Specters & Sparks, page 16
Chapter 26
“Brrrr!” Fox complained while he kicked the snow off his boots. “Hold on!” He caught Juniper’s mitten and spun her around before she left puddle tracks in Jules’s hallway.
“I want to show Owen my snowman!” She danced excitedly and giggled when Fox twirled her while he unwound her scarf.
“Take your boots off or Jules won’t let us play in the snow anymore.” Truthfully, Fox wished she would ground them so they had to stay inside. He was spoiled by the mild, sunny weather in Arizona and found himself even less tolerant of the cold and snow. His knee throbbed and was tight as he lowered to help Juniper out of her galoshes. “I’m pretty sure he’s at work but he’ll call us as soon as he gets home.”
“And then we can show him the pictures of Benjamin?”
“And then we can show him,” Fox agreed. He smiled as he held open one of her tiny Ugg boot slippers. Juniper held onto Fox’s shoulder and jammed her foot into it then hopped onto the other foot. His knee was killing him and his shoulder ached but they had a perfect afternoon. They went for a short hike in the woods behind Jules’s house and Fox taught Juniper how to make a snowman. They named him Benjamin then hammered him with snowballs. “Ready to help me with dinner?” He asked as he hung up his coat. He quickly unlaced and toed off his boots.
“Can you hold me, Daddy?” Juniper asked as her arms stretched toward him. That always knocked the breath out of Fox, when she asked him to hold her. He’d been an intermittent presence in her life before he began out processing at Fort Huachuca and looking for a place for them in Bisbee. Fox wanted her to have time to adjust to him and the idea of moving to Arizona before he took her away from the life she was accustomed to. Jules made sure Juniper kept to an activity-filled schedule that was overseen by three nannies who doted on Fox’s little girl.
“I was hoping you’d ask,” he said as he swept her up and onto his hip. He kissed her cheek as she squeezed him tight and Fox’s eyes watered. “I love you very much, my sweet Juniper,” he whispered and gave her ribs a tickle so he could hear her giggle.
“I love you too!” She shrieked as he gnawed loudly on her cheek and they paused when Jules appeared at the top of the stairs.
“You look stunning,” Fox said and Juniper clapped as Jules came down the steps in a strapless black gown with a full tulle skirt. She was wearing the black onyx Deco set and black kitten heels.
“So pretty, Jules!” Juniper declared.
“Thank you, my sweet pea. And what are my two favorite people doing tonight while I’m stuck at that boring ball?” Jules asked them.
“Dinner and then it’s hot chocolate and cartoons!” He said and Juniper cheered as they kissed Jules goodbye. “Alright, I hope you’re hungry. I’ve been practicing at home and I think I’ve perfected this,” Fox said as he carried Juniper into the kitchen and deposited her on the counter. He leaned and swiped a loaf of sliced shepherd’s bread from the other counter and Juniper caught it when he tossed it to her. He went to the fridge and she clapped again when he held up bags of sliced gouda and mild cheddar. Fox got the pepperjack for his sandwich and the butter dish. “There’s something important I want to talk to you about,” he said as he put the pan on the stove. He went to lean next to her and took out a slice of the cheddar for them to share. He folded it and gave her half. She hypnotized him with her tiny, chubby hands and the full, pink roundness of her cheeks for a moment. Juniper truly was his little girl as she happily chomped on her cheese and stared back at him with open curiosity. Her eyes were just like his but somehow larger as she batted her long eyelashes at him. “What do you think about Owen?” He asked neutrally.
“I love him!”
“Do you?” He laughed and let out the breath he’d been holding as she nodded. Fox introduced them after he first moved into the loft but Owen was making more on-screen appearances during video calls. They agreed that it was important for her to feel comfortable with Owen before she moved to Arizona and Fox was relieved to see them bonding so easily already. Relieved but not surprised. Owen was a natural with kids and they responded to his warmth and his humor.
“He’s funny and we make cookies together.”
