Chapter 22 #2
Holly arms felt strangely empty. Mother instinct, I guess. Then she looked toward the east. Gunner was down there—somewhere in the midst of chaos. Where he belongs.
* * *
The only member of the wreck who was still in limbo was Buster. For the moment, he was in custody of the sheriff’s office, and the sheriff began making calls.
Sam’s grandparents were on the way to the hospital when they got the call and sent a friend to meet the patrol car to retrieve the beloved pet.
* * *
Gunner finally left the scene as the truck was being towed away.
He began walking back on the shoulder of the highway when he saw a white SUV driving toward him.
It was Holly.
When she stopped, he got in without saying a word. She made a U-turn on the highway and headed back home.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
He nodded. “Hell of a run. Thank you for coming to look for me.”
“I’m not about to lose you, and I knew where to look. That phone app. Remember?”
“The little boy… Sam… Is he okay?” he asked.
“Yes. Jacob cleaned him up, but he couldn’t stop shaking. I wrapped him in the old blanket that was on the foot of your bed and rocked him to sleep. Your dad said it was okay. The ambulance stopped and took him with them.”
He looked at her then, thinking one day she would rock their babies to sleep. “It’s definitely okay.” A few minutes later, she let him out to get his car, and then they both drove home.
By nightfall, Gunner’s episode with the little boy and the dog, and being led to the wreck in time to save the mother’s life, had just added to his story.
As for the men with the plan for Gunner’s future, it solidified their purpose even more.
* * *
The next day, Gunner was at the bar, helping Jacob get ready to open when they saw a car drive up and watched a man and a dog walking up the steps.
“I don’t know who the man is, but that’s Buster,” Gunner said.
Jacob headed to the door with Gunner beside him and unlocked it.
“You’re a tad bit early, but come on it,” Jacob said.
“I’m Sam Barnes. Are you the Kingstons? The people who saved my wife, Jenny, and son, Sam, yesterday?”
“That’s us,” Gunner said. “This is my father, Jacob Kingston. He took over Sam’s welfare after Buster took me straight to your Jenny. Would you care to come in?”
“No, but thanks. I’m on the way home with Buster before I go back to the hospital. We’ve both had a long night. I wanted you to know that Jenny is alive, thanks to you. And little Sam has been talking about the giant men who saved him and his mama. I had to come meet you in person.”
Gunner pointed at Buster, then gave the yellow dog a gentle rub on the head. “Your son and this dog saved your wife. Dad and I simply assisted in the rescue.”
“You have a most remarkable son,” Jacob said. “I have three rather remarkable sons of my own, and I know one when I see one. Thank you for letting us know. My wife and I said a prayer for them last night. She will be overjoyed to hear this.”
Sam Barnes nodded. “Thank you again…for all you did.”
They shook hands, then Sam and Buster were gone.
Jacob gave Gunner a pat on the back. “That’s a really good way to start a day, isn’t it, son?”
“Yes, it is, Dad. A really good way.”
* * *
Two days later, Gunner was in the office with Holly when he got a phone call. He saw Caller ID and then showed Holly.
She arched an eyebrow. “Don’t look at me. I’m not overdrawn.”
He grinned and stepped out into the hall to answer. “Hello, this is Gunner.”
“Gunner! This is Dale Curry. I apologize for the late notice, but our business owners’ association is meeting at the church in about an hour, and we would appreciate your feedback regarding the current project we’re working on.
It has to do with Crossroads. We have chicken salad sandwiches and coffee to ply you with, and we would really appreciate your input before we proceed. ”
“Yes, sure, I can do that,” Gunner said.
“Wonderful! We’ll see you there.”
The odd query and then the abrupt end to the conversation made Gunner suspicious. He went back into the office.
“I received an invitation to lunch,” he said.
She glanced up. “With Curry? That’s nice…I guess. What’s going on?”
“See! Your Spidey sense is the same as mine. It was a strange call. Apparently, the entire business owners’ association is having a monthly meeting. Like in an hour. And they want my input on some city improvement project. I have been offered chicken salad sandwiches.”
She laughed. “Go! But be ready for chopped grapes.”
“Chopped grapes? What the hell, Holly?”
She was still smiling. “They won’t kill you. Just chew and swallow like a big boy. I’ll make you something yummy for supper.”
“Lord,” he muttered and walked off to change clothes and wipe the dust off his boots.
* * *
Gunner went straight to the church.
