Page 141 of Vows We Never Made

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I’ll stay in Portland long-term, and I’ll do what it takes to be the best dad humanly possible.

Hell, maybe I’ll even take that internship at Blackthorn Holdings after all.

I’ll open my mind and broaden my horizons.

Right now, it feels suffocating, giving up on other plans, but that’s whatever. I’m slowly making peace with it.

I’m ready to do what’s right.

I can get past my future mistakes, just as long as I try.

Taylor’s parents live in a small house with an overgrown front yard, weeds springing up past the fence. I’ve been here a few times.

What I’m not expecting is the police cruiser parked out front.

What now?

I frown at the cruiser as I park along the curb outside their house, keeping my distance across the street.

Not the audience I hoped for, and I wonder if it’s a good time.

I need to talk to Taylor alone, but if her parents have to be around, so be it.

My gut churns as I climb out of my car, slamming the door behind me.

The walk to the front door feels like an eternity, but eventually I’m there on their porch.

Here goes nothing.

Just before I knock, though, there’s a terrible sound.

A scream?

Definitely a sound so raw, so visceral, it slices through me. Jagged and painful, setting my hair on end.

I stop cold and listen intently, straining my ears.

“No, no, no,” someone keeps repeating.

Taylor’s mom.

Glacial worry settles inside me as I hover on the doorstep.

No. No.

Taylor’s mom keeps repeating that single killing word until it crawls inside my head.

Damn, maybe I should leave and try later.

This is clearly an awful time and I’d be pouring fuel on the fire, whatever’s burning this woman down with anguish.

Only, I’ve turned to stone and I can’t move fast enough. Not before the door swings open and Police Chief Jim Saunter steps out, staring at me like I’m Lucifer incarnate.

Yeah, we’ve had some run-ins in the past, but for once I’m not here to cause trouble.

“Chief?” I mutter.

“Ethan,” he says distantly, his voice low and grave.

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