Page 18 of Snow One Like You

Taking a step back from the house hunting that’s consumed my brain when it isn’t on the job, I piece together him organizing his desk, writing notes on numerous open files, talking privately with the captain.

All signs that point to him having to go radio silent as he adapts to a new persona. What doesn’t fit is the differences in his usual preparation.

Mentioning his dad and brother.

Talking to them.

They haven’t disowned him, though they’ve let their displeasure show in regards to his badge, but conversations aren’t exactly a weekly thing.

I glance at Snow, let her know Nate is inviting us over. She nods, so I tell him we’ll be there shortly. Contacting our agent, I inform her we’ve had a family emergency and ask to reschedule the remainder of our appointment. She says that’s not a problem and admits that it was more of what we’ve already seen and she was going to mention that as we hadn’t cared for any of them up to this point. She agrees to regroup and expand, making a note of the issues we had with the others and incorporating those in the next options she selects. We thank her profusely and decide to reconnect in a few days.

“Is Nate okay?” Snow asks as I change direction and head toward his home. They’ve bonded over their mutual love for me and he’s stated that she’s perfect for me – which I already knew. He’s gotten over his need to run her name. I know he wouldn’t have found anything, but still. It’s a breach of privacy as she’s my girlfriend and future wife, regardless of that fact it would’ve come from a good place on his part.

When he meets the woman meant for him, he’ll get it. There won’t be anything that could impact how he feels about her, not even a criminal past, should she have one. With his family’s history, he can’t exactly throw stones nor cast aspersions on somebody’s character. Not that he would.

For the first time, I can share my fear about Nate with another person. I could with my parents or sister, but it wasn’t the same. Snow will understand. “I think he’s about to go undercover.”

“Oh.” Then, just as I knew she would, she immediately begins trying to soothe me. “I’m sure he always takes every precaution he can to stay safe. And that he has measures in place should a problem occur.”

“Double yes,” I confirm.

“But you still worry.”

“Yeah.”

“We’ll spend time with him, you’ll find out what’s going on, he’ll tell you his plan and his backup, and you’ll wish him good luck.”

Lifting our joined hands, I press a kiss to the back of hers, thankful she’s at my side. Anytime Nate does this, I’m concerned, and it ends up being unnecessary. But my gut is telling me this time is different.

As we park in his driveway, I hear Snow gasp. “Beautiful, huh?” It’s the first thought I had during my initial visit here. If I’m being honest with myself, I think there’s a part of me that’s hoping to come upon something similar during our search. I just didn’t realize it until now.

“It’s stunning,” she replies.

“Wait until you see the rest of it.”

“Admiring the house?” Nate wants to know, neither of us having realized he was on the porch waiting for us as we got out of the car.

“Hard not to,” Snow states. “Maybe we should have our realtor come here and we’ll just tell her to find us it’s twin.”

“Or you can just buy this one,” Nate says. And that’s when I truly get worried.

There is no way he’d sell this place…unless he doubts he’ll be coming back this time.

“I think I’m going to look around, give you two a moment,” Snow offers. Half of me appreciates her sensitivity on this, as if she knows there are high stakes at play. The other doesn’t want her to go, needing her with me to keep me sane.

“You don’t have to,” Nate disagrees. “This is a mutual decision.”

“I won’t be long,” Snow says, for both our benefit.

As she disappears, I stare at Nate. “Tell me.”

“You already know,” he answers.

“How bad is it?”

“My family is involved, so…” He shrugs.

“Not making me feel any better about this.”

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