Page 17 of Break My Fall

She leaned over and patted Bronwyn’s hand. “We’ve got your back.”

“So it would seem.” Bronwyn gave her a small smile and leaned back into her chair. It was like she was trying to hide in plain sight, and Meredith’s heart hurt for her friend. So she did what she could.

She clapped her gloved hands together, and while they made almost no sound at all, the motion directed everyone’s attention to her. “I hate to be the one to cut this frivolity short, but I’m freezing to death. Cal? I’m assuming there’s a reason you wanted us all out here tonight?”

Cal propped his feet on the stone wall around the fire. “Yeah. I think it’s high time you told us what you know or think you know about Chief Kirby and the mess going on in Neeson.”

Gray sat straighter as Meredith stared at Cal. Her mouth was open in a little “O” of surprise, but she didn’t say anything.

“I know you don’t want to gossip or slander. And that’s admirable. I love that about you. You’re gentle and kind, even withpeople who don’t deserve your favor. But, Mer, someone cut your fuel line today. It’s time to share with the class what you know, think you know, might know, or might maybe possibly kinda sorta suspect.” Cal pointed to Gray. “He’s doing everything he can to keep you safe.” He pointed to Mo. “So is he. So am I.” He waved his hand around the circle. “Everyone here will protect you to the best of our ability, but you have to give us something to go on.”

Meredith dropped her head, and Bronwyn leaned toward her. “He’s right, you know.”

Meredith looked up and her gaze snagged Gray’s. “Did you know this was what he wanted tonight?” There was pain in the question and a hint of betrayal in her expression.

“No clue. He told me we needed to talk and that I should come over tonight. It was all very cryptic.”

Her entire body relaxed at his words, and Gray wondered if she had any idea how expressive she was. She should never, ever play poker. Or go undercover.

It was a miracle she’d gone this long without sharing what she knew about Kirby. At the risk of bringing her ire down on him, he kept going. “For what it’s worth, I agree with Cal.”

Before she could respond, Mo chimed in, “So do I.”

Donovan, not to be left out, said, “Same.”

Cassie and Bronwyn shared a look, and Bronwyn said, “I’m all for the sisterhood and everything, but I’m with the guys on this one.”

Landry rejoined them and flopped into her seat beside Cal. “Are we making Meredith spill?”

Cassie said, “I believe so.”

“Oh, thank goodness.” Landry grinned at Meredith. “You know I love you, but you’re stressing us out.”

Meredith’s shoulders dropped and she said, “Fine,” with the same attitude a teenager might use on their parents. But when shespoke again, her voice was clear and held a confidence and concern that told Gray she’d spent a lot of time thinking and processing what she was sharing. “I first noticed something was weird in Neeson on my third trip. My schedule has me in the county three times a year. The first time I’d been there had been in April. But it was December this time, and it was bitterly cold.”

She scooted closer to the fire and took a sip of her drink. “You know how kids are. Teenage boys will wear shorts and a hoodie no matter how cold it is. And I’m not like Mrs. Flanders.”

Bronwyn, Cal, Mo, and Cassie all laughed. Gray looked at Donovan and Landry, and the three of them shared the same look. The one that said, “I have no idea what’s so funny.”

Meredith caught his eye and reined in her laughter enough to explain. “Mrs. Flanders is about eighty now. But when we”—she waved her hands to include her cousins and brother—“were younger, she was the town librarian.”

Mo threw back his head and laughed louder than Gray had ever seen him. “Do you remember?” That was all he got out before he doubled over laughing again. Cal joined him and then, to Gray’s shock, Bronwyn laughed so hard she snorted.

Bronwyn and Mo shared a look while they were laughing, and while Gray didn’t claim to have a romantic bone in his body, even he could feel the sparks and tension coming off those two.

Meredith again pulled it together first. “Mrs. Flanders had been widowed about three months after she got married. She wasn’t really that old, but when we were little, we thought she was ancient. She would be so mad when we came in without a coat. She’d say, ‘You’re gonna catch your death’ and ‘I know your mother can afford to take better care of you’ and, my personal favorite, ‘I’m going to have a chat with Catherine about this.’”

Mo wiped his eyes. “She had so many chats with Granny. I never understood why Granny didn’t tell her to shove off.”

Meredith put her hand on her chest and widened her eyes in obviously mock outrage. “Granny would never.”

Landry scooted to the end of her chair. “What did y’all do to this poor woman?”

Bronwyn raised her hand. “To be fair, it wasn’t Meredith or Cal.”

Mo looked to the stars, and his entire body shook with the laughter he still hadn’t gotten under control. “It was my idea. Bronwyn was a little bitty thing. And we were sure she’d fit.”

Fit?

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