“Mom, I’m going out for a bit,” I yell from the front door as I’m heading to my truck. I shut the door, but before I can reach the truck, I hear my mom running to catch me. “Where are you going Dean? I thought you could help me make a list of the menu for Thanksgiving and then we could grab lunch and go to the grocery store, make sure I have all of your favorites while you’re here this week.” I stop and turn to face her, giving her my biggest smile. “I already have lunch plans with Ivie today.”

Mom claps her hands and lets out a little squeal. “That’s so exciting! I had no idea you two were talking again.” I hold my hand up to stop her. “We just ran into each other the other night at High Road. This is just lunch, not a marriage proposal.”

“Honey, it could be the start of a good thing for you two! Ivie was always the sweetest girl. Pretty, too. I know you really cared about her once upon a time. Maybe you can reignite that flame. She’d be good for you. It’s about time you settled down anyway.” She crinkles her nose. “I don’t like you playing the field as they say.”

I walk up to her and wrap her in a hug. “We’ve talked about this, Mom. My personal life is just that—personal.” She kisses me on the cheek before letting me go.

“I’m not getting any younger, son. I want grandkids while I’m still young enough to play with them.” I turn for my truck and get in waving to her before I start it up. “Bye, Mom, love you.”

She blows me a kiss and heads back into the house. Mom isn’t totally wrong. I am looking to settle down. I know it’s time, and I’ve always loved Ivie. She was the one that got away. Or the one I drove away.

I’m not who I was back in high school, though. I’ve grown up. Maybe I can get Ivie to see that, if Sterling doesn’t step in. I swear he always had a thing for her. Last night was proof enough of that. But did she return those feelings? I have no clue. If she did, she never let on to me or around me. Does she now?

I breathe out as I turn into Frank’s Diner. The place hasn’t changed much. It’s always had the best burger and shakes around. I see a black Jeep pulling in. My gut twists a little, because I’m sure it’s her. “Calm down, Warren, you can handle this. It’s just Ivie.”

She gets out. The wind catches her hair and blows it back so I can see her beautiful face better. She’s wearing tight blue jeans and a green shirt with a black jacket. She searches the parking lot until her gaze lands on me getting out of my truck. Instantly my heart beats a little faster as she walks toward me, waving.

 

 

When I spot Dean getting out of his truck, I wave at him. Time has been kind to him. He’s always been good looking, but now he’s downright handsome. He’s wearing a red baseball cap and a navy-blue hoodie and jeans—jeans that hug him in all the right places. He’s bigger than he used to be, by a lot. Looks like he works out frequently.

I reach him at the front of his truck, and he gives me another hug. He presses me to him so tight I can feel his pecs and abs through his hoodie. Yep, definitely working out. I smirk, knowing he can’t see my face. I breathe him in before pulling back. He still smells the same.

“You look beautiful, Ivie.” He grins. There’s that cocky smile of his—the one that used to make me melt. “Thanks, Dean. You’re looking good yourself,” I throw back at him.

“You ready to go inside?” he asks.

“Sure, let’s go. I’m always ready for a burger and shake here.” I laugh as I lead the way in.

I pick a booth by the window as the waitress gets our drink orders. “Ivie Davis,” he says, grinning from ear to ear. “It’s been too long. What have you been doing?” The waitress drops off our drinks and gets our food orders.

I sip on my Coke before answering. “I’ve been living in Camden Springs. I write for the C.S. Journal there.”

He smiles. “I can totally see you doing that. You always loved reading and writing.”

“What are you doing now, Dean?” I see a little flicker of excitement in his eyes. “I’m a firefighter in Coffee County. Been there for a few years now; I’m a lieutenant. I really like it. Although, I have to admit, the fire chief here has been trying to get me to move back home and work for him. My parents are on his side, too.”

“That’s so awesome Dean, really.” The waitress drops off our burgers and fries and chocolate shakes. We always ordered our shakes with our food, so they’re just soft enough when we’re done eating. “Are you thinking about it? Coming home, I mean?”

He looks at me with a guarded expression. “I have been. That’s why I took the whole week off. Just wanted to test out how it felt to be home for more than a day or two at a time. And maybe check out apartments, keeping my options open.”

We finish eating. “What about you? Are you staying in Camden Springs? Or are you entertaining coming back home?” That catches me by surprise. I don’t know how to answer.

“To be honest, I didn’t think I could ever come back. Too much happened before I left. I just needed a different life. But my mom has been begging me to come back. She says Jake Boyd would love me to work with him here. After being here the last several days, I don’t know what I want anymore. But for now, I’m here, same as you, for Thanksgiving, and staying a little longer because we’re throwing my dad a surprise retirement party next Friday.”

“Come to think of it, I think I saw an invitation at my parent’s house for that. So, your dad’s retiring, huh?” he asks curiously. “Yeah, he finally decided it was time. Hey, you should come to the party if you’re off that day. It’s at Paris Hall. And it’s formal.” I laugh, flicking my eyes to his.

“That sounds like it could be fun. I think I can swing that,” he says.

I look up at him from my shake. “You always did like a good party.” I can’t help but laugh out loud at him. He shakes his head and laughs with me.

“There’s a lot that has changed about me over the years, Ivie. I’m better than I used to be. Speaking of, I feel like I should apologize for the way I was at the end.”

