Chapter 19
IT TOOK a few weeks, but Chase got an entire weekend off and a tent camping site reservation out at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Ever since he’d gotten confirmation of the reservation and told Peter and Jerrod, Peter had had his bags packed and was all ready to go. Chase had borrowed a tent large enough for the three of them, with a little extra room in case they needed it. He’d also gotten a canopy to cover the picnic table in case it rained.
“Are you ready to go?” Chase asked as Jerrod let him inside. He’d come right from his Friday shift.
“Yes, yes, yes!” Peter bounded over, pulling his BB8 suitcase behind him.
Jerrod rolled his eyes. “He’s been ready for days. I have a cooler packed and a bag of things I’m going to need.”
“Then let’s get everything into the truck and we can go. It’s supposed to be a sunny weekend, and there are places that we can all go hiking and swimming and stuff.” Chase was excited too. The truck already had all the equipment stowed, so once he got Jerrod’s cooler and their bags loaded, they locked up the house and headed south out of town.
“How long will it take to get there?” Peter asked.
“Not long. But you can count cows along the way,” Chase offered, figuring they would need something to keep Peter busy.
“Horses instead,” Peter countered, and they all counted the horses they saw until they reached the woods. They pulled into the campground and found their site, which was plenty big enough and even close to the bathrooms.
“Do you want to help put up the tent?” Chase asked Peter, and he hurried after him. Jerrod started setting up the canopy for over the picnic table, so Chase unrolled the tent and had Peter hand him the poles. Once they were in the sleeves, Peter held one side as Chase got the poles arched and the tent up and staked. “You were a really big help.” It probably took longer than if Chase had done it on his own, but Peter was so pleased, and part of this trip was to make things fun for him.
“Can we make a fire?” Peter asked.
“Later,” Jerrod told him. “Why don’t you get your sleeping bag and suitcase in the tent.” Giving Peter jobs to do kept him busy and made him part of the process.
By the time they had everything up and the beds all set, it was getting dark. Chase built a fire and brought out the hot dog sticks, helping Peter with his as Jerrod set up the table for dinner.
“Do you want some music?” Jerrod asked, setting a radio on the table. It had probably been his since he was a kid. He turned it on soft enough so it didn’t disturb the other sites. It was an oldies station, and Chase settled in to enjoy the evening and the company.
“The construction firm of Connor Warfield has been indicted”—Jerrod turned up the story—“on racketeering charges in conjunction with a number of local individuals involving a bid to muscle into the northside condominium project in Carlisle. A company spokesman had no comment, and the names of the local individuals involved have not yet been released by police. A spokesperson for AR Construction, the current contractor, has said that the project will continue and that they are suing Connor Warfield for damages related to a fire at the construction site. We will update you with details as more become available.” The music began once more, and Jerrod sat next to him, bumping Chase’s shoulder.
“It really does seem like it’s finally over. Mr. Dunston’s office called today, and they have gotten everything cleared with the insurance company. A payoff has been arranged, and once my mortgage is settled, I will be receiving a sizable check that I can use to buy a new home for Peter and me. Then we’ll be able to have a home of our own once more.”
“I see.” Chase was happy that Jerrod could move on with his life.
Jerrod bumped his shoulder. “I was thinking that once all this is settled, maybe you and I could go house hunting and find a place that we all like. Somewhere with a yard where Peter can have a swing set of his own.
“Can I get a cat?” Peter asked.
“Yes, you can. Once we get a new house, you can get a pet if you want.” Jerrod leaned against Chase, and Chase put an arm around him, content and damned happy.
“Really?” Peter asked.
“Yes. But we have to wait until we get our new house and are moved in. Then we’ll talk about what you want.” Jerrod sighed and helped Peter get his hot dog made the way he liked it with ketchup and pickles. Chase slipped away with a couple of hot dogs and returned a little while later with one for each of them.
“This is the best way to make these,” Chase said, and soon they were all seated at the table. “Tomorrow, I thought I’d make eggs and bacon over the fire.”
“Yummy,” Peter said, taking a bite. Chase had no idea if it was for the eggs and bacon or the hot dog, but he was happy, and it seemed the rest of them were too.
“Another?” Chase asked Jerrod, and he ended up making a second for both of them.
Darkness descended. Jerrod set a battery lamp on the table until they finished eating. Then Chase set up the chairs around the fire, with Peter climbing into Chase’s lap.
“Tell stories,” Peter said.
