23. Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Samuel

Fox wanted to take the pictures to the lab, and I wanted to run by the station and check in on things, so we agreed to meet at The Spotted Dog when we’d both finished.

The guys were all sitting around the table eating what looked like chili, and for a second there, I regretted telling Fox I’d meet him for lunch because Keith’s chili was delicious.

“Hey, guys, how are things?”

“Good, Chief,” Andy said. “You gonna join us for a bowl of chili?”

“Not today. I have to meet Fox.”

“I’ll put you back a bowl,” Keith said.

“Thanks. I’d appreciate that. Nobody makes chili like you do. I just wanted to stop in and make sure you guys didn’t need anything.”

“Nah,” Robert said. “We’re good. We’ll call you if we need you.”

“Good deal. I’m going to head on out then.”

I took the short drive over to the pub where Fox was waiting for me at a table. “Get everything dropped off at the lab?” I asked.

“I did. I don’t expect them to find anything, but better safe than sorry.”

“I agree.”

A few minutes later, our server, Alex, came over and handed us menus. “Hey, guys. What can I get you to drink?”

“Iced tea for me. How about you, Fox?”

“I’ll have Dr. Pepper .”

“Okay, I’ll be right back with those drinks.”

“So,” I said. “You think this Donovan kid is our guy?”

“I don’t know, but it feels right. What do you think?”

“I think it fits. The timing of his dad dying and the fires. Plus, it makes sense he would blame me because I refused to give him another chance.”

We stopped talking when Alex came with our drinks and took our order. Once she was gone, we went back to our conversation.

“When I dropped off the photos, I asked Carmine to see if he could track him down.”

“You know, maybe I should mention it to Hawk. They have IT people who can do things the cops can’t.”

“IT people or hackers?”

“I didn’t ask. I just know it’s something they can do.”

“It would help if we even knew if he was still in the area.”

“I’ll ask if there’s anything he can do.”

I looked around and noticed there was a pretty large group of guys from one of the other stations sitting near the bar. Don was their server, and he was carrying a tray loaded down with food. He set it on their table and started handing out food.

I tilted my head to one side and really looked at him. If you lost the glasses, shaved the beard, and added forty pounds—no, surely not. I pulled out my phone and looked at the shot I’d taken of the guy in the picture. Then I looked back at him. I mean, it could be. I just wasn’t sure.

I needed to find out what his full name was, but I couldn’t just ask him. There was no telling what he would do.

“Samuel, what is it?”

I didn’t want to say anything to Fox until I knew for sure. “Nothing, I just need to hit the head real quick. I’ll be right back.”

I made my way down the hall to the restrooms, but when I went by the door that led into the kitchen, I slipped inside and looked around. I was hoping to see either Bill or Ted. I spotted Bill in the back talking to the cook, and I made my way back there.

“Hey, Bill, you got a minute? I need a favor.”

“Sure, Sam. What can I do for you?”

“I had a question about one of your servers.” I could be wrong, and the last thing I wanted to do was cause problems for Don if he wasn’t, in fact, our guy.

“Is there a problem?”

“No, he just looks really familiar to me, and I’m trying to place him, but I don’t want to make it awkward if I have him mixed up with someone else.”

“Ah, I see.” The way he said that, I was betting he thought the kid had been a hook-up whose name I couldn’t remember, but if it got me the answers I needed, I didn’t really care what he thought. “Which one are we talking about?”

“Don.”

“Don? Really?”

“Yeah, what’s his last name? And do you know if he ever went to the fire academy?”

“Not that I know of. He did mention that his dad was a firefighter, though, so I guess it’s possible.”

My breath caught in my chest. This had to be him. “And his last name?”

“Masters, I think. No, that’s not right, Michaels. It’s Michaels.”

“Donovan Michaels? Do you know if he was working the day the Majestic burned? It’s important.”

A dish hit the floor with a loud crash. Bill and I both turned to see Don standing in the doorway. Our eyes met, and he dropped the tray with the rest of the dishes and ran.

“Don, stop!” I yelled and turned to go after him.

“What’s going on here?” Bill called after me, but I didn’t have time to explain.

Don must’ve heard enough of our conversation to know I suspected him, and now he’d made a run for it. I rushed after him, but I wasn’t quick enough, and by the time I made it to the back door, he was gone.