I wave my hand in the air to dismiss the rest of what he’s saying. “There’s no need Dean, really. That was so long ago. We were still kids.”

“That may be, but I still haven’t found anyone that makes me feel the way you did.” His eyes stare right into mine, and I have no clue what to say. So I say nothing.

“Are you seeing anyone?” he asks. My food is going to come back up. I smile and swallow it down.

“I’m not exactly sure how to answer that,” I reply honestly.

His eyebrows slam together. “What does that mean?”

“It’s, well, it’s complicated.” That’s the truth. This is not a conversation we should be having.

He puts his hand on mine on the table. “If it’s that complicated, maybe it’s not right.” I give him another small smile and pull my hands into my lap.

My phone suddenly dings. Thank goodness for small favors. I pull it out and see a message from my dad.

Hey pumpkin, do you mind running by my office? Need your help.

I look up at Dean. “That’s my dad. He needs me to run by his office. I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

Dean smiles. “Let me just pay for our lunch, and I’ll walk you out to your Jeep.”

I reach into my purse for my wallet. “That’s not necessary Dean, I’ve got mine.” His hand closes over mine again.

“Please Ivie, it’s my treat.” He gets up and heads to the cash register.

I go ahead and step outside into the cool air. After a few minutes, he’s standing beside me. I start to shiver with the wind whipping around me. He puts his arm around my shoulders and brings me to his side as we walk to my Jeep.

“It was good catching up, V. I’d like to try to see you again this week if we can manage it. But if not, I’ll try to come to the party for your dad next week.” As we reach my Jeep, he turns me around to face him and pulls me in close. He looks from my eyes to my lips. For a moment, I think he’s going to kiss me. Instead, he kisses my forehead and lets me go.

I smile at him. “It was nice catching up, Dean. Sounds like I’ll see you around.” He smiles back at me and opens my Jeep door for me. I get in, and he shuts it before walking to his truck.

What in the world just happened? Dean is acting interested in me again. If it was complicated before, it just got worse. Someone please save me from the heartbreak I’m sure is coming.

My phone dings again. Blocked.

Don’t think Sterling will like knowing Dean wants you back. Or that he was that close to you. Don’t worry, he’ll find out. Maybe Dean will find out about you and Sterling too. Then you may lose them both.

I lock my phone and feel my head start to ache.

 

 

I look at the pictures on my desk. My beautiful wife and my beautiful daughter. The most important people in the world to me. These threats I keep getting—I truly don’t know who is doing this to me and my family. But I’m pretty sure I know why.

I’m not a perfect man. But I’m an honorable one. I’ve always tried to right my wrongs. But some can’t be rewritten. I do have one secret that haunts me. I don’t know how I should feel about it, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings. I don’t know if it’s better kept hidden, or if it’s better to own up to it.

It’s not just about me. I don’t want to disappoint my family. I know if I ever tell them, or they find out, it’ll change everything forever.

Ella, my receptionist, buzzes my phone. “Detective Brigg is here to see you.” I close my eyes. He’s good at his job. Maybe a little too good. He’s circling what I’m hiding.

“Send him in, Ella. My daughter is on her way here too, just send her in when she arrives.” She responds, “Yes, sir.”

My door opens, and Sterling walks in. “Judge Davis.” He nods at me.

“Please just call me Rhett, have a seat.” I wave my hand to the seat across from me. “What can I do for you today, Detective?”

He pins his eyes on me. I can sense he’s close to what I hope I won’t have to tell. Closer than before. His stare would intimidate a lesser man, but not me. I’ve stared down some of the worst criminals society has to offer in my courtroom over the years.

“I wanted to ask about Steve McCree.” He doesn’t give away what he’s thinking.

“Okay, what about him?”

“I paid him a visit. The sentence he received from you seemed a little harsher than normal, given his clean record and it being his first offense. I asked him why he thinks he got that sentence, and he said I should ask you. So here I am— asking you.”

I take a moment to collect my thoughts. “The two charges that night were his first, you’re correct. To be quite honest, I was harsher, hoping it would teach him a lesson.”

Sterling’s eyes narrow. “What lesson would that be exactly?” Before anything else is said, Ivie walks in.

“Hey Daddy. I was just…” She’s dropping her phone in her purse before stopping in her tracks upon seeing Sterling. We both stand.

“Hey pumpkin. I’m sorry I didn’t realize Detective Brigg needed to see me when I asked you to come.”

“Oh, okay. Should I come back later?” I round the desk to give her a hug. “No, that’s okay. I was just going to talk to you about surprising your mom with something on Thanksgiving, but we can talk about it later.”

Sterling chimes in. “We were about done anyway. I’d like you to narrow down anyone you’ve been in close competition with over the years, though, if you don’t mind, out of the list you gave me. We may have been looking at these threats from the wrong angle.”

I smile tightly at him. “I can do that. I’ll work on it and get it to you.”

Sterling heads toward the door. “I’ll be in touch.” He stops and looks at Ivie before walking out.

That boy has feelings for my daughter. I knew he did all those years ago. Part of me wishes she could stay here and try to have something real with him; he’s a good guy. But I don’t want her in danger because of me. My family has been in the spotlight in this town for years.

“Since he left, do you want to talk about that surprise for Mom?” Ivie grins at me.

“Sure baby, sit down.” She does and we start talking about our family Thanksgiving and what I’m hoping to add to it for my wife.