by Kimberly van Meter - A Sinclair Homecoming (The Sinclairs of Alaska)
In the end, he forced himself to keep walking. Just as Jordana had done.
It was truly over.
And he’d have to find a way to get over it.
Chapter 31
Back in Braxville, Jordana spent days trying to piece together her life without Clint in it. Her house was spotless. Thanks, Mom, for passing on the neurosis. However, no matter how hard she scrubbed, reorganized and decluttered, nothing seemed to brighten her day or let her forget that the ache in her heart wasn’t going anywhere.
Bridgette showed up on her doorstep on her day off, dressed in sneakers and her hair pulled in a ponytail. “Get dressed. We’re going for a hike,” she announced with a cheery smile.
“A hike?” Jordana repeated, confused. “What do you mean?”
“Not a complicated statement. You need to get out of this house before you start tearing down walls and trying to rebuild something when you don’t have the time for that kind of DIY project.”
Bridgette had a point. Just this morning she’d been eyeing her dated tile countertops, wondering how difficult it would be to demo and replace by herself.
A person could find how to do anything on YouTube, right?
“You know me too well,” Jordana said with a sigh. It wasn’t worth the effort to lie when Bridgette saw right through her. “Okay, give me a minute to get dressed.”
“Excellent.”
Jordana found her hiking shoes and exercise gear, dressed and climbed into Bridgette’s rental car.
“I thought you were going to drive Dad’s old truck while you were here?” Jordana commented, snapping her seat belt into place.
“And listen to Dad bitch about how I’m not driving properly in his beloved Ford? Hell, no. I’d rather pay half my salary in rental fees than listen to that noise. Besides, that Ford is a gas-guzzler. This baby will drive forever on a full tank of gas.”
She chuckled as they hit the road, saying, “Fair point. Sometimes I think Dad only offers things that he can use as leverage later.”
“That’s our dad for you.”
“Have you ever wondered if we’re bound to have ‘dad’ issues when looking for partners? You know, they say that the most difficult parent is the one you’ll end up marrying in the form of someone else. I’d stab myself in the eye if I married someone like Dad.”
“Henry wasn’t anything like Dad,” Bridgette reminded her. “Henry was kind and gentle, compassionate and sweet. Can you honestly imagine someone using those words to describe Dad?”
“No. Not even in my wildest imagination.”
“So, I don’t know if that theory tracks for everyone.”
“Or maybe you’re just more well-adjusted than I am?”
Bridgette laughed. “Maybe. You are a hot mess.”
“Hot mess? How so?”
“Look, don’t get your feathers ruffled but I think what you’re doing with Clint is stupid. You love him and he loves you but you broke it off because...you might resent each other later? Nobody knows what the future holds. You could be wrong and losing the love of your life on a possibility.”
“I know it’s hard for you to understand. You and Henry had a fairy-tale marriage until he died. You’ve seen our parents. I won’t end up like that.”
“Please don’t compare anything to our parents’ marriage. They’ve been unhappy for years but neither will do anything about it,” Bridgette said. “And don’t paint me and Henry as some paragon of married life. We had our moments just like anyone else.”
“Yeah, but you were so in love.”
“No more so than you and Clint,” Bridgette pointed out. “I think you’re cutting your nose off to spite your face.”
“Trust me, I’m not. Clint isn’t a househusband. He’s used to commanding a big tech company worth millions. He’s not going to be happy in the long run moving to a tiny town in Kansas without a true purpose.”
“But you don’t know that. You ran away before you even gave him a chance to figure things out on his own.”
“Damn right I did. I don’t have to be hit on the head to know that it will hurt. I wasn’t going to stick around so I could get my heart broken when he finally came to his senses. No thank you.”
“I never knew you to be such a pessimist,” Bridgette said, shaking her head. “Where’s your sense of optimism, that starry-eyed belief in the power of love?”
“Please, I’m not a teenager. I’m not looking for a prince to sweep me off my feet.” Although the times Clint had done exactly that had stolen her breath. He had a body that haunted her dreams. Shaking off the direction of her thoughts, she added, “Besides, with some distance and time to reflect, we’ll both come to the same conclusion that not all love stories end with the white picket fence, two dogs and a few kids running around.”
“Since when do you like dogs?” Bridgette quipped.
Jordana laughed. “You jerk, I like dogs. As long as they’re not too yappy, too big, too small, needy or shed too much.”
“Please stick to cats.”
They pulled off the road and parked. This spot was a favorite among locals. The trail was easy enough and the view was glorious. Jordana took a big, cleansing breath of the fresh air and smiled. “This was a good idea,” she admitted. “I needed a change of scenery.”
“I know.”
Jordana rolled her eyes. “I love how humble you are.”
Bridgette grinned, gesturing with wide arms. “Why be humble when you’ve got all this?”
Jordana wasn’t sure if Bridgette was talking about the vista or herself but she didn’t have time to question because Bridgette had already set off at a brisk pace.
“Hold up, speed racer,” she grumbled, jogging to catch up.
