Page 138 of Timid (Lark Cove 2)

“Hey, kid.” Jackson walked over to the table and sat down next to Ryder. “You okay?”

Ryder shrugged. “Just tired.”

“Couldn’t sleep?”

“No.”

I flipped my pancakes, then went to the cupboard for a coffee cup. I filled it for Jackson, then took it and my own over to the table.

“Thanks, babe.” Jackson squeezed my thigh after I sat down. “Sheriff Magee called me this morning.”

Ryder’s eyes widened. “What did he say?”

“He didn’t tell me anything. He just asked that I come down to the station this morning.”

“I’m coming too,” Ryder declared.

Jackson shook his head. “Not this time.”

“But—”

Jackson cut him off. “It could take a while and I don’t want you missing any school. You’ve got that social studies test today.”

“Fuck school and fuck the test.”

I flinched like I always did when Ryder cursed. He was so frustrated and angry and scared. He’d lost his mother and he was terrified he was going to lose his brother too.

“Listen.” Jackson reached over and put a hand on Ryder’s shoulder. “As soon as we know what’s happening, I’ll come to the school. But you might as well try and ace your test like I know you can.”

Ryder’s frame slumped. “You didn’t kill her.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“This isn’t fair.” Ryder’s voice cracked. So did my heart.

“You’re right,” I told him. “This isn’t fair, but we’ll get through it. You just stay strong.”

Ryder looked up from his lap, his dark eyes glassy. “That’s what your mom says.”

“Yeah, but it sounds better when I say it,” I teased.

The corner of his mouth twitched. It wasn’t a smile—I hadn’t seen one of those in a week—but it was a start.

Jackson winked at me and took a sip of his coffee.

“Pancake time.” I stood from the table and went back to the stove.

“Willa?” Ryder called.

I looked over my shoulder. “Yeah?”

“Can I have the woogidy one?”

“Sure.” I nodded and got his plate ready with three pretty pancakes and a woogidy one.

Just the way he liked it.

Jackson and I were at the sheriff’s station an hour later.