She came to pay her respects and to say thank you, even though words wouldn’t and could never be enough. A tear slipped down her cheek and cooled in the slight breeze, wafting in the early morning light. Jonas reached over and wiped it away.
“Ready?” he asked softly.
She nodded. Nash leaned down and kissed the top of her head, and then they turned and left, walking together hand in hand.
* * * *
So, here she was at the airport in Los Angeles once again, only now things seemed brighter, different, than how she had viewed them just a few days ago.
“Are you sure you can’t stay longer?” Annie asked in a quivering tone, her eyes watery.
“I have to get back to work,” Charlotte told her. “Holly just got an email from someone who needs my help.”
Annie gave a huge smile. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Mom.” She gave her mother a hug and then moved to her dad. Her father didn’t say much, but he hugged her tightly.
Delia stepped up for her hug and then she held out a small, white bag. “For you.”
Charlotte frowned, almost afraid of taking the gift. “What’s this?”
“Anti-diarrhea pills and vaginal lubrication,” her sister stated.
Charlotte blinked. “Well, those two go interestingly together.”
“The first is in case you caught the bug going around and the other is because you have two boyfriends.”
“And on that note I’ll say farewell,” Charlotte said, shoving the bag in her purse.
The last person waiting to say good-bye was Kira. There had been a difference in her baby sister since the night of their talk. Kira seemed to have a little less attitude and smiled a little more these days. Of course, that could be because of the woman standing next to her. Alex held tightly to Kira’s hand and looked at her with adoring eyes. Charlotte thought it amazing that her sister found someone equally as tall, since they stood eye to eye in heels.
Charlotte walked up to them and first hugged Alex. She hadn’t spent all that much time with the woman, but if she made Kira happy, then Charlotte had no beef with her.
“’Bye, Kira,” she whispered.
Kira quickly pulled her into her arms and hugged her tightly. “Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t.”
She blew a kiss at everyone, waved, and then she, Nash, and Jonas stepped into the line that led to the metal detectors. It had been so long since she’d been home, twelve long years, but she was leaving on a high note. It warmed her heart.
Holly and Alastair waited for them at the bar located near their gates. They sat on the seats across from them and immediately, the waitress came over to grab their order. They chit-chatted until the drinks arrived and then Alastair cleared his throat.
“I have a proposition for the three of you,” he said.
“I’ve already investigated a sex club, thank you very much,” Charlotte announced. Holly kicked her under the table. “Ouch!”
“Perhaps I should address the more mature person in this group,” Alastair stated.
Charlotte stuck her tongue out.
“Jonas,” Alastair addressed.
“Really? You’re going with him after I assisted you all week?” Nash asked.
Alastair turned to Holly. “You were right. He is just as annoying as she is.”
Holly smiled.
“Anyway, my proposal is a new division of Hawke Securities that I’m interested in starting,” Alastair reported. “A cold case division.”
“A what what division?” Charlotte asked.
“Cold cases, you know, ones that have fallen by the wayside because of a lack of leads.”
“Yes, I know what cold cases are, Al. I meant, what does this have to do with me?”
“I think you have a unique gift that could breathe life back into these investigations.”
“And what would you want us to do?” Jonas questioned.
“Well, first of all, I would like to make you an Agent. I know you’re dedicated to your job and your precinct, but I think you’d make a strong addition to HS.”
Jonas didn’t answer but the intense furrowing between his eyes clearly showed he was thinking hard.
“And what would our job entail?” Nash asked.
“Charlotte would use her gift to handle personal objects, see if she gets a pull, and when she does, you’ll investigate.”
Excitement flared to life inside her but she kept calm. “I would still want to work with the clients that call for my help.”
“Of course,” Alastair assured. “The cold cases would be at your discretion.”
“But I’d still be an Agent?” Jonas inquired.
“If you don’t mind Nash as your partner. There’s an opening in the Seattle branch.”
“Can I think about this?”
“Of course.”
At that moment, the announcement for Holly and Alastair’s flight blared over the speakers. Alastair finished off his beer and rose. He shook hands with Nash and Jonas and kissed Charlotte’s cheek. Holly gave her a tight hug and then they were off, waking to their gate hand in hand. They’d been married for twelve years and Charlotte could still see how in love they were.
“That was in interesting conversation,” Nash murmured.
“Yep,” Jonas said, taking a deep drink of his beer. “If I’m going to be living with you I don’t know if I want to be working with you.”
Charlotte looked at them, startled. “Living together? Oh. I guess it makes sense that I’m the one who should move. I never thought of that.”
Nash took her hand and linked their fingers. “You’ll like living in Washington.”
She sighed. “Then I guess it’s a good thing I’m getting over my little water problem.”
He smiled and then leaned closer. “So, you want to join the mile high club?”
“Shut up, McKnight,” Jonas warned.
“You know,” Charlotte murmured. “Our flight isn’t for an hour. Why don’t we find a very dark booth and you boys can show me just how much you love me.”
“Has anyone told you what a very kinky girl you are?” Jonas asked.
“See, I knew you were the perfect woman for me,” Nash replied with a lascivious wink.
“Because I’m beautiful and smart and a tiger in bed?” she brought her fingers up like claws and pretended to scratch him across the chest.
But he grabbed her hand and held it over his heart. “No, because you’re a woman who’s compassionate and caring and would never run away from any situation we find ourselves in.”
“No, I’m not running,” she assured him. “Not anymore.”
“I think I see a booth in the back,” Jonas said with a smirk to both of them.
Charlotte grabbed his hand. “Then let’s go find an adventure.”
THE END
WWW.BETHDCARTER.COM
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
My heroines will probably never be lawyers, doctors or corporate high rollers. I like writing about the ordinary girl thrust into extraordinary circumstances. I try to write characters who aren’t cookie cutters. I push myself to write complicated situations that I have no idea how to resolve, forcing me to think outside the box. Music inspires me and each story has their own signature song.
I am a full time writer and stay at home mom which means I watch a lot of animated movies. Over and over again. I hate washing dishes but I love cooking. I hate washing clothes but I love wearing them. I hate people who don't pick up their dog’s crap in public places, people who don’t use turn signals, and I really hate people who are rude and condescending. I especially hate discrimination in all and every form. The perfect place on earth is sitting in a bookstore and my heaven would be a library that never runs out of (my favorite type of) books. I love to hear from readers. I’m really easy to find on Facebook or Twitter or email me at: [email protected].
For all titles by Beth D.
Carter, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/beth-d-carter
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Breathless [McKnight, Perth & Daire 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 17
