“Rover will be there?” Connie asks. Her cheeks flush.
“Yeah, he’s got this thing about seeing things through till the end.”
“Pfft.” Connie mutters, “Not in his personal life.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Is there something going on with you and Rover?”
Connie grabs her keys. “Not anymore. I’ll meet you there.”
After she walks through the door, I turn to Cody. “What did he do?”
He shrugs. “He hasn’t mentioned anything.”
I make a note to take Connie out to happy hour soon and get to the bottom of it. I can’t say I’ve ever seen her upset over a guy. She’s usually the one leaving them.
Cody wraps his arms around me. “I love you. And if you decide at any point, this event is too much, let me know. I’ll get you out of there.”
“I love you too. And as soon as it’s over, I’ll want to come back here and relax.”
He kisses the top of my head. “Sounds good to me.”
Cody bought the house on the cove, and I absolutely love it. The view is so serene. Living with him has been a dream. He travels more than I’d like, but when he’s home, he’s all mine.
He leans down and gives me a light kiss. “Let’s go.”
The drive into town is short, so I don’t have much time to brace myself for what is to come.
The media has not been kind to my family. I don’t expect them to be today.
“Lucy Gardiner.” a woman yells through the crowd. Next thing I know, a microphone is shoved in my face. “Did you know your uncle planned to murder your father? Is that why he used your colleague?”
“No questions,” Cody yells. “Come on.”
He tucks me under his arm and pushes his way to the front of the crowd where two chairs are waiting. After I sit down, I close my eyes. I wonder how long I’m going to have to deal with this.
As if reading my mind, Cody leans over and whispers, “It will be over soon.”
I nod, but I’m left in a daze of my thoughts.
Someone introduces the mayor who gives a speech. I tune out, but my attention is brought back to the stage when everyone claps. Agent Carter takes the stage.
“Leave me alone,” Connie says beside me.
I turn to see Rover on her other side.
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs.
“Go away,” Connie says without looking at him.
Rover gives me a sad look, then stands and walks to the back of the crowd.
I turn my attention back to the stage as Carter wraps up his speech.
“Thank you for this recognition. It means a lot to me and the FBI.” Carter gives a nod then steps away from the podium.
The crowd breaks out in applause. Thank you, Carter, for giving a brief speech.
Hopefully, I can get out of here before I see my mother. Any normal person in her position wouldn’t attend this event, but I got a text from her this morning saying she’d see me here.
