Page 111 of Every Beat of My Heart

“That was the plan.”

Teddy’s expression was serious, and I couldn’t get a read on him. “Jameson wants Owen to come. He wants you to come too.”

I frowned. “He does?”

Teddy nodded. “He has something he wants to show you.”

My forehead wrinkled. “What could he possibly have to show me?”

“You’ll see,” Teddy said before he headed toward his car that was a few spots away in the lot.

“Wait.” I jogged after him. “Will you please tell me what’s going on?”

Teddy turned to face me. “I don’t want to give anything away. It’s not my place. He just asked that I get you to the farm, and this is my way of doing that.”

“O-kay.”

Teddy’s brow furrowed. “Will you be there?”

I nodded, trying not to let hope overtake every other emotion coursing through me: wonder, fear, and curiosity.

“You were good for Jameson, and I have a feeling he was good for you and Owen,” Teddy said, surprising me with his ability to see the situation clearly.

“He was.”

“If you felt anything for him, please come tonight.”

“Felt anything for him? I love him.” I couldn’t believe I was declaring it to Jameson’s eldest brother, but it was the truth, and I was dying to tell someone.

Teddy nodded. “Good. That’s good.”

I gestured with my arms. “How is that good? Jameson pushed me away.”

“Because you’ll at least hear what he has to say. He’s not perfect. None of us are. It’s how we react in times of crisis that matters.”

I wanted to point out that Jameson shut down and pushed the ones who cared about him the most away. But he could have reacted on instinct, on years-old patterns and behaviors. I could at least listen to him now. “I’ll be there.”

“Thank you.”

I turned to head back to the car.

“Oh, and Claire?” Teddy called after me. “For what it’s worth, we’re rooting for you two. We like Owen.”

“He adores you too.”

Owen came home after work, talking about Wes and Teddy like they were heroes. In a way, they were. They worked in law enforcement; they worked a dangerous job in order to keep the community safe. But to Owen, they took the time to show him things, and it made him feel important.

Teddy nodded, then got into his truck.

* * *

After a quick dinner, I drove Owen to the farm, my nerves ratcheting up with each mile traveled.

“Will Jameson be there tonight?” Owen asked from the back seat.

“I don’t know what his schedule is this week, but I think so.”

“Are you two still not talking?” Owen asked.

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