“I thought you had a wife and kid,” Benjamin was saying. “I saw them at your house when I was there.”
Palmer’s brow creased. “When were you at my house?”
“Yesterday, when I walked in from the road. One of the work crews pointed me toward the house, but no one answered when I rang the bell. I looked in the barn for you, but when you weren’t there, I kept walking until I ran into you.”
Palmer nodded his head as he took the information in, but didn’t respond. Why had Benjamin been looking for him?
“You’re not upset with me, are you?” Benjamin continued. “I know I was trespassing, but I didn’t mean your family any harm. And I don’t think she even saw me. I just wanted to ask about a job.”
“No, it’s fine,” Palmer said finally. But it wasn’t, something still laying a brick wall of doubt around him. He ignored the comment as he pondered the ramifications of Ben’s admission, his answers feeling ready before the questions were even asked.
The two had finally made it to the other side of the property by the ponds. Palmer parked the truck and gestured for Benjamin to follow him. He grabbed a picnic basket from the rear and began to walk. Two massive rock formations bordered one side of the watery pool. The landing at the top of each was flat and Palmer climbed up a set of steps that looked like they’d been carved into the towers. He took a seat. Benjamin climbed up after him and they settled down to enjoy their lunch.
“This is pretty cool,” Benjamin said as he looked out over the water, enjoying the view.
“This was one reason why I purchased the property. The previous owner was a friend of my father’s, and my brother and I would come play here when we were little. This spot here has become my personal sanctuary when I need to think and clear my head. Because I have been where you are now and I understand how you feel, I thought you could use a space like this. You’re welcome to come sit anytime. And if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here for you.” Palmer gave the young man a compassionate smile.
“Thank you,” Benjamin responded. “I appreciate the kindness. You know when you’re a foster kid that people aren’t always kind to you.”
Palmer nodded. “It’s a broken system, and sadly, there are some who are so broken themselves that all they know how to do is hurt others.”
Seeming to fall into thought, Benjamin shifted his gaze back over the landscape.
Palmer carried on. “You were blessed to have been spared the hardships of the foster system. I’m grateful every day that I was showed so much love by my adoptive family. Just as I’m sure you appreciate yours.”
“Yeah,” Benjamin said, “it was a blessing.”
Palmer flipped the lid open on the lunch basket he’d carried to the top with them. Soledad had packed him two sandwiches and he passed one to Benjamin. The bread was homemade. It was a focaccia topped with fresh rosemary, olive oil and flaky sea salt. She had layered the bread with Genoa salami and provolone topped with thinly sliced onion, lettuce, peperoncino and tomatoes, then drizzled with olive oil and vinegar.
Benjamin took a bite, chewing slowly. He suddenly hummed his appreciation. “This is really good,” he said.
Palmer grinned. “One of my new favorites.”
He pulled a penknife from his back pocket and sliced an apple in two. There were also three cookies, one of which he gave to Benjamin. “These were made special just for me. I can’t share them as generously.”
Benjamin laughed. “I wouldn’t share, either. They’re even better than the sandwich.”
The men continued to chat easily. The more Palmer learned about Benjamin, the more he saw himself and the more he wanted to help the kid.
“There’s a program I sponsor every month for children in Grave Gulch group homes. I’d like it if you’d think about volunteering and helping out. I think you’d be an inspiration to them. Especially the older boys who are looking for role models.”
“Me? A role model?”
“Of course. Why not?”
“Why would anyone want to look up to me?” Benjamin asked.
“Because you’re doing the work to better yourself and it’s important that other kids see that the hard work is necessary for success.”
“You sound like one of those pamphlets they give you when you age out of the system.”
“I don’t know about all that. I was actually thinking I just sounded a lot like my father,” Palmer said with a soft chuckle.
* * *
Soledad listened as Palmer told her about his day. He was excited, his new employee having made quite an impression on him. She found his exuberance heartwarming. They were falling into an easy pattern with each other. Their love language felt natural and easy as the fresh air blowing through the trees outside. She felt confident in the decisions they would make together, and she trusted him with her and Lyra’s lives. She reached for his hand and squeezed his fingers.
“I think he just needs to know there are people out there who care about him,” Palmer told her. “He’s carrying a lot of baggage. I also get the impression there’s something else weighing on his spirit. He may still be mourning the loss of his father. Or having a difficult time processing his dad’s death.”
“It’s so heartbreaking. It’s almost like he’s had two families stolen from him.” Soledad shook her head. “That may be a lot for you to take on. Are you certain you can handle what might get thrown at you?”
“I’m not sure, and I won’t know until I’m in the situation. I just know I want to try.” Palmer raised Lyra to his shoulder and gently patted her back. She’d polished off a full bottle of milk and the burp that erupted from her sounded like a truck backfiring.
“Whoa!” Palmer exclaimed. “That one was award worthy.”
