That one fact eclipsed every other detail— She was Sullivan’s.

“So are you thinking about coming to the Historical Society meeting? We could sure use your opinions and expertise,” Xander said, breaking the silence.

“When have I ever had any expertise you could find helpful?” I countered.

“You’re a civil engineer, right?”

“So my degree says.” The degree that had taken me eight years to complete, between deployments and ops that gave me a shit ton of real-world experience.

“Then you’re pretty much the most useful guy in Alba.” He tipped his beer to me like some kind of salute. “Not sure if you’ve noticed, but we have a few buildings that aren’t exactly up to code.” He paused. “You know, because they were built in the 1880s?”

Willow took a seat at the bar, and Oscar Hudgens noticed, leaning so far back on his stool that I thought gravity might help me out.

“Cam?” Xander called.

“Yeah.” I whipped my attention back to my brother. “I’ll be there.”

“Good. Oh, look, Jonathan Young just sat down.” He nodded toward another table. “Give me a second, would you? I need his help with a council vote.”

I nodded. Or something. Alexander disappeared as Oscar stumbled off his barstool, headed toward Willow.

My feet took me across the bar before my head could object.

“Hey, Charity, any chance I can grab the bill before my perfect older brother tries to pay it?” I asked, leaning over the vacant stool next to Willow.

“Cam! I thought that was you! Sure thing—just give me a second to get Jenny.” Charity offered me a bright smile.

“Thanks.”

She went to find our waitress, and I turned to Willow, who was already watching me.

I held her silent, questioning gaze as the track changed on the jukebox.

“Willow Bradley,” Oscar slurred. “You sure are looking— Whoa. Cam?” Oscar’s words slurred together.

I pivoted, a wave of pity washing over me. He looked like crap.

“You’re home.” He swayed toward me.

“Apparently.”

“Good.” He swung, throwing his weight behind the punch that came surprisingly quick for someone as drunk as he was.

I could have stopped it.

Instead, I let his fist connect.

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Willow

My heart lurched as Oscar swung.

Cam’s head snapped to the side.

That dull thud of fist meeting face was a sound I’d never wanted to hear again. Ironically, I’d only ever heard it in Camden Daniels’s presence.

But usually Cam was the one delivering the hits, not taking them.

“I’ve been waiting six years to do that,” Oscar shouted, jabbing his finger in Cam’s direction and swaying.

“And I probably deserved it,” Cam admitted as he straightened his posture. “But it’s the only one you get.” He didn’t swipe at his cheek to see if there was blood. He simply stepped to his side, blocking me from Oscar.