Theo hums. “Smart dog.”

“Debatable. I once caught her trying to eat a rock.”

He chuckles, shaking his head. “Ah, so she’s got the spirit of a toddler. Got it.”

“Pretty much.”

We keep walking, and then, after a beat, I ask, “So, what do you do when you’re not unraveling small-town murder conspiracies?”

Theo’s smirk softens into a more thoughtful expression. “You mean back when my life was normal?”

“If you can even remember such a time.”

He huffs a laugh. “Barely. But… I used to work on cars with my uncle. Nothing serious, just maintenance stuff. I like working with my hands. There is a satisfaction about fixing things that stay fixed is satisfying. It started when I first moved in with him and Aunt Aubrey. I just lost my parents and had all these feelings I was trying to process. When we were working on his old truck, the one I drive now, there were never any expectations to talk or hold a conversation. It was just easy…”

The way he says it makes my chest ache.

Trying for a joke I tilt my head. “Are you any good?”

He grins at me flashing a dimple I’ve never seen before. “Are you doubting my skills?”

“I’m just saying, if my car breaks down, I need to know if I should call you or a professional.”

He gasps, mock offended. “Wow. Okay. For that, if your car ever breaks down, I’m gonna charge you double.”

“Oh, so now you’re a mechanic for hire?”

“For you? Absolutely. Hope you like ridiculous labor fees.”

I grin, nudging him with my shoulder. He nudges me back, and for a moment, it feels like we’re just two people enjoying an afternoon walk—no murder, no secrets, no weight of the past pressing down on us.

Valkyrie suddenly launches to the side, shoving her nose into a pile of leaves before popping up with a new treasure in her mouth.

“Oh no,” I groan. “Valkyrie, drop it.”

She wags her tail.

Theo crosses his arms. “I think she likes her prize.”

“She thinks she’s a damn dragon hoarding treasure,” I mutter, stepping toward her. “Drop it, gremlin.”

With a long-suffering sigh, Valkyrie spits out the object—a shiny, dented bottle cap.

He bursts out laughing. “That’s her grand discovery?”

“She’s obsessed with them,” I admit, picking it up before she can reclaim it. “It’s like she thinks they’re rare artifacts.”

Theo wipes his eyes. “A detective dog with an eye for trash. I love her.”

Valkyrie barks, as if agreeing, then prances forward like she just did the most important job in the world.

I shake my head. “Are you laughing at my dog?”

“No,” Theo says, grinning. “I’m laughing at you.”

I scoff. “Rude.”

He nudges me again, softer this time. “It’s nice,” he says, voice quieter. “Being out here. With you.”