping it was true. “I know you don’t want to go into foster care, but there are some really good homes out there, and they want to help kids like you.” I wished I could make this easy for her, but I didn’t know how. “My Aunt Yara is one of those people, and I hope you two like each other. If you don’t, then that’s okay. But we’ll have to find yo
u somewhere to live.”
She flattened her hands down her legs. “Why can’t I stay with you and Aiden?”
My heart broke a little for her, and I reached out to take her hand. “Besides the fact that I need an alarm system and have somebody sending me bloody fingers?”
She cracked a smile. “That’s a good point.”
“I know. I promise that no matter where you end up, I’ll make sure you’re safe and happy, and we’ll hang out.” I wished I could hire her at the law firm, but we were financially tapped right now.
“No matter what?” she asked, sounding much younger than sixteen for a moment.
I squeezed her hand. “Yes.” Then I pulled down a long driveway toward the river. “Uncle Buddy is my dad’s younger brother, and he married Yara, who’s awesome. They have six boys who were all pretty wild and now are all responsible and tough.” I paused. Wait a minute. If Violet became family, she’d have six older brothers. I winced. What was I thinking?
“Wow,” Violet said as we pulled up to the two-story log home with multi-colored lights hung on every eve. Several of the surrounding tall trees outside were also covered in lights, and a bundle of sparkly deer decorated the lawn.
I parked and opened the back door so Bowser could lumber out and take care of business. Then I fetched the pie I’d brought out of the trunk, leaving Violet’s and Bowser’s belongings for the time being.
“What if they don’t like me?” Violet asked as soon as she was out of the car and huddling in front of it.
I hurried to her and put my arm over her shoulders. “Why wouldn’t anybody like you? You’re delightful.” With that, I propelled her through the snow to the front door, opening it and all but shoving her in. “Aunt Yara?”
“She’s in the kitchen.” Uncle Buddy emerged from his den, wearing a nicely pressed blue flannel over dark jeans.
My heart warmed and flipped over. He’d dressed up to meet Violet. The delicious smell of tacos filled the air, and my stomach growled. I moved into his arms, letting him completely enfold me in a hug. Then I stepped back and introduced them.
He shook her hand, his movements gentle.
I grinned. Uncle Buddy was a barrel of a man with a wide chest, wide trunk, and more than six feet of height. He was a miner and had the muscles to prove it. He was also the biggest teddy bear I’d ever met. Well, until somebody threatened family. Then teddy bears turn into grizzlies. Like my dad, he had thick blackish-gray hair and soft brown eyes.
Violet shuffled her feet next to me.
Uncle Buddy bent and scratched Bowser behind the ears. “Cute dog. Has smart eyes.”
Violet smiled. “He’s really smart.”
Yara bustled out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “Hello, you two.” She moved forward and held out a hand for Violet. “Hi. I’m Yara.”
Violet shook her hand, looking shy again.
Yara grinned. “Your eyes match your name. That is so cool.”
My aunt was cool, for sure. While Uncle Buddy was bulky, Yara was petite with light brown hair, deep brown eyes, and a pert nose. It was surprising she’d birthed my six huge cousins. I handed over the pie. “Huckleberry. I made it last week but let it thaw all day. We just need to warm it up.”
Yara drew Violet into the kitchen. “I hope you’re hungry. The boys always drop in, so I make tons of food.”
With that, I let my aunt take over.
It was after nine when I left Violet with my aunt and uncle. Within minutes of starting to eat, Yara had gotten Violet relaxed enough to talk about her life, what she wanted to do after school, and her hopes and dreams. Uncle Buddy had pretty much adopted Violet by the end of dinner, promising he’d teach her how to snowmobile next week if she wanted to learn.
Violet really wanted to learn.
My belly was happy and my heart was full when I left them. Yara had already cleaned out the guest room that had an attached bath, saying they could decorate the room that coming week however Violet wanted and that Bowser was more than welcome to sleep with her.
I drove for about five minutes and automatically turned down the driveway of my childhood home, parking outside my parent’s garage. The Christmas lights were still on, as was the patio light. I ran through the storm, not surprised to find the door unlocked. I walked inside. “Mom?”
“Hey, honey.” My mom walked out of her office, which was to the side of the living room. She looked younger than her age with her blondish red hair and green eyes. Tonight she’d dressed in a yoga outfit with pink socks. “Yara texted me when you left, so I figured you’d stop by. Come have some tea with me.” She slipped her arm through mine and took me into the kitchen, where she already had a kettle on. “Yara is so excited to have Violet staying with them.”
