Page 33 of Crime Lab Cold Case (Pacific Northwest Forensics #2)

Stretching her toes toward the fire burning in Michael’s fireplace, Natalie scratched Peaches under the chin. “You’ve had too much excitement, pup. You deserve to relax and get belly rubs.”

“She looks like she’s put on a few pounds, right?” Molly came from the kitchen, carrying a tray with three mugs of hot cocoa and a sippy cup.

“Peaches looks great. Thanks for looking after her, Molly. I know you’re more of a cat person.” Michael took the sippy cup from the tray and held it for Ivy, snuggled against his side.

“And thanks for getting her that GPS tag. Michael never would’ve found me without it.”

Molly had scattered mini marshmallows on the tray for Ivy, whose cup had a lid on it. Ivy picked one up and shoved it into her mouth.

Natalie smiled as she took a sip of her own cocoa. “Is that good, Ivy?”

Ivy’s head dipped shyly to her chest, and she looked up at Natalie through her eyelashes. “Mmm.”

Then she seemed to make a decision. Ivy collected a handful of the little marshmallows and slid off the couch. She toddled up to Natalie and crouched beside her. “S’mellows?”

“I’d love some marshmallows.” Natalie held out her hand, and Ivy dumped several sticky, smooshed marshmallows into her palm before running back to Michael and burying her head in his lap.

Michael grinned at Natalie. “You don’t have to eat those.”

“Are you kidding? This is when they’re the best.” She threw the marshmallows into her mouth and chewed, smacking loudly until Ivy turned her head and peeked at her.

Natalie felt a warm wave wash through her body that had nothing to do with the fire crackling in the grate.

For the past few weeks, Ivy had looked at her with some interest but had kept her distance…

until now. This progress with Michael’s daughter shored up Natalie’s belief that she’d made the right decision to give up her job with the FBI and move back to Marysville.

Molly cupped her own mug with both hands. “I still don’t understand why Nicole came over here and took Peaches.”

“I think Peaches gave her an excuse to show up here and make some kind of assessment.” Michael twirled a lock of Ivy’s hair around his finger.

“If she could’ve convinced you and Ivy to eat those scones, she may have thought that would’ve given her some leverage over me or at least distracted me from digging any further into John Westfall.

When that didn’t happen, she sort of had to take Peaches with her. ”

“I’m glad she did.” Natalie stroked the dog’s ears. “Wish I had been able to say no to the scones. Do you think she also poisoned those cookies? Is that why Rachelle went home sick that day?”

Michael shrugged. “Possibly, but nobody else got sick at the office.”

“She could’ve selected some cookies specifically for Rachelle. Did she—” Molly glanced at Ivy, who seemed alert, her gaze tracking back and forth between each speaker “—use the old scone trick on Rachelle?”

“Soup.” Natalie took a sip of cocoa and shivered.

Pointing to Ivy, Molly said, “It’s bedtime for my favorite niece.”

“I’ll get her ready.” Michael stood, lifting Ivy in his arms.

“I’ll give her a bath.” Molly put her mug on the mantel. “You two should have some alone time before Natalie goes back to DC.”

Michael handed off Ivy to his sister, giving her a one-armed hug in the process. “You’re the best, Molly.”

“Hold that thought.” Molly held up one finger. “I may be asking for a loan shortly.”

Natalie stood also, and kissed Ivy on her soft cheek. “Good night, Ivy.”

Ivy waved by opening and closing her hand, as Molly carried her to the back of the house.

Michael patted the cushion next to him. “Molly’s right. You’re leaving tomorrow, and I feel like I’ve barely had any time with you—hospital visits, police interviews, TV interviews, meetings with the FBI.”

She curled up next to him and rested her head on his shoulder. “It’s been a hectic few weeks.”

“Have you recovered from your meeting with Katie’s parents?”

Natalie stared into the fire. Mr. and Mrs. Fellows had come out to Washington to claim their daughter’s remains and had requested a meeting with her.

She didn’t know what to expect, but they couldn’t have been more kind.

They didn’t hate her. They never blamed her for Katie’s disappearance, and they were so grateful that Natalie had never given up on their daughter.

Natalie hadn’t suffered from one nightmare since that meeting.

“Talking with them was special. Maybe finding out where Katie’s body had been all this time made me feel better, but seeing their relief was a hundred times more important. It should’ve always been about them, not me.”

“But you felt the guilt.” He kissed the top of her head. “It was about you.”

“And you?” She turned her head and placed a finger on his lips. “You didn’t replace one set of guilty feelings with another, did you? You never gave Nicole any encouragement. You had no way of knowing she’d fixated on you.”

“I don’t feel guilty. Some things are just out of our control.” He kissed her fingertips, and then bent his head to kiss her mouth. “That’s why when fate does put something, or someone, in your path, you grab it with both hands and never let it go.”

“I feel the same way.” She cupped his chin with one hand. “Terrible circumstances drew us together, forged something between us that can’t break. Fate.”

A small hand on Natalie’s knee ended her kiss with Michael, and she turned to find Ivy standing next to the couch, fresh bath scent floating from her baby-soft hair.

Molly rushed from the back. “Sorry. Had my back turned, picking out books, and she took off.”

Ivy pointed at Natalie. “Nat read.”

Sitting forward, Michael asked, “Do you want Nat to read you a bedtime story, Ivy?”

Ivy nodded as she curled her fingers around Natalie’s hand.

Natalie brushed Michael’s cheek. “Can fate wait another fifteen minutes?”

“What’s fifteen minutes when you’ve promised me a lifetime?”

Natalie stood, hitching Ivy on her hip. She blew Michael a kiss as she waltzed his little girl off to bed. It seemed only right that she’d returned to the place that had stolen her happiness only to replace that emptiness with a new life, overflowing with joy. Fate. Timing. Serendipity. Whatever.

She’d take it.

* * * * *

Keep reading for an excerpt from Manhunt in the Narrows by Nichole Severn.