Orion Cross My Sky by Rosa Sophia Page B

doctor had advised him to cut back. His job was high-stress, even with the help of Jordan as his deputy, and his doctor was concerned about his health. He was only in his thirties, for crying out loud. But the good doc was probably right. He’d never realized until a few weeks ago how delicious chai lattes were. In fact, he was beginning to think his life had been incomplete without them. I need to get out more .
    “What’s next?” Jordan queried.
    “What do you mean?”
    “You gonna start sipping Shirley Temples?”
    “You are on a roll today.”
    Jordan smirked. “I’m in a good mood. I spent the day with Chloe and Bianca. They’re the light of my life.”
    “Now who’s a sissy?” Ryan winked.
    “Yeah, whatever.”
    “I’m kidding.”
    “I know.” Jordan leaned back in his seat. “How come you don’t have a woman?”
    Ryan shrugged. “Haven’t met the right one, I guess.”
    “You work too much to meet the right one.”
    He wasn’t picking on him. It was just a fact, and Ryan knew it. He’d had a steady girlfriend once. In my past life , he reminded himself. Back when he’d been a cop in another city, living in a world he’d sooner forget. She’d left him, and he remembered what his father swore by when the man was still alive: It’s true what they say, son. Times of trouble come, ya find out who your true friends are.
    Ryan blinked away the memory as Jennifer placed their sandwiches in front of them.
    “Light dinner, boys?”
    “Huh?” He looked up at her.
    “Light dinner. Sandwiches.” She tilted her head, frowning. The owner of the café had always been particularly intuitive, and she and Ryan were friends. “You okay? Got something on your mind?”
    “No. I’m fine.”
    “All right. I won’t pry. You two let me know if you need anything.”
    Now, Jordan was eyeing him with curiosity. “Hey, man.”
    “Yeah?” Ryan bit into his sandwich. His stomach grumbled appreciatively at the scent and taste of the roast beef.
    “We’ve been friends for a while now. Can I ask you something?”
    “Hmm?” he mumbled through another bite.
    Jordan had picked up one half of his sandwich, but hadn’t taken a bite yet.
    “You keep quiet about a lot of things. And I know what that’s like, keeping quiet. After the hell I went through in the war, and coming home with PTSD…”
    “What’re you getting at?” Ryan finally asked, wiping his mouth with a napkin.
    “This might sound crazy, but sometimes, I think you’re hiding something.”
    If he’d had food in his mouth, he might’ve choked. He didn’t know whether he managed to keep a straight face, but if Jordan’s expression was any indication, he hadn’t.
    As if knowing he didn’t want to talk about it, Deputy Jordan Sheppard said nothing and dug into his meal. They lapsed into silence.
    When they’d finished their drinks and sandwiches, they took the patrol car back to the station, and Jordan pulled the car up alongside Ryan’s SUV.
    Before he could jump out, Jordan fixed him with a steely gaze.
    “You ever want to talk, man, you let me know.”
    “Right. See you in the morning.” He jumped out, shutting the door behind him, and climbed into his SUV.
    Now was not the time for talking, and certainly not for dredging up the past. Let the past stay where it rested, that’s what he figured.
    Once in his SUV, he headed down Main Street. He was about to turn right and drive toward his house on Maple when he spotted a familiar pair stepping out of the library.
    The boy was Orion Bennett, and he was with his girlfriend, whom Ryan knew as Clara Pendleton’s cousin.
    Orion stumbled, his face screwed up, his right eye squeezed shut, his figure hunched, and from the short distance, Ryan could tell right away something was wrong.
    “Shit.” He slowed down as he neared the library and put on his hazard lights. Hopping out, he rushed across the street.
    The girl might’ve panicked, but she seemed to notice the badge on his