They walked in silence, enjoying the view, making small talk in between breathing heavy through the hilly terrain, and when they popped out at the top of the low-rise ridge, they had an excellent view of the grasslands below.
“Some people don’t know the beauty of Kansas,” Bridgette murmured, appreciating the landscape. “I miss this.”
“Yeah? I thought maybe you might not enjoy coming home again.”
“No, I’ve missed Braxville and you guys, but I don’t miss enduring the constant tension between our parents. I swear they never get along. I wish they’d just divorce and get it over with.”
“You know Mom will never divorce Dad. She’s still stuck in a more traditional time where divorce was shameful.”
“She needs to get over it. Dad is unbearable these days.”
Guilt stabbed at Jordana. “It’s because he’s so stressed about the investigation. I think he’s really in trouble.”
“What kind of trouble?” Bridgette asked.
“Financial. I know he doesn’t like to talk about those things with us but I think he’s been struggling for years and this is the final blow. I think he blames me for how the investigation is going.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“I know but I can’t help but feel that I’m letting him down. I don’t know what else to do.”
Bridgette reached for her hand. “Something will pop up. You’re a good detective. Trust your process.”
Jordana wished she had Bridgette’s confidence. She drew a deep breath, scanning the vista. The light breeze kissed her cheek. She closed her eyes, trying to soak in the calm, letting it permeate her soul to allow some semblance of peace, but Clint was always there in the background, reminding her of what she’d given up.
Tears sparked her eyes as she admitted to Bridgette, “I loved him. I mean, really loved him.”
“I know you did,” Bridgette said with true sorrow in her gaze. She went into her sister’s arms for a tight hug. There weren’t enough beautiful vistas in the world to make her forget that simple fact. She supposed she’d just have to let time do its thing
.
And try not to break down and sob with each new day that he wasn’t there with her.
* * *
Clint left his attorney’s office numb to the emotions battering his soul. He had to stay focused. One foot in front of the other. Trudging forward like a solider on a mission.
Soldier.
Navy.
Arrgh. Why did everything he thought of lead him back to Jordana?
He entered the building and went straight to his office to find Jeana waiting for him with a full schedule on the books, which suited him just fine because it kept his mind occupied.
Jeana, business as usual, didn’t pry about the details regarding Alex but Clint felt it was only fair to let her know all the gory details, even up to the attack in the parking garage.
“Oh, heavens,” Jeana exclaimed, her hand flying to her throat in alarm. “Thank goodness Miss Colton was there to handle those miscreants.”
He smiled. Jeana was born in the wrong decade, but he appreciated her soft-spoken efficiency and Victorian sensibilities. He found her comforting in a world that had been tipped upside down.
“Yes, very fortunate,” he murmured in agreement. “The upside is that the man who attacked me, both in Braxville and here, is in custody and I don’t have to keep looking over my shoulder anymore. Police have assured me he’s not going to be released on bail so I feel good about moving forward with a clean slate.”
“Excellent, sir.” She paused before asking, “And will you be joining Miss Colton in Braxville?”
He looked up and held Jeana’s gaze, realizing she was asking if she was going to have to start polishing her résumé.
“My business is here,” he answered, hopefully putting to bed any fears she might have. “But I’ve come to realize that it’s important to place value on the people around you. I’ve decided to give you a raise.”
“A raise?” Jeana’s eyes widened. “Oh, sir, that’s not necessary. You’re already quite generous.”
“Not generous enough. For everything you’ve done, you deserve so much more.”
She blushed. “I’m flattered. I enjoy working here at Broadlocke and with you.”
“Good. I don’t want to lose you to someone else waving more money at you.”
“I would never—”
“Better safe than sorry,” he cut in, refusing to take no for an answer. This was the right decision, especially when he found out that Jeana was living on such a modest salary considering her level of importance to his company. “I want to do this for you, Jeana. As a thank-you for being there for me.”
She blushed a little harder but jerked a short nod. “My pleasure.”
“I’ve already talked to payroll, so you should see your raise on your next check. I’m doubling your annual salary and then we’ll work from there.”
Jeana gasped, her knees wobbling a bit and causing her to reach out to steady herself. “Double?”
“Yes, and that might not be enough, either. The truth is, with Alex gone, I’m going to lean on you heavily in the coming months. It’s going to be rough waters and I need you to help me keep the ship afloat. It’s only fair to compensate you for your time.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“No need to say anything. It’s what should’ve been done a long time ago. I’m sorry it took me so long to figure out who was worth keeping around.”
Her eyes took on a shiny glaze but she held it together. Stiffening her back and squaring her shoulders, she said, “It’s an honor to work with you, Mr. Broderick. You’ve always been fair and honest. In this day and age, those qualities are hard to find in someone of your stature.”
He smiled, accepting the compliment. “Thank you, Jeana. Coming from you, it’s high praise that I’ll work to keep deserving.”
Jeana, not one to gush or simper, settled back into work mode, saying, “You have a ten o’clock waiting. Shall I show them in?”
He nodded. “Conference room, please.”
