Page 87 of This Thing Between Us

When Janine and Jeremy walked into the precinct eighteen minutes later, with three other parents and their children, I shot a look to the chief, optimistic that we’d get what we needed to make a move against one of the most untouchable people in Haver’s Creek.

Several hours later, I walked out of work completely drained, yet incredibly proud. The young players braved telling us their experiences, which couldn’t have been easy for them. It took a lot of guts to go against their coach and stand up for their fellow players, while not worrying about getting in trouble themselves.

As I got into my car, I called Savannah quickly to see what she and her sister were up to for dinner. Sure, I could have called Whitney, but I wanted it to be a surprise.

Savannah picked up after a few rings. “Hey there, you coming home soon?”

“Sure am, just wanted to see if you needed me to pick up dinner or if you have it covered.”

Kitchen noises sounded from Savannah’s end of the line. “Let me give you to Whit.”

“No—” I tried to stop her, but it was no use. She must have transferred the phone because all I could hear was rustling and Whitney saying, “He called you, not me? Jack?”

I relaxed a bit hearing her voice. I just wanted to be home, drinking a beer and spending the night with Whitney. Nothing in the world sounded better than that.

“What are you baking over there, Sprinkles?” My stomach growled just dreaming about what it could be. Way too many years had gone by without being able to have Whitney “Sprinkle” Rose’s cookies, cupcakes, and brownies.

I needed to make up for lost time.

“Savannah said you were asking about dinner,” she said pointedly. “We haven’t thought about dinner, but dessert has been covered.”

I licked my lips. “What did you make?”

Whitney gave a put-on sigh. “As if I’d tell you that. You’ll have to wait and see.”

“Whatever it is, can I eat it off your body later tonight?” I tested the waters, pushing her.

A small gasp, then a hushed tone. “That you will have to earn, mister,” she said in a near whisper. Footsteps sounded. She must have walked away from her sister.

“Why don’t I cook us some chicken? I think I have potatoes in there as well. I can roast them with some other veggies.”

“Sounds delicious,” Whitney said. “When will you be home?”

I came to a light just a few blocks from my house. “Very soon.”

“Oh good, I’m starving. Feed me and then we can take it from there.” Then she hung up on me.

I chuckled. At least she was hanging up with me after a positive conversation this time.

I’d take that as progress.

The icy chill of an incoming storm hit me when I parked in the garage a few minutes later.

With the temperature dropping, I needed to make sure the fireplaces were working to help heat the home and keep Whitney and Savannah warm.

As I entered the house, I found quite the domestic tableau. Whitney fished her latest batch of what appeared to be pumpkin bread out of the oven, as Savannah lounged on the couch in her sweatpants eating a chocolate bar.

The noise from the closing door brought their attention to me. Whitney froze with the hot pan from the oven in her hands. Savannah moved to sit up, drawing Whitney’s attention to her, as if reminding Whitney that we weren’t alone.

For now.

I shrugged off my jacket, hanging it on the nearby three-pegged coat rack, then tossed my keys into a small bowl I kept by the door to the garage.

Savannah licked chocolate off her fingers. “Thanks for agreeing to make dinner. I’m wiped.”

I gave her a kiss on the forehead and headed straight for the fridge, pulling out what I needed to make dinner. “You’re welcome. Should take about thirty minutes,” I estimated, pulling out the seasoning and utensils I would need. Luckily, I had gone to the store the other day and had chicken and potatoes at the ready.

Savannah yawned. “Oh good, I’m going to go take a nap. Wake me up when it’s ready.” She trotted upstairs before Whitney even opened her mouth.

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