It was not a whim. It was a serious calling for him. “I’m sorry,” I apologized, realizing I’d been somewhat of an ass—maybe more than somewhat—all day.
“It’s fine. I realized after they cut me out of their lives––”
“I’m not sorry about them.” But that wasn’t right. “Wait no, I am sorry about them,” I amended, “but what I mean is, I’ve been an ass today.”
“Maybe a little,” he agreed, but I noted the smile even with his eyes closed now. “But mostly you’ve been charming and kind, and you saved me from getting beaten up, saved me from being impaled by flying pieces of wood, chased away a peeping Tom, and you’re trying to get to the bottom of the mystery that is my slightly strange life in this charming, though sometimes strange, town.”
“I promise I’ll be better tomorrow. I won’t snicker or roll my eyes. I understand this is serious to you and Sian and Delly, and I have no right to make fun, even if I do think it’s a bunch of crap.”
“I appreciate that,” he whispered.
“Tell me what you meant about your family,” I pressed him. “You were saying how you felt about them.”
“I was?”
“Lemme guess,” I offered, giving him a gentle squeeze. “Once your folks and your brother weren’t there in your life, you figured out you didn’t miss ’em.”
He nodded. “That’s exactly right. I realized they’d never even been there to begin with.”
“And no friends you missed?”
“Justin had friends, I really didn’t. I had acquaintances, nothing more. The last time I had friends was in college. I probably should have stayed in Berkeley instead of moving back home to Portland, but I realize everything happens for a reason. All roads led to Rune.”
I suspected that here, in this town, he had a sense of community and friends, and he hadn’t had that in years. It was precious to him, and I understood why he wasn’t leaving anytime soon.
“You seem happy here,” I commented.
“I’m happy right this second,” he said with a deep sigh.
I was going to correct him and clarify I meant in the town, but it wasn’t necessary, and I didn’t want to break the quiet spell that had settled over us.
The little snore—he was still stuffed up a bit—let me know he was out. When I carried him to bed and put him under the covers, he didn’t stir. Getting my laptop out of the duffel before turning off the light on my way out, I got comfortable at the kitchen table and started writing my report for my boss. Jared called it a journal, which reminded me of seventh grade and having a daily writing prompt, but it was actually a log of what had gone on throughout the day. Sometimes it was hard to get more than three lines out because I’d been on assignments where watching paint dry would have been more exciting. But this time, I got to explain about guys cooking meth, an inept deputy, Delly needing a scholarship to go to college, Sian and Christopher, ghost hunting, and of course, the fact that our client was in mortal danger. Lastly, I told him to tell Nash to use my hockey tickets. I wasn’t going to make it home for the next game.
8
Benji’s couch was not comfortable. In fact, torture device was applicable. I felt broken. But in defense of the piece of furniture, I was not made to sleep crumpled on a couch that was six inches shorter than I was. The fault lay with me.
“Shit,” I groaned, getting up in intervals because all at once would have killed me dead. The knock on the front door was more of an annoyance than anything else, since I was the one who had to stagger over there, hand on the small of my back like I was ninety years old, and put my eye to the peephole. “Do I know you?” I muttered, unlocking the door and staring at Rais Solano. “I feel like I do, but the guy I know who looks like you would not be in fuckin’ Oregon.”
“Why are you grouchy when I brought you a security system?”
“Which is great and all, but why’re you here?”
“You should be nicer,” he warned playfully, passing me a large covered cup with a protective sleeve.
“You’re right,” I agreed, giving him an almost whimper of happiness. “Don’t think I’m not happy to see you, because I am, but again, why are you here?”
“Owen said he needed to get you this security system today since he felt you couldn’t effectively do your job unless you knew your client was safe. All his regular couriers were booked, and none of the shipping services could make it happen until Monday, so he asked for volunteers. I was the only one without a current case, so I hopped on a plane.”