Bred in the Bone (Widow's Island #4)(24)

Far below them, the ocean crashed on the rocks, its never-ending low roar a backdrop for their memories.

“This was where your jacket was found,” Tessa told her, taking a sip of her eggnog latte. She’d brought homemade lattes for the three of them.

Sam’s gaze dropped to the rocks. “I can’t imagine what you must have thought.”

Flashes of the girl she used to be rose occasionally to the surface. A smile that touched her eyes. A toss of her head in laughter. But the haunted—and hunted—look in her eyes still hadn’t faded.

The night Cate shot Travis, Sam had immediately rushed Mickey back to his bedroom, not letting him see the bloody mess on the floor. The boy had been scared by the noise, but his mother’s presence had reassured him. The lack of affection from Travis was a boon; Mickey wasn’t emotionally attached to the man. He understood death and had seen dead animals. “The commander can’t hurt you anymore, right?” had been his only question for Sam.

“Never again,” she’d told him.

On the outside, Mickey appeared fine, but Cate noticed he stuck very close to his mother at all times. Jane was in the process of lining up therapists for both Sam and Mickey.

In her gut, Cate knew they’d eventually be okay.

Sam admitted she had negotiated to leave with Travis that night to get him out of her mother’s house and away from Mickey. She’d been confident that Travis wouldn’t get far with Cate watching them leave. A risky decision.

One that could have ended very badly.

“What’s the latest on Brad Gill’s death investigation?” Cate asked Tessa. In all the excitement of bringing Sam home and helping her adjust, she’d nearly forgotten about the man who’d been killed by Travis’s mother.

“Rosa Underwood was sent to Yakima County’s correctional facility until her trial. I don’t think she’ll ever return to the island. She was shocked to learn Travis had lied to her about Sam and horrified by what her son had done.”

“Killing Brad triggered the opposite result of what she wanted,” Cate said. If Rosa hadn’t killed Brad, Cate suspected he would have eventually led them to Travis’s location in Blaine, where they would have found Sam. Brad and Travis would likely still be alive.

Cate believed Travis had known his mother would protect him and keep his secret about causing Sam’s death but figured she wouldn’t about a kidnapping. Especially once the police started looking for the missing girl.

No one would ever know for certain.

“Are you still feeding Ghost at the bookstore?” Tessa asked.

“I am. I worried that he was lonely, but he doesn’t come running when I show up. I have to call to get him to appear, and then he glares at me like I disturbed his nap.”

“He’ll need a new home,” Tessa said. “You can’t keep feeding him forever.”

“Maybe Mickey would like him,” suggested Sam.

Cate considered. “I don’t know if Ghost would like kids, but you could bring Mickey to the store and see what Ghost thinks.”

Sam repositioned her forearms on the fence, and her necklace glittered at her neck. She hadn’t taken it off. Cate slung an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to her side, touching her head to Sam’s. On Sam’s other side, Tessa did the same. They were silent as affection flowed between them.

“I’m going to miss you, Cate,” Sam said softly. “I just got here, and you’re leaving.”

Cate bit her lip, considering her words. “I’ll be around. And Tessa will always be here. You’ll never be alone.”

“I know.”

Snow crunched as a vehicle parked nearby, and the women looked over their shoulders.

“It’s a hot doctor,” Sam said, nudging Cate with her elbow. “Some girl is very lucky.”

Sam made a joke.

She’s going to be okay.

Henry stepped out and smiled, his eyes only for her, his dimple at full force.

And I’m the lucky girl.



Cate tightened her arms around Henry. He was warm and solid. A rock to hold on to.

“I don’t want to take you away from your friends.” Henry glanced back as Sam and Tessa trudged to the far end of the walk, giving Cate and him some privacy.

“You didn’t.”

“Tomorrow’s Christmas,” he said, looking across the water.

“I didn’t know that.”

“Very funny.” He kissed her forehead. “And then a week until the New Year.”

“I’m very aware.” They’d tiptoed around the subject of her return to her job, neither wanting to discuss it. The thought of leaving him hurt.

“We’ve been avoiding the topic,” he said, lifting her chin until she looked him in the eyes. “For the past month we’ve gone on as if you’re leaving after next week, and I’ve kept my mouth shut about it because it’s your life and your job, but I’ve realized I need to tell you my opinion.”

Cate held her breath. She’d never seen his eyes so serious.

“I don’t want you to go,” he said firmly. “I’m going to be selfish and say that I want you to stay. The last few weeks have been the happiest of my life, and it’s hurting me that you’ll no longer be physically within reach. Ever since I stepped foot on this island, I’ve known my fate was here. And I think you might be a big part of that.”