If I Didn't Know Better (The Callaways #9)(11)

"I can think of a few things. How many siblings do you have?"

"Five."

"Big family."

She nodded. "I'm the youngest and I have a twin sister. Kate just finished training to be an FBI agent, so she's pretty busy."

"FBI? That's impressive. What's her focus?"

"I have no idea. Everything seems to be classified. Kate has always been more adventurous than me. She would have had no hesitation climbing down a ladder," she added with a self-deprecating smile.

He smiled as he said, "What do the rest of your siblings do?"

"They're all pretty much over-achievers. Dylan and Hunter are firefighters. Firefighting is a tradition in the Callaway family. My father is a retired firefighter, and my uncle is second-in-charge of the San Francisco Fire Department. I also have a bunch of cousins in the department."

"You didn't want to fight fires?"

She laughed at that suggestion. "Not in a million years. I try not to even think about how much danger my family could be in any time they get a call."

"What about the other siblings?"

"Ian is a scientist. Don't ask me what he does, because it's also classified for me to know about. My sister Annie is a graphic designer, and she has been building websites and brands for companies the past few years. She's starting to get in with a celebrity crowd, which is fun." She paused. "What about you? Do you come from generations of soldiers?"

"No, I'm the first, and I'm an only child."

"What about parents? Do they live here in Angel's Bay?"

"My father does."

At his words, Ashlyn's head swung in her father's direction for the first time.

Jeremy jolted, as if surprised by the sudden eye contact.

"Has Ashlyn met her grandfather?" Mia asked.

"No, not yet." His lips tightened as his daughter gave him a long stare. "He's away right now."

Ashlyn didn't react, but after a moment her gaze swung back to Mia.

Mia wanted to say something to the little girl, but she wasn't sure what.

Then a text popped up on her phone.

"It's the locksmith," she said, getting up from her chair. "He's next door. Thanks for the pizza and getting me off the roof."

"No problem," Jeremy said, as he stood up.

She gave Ashlyn a smile. "I hope to see you again soon. Maybe when I get my aunt's house organized, we can make some cookies. I'm a really good baker."

Ashlyn didn't speak but gave her a shy nod.

"Take that as a yes," Jeremy advised.

"I will. Thanks again, Jeremy. I owe you one."

"You don't owe me anything." He paused, his gaze turning to his daughter. "Ash, I'm going to walk Mia to her house. I'll be back in a few minutes, okay?"

"You don't have to walk me out," she protested, but Jeremy was already ushering her down the hallway, and Ashlyn was right behind him.

"I just want to make sure you get in all right. I don't want to have to rescue you again," he said.

"I think I'll be fine."

"And I think we're all going to make sure of that," Jeremy said, as he and Ashlyn walked her across the lawn.

The locksmith, Richard Cummings, was waiting on the porch. He was a bearded, middle-aged man with a friendly smile.

"You're Carly's niece." He shook her hand with a warm smile. "It's nice to meet you, even though it's under terrible circumstances. I can't believe Carly is gone. It still seems like a bad nightmare."

She felt the same way. "Yes, it does. You knew my aunt?"

"Oh, sure. She was a delight—always smiling and friendly. She could tell a smutty joke, too, like a real broad. She's going to be missed."

His words sent a wave of pain through her body. "She will be missed," she echoed, feeling the depth of the loss once again.

"Ah, now, I've made you sad. I'm sorry," he added quickly. "My wife always says I don’t pay enough attention to what I'm saying."

"It's fine. You didn't say anything wrong. I get emotional about my aunt every time I think about her. I'm hoping that taking care of her things will be healing."

"I hope so, too. Is this your husband and child?" Richard asked.

"No," she said immediately, reminded that in Angel's Bay, people liked to get into other people's business. "This is my neighbor Jeremy Holt and his daughter Ashlyn. They were keeping me company until you came."

"Sure, I heard about you from Kent," Richard said with an approving nod. "You're the war hero."

Jeremy gave an awkward shrug at Richard's words.

"What did you do?" she asked Jeremy, a little more curious about him now.

"My job," Jeremy replied.

"He rescued a lot of people," Richard said. "Kent said Jeremy here saved his life."

"We saved each other many times. So, can you get Mia into her house?" Jeremy asked. He was obviously eager to change the subject away from himself.

"Absolutely." Richard turned his attention back to the lock. Within minutes, he had the door open. "There you go."