Page 10 of Her Last Whisper

“Oh, no we wouldn’t want to crash your party. Besides, we came here for a nice quiet dinner,” the sheriff said.

“They look so cute together,” said Claire. “Let’s go get our usual table and let them have some privacy.”

“Of course.”

“But Katie, honey, I still want to have a girl’s lunch soon,” her aunt said.

“I would love that.”

“Nice to see you both,” said the sheriff as he steered his wife away from the table.

Katie smiled, watching them walk away.

“Now, they’re the cutest couple in town,” stated Chad. He turned his attention back to Katie. “How did they meet?”

“I’m not sure and I don’t know a lot about her background. After my Aunt Elizabeth divorced him, he was so sad until he met Claire. His entire life turned around and here they are almost eight years later.”

The waiter came to their table with two glasses filled with red wine.

“Thank you,” said Katie. Taking a sip, the wonderful flavor of the Californian wine melted into her taste buds. “Wow, this is delicious.”

“I’m glad you like it.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “I confess, Detective, I asked one of my buds back at the firehouse what would be a good bottle of wine.”

“Are you trying to impress me with honesty?”

“Are you profiling me?” he said lightheartedly.

“It’s a bad habit.”

“Well,” he began and leaned back in his chair. “I figured a great dinner and good wine would lessen the blow of getting dumped.”

“Dumped?”

“Yeah, I figured you’re just waiting for the right moment.”

“Chad, how long have we known each other?” she asked.

“Twenty-something years.”

Katie stressed, “I would never string you along, but…” She glanced across the restaurant and saw her aunt and uncle holding hands across the table, both completely engaged in the other. She wanted to have a relationship, strong and secure, but she had to get some things straight in her life first. “I… just don’t know where things land right now.”

He leaned forward and touched her right hand. “Remember when we were about twelve and my mom was diagnosed with cancer?”

“Yes, of course.” She remembered that time well. It was the only time she had ever seen Chad cry.

“It turned out okay and she beat it, but at the time my world came crashing down around me. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. You were my best friend and I knew from the moment I poured out my heart to you that you were someone I could always count on.” He watched her carefully as he spoke.

Katie closed her eyes for a moment. There had been so much drama and so many difficult times, but they had managed to get through it. “I know… you were my strength when my parents died. So much heartache…” she began, not wanting to remember.

“I know you’ve been pulling away.”

“After what happened during that missing person’s case, and after what happened in the army… I just… don’t know… if…”

Chad leaned forward and gently squeezed her hand. “It’s okay. I don’t ever want you to feel uncomfortable or pressured. I just want to spend time with you. I know there are things that you haven’t shared with anyone, but you know I’m here for you—always. We’ve always been there for one another and nothing is going to stop that now—no matter what.”

Katie didn’t know exactly what to say. She felt like she was walking a tightrope that could break at any moment. There were unresolved things that she needed to talk about but she didn’t know if she could do it. Deep down, she knew that her heart belonged to Chad, it always had, but her handle on her fear would dictate how the relationship would ultimately end up.

“I just want to be here with you.” He squeezed her hand. “After all, it’s a celebration.” He raised his wine and tapped Kate’s glass to lighten the mood. “Here’s to the new jobs, and new adventures.”