Searching for Bristol, page 31
Rocky kissed her temple and settled next to her with a small sigh. This was what had been missing in his life.
No, she was what had been missing.
He fell asleep with Bristol’s scent in his nose and the knowledge that no matter what bumps might be in the road for them, after the last two weeks, they’d be able to weather anything.
Epilogue
Drew Koopman hated this time of year. He didn’t like the heat. Didn’t like the humidity. Didn’t like that tax season was over and he had too much free time on his hands.
He was restless and needed to do something. Sitting at home thinking about all the cases he hadn’t been able to solve, all the people who’d hated him simply because he wore a uniform, the men and women he’d worked with who had given their all to the job, literally. As well as the assholes who wore a uniform and gave every single officer out there a bad name.
When he’d retired, he was more than ready to give up his badge and come to Fallport.
Drew was more than aware he was standoffish and hadn’t made many friends in town, outside of his team. It was hard for him to trust, and his previous job in law enforcement didn’t help any. He was working to try to loosen up, but it wasn’t as easy as he thought it might be.
Deciding he was getting morose and needed to get out of his small house, Drew headed out the door. A walk would do him good. It was still early enough that the heat and humidity weren’t too bad yet. He walked toward the square, thinking about his friends…and how happy they were with their women.
Lilly, Elsie, and Bristol were really great. Drew liked them a lot and was pleased his friends had found people they could spend their lives with. He wasn’t sure he wanted that for himself. Drew enjoyed being alone. He wasn’t someone who liked long conversations, he didn’t watch a lot of TV, he preferred the silence to a lot of external stimulation.
Maybe it was because he was an only child whose parents didn’t have a lot time for him when he was growing up. He was used to entertaining himself. Maybe it was because of the time he’d spent alone in his patrol car. Whatever the reason, Drew had no problem being by himself, and after forty-five years, he assumed that was just his lot in life.
Hiking was something he did for his job with the Eagle Point Search and Rescue team, but he also went out into the woods on his own a lot, as well. He knew the trails around the town like the back of his hand because he’d spent so much time on them. He felt freer when he was surrounded by nature.
The walk to the square didn’t take long, and Drew headed for Sunny Side Up. He debated whether to go to The Sweet Tooth and get one of Finley’s mouthwatering pastries or to the diner for a proper breakfast. Because he had absolutely no plans for the day, he decided the sit-down breakfast would kill more time.
As soon as he opened the door to the diner, Sandra called out a welcome. Smiling, Drew gave her a chin lift and headed to an empty booth along one side of the restaurant. Even though it was early, the place was fairly busy. It took a couple of minutes for Karen, one of the waitresses, to come over to his table.
“Morning, sweetie. Coffee?”
“Yes, please,” Drew said eagerly.
She filled a cup and said, “Do you need some time? Or do you know what you’d like?”
“Can I get two eggs over easy, hash browns, sausage links, a cup of whatever fruit you’ve got, and a large glass of orange juice?”
“Of course. We’re running a little behind, since Carl had a family emergency and we’ve only got one cook. But I’ll get your OJ and the fruit right out to start you off.”
“Everything all right with Carl?” Drew asked.
“Yeah. His wife’s pregnant and having a hard time of it, as you might know. I guess their three-year-old woke up with a fever this morning, so he’s staying home to take care of everyone.”
Drew nodded. He did know about Carl’s wife. Doc Snow had put her on bed rest and told her that if she wanted to deliver a healthy baby, she needed to take it easy. It was amazing how much everyone knew about everyone else in small towns. “No problem on the wait. I’ve got no plans today.”
“Thanks. I’ll be back with your drink and that fruit,” Karen told him.
Things always picked up in Fallport in the summer. Tourists came to town to hike the trails in the Appalachian Mountains, and now that word had gotten out about the paranormal investigations show that had filmed there—and the first episode had debuted on TV—more and more of the tourists visiting were doing so with the hopes of catching a glimpse of the elusive Bigfoot. It would only get worse once the Bigfoot episodes actually aired.
He was sipping his coffee and eating the fruit Karen had dropped off when the little bell over the top of the door tinkled and someone entered.
Looking up, Drew couldn’t explain the uncomfortable feeling in his chest when he saw who it was. Caryn Buckner.
She was Art’s granddaughter, who’d come to town to help him get back on his feet after he’d been stabbed. Drew didn’t understand why she made him uneasy. She was nice enough—he’d cut her some slack for their rough introduction at the hospital, since she’d been stressed out—and everyone in town seemed to genuinely like her.