“That’s right,” Fox said as he pecked on her cheek and reached around her for the bread. Owen and Juniper made cookies over Zoom on his days off. The plan was for them to teach Fox when she got to Arizona. “You know how Owen was Daddy’s roommate and we were all going to be friends and hang out?” He watched her face closely for any sign of concern but she just nodded and held up the gouda so he would share a slice with her. “Good thinking,” he said as he opened the bag. He took out three slices, two for their sandwiches and one to split. He gave her half then bent so he could rest his elbow next to her knee. “Daddy and Owen used to be really good friends but we realized we love each other a lot and we’re more than just good friends,” he explained slowly. Her lips twisted as she processed before her eyes lit up and she gasped.
“You love Owen and Owen loves you?” She asked and Fox couldn’t do anything but nod back. “You love him?”
“I do.”
“Are you going to marry him?”
“I think so but—”
“You should marry Owen if you love him.”
“I think so too but we want to get you used to living with us in Arizona first. You’re kind of a big deal and we’re all so excited. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. We talked about staying in the loft with Owen instead of getting a house but I wanted to be sure you were ok with that.” He glanced at her as he set their sandwiches in the pan and she nodded again.
“I get to go to the library whenever I want because it’s downstairs.”
“That’s right,” Fox said with a soft laugh. She asked if all the books were hers since she lived with them. Owen said he’d talk to the mayor but she’d have to promise to share them with the whole town and she could only keep a few in the loft at a time. “And you’re going to have your own room and I’m going to share the other room with Owen.”
“Is he going to be my daddy too?”
“I think he’d like that but we’re going to leave that up to you and we’re going to give you time to get settled first.” He had to maintain a normal expression as he flipped their sandwiches but in his head, Fox was dancing Juniper around the kitchen as he sang at the top of his lungs. After years of living in his head because anywhere was better than whatever warzone he was hunkered down in, Fox was there and it was his life. And he wasn’t blowing it! Juniper no longer hesitated when he first arrived for their weekends together. She tackled him at the door and hung onto his legs until he picked her up. They were inseparable when she wasn’t at one of her lessons and they took long naps on the sofa together in the afternoons. Fox didn’t want to uproot Juniper until he was sure he had her complete trust and it truly felt like she was ready. “I really miss you when we’re apart and I can’t wait until I get to bring you home with me,” he told her and gave her pigtail a gentle tug.
“Next time?” She asked hopefully and he nodded. He was overcome again and rubbed the end of his nose with a knuckle as it threatened to run.
“You’re coming home with me next time and everything’s going to be perfect.”
Chapter 27
“Want to talk about that?” Noah asked when he found Owen sitting on the porch of his little cottage in Beau’s backyard. They had all gathered for dinner to celebrate Lorrie’s birthday. Owen’s friends were watching the shop but he had considered “forgetting” to ask them so he’d have to stay behind and miss the party. But Owen would never get away with that because there was no way anyone would believe he forgot.
“Everything’s fine,” Owen said.
“I don’t like the sound of that,” Hal murmured as he joined them. “It’s getting a little rowdy over there,” he said and shook his head when Beau jumped over the side of the porch.
“You’re never too old to get pantsed, Laurence!” Beau called as he ran around the side of the house. There was clapping and loud cackles before Lorrie hopped over the railing and went after him. Hal held up his hands as he shrugged.
“Thought I’d see what I could do to help over here, they’re beyond saving,” he teased.
“Everything’s fine,” Owen insisted but Hal and Noah both hissed and cringed in unison. “I mean it,” Owen said. Because that’s exactly what it was. Fine. His dad wasn’t glaring at Fox or complaining about heartburn every time Owen mentioned him. The last week was still tense and they barely talked whenever they got together for dinner at Cace and Lorrie’s. Fox made an excuse to skip dinner the night before he flew to Maryland because he thought they might talk if he wasn’t there. The meal was still awkward and quiet. The only things Owen wanted to talk about were Fox and Juniper but he didn’t want to push his luck. Lorrie did his best to engage them in a debate about the playoffs but Cace and Owen were both too tired of trading pleasantries all day to do more than nod and hum in agreement.
