Page 74 of Echoes of You

I pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. “See you at home.”

Maddie’s eyes flared for a moment, and then she nodded, sliding out of my hold and disappearing inside the café.

The words had just slipped out.Home.I hadn’t been back to my house on the outskirts of town for anything but a few changes of clothes since Maddie returned. And somewhere along the line, her cabin had started to feel more like home than my place ever had. It wasn’t the space, though. It was Maddie filling it. Her scent. Her light. Her very essence. She had always been home to me. And that would never change.

I crossed to my SUV and climbed inside, heading for the station. As I pulled into a parking spot, I caught sight of Lawson striding across the lot. I slid out of my vehicle and moved in his direction. “Hey.”

Lawson’s jaw tightened a fraction. “Morning. How are you feeling? How’s Maddie?”

“She’s a lot better this morning.”

“And you?”

I made a small movement, testing my shoulder. “I’m good. Doc said I can lose the sling tomorrow.”

Lawson’s brows lifted. “You sure about that?”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “You can call her if you don’t believe me.”

His lips twitched. “Might have to do that.”

“Where are you headed?” Lawson had looked way too determined not to have a destination in mind.

He sighed. “I finally figured out where Adam Westchester is staying.”

My gaze narrowed on my brother. “I’m going with you.”

“You can’t. You have a personal tie to the case.”

“And you don’t? Every single person in that station knows Maddie. That’s what happens in a small town. I bowed out of the SAR investigation, but I won’t do that here. Either you take me with you, or I go alone.”

Lawson muttered a curse under his breath. “That was why I was trying to get out of here before you got in.”

“You know I would’ve found out and kicked your ass.”

“You could’ve tried.”

He might’ve had a point there. Lawson and Holt sparred to work out their demons. Holt’s had largely faded thanks to having Wren back in his life, but Lawson still hit the heavy bag for at least an hour every day. I had speed on my side, but Lawson had sheer power.

I slapped him on the shoulder. “Good thing we won’t have to find out, and Mom won’t fry both of us for getting into it.”

Lawson grunted in agreement. “Come on. You can ride with me. I don’t trust your one-armed driving.”

“Hey. I’m an excellent driver. I don’t need two arms.”

“You’re a reckless speed demon that I should’ve arrested more than once.”

I climbed into the passenger side of Lawson’s SUV. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He started the engine. “Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt.”

“Dad jokes? Really?”

“I am a dad.”

“We need to work on your humor. You’ll never get a woman if you can’t make her laugh.”

Lawson pulled out of the lot and headed out of town. “A woman is the last thing on my mind. I’m just trying to keep my head above water.”

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