Page 52 of Her Final Hours (High Peaks Murder, Mystery and Crime Thrillers #3)
McKenzie backed away playfully, raising his hands defensively. “Hey, hey, no you don’t. I’m just getting another beer. I don’t want to contract herpes,” McKenzie jokingly protested, his playful banter adding a touch of lightness to the room. Callie stabbed a finger at him, pretending to scold him.
“You cheeky bugger!” she exclaimed, laughing. He joined her.
“See, I’m rubbing off on her, Noah. She’s picking up on some of my jargon,” he remarked before making his way out, Callie following closely behind, their friendly bickering echoing through the house.
Noah watched them go, a faint smile forming.
Despite the recent news, he couldn’t help but appreciate the camaraderie and lightheartedness that Callie and McKenzie brought into his life.
As he stood there, taking a moment to collect his thoughts, he realized that closure had its own bittersweet quality. The pain of losing Payton still lingered, but he found solace, knowing that justice had been served and her memory would live on through her daughter.
Noah glanced down at the paper pad, tore the top layer off and balled it up before tossing it in the garbage. He then scooped up his drink and headed out into the sunshine, where the commotion of banter filled the air.
It wasn’t more than five minutes before he noticed Alicia’s arrival in her Ford F-150 with the STATE GAME WARDEN logo on the side .
Noah shielded his eyes from the sun with his hand, squinting to get a better view of her. “Hey, I’ll be right back,” he said to Ed, excusing himself from the lively gathering. He went over to Alicia’s property, which now consisted of only the bare foundation. He found her sifting through the shed.
“I thought you were working?” he asked as he approached.
She glanced back. “I am. I got a spare moment in the day, figured I would use the truck to pick up some items I left in the shed,” Alicia replied, focused on her task.
Noah glanced around, taking in the sparkling water and holding his drink. “You hungry?” he asked, hoping to engage her in conversation.
Alicia shook her head. “Already eaten, but thanks,” she said, her attention briefly shifting to Noah before returning to her task.
Nodding, Noah continued.
“Any news about your brother?” she asked.
“OSI concluded their investigation. They cleared him. They said he wasn’t at fault. Having my sister in the State Attorney’s Office, Jake as a witness, and Tommy’s previous history probably helped. I guess he really dodged a bullet this time.”
“That’s good to hear,” she replied, offering a supportive smile.
Curious about his living arrangements, she asked, “How’s it going with Ed?”
“Oh, I’m about ready to get into my house, like yesterday,” he replied longingly.
Alicia chuckled.
“Ah, he’s okay. I actually appreciate him letting us stay and for you making the arrangements for letting me build here.”
Alicia shrugged modestly. “That was all you, Noah,” she assured him.
“More like that was the bank. ”
As Alicia finished loading the last few items into her truck, Noah took a moment to appreciate the bond they had formed again, built on mutual support and shared experience.
“Oh, um…” Noah muttered, about to ask Alicia something, when Ed interrupted him.
“Hey Noah, can you make a run to the beer store? We’re out,” Ed called out.
Noah frowned in disbelief. “But I just went this afternoon,” he protested.
Ed shrugged nonchalantly. “That’s what you get for inviting half of High Peaks to my door,” he remarked playfully before turning away.
Alicia, standing nearby, wore a knowing smile.
“Have fun,” she said, climbing into her truck.
“Hey, hold up. I never got to thank you for what happened on the lake.”
Alicia shrugged casually. “That’s all right. You can make it up to me sometime by buying me a drink,” she suggested, her tone light-hearted.
“How about this week?” he proposed, feeling a surge of confidence.
With a playful glint in her eyes, Alicia fired up the engine and put on a pair of aviator sunglasses. She sat there for a second or two before glancing his way. “Are you asking me out on a date, Noah Sutherland?” she teased, waiting for a response.
He cleared his throat, glancing off briefly, the sunlight reflecting in his eyes, before looking back with a subtle smile. “It’s just a meal between friends,” he replied, trying to come off as all casual.
She stared back, the corners of her mouth twitching with amusement. “Friends, right? Ask me again sometime,” she challenged, maintaining the banter.
As Alicia began to reverse, Noah quickly interjected, determined not to let the opportunity slip away. “Wait up,” he called out, causing her to pump the brakes and the gravel to crunch under the tires. “Yeah, a date,” he confirmed, his tone more assured.
She studied him for a second, considering his words.
“You did say to ask again sometime.”
Alicia shook her head with a smile. “All right. I’ll text you my schedule,” she agreed. “Now, can I go?”
He stepped back, and with a smile, she pulled away.
Noah felt good as he walked back toward the gathering; a broad smile formed on his face, and his heart felt lighter. He couldn’t help but notice the playful nudging from McKenzie and Ed, who seemed to have been observing the interaction.
“Oh look,” McKenzie teased, nudging Ed again. “Someone’s made a touchdown.”
Ed responded with a grin. “Yeah, just a pity he didn’t land with more beer. Come on now, Noah. McKenzie and I are dying of thirst!’ He tossed the keys to the Bronco to him. “Chop, chop!”
Noah shook his head and chuckled.
He took a moment to survey the faces around him, witnessing the group’s energy as they engaged in conversation, laughter, and playful exchanges.
He realized that although his brother, father, and sister were absent, at that moment — surrounded by his children, Callie, McKenzie, and Ed — he wondered if the family he needed was already here.
THANK YOU FOR READING
If you enjoyed that, please take a second to leave a rating and review, both help, it’s really appreciated. After, consider the next book in this series called The Smart Killer
Thanks kindly, Jack.