Page 77 of Inseverable (Carolina Beach)

“How are you with gunfire?” he asks. “Blasts, explosions. That sort of thing.”

“Not good,” I answer.

He nods. “It was bad for me, too, and I didn’t go through what you did.”

“Did you ever get over it?”

“Not completely. I can function to a point, pretend like I’m not reliving some of that shit I went through. But no matter how good things are for me, and how much good I’ve had since, some memories stay with you forever.”

“Yes, sir, they do,” I agree.

Trin returns then with a bowl of potato salad and some chips and salsa. She kisses my cheek when I stand and lift them out of her hands.

“Thank you,” she says. “Y’all ready to start grilling?”

“I’ll do it,” Landon says. He pushes away from the table and heads for the grill, keeping quiet.

“I’ll bring out the steaks and corn,” she says, eyeing him closely.

I watch Trin leave again, my need to always know where she is catching Owen’s interest. “You watch her a lot. Don’t you, boy?”

“Sir?” I question.

Owen laughs, with what I don’t think is actual humor until I see the corners of his eyes crinkling. “Trinity,” he explains. “You watch where she goes to make sure she’s safe. I’ve seen you.”

“Yes, sir. I do.” I pause, debating whether to tell him how I feel. Ultimately I do, because we are talking about his daughter and I mean what I say. “She’s the best thing in my life,” I admit. “I don’t want anything to ever happen to her.”

He quiets, examining me closely. I’m not sure he’s happy to hear how I feel or how serious I am when it comes to Trin. But then I realize he’s been waiting to hear what I have to say.

“I was the same way with Silvie when we first met,” he tells me. “It’s like I had to keep her safe, and whole, andalive. In a lot of ways I still fret. Still worry something will happen to her if I’m not there beside her.”

“I think I know what you mean,” I say, although that’s putting it mildly. I don’t admit how crazy I get if something keeps Trin longer than she expects, or how I can’t stop thinking about her when she’s gone—wondering if she’s okay and if anyone is bothering her. But I think he knows, and for that I’m grateful.

Owen stares past me, smiling when Miss Silvie returns to the terrace from hanging her sheets. She winks at him, and nods my way before walking off to help Trin in the kitchen.

As he watches her bustling around preparing supper, he seems to drift off and lose himself in his thoughts. It’s only when I catch his eyes run the length of the shotgun that I realize he’s back in the moment.

He motions to the barrel with a tilt of his chin. “Feels good not to have to use it anymore, doesn’t it, boy?”

I release a breath, remembering what it took to need something so powerful. “Yes, sir. It does,” I say, realizing something else had taken its place.

Chapter Twenty-five

Trinity

Hale’s head pops up as he finishes climbing up the chair. He takes his seat beside me as I adjust my binoculars to check on that couple one fondle away from having sex in the water. “How did it go?” I ask.

He huffs. “Kicked that asshole and his whole family off the beach. Called the others and told them they weren’t allowed back and texted a picture of their faces and the idiot’s license plate.”

“Good. He sounded like an idiot. I appreciate you taking care of it.” The couple starts to move closer to the shore, but now the woman appears annoyed which in a way gives me a sense of relief. There’s nothing worse than having to blow your whistle because someone is getting his blown. I lower the binoculars and replace them with my sunglasses.

“How did Mason take everything? I really hate he had to deal with that garbage.” I’m trying to keep my voice casual so I don’t fire up Hale more than he is. But it’s hard.

“He was mad,” Hale says. “He knows that dick wasn’t listening to anything he had to say just because he’s black.” He shakes his head. “Gotta give Mace credit. He handled it like a pro and as calm as ever. I was more pissed for him. Took all I had not to knock that fucker out.”

“Well, thank you for not punching him. Although, it might have been worth the paperwork.” I check on the kids splashing near the water, counting each one to make sure they’re still there. It’s not until the little girl bounces up to the surface from holding her breath that I’m assured they’re all present and accounted for.

I glance at Hale. He’s quiet. But since I know him as well as I do, I know it’s not because he’s calming down. When Hale’s upset he withdraws and that’s exactly what he’s doing now. “You okay?”

---