Page 100 of Callahan

Hmm… I’m not sure about that.

Of course, I nodded and said, “Thank you, sir.”

“We hope to see you again, soon,” Teresa said, then opened the door, and the two stepped out.

I stood and watched as Hugh opened Teresa’s car door, then went around to the driver’s side.

They were a nice couple. They’d raised their son right; probably their daughter, too, although I’d yet to meet Katelyn.

I felt like a fraud accepting their praise. Shawn would not be happy that I was sleeping in Lainey’s bed. He’d punch me in the nose.

Maybe the masked man really was Shawn’s ghost.

But who left her the letter?

Chapter Thirty-Six

Adam

I spent the next five days getting settled in town. I now had a South Carolina driver’s license, bank accounts at the credit union off of Main Street, a PO Box that I could have all my mail sent to, an insurance agent, and a real estate agent who was looking for long-term rentals for me. Preferably in Brian’s neighborhood.

The only things missing now were my Bronco and the rest of my things, which my brother was taking care of the following week.

I’d ordered some clothes off the internet to tide me over until then. Having to wash my underwear every three days was going to get old quick.

It was funny how easily and quickly Lainey and I fell into a routine. I loved that I was able to let her sleep during the night. If I were being honest, Conor’s two-thirty a.m. feeding was one of my favorite times—well, other than the obvious times when I was with Lainey. But, holding that little boy while he took his bottle, listening to the little noises he made, made my heart feel like it might explode out of my chest.

I knew I’d do anything to protect him. And his mom.

I think it was easier to reconcile my feelings for Conor than how I was feeling about Lainey. It seemed like Shawn would approve of me having a relationship with his son in his absence. His girl… not so much.

But as shitty a friend as that made me, I knew I wasn’t going to walk away until I absolutely had to.

Unfortunately, it came sooner than I was expecting.

****

Lainey

Just before noon on Sunday afternoon, Adam walked into the bakery carrying what looked like dry-cleaning bags, but that didn’t seem possible since he’d been wearing the same five shirts, along with either jeans or shorts since he’d arrived.

“What have you got there?” I said with a grin from behind the counter.

He wagged his eyebrows at me.

“My uniforms.”

I remembered how hot I’d thought Shawn was in his dress blues. I’d bet Adam was as hot in his. I was excited to see him in his Haven Springs uniform.

“Oooh. You’re officially official!”

“Well, not yet. My boots didn’t come in, so I might have to go to Charleston and buy some if I can’t find any online with two-day delivery.”

“That might be a fun excursion.”

“Yeah? You wanna go tomorrow?”

“I’m not sure if Teresa and Hugh would be available on such short notice, but if they are, sure.”

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