“Excellent.” She turned on her heel and started to leave, only to pause to say, almost haltingly, “Even if you were to leave for Braxville, we could make it work. Broadlocke is a well-oiled machine. It will weather any adjustments.”
And then, having said her piece, she went to collect his next appointment.
She was saying that if he wanted, he could make changes and it would still be all right. Was it true? What if he leaped to move to Braxville and Jordana still sent him packing? She’d already made it clear that she didn’t want him uprooting his life for her. He understood her concerns. He didn’t want to admit it but in the back of his mind he had the same worries.
He couldn’t say without a shadow of a doubt that he wouldn’t resent the move at some point.
Braxville was a huge difference from Chicago. He liked his conveniences.
But he loved Jordana.
He chewed on the dilemma for a moment longer before shelving it completely and heading to his meeting.
Chapter 32
“Jordana, just the person I wanted to see.”
Jordana mentally cringed at the sound of her father’s business partner, Dex. When they were growing up he was Uncle Dex because he was around so much, but now that they were adults, he was just Dex.
She’d hoped to talk with her mom about Uncle Shep but she was waylaid before she could slip out of reach.
“C’mere, girl,” Dex said with a good-hearted chuckle as he wrapped her in a hug that she allowed but wished she could disappear. She knew why he wanted to talk to her and there was nothing she could say. “You’re a sight for sore eyes. Why are you still single? You’re much too pretty to be all alone.”
Only Dex could make her cringe like this. She forced a smile, answering, “Just haven’t found the right one, I guess.”
“You gotta get out there, put on a pretty dress, a little makeup. You’ll catch a keeper eventually but you better hurry or else you’ll end up on the shelf.”
She couldn’t resist. “That’s sage advice—if it were the 1800s. Times have changed, Dex. Try to keep up.”
Jordana caught her father’s expression, and if she weren’t mistaken, she saw a sliver of amusement shining in his eyes. Maybe he got tired of Dex, too.
Sobering, Dex said, “Actually, I was just talking to your dad and he said we’re still holed up with the demo on the warehouse. What’s going on? I don’t understand what the holdup is?”
“It’s an active investigation. We can’t release the site until we’re through with the investigation.”
“Honey, these people have been dead for quite a long time from what I understand. They can’t get any deader.”
“It’s not that—the site is an active crime scene. We still have forensics searching for anything that might be tested for DNA.”
“DNA? Like what?” Dex screwed his expression into a perturbed frown. “Like eyelashes or something?”
“Something like that. We’re still processing,” she said, hoping Dex dropped it.
But her luck wasn’t that good. “Now, now, honey, that’s just not going to work. Surely your daddy has told you that we’re losing business on this holdup? That’s no lie. We’re in some hot water and we gotta get moving or we’re all going to lose our shirts. You don’t want that, do you?”
She ground her teeth, hating that Dex was smothering her with guilt she didn’t need. “Yes, my dad has told me that the investigation is hurting the bottom line. There’s nothing I can do to speed things up unless you want to tell me who killed those people?”
“Well, honey, you know I don’t have that kind of information.” Dex huffed, adjusting his belt. “But surely I would tell you in a heartbeat if I thought it would move things along any faster.”
She smiled. “I don’t doubt it. But we’re moving as fast as we can. Forensics isn’t like they show o
n television. It’s a slow process.”
“Let’s get real here. I could make a call to the mayor and see if there’s anything he can do help but I was trying to give you the chance to do your thing. I just don’t see how much longer we can wait around.”
“She said she’s doing all she can,” Fitz interjected with a sharp rebuke. “Stop hounding the girl.”
Jordana could forgive her dad calling her a girl because she was too shocked that he’d taken her side instead of Dex’s on this issue. Particularly when he’d taken a chunk out of her ass just the other day about the same subject. She supposed her dad didn’t care for someone else disparaging his daughter.
“It’s time to put this to bed,” Dex growled, undeterred. “We’re getting a black eye all over town over this situation. You have no idea how I’m trying to keep our heads above water all the while little missy here is dumping buckets back in the pool.”
“She’s not doing that, she’s doing her job.” Fitz folded his hands across his chest. “We’ll talk about this later.”
The tension between the two men grew to an uncomfortable level until her mom breezed in with a bright smile, announcing she’d just made a fresh pot of coffee to have with her famous coffee cake. “Dex, I know you can’t resist my coffee cake,” she said, giving him a look that dared him to refuse.
But of course Dex caved with Lilly. She had this way about her that managed to disarm most difficult men. Maybe that was her secret or superpower.
“You know me too well,” Dex admitted, breaking into a smile. “I’ll have me a slice, darlin’.”
“Fitz?”
Fitz grunted with a nod, dropping into his chair to wait for Lilly to serve them.
This was her chance to bail. She’d have to talk to her mom another time. Checking her watch, she made her excuses, kissed her mother’s cheek and practically ran out of the house before Dex could start all over again.
Forensics would be finished soon, she told herself when the fear and guilt became too heavy to bear. She had to be patient. Rushing would help no one.
