Free Into the Blackness (Blackness Series Book 4) by Norma Jeanne Karlsson

mentioned it and I don’t plan to. If there’s a reason he has to hide his eyes, he can tell me when and if he’s ready. But the deep dark brown color looks horribly gloomy right now and all I want to do is make that go away for him.
    “Even DCA agents are deserving of what they want in life. This smart guy I know just told me all about it,” I tease a little, hoping to lighten the mood.
    The sadness vanishes from his face to be replaced by a small smirk.
    “I’ve gotta head out. I’ll be home this afternoon. Have a good day tryin’ to figure out what to do with yourself.”
    He stands from his chair and presses his lips to my hair before rinsing his mug and leaving the house. Home alone with money to spend and nothing to buy. This op will surely turn me into a hoarder.

    I didn’t buy anything, but I did spend the day meeting shopkeepers and a few people that were kind enough to introduce themselves to me. It was a good day even if a bit lonely. I spent a week with Nick and Jake with me at all stages of my day. That was definitely a nice departure from my norm on an op and better than spending the day walking around Maybelle.
    I look out the passenger side window to see Jake approaching with three boys that look like carbon copies of him save for variations in hair color following at his heels. I roll the window down to see what I’m in for.
    “Hey, Aunt Kay,” Jake calls with a broad smile and a huge wave. He’s so damn cute.
    “Did you have a good day?” I yell out the window forgetting that’s probably not what the other moms are doing. Oh well.
    Jake arrives at the window and leans his folded arms on the edge.
    “Is it okay if some guys come back to the house to shoot hoops for a while? They said they’d get rides home later.” He looks nervous, like he’ll get in trouble for asking a normal question. I swear I’m going to find out what happened to him someday and then I’m going to tell Nick and let him go all caveman alpha male and avenge Jake right along with me.
    “Of course, honey,” I coo.
    “All good,” he calls over his shoulder pulling the door open.
    The back door opens and the first boy gets in wearing the apparent teenage boy uniform of polo shirt, khaki shorts and flip flops, topped with shaggy hair.
    “Thanks, Missus Johnson. I’m Cole,” he says climbing all the way through before sitting behind me. Cole has blond hair and soft blue eyes. I’m going to have to use these small traits to keep the boys straight.
    “No problem. It’s nice to meet you, Cole.”
    “Hey, I’m Sawyer,” the next kid says. Sawyer has black as night hair and big brown eyes.
    “It’s nice to meet you, Sawyer.”
    The last boy with dirty blond hair and honey eyes climbs in and shuts the door.
    “Thanks for the lift, Missus Johnson. I’m Dane.”
    “It’s nice to meet you, Dane. You boys can call me Kat.”
    Every time they say Mrs. Johnson, I feel old and out of the loop, even knowing they’re just being polite and well mannered. They all nod in agreement before I turn my eyes to Jake and offer him a loving smile before pulling out of my parking space.
    “How was the first day?”
    “Sucked balls,” Dane huffs.
    “Dude!” Jake warns.
    “Oh God, I’m so sorry, Missus…uh…I mean Kat. Sorry,” he stutters his cheeks flaming red as I eye him in the rearview mirror.
    “It’s fine. My day kinda sucked balls too,” I say through a smile and a chuckle. Maybe I have more in common with teenagers than I thought.
    The three in the back chuckle at me while Jake shakes his head, a smirk on his lips.
    “Why was your day bad?”
    “Will Burke,” Cole huffs.
    “Who’s Will Burke?”
    “It’s nothing, Aunt Kay,” Jake cuts in quickly.
    Oh, now I want to know for sure.
    “Jake,” I prompt.
    “He’s a dick,” Sawyer says and turns bright red from his language slip.
    “Who was he a dick to?” I ask, ignoring Sawyer’s embarrassment. I’m not a mother. I’m sure I should scold these