Kate gave a wry snort. “Good thing you’re fifty-three and a grown man who doesn’t have to do what his mother says.”
“No, I don’t,” he countered. “But I love her like you love your mother. She also lost a husband, albeit thirty years ago, and I respect her.”
“Enough to…give this up?” she asked on a whisper.
He swallowed. “Of course not.”
They were both quiet for a beat, then she sighed. “I have a meeting with the lab staff,” she said. “Can we talk tonight?”
“Of course. Have you thought any more about coming down this summer with your kids?” he asked.
“I don’t know. Will Maggie allow it?” There was enough tease in her voice to make him laugh.
“Ouch.”
“I’m kidding, Eli,” she said, sounding a little sorry she’d even made the joke. “We are thinking about it—the kids are chomping at the bit for a Florida vacation.”
“Then we’ll have to figure out how to make that happen,” he said. “Because nothing—and no one—will stop me from seeing you again, Lady Katie.”
She gave a gentle laugh, warm enough to erase some of the distance he felt. “I have to run. Talk soon!”
“Bye.”
He dropped his head back as the call disconnected. Nothing and no one would stop his feelings for her, that was true. But he sure wasn’t looking forward to the fight.
He had a month to figure it out. As always, no matter what challenge he faced, he knew where his help came from. Opening his eyes, he looked up at the blue sky through the windshield.
“You brought Jonah back to me,” he whispered to the God he firmly believed heard every word. “Can you work on my mother now?”
He didn’t hear any audible response, but, like always, he trusted that his prayer would be answered.
* * *
The beachfront restaurantknown as Pompano Joe’s was never quiet, but Eli had been able to snag an outdoor table, so the only noise was from the surf not the crowd. With the setting sun turning the entire beach a thousand shades of orange, he and Peter enjoyed a relaxing dinner of fried seafood and a couple of beers.
Years always faded away when he was with the man he’d known since elementary school. Peter had a rough childhood—his parents divorced, his dad was a gutter drunk, and his mother was never around—but he and Eli had become fast friends playing sixth-grade basketball together.
The older Peter got, the more time he wanted to spend at the Lawsons’, so it seemed like a no-brainer to bring him to Destin for seven consecutive summers, straight through to their senior year of college.
They’d been through a lot together, and loved reminiscing, especially here. Peter had his own divorce story, but the tall, sandy-haired man had coped beautifully.
He’d raised two sons and worked tirelessly to bring down the baddies, his law enforcement job being a great source of pride. He’d parlayed his greatest character traits—a keen eye for observation and being a truly kind person—into a fascinating career as a police detective.
After they’d spent most of the meal catching up and laughing about old times, Eli asked about the missing persons case that brought Peter’s investigative skills to Destin.
“There’s no evidence of foul play,” Peter said after he explained that a Pensacola resident had gone missing during a weekend trip to Destin. “The dude could have gone off to Mexico with his mistress. But every lead over there was a dead end, so they sent me here to see if I can retrace the guy’s last days before disappearing.”
“They’re sure he was here?” Eli asked.
“His car was found abandoned near Henderson,” he said, referring to the local state park beach. “While I’m here, I’ll be combing security footage and getting Ring camera output, interviewing locals near his rental, the bars and restaurant owners, the usual.”
“Sounds interesting,” Eli said.
Peter grinned. “Mostly I’ll be coming to the Summer House to hang out with the Lawsons and the Wylies.”
“One Wylie,” he said.
Peter gave him a knowing look. “You miss Kate, don’t you?”