Fox must have heard the commotion and followed me. “What was all that about?”

“It hit me that ever since the first time I’d seen Don, I kept thinking I knew him from somewhere, but I couldn’t figure out where. Anyway, I thought I would just pop in and ask Bill what his last name was on the off chance that he was our guy.”

“Don?” Fox paused for a second, thinking about that possibility. “I guess if you added thirty or so pounds and a pair of glasses, it could be him.”

“Right, but I didn’t want to tip him off that I was on to him by asking him what his name was, so I went into the kitchen to ask Bill.”

“And he overheard?”

“Yep. Turns out, not only is his last name Michaels, but his dad was a firefighter. It’s him, Fox.”

“Okay, at least we know who we’re looking for. I’m going to talk to Bill and get his address. Then I’ll call Judge Chu and get a warrant for his residence.”

I was kicking myself for tipping Don off. It was going to make everything much more difficult for them to catch him, but there was nothing I could do about it now.

“Okay, I’ll go back to the station, I guess.”

“Or you could go home. My guess is, he’ll take off. But I don’t know that for sure, so it might not be a bad thing for you to lay low.”

“I’ll be fine at the station. I have some evaluations I need to get done by the end of the month.”

When I got back to the station, I got myself a bowl of Keith’s chili and then shut myself in my office, but I didn’t get right to work. First, I called Hawk and updated him on the situation. He said he would get one of his guys on the CCTV cameras around town to see if he could figure out where he went. He also promised to contact the guy he had on the shop and let him know just in case Don’s next move was to try and attack Mars.

When I was done talking to him, I took a minute and sent a text to Mars to make sure he was doing okay.

Me: Hey, Kitten. How are things? Mars: Fine here. Just getting everything ready for holiday shoppers. Me: It’s getting to be that time. Mars: It is. Me: I’ll let you get back to work. I just wanted to check in with you. Mars: Okay, I’ll see you at home.

With those things done, I opened up the computer and got to work on year-end evaluations. It wasn’t that my mind was really on what I was doing, but it was better than sitting around worrying.

A few hours later, I was thinking about calling it a day when Fox came in and sat down opposite my desk.

“He’s gone. We have every cop in the city looking for him. But, Samuel, it’s him. He has a shed out behind his house. Everything we need to convict him is there. The materials, plans… he even had blueprints of the Majestic and the fire academy. Everything.”

“So now we just have to find him.”

Mars

I heard the front door as it creaked open, then slammed shut, followed by the distinct sound of shoes hitting the floor. Samuel was finally home. I paused the video on my phone and sat up on the couch, resting my arms over the back as I peeked down the hall.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” I called, grinning at him, but he didn’t even crack a smile.

“Rough day?” I asked. I’d seen him on days when things had gone south, but I’d never seen him look so stressed.

“You could say that,” he muttered, heading straight for the kitchen.

I followed him, padding quietly on socked feet. I leaned against the counter, watching as he poured himself a glass of bourbon. He looked like he needed it.

“You look like someone just told you the world’s out of coffee,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.

He snorted softly. “Not far off.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“Yeah, but not yet. I want to decompress first.”

“You know what you need?” I wasn’t sure if he would go for it, but I thought it would help.

He eyed me skeptically. “What?”

“You need to meditate.”

He froze mid-sip and looked at me like I’d just suggested he take up competitive knitting. “Meditation? Really, Kitten?”

“Yes, Daddy, really,” I said, stepping closer and plucking the glass out of his hand before he could argue. “It’s good for stress, and I’m not the only one who thinks so. It’s scientifically proven, in fact.”

“I’m not exactly the clear your mind and breathe deeply type,” he said.

I smirked, tugging lightly on the front of his shirt to pull him closer. “Good thing I am. Come on, Samuel. Don’t knock it till you try it.”

He crossed his arms, towering over me, all stoic resistance. “You really think sitting in silence for ten minutes is going to fix everything?”

“No, but it might make you feel a little less like Atlas holding up the world. And bonus, it won’t be silent… you get to listen to my soothing voice.”

That earned me a reluctant chuckle. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you’re stubborn,” I shot back, grabbing his hand and pulling him into the living room before he could dig in his heels.