Dale was waiting for him in the vestibule and walked him down to the dining hall, still talking when they entered the room about chicken salad sandwiches and hand pies, and a choice between coffee or iced tea.
Every member of the business community was there, men and women alike—all of them milling about filling their plates and looking at him with an air of expectation.
His “on alert” shield went up.
“Help yourself, Gunner. Milly at the refreshment table will bring your drink and dessert. Just tell her what you want.”
Following orders, Gunner put a sandwich and a bag of chips on a paper plate, chose an apple hand pie and sweet iced tea, and took the last vacant chair, which happened to be between Mayor Belker and Dale.
They all seemed to be talking among themselves in a normal manner, but Gunner knew all eyes were on him, and he was even more suspicious of why he’d been invited.
When a decent amount of time had passed that had given everyone a chance to finish their meal, Dale Curry stood and raised a hand to get their attention.
“Everyone…a little silence please.” He smiled and glanced down at Gunner. “You have to be wondering why you’re here, and what we want, but I’ll tell you right now, it’s not money.”
Everyone laughed, including Gunner. “That’s good, because I don’t have any cash on me.
The church doesn’t take credit cards, and I was afraid someone was going to suggest I wash dishes.
Also, I was a detective too long not to know something was up, so spit it out. What, exactly, do you want to ask?”
“We need law in this town. We want to know if you’d consider being the first officer of the law in Crossroads, Texas.
Our first chief of police. God knows you have the résumé for it.
We have a donated location for a small police office.
We have people willing to build a jail at the back of it.
We will advertise for deputies and dispatchers.
We’re not sure how much we can pay them just yet, but we’re all willing to pitch in.
We all know why you came back…you and Holly…
for your families. You are both already making a difference in this town.
There are seven new residents since the apartment building opened, and one of the renters is planning to open a small business in town.
We need law, but we don’t want just anyone. We want you.”
Gunner sat there, letting the request sink in, and at the same time, realizing that this was what had been missing. He had all he could ever want at his fingertips except purpose.
He stood. “I am honored. Beyond words. But I need to talk to my wife and my dad first.”
“Oh, Jacob knows. He’s one of us…a business owner. He said he’s just happy you moved home. What you decide to do after you got here was totally up to you and fine with him,” Dale said.
Gunner resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “I don’t suppose you took it upon yourselves to also ask my wife?”
“No, lord no. You go home and talk it out, and whatever you decide to do, we will accept and understand.”
Gunner nodded. “I’ll be in touch, one way or another. Thank you for asking, and thanks for the lunch.”
He walked out to silence, but the chatter that rose behind him as he headed for the door was obvious.
They didn’t want to give up without a fight, and Holly was going to be the one with the decision.
He was giving her the last word. He drove home in silence, then went into the house and down the hall to her office.
She’d heard his footsteps and was smiling as he entered. “Sit and talk to me. What did they feed you, and what on earth did they want?”
“As you predicted, chicken salad sandwiches with chopped-up grapes in it. It’s not something I care to revisit. Salt and vinegar chips and an apple hand pie. And they asked me if I would take the job as the first law officer in Crossroads. If I would be their police chief.”
Holly eyes widened. “Oh, my lord! Oh, Gunner! What did you say?”
“That I first had to talk to my wife.”
She walked into his waiting arms. “My dearest rooster… You will never need my permission to follow your heart. If you want it, then do it. I’ve already glued you back together enough times to know the drill.
I believe you told me once I’d make a good cop’s wife, and I have known from the get-go that is what you are.
You’re one of those people who will always run into the fire.
I love you. Follow your heart and make us proud. ”
The last knot in his gut was just unwound. “Lord, woman, how I love you,” he said and held her without talking, without moving—until his phone rang.
“And still they persist.” He picked it up to answer, then glanced at the number. It was his dad, and he knew why he was calling. “Hey, Dad.”
“You can’t haul beer kegs around for the rest of your life. No pressure, but what’s the verdict?” Jacob said.
“Just call me Chief,” Gunner said. “And since you’re all in cahoots, you have my permission to tell them. Assure them that I will, of course, donate to the project, but my job is pro bono. This police chief does not receive paychecks.”
Jacob let out a whoop and disconnected.
Gunner sighed. “In about two minutes or less, this phone is going to start ringing. If you want peace, darlin’, you’ll need to keep your door shut for a while.”
“Heard,” she said. His phone was already ringing when she went to shut the door. He’d called it.