Page 206 of Eight Years Gone

“Dr. Hammond, this is my brother, Colton. He lives with Jagger and me. He’s a junior at the high school.”

Dr. Hammond smiled. “It’s very nice to meet you, Colton.”

Colton nodded. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

“Dr. Hammond has been my dentist since I moved back to Preston Valley,” Grace explained. “She grew up with Aunt Maggie and my mom.”

“I did. I was a couple of years younger than Rose.” Dr. Hammond smiled again as she picked up the arrangement. “I’ll see you two again soon. And happy holidays if I don’t see you before then.”

“Happy holidays,” Grace said before she wrinkled her nose at Colton as Dr. Hammond left. “I’m sure that won’t happen forever.”

Colton shrugged. “I look a lot like Logan.”

She nodded, aware that Colton had no problem admitting that he resembled their big brother, but he rarely mentioned their father. “Yes, but that must not be fun.”

He jerked his shoulders again. “After the shock wears off, people seem to be cool with it.” He glanced toward the window, scanning the street the way he had all last week. “Have you heard anything from Jagger?”

She shook her head, knowing Colton was just as anxious for an update on how things were going down in Millsdale. She’d been watching the clock since Jagger left early this morning. “No, but I’m sure everything’s fine.”

Or she hoped that was true. But she wouldn’t be able to relax until he came home safe.

Just then, Jagger walked up the sidewalk and through the door.

Grace moved around the counter, hurrying into his arms, closing her eyes as she breathed him in. “You’re back.”

He returned her embrace, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Here I am.”

She stood on her tiptoes, kissing his lips. “Welcome home.”

He smiled as he winked. “Thanks.”

Colton moved closer to where they stood. “So, how did things go?”

Jagger nodded as he hooked his arm around Grace’s waist, keeping her by his side. “Really good. You shouldn’t have any further issues. I want you to tell me if that’s not the case, but Ray’s not a stupid man.”

Colton’s shoulders visibly relaxed as he exhaled a quiet breath. “Thanks, man.”

“No problem.”

Jagger and Colton exchanged a fist bump.

“Do we get any details?” Colton wanted to know.

Jagger shook his head. “The less you know, the better. But I feel confident that we can get back to our lives.”

Even as Jagger said so, Grace struggled to believe everything was okay again. “It doesn’t seem like it should be that simple.”

Jagger shrugged. “Mostly, it is. Ray and I came to an understanding. But Colton should stay out of Millsdale. That’s not a place you should go back to.”

Colton nodded again. “Mom’s moved all her stuff into her new place, so that shouldn’t be a problem. She starts her new job next week, I think.”

Grace nodded. “That’s good.”

Colton shoved his hands in his pockets as his gaze dropped to the floor. “So, I guess I’ll probably be moving to Philly, too, at some point.”

Grace frowned as she exchanged a glance with Jagger, caught off guard by the change in subject. “Why?”

Colton shrugged. “The lawyer’s taking care of my legal stuff, and Jagger took care of Ray.”

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