by Naomi Niles
I smiled. “I wish I had parents who gave me that kind of advice.”
“You’ve had a tough life,” Whitney observed. “It’s one of the reasons I admire you so much.”
“You…admire me?” I repeated, in shock.
“Of course,” she said. “It’s partly why I hired you. I could see that strength in you. You looked like a survivor.”
I smiled. “That’s… I appreciate that. Thank you.”
She smiled and tossed a dress at me. “Here,” she said, breaking the sentimental moment. “Try this one on; it’ll suit you better than me.”
After we had finished shopping, we headed to a little bistro around the corner. We sat outside under massive beach umbrellas as the waiter brought us cocktails and starters to share. Whitney took a bite of the shrimp cocktail and then leaned in conspiratorially.
“So…tell me about Peter.”
“Peter,” when I said his name, it sounded like a sigh.
She laughed. “You’ve got it bad huh?”
“I think so.”
She paused a moment and then looked at me pointedly. “How bad?”
“Bad,” I said honestly. “As in… I think I’m in love with him.”
“Wow,” she said with raised eyebrows. “That was fast.”
“I know,” I sighed. “Probably too fast.”
“Don’t second guess yourself,” Whitney said quickly. “This kind of feeling doesn’t come around very often. Enjoy it now that it has.”
“I feel safe with him,” I admitted, thinking of the night that Kameron had showed up at my door. “He makes me feel safe. I’ve never really had that before. Not with my parents, or my brother or my previous boyfriends. This guy is different. It’s just that…”
“What?”
“I’m scared,” I admitted. “And worried.”
“It’s natural to worry,” she said quickly. “You’re worried that you can’t trust him.”
“No,” I said quickly. “That’s not it. I know I can trust him. Maybe I’m being naïve, but right now, instinct tells me that I can.”
“What then?”
“I’m scared he’ll wake up one day and realize he can do so much better than me,” I said, forcing the words out. I was superstitious enough to believe that saying something aloud might make it true and I said a silent prayer that that was not the case.
“Oh, Madison…”
“It’s how I feel.”
“Only because people have made you feel bad about yourself your entire life,” she said. “And for some reason, a part of you has chosen to believe them.”
“He’s such a good man, Whitney,” I sighed. “And he’s handsome and polite and…brave. He’s a catch – any woman would be lucky to have him.”
“I’m sure that’s true,” she nodded. “But he chose you.”
“For how long?”
“Do you really think he would leave you?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I’m scared he might.”
“You know your problem?”
I smiled. “Oh, I’d love to find out. Please, go ahead and tell me.”
“You don’t see how great you are,” she said. “How great and smart and accomplished you are.”
“Accomplished?” I said in surprise.
“You put yourself through college all by yourself.”
“I haven’t actually graduated yet,” I reminded her.
“Well, I can soon fix that,” Whitney said unexpectedly.
“What do you mean?”
“Finish eating and let’s go,” she said with glittering eyes. “We have one more stop to make.”
“Nails?”
“Nope,” she said, shaking her purple head. “We’re doing one more thing before we get our nails done.”
“Can I get a hint?”
“Not just yet.” Whitney winked at me. “Don’t worry, you won’t have to wait long.”
We finished lunch and headed off. I followed blindly, wondering what on earth she had in store for me. A short while later, we were walking around a magnificent campus that looked out onto lush and spacious lawns.
“The Colorado State University campus,” I breathed. “Why have you brought me here?”
“Because this is where our future lies,” Whitney said, with a smile.
“Umm…I’m enrolled at CSU,” I reminded Whitney.
“Well, then transfer your credits,” Whitney replied. “And if you can’t, then finish your degree there and start fresh.”
I turned back to the campus in astonishment. “I hadn’t even considered that.”
“Well, consider it,” she said. “You can definitely do it.”
“Wait,” I said, turning to Whitney. “You said this is where our future lies?”
Whitney gave me a wink. “You’ve inspired me to go back to school, too,” she explained. “There are a few different courses I’m interested in, and I’d like to give my tertiary education another shot.”
“Wow,” I said, touched by how much thought she had put into this. “Wow, Whitney.”
“Will you do it?”
“Of course, I will,” I practically yelled. “This is perfect. I can finally get my degree. I’ll be a college graduate. I’ll be… Oh my God!”
“What?” Whitney asked, in alarm.
“I can get my masters!” I said, euphoric at the possibilities before me. “I can get a PHD if I wanted to.”
She laughed. “Whoa…maybe slow down a little?”
I grabbed Whitney and twirled around with her in my arms. Taken off guard, she nearly tripped over my feet, but she managed to keep standing. “Geez, I only get this excited about shoes and orgasms.”
“You know, I never considered myself to be a lucky person,” I said, as I came to a stop and looked back at the campus behind me. “But now… I think my luck has just changed.”
“It’s got nothing to do with luck, kid,” Whitney said, shaking her head. “It’s about hard work and perseverance.”
