Page 10 of Island Homecoming

“What?” she challenged, unable to let it go.

He shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d admit it.”

Again, she wanted to fidget. To leave. She stayed put, owing him her time. “You deserved better from me.”

He frowned. “What’s going on?”

Of course he saw right through her. But there was too much going on in her head and none of it she could share with Nash, the man she’d once trusted with her deepest thoughts and dreams.

She shouldn’t confess to any civilian that she was wary of the gun locked in her car. Soon, she’d have to strap it on to do her job. It helped to realize she wasn’t fed up with criminal justice as much as she’d grown weary of the violence.

Not exactly the best mental place for a police officer to be.

All too often, she’d witnessed people being awful to each other. Add money and power to the equation and things escalated quickly. Just like her last incident in Key West. She shoved those dark thoughts aside. She couldn’t reveal any of that to Nash. It wasn’t his business and she wouldn’t make it his burden.

“Nothing really,” she replied. “It’s been a hard couple of days.” She decided it was better to start over on the right foot. “I got arrested.”

His lips twitched. “Who pointed the finger at you?”

She shook her head. “I sort of did it to myself. It was a domestic violence incident.”

“A call went sideways on you?”

Why had she brought this up? “No. I stopped for gas and intervened. Probably should’ve ignored it.”

“Ignorance has never been your bliss.” He slapped his gloves against his thigh. “I hope it works out.”

“It will. My attorney is basically representing me pro bono since I agreed to give Chief Caldwell a hand.”

Nash scowled. “That’s blackmail.”

She tempered her reply. “Actually, it’s cooperation. My attorney’s one of the good guys.”

“If you say so.” The sound from one of the lawn mowers changed and Nash’s attention shifted. He watched until the young man on the standing mower figured out the adjustment. “Old roots,” Nash said. “We need to dig them out.”

For a second she thought he was talking about the two of them. Then she followed his gaze toward the corner of the building. “What happened to the big oak?” She remembered cops taking breaks in the shade over there. They’d organized community outreach under that tree too. There had been lemonade stands, the trick or treat station, and registration for the annual 5k fun run.

“Came down two summers ago.”

“And you’re still pulling up roots?”

“Nature of the business,” he said, shrugging. “Not like people who leave their roots behind.”

She rolled her eyes. “How long do you plan on standing around and berating me?”

A grin curved his lips, fading slowly as he thought that over. “I was going to say until it felt good. But it doesn’t.” He sighed. “That really makes me unhappy.”

“One thing that’s not on me to apologize for.” She turned for her car. “Take care, Nash.”

“You should make it up to me.”

She couldn’t have heard him correctly. “Beg pardon?”

“Like restitution.” He was nodding, clearly warming to whatever harebrained idea was brewing in his head. “It’s the least you can do. You told everybody I was a thief, and then sailed right on out of town. You left me here to clean up the mess you started. I had to convince the whole damn town I was innocent. Sure would’ve been easier if you’d stood by me.”

“I’ve apologized.” Her temper simmered. “Late, but sincere.”

“Uh-huh.” He scratched his jaw. “You’re officially law enforcement now? Here on the island, I mean.”

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