The Family Gathering (Sullivan's Crossing #3)(70)

“You’re in luck. I have a rechargeable minivac I can loan you.”

“That would be great!”

Dakota took the minivac to his car, vacuumed the hair, then drove down to the police department to return it.

He didn’t say anything to Sid, though he weighed that decision heavily. It was that old nagging insecurity. He didn’t want to seem like he had a lot of trouble following him to a woman who was already trying to keep life simple. But he did go to the beauty shop immediately after work the next day.

“Alyssa?” Maria said. “She’s not here but we can fit you in for a trim.”

“Actually, I wanted to talk to her.”

Maria’s smile was instant and wide. “She’ll be so disappointed to have missed you! She’s on a little trip with a couple of girlfriends. She’ll be back on Monday morning.”

“But she was here last night?”

“She’s been gone since Tuesday night—a long weekend in Vegas. Girls’ trip.” She clicked her teeth, but smiled. “Nothing but trouble.”

“Then never mind—it’s nothing. I, ah, parked in front of the shop last night while I went to the bar across the street and someone got in there and went through my stuff. Glove box and console. Nothing was stolen. I just thought I’d ask her if she noticed anything. Anyone.”

“Well, I was here and I didn’t see a thing,” Maria said. “It was light until after closing. That’s a nervy thing to do in broad daylight.”

“Kids, probably,” he said.

“Kids around here aren’t perfect, but they’re not dumb. If they go through a car, they usually find something to take. Did you have CDs or anything in there?”

He just smiled. “That’s the point—there wasn’t anything to take. Unless they were interested in my AAA packet and an owner’s manual. No worries. But thanks. I appreciate it.”

The whole family spent the Fourth of July at the Crossing with Sully and a full park of campers. Elizabeth and Sam were content in their swings in the shade by the lake, Cal and Dakota grilled the food, Connie threw the ball for Molly and Sully’s dog, Beau. The only person missing for dinner was Sid. She was with her brother and nephews because the bar was open. She worked until six and then left the bar in the hands of one of the other managers to go home for a backyard picnic with Rob and the boys. At nine she brought the boys to the Crossing to watch the fireworks at the lake. The dogs were a hit with Sid’s nephews and Dakota thought a couple of dogs in the family might help him reel in the boys.

Later that week, Dakota walked Sid out to her car first thing in the morning. She’d spent the night even though he had an early shift on the garbage truck. When she opened her car door they both jumped back in shock. The entire front seat—driver’s seat and passenger seat—was heaped with garbage. Smelly garbage. Not recyclable paper or plastic but degrading, rotting, wet food.

“Oh my God!” Sid exclaimed. “Who would do such a thing?”

“I never heard a car,” he said. “I never heard a sound. I’m pretty sensitive to out of place sounds after a few war zones. Little things, like a click, can be a matter of life and death. Whoever did this didn’t drive up to the car. I’m calling Stan. I’ll call work and explain that I can’t start until later. You can take my car and I’ll see that yours is cleaned up.”

“How will you manage that?”

“I have lots of resources. Cal, Sierra, Sully. I can do it.”





   My son, may you be happier than your father.

   —SOPHOCLES





14

SIERRA WAS ALREADY home from the diner on Tuesday afternoon when Dakota finished his shift and dropped in. Connie had the day off and had been home with Sam. The door was open and through the screen door Dakota could see Connie was cooking dinner, Sam was propped up in his walker, though still so small he couldn’t make any headway, and Sierra sat at the breakfast bar folding little clothes. He tapped at the door, announced himself and walked in. Molly barked at him, then jumped on him for good measure, and Sam squealed and raised his little arms; Sierra yelled at the dog to get down. All in all a lovely domestic scene.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” Sierra said. “Can you stay for dinner?”

“Probably not, I have errands,” he said. “But I have to talk to you about something very weird.”

“I specialize in weirdness,” she said. “How’s Sid?”

“Oh, she’s great, considering.”

“Considering what?” Sierra demanded. “Did you do something stupid?”

“I’m completely blameless,” he said, squatting in front of Sam. He made a couple of playful sounds and asinine faces and the baby giggled like mad. Helpless, Dakota kept it up for a while, then kissed the baby on his head before rising. “This is the happiest baby I have ever seen. He has no idea all he’s been through.”

“He’s amazing, isn’t he? I bet if we had one of our own, he or she would be a holy terror.”

“I doubt it,” Dakota said. “You’re both so frickin’ sweet. Hey, any chance you have a cold beer?”

“A very limited supply that I’m willing to share with you,” Connie said.