“True,” I nodded. “But hard work and perseverance can only take you so far; sometimes you need to be in the right place at the right time. And sometimes you need to meet the right people – like you and Peter.”
Whitney smiled, and I could tell that she was touched by my words. “Looks like this is the start of a beautiful new friendship,” she said, putting her arm around me.
I laughed. “Looks like this is the start of a beautiful new future.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Peter
It felt a little strange, donning the uniform after so long in civilian clothing. I dressed slowly, trying to get back in the feel of things. My uniform fit perfectly, like a perfect hug, as though it had been waiting for me all these months. I had this tingle in my fingers as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I was finally back in action, and it felt amazing.
I drove to work thinking about Madison and the past few weeks with her. Victor had moved in with her temporarily, and she was helping him get back on his feet.
Now that the shadow of Kameron’s death had been put to rest, Victor had come to life. He didn’t seem like the sad, lost soul he had been a few weeks ago. He actually seemed like a nice person and it was easy for me to forgive him for the neglect he had offered to Madison for most of their lives.
I had come to realize that it wasn’t because he didn’t care about her. It was because he was scared himself. He was searching for someone to save him, even though he hadn’t known it at the time. In some ways, I was his savior, and in other ways, it was Madison.
I pulled up outside the police station and headed in after taking a deep, steadying breath. The station seemed a little quiet as I pulled in, but I thought nothing of it. It was only when I turned the corner into the arena of desks before me that a chorus of cheers went up and I froze in place.
There was a huge Welcome Back banner that had been hung up at the back of the room, and my entire department was crowded into the space, clapping and cheer
ing my arrival. In the front line stood the chief, and next to him stood Sam and John.
“What the?” I said, in astonishment.
The chief came forward and wrung my hand. “You didn’t think we’d let you get back to work without celebrating your comeback properly, did you?”
They were sentimental words from an unexpected person and I couldn’t help but be touched. I shook his hand and thanked him before he threw me to the crowd.
“Looking good, Burbank!” Tennessean said as he clapped me on the back.
“Couldn’t even wait to get back to work to nab a burglar, huh, Pete?” Ellington winked.
“That uniform’s looking a bit snug, Burbank,” Josephs teased. “Have you been enjoying your break a little too much?”
“Please,” Sam said, cutting in. “He’s in great shape, mostly because he’s been working out a lot…with our new neighbor underneath the sheets.”
I shook my head at Sam as the boys howled with laughter. “I knew there would be a catch to the compliment.”
“There always is, brother,” he said, as he came forward and gave me a massive hug.
After he pulled away, it was John’s turn. As Sam mingled with the other officers in my department, I turned to John and lowered my voice a little bit.
“How’s he been?” I asked. “He’s been a little quiet lately, ever since you revealed that picture of Mom.”
John shot Sam a careful look before he turned back to me. “Her leaving affected him more than he cares to admit,” John replied. “I think it just took him off guard.”
“Has he spoken to you about it?”
“Nope,” he said, shaking his head. “He’s been tight lipped as ever. You know how Sam is; he doesn’t like being too serious and he doesn’t like being too vulnerable in the eyes of others. He’d rather make a joke than have a serious conversation.”
“I’ve noticed,” I nodded. “Still, maybe I should try talking to him.”
“I wouldn’t,” John said. “We all have our own ways of dealing with Mom’s departure. Maybe we should respect the fact that this is Sam’s way.”
I gave that some thought and nodded. “Okay, if you say so.”
John and I turned back into the crowd. Sam, as usual, was right in the center of everything and it looked like he was getting a hard time from all the police officers he was surrounded by.
“I saved five families from a burning building in a single day, just the other week,” Sam was crowing. “I don’t think you guys can do that in a month.”
“You know we have jail cells just downstairs, don’t you, kid?” Williams said sweetly. “As well as handcuffs just lying around.”
“Please,” Sam said, waving away the friendly threat. “You’d have to catch me first.”
“There’s fifteen of us and only one of you.”
“Well, luckily one fireman is worth a hundred policemen.”
The department roared with laughter at the absurd nature of that statement and Sam nodded in conviction and repeated the claim. “It’s true,” he insisted. “Ask anyone.”
“By that he means ask all the many women he’s slept with,” I piped up. “If you were to ask them, they’d probably agree with that statement.”
“That’s only because they haven’t slept with a police officer,” Williams said, with a wink.
“Huh!” Sam scoffed. “It would have to be a pity fuck.”
“Would you like a tour of the cells, you little turd?” Josephs asked with a laugh.
“Doesn’t matter; even if you stick me in one,” Sam said confidently, “I’d just break out. I’m resourceful like that.”
“Don’t get too cocky, little boy,” Samson said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You might find your balls missing all of a sudden.”
“I’ve got people,” Sam said, as the rest of the group laughed.
“Who are these people?” John asked, raising his eyebrows.
“People,” Sam said, with a shrug. “People in high places.”
“People like me?” I asked. “You realize that I am a police officer, as well as your brother, right? And if it comes to choosing between the two, then I’m going to have choose…”
Sam raised his eyebrows.
