Ready to Die (Alvarez & Pescoli)

So what else was new?

Hattie chose to ignore her some more along with the other passersby who sent them curious looks.

“That was stupid!” Mallory announced.

“It wasn’t stupid,” Hattie disagreed. “It was . . . rash.”

“Stupid.” Mallory lifted her little chin up a notch and confided in her uncle, “She knows better.”

Cade barked out a laugh. “Well, if she didn’t before, I’d bet she does now.” He winked at McKenzie, who, now embarrassed, turned away.

“I want to see Grizz!” she insisted.

Mallory rolled her expressive eyes. “Oh, brother.”

“Maybe I want to see him, too,” Cade said.

Hattie held up a hand. “You don’t have to—”

“Do anything. I know. But I’m thinking I haven’t seen how the big boy’s been decked out this year.”

Before she could protest, he took Mallory’s hand and, when the light changed again, crossed the street with her in tow. McKenzie, still embarrassed and slightly petulant, held her mother’s fingers and followed after.

By the time they’d wended through a few other pedestrians

and had stepped on the sidewalk, McKenzie’s mood had shifted back to her usual effervescence. “Come on!” she cried, pulling Hattie, obviously not wanting her twin to get to the bear first.

Too late. Cade held the door open and Mallory shot through, McKenzie three steps behind.

“Wow!” Mallory cried, clapping her hands at the sight. The massive grizzly bear, teeth exposed in a frightening snarl, stood tall on his hind legs. This year he was dressed in a long white nightshirt and cap, glasses perched upon his black nose. In one of his huge, outstretched paws was a copy of The Night Before Christmas, his long claws visible beneath the opened pages. Behind the enormous bear, half hidden on fake stairs, a smaller bear was hiding.

“He’s beautiful,” McKenzie whispered.

“Beautiful?” Cade cast a glance in Hattie’s direction and their eyes locked for a heartbeat. In that split second, she was reminded of happier times.

Before the lies.

Before her marriage.

Before the accusations.

Before Bart had died.

She swallowed hard and looked away. Those were times she’d be better off forgetting.

“I don’t know if beautiful is the word I’d use,” Cade said, eyeing the bear again. “Comical maybe, still kind of scary, but beautiful? Sorry, cowgirl, that’s a stretch.”

“You’re being silly, Uncle Cade,” McKenzie said.

“Or worse,” he agreed, and again he hazarded a look Hattie’s way.

The silence stretched between them, awkward and embarrassing. A bit softly, she said, “The girls and I are having an early dinner here and, as you heard, ice cream later. If you want to join us, you’re certainly welcome.”

“Yessss!” Mallory said enthusiastically.

“Sorry, princess.” He shook his head. “I can’t. Not today. I’ve got to see your Uncle Dan at the hospital.” Then to Hattie, “The sheriff’s department is holding a press conference tonight. I want to be there.” He leaned down to Mallory’s level and said, “So I’ll have to take a rain check on dinner.”

“What’s a rain check?” She skewered him with her suspicious gaze.