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FEBRUARY 2015
“You look wonderful, Lucas! So big and strong. Are they pushing you too hard?”
Standing in the middle of baggage claim, I chuckle as my mother hugs me for the third time. Between my Americorps stint and acceptance to Quantico, I haven’t been home for almost two years. I would have stayed in Virginia until after training ends in May, but I was granted a leave for two days for my grandfather’s funeral.
I hardly knew Reginold Donovan. However, as a last-minute Hail Mary, I’d gone to him for help when I’d needed it most. With his connections, my grandfather made my files from the hacking incident disappear. It’s the only time I’ve ever used the Donovan name to get something I wanted. I might have promised him a bunch of bullshit, that I’d shoot for the stars and work toward becoming deputy director or some shit. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him, especially now.
Still, I owe the man my respect.
Hoisting my suitcase from the conveyor belt, I pull out the handle and set it upon the floor. “How’s Dad?”
Mom sighs. “As good as can be expected. Uncle Gary and Aunt Margo arrived two days ago, so you can imagine how crazy it is.”
My eyebrows arch. “Are they staying at the house, too?”
“God, no.” She gives me a shaky laugh. “I’m not sure our humble home is worthy of their backsides.”
“So, I take it they haven’t changed.”
“Not a chance.”
As we walk to the car, my nerves tingle. I hate being back in Detroit. Two years wasn’t long enough to erase the memories of the Christmas party from hell.
It doesn’t help that Christy still emails and texts me like we’re best friends. I never answer them. Apparently, she has this delusion that we’ll somehow end up together.
Dodged a great big fucking bullet there. I’m on to better things.
The Bureau’s rigorous application process wasn’t easy. After graduation, I escaped my prison walls and spent nine months with the AmeriCorps at the southwestern border helping Central American refugees. It was grueling work, but I learned a lot. The research I did was instrumental in helping me finish my thesis.
Best of all, I wasn’t here.
As my mom starts her car and exits the airport terminal, she clears her throat. “I have to tell you something.”
Adrenaline shoots through my veins as my chest tightens. That doesn’t sound good. In all the years I’ve known my mother, she’s never started a sentence like that. Worst case scenario?
Something has happened to Penny.
I grip the arm rests. “Oh shit, what?”
Pressing her lips together, she sighs. “Hannah Sparks committed suicide.”
Prickles radiate through every cell of my body. I shake my head, unable to fully process the information. “Oh my God. When?”
“Two weeks ago. Julia Mefford called me.”
I frown. “I didn’t think you still talked to her.”
Mom furrows her brow. “That’s your reaction to such horrible news?”
Raking my fingers across the back of my neck, I mutter, “You’re right. I’m sorry. What happened to Hannah?”
“She overdosed. She’d just been released from the hospital. She wasn’t well.”
That’s a subtle way of putting it. Hannah hadn’t been well even when we were kids. I swallow. “How are her parents doing with everything?”
“They’re taking it one day at a time. They didn’t hold a funeral for her, just a simple memorial. Joe and I paid our respects.”
“So, you saw Christy there.”
She gives me a sidelong glance. “Of course. We met her fiancé.”
I sit up. “She’s engaged?” Interesting. She never mentions that in her texts.
“Seems so. Dr. Nathan Price. He’s a resident working with Dr. Mefford. Christy’s teaching at one of the elementary schools outside Rosedale Park.”
I smirk. “Wow. Moving up in the world.”
She chuckles. “Apparently. So that news doesn’t bother you?”
Inhaling deeply, I release my breath and grin. Ah, sweet freedom. “Not in the least. Maybe she’ll stop trying to contact me now.”
Caroline sighs. “I’m not so sure about that. I’m afraid that girl was a little too possessive of you.”
Huh. And I thought I was the only one who saw that.
As we exit the highway and turn into Rochester Hills, I glance around. Everything looks the same, but it somehow feels different. Is that even possible?
My mother turns into our subdivision. As she hits the blinker to turn left onto our street, I smash my hands against the dashboard. “Shit! Stop!”
Mom slams on the brakes. “What? Did you forget something?”
Words elude me as I stare at the little craftsman-style house three doors down on the right. I point at the For Sale sign. “What the hell? Why didn’t you tell me?”
A look of pity crosses Mom’s face as she squeezes my knee. “I’m so sorry, darling. In the wake of everything, I forgot about it. Miranda’s dying. She’s in a nursing home. Since Colton and Penny don’t live here anymore, they put the house up for sale. They aren’t sure how much time Miranda has left.”
I shake my head. “I just talked to Colt a few weeks ago. He didn’t say anything about it.”
“I wouldn’t take it personally. He’s got plenty on his plate. I’m sure they don’t want to relive the horrible memories of living in that house.”
Isn’t that the truth? Life with Miranda Ramsay hadn’t been easy. Colt had sacrificed everything to be the man of the house after his father’s death. He’d supported himself during college. Still, Colt usually tells me everything.
Except details about his sister.
“What about Pen? Is she okay?”
She shakes her head sadly. “I don’t know anything about her, honey. I ran into Colton the day the realtor came. He didn’t mention Penny.” She smiles. “It sounds like he’s found a nice woman. I’m glad.”
I smile. “Me too.” After surviving the relationship break-up from hell, Colt recently found the love of his life and is living with her and her son in the Upper Peninsula. “It’s pretty serious. They’re getting married. He wants me to be his best man.”
“How nice! Do they know when?”
I shrug. “They’re working out the details. There’s still a foot of snow on the ground up there.”
Mom touches my arm. “Maybe they’ll wait until you’re finished with training.”
“That would be the best scenario, to be sure.”
“And Penny will be there, of course.” Her eyebrow arches. “You’ve all grown up. Perhaps it is time for new beginnings.”
Hope filters through me like a brand-new sunrise. I hadn’t thought of that. The timing is perfect. I’ll be finished with my training, and surely, she’s graduated from college.
Grabbing my mom’s hand, I squeeze. “I think it might be.”