Page 47 of Family Bonds- Kelsey & Van

Which meant he wouldn’t be spending the night and was glad it hadn’t come up that he should.

He wasn’t used to doing that. He liked his space and privacy.

“Is that a promise?” he asked.

“Yep. But I’ll leave you on the edge of anticipation before we get there. Did you have anything you wanted to do today? We didn’t get to see the lighthouse because we had Frankie with us. He can stay home while we go out to do something today.”

“How long can you keep him crated?” he asked.

“There is that sweet side of you thinking of that.”

“I’d think it’s only human,” he said.

“He’s good for about four or five hours if he’s sleeping. I’ll put one of those little piddle pads in there if he has to go.”

“You said there are some lighthouses on the island,” he said. “How long does it take to go to them?”

“Not long,” she said, grinning. “But you can’t get in them. Most are closed and roped off. It’s the historical property of the island. Actually. One is open in the summer only. Not sure of the hours, but we can ride by and check it out.”

“Then let’s go do that,” he said. “We can figure out the rest of the day as it comes.”

She let Frankie out to do his business, then set a pad in the back of the crate and put the puppy in there after giving the white and copper dog a few smooches on the nose.

There was a time in his life not that long ago Van would think that was gross, but he’d never owned a dog before.

Frankie did seem like a king that was nice and clean. He didn’t even want to ask about the amount of grooming or brushing she did to that dog. As long as he wasn’t asked to do it, he didn’t care.

They climbed in his truck and she directed him where to go.

It was about twenty minutes away and he got a good idea of the landmarks and locations of things on the island.

“Do you like your job?” she asked.

“Being a nine-one-one operator?” he asked.

“It’s the only job I know you’ve got. I don’t consider the business ownership with my father since you just found out about it.”

“True,” he said. “It’s fine. You don’t get shot or stabbed at it.”

“Thank God for that,” she said firmly. “Do you miss being a detective?”

His head went back and forth. “Yes and no. It was that childhood dream I had. My mother encouraged it.”

His father didn’t. Told him he could do better in life than putting his life on the line for peanuts.

His father was a manager in a manufacturing plant. Made good money and got to boss people around all the time. Right up his father’s alley.

Adam Harlowe even offered to get his son a job there if he’d gone for anything other than criminal justice.

“Did you do it for her or you?”

“For me and to make her happy,” he said.

“Sounds like you were close to her,” she said. “I’m close to my entire family. I’m a daddy’s girl but spend more time with my mother.”

“Which makes sense since you work together. What about your brother?”

“Being a twin has a whole different type of closeness. He’s married now. I expect they will start having kids soon. I love Hadley. She’s a sweetie and perfect for Duke.”

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