I sat on a chair at the wide oak table, more relieved than I’d expected to be. “I think Violet is excited, too. At least she’s safe now.” My aunt would take care of everything in the morning with the county and state. Sometimes it was so helpful to live in a small town. “Where’s Dad?”
“He’s at the Elk’s tonight but should be home in about an hour,” she said, pouring two mugs. Then she sat and pushed one toward me, taking hers and blowing on the steam. “What’s up?”
I gingerly took a sip, letting peppermint explode on my tongue. The kitchen was massive with hand-carved maple cabinets, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances fit for a big family gathering. “I can’t figure out what to get Aiden for Christmas.”
“Hmmm.” She sipped quietly, her presence calming me.
I drank my tea, my mind spinning. “I don’t know what we are. What we’re doing.” I frowned. “Where we’re going.”
She sipped some more. “Do you have to know those things right now?”
I blinked. The woman wanted grandchildren almost more than anything, and she was asking me if I wanted to slow down? “You’re confusing me.”
She patted my hand. “Why are you feeling pressured? You’ve only dated for a few months.”
I opened my mouth and then shut it again. Why was I feeling pressured? Aiden hadn’t prodded me, and I wasn’t sure what I was doing, so what was going on? “He seemed reluctant on the phone before he came home. Like he was reconsidering us dating with our current jobs.” I thought we’d taken care of that issue, but apparently it had been rattling around in my head. “I’m afraid he’s going to change his mind and leave for good.” There. I’d said it.
She stood and fetched the kettle, pouring us both another cup. “You know what to do with fears.”
I sighed, cupping the mug. “Confront them.” I guess I needed to talk to Aiden about those fears, but I was afraid of what he’d say. If I gave him the out, would he take it? He’d starred in every fantasy I’d had since I was twelve, and if he walked out of my life again, it was going to hurt. “I don’t know what I want. I mean, I want him, but I’m not ready for marriage or any of that, so…” I couldn’t find the right words.
“You know what you want,” Mom said, taking another drink. “It’s okay. What is it?”
I mulled it over, feeling at home in the family kitchen with my mom so close. “I want…a chance. Just a chance that we could have forever, even if we’re not ready for it now. I guess I need to know that he wants that, too. That there’s a potential for us somehow to have more.” Wow. I hadn’t even realized that’s where my emotions had gone.
My mom nodded. “That makes sense. Now you just need to talk to Aiden about it. He’s been in your heart most of your life, and even if he leaves, a part of him will still be there.”
I wanted more than a part of him. “That’s true.”
She smiled.
That suddenly, I finally figured out what to give him for Christmas. I’d need to visit my childhood room before I left. I grinned. “You’re the best, mom.”
“True,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “So true.”
The front door opened. “Hello?” Nonna Albertini called out, bustling through the living
room to the kitchen and spotting us, setting a tray of Christmas cookies down. “Anna. So good to see you.” She leaned over and placed a kiss on my head before moving toward the kettle. Nonna was all Italian and looked a bit like Sophia Loren but maybe taller, and I thought she was just as beautiful.
“Hello?” My Nana O’Shea then appeared, having more quietly opened the front door. She slid a platter of candy cane cookies across the table. She looked like an older version of my mom, more like Maureen O’Hara in her later days. Still stunning. “Anna. How wonderful.” She accepted the cup of tea from Nonna.
My mouth gaped open. My grandmothers had a sort of détente because they loved the same people, but they weren’t close and rarely did anything together. Then everything inside me went warm and gooey. “You’re worried about me.”
Nonna waved a hand dismissingly in the air. “Don’t be silly. We heard you were here and figured you’d like some sweets.”
They both sat, blowing on their tea.
I shared a smile with my mom. It was almost time to receive the Christmas card from Jareth Davey, and I was struggling with what to do with Aiden. Apparently my grandmothers had noticed. They were here to help—even just to offer quiet support.
The female power in my family was strong, and right now, it was focused on me.
I reached for the treats, making sure to take one of each. While I might be a little confused currently, I was no dummy.
Chapter 30
It was midnight by the time I trudged up my snowy steps, bathed in twinkling Christmas lights, and nudged open the door to my cottage. Aiden sat at my round kitchen table, case files, notepads, and coffee mugs in front of him. He looked up, and his blue eyes were veiled and his aura a pissed off hue.
I forced a smile and crossed to the kitchen counter, placing several tight-lock containers down. “We had a taco bar, Christmas cookies, candy cane cookies, and huckleberry pie,” I said as cheerfully as I could.
“Thanks.” He glanced at the screen on his phone. “Not hungry right now, but it smells delicious.”
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