Page 107 of Marked By Shadows
“The universe probably not, but his? Sure. That boy traveled five hours to hang out with you and all your nerdiness. Serial killers aside, I think that’s love.” She ran her fingers through my hair, playing with it a little like she was fixing it, but there was little she could do to tidy up the small ponytail I had holding it back.
“He said he loves me.”
“Yeah?”
“I told him I love him too.”
“How’d that feel?” She wanted to know.
“Right.”
“Good.”
“What about you and Lukas?”
She huffed out a long sigh and went to start pulling things from bags. “Work in progress.”
“But you’re not giving up, right?”
“Of course not. Do you know how fine that man is? Sure he’s got a few issues, but don’t they all?”
“He quit the force.”
“Yeah, butted heads with his sergeant. Had a feeling it was coming.”
“Over Alex?”
“Yes, and no. Sounds like he was along for an arrest and the arrest went bad. At least Lukas wasn’t hurt. But whatever happened turned everything upside down. He came home really upset and told me he’d handed in his badge. I spent the rest of the day looking up PI stuff for him and feeding him Oreos.”
“Oreos do make things better,” I agreed.
“Ben and Jerry’s is better.”
“Unless you’re lactose intolerant like me.”
“True. But at least you guys are home safe now. The house thing was a surprise. He asked me to tour it with him. Happened so fast I didn’t even get to read cards on it.”
“Uh oh.”
“Right?” She shook her head, stacking some of the fabrics in separate piles based on type. “It needs work. Still has some water damage from Katrina.”
“Wow. Did you do a card reading since?”
“Of course. The house is haunted, but it doesn’t appear to be anything dangerous.”
“Mhmm.” A haunted house, a new job, and far too much time to focus on Alex. I had to admit I was a little worried about Lukas.
Alex and Lukas came in, carrying the new sewing machine. They set it down near the dining room table. I’d have to unbox it and find a good desk. It was then I noticed a stack of files on the table. “What’s all that?” I asked Lukas as they headed toward the door.
“Tips on where Alex was,” he said.
“In the month he was gone?” The stack was at least five inches thick. No way one man could go that many places in a month.
“The past year, since he got out of the military.”
Alex paused too, looking at the pile. “I told you all about that.”
“Mhmm,” was all Lukas said.
