Page 144 of Distress Signal
Mama rarely got worked up about anything; she was as even keeled and steadfast as they came. But right now, she waspissed.
“I don’tletany of you do anything,” she continued. “The second you turned eighteen, you became adults. And while I’ll always be your mother and always wantto parent you in the way I think is best, you’re a stubborn lot who does whatever they feel like. So while I am nervous and will worry constantly about Aria,” she said, taking her only daughter’s hand and giving it a squeeze, “I would be the worst kind of parent if I didn’t do everything I could to support her while she chases her dreams—just like I did for all of you.”
Honestly, I couldn’t have said it better myself, and what I’d been trying to implore my brothers to understand the first time Aria brought up the idea of moving.
Lane looked at Aria. “You really want this?”
Aria didn’t waver in stance or tone when she said, “Yes.”
He shared a look with Trey and West, the three of them coming to some silent agreement. Then Trey said, “I guess we’re taking a trip to Nashville.”
Aria groaned, knowing we were about to make a whole fucking production out of her cross-country move.
Reagan let go of my hand to pull Aria toward the bar, presumably talking to her about Tennessee and how much she was going to love living there.
I never wanted Reagan to feel like she was giving up everything—her entire life in the only place she’d ever known—for me, so I’d always planned to encourage frequent trips back, going along as often as I could. But now that my sister was moving that way, it gave us even more of a reason to make those trips happen.
Soon, guests started pouring through the open doors, and I was drawn further away from Reagan, into conversation with a few of Lane’s deputies—the ones Crew could stand—and Crew’s work buddies.
“How’s Reagan doing?” Tuck asked. Momentarily confused, I frowned at him. Then it dawned on me that though they hadn’t been on shift when the call had gone out about Reagan’s accident, Crew’s entire team had shown up to help.
“Better,” I said. “She’s still got her cast on, but she’s on the mend.”
“Any idea who ran her off the road?” Childers asked.
I shook my head. “Lane is still looking into it, but there wasn’t a whole lot to go on. Big, dark-colored trucks with huge grills and brush guards are a dime a dozen around here.”
“True enough,” Burns piped in. “Well, I hope they catch the son of a bitch who’s been tormenting her. You think it’s the same guy who took her sister?”
“We’re not sure,” I replied evasively. Anyone could be listening.The unsub could be standing ten feet away from me and I’d never know it.
Tuck grinned knowingly. “We get it. Information is on a need-to-know basis.”
“Exactly.”
Before conversation could turn elsewhere, Aria’s voice rang out across the barn.
“If you’ll all find a seat, the bride and groom are about to make their grand entrance!”
Everyone scrambled toward tables, though we all remained standing. I found Reagan deep in conversation with Mama, but they stopped talking when I appeared and wrapped my arm around my girl’s waist.
“What mischief are you two getting into?” I asked softly, eyes darting between her and Mama.
“We were talking about her barn venue ideas,” Reagan replied. For the first time in a long time, there was a glint of excitement in her eyes. “I offered my services.”
“Services?”
“Photography, duh.”
I pinched her backside as punishment for the sass but said, “How’s that going to work?”
“Well, if I’m making Dusk Valley home, I’m going to need to find work?—”
“You don’t have to,” I cut in quickly.
She glared, as if she’d ever let me support her. I held up my free hand in surrender.Fair enough. The truth was, Reagan’s self-sufficiency and at times reckless independence was one of the things I loved most about her.
“I figured, if we’re going to open the barn up to events, it might be a good idea to offer up a photographer as well. A sort of package deal.”