“What kind of story?” Chase asked. “Wait, I know. I heard one about a man who came upon a fire in the woods at night. He was cold, and it looked warm, but when he got close enough, he found that it wasn’t a fire at all, but a dragon.” Chase growled, and Peter giggled. “The dragon was really warm, and he shot fire at the man, but he hid behind a rock and the fire went around him. Still, the dragon roared, and the man peeked out and saw that the dragon had stepped into a trap and that his leg was hurting.”
Peter’s eyes were huge. “What happened?”
“The man asked if the dragon would let him get the trap off without burning him up, and the dragon said yes.”
“Wow. Daddy, I want a dragon for a pet,” Peter said, making them both chuckle.
“Anyway,” Chase interrupted, “the man crept out and slowly moved closer. Then he pulled at the trap and opened it so the dragon could get his foot free. Then he wrapped it in a bandage, and the dragon limped away a little ways. Then he spread his wings, and the air all around felt like a mighty wind. The dragon lifted off the ground and flew up, up, and away, getting smaller and smaller until he disappeared from sight.”
Peter turned to look at him. “Is that it? Where did the dragon go? Didn’t he say thank you or let the man ride on his back?” Peter crossed his arms over his chest. “The dragon was mean.”
“No. The dragon had to go home so he could help the mama dragon and the baby dragons that depended on him.”
“Oh.” Peter stared at him. “I think you need to be able to tell better stories.”
Jerrod was biting his lower lip as Chase looked at him. “Okay, then. Maybe next time Daddy can tell you the story.”
Peter grew quiet. “No. I like the story, just make it better next time.”
“So you want there to be a next time?” Chase asked.
Peter nodded. “I liked the dragon part.” Was a six-year-old throwing him a bone? Chase almost laughed. He had never been a good storyteller, but that was okay. Peter yawned and leaned back against him. Story or not, Chase found it strange the way Peter had taken to him. Chase didn’t want to step on Jerrod’s toes, but he liked that Peter seemed to have accepted him.
“How about I help you get ready for bed? We have a big day tomorrow, and you’re going to want to be ready for it.” Jerrod lifted Peter into his arms and placed him on his feet before leading him up to the bathrooms. Chase sat alone near the fire, the dark woods around them muffling the sounds of the other campers, like occasional laughter, or the shuffling of someone as they passed on the road. He leaned back, closing his eyes, letting the sounds of the night lull him into a relaxed daze until Peter and Jerrod returned.
Chase said good night to Peter, and Jerrod took him off to bed, returning a few minutes later. “He’s already out. I wish I could fall asleep that quickly.”
“Me too,” Chase agreed and pulled a chair next to him for Jerrod. “We could talk if you want.”
Jerrod sighed. “You know, I think I’m a little talked out. The police were by a couple times this week asking questions and going over things again. Gizelle is fighting the charges against her, trying to say that it was some kind of misunderstanding. That isn’t going to fly, but they need as much information as possible.” He slowly sat down, and Chase took his hand. Sometimes it seemed like the drama around her would never die down.
“Yeah, I get it. Every call I go on has me wondering if our arsonist is on the loose again. I know he isn’t, but I keep wondering and looking for him. But one good thing did come out of this. Hayden has asked me to work with him as a fire marshal. He says I have good instincts.” Chase didn’t particularly like the idea that part of the reason he was getting this opportunity was because of Jerrod and Peter’s troubles, but then he kept telling himself that he helped bring them to a close.
“It’s sure quiet out here,” Jerrod said in a whisper. “I don’t want to talk too loudly in case I disturb things.”
“I know.” Chase looked up at the stars that had appeared between the branches of the trees. The fire had burned down, and Chase thought about putting another log on, but decided against it. “Maybe we should get some rest too. I have an idea that Peter is going to be up early and raring to go.”
Jerrod chuckled, and Chase stirred the embers before heading over to the bathroom. By the time he returned, the fire was nearly out. Jerrod took his turn to clean up while Chase made sure everything was buttoned up for the night. Then he and Jerrod slipped into the tent and into the double sleeping bag as the cool night air settled around them. Peter was sound asleep, and as soon as Jerrod rolled onto his side, Chase snuggled up to him, slipping an arm around him. Jerrod chuckled softly.
“You know we can’t do that,” he whispered.
“I know. But just being next to you does that to me.” He closed his eyes, and they both drifted off… eventually.
