“Yeah,” Cobi says, and his answer surprises me. “I’m gonna take Harmony home,” Harlen inserts, and my eyes go to him as he looks at my cousin. “I’ll file a report, but right now, that’s all that can be done.” “Nothing,” Cobi replies, and Dad’s chest expands on a deep breath. Keeping his arm wrapped around my shoulders, he turns us and claps Harlen on the shoulder then looks at Cobi. He pulls back to look down at me before he presses a kiss to my forehead. “Don’t worry me like that again,” he demands, and I attempt to smile but it feels forced. “Yes,” I whisper, hugging him back just as tightly. Before my feet even touch the ground, my dad’s arms wrap around me. “Already on it,” Cobi agrees, then he turns his head as my dad’s truck pulls into the lot and he parks.Īs soon as Dad’s out his door, his worry-filled eyes come to me, and Harlen shifts, pulling me off the trunk. “Someone needs to check the tapes at the hospital,” Harlen orders, his body going tense against mine.

I thought so, but now I don’t know,” I admit, and his face softens. “I…” I pull in a breath then shake my head. Didn’t find anything,” he says, then his eyes come back to me. “After we knew you were with her, we spread out. I watch his eyes come to me and his jaw go hard, and then I see his eyes go to Harlen as he lifts his chin while the other men stand back.Ĭobi shakes his head. I haven’t seen him much since he’s been back no one has. He moved home about a year ago and joined the police force in town after being discharged from the military, where he was a military police officer. Scanning the men as they get close, my eyes land on my cousin Cobi. Then I watch the officers start to get out of their cars. Hearing sirens, and seeing lights through my closed lids, I open my eyes and watch two police cruisers pull into the parking lot. I don’t try to fight them I let them fall. “Okay,” I repeat, dropping my forehead to his chest as a fresh wave of tears climbs up my throat. See you soon.” He shifts again, and I look up at him when his fingers touch my chin. Have someone check the tapes at the hospital. We’re at the gas station at the corner of Main and Vermont,” he says, and I know instantly he’s talking to my dad.

Even as he shifts back to reach his phone when it rings, I don’t let him get far. It’s okay.” He kisses my hair, and I wrap my arms around his waist as tightly as I can. “Shhh, it’s okay,” he whispers, his big hand running down my hair and my back.

Until Harmony by Aurora Rose Reynolds