“He’s better than he was when he first moved up here. He didn’t talk much during the first year, just came down for supplies.” He didn’t want Trina to think Michael hadn’t been affected by Jessie’s death. “It was at least a year before I heard him talk.”
It had been then that he realized how Michael’s eyes had watched Lucy’s every move. He’d been jealous then.
“Why won’t he come home?” The question seemed like a plea from her.
“I don’t think Florida is home for him anymore.” Ty couldn’t help but remember that the option was still on the table. His old job was still open, and Michael could return. He could still walk away from both of them.
“Well, I would appreciate you talking to him for me. My presence seemed to bring out the worst in him.”
“Probably because he hasn’t faced what he needs to.” It was the only reason he could think of because Michael, for all his gruffness, had never seemed cruel before. “I think you reminded him he still has work to do.”
She nodded and shifted in her seat. “So you’re his friend?”
He had to wonder how long she would be stuck here and how much she would find out. If she mentioned she had a connection to Michael, she would likely get all the gossip she could never want. Still. He had to take into account what Michael would want her to know. “Yes, we’re friends. He’s actually starting a new job out at the lodge I work at. It’s part time and temporary, but he might like it. It’s security so it’s in his wheelhouse.”
Her nose wrinkled up. “Oh, he wasn’t security. What Michael did best was track people down. That was what I always found sad about his last assignment. He didn’t usually work protective services. Jessie liked those jobs. He liked to find people who didn’t want to be found. He was excellent at it. The protective duties always seemed to bore him a bit. It was one of the things they fought about. He wanted to concentrate on fugitive apprehension, and she liked where they were. He switched departments for her. I think Michael thought Jessie would settle down and want to start a family. Well, he thought that because she said she did, but she kept putting him off.”
“Do you think she was lying to him?”
“I think eventually she might have wanted to get married, but mostly I think she would have done anything to keep him with her, including embellishing the truth about what she really wanted from life.” She sat back again, her eyes trailing to the side, watching the road. “Which was apparently a ton of money and him.”
He turned at the river, starting into town. “Well, I think Michael needs some more time, but I promise I’ll let him know what we’ve talked about and the position your family is in. For now I think it’s best that I take you to a motel. I don’t think you’re getting out of Bliss tonight.”
“Yeah, I was starting to get that feeling.” She frowned as she stared up the road. “Are you taking me to that movie place?”
“Yes, you’ll like it. The rooms are comfy, and I think he’s running Back to the Future this week,” he murmured.
“I don’t…I can’t stay there,” she whispered, her eyes wide.
Because that was where her sister had died. Fuck. He hadn’t even thought about it.
“Of course you can’t.” He started to look for a place to turn around. “I’ve got somewhere I can take you. You’ll like it.”
The lodge was big enough that it should be okay.
He hoped Michael agreed.
* * * *
Lucy wondered if Michael was going to talk at all as they drove through the snow toward the lodge. He’d been quiet since the moment he’d picked her up. Was he regretting the decision to stay up at Ty’s place? Had going back to his cabin made him want to stay there? Alone?
“Maybe we should stop by River’s place and get my car.” If he was going to change his mind about staying with them, she would rather have the option of her own transportation.
“I don’t think you want to drive up to the lodge in your car. It’s not meant for mountain driving, and I’m pretty sure it’s leaking oil,” Michael said, his eyes on the road. “I talked to Jax earlier today, and he’s going to check it for me. There’s a stain on the parking space you normally use.”
Well, she’d known she was leaking oil for a little while, but she didn’t have the cash to fix it. She would in a couple of weeks. “I’ll let him know he doesn’t have to bother. I’ll take it to Long-Haired Roger’s in a few weeks.”
“Or you can use mine or Ty’s while you save up some money to get a better car. I’ll look around for something safe, something you can afford.”