The rest of the week has gone by in a blur. Between Kate’s bright presence missing and the contract gig, my days melt together, one endless boring hour after another. I throw myself into our current case load because when I’m not working my mind wanders to Will. I can’t believe he is gone. Maybe because I’m missing the memorial service it doesn’t seem real. I keep hoping I’ll wake up and discover it’s all been a cruel joke. I talked with Alex last night and we discussed planning a trip to Ohio later in the fall to visit his final resting place.

Buttoning my dress shirt, I catch my sour expression in the mirror. I hate dressing up. But tonight’s the gala and as much as I’d prefer to hunker down with some takeout and Netflix, I won’t miss Kate’s big night. Evie arranged for me to go with Carly, Tate’s older sister, and Evie’s parents are coming over to watch the boys so the adults can play. Tate and Carly’s parents live out of state so Carly rarely gets a night out at the same time as her brother. Evie’s parents have always been so supportive and loving. I spent more dinners at their house than my own in high school, and they welcomed me with open arms. I can only imagine they accept Tate, Carly, and her boys in the same manner.

I wander out to the kitchen once more, pulling the chilled dessert from the fridge to add the finishing touch. She’ll most likely find this corny as hell. I only hope to show her before it’s too late. I slide the pan back into the fridge. Don’t need it melting and risking a culinary fail.

Grabbing my jacket, keys, and wallet, I head out the door to my truck. Before I pull out I find a local radio station and bob my head to the twangy sounds. Country music. It always puts me in a better mood.

I pull up to Tate’s house just in time to see him and Evie drive down the street. I’ve only hung out with Carly a few times and she’s really a nice person. She’s beautiful and a good mom too. There’s just no spark. I’m pretty sure she feels the same, but I’m not certain. I made Evie swear she wasn’t playing matchmaker when she set this up for tonight. But I wouldn’t put it past my newly in love friend.

I pull at my collar as I walk to the door; before I reach the end of the driveway two smiling faces fling it open.

“Hi, Mister Jon!”

“Mama, Mister Jon is here and he looks sweaty!”

“Boys, let Mr. Jon come inside and let’s shut that door before we let out all your mama’s air conditioning.”

“Hi, Linda. It’s good to see you again.” I wrap the older woman in a big embrace.

“Get your hands off my woman and find your own.” Carl laughs from the couch.

“Hey, Carl. Good to see you too.” He stands to shake hands and then resumes his position on the couch. With the baseball game on I doubt he’ll move from that spot.

I’m more comfortable around Evie’s parents than my own. That may seem strange to an outsider but I consider myself lucky. They treat me like a son and I feel honored to be included in their happy family.

“How’s our girl on her big night? She nervous before she left? Oh, how proud I am of all you kids, but what an exciting time for Kate!” Linda’s eyes crinkle as a delighted smile plays on her face.

“I didn’t get to see her before she left.”

“Oh, well, be sure and tell her how excited we are. And she needs to bring those photos by to show me sometime.” Linda pauses to lower her voice. “Not that Carl here would appreciate looking at them.”

“I’ll be sure and tell her.” I laugh before dropping the volume in my own low voice. “Linda, can I ask you a question?”

“Certainly.”

“Do you keep in touch with Kate’s parents?”

“No, not really. They still live in the neighborhood but once the girls left for college we didn’t have a reason to get together. Besides, I never liked Paul. Something about him always rubbed me the wrong way. I did run into Judy the other day at the grocery store, though. Why do you ask?”

“No reason, just notice that Kate doesn’t seem to have much of a relationship with them.”

“Yeah, it’s strange. When I ran into her at the store she seemed to be fishing for information about Kate, but I wasn’t about to get in the middle of their family drama. It’s sad, really. I would’ve thought after all these years they could’ve moved past it.”

“Past what?”

“Some argument they had when Kate and Evie were away at the University of Colorado. I don’t know details. I only know Kate stopped coming home for summers. And spent a few Christmas breaks with us. Sad, really. Kate’s such a wonderful girl. I can’t imagine Evie or Melissa doing anything that would keep me from speaking to them.”

“Yeah. Well, you and Carl are the best. Not all parents put their kids first.” I swallow the bitterness that comes with that statement. I have good memories with my parents, when I was little. Before the fighting. Before the divorce. After that I always felt like more of a chess piece than their child.

“Oh, Jon,” Linda reaches over to grab my hand and squeezes once before releasing.

“I know you’ve been through a lot with your folks, but you’re a good man. We are so glad you are back, safe and sound.” I can see the moisture gather in her smiling eyes. It hits me that my time in the service has caused her to worry. This small moment is too emotional and too intense, and I change the subject.

“Thank you guys for babysitting tonight.”

“Of course! These boys are the best and it’s like bonus grandchildren for us. You can never have too many of those.” Linda smiles as Eli and Ezra assemble some sort of elaborate block tower.

“Whatcha guys building?” I squat down to examine their construction skills.

“This is where the ball goes. You have to do it right or they won’t go all the way down.” Ezra, the older boy explains.

“Mama says never put the balls in your mouth.” Eli adds with a very serious expression. I can’t fight the snicker that escapes.

“Yeah, I’d say that’s probably best.”

“It’s not funny, Mister Jon. Eli swallowed one last week. We only have five left. Mama says that’s dangerous and she’s not buying us any more.” He sends a warning glare to his brother. These kids are a riot.

“Hey, Jon.” I rise and take in Carly’s appearance. Hot damn. I let out a whistle and a blush creeps up her neck and stains her cheeks. I knew she was beautiful but I’ve never seen her in more than jeans and a tee or a pair of scrubs. She’s drop dead gorgeous. Every eye in that ballroom will be checking her out.

“Mama, you look like a princess.”

“Mama’s too old to be a princess. She looks like a queen,” Ezra adds, and earns a laugh from the adults.

“You ready?”

“Yep. Mr. and Mrs. Harper, I can’t thank you enough. I’ll have my cell so please call if you need anything. Boys, behave. I want a good report when I get back.” She lovingly leans down to give each boy a kiss before she nods my way.

I open the door and we walk down to the truck. I open the door and help her inside before jogging around the front to the driver’s side.

I turn the ignition and country music blasts through the speakers. I quickly turn it down.

“Please tell me you don’t listen to country.”

“You don’t like it?”

“God no! I’m more of a rock girl.”

“Sorry, must have slipped and pushed a button.” I quickly switch to my angry guitar rock.

“Sure. Slipped.” She laughs and I join in. “Don’t worry, Jon, you’re secret’s safe with me.”

“THANK YOU. IT’S SO NICE to meet you.”

It’s been a whirlwind of introductions since I arrived at the gala. My face hurts from smiling. Trent picked me up a few hours ago so we could arrive before most of the guests. Tonight’s charity event is being hosted at The Rocks, a swanky hotel tucked into the side of a desert mountainside. It’s smack dab in the center of the city but feels a million miles away. Bright colorful flowers and draperies decorate the ballroom, almost a juvenile color scheme to remind those attending the real purpose for gathering tonight.