Hidden Fates (Hidden Heroes #4)

Chapter 20

“I’m worried about you staying on at the school after I leave,” Garrett said. They were sitting in his truck cruising down the highway late on a Saturday afternoon. He still refused to tell her their destination, wanting to keep the element of surprise for as long as possible, but she was growing impatient. Luckily, his GPS said they were now less than fifteen minutes away.

“I’ll be fine,” Reese said. “Wait, have you had a breakthrough in your case?”

“I might have broken it wide open the other day, but I’m still waiting on some lab results.”

It had been two days since her meeting with Principal Ryker, and while she hadn’t seen the man since leaving his office, she had the odd feeling he was somehow keeping an eye on her. It was probably all in her imagination, and after what she’d just been through with Vivian and Russell, she likely didn’t have an objective view on the situation. After all, Principal Ryker hadn’t actually said or done anything inappropriate, and having a private conversation in his own office wasn’t exactly a crime.

“How are your students feeling about being in the art exhibit?” Garrett asked.

“I think most of them are excited. The museum had me pass out consent forms. Both the artist and their legal guardian has to sign it for them to participate, so it’s really up to them if they want to be a part of the exhibit. It won’t affect their grade either way”

“Good,” Garrett said with some relief in his voice. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.” Reese said. There was nothing she wouldn’t tell this man who’d opened his home and life to her, and made her the happiest she’d ever been.

“When the kids are doing art in your class, are they allowed to talk freely, or do you ask them to be quiet like I do when they’re working on a paper or engaged in silent reading?”

“I don’t mind a little conversation as long as the focus remains on their work. Why do you ask?”

Garrett drummed his fingers on the steering wheel for a few seconds like he was contemplating his next words. “Have you noticed anything odd about any of your students? Maybe something someone said or did, or lost, or dropped?”

Well, if that wasn’t the strangest question she’d ever been asked. “No,” Reese said. The only person who came to mind was the principal. But Garrett had asked about her students specifically.

“Okay. I was just asking. I can’t tell you anything about the case, but just know if you ever see or hear something that doesn’t feel quite right, you can always come to me. Even if it turns out to be nothing, I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

Reese nodded, knowing she could turn to Garrett for anything. This was the man who’d saved her from Vivian, dropped everything to search for her in the dead of night in the woods, and continued to help her every day when she didn’t have money or a place to stay. He bought her food, gave her clothes, and a free and wonderful place to live. He was the one who’d turned out the lights on his property just to get her to come out of the guest house and have a conversation with him. This was the guy who’d arranged a party in the dark using nothing but string lights, candles, and a bonfire for light just so she could meet his friends and feel normal for a few hours. And now he was driving for nearly an hour to surprise her with something - she still had no idea what - but she knew she was going to love it.

Reese nibbled her bottom lip, overwhelmed by just how much the man sitting next to her had done for her in such a short amount of time.

Principal Ryker deserved his privacy, but if he was involved in something illegal or dangerous, it could help solve whatever case Garrett was working on. And if that led to Ryker being sent to prison where he’d be killed, there was nothing she could do about it. If she knew something and didn’t tell Garrett, and it later cost him the case, or worse, she’d never forgive herself.

“Principal Ryker,” she blurted out.

Garrett jerked his head toward her, then turned back to watch the road again. “Come again?”

“All the students seem just fine to me, but the other day, when I met with Principal Ryker about the museum thing, he was - well, I don’t know for sure.”

“Tell me,” Garrett said, his voice even, his tone almost comforting.

“Mrs. Arbiter stopped by my third period class to tell me that Ryker wanted to see me. So, after class, I walked over to his office. The door to the reception area was open so I just walked right in. Mrs. Arbiter wasn’t there, but his door was ajar and I heard him talking to someone. I don’t know what they were talking about, but it felt intense, like the other man seemed to be threatening Ryker, and Ryker promised to take care of it. He never said what. After the man left, Ryker asked what I’d overheard and I truthfully told him nothing. The conversation on its own was completely unmemorable. It just left me with an uneasy feeling.”

