Page 51 of Pirates in Calusa Cove

He sighed. “I won’t let you pick a fight with me tonight. I’m in too good of a mood.”

She rested her head on his shoulder. She could honestly get used to this banter.

CHAPTER 10

The following morning,Keaton opened the door to the coffee shop. He hated leaving Trinity. It didn’t matter that Dawson had made his deputies available, and one of them was standing guard at the house. Or that her father was still there. Or that he was only going to be gone for a short period of time.

Someone had tried to kidnap and kill her, and they would do it again.

But he had promised her he would get up early and bring back her favorite coffee and a freshly baked chocolate croissant. He’d learned a long time ago that the little things mattered, and if this was what it took to make her comfortable, then he’d be happy to do it.

Besides, Hayes and Dawson were meeting him with the latest update.

Not that it would be much since he’d been with them until eleven last night.

He’d watched Hayes drive away with Chloe tucked in the front seat of his truck. She’d had too much todrink and drive. When he’d left to get coffee this morning, Chloe’s vehicle had already been gone. Hayes had texted to say they were picking it up at around five. He suspected they had spent the night together.

Good for Hayes.

But Keaton still worried about his buddy. He wasn’t exactly sure why. Hayes had never been afflicted with the love bug. Women didn’t get under his skin. He liked women, dated them, but he could honestly take them or leave them. He’d always stated he liked being alone too much. He’d never elaborated much past the fact that being one of twelve siblings had made his childhood crowded, and the idea of living with someone gave him the jitters.

He did understand the idea of wanting space. After Petra had died, Keaton had no longer wanted to be attached. He hadn’t wanted to love again. He’d needed to close himself off from that pain to heal.

He no longer felt that way. It frightened him how quickly that had all changed, how utterly vulnerable he had become, and how Trinity consumed his daily thoughts. He tried to tell himself that it was because of what surrounded them, that it was because of the danger.

But he knew better. He knew what was happening to him, and he couldn’t stop it if he tried. Love wasn’t something you controlled. It was something that happened. It didn’t discriminate.

He pushed that thought right out of his mind. It was too soon. He wasn’t falling that hard. He pounded his chest and coughed as he approached the counter. Ayoung girl smiled and took his single coffee and bagel order. He’d return to the counter to get Trinity’s after he sat down with Hayes and Dawson. He wanted to make sure it was hot and fresh when he brought it back.

Again, the little things.

He waited at the far end of the counter, scanning the room, taking in all the people. Old habits died hard, and this one was never going to change.

Dawson and Hayes entered the coffee shop. They waved as they stepped up to the counter and placed their orders.

Keaton snagged his coffee and bagel before finding a table in the back. He sat with his back to the wall, knowing that would piss off both his buddies. It was a running joke between him and all his friends. They all wanted that spot. Well, today it belonged to him.

Dawson and Hayes strolled through the growing crowd. Dawson was decked out in his uniform. He wore it well and proudly. Becoming a cop had been good for Dawson. His contract had been the first to end in the Navy, and he’d gone right into the Police Academy. Plans had already been made for the Everglades Overwatch airboat touring company, and Dawson had been the first to arrive at Calusa Cove.

Dawson loved this town. It was as if he’d been born and raised here, not Upstate New York.

Hayes had taken to it much the same. But Hayes was like a chameleon. He’d fit in anywhere he went.

Calusa Cove was Fletcher’s hometown, and he’d been welcomed back with mostly open arms. The local hero. The man who’d escaped the town had made themproud with an honorable career serving his country, and then he’d returned to a quiet life. He had the respect of everyone—except maybe Baily—though it wasn’t so much that she didn’t respect him as much as she resented their past and what had happened.

Keaton, however, struggled to ground his feet in this sleepy little town. What he’d loved about the Navy was that, even though he was always stationed somewhere and had a home base, he’d never really had a home. Not since Petra had died. Being in Calusa Cove had forced him to calm that inner restlessness, and it hadn’t been easy until he’d allowed his heart to open.

And now, all he could think about was what his future might look like. Something that had never once crossed his mind. Not even when he’d agreed to come here with his friends.

“I’ve got to step outside and make a phone call.” Dawson placed his cup on the table. “Trevor is being interviewed again today, and Anna thinks Trevor might have some insight regarding where Trip’s notebook was hidden.”

“What do you think is in that thing?” Keaton asked.

Dawson arched a brow. “For starters, Trip’s personal thoughts on what happened to Audra’s dad.”

“But Paul and his son confessed to you,” Keaton said.

“His lawyer is trying to say he didn’t. He’s painting quite a different picture of the events that happened when I arrested them.” Dawson ran a hand over his mouth. “While we have them on the drugs and guns, they’re doing their best to cut a deal. Anything to shorten their prison time, gain protection, or get intothe witness protection program if they turn completely. I can’t have the latter. They can’t ever be set free. If they are, Audra and I will constantly be looking over our shoulders, wondering if they’re gunning for us.” He sucked in a breath. “But there are other things Anna believes might be in that notebook, and that has my hackles up.” He shook his head. “I get keeping side notes. I do it. But to hide it like Trip did, that I don’t understand. It’s putting people in danger, and technically, it could be criminal.” He waved his cell. “I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.”

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