“My profession.”
Everyone roared with laughter as Sam rolled his eyes at me. “That’s what he says now. He’s just trying to make himself look good on his first day of work.”
“All right, all right,” Chief said, cutting through the crowd and coming up to me. “Enough roughhousing; it’s time for cake.”
The boys parted to reveal a small table on which was set a large cake with white frosting. In the middle was a realistic-looking bullet hole that appeared to have cracked through the top layer of the cake. The moment I saw it, I laughed aloud.
“Nice touch,” I said, shaking my head.
“We thought you might like it,” Thornton smiled.
“Thanks, Chief,” I said, looking at him gratefully. “This is more than I expected.”
“You’re a valuable member of the team,” Chief replied. “And, a valuable member of society. Welcome back, Burbank.”
I was forced to cut the cake while the boys chanted out a chorus of “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” After I had distributed slices, the group broke off into smaller groups to chat and mingle. I gravitated towards Tennessean, who I’d worked with closely before the bullet had put me out of action.
He was a few years older than I was, and a head shorter, with bright blue eyes and a moustache that he took great pride in.
“How’s Fiona?” I asked.
“She’s doing great,” Tennessean nodded. “I’m not sure I’ve told you yet, she’s pregnant.”
“No way!” I said, clapping him on the back. “Dude, that’s amazing news. You’ve been trying for a while, haven’t you?”
“Almost a year,” he nodded. “We were starting to lose hope when the pregnancy test came out positive.”
“You must be over the moon!”
“Oh man, you have no idea,” he nodded, with a huge smile on his face.
“How far along is she?”
“Almost four months now,” he replied. “She’ll be born right after our third anniversary.”
“She?” I asked, with raised eyebrows.
Tennessean smiled. “Oh, we don’t know yet… I’m just hoping.”
I laughed. “Well, you have a fifty-fifty chance.”
“What about you?” he asked. “I’ve heard that you have a lovely new lady in your life?”
“I do,” I nodded, thinking fondly of Madison. “She’s my neighbor, actually. That’s how we met.”
“Sam’s been filling us in,” Tennessean nodded. “Apparently, she’s a looker.”
“She’s beautiful,” I nodded, with pride. “But she also happens to be an amazing person.”
“I’m glad for you, man,” he said sincerely. “How serious is it?”
“Pretty serious,” I replied. “For me, at least.”
“You’ve been alone for too long. I always told you, didn’t I? Nothing is as fulfilling as finding the right woman to spend your life with.”
“Here’s hoping she wants to spend her life with me, too,” I said, feeling a little tug of doubt in the back of my mind.
“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that,” he said, waving his hand in my face. “You clean up pretty good. And you’ve got a good run. Women like that.”
“Is that a fact?” I asked.
“I’m speaking from personal experience,” he replied. “That’s how Fiona fell in love with me – she saw me running. Up until then, she was on the fence.”
We laughed together, and I felt at last as though the world had been righted, except it was better this time around because I had Madison in my life. I loved my job, but it was nothing compared to the joy of knowing I had a woman like her in my corner. I wished she had been here, but I knew she had to get back to work today.
I spent the next two hours
talking and laughing with the guys. They caught me up to speed with all the cases that had been circling around in the months I’d been away, and I was forced to show them my healed bullet wound. They cheered me on as though I’d come back from a foreign war.
Later, after my brothers had left and the party had died down, I slipped behind my desk and turned on my computer.
There had been something stirring in my mind for weeks now and I was starting to realize that it wasn’t going away. Her face blossomed in my mind’s eye and I was painfully aware of all the unanswered questions floating around.
Too many things had come up lately, and I knew I couldn’t put them out of my head any longer. The signs were pointing me in one direction. I wasn’t a particularly superstitious guy, but some things were too obvious to be ignored. My only reservation was about what my brothers would think. I knew that we all had our separate opinions on the subject, but I was fairly certain I knew where John stood on the matter.
I hadn’t run my thoughts by him, but we were close enough that I was sure he would approve. For my own part, my feelings were not as confused or as bitter as they had been when I was a teenager. Age and maturity had given me some clarity and Madison’s presence in my life had given me purpose. I wasn’t looking for a way to complete myself anymore; I was simply looking for answers. I was looking for an ending to an incomplete story.
I stared at the screen on my computer and typed in her name: Alice Burbank. Then I hit search.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Madison
We had agreed to meet at eight o’clock by the dancing fountains outside the restaurant walk. When I turned the corner, Peter was already sitting there waiting for me.
He was dressed in dark jeans and a crisp white shirt. His dark hair was casually windblown and he looked unbelievably handsome. I took a moment to appreciate how perfect he looked silhouetted against the streetlights.
I noticed other people were watching him, too. Or to be more specific, other women were admiring him, too. A group of teenage girls were hovering by the fountain, casting him little glances, hoping he would look up and give them a smile. Then there were a few older women, who seemed to cast furtive looks in his direction.