“She’s going to give the boys a good run for their money.” Soledad snickered as she rose from her seat, removing the used dishes from the kitchen table. Dinner had been a large salad topped with sautéed shrimp. It had been a quick and easy meal. “So what’s on your agenda tonight?”
“I have some paperwork I need to finish. Then I’m all yours. Why? What do you have in mind?”
“Shall we Netflix and chill?”
“You’ve been dying to say that, haven’t you?”
Soledad giggled. “Yeah.”
“Just don’t pick a romance movie and I’ll be good. Give me something with a little action in it. Maybe a drama.”
“Check. Action and drama. I think I can handle that. Meanwhile, I want to go pick the last of those blueberries. I’d like to make a tart.”
Palmer tossed a glance over his shoulder to the clock on the wall. “Most of the men have gone for the day. I don’t think there’s anyone still around. If you want, I can do my rounds early just to be sure.”
“I think I’ll be good. And I’ll be careful. It shouldn’t take too long. They’re past ready to be picked, so it should be quick.”
“Do your thing, honey. I’ll watch Lyra while you do.”
“I love it when a plan comes together.” Soledad went to the cupboard to take out a large ceramic bowl.
Palmer moved to the front door, the baby still in his arms. He looked out and, when it was clear, gestured for Soledad to head for the barn.
Hurrying across the walkway, Soledad slipped into the barn and out the far door.
The bushes on the back side of the barn were sizable, each shrub loaded with berries. Soledad began filling her bowl with the ripe fruit, excited as she began to plan how she would use them. That tart, more muffins, maybe even a cobbler or scones. Her bowl was almost full when she suddenly felt like she wasn’t alone. She looked up and around, but saw nothing. A tight knot formed in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t help but wonder if she would always be afraid that Gavin was lurking somewhere in the wings, determined to do them harm. Afraid that the wrong move or a bad choice would tak
e Lyra and Palmer from her.
Fear was a funny emotion, she suddenly thought. There was little she’d been afraid of as a child and even less as an adult. Now the slightest noise could leave her shaking like a withered leaf, her own shadow giving her reason to pause. She took a deep breath and held on tighter to the bowl.
Just as she was moving back toward the barn door, it flung open and Palmer stepped through. Lyra, cradled high in his arms, squealed excitedly at being outside.
Soledad pulled her hand to her chest, breathing a sigh of relief. “It’s just you.”
“Were you expecting someone else?” he teased, his eyes shining sweetly.
“No. I just...well... It was like...” She faltered, suddenly unable to explain what it was she was feeling.
“You okay?” Palmer asked. Concern washed over his face.
She shook her head. “I’ve been better. I think I’m ready to go back inside.”
“It’s okay,” he said as he shifted to her side. Reaching for the large bowl, he passed her the baby and wrapped an arm around her waist to guide her back toward the house.
* * *
They had just made it to the steps of the farmhouse when Benjamin called out his name. Palmer turned abruptly, surprised by the young man walking hurriedly in their direction. “Go inside,” he snapped, his voice a loud whisper. He gave Soledad a gentle shove. “And lock the door.”
As she and the baby stepped over the threshold, the door closing securely behind them, Palmer turned.
Benjamin stopped in front of him at the bottom of the stairs.
“What’s going on? Why are you still here?” Palmer asked.
“I missed my ride. I went back to the pond to sit and think about some things and I lost track of time. I was walking out to the main road to hitchhike home when I saw you. I didn’t mean to interrupt you and your friend.” He gestured toward the house and Soledad, who was standing behind the closed door, eyeing him with reservation.
“If you want, I can give you a ride,” Palmer said. “Just let me get my wallet.”
“I don’t want to be any trouble.”
“It’s not a problem,” Palmer said as he turned, took the steps and bounded into the house. But it was a problem, because something still didn’t feel right, and Palmer always trusted his gut.
* * *
Soledad could feel the young man watching her intently through the glass door. He seemed innocent enough and Palmer was willing to vouch for him, but that knot in the middle of her belly was only getting tighter. There was just...something about the way he looked at her that made her uncomfortable. She took a step back from the door and out of his view.
“I shouldn’t be too long,” Palmer said as he kissed her cheek. “I feel like there’s something going on with him and I’d like to try to figure out what it is. Will you be okay?”
Soledad forced a smile to her face. “We’ll be fine. I have the alarm, the dog and your gun. Besides, I doubt Gavin is planning to just come out of the shadows without some kind of fanfare. He likes attention too much. But if he does, he’ll regret it.”
“I’m sure he will. But I’ll still lock the door and set the alarm. Just to be safe, you and Lyra should hang out in my bedroom until I get back.”
“Lyra and I are making a blueberry tart. We’ll be fine.”
Palmer kissed her again. “Just keep that burner in your pocket in case you need to call me or 9-1-1 for help.”
* * *
Palmer dropped Ben off downtown, on the corner of Market and Holland streets. Home was a friend’s sofa, and the friend, a young woman named Hadley, hadn’t finished her shift at the local McDonald’s. Palmer learned that Hadley had also been a foster kid until she hadn’t been, returned to her mother when she’d been fifteen.
