Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93723 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93723 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Deciding to save those as an excuse to get them to leave after a bit, I sit in the armchair adjacent to the sofa, tucking my feet beneath me and holding my coffee mug with both hands while Colten eyes me like I’m his next case to solve.
“Has Colten told you about Reagan?”
Biting my lips together, my head inches side to side. Colten adjusts in his seat as Becca gazes at him for a few seconds with a soft smile on her face.
“Reagan is five. And she’s the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen. I didn’t think either one of my boys would make me a grandma. They’ve been too preoccupied with pursuing careers. So imagine my surprise when I found out I was going to be a grandma.”
I study Colten’s expression. The constant bobbing of his throat. His unfocused gaze flitting all around the room. His hands slowly rubbing his denim clad thighs.
“I’d love to meet her.” The words fly off my tongue before I give them much thought.
Colten eyes me, his fidgety hands stilling for a few beats.
“Does she live around here?”
He says nothing. Not a single word. It’s been seventeen years, but I can still read him. He’s in pain. I’m not sure I’m ready to muster sympathy for him since I’m still dealing with my own pain that’s been renewed with his reappearance in my life.
“Against my better judgment, he gave up custody. But he sees her every month or so. Katy’s very generous.”
Colten clears his throat, but he only responds to Becca with a few tiny nods.
Her smile swells and excitement shines in her eyes, but I’m not sure why since he looks so miserable. “And she’s coming tomorrow,” his mom squeaks.
I can’t contain my own smile. After seeing the lifeless expression on Becca’s face at her husband’s funeral, this is a nice contrast. Well-deserved happiness.
Colten forces a grin, giving her a quick glance.
“I’m staying for two weeks to watch her while Katy and her new husband honeymoon in Europe.”
“That’s awesome,” I say, earning me a slight scowl from Colten. It only makes my enthusiasm grow. If he thinks he gets to show up at my house uninvited on a Saturday morning with his mother and earn an ounce of sympathy from me for his life’s decisions … he is delusional.
“The four of us should go to the zoo.” Becca’s palpable enthusiasm is hard to ignore.
Still, I need to ignore it. I’m happy for her. She’s earned this joy a million times over. Colten? I’m not sure what he deserves. Clearly, he doesn’t deserve his daughter if he gave up custody.
Colten’s expression softens as he makes eye contact with me. “We should.”
We? No. I’m not part of any “we.”
“I’m busy, but I’m sure you’ll have a great time.” My fake smile stretches my lips, exposing the teeth I need to brush.
“You and your blanket statements about being busy.” Colten has the nerve to challenge me in front of Becca.
“Well, Detective, as someone who harasses me on a daily basis, rushing me to give you information, you should know I’m very busy. Then there’s Jared and that budding relationship. I’m a woman in demand.”
“Oh! Colten said you’re a medical examiner. Years ago, your mom said you were going to medical school, but I never knew you were interested in working with dead bodies. That has to take a very special mindset.”
“Josie’s always had a special mindset. An affinity for dead things.” Colten smirks.
Apparently, he’s all smiles as long as we’re not talking about his role as a father, or lack thereof.
“It’s a very in-demand profession. It takes someone with a high level of intelligence, laser focus, and well-honed communication skills to do what I do. Often, studying death unravels many mysteries of the living. Colten’s had the pleasure and good fortune to work with me and learn from my expertise.”
Right there.
That look on his face is the most satisfying reward I’ve received in a very long time, and that’s saying a lot because I do, in fact, find my job incredibly rewarding. I can’t quite decipher his expression, but it’s either a classic case of “cat got your tongue” or good old fashion defeat. Either way, it’s beautiful.
“Josie … I’m so proud of you. I bet your parents are too. You work with law enforcement. That has to make your father happy. And I’m sure Colten is smitten to reconnect with you after all these years and get to witness firsthand all of your accomplishments.” Becca gives her son an expectant look.
Colten eyes her briefly before clearing his throat. It’s reminiscent of the times she thought he hadn’t been nice to me and made him apologize or say something kind.
Also like old times, I don’t say a word. I wait patiently whether I deserve it or not. Only this time, we won’t run out of the house to the back woods, climb the tree, and fight over who was really right or wrong.