Page 65 of Love Me Fearless

“Happy to talk anytime about pararescue or Air Force jobs. I’m sure Deputy Hayes or Deputy Rumsey would talk to you about law enforcement.”

“Yeah, I think I’d like that.”

We reach the empty row of parking slots. “See you,” Troy says before trotting toward a long driveway across from the parking lot. I watch him disappear into the trees before I start my jog home.

When I arrive, Ava’s car is in the driveway. I stop to gaze across the fields, hoping to catch sight of her in the pasture, but the quickly rising sun’s bright glare makes it hard to see that far. I’m tempted to head that way even though I’m not dressed for chores and I likely stink, but I need to check in with Mom and my sisters. Will Ava be gone by the time I get back out here?

Inside the house, the scene that greets me is like being transported back in time, to when we were all living under this roof. Beth’s hairdryer hums from the bathroom at the end of the hall, Thea is frying up tofu and steaming some sort of leafy vegetable in the kitchen with the music blaring. Dylan is MIA—if he’s sleeping through this noise, I’ll be impressed.

“Any word from Mom?” I ask, leaning into the kitchen.

Thea levels me with a stern glare. “Why didn’t you tell me she was in the hospital again?”

“I meant to.” I rub the back of my neck. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

She gazes through the window, then arches an eyebrow at me. “I’ll bet.”

Snarky sisters get the silent treatment, but before I can push off from the doorjamb, Beth breezes into the kitchen.

“Who drank all the coffee?” she asks, sending Thea a glare.

“Chill. We can make more,” Thea gives her tofu concoction a stir with the spatula.

“Ugh, I’ll just get some at work.” Beth grabs her keys and whips around, heading for the door. “Bye!”

The door slams.

“Want some breakfast?” Thea asks.

I give the pan a wary glance. “I’ll grab something in a bit.”

“Aw, don’t be scared of tofu,” she teases.

I load up another pot of coffee. “How did your auditions go?”

“I thought my fingers were going to fall off, I practiced so hard.” She scoops her breakfast onto a plate. “But it must have paid off because I got accepted into the Summer Twilight Symphony and the Olympic Philharmonic! It’s going to be a busy summer.”

“That’s great. The Twilight one comes to Finn River, right?”

“Yep. August.”

I push START on the coffeemaker and head to my room for a quick shower. In less than five minutes, I’m back in the kitchen, startling Thea and Dylan, who are playing a game of tongue chase, his big hands gripping her waist like his life depends on it.

It reminds me of last night. I need to get out of this house.

“What can I do to help?” Dylan asks me. I’ve noticed he’s not much of a talker, which is not unpleasant, but I’m keeping a close eye on him. Mom mentioned Thea was seeing a professional hockey player, but it was in passing and I had no idea they weredating.

“You good with animals?” I pour coffee into a giant thermal mug and grab a banana from the bowl on the counter.

“Sure.”

“Come with me.”

“Dylan’s on vacation,” Thea says with a pout.

Dylan’s steady gray eyes lock with my sister’s. “We came to help.”

“Okay, but don’t work him too hard,” she says to me. “We’re going to visit Mom at ten.”

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