“And that’s when you ran into me in the hallway?” Garrett asked.

Reese nodded. “Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I wasn’t sure what to say. Like I said, they didn’t mention any names or places, or even what they were actually talking about. I’m just a teacher, Garrett. It’s not my business who Principal Ryker talks to, right? I also didn’t want you to use this as an excuse to try to get me to quit my job.” There, she’d said it.

Garrett swallowed, clearly displeased that she’d kept this from him. “I’m only trying to protect you, Reese. Tell me more about the other guy.”

“I honestly tried not to look at him. He was big. Bigger than you. He wore a suit.”

Garrett took her hand. “Anything else?”

“No. Do you think it was something important?”

Garrett gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “It’s unlikely, but I have to consider all possibilities. Something I learned on the job is to trust my instincts. If someone or something feels wrong or scary to you, it probably is. I know people in your life may have made you doubt yourself and your instincts, but for me, they’ve saved my ass and my life on plenty of occasions.”

Reese didn’t know what to say to that. She wasn’t a Texas Ranger, and the only trustworthy instincts she had were the ones she avoided like the plague. Looking into someone’s eyes never told her anything other than how they were going to die. It certainly wouldn’t help Garrett with his case. “Please don’t ask me to quit my job on a hunch.” She loved spending most of her time with Garrett and living in his house, but after finally coming out of her shell, being cooped up for days on end would drive her to madness.

He glanced at her and sighed. “I won’t. But will you do something for me?”

She’d do just about anything for this man, and he never had to ask twice.

“If you see that other guy again in the school or anywhere else, I want you to tell me immediately. Call me if we’re not together or if we are, make sure I see him.”

“Okay,” Reese readily agreed.

“I’m not done,” Garrett said. “I also want you to stay out of Ryker’s office, especially alone. If he insists on meeting you, let me know, and I’ll make sure to be close by.”

That seemed a little more alpha male overprotective Texas Ranger than necessary. “I highly doubt Principal Ryker would actually hurt me, Garrett. He’s the principal.”

“I don’t care if he’s the pope. After what you saw and how that supposedly innocent conversation made you feel, I don’t want you anywhere near him. If you insist on keeping your job, please just stay away from him and his office unless I’m there with you, or at least within shouting distance. Okay?”

Reese considered his words for a long moment. He was overreacting, but the conversation between Ryker and that other man had made her uncomfortable. “Okay,” she finally said. “Only because I don’t intend to be in his office again any time soon. If I need to communicate with him, I’ll resort to email or a simple phone call.”

“Good,” Garrett said. “And thank you. I just want to make sure you’re safe.”

“I know,” Reese said, and she did. “So, are you ever going to tell me where you’re taking me?” They’d been on the highway for almost forty-five minutes now and she still had no idea where they were going.

“I thought you could use a little break from having to avoid eye contact without needing to be alone, so when I found out about this event, I thought it would be the perfect idea for our first official date.”

Reese’s heart leaped into her throat as she carefully eyed Garrett. “Date? So, we’re really doing this? We’re more than friends with fun benefits?” The question slipped out before she’d given it much thought, but she just had to know. Sure, they’d kissed and made out, and slept in the same bed, but in this day and age, that didn’t necessarily mean much.

“Reese. You and I are a lot of things, but we’ve been more than friends since the moment you pressed your lips to mine, and I knew I never wanted you to stop.”

When she was quiet for a long moment, really just basking in his words, he took a second to glance over at her. “Is that okay with you? Being more than friends with me?”

Reese nodded. “It’s more than okay. I like you, Garrett. A lot.”

“Good. Because I like you, too. A lot.”

Reese hadn’t been on a date in years, and the last one she had gone on turned into a complete disaster after the guy she was with asked if she was mentally retarded when she refused to look him in the eye. She didn’t know what to say, and feeling embarrassed, she’d simply walked out of the restaurant. When he called her the next day, she ghosted him and never thought about him again, until right now.

