Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
“Video chatting Charlie, you mean.” Like all of us, Knox had heard all about Holden’s new nephew over the last few months. And like Knox’s new baby brother across town, Charlie was apparently the most brilliant of infants. Luckily, both babies produced super cute pictures for us to admire.
“Charlie needs to come down and meet baby Keller,” I suggested, summoning enthusiasm I didn’t much feel. Although Holden’s younger brother was closer in age to me, I’d always connected more with Holden and his friend group for worthy reasons I refused to think about right then. “It would be nice to see Greg again.”
“Ha. I’ll remind him Safe Harbor also has coffee now.” Holden chuckled.
“Who’s hungry?” Holden’s mother swooped out of the kitchen, and the next hour or so was a flurry of food prep and getting the grill ready on Holden’s patio. Cold beverages flowed as smoothly as the small talk, and I let the afternoon swirl around me, the nearness of my friends as restorative as ever.
By the time I spied Cal creeping through the glass patio doors, I was in a far better mood and not about to ruin his surprise, so I hung back, waiting for the moment Holden spotted his guy.
And it didn’t disappoint. Cal came up behind Holden, putting his hands on Holden’s shoulders, and the way joy washed over his every chiseled feature was a thing of true beauty and hope.
Everyone should find someone to look at them the way Holden gazed up at Cal, head tipping back. “You made it.”
“Told you I would, baby.” Cal bent to give Holden a sound kiss before holding up a bulging white paper sack. “Picked up some ice cream on my way into town. The line was ridiculous but worth it for the Fourth of July flavors.”
“How was the…trip?” Holden’s mom asked delicately as she brought him a big glass of iced tea.
“The recovery went well.” Cal gave her an indulgent smile. He loved Holden, that much was clear, but he absolutely doted on Holden’s mom, going along to fetch her home a few weeks back and helping reopen her house, putting in hours of yard work so everything was just-so for her return to Safe Harbor. “Police department in rural Idaho trying to crack a cold case. Low on funds and leads. We used lift bags to turn and bring up a car. Always exciting to recover a whole vehicle. And a lot of valuable evidence for the investigation. Can’t wait to explain it all on the next episode of Holden’s podcast. My team did good.”
“You’re getting a regular little crew now.” Holden’s mom busied herself fixing Cal a plate. “Tell Heidi to come around next time Marley’s in town.”
“Matchmaking?” Holden chuckled before shifting his attention back to Cal, so much pride and love in his eyes. “Good work. I’m so proud of you. Mom’s getting you some food. What else do you need?”
“You.” Setting the ice cream on the picnic table, Cal plopped himself down on Holden’s lap as the group gave another collective awwww. “Are we celebrating?” Cal asked Monroe from his perch on Holden’s lap. He took a sip of tea, apparently in no rush to find an actual chair. “Holden told me about the book deal on the phone the other night.”
“We’re celebrating,” Knox answered for Monroe, as proud of his guy as Holden was of Cal. With good reason too. Monroe now had a fancy literary agent, one who specialized in true crime and thrillers. And as of a few days ago, he now had a big book deal for his work on the Stapleton case.
“My book deal is good news. As is the confession, but it feels weird being happy.” Monroe sighed, crinkles appearing around his striking eyes. He’d earned that deal, being the only one to get the serial killer to talk, breaking his cryptic movie quote code, and gathering enough information for the task force to bring the case to a close with a whimper of a plea deal, not the bang of a conviction or drama of a big trial.
“Yeah,” I echoed weakly. If any other friend had sold a book deal, I would have arrived with a cake or some small gift, but like Monroe himself, I hadn’t been sure how to celebrate this development. “Not sure what to feel.”
“Life is complicated,” Cal said pragmatically, leaning back against Holden, who held him fast. “We can be happy for you and relieved at the resolution for the case and still sad for the loss.”
“Not sure on resolved.” I studied my half-eaten veggie burger as if it might yield more answers than my troubled brain. Ordinarily, I’d totally agree with Cal on the complexity of life, beautiful and terrible all at once, but this matter was different. “I see your point, but…”