She was a few years younger than him, was the same height, around five-ten. She had short blonde hair and blue eyes. She wasn’t exactly overweight, but she was definitely solidly built. Muscular and strong. Drew had seen her lift her grandfather without help when he’d popped into the older man’s hospital room in Roanoke, while he was there visiting Rocky and Bristol.
It didn’t turn him off. Quite the opposite. Drew had always been attracted to women with Caryn’s build. There was nothing wrong with Bristol, but since she was an inch or so under five feet, Drew felt like the hulk around her.
Unfortunately, he and Caryn hadn’t gotten off on the best foot. All he knew was that she made him uncomfortable, and apparently the feeling was mutual.
He watched as everyone greeted her as if she’d lived in Fallport her entire life. From what Drew understood, the woman had spent some summers here, and that apparently was enough for her to be treated as a local.
Sandra came out of the kitchen and gave her a huge hug. He could hear the two women talking about how Caryn was there to pick up a meal for Art, who was grumpy that he was still confined to his bed for another couple of weeks. His friends, Silas and Otto, were spending the afternoons with him, updating him on the gossip he was missing by not sitting outside the post office like usual, but he was still going a bit stir crazy.
Drew wasn’t upset that he’d spent almost five years trying to be accepted into the tight-knit town, and yet this woman came back after not being here for years and everyone treated her as a long-lost daughter or something. It did make him wonder what had kept her away, given the warm reception. If he’d had a place to go where he was embraced and accepted without reservation, he definitely would’ve gone there after getting out of law enforcement.
A loud noise to his left caught his attention. Glancing at the family sitting a few tables down from his booth, Drew saw the father standing next to his chair, looking panicked.
He moved without conscious thought. The man’s hands, grasping his own throat, told him loud and clear what was happening. The guy was choking—and everyone was just sitting there, staring at him in shock.
When he got to the man, Caryn was right on his heels.
“I’ve got this,” he told her.
But she shook him off. “I’ve got this,” she countered, putting her hands on the man and pulling him away from the table he was leaning on. She easily turned him and wrapped her arms around his chest.
Drew watched with a frown of concentration. He was trained in first aid, had always had to be as a Virginia State Police Officer. And his training had come in handy in the field since moving to Fallport, as well. But it was more than obvious Caryn had the situation under control.
After two hard thrusts of the Heimlich Maneuver, a piece of food flew out of the man’s mouth and landed on the floor. Caryn dropped her arms from around the guy, but kept a hand on his arm, steadying him.
Drew moved a chair behind him, and Caryn helped him sit, telling him softly and reassuringly that he was going to be all right.
Drew might’ve been annoyed with the woman, and the way everyone in the diner was congratulating and thanking her for moving so quickly—it was almost amusing how everyone conveniently hadn’t noticed that he’d actually gotten to the choking man first—but he’d never been a person who craved the limelight. He was more than happy to let Caryn have it as he stepped toward his booth.
However, as he watched her interact with the locals, he realized she wasn’t comfortable with the attention she was getting.
Their gazes met, and for a second he saw a lack of ease there that spoke deeply to him. He thought maybe he was seeing a part of the woman she didn’t let out very often, a part that she kept behind a very thick wall.
But a veil fell over her eyes with a blink, and the bravado he was already used to seeing was back. After checking to make sure the man was truly all right, Caryn sidestepped away from the table, giving the family some privacy, and moved toward Drew.
“You totally wanted to push me out of the way, didn’t you?” she asked Drew quietly.
He chuckled in surprise. “Yeah, kind of.”
“Good thing you didn’t. I would’ve taken you to the ground,” she said confidently.
“You think you could?”
She eyed him up and down, then said with a shrug, “I know I could.”
She sounded rather conceited, but Drew actually admired her confidence. He simply raised a brow at her in response.
“You have any training?” she asked, motioning to the man behind her.
“In first aid? Yeah. Assuming, since you’re a firefighter, you’re at least an EMT?”
“Paramedic,” she corrected.
Drew was impressed. Not that it mattered. This woman was leaving. Going back to New York City. She probably hated being here in this sleepy little town. She obviously hadn’t missed it enough to come visit anytime recently. He approved of her coming to look after her grandfather, but she’d probably be gone as soon as Art was back on his feet.
“When are you leaving?” he blurted, immediately embarrassed at how awful his question sounded.
“Why? In a hurry to see me go so you can play hero without interference?” she asked.
Brows shooting up again, Drew opened his mouth to answer, to both apologize for his rude question and deny her accusation, but Sandra interrupted them.
“Caryn! That was amazing. Thank goodness you were here!” The diner owner looked at Drew and said hurriedly, “Not that you wouldn’t have been able to help too.” She shrugged apologetically then turned back to Caryn. “Your order’s ready and it’s on the house.”
“Oh, no it’s not,” she countered. “I’m not taking free food from you.”