“Whatever you’re thinking about, stop it,” Garrett said, pulling Reese from her thoughts. “I can tell when you go somewhere that’s not here, and I don’t like it.”

Reese smiled. “You know me too well.”

“I’ve had you in my life for over two months, spent most of the last month with you, either at work or at home, and we’ve been kissing and making out now for weeks. So, yes, Reese, I know you pretty well, but I wouldn’t say I know you too well, or else I’d know what you were thinking about just now.”

“Patrick Huell.”

“Do I even want to know who that is?”

Reese smiled. Garrett had the uncanny ability to make her smile at the strangest moments and she kind of loved it. He made her feel so at ease, so free and safe at the same time. It was like the load she’d been carrying her entire life simply vanished when he was around. The feeling was almost euphoric.

“Reese?” Garrett asked. “Did you just go somewhere again? Am I boring you?” His cheeky grin mirrored the teasing tone of his voice.

“Patrick Huell was the last guy I went on a date with and it was terrible. And no, you’re not boring me. You’re the least boring person I know.”

Garrett sat up a little straighter with mock pride as he raised his chin. “Am I now?”

Reese laughed. “There, I answered your question, now are you going to answer mine? Where are you taking me? We’ve been driving for almost an hour and the traffic was terrible. I don’t mind, but are you sure it’s worth it?”

“There,” Garrett said, pointing to a large sign on the side of the road. Reese turned and read the marquee: Night Lights: Sky Lantern Festival.

She gasped, as moisture filled her eyes. “Really?”

“Yes, and to answer your previous question, yes, absolutely. It was worth it just to see that look on your face.”

“I never even told you,” she said softly.

“What?”

“I’ve always wanted to go to a lantern festival just like they do in my favorite movie.”

Garrett smiled and gave her hand a light squeeze. “Dang, I’m good. And here I was thinking it would just make for a fun evening in the dark with pretty lights floating around us.”

It was almost dark by the time they parked and got through registration. The event was scheduled to begin in half an hour and there were already hundreds of people around them.

Reese stood close to Garrett, his arm wrapped protectively around her as they watched people and their kids starting to light their lanterns. She still couldn’t believe she was about to do the one thing she’d always dreamed of doing.

Garrett had gone out of his way so many times for her. But tonight, he’d done what no one had ever done before. He’d made her feel like a princess from her favorite movie, and if she hadn’t already known she was in love with him, she would know it now.

The first lanterns floated around them, casting soft shadows on the ground and on his face. “Ready?” He asked.

Reese smiled. “Yes. And Garrett?”

“Yeah?”

“Best. Date. Ever.”

Garrett gave her a crooked grin that always warmed her insides. “Should we make a wish?”

“Yes.” Reese closed her eyes for a moment, then looked at the small flame inside her lantern. The soft glow represented every prayer and wish she’d ever spoken, but tonight, there was only one thing she wanted.

“On three?” Garrett asked.

“Yes.”

“One. Two. Three.”

They released their lanterns into the dark sky, then stood silently watching them float away side by side, moving higher and further away. “Thank you for this,” she whispered, unable to hold back the emotion clogging her throat.

Instead of answering, he turned her in his arms and gently covered her mouth with his, deepening the kiss until her mind was dazed and her body craved him more than anything else in the world.

She moaned softly, and Garrett pulled back with a smile. “I love doing that to you, Miss Graham.”

Reese shivered at his words as he held her close. “Just wait until I finally get to do what I’ve been wanting to do to you,” she teased.

Garrett’s smile faded into a look of intensity she hadn’t yet seen from him. “When and where?”

“Tonight. Your picnic table.” Reese knew what she wanted and she was never someone who played games.

“Are you ready to go?” He asked.

“Yes.” There was no denying how much she wanted Garrett, and by the urgency with which he was leading her back to his truck, he wanted her just as much.