Page 111 of Recipe for Rivals

“Then he’s breaking an active restraining order right now and Officer Partridge has the authority to take him away.” I glanced at Brody through the rearview mirror and my heart tore in half when I clocked the expression of hope flashing across his face. “But your grandma needs to give them some information first. There’s a proper way to do these things, so we’re going to wait here until the police have done their jobs, then we’re going to get you something to eat.”

“I had dinner,” he muttered.

“So you aren’t hungry?”

He didn’t refute that. The kid could always eat.

A shout and a thud came from the house, making everyone in the truck go still. Hank ran into the house with someonebehind him. We waited with various degrees of breathing difficulties—Brody nearly hyperventilating in the backseat.

“Stay here,” Nova said calmly. I didn’t turn around, but I figured Brody wanted to run back in after his grandma and she had stopped him.

Minutes passed that felt eternal before the door opened again, pouring yellow light over the porch and along the walkway. Hank was leading a barefoot man in pajamas and handcuffs from the house. He didn’t look our way, and we all stayed very quiet until Hank had pushed him into the back seat of the cop car.

Brody let out a long breath. “How long will he be away this time?”

“Officer Partridge mentioned that if we can prove assault, this will be a felony. He’ll have questions for you, son,” I said, surprising myself. I sounded like Coach Henry. “It won’t be easy, but it’s best if you’re honest. You and your grandma won’t get in trouble.”

“Okay.”

His voice was so small. I could see Nova was moving through the same emotions I was. Pain, heartache, the desire to take away this kid’s troubles and give him a safe life.

“Are you willing to go in and talk to them now?” I asked.

“Sure.”

“I’ll run and get you some food if you’re hungry. Has your grandma eaten?” Nova asked while we all got out of the truck.

“No,” Brody said. “She hasn’t.”

“Okay. I’ll be back in a minute.” Nova looked at me. “Can I take your truck?”

“Definitely.” Tenderness swelled within me, and it took a lot of restraint to keep from pulling her in for a kiss right there. The easy way she handled everything. How unflinching she was. The willingness to jump into action in a way she knew how to help. Those were all testaments to her character.

Nova walked around the truck and met me at the front. “I’ll call ahead at Gigi’s. Dal can whip something up for us real quick.”

“Thanks.” I squeezed her hand. “Sorry our date took a detour.”

“This isn’t something you need to apologize for.” Nova fisted my shirt and pulled me down, then laid a kiss on my cheek. “I’ll be back soon.”

She left me standing there, stunned for a hot second.

“Come on, Coach,” Brody said, a hint of amusement in his tone. His hood was down and his posture already more relaxed. If only I’d thought to question him more a month ago—but I couldn’t think like that. We were here now, and he wouldn’t have to deal with his dad anymore after tonight. “Stop drooling. My grandma is waiting.”

I shot him a sheepish smile. “You didn’t see that.”

“See what? That was nothing.”

Oh, how very,verywrong he was.

I threw my arm around his shoulder and messed up his hair. “You’ll understand when you’re older.”

NOVA

My phone had been ringingnonstop, but I hadn’t been notified since I’d put my phone ondo not disturb. Missed calls from Mom, Blair, and Carter filled my screen. It had been days since I’d talked to Carter, and he clearly didn’t like being put on the back burner, but he would have to wait. My mom needed to be informed no one was in great danger anymore. I probablyshouldn’t have texted her for help because she was apt to worry, but she was religious and I’d been scared.

I clicked her name and put the phone on speaker while I maneuvered through the dark streets toward the diner.

“We’re coming home,” Mom said firmly the moment she answered the phone. “I’ve already started talking to the pastor here, and he can arrange?—”

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