which way from what A.J. could tell.
“You boys play too rough.” Her Southern drawl hadn’t been lost during all her worldly travels. “And what are they doing to that poor guy?” Rory lifted her gaze to A.J.’s for a moment, humor shining in her pretty hazel eyes before she focused back on Chris, who’d just cannonballed into the pool missing Brian by a fraction of an inch.
He didn’t want to talk about Brian, even if that was why they were there. “I hear you’re thinking of moving to New Orleans. You consider changing your line of work? You always loved working with animals.”
“One last gig, and maybe I’ll switch gears.” She lifted her shoulders, not too convincing. She was a thrill-seeker, that was for sure, and it was something he understood. “I did speak to a few people about possibly helping out with training police dogs.”
He pointed to Chris, who was now on the diving board about to do a backflip into the deep end. “Captain America over there wants a canine for the team. Maybe you can help us.”
An amused chuckle left her lips. “Well, if y’all have any questions or need anything when the time comes, look me up. You know where to find me.”
“Actually, I don’t. You’re on the go as much as me.”
“Life is short. Gotta live it up while you can, I suppose.” She reached up and fixed his hat. “Ella says you’re still single.”
“Yup.” A.J. had been burned before, and maybe that was why he’d been too afraid to take the plunge and call Anastasia.
Rory knew all about A.J.’s past since A.J.’s long-time relationship back in his twenties had been with one of Rory and Ella’s best friends. But maybe burned was the wrong choice of words. That damn fire Caleb had going back behind the pool, the flames shooting a bit too high, was screwing with his thoughts.
A reminder of Afghanistan. The burning Land Cruiser.
Shep was on approach to the firepit, most likely planning on giving Caleb some fire safety tips like he loved to do as a firefighter—he just couldn’t help himself.
“Brooke’s single.” Was Rory really trying to play matchmaker?
“I don’t live here anymore, and you know Brooke and I were just never good for each other. We tried the long-distance thing.” He’d been wrapping up his first deployment when they split in his twenties. God, that felt like an eternity ago. Would he be single forever? Of course, Wyatt was turning forty this year, and he found love . . .
And do I want love? I really did hit my head today, didn’t I? Or was I possessed by Mrs. Shaw’s spirit? There’d been some paranormal shit going on out in that forest. Either that or he’d been hallucinating.
“Well, we all miss you. Especially your brothers, even if those Hawkins boys won’t admit it.” Rory may have been a globe-trotter, but from the sounds of it, she was better at keeping in touch with everyone back at home than he was. A.J. needed to make more of an effort. His friends and family deserved better. Bravo and Echo fought to make the world a safer place, but all too often, he forgot to enjoy life in that world.
“Caleb told me Grant let you borrow his helicopter. How is he? I haven’t seen Grant in a long time.”
His buddy Grant had been the one to offer Owen use of his chopper even though he was out of town. “He’s good. Just had a new place built on thirty-plus acres.”
Grant had texted him image after image during construction, an attempt to get A.J. to visit, not that Grant’s schedule ever matched up with A.J.’s since they were both doing covert shit all the time.
“Of course, Grant won’t ever use it since he’s never home,” Rory pointed out. “He’s as mysterious with his work as you are.”
“And apparently as mysterious as you, Miss Treasure Hunter.”
She rolled her eyes. “That’s not exactly what I do.”
“And what is it that you do?” he challenged, knowing damn well the woman wasn’t about to answer. And yup, he got a shrug and wink, that was it.
He patted the air a few times, motioning for her to get outside. “You’re letting all the good air out, leaving that door open like that.”
“Now you sound like my mama.” She threw a smirk over her shoulder before stepping out onto the patio.
“And I sound like mine, too.” As soon as A.J. pulled the door closed, they were met with a sopping