Page 90 of Callahan

“Yeah, Conor’s awake. She went up to feed him.”

I nodded, and without another word, walked toward the kitchen where the interior steps led to her apartment.

Once I reached the top of the stairs, I paused. Should I knock or just walk in?

Both felt weird.

I was technically living there, so knocking seemed too formal, but barging in felt intrusive.

I tried the knob; that would help determine my next move, since I didn’t have a key.

It turned easily, and I loudly called out, “Lainey, it’s me.”

Her voice sounded far away when she replied, “In the nursery.”

I found her seated in the glider, feeding Conor. She looked at me with a soft smile.

“How’d it go?”

“I have been cleared for work.”

“I bet Angus is going to be thrilled to hear that.”

“He texted me five minutes after I left Dr. Williams’ office. He said he’s waiting on one more thing from my background check but wants me to come to the station tomorrow and begin the paperwork.”

“That’s great. Congratulation, Officer Callahan.”

“That’s probably going to take some getting used to.”

“I’ll bet it won’t take as long as you think.”

I stared at her for a beat, as it dawned on me how easy it had been to get used to being in Haven Springs and in her and Conor’s life

“You’re probably right.”

****

Lainey

“Do you have an extra set of keys?” Adam asked before I headed back downstairs once Conor fell asleep.

“Brian has my spare keys, but I can get more made once I close the bakery.”

“It’s only one?”

“Well, it used to be, before Brian installed an extra set of deadbolts.”

“If you give them to me, I can have copies made at the hardware store.”

I reached into my apron and produced my keychain. I found the one with the sunflowers design and held it up.

“This one works all the original locks—bakery front and back doors, and both doors coming into the apartment. Theshiny silver key next to it is for the new deadbolt for the door leading to the outside staircase, and the one next to that is for the door leading to the bakery. I can never get the keys off the ring, so you’ll have to do it.”

He took the set and in a matter of seconds, had slipped the three designs from the ring, then handed it back to me.

“How did you do that so fast? I always hurt my nails.”

He held up a penny. “Use a coin. Or my mom uses a staple remover.”

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