Page 47 of An Unfinished Memory

Her tone was different than normal. Usually, she walked me out, and we discussed how we’d handle theevening until Guy moved on from the pickup or went to bed, but we’d become old hands at the routine.

I stepped out and walked farther from the tidy little house they’d raised their kids in. “Everything okay?”

“No.” She let out a shuddering sigh. “A room finally opened in Miles City at a nursing home. They have a memory care unit.” Her eyes misted over. “Yeah. It’s going to be so hard.”

I had a lot of gear around my waist and strapped to my chest, but I pulled her in for the best hug I could. “I’m sorry, Delilah. Anything you need, let me know.”

She sniffled and pulled back. “Thank you. I’ve worked on most of the details while he naps, but I have to tell you—we’d have never survived this long without you. The other deputies just aren’t as good with him.”

“It helps he’s known me all my life.”

“This town is lucky to have you. I was so happy to hear that you’re going to be our new sheriff.”

First Jodi and now Delilah. Word hadn’t spread like this the last few times Ray said he was going to retire. I normally lived and breathed this type of statement. Everything I’d worked for since Ray asked me if I wanted to be a blemish on my family name or give back to society was happening.

I should have been thrilled Ray’s retirement was getting more real each week. He hadn’t told me a date, but if others were hearing about it, his plans must be concrete. However, today was Saturday. With the time difference, Sutton would be going on her date in a couple of hours. I wasn’t excited about a damn thing.

“Glad to be of help,” I said automatically. Was Sutton in the shower, getting ready? Would she put her hair inone of those braids she liked to wrap around her head? What would she wear?

If it was that fucking dress from the street dance…I knew how easy it was to get beyond that fabric.

“…hard not to compare.”

I’d missed what Delilah was saying. “Compare?”

She waved her hand like she could brush the words away. “I know I shouldn’t compare. We’re not those two young kids anymore. Those kids didn’t know they’d grow old. They’d struggle with bad knees and dementia.” A soft laugh escaped her. “We were just babies. We didn’t know one date would turn into forever.”

Cold crashed over my head just as heat flushed around my neck like a slowly tightening collar. “A date turned into forever?”

“Can you believe a movie back then cost a little over two dollars?”

The collar cinched. “Let me guess—dinner and a movie?” I croaked.

Her smile was fond. “That’s how it all started.”

I gritted my teeth together. “Sweet memories.”

She patted my shoulder. “Sometimes I feel like they’re all I have of him.”

Her words were a bucket of ice. This conversation wasn’t about me. “Call me if you need anything. I’m on for another hour.”

“Oh, Wilder. Go home and relax. You work so hard.”

I got in my SUV and entered the data for my report. My mind was half on the task. The rest was stuck on Delilah and Guy’s dating history. Her tales of dinner and a movie and wedded bliss rang through my head the entire rest of my shift.

I passed Carla on my way to the house. She was outfor another jog, but she only smiled in a way that saidI’m yours when you’re readyand kept running.

My phone was clear. No messages, not even from Ray. Sutton would be waiting at her house about now. Ready for her date. Or would she be at Vienne’s? Had Jake and his goddamn brother picked her up early?

I told myself I’d be cool. Sutton assured me she was just going through the motions. She was basically going out tonight to hide the fact that she and I were sleeping together.

My increased blood pressure didn’t know the difference.

We didn’t know one date would turn into forever.

I glanced in my rearview mirror at the fading form of Carla and the quiet town.

If I had to sit in the house, I’d drink beer and watch ESPN. So the real question was—how did I distract myself tonight?

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