Page 51 of The Secrets She Keeps

“No. They aren’t dating and will both crack up if you even suggest it,” Alex said from the table. “Mig’s Heather’sbestie forever,actually. He was good friends with Heather’s twin’s husband. The man Eastman murdered.”

Powell’s mother flinched. She was very sensitive to talk about any kind of violence. “I see. So he lost his close friend too. Poor man. I believe he is also a widower. Raising those three beautiful children all alone?”

“Yes. He has three. Miguel and Heather lost touch for a while, maybe. I’m not sure of the details. After their division disbanded. They met up again recently when she transferred here,” Alex continued. “Now Miguel seems to be around all the time. He doesn’t have any other family; he grew up in foster care. The Colesons have adopted him.”

“Of course, they have,” Mac said skeptically.

“They all swear they did. Mostly. There is one hold-out. They voted on it and everything. I had to keep the count. Even the kids got a half vote each. The Colesons take family votes very, very seriously. It was really sweet to see little Milan and Frankie and Nalla saying aye and nodding like they understood the whole voting process. Hope was the only nay. But I don’t think Miguel minded that. He hasotherplans for Hope, I think.”

“And what does Hope think about this?” Mac asked. “She’s the one who was shot, with Haldyn, right?”

“Yep. That’s her.Hopehas absolutely no clue at all. She thinks Miguel is hot for Heather, and that is why he keeps just showing up. Because apparently, almostevery guyends up hot for Heather at some point or another.” Alex gave a wicked grin. “Heather denies it…hotly, of course. There is nothing that woman does that isn’t hot; we can all acknowledge that. I think Heather wants Hope to get with Mig, even though he’s a cop. It’s driving her crazy that her baby sister seems to be missing what’s going on with Miguel, though. Heather has a bit of a romantic side she keeps hidden. She keeps trying to get Hope to figure it out. It’s very funny.”

“Sounds fun to watch,” Powell’s father said. He shot a level look at Alex. “Tell me something. Just how much time have you been spending with the intern who quit because of you? Her family? It seems like you know a great deal about their personal business.”

“From what I’ve heard, he shows up there at mealtimes. Frequently. When he’s not here sponging at mealtimes,” Powell said. Cara had had a lot to say about that.

“You’re sponging meals off the neighbors?” Their mother looked ready to smack him.

“No. I go over to just be neighborly. And then they feed me. But I earn my keep. I keep an eye on them all—they draw trouble like flies, those ladies. There was that brawl in their driveway over Cashie last week, and a dude followed little Meggie home from FCU. He wanted to serenade her but got the window wrong. He got Norm in the shower instead. Norm was certainly notamused. I helped Iagan take out their trash, and I even babysat him. Well, Iagan-sat. He thinks he’s too old for a babysitter, and his mom was working late. No sponging, I promise, Mom. Don’t ground me.”

“You should be doing those things for your neighbors, anyway,” their mom gave him thatlook.“No food required.”

“They insist. Bonnie sends Iagan over to get me for dinner. Sometimes, one of those beautiful creatures brings me homemade cookies too. I don’t even ask. I promise. I also carried Hopein from the car after her recent doctor’s appointment. She was puny and sleepy and it’s a long walk to the door.”

“She was lucky,” Powell said.

“No kidding,” Alex said almost grimly. “They all got lucky.”

Powell shivered. “Just what is going on in this city?”

“I don’t know,” her mother said. “But I suspect whatever it is, it has been going on for a long, long time. We should step outside and say hello.” Her mother gave Powell a significant look. “Considering that is the father of my grandbaby, Powell Melissa. I would like to get to know him—beforemy grandbaby makes their appearance. And we can’t stand at the window staring constantly. We need to find a new pastime.”

“He has a shiner,” Alex said. “Things got crazy in Masterson after we left, I think. For that little task force of Daniel’s, I mean.”

“What? He got hurt? What happened?” Powell fought panic. He wasright there.Just outside her window. Perfectly safe. But she had to look for herself.

That washerViking barbarian out there, after all.

“He and Heather and some of the cops in Masterson County were in a fender bender up there on the ice. After we left, apparently.”

“Is she okay?” Mac asked immediately. “I mean, I know she’s an immortal vampire goddess queen and everything, but were the girls with her? Cara?”

“Something to do with the case, I think,” Alex said. “Brandt sat with Cara while they waited for Heather to get there after. He and that little cook of his. And…Quade Davis. From what I understand, Quade met Heather up there in Wyoming and is receptive to some contact.”

“I’ll let Luc know,” Mac said.

“Don’t. Quade doesn’t want anything to do withLuc’sside, he said. Not after speaking with Heather,” Alex told him.

“Ouch. Heather Vampire Goddess Queen strikes again.”

“She is a perfectly nice young woman who has been through realhell.You and your brother should remember that. And I have a bevy of perfectly successful, available nephews through your father’s side that I’m sure would be quite happy to meet that beautiful woman right there,” their mother told Alex.

“They would probably hit their knees in gratitude if I know my nephews,” her father added snarkily. “Tucker has already asked me about Heather Coleson recently. He had that intense look in his eyes again. I gave him her address—but he already had it.”

“Thanks to that video from Christmas,everyonepractically has it,” Mac said.

“IlikeHeather. We get along just fine. It’s Mac she really can’t stand, though. You should do something about that. Mediate or something. I’ve heard recently that Mac and Heather do make a beautiful couple, with absolutely beautiful babies,” Alex told their parents. Very…wickedly. Powell coughed lightly. “I believe it, considering how pretty Mac is and everything. And Heather, well, hottest woman on the planet, after all. Can you imagine how beautiful their babies will be someday, Mama?”

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