“You’re upset because you miss him and you feel cheated,” Noah said as he lowered onto the step next to Owen. “I like you because I can feel you from so much farther away than most people,” he explained when Owen threw up his hands.
“I’ve noticed. Is that a good thing?” Owen asked and Noah grinned. He reclined on an elbow and waved at the yard and the porch. It was just close friends and family but there was still a large crowd. Eloy’s closed early so Faith and Frank could come and the mayor, Dr. Brinkley and Flip were there as well. Noah put his arm around Owen and gave him a reassuring squeeze. It was rare for Noah to touch anyone other than Hal or Kieran so Owen felt fortunate.
“You’re clearer than most adults. You know who you are and you like who you are, unlike most people. So you don’t hide or lie to make yourself feel better and you truly care about the people around you. That’s why you’re open and it’s so easy to be near you. Your secrets are usually fun surprises but you’re sad right now because you’re not as happy as you could be,” Noah said and Hal hummed sympathetically.
“You’re...muddled and dim because of this. Beau, Lorrie and Baxter are worried about the two of you,” he said.
“It’s asking too much, isn’t it? I don’t want him to pretend he’s happy if he isn’t,” Owen asked.
“He is, though,” Noah whispered and Owen’s head pulled back in surprise.
“He isn’t acting like it.” Owen looked at the porch. His dad was arguing about something with Baxter and the mayor but Cace and Baxter were doing their best to keep a straight face. Noah and Hal nodded.
“Your dad’s mad at himself because he knows he let you down. He’s not that worried anymore and he wants to be involved but he’s waiting for you to show him that you two are ok,” Noah said, surprising Owen again.
“We’re fine. I just… I wanted things to be better than fine and part of me knows that’s asking for too much because it could have been worse.”
“Have you ever disappointed your father or been disappointed in him?” Hal asked and snorted. “Have you two ever had a falling out over anything?”
“I’m sure we…” Owen’s head canted and he squinted. They joked about Owen getting grounded but he never broke curfew or lied about his grades or where he was going.
“You’re used to being on the same wavelength and you’ve never let each other down,” Noah said. Hal rested his hip against the post and made a thoughtful sound as he studied Owen.
“Is this the first time he’s ever let you down?” He asked. “He’s given you space to make mistakes and he’s never expected you to be perfect but you’ve got to cut him some slack too. This is new territory for Cace. You’ve never tested him before and this is… This would be a lot for most parents,” Hal explained and Owen sighed wearily.
“I know. That’s been the hardest part about all of this and I feel like the biggest brat that’s ever lived because there are some really awful parents out there.”
“Some people don’t have their parents anymore,” Noah reminded Owen and it was stern enough to make him truly regret complaining.
“I kept telling myself and Fox that I got it, that I understood why Dad was worried. But part of me expected him to be the ultimate dad and handle this the way he handled everything else. I thought he trusted me so much and that our bond was so strong, that he’d shake it off and have my back. He didn’t and instead of confronting that, I hid things from him and I snuck around like I was doing something wrong. And that was enough to make it feel wrong and I’ve resented that a lot,” Owen admitted. Hal whistled and made a sympathetic sound. He was watching Jolie as she giggled and whispered with Faith and Frank’s daughter, Lena. They were practically sisters and the two of them were curled up on a blanket by the chiminea and had their heads together.
“You don’t stop growing up when you become a parent. I’ve learned a lot from Jolie and Cace is still learning and growing with you,” Hal said and Noah laughed.
“I get the feeling from Cace and Baxter that your childhood was all a blur and they’re still trying to catch up.”
“Your feelings are still valid, though!” Hal reassured Owen. “They were nosy and overbearing. And there was no need for violence.”
“Your dad knows how to throw a punch,” Noah told Owen and he laughed as he waved at the porch.
“Can you imagine growing up with Beau, Baxter and Lorrie?” He asked and Hal grinned as he nodded.
