Page 91 of Now and Then

“Oh, sweet man, you don’t know how Greer functions.” Sutton leans into me with a dramatic sigh. “She plans to decorate the day after Halloween. I’m already exhausted thinking about it.”

A cool breeze sweeps past, and Sutton shivers. I tighten my arm around her. “Let’s get you home, baby girl.”

“Oh no,” she says with a huge yawn. “Don’t you be starting any of that.”

“Any of what?” I ask coyly as I open her car door and help her inside.

“You know exactly what, baby.” She lays her head back against the headrest. “Tonight was a lot and—”

“No need to explain, Sut,” I say. “But you better be prepared for me to snuggle the fuck out of you.”

The ride back to her place is comfortable. The emotional weight of our earlier confessions have evaporated.

“You’re a good man, Hunter,” she whispers.

I kiss the back of her hand.

“And you’re the best kind of woman.”

18

Hunter

The station is abuzz today. Has been all week. Everything from vandalism of holiday displays, unruly teens trashing jack-o’-lanterns, and parties featuring underage drinking. Chris hasn’t even had a chance to grill me about how the Halloween party went with Sutton. I sit back in my chair, unsure of which project to start on, my desk already filled with an array of files and paperwork.

Most of the time, I love my job and know it’s what I’m meant to do with my life. But whenever Halloween rolls around, I wonder if I should have gone into a less stressful profession. Halloween is chaotic as is, but it landing on a Friday this year will only make things worse. I’m hopeful that after tomorrow, the crazy will diminish. It’d be nice to spend time with my woman and not have us both passing out before eight o’clock.

A smile forms on my lips as I think of Sutton. Coming home every night to her is a dream come true even if it’s not to our house. I look forward to hearing about her day and what project she’s working on. She’s already in full planning mode for the big open house after the remodel is complete, bouncing between room design, furniture deliveries, and a punch list that doesn’t seem to get any shorter.

Half the house is still in transition, with tools everywhere and rooms half finished, but she doesn’t seem to mind. If anything, she thrives in it. It’s nice to see her excited about her work again.

I pull my phone out and fire a text to her.

Me: You think my coworkers would notice if I left and moved to an island somewhere?

Sutton: I’m pretty sure the entire town would notice.

Sutton: Busy day?

Me: Yeah. I’m ready to be home with you.

Sutton: You’ll be glad to know the master is almost done.

“Michaels, get in here,” Chief yells from his office.

I groan inwardly at his summons. I’m texting a response when Chief pokes his head out of his office, glaring at me in a way that makes me fear for my life. Begrudgingly, I pocket my phone and join him.

“Sit down, Michaels,” he says. “We’ve got new intel.”

I don’t need to ask what intel he’s referring to. After my talk with Logan, we’ve been looking into Jack Daley. He’s been very cooperative so far with our questions, but I’m not altogether convinced he’s not involved with what’s going on here.

I pull out a chair and take a seat. “Talk to me.”

“Just got a call from Deputy Harris. Sounds like Jack’s brother, Bill, is in town.”

“Want me to go talk with Jack again? See if Bill is there? Maybe he knows something. Logan said he was busted for dealing in some coastal town, Sunset Cove.”

“Don’t go alone,” he says, eyes focused on his computer.