Page 78 of Bennett

“Everything okay?” Laurel asked, tugging her hair into a quick ponytail.

“Yeah.” He nodded. “Looks like I’m heading your way. That was Mac. He wants me to meet the guys at the diner. Gabe’s got an update.”

“Ah. The siren call of greasy bacon and criminal investigations,” she said, unlocking the door.

He moved in front of her to open it and make sure it was clear. “You forgot sarcastic commentary.”

“That’s where I come in,” she replied with a smirk, stepping out into the hallway, the familiar buzz of construction tools echoing from the unfinished units.

Back to reality.

But as Laurel’s fingers brushed his on their way to the stairs, Bennett knew one thing for sure—he wasn’t walking back into that reality alone.

By the time Bennett pushed open the door to Annie’s Diner, after having walked Laurel to the back door, the first round of the breakfast crowd had thinned, leaving behind the comforting hum of clinking dishes and low conversation. The air smelled like bacon, fresh-brewed coffee, and fried potatoes, all the essentials of a Texas morning.

Annie came out of the kitchen and approached, her gaze twinkling under a raised brow. “Don’t think I don’t know you were the one responsible for my niece showing up late for work this morning,” the woman said, standing close so only he could hear. “Just don’t make it a habit, or I’ll throw an apron on you too.”

He smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”

She returned the smile and tipped her head toward his buddies. “Go on, get. I already put in their orders. Yours too. Better hurry, though. If you’re lucky, they left you some coffee. If not, Laurel will be by with a pot soon. Those boys can guzzle.”

She had no idea.

With a nod, Bennett made his way to the usual table in the back. Carter and Tyler were seated across from each other, mid-argument over the merits of sourdough versus buttermilk pancakes. Mac was scrolling through his phone. Matthew was nursing a mug of black coffee like it had personally insulted him. Gabe sat off to the side, phone pressed to his ear, his brow furrowed.

Bennett slid into the empty seat between Mac and Carter. “Did I miss the food or just the fight?”

“Just the argument over bread-based breakfast superiority,” Carter said.

Tyler lifted a hand. “For the record, sourdough has character.”

“It’s tangy,” Matthew muttered next to Tyler. “Like regret.”

Mac just shook his head and set his phone down to grab his coffee.

Before Bennett could weigh in, Gabe let out a stunned laugh.

“You’re serious?” he said into the phone, his brows up. “You’re already on the road?” He listened for another beat, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Roger that. Stick to the speed limit. I’ll see you in a few days. Yeah, I’ll let the others know.”

He hung up, grinning widely.

“Okay,” Carter said, squinting at the sheriff. “Since your wife is usually the only one to put that look on your face, I’ll bite. What’s up?”

Gabe rested his phone on the table, still smiling. “Brace yourselves. Josh is coming to town. For good.”

Tyler choked on his orange juice. “Wait—our brother, Josh?”

Carter leaned forward. “As in, vanished-into-the-wind Naval Intelligence Josh?”

Gabe nodded. “That’s the one. He’s got an interview with the D.A.’s office in Harland next week. Apparently, they’re looking to bring on a full-time investigator, and he wants the job.”

“Well, damn,” Matthew said. “What prompted that?”

“No idea,” Gabe admitted.

Mac chuckled. “Life’s funny, isn’t it? You once told me both your brothers were Navy lifers. Now Tyler’s working for me and Josh is on his way here.”

Gabe snorted. “Yeah, don’t that beat all.” He glanced over at Tyler. “Did you know?”