“I bet it was great,” he replied. Owen laughed softly but his vision swam as he recalled all the pictures in Baxter’s albums and scrapbooks. Owen’s grandparents and Beau’s parents had albums and boxes of photos as well and he was suddenly in awe and profoundly grateful. There were pictures of Cace and his friends as rambunctious, mischievous children; flying kites, playing pranks, playing baseball, and running amuck around town and on Main Street. Their friendship began long before Owen was born but he was the result of the bond they shared and he wouldn’t be the man he was without them.
“It was and we’ll be fine,” Owen stated firmly. Hal raised his beer in agreement and Noah made a satisfied sound as he went back to reclining on his elbow, also content to let the conversation pass.
“Such a beautiful night. All that’s missing is Fox and Juniper. When does Fox get back?” Hal asked excitedly. Hal wandered into the coffee shop during one of their video calls and Fox jumped at the chance to introduce Juniper to her future kindergarten teacher.
“Tomorrow night and then everything will be perfect,” Owen promised himself. He owed his dad an apology and a second chance but Owen wasn’t going to turn Lorrie’s birthday party into a sob fest. “I’ll talk to Dad and we’ll all talk it out over dinner after Fox gets back.”
Chapter 28
Fox had only been home for a few hours but he couldn’t take his eyes off the clock as he chewed his cereal. It was right where it usually was but it wasn’t covering the corner of the chipped tile. Owen’s solution was to nudge the clock just a touch to cover most of it but it made Fox’s eye twitch. The clock was slightly crooked so it drew his eye even more.
“I can fix it before he gets home and he probably won’t even notice,” Fox decided as he put down his bowl and pushed up his sleeves. He reached above the sink and took the clock down and turned it over. A little black transmitter was stuck to the battery box and Fox’s rage grew hotter and swelled with every flash of the tiny red bulb. He was shaking as he quietly replaced the clock and took out his phone. Fox sent Jules a text and used their emergency code word “hemp” but asked if she thought Juniper might be allergic. Jules would know what was going on and that Fox wanted her to keep Juniper close. Juniper was in the safest place possible with Jules. She fought dirty and was a crack shot with anything that fired a projectile. And Sükan wouldn’t bother with the security around Fort Meade when Fox was practically alone and out in the open on the other side of the country in Bisbee.
Once he was sure Jules understood his message, Fox’s immediate concern was Owen. Sükan would know that Owen was Fox’s other pressure point. He’d know everything. Fox was seething as he poured his cereal into the sink and ran the disposal but he had to act like he was relaxed as he put on his coat and left. He typed a message in his notes while he made his way down the steps. The cul-de-sac-like end of Main Street was quiet as Fox headed for the coffee shop but he held his breath as if a sniper had him in their sight. Now, he knew that Sükan was there and watching and that he had the edge on Fox.
Sükan knew everything and Fox felt completely exposed, like he was walking into the coffee shop with a giant target strapped to his back. They weren’t in Arizona as Fox looked around the coffee shop. He was as tense as Kabul or Fallujah and his nose stung as he fought back tears and did his best to act normal. This kind of danger wasn’t supposed to follow him here and Fox was terrified as he smiled at the counter and waved at Owen.
“Hey. Check this out, Bax,” Fox said with a casual chuckle and headed to the table. Baxter was still surly but he sat back and looked up at Fox.
“I’d love to,” he said flatly. Fox slid him a fleeting, begging look as he handed over his phone. He acted as if he was showing Bax a funny tweet or video and kept an amused smirk plastered to his face as Baxter read.
I found a listening device in the loft. I’m in trouble and I think Owen’s in danger too.
Baxter blinked at Fox’s phone and snickered wryly, to his credit.
“That’s an eye opener,” Baxter said and snorted as he went back to his half decaf, like nothing had happened. Fox was relieved but he grinned as he showed it to the table so Lorrie and Beau could see. They rolled their eyes and shook their heads but Fox heard Beau’s teeth grind as he flipped his paper up and pretended to read.
“That’s something,” Beau agreed as Fox took his phone to the counter to show Cace and Owen.