“It is, and you are,” Sandra countered.
The two women headed back toward the front of the diner and the bag that was sitting on the counter, waiting for Caryn.
At the last minute, she stopped and turned back to Drew. “I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.”
Drew nodded once, accepting her apology. He didn’t want to be at odds with the woman, and he actually liked that she wasn’t afraid to stand up to him. To backtalk him. He realized with a start that it had been a long time since anyone had stood up to him like she had, other than his teammates.
There was a lot more to Caryn Buckner, and for the first time in a very long time, Drew found his curiosity had been piqued.
She turned back to Sandra and they continued their walk to the counter. Drew sat back down, but didn’t take his gaze from Caryn. She intrigued him.
He realized that she hadn’t answered his question. He had no idea how long she was going to be in Fallport. It was likely she’d be leaving sooner rather than later, since Art was well on the mend.
That being the case, it was ridiculous to want to get to know what made her tick…but the longing was there just the same.
It had been years since Drew had felt anything for a woman. He wasn’t sure he liked it. Thank goodness she’d be gone soon, and he could forget the way she looked at him with a mixture of censure, curiosity, and vulnerability.
Whew! Such sparks between Drew and Caryn (and you KNOW she’s staying! lol) Read on to find out how Drew feels about that and what trouble is brewing in Searching for Caryn !
* * *
Want to talk to other Susan Stoker fans? Join my reader group, Susan Stoker’s Stalkers, on Facebook!
Also by Susan Stoker
* * *
Eagle Point Search & Rescue
Searching for Lilly
Searching for Elsie
Searching for Bristol
Searching for Caryn (April 2023)
Searching for Finley (Oct 2023)
Searching for Heather (TBA)
Searching for Khloe (TBA)
* * *
SEAL Team Hawaii Series
Finding Elodie
Finding Lexie
Finding Kenna
Finding Monica
Finding Carly
Finding Ashlyn (Feb 2023)
Finding Jodelle (July 2023)
* * *
The Refuge Series
Deserving Alaska
Deserving Henley (Jan 2023)
Deserving Reese (May 2023)
Deserving Cora (TBA)
Deserving Lara (TBA)
Deserving Maisy (TBA)
Deserving Ryleigh (TBA)
* * *
SEAL of Protection Series
Protecting Caroline
Protecting Alabama
Protecting Fiona
Marrying Caroline (novella)
Protecting Summer
Protecting Cheyenne
Protecting Jessyka
Protecting Julie (novella)
Protecting Melody
Protecting the Future
Protecting Kiera (novella)
Protecting Alabama’s Kids (novella)
Protecting Dakota
* * *
SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series
Securing Caite
Securing Brenae (novella)
Securing Sidney
Securing Piper
Securing Zoey
Securing Avery
Securing Kalee
Securing Jane
* * *
Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne
Rescuing Aimee (novella)
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley
Marrying Emily (novella)
Rescuing Kassie
Rescuing Bryn
Rescuing Casey
Rescuing Sadie (novella)
Rescuing Wendy
Rescuing Mary
Rescuing Macie (novella)
Rescuing Annie
* * *
Delta Team Two Series
Shielding Gillian
Shielding Kinley
Shielding Aspen
Shielding Jayme (novella)
Shielding Riley
Shielding Devyn
Shielding Ember
Shielding Sierra
* * *
Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series
Justice for Mackenzie
Justice for Mickie
Justice for Corrie
Justice for Laine (novella)
Shelter for Elizabeth
Justice for Boone
Shelter for Adeline
Shelter for Sophie
Justice for Erin
Justice for Milena
Shelter for Blythe
Justice for Hope
Shelter for Quinn
Shelter for Koren
Shelter for Penelope
* * *
Ace Security Series
Claiming Grace
Claiming Alexis
Claiming Bailey
Claiming Felicity
Claiming Sarah
* * *
Mountain Mercenaries Series
Defending Allye
Defending Chloe
Defending Morgan
Defending Harlow
Defending Everly
Defending Zara
Defending Raven
* * *
Silverstone Series
Trusting Skylar
Trusting Taylor
Trusting Molly
Trusting Cassidy
* * *
Stand Alone
Falling for the Delta
The Guardian Mist
Nature’s Rift
A Princess for Cale
A Moment in Time- A Collection of Short Stories
Another Moment in Time- A Collection of Short Stories
Lambert’s Lady
* * *
Special Operations Fan Fiction
http://www.AcesPress.com
Beyond Reality Series
Outback Hearts
Flaming Hearts
Frozen Hearts
Writing as Annie George:
Stepbrother Virgin (erotic novella)
About the Author
New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, and Texas. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
