Page 31 of Fresh Start
If it weren’t for Dawson being in town, this break would be perfection. As it stood, it was just great.
“Where are we meeting Detective Strong?” Summer asked as we came out on the main road outside the house and took the trek down to the center.
Fuck. I’d forgotten all about that. How could I tell Summer that Dawson wasn’t coming without breaking her little heart? Because of course he wasn’t coming. Why would he?
After the way I’d shouted at him, there was no chance he was going to join us for the tour. I’d be surprised if he even remembered. He was a busy man. He’d never make time for a little girl and her uncle who hates him. Would he?
No. If there was one thing Dawson was good at, that was letting people down. He’d perfected it during college, and I’m sure he was a master at it now.
“I don’t think he’s coming, sweetie. I’m sorry,” I told her. Better get the heartbreak out now rather than later.
Summer looked up at me confused.
“But he said he’d be there.”
“I know,” I said.
Damn you, Dawson, and your stupid, empty promises.
“Then I’m sure he will be,” Summer said and smiled.
This confidence of hers had been an attribute I’d seen in Lucy before I left town. She and Andy had gotten married after high school when Lucy got pregnant, and they both put their professional aspirations on the backburner.
Only Lucy lost her first child, and it wasn’t until four years later they were blessed with Nathan. But the damage had already been done. Lucy never went on to study psychology and Andy? Well, Andy never got up to whatever he was supposed to do.
We’d never been quite sure what his aspirations were, other than the fact he was good at basketball and had received a scholarship out of town which he never took up.
We reached the town square that was once again heaving with the life the tourists brought with them in addition to their enthusiasm.
I’d been so sick of the Butterfly Festival when I was growing up, but being back here during the festival made the town all the more welcoming.
We walked down Main Street until we reached the end where the butterfly reservation center was.
As we approached it, I noticed someone waiting outside. The dirty blond of Dawson’s hair sparkled under the sunlight, and his whole face lit up when he turned around and saw us.
“Detective Strong!” Summer exclaimed and ran to him for a hug.
He’d made it. Even after my meltdown at the Oyster Club, he’d still taken the time out of his schedule to come to the center and spend some time with his little fan.
Had something changed in him? Had the years and experience given him some much-needed perspective and a change of character?
Whatever it was, I still couldn’t believe he was here. My chest flared and the heart underneath it fluttered. Damn you and your charms, Dawson Eldred. I couldn’t,wouldn’tfall for them again.
“Hi,” I said when I caught up with them.
“Detective Strong, reporting for duty.” Dawson stomped his foot to the ground and saluted me in his deep movie voice.
I choked up a laugh, but Summer giggled.
“Come on, sillies. We’re going to miss the start,” Summer said and ran inside.
Dawson didn’t move. He kept the ridiculous pose looking straight ahead.
“At ease, soldier,” I said, and only then did he relax his body, dropping his hand to his side.
His blue eyes sparkled, and his lips pursed when he looked at me.
What on earth was he looking all cute and shy for?