I pushed him onto the couch, ignoring his grumbled protests, and plopped down beside him, crossing my legs like a pretzel. “Okay. Close your eyes.”

“Mars—”

“Shh,” I said, pressing a finger to his lips. “Close. Your. Eyes.”

To my surprise, he did, though the way his jaw tightened said he wasn’t happy about it.

“Now…” I said, softening my tone. “Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth, and think about something peaceful. Like the ocean. Or me.”

He cracked an eye open. “You?”

I grinned. “I’m very peaceful. When I want to be.”

“Debatable,” he muttered, but he closed his eyes again.

“Okay, let’s start again. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Just focus on your breathing. The cool air coming in and filling your lungs and the warmth of the air as it rushes out of your mouth. Now again. In and out.”

I opened my eyes and looked at him to make sure he was following my instructions. When I saw that he was, I closed my eyes again and continued. “Now, as you continue to breathe, imagine a gentle, warm light resting right above your head. This light begins to spread, slowly moving down, easing away any tension it touches.

“Follow the light as it moves all the way down your body, letting all the tension drain out, leaving you feeling light, calm, and completely at ease. Now, take a moment to simply rest in this feeling. Breathe naturally, without effort, and let yourself just be.”

I opened my eyes and peeked at him. He was still sitting with his eyes closed, slowly breathing in and out, but the tension in his shoulders had eased a bit.

“Okay, now wiggle your fingers and your toes, and slowly open your eyes.”

He did as I said, and when he opened his eyes, I leaned back. “So how do you feel?”

He rolled his eyes, but there was a small, reluctant smile on his lips. “Fine. Maybe it wasn’t the worst idea. I do feel a little less stressed.”

“You hear that?” I said, throwing my hands up like I’d just scored the winning goal. “Samuel Sheridan admits I was right. Meditation isn’t the worst idea. This is a historic moment!”

“Don’t get used to it, Kitten,” he said, pulling me into his arms. “Besides, I’m not so sure it was the meditation as much as it was having you here with me. You’re like a balm to my soul.”

My breath caught. That was maybe the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to me, but I didn’t have time to say so before his lips were on mine, firm and unyielding in a way that made my knees weak—even when I was sitting.

I pulled back and smiled at him. “Now, do you want to tell me what happened to put you in such a bad mood?”

“Yeah, I do. Come help me fix dinner, and I’ll tell you all about it.”

The last thing I expected Tuesday morning was for Samuel to tell me he was going with me to the shop. When he’d told me about what happened with Don and how he felt responsible for the fact that the guy was on the run now, he’d mentioned being extra worried about my safety, but I figured the bodyguard he’d already arranged would have been enough. Apparently not.

“I’ll run by the station, do the morning meeting, and grab my computer. I have plenty of administrative work I can do from your shop. All I’ll need is a table and a chair.”

“You have no idea how noisy it gets up there sometimes.”

“Don’t you worry about that, Kitten. As long as I can see you’re safe, I’ll be fine.”

“Will you send Gator home then?” I asked. He told me what having Gator stand around outside my shop was costing him, but if he was going to be there, I didn’t see any reason for both of them to be there.

“No, Gator will be there again today. If we have a fire or if there’s anything at the station that needs my attention, I’ll have to leave, so I think it’s best he stays.”

A couple of hours later, I was pretty sure Samuel was regretting his current life choice. He’d insisted on staying in the front building with me instead of setting up in the workshop out back. I didn’t have any classes scheduled for today, so the workshop would’ve been empty, and he could have worked in peace.

We’d set him up at the table in the tea room, which was normally the busiest and most noisy place in the shop. So many people who came into the store were there just as much for the community as they were to shop, and today was no exception.

“So you think you get a better outcome if you start in the center and work out?” Millie Tatterson asked.

“I do, Miss Millie.” Samuel gave her a warm smile. “I did the tile in the half bath at my place, and I started on one side. To this day, I can tell the lines aren’t straight like they should be.” Samuel took another drink of the herbal tea, which I never expected him to even consider drinking.

That was thanks to Ronnie Robinson. He’d spent a good twenty minutes at the table this morning. Most of it trying to convince Samuel that if he was going to spend time with a young buck like myself, he needed to stock up on my vital-i-tea blend. I didn’t think Samuel needed any help, and I said so, but in the end—probably just to shut Ronnie up—Samuel caved and accepted a cup.

