Page 41 of Shadows of You

He pointed to the deer’s neck, and I nodded.

“They’re hesitant as if the attacker still hadn’t fully gotten up the nerve.” Lawson pointed to the deer’s middle. “Those are deeper, more confident.”

He looked up and met my gaze. “Our boy’s getting used to killing.”

12

ASPEN

I steppedonto the front porch as Lawson pulled into my drive. Cady bounced at my side. Her excitement never dimmed when it came to seeing her best friend. It didn’t matter that she’d spent all day at school with him yesterday and then had a playdate afterward.

Lawson hopped out of his SUV as I lugged Cady’s booster seat toward the vehicle. “Here, let me get that.” He had it out of my hands before I could argue.

“Thanks again for doing pickup duty.”

“It’s no problem at all. When is your car going to be ready? I’m happy to take you to get it.”

“Hopefully tomorrow. But Maddie said she’d give me a ride. She’s going to help me with pickup today, too.” Thankfully, I had a day off from The Brew, so I didn’t need to get myself to work on top of everything else.

Lawson nodded as he got the booster seat in place, Cady and Charlie chattering over him. “I’ll leave the seat at school so Maddie can grab it.”

“Thank you. I’m really sorry to call on you so much.” Guilt twisted deep. I was calling on all the people in my life when they had busy schedules of their own.

Lawson straightened. “Aspen, at this point, you’re family. It’s what we do for each other.”

A burn lit behind my eyes and in my throat.Family.I’d wanted that for so long. Hoped Autumn and I would build it together for Cady. And it had all been ripped away. My hand slipped beneath my flannel shirt, feeling the scar there.

I should be finding a way out of Cedar Ridge. Moving Cady to a city where we could be anonymous. But I couldn’t. Not when she was so loved and cared for here. I’d have to find another way. Figure out how John had found our location. Make him think we’d moved elsewhere.

“Thanks, Law,” I whispered.

Concern swept over his expression. “Everything okay?”

I’d almost told him about my past a few times; he was law enforcement, after all. But something always held me back. Part of it was thinking that the fewer people who knew, the better. The other bit was that I liked just being Aspen here. Not a woman who’d been through a horrific ordeal and barely lived to tell the tale.

“I’m good,” I lied. “What about you?”

I hadn’t missed the dark circles under Lawson’s eyes or the deepening lines of strain on his face. But I knew he’d never tell me exactly what was going on. Lawson always kept things close to the vest.

He sighed. “Just been a long few weeks.” He glanced out at my pasture. “I’m worried about Luke.”

Lawson’s eldest son had been acting out a bit and throwing more than a little attitude toward his dad.

“I’m sorry. I can take Charlie and Drew this weekend. Maybe you and Luke can do something, just the two of you. It’s probably too cold for camping, but you could rent a cabin somewhere that isn’t home.”

Lawson nodded, scrubbing a hand over his stubbled jaw. “I don’t want to dump those two knuckleheads on you.”

I smiled. “It’s what family does, isn’t it?”

The corner of his mouth kicked up. “You’ve got a point there. Let me get a feel for my caseload, and I’ll let you know.”

“I’m around, so you can decide last minute if you want.”

“Thanks, Aspen.”

Warmth spread through me. Something about giving back to the people who had given me so much helped. “Anytime.”

“Dad, we’re gonna be late,” Charlie called from the SUV.

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