“DADDY, MR. CHASE,” Peter said from next to him.
Chase cracked his eyes open. “What is it, buddy?”
“I gotta go,” Peter said.
Chase slipped out of the sleeping bag and pulled light sweatpants over his sleep shorts and then put on a T-shirt. He slipped on his shoes.
“You need shoes,” Chase said, and Peter got his on, and then, as quietly as he could, Chase took Peter to the bathroom, which was crowded as the campground began to wake. While Peter went, Chase slapped some cold water on his face, stifling a yawn. Then he let Peter use the sink to wash his hands before they walked back to their site.
“Is Daddy awake?” Peter asked.
“I think he’s really tired, so can you be quiet and get dressed without saying anything and waking him? Then you and me can go for a walk and let your daddy sleep.” He tried to make it sound important, and Peter nodded solemnly before going into the tent. He came out five minutes later, and Chase helped him with his shoes. “We can go for a walk if you want,” Chase whispered.
“I’m awake,” Jerrod groaned from inside, and after some moving and even an under-his-breath cuss, Jerrod climbed out of the tent.
“Come on, Daddy. There’s lots to see,” Peter said.
“Let Chase get dressed, and then we can go,” Jerrod said, and Chase hurriedly dressed properly before joining the other two.
Peter had a huge amount of energy and kept running ahead and then coming back. “Did you rest well?” Chase asked quietly. “I tried to get Peter to let you sleep.”
Jerrod smiled. “He didn’t say a word, but he put his suitcase on my feet.” He snickered. “Doesn’t matter. I needed to get up.” He bumped Chase’s shoulder. “Thanks for getting up with him.”
“Daddy!” Peter cried, running over as they approached the main road. “Look. Ponies.” He jumped up and down.
Chase went over to the trailer, where small heads poked out the back to see what was going on. “Hello.”
“Hey,” the driver said.
“Are you giving rides?” Chase asked.
“Yes. We’re about to set up near the meadow. Hopefully we’ll be open in an hour.”
“Can we sign up or something?” Chase asked, and the driver nodded, taking Chase’s name and giving him a ten o’clock time for Peter. Chase put down a deposit and returned to where Peter could barely contain himself. “He can go for a ride at ten.”
“Really?” Peter asked.
“Yes, really. But we should get breakfast before we do anything else.” Chase smiled as Peter skipped almost the entire way back to the campsite.
“IS IT a nice pony?” Peter asked, holding Jerrod’s hand as they approached the makeshift pen. He was still excited, but his caution seemed to have welled up.
“Yes. All my ponies are really nice,” the man said as he gave Peter a carrot. “Hold your hand flat and she’ll take it from you.” Peter slowly extended his hand, and the pony took the carrot with her lips and then crunched it. “Is that the one you want to ride?” he asked, and Peter nodded.
“She’s pretty.”
“Okay. Let’s get you all set.” Chase paid the rest of the money while Jerrod filled out the forms. The man helped Peter get on a helmet before lifting him onto the back of the pony. “Hold on right here.” He showed Peter, and then he led the pony out of the enclosure and along the edge of the meadow.
“Now that’s something,” Jerrod said as Peter rode in a large circle through the area. He was never more than twenty-five or so yards away, but once they turned back, Chase could see Peter’s grin.
“Can I have a pony?” Peter asked.
“I don’t think so. Where would we keep it? Your bed would be too small.” Jerrod grinned back, and Chase slipped an arm around his waist while one of the pony attendants led Peter around the circle a second time. “Thank you for this… for everything,” Jerrod said softly.
Chase grinned and leaned his head against Jerrod’s. “I was going to say the same thing to you. This, the three of us….” He didn’t have the words for how he felt, other than love, pure and simple love.
“I know. It’s like something just fell into place that I wasn’t looking for.” Jerrod turned to him, and Chase knew exactly what he meant. He felt the same way. They watched as Peter’s ride came to an end.
“Do you want a picture?” the attendant asked.
“Yes,” Jerrod said, leaving Peter on the pony, standing just in front. Chase was about to use his phone to snap the image.
“I can take some of all of you,” the attendant said, and Chase stood next to Jerrod, smiling at the camera. Jerrod slipped an arm through his, the three of them smiled, and even the pony seemed happy, lifting her head to look into the lens. The sun was perfect, the breeze tousling Peter’s hair—a moment of perfection. Chase didn’t realize it at the time, but that image on his phone would be the first of many family pictures.