“Well, I guess you learn something new every day,” Millie said. “I’ll keep that in mind if I ever get around to doing my spare bathroom.”

It had actually been a fun day. I’d enjoyed Samuel’s reaction when he first entered the store. I don’t think most people knew what to expect when they came here. They heard metaphysical and thought it was going to be nothing but crystals and tarot cards and incense. And don’t get me wrong, I had plenty of those, but that wasn’t all my shop was. I also had Roxy’s crocheted animals, Tara Carrington’s macrame, and Jose Garza’s woodwork.

Then, once he got settled in at the table, I’d really gotten a kick out of watching him interact with everyone. I’d been concerned that it might make him uncomfortable since woo-woo wasn’t exactly his thing, and most of my customers were pretty much all in. I shouldn’t have been worried, though, because he was fitting right in.

And just as I decided it had actually turned out to be a good day, the universe had to toss me a curve ball.

“Marsy-pan, where are you?”

“Ugh,” I groaned, covering my face with my hands. Of all the days for my mother to show up, it had to be today.

But Samuel, of course, was right on it. “Dahlia, good to see you. It’s been what, ten years?”

“Since the boys’ graduation, yes, about that.”

“What are you doing here? I didn’t know you were planning to come to town today.” I wasn’t trying to be mean, but she never came to town without letting me know she was coming in case I needed something from the ranch.

“Well, it was an unplanned trip, but I couldn’t come to Vesper and not stop in and see how things were going. Plus, I wanted to make sure you were planning to attend our Festival of Plenty.”

“Festival of Plenty?” I asked. I had no idea what she was talking about, which wasn’t uncommon. She had a habit of acting like she’d already told me about things she’d never mentioned.

“Yes. It’s something new at the ranch this year. See, we have a new family, and they really wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving, and we found a compromise. We’re going to start having the Festival of Plenty at the ranch.”

“I already have plans for Thanksgiving, Dahlia. You never celebrate it, so I’m spending the day with Samuel and his family, so I won’t be able to attend, sorry.”

“Of course, you’d be welcome to join us,” Samuel said. He stepped up beside me, slipped his arm around me, then placed a kiss on the side of my head.

My mother stiffened slightly. “Oh, well, I see I’ve missed a little something here. I didn’t realize you staying with Samuel wasn’t just about the fire at your place. No wonder you wouldn’t come stay at the ranch.”

“Me not staying at the Wildflower Ranch had nothing to do with Samuel and everything to do with the fact that I don’t want to stay at the ranch.”

“I don’t know why not, Mars. It’s such a peaceful place—”

“Where you can spend time with nature and yourself.” I finished her favorite little tagline for the ranch. “I know, Mom, and I love the ranch for you. I’m so happy for you that you’re in a place that fits you and that you love. But it just isn’t for me.”

I don’t know if it was because I called her mom—even though she was the one who wanted to be called by her name—or because I acknowledged her love of the ranch, but her face softened, and she smiled at me.

“I know it isn’t, sweetie. I just wish you were there. I miss seeing your smiling face every day.” She took in a deep breath. “Well, tell me you’ll both be there for the solstice celebration at least.”

Samuel gave me a questioning look, and I nodded. “Yes, we’ll both be there.”

“Well, good. Now, do you need more logs and mistletoe for the yule log classes? Joel will be making a trip to town later this week, and I can send them with him if you need them. Also, while I’m here, I should take stock of your teas. I could send those with him as well.” She started to flit around the store dramatically, kind of like a manic pixie, which was actually a very fitting image of my hippy mother in her bright, flowy clothes and jingly jewelry.

To anyone who didn’t know her, this sudden change from concerned mother to more practical matters might seem odd, but not to me. This was typical of Dahlia. I’d decided years ago that this was who she was. She was about energy work and a collective consciousness, but she didn’t do well with deep, personal, emotional connections.

I think that was why she did so well in an environment like the Wildflower Ranch. People came and stayed for a time, but once they’d received what they came for, they moved on. That had always been hard for me as a kid, but it never seemed to bother her at all. She would just smile at me and say that was the way of things. People come into your life for a season, not a lifetime.

I glanced over at Samuel. Yeah, I didn’t want a season. I wanted so much more. I wanted forever.