Concealed Hearts (Hometown Jasper #4) - Nicky James Page 0,93
life back into me. He reminded me what it felt like to truly live and be myself.” I lifted my chin and faced my second in command. “Forgive me.”
“Nothing to forgive. But I want you to know”—he pointed a finger in my face—“I will always have your back. Nothing around here changes. You’re still the badass motherfucker you were yesterday, and this town loves you.”
“You kiss your baby girls with that mouth.”
He laughed and tugged me into a back-slapping hug. “I’m happy for you, Windsor.”
“Thanks. It’s a load off. I feel lighter.”
“I bet.”
We broke apart, and with that conversation out of the way, the moment shifted again. “How’s the kid?” John asked.
“Overwhelmed. Shaken. But the danger has passed.”
“Good. What’s the plan?”
“We’re going to head to his house once I get outta here, talk to his parents and collect a few belongings. He doesn’t want to stay there, but I’m not sure where to go from here.”
“Relatives?”
“Out of town. We’ll call them.”
John nodded, brow furrowed as he thought. “What about the boyfriend’s house?”
“Not sure. I don’t know how new it is or how comfortable he would be with that. Besides, he’s seventeen, so if his parents kicked up a stink—”
“You think they might?”
“Doubtful, but it could happen. I’m gonna place a call to my contact at Child Services and see what she thinks.”
“Good idea. We’ve got all the reports done. They just need your signature. You can skip out if you need to. I’ll hold down the fort. Gonna send Lucas home since we’re all caught up.”
I slapped John’s shoulder. “Thanks for taking care of things.”
“Anytime. So, Tomi Lee, huh?”
“Here we go. I’m going to make that phone call since I’m still not discussing my love life with you.”
I listened to John’s chuckle fade as I walked away and closed my office door.
* * *
An hour later, I poked my head into the storage room where Matthew was working. No one else was around. Lucas and Harriet had gone home for the day. Julie and John were out in town.
“It’s Sunday, you know. You aren’t supposed to be working.”
Matthew popped his head up. “I figured I’d work a bit since I came for your coming-out party. I could use the extra hours. Is it okay?”
“I don’t mind. Don’t wear yourself out.”
“I won’t.”
“Who’s on call tonight?”
“Harriet. Are you leaving?”
“Yeah, I have to sort out what to do with Felix. Tell Harriet to call me if she needs a hand later.”
“I will.”
I glanced around. “Looks good in here. I dare say the spiders might find somewhere else to live now.”
“A shame. As long as they steer clear of my desk, we’ll be okay.”
I chuckled. “See you later, Matt.”
“Bye, Chief.”
Before heading home, I had one important stop to make. Thankfully, the bakery seemed quiet when I parked out front. The lunch rush was over, and when I squinted through the large front window, there didn’t seem to be a line at the counter.
I removed my Stetson and scratched fingers through my hair as I blew out a breath. “Here we go.”
Kelsey was at the counter when I walked in, the bells jingling over the door.
“Afternoon, Chief.” Her grin seemed knowing today, but maybe it was my imagination. I suspected I would be looking for reactions from everyone for a long time.
“Hey, Kelsey. Ready for school?”
“Getting there. I can’t believe summer is almost over.”
“Went fast.” I glanced through the small window that looked into the kitchen part of the bakery. Nally, the bakery’s owner, was busy at the ovens, kneading dough. The sweet scent of sugary treats and yeasty bread filled the air.
“Is your mom around by chance?”
Kelsey gave me a sympathetic smile. “She’s eating her lunch around back.”
I nodded and moved toward the door.
“Chief?”
A surge of discomfort made me shuffle my feet and cut my focus to the display cases rather than meeting the teenager’s eyes. “Yeah?” Announcing my sexuality was one thing. Talking about it openly was another.
“It’s okay. Mom’s not upset. Relieved is more how I’d describe it.”
I frowned, finding the courage to redirect my attention to Kelsey. “What do you mean?”
“She couldn’t understand before. You were always so friendly to her, and she thought you were good friends, but … nothing ever came of it. Anyhow, it all makes sense now. She’s happy for you.”
I swallowed a tight lump and gifted Kelsey with a smile. “I’m gonna go see her.” I thumbed over my shoulder.
Kelsey returned my smile and focused on arranging a new batch of cookies on a display pedestal.