The Witness

Chapter Fourteen

LUKE FOLLOWED AMY into the house Sunday night, having been somewhat surprised to find her down at the barn upon his arrival, but after a second thought, not so surprised after all. She wasn’t the type to like to be cooped up if there were options available to take her outside. “How are you settling in?”

“Better than I thought I would. It’s going to take some time getting used to sleeping with the sounds of this old house in the night when the wind comes. I like Caroline.”

“I thought you might.” Luke pulled off his coat and used one of the open pegs to hang it up. “I can already smell dinner-I feel a bit guilty having you cook the meal,” he teased.

Amy laughed and pushed the door open, leading the way through to the kitchen. “As long as it doesn’t affect your appetite, go ahead. It’s swiss steak and mashed potatoes, simple but hot and hard to mess up. Ice cream and brownies for dessert.”

“You’ll find me a willing guest.”

He pulled out one of the kitchen chairs as she moved to the stove to check the meal. She looked better today-more confident, less nerves showing-and her smile had been quick and reached her eyes. This had been the right move and seeing her confirmed it.

“Today was quiet?” she asked, glancing back at him.

He nodded. “I saw your sisters briefly at church. They know you’re in the area-Marsh and Connor conveyed that message last night-and they know we’ll set something up for Wednesday if possible.”

“They didn’t flood you with questions?”

“They’re just glad to have you back. They’ll be patient for a while now.”

“How’s the reporter problem?”

“Dispersing, thankfully. There were only two around the gallery this morning to shout questions and snap pictures as Marie and Tracey were leaving. Most have shifted to interviewing friends of the family and trying to arrange interviews through Daniel.”

“I’m glad. Anything else happening in your days? I know crime in this city didn’t stop just because I’ve been taking a slice of your time.”

He smiled, not minding she was asking and finding it endearing. “An armed robbery at a liquor store had me out late last night. We’re working two assaults, a domestic disturbance, and a high-speed chase of a guy who boosted a car off a dealer’s lot. I’d say it’s been a typical weekend so far. Would you like some help with setting the table?”

“Sure. Plates are that end, and glasses near me.”

He got up to work alongside her. “Where’s Caroline?”

“She’s around somewhere, but the lady likes to be discreet; she ate early even though I protested it. I think she was talking to Marsh last I heard. Something about a ring. I can’t believe my little sister is about to be engaged.”

“Let’s hope Marsh finds the occasion to give it to her soon; everyone is ready for it to happen and he’s stalling.”

“I knew the money would be a problem. I just didn’t figure it for this problem.”

Luke chuckled. “They’ll sort it out. He’s older than her and now she’s more wealthy than him too-it gets those reporters talking too much. You’ll like Marsh, Amy. He’s not that easy a guy to figure out, but he’s solid.”

“A wedding is going to be a challenge-they’ll want me there and I’m going to have to refuse.”

“Cross that bridge when we get there. You want regular knives or steak knives?”

“Regular should be fine.”

The meal on the table, Luke held Amy’s chair for her. “Would you like me to say grace?”

“Please.”

He kept it simple, sorting out the emotions of several days into thankfulness that the sisters had met together safely and the pleasure of a nice meal. When he said amen, her head stayed bowed for a moment, and he turned his attention to the food to give her privacy.

She lifted her head, blinking hard. “I’m always weepy eyed these days. I don’t know why.”

“Stress letting off. You’ve been wound pretty tight for a long time.”

“Probably. I used to pray for the next day to not bring trouble with it, and now-this place is pretty calm and it does surprisingly feel safe. My family is nearby. And that makes life so much easier. I used to always be running-now I know I’m planted, at least for a little while.”

“We’ll make it safe for it to be a very long while,” Luke said. “I’m glad you fixed dinner-I would have been bringing something like fast-food fried chicken or the like. This is good.”

“I’m glad you like it.” Amy reached for the fruit salad. “Can I interest you in staying for a movie tonight? Caroline brought a huge stack of DVDs along.”

“I can be tempted,” Luke replied, smiling at her.

Amy had already stacked wood in the fireplace, ready to strike a match and bring it to life. Luke moved to do that while Amy sorted out the DVDs. He listened and heard Caroline’s car pull out. She’d passed by, mentioning a quick trip to meet Marsh as the reason, but he thought that was more of an excuse to give them not only privacy, but time. Luke wouldn’t be leaving until she returned.

The fire going and beginning to draw so it wouldn’t smoke, he watched it for a moment, then turned. He pushed back the coffee table and sat down on the floor to use the couch as a backrest.

“Hardwood floors are going to get hard on the tailbone after a while.”

He laughed and patted the floor beside him. “Start the movie and come be a teenager again. We can pause it and move to the couch later.”

She started the movie and adjusted the volume, then settled herself down beside him. “I’m too old for this, Luke. I was out riding on one of those four-wheelers yesterday, and I’ve got sore muscles that make me feel like I’m fifty.”

He slid her a pillow for behind her back.

“Yeah, that helps.”

He settled his hand over hers and interlaced their fingers. She fit him well, in age, in spirit, and he liked the look of her more every time he saw her. He wouldn’t mind at all seeing this relationship finally slide past friendship to something more. She leaned her head against his shoulder to get comfortable. “So what are we watching?” he asked, amused.

“A legal thriller, I think. I’m so far behind what is out now that I don’t even recognize titles.”

“Want to make it a double feature?”

She chuckled and he felt it in his own ribs. “Only if we’re sitting on the couch.”

He smiled at her relaxed form and then turned his attention to the movie. His dogs were out here, his lady, a few more shifts in his schedule with his deputy chief’s help and he’d figure out how to be out here more often too. It would make a good next few weeks.