Page 54 of Wildflower and Whiskey
Becket whistled low. “Riley Jansen. That skinny little punk. Always thought he’d end up face down in trouble, but dragging Elyna and her kid into it?” He shook his head. “That’s another level of garbage.”
Dad’s gaze locked on me. “She told you all this today?”
I nodded. “She was working a shift at the brewery, and I found her in the backroom shaking, Dad. I’ve never seen her like that.”
Something in his face softened for just a moment before it hardened again. “All right. Here’s what we’re going to do.” He laid it out like he was moving pieces on a chessboard.
“First, we need documentation. Every call, every message, every visit from Riley or Colette needs to be recorded. Exactwords, times, dates. Without a record, we’ve got nothing to work with.”
“Already started keeping them,” I said. Growing up with a police officer for a dad meant we all knew certain parts of the law, either from Dad telling us stories about what was going on in town and what had to be done, or because he liked to ensure we knew the law.
“Good. Keep it meticulous.”
“Second, you and Elyna need to go to the daycare in person tomorrow. Bring photos of Riley and Colette. Make it clear only Elyna picks up Braden. Daycare staff get soft hearts for grandparents, but one mistake can cost them.”
“Not happening,” I cut in. “We’ll make it clear.”
Dad nodded. “Third, the loft. What’s her security like?”
“Deadbolt. That’s it.”
“Not enough. Reinforce the doorframe. Install a security bar. If you can manage a camera feed, do it. Nothing fancy, just enough to send a message that she’s not alone.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
Becket gave me a sideways look. “Guess you’re playing house then, huh?”
I shot him a glare sharp enough to cut steel. “This isn’t a joke.”
His grin faded. “Didn’t say it was. Just pointing out you’re already halfway moved in, brother.”
Dad ignored him and I tried to also because I knew what he was saying. I’d gone from being anti-relationship to dating a single mom. “Fourth, you don’t escalate. If Riley shows his face, you call us. Do not try to handle him yourself. He’s reckless, yes, but that makes him unpredictable. Let the law handle him.”
My jaw tightened. Every instinct in me wanted to break Riley’s nose the second he set foot in town. But Elyna didn’t need me in cuffs, she needed me steady.
“I understand,” I said the words, even though they felt like I was tasting gravel.
For a long moment, the three of us sat in silence. Then Becket leaned forward, elbows braced on his knees. “You know what this means, right? You’re in it now. Elyna’s not just someone you’re warming the sheets with. She’s yours. That kid. . .” His voice softened, rare for him. “That kid already looks at you like you hung the moon.”
My throat went tight.
Dad’s voice cut in, quieter but firmer. “You’ve always been the serious one, Phoenix. The steady one. Elyna doesn’t need a savior; she needs someone who shows up. Every day. No matter what.”
Show up.
Two simple words, heavier than anything I’d ever carried.
I nodded. “I will.”
“Okay, I have paperwork to deal with. We have a plan in place. If Jansen shows up, you call us.”
“I’ll keep an eye on things around town,” Becket said.
I clapped him on the shoulder. “Thanks, brother.”
“No need to thank me, that’s what family’s for. Elyna always liked to do things on her own, but she has the Thornes behind her,” Becket continued.
“She’s going to appreciate that now. She was really shaken up,” I said.