Palmer couldn’t put his finger on it, but something about Benjamin was starting to bother him. The kid just showing up at his front door was problematic, despite the young man’s assertions that he meant no ill will.
On the ride to town, they’d had a lengthy conversation about boundaries and him being respectful of them, but Palmer couldn’t say with certainty that Benjamin understood or even cared. He sometimes talked too fast and had an explanation for everything Palmer threw at him. There was also something in his demeanor that gave Palmer pause whenever they talked about family. He couldn’t help but wonder if the boy was dealing with issues bigger than Palmer was prepared to handle.
After some thoughtful consideration, the more he reflected on what he knew about the kid, the more uncertain Palmer suddenly felt. He turned his truck onto Grave Gulch Boulevard and headed for the police station.
* * *
The path leading into the building was crowded with protesters. Their chants for police reform and Melissa Colton’s dismissal were loud and caustic. Store owners had begun to board up their neighboring buildings, fearful that the protests would turn violent and agitators would destroy their town. Watching it on television had been one thing. Seeing it up close and personal was something totally different.
The main entrance to the building was gated. Inside, a receptionist at the front desk would point visitors to where they needed to go. The receptionist’s name was Mary and behind her stern business demeanor was a sweet, bubbly personality. She was well-liked by everyone and greeted Palmer warmly.
“Mr. Colton. How are you?”
“I’m well, Mary.”
“So what can I do for you today?”
“I was hoping to see Troy. Is he here, by chance?”
“I believe he is,” she answered. “Let me call him up for you.”
“Thank you, Mary.”
Minutes later, Troy came from the back of the building. He looked frustrated, despite his efforts to hide his emotion. “Hey, what’s up? What brings you here?” Troy asked, extending his hand to shake his brother’s.
“I’m headed home, but I need you to do me a favor,” Palmer said, dropping his voice slightly as the two stepped outside.
“What’s going on?”
“I need you to run a background check on a new hire for me.”
“Something out of sync?”
“Something, but I can’t put my finger on it. He says his father was murdered and was one of the Len Davison victims. I like the kid and I want to believe him, but I need to be careful with Soledad and the baby.”
Palmer handed his brother a Post-it note with Benjamin’s personal information written on it.
“Do you have a picture of him?”
“No. Do you need one?”
“That would have been nice.”
Palmer shrugged. “He looks like he could be Zayn Malik’s little brother.”
“Zayn who?”
Palmer laughed. “He was a singer in that boy band One Direction.”
“How do you know this?” Troy asked, his incredulous expression spurring Palmer to laughter. “When do you have time to follow a boy band?”
“Seriously, how have things been going here with you?”
“Busy.”
“Busy is good, though, right?”
Troy shrugged. “Depends on how you look at it.”
“You sound frustrated.”
“I am. The protests are starting to wear on my nerves. I get it. People have the right to express their frustration. In fact, it’s their civic duty to bring attention to issues the community needs to be aware of. But the timing right now couldn’t be worse. I’m afraid the protests are going to distract my officers from closing these cases. We have a serial killer to find, a murderer to catch so Soledad can go home, and Bowe is still out there wreaking havoc. It’s a lot and it doesn’t help that they’re gunning for Melissa when she’s been working her ass off to do right by this department and this city.”
“How can I support you? If I can, I really want to help.”
; “You’re letting me vent. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.” He shrugged.
“Well, anytime you need an ear, you know I’m here, right?”
“Yeah, but I need to get back to work.” Troy gestured with that piece of paper. “I’ll run this and give you a call when I find out something.”
“Thanks, and you stay safe out there, please!”
Chapter 18
Soledad split the last slice of blueberry tart in two, taking a sliver for herself and plating the other for Palmer. It had been two days since she had picked the fresh berries, and the sweet treats she’d made had finally run their course. She and Palmer had also had their fill of blueberries. What they hadn’t had their fill of was each other.
Everything about their time together was beginning to feel like forever. Enjoying everything about Palmer was as natural as breathing. Where days earlier she’d had doubts about the two of them, she could now see them having a brilliant future together. Or maybe it was just wishful thinking? Whatever it was, Soledad thought, she planned to enjoy every bit of it for as long as she could.
She carried the dessert plates on a wooden tray into the family room and took the seat beside Palmer. He sat with Lyra on his chest, the little girl having fallen asleep right after dinner. “I’m going to go put her in her crib,” Soledad said as she gently took the child out of his arms.
“I’ll find us a movie while you’re gone,” Palmer responded.
“Let’s not do a movie,” Soledad said. “I’d much rather we chat and cuddle. I know you have to be up bright and early in the morning, and that way we can get to bed early.”
“That sounds like you’re trying to seduce me,” Palmer teased.
Rescued by the Colton Cowboy Page 20
