7. He Never Stood a Chance
CHAPTER SEVEN
Dalton
He Never Stood a Chance
“G ran, if you won’t agree to these tests, then Wes and I will have no choice but to hog-tie you, and that will make for a very uncomfortable hour-long drive into the city,” Dalton said.
“Grandson, if you think you can bully me into anything you’ve got another think coming. I didn’t say I won’t do the tests; I just won’t do them today,” she said, hands on her hips. She was wearing blue jeans and a matching blue jean shirt, with short cowgirl boots polished to shine and several rhinestones gleaming on the backs.
“Why?”
“Because tonight is bunko and I’m hosting.”
“Bunko? A game night is the reason why you won’t go with me into town tomorrow for your tests?”
“Bunko and whiskey,” she said, opening what he thought was an old antique bureau, but behind two doors were shelves with different types of honey-colored booze, an ice bucket, impressive crystal rocks glasses, and a mirrored interior. As if on cue the doorbell rang. “Oh, the girls are early. Be a good grandson and go answer that door while I get the music on. Then come back and help me set up a few card tables.”
He couldn’t help but laugh until he found not one but five women from town at the door, and saw that more were still parking.
“Dalton, we heard you were back in town—did you take that job at the hospital yet? I’ll be needing to have my pulse checked regularly if you’re going to be the new doctor,” Mrs. Ross, his former elementary school principal, said as she opened the screen door and passed by, giving his cheek a pat.
Every woman had a comment to make about how handsome he was and how he better not stay away so long again. Once he had three card tables set up and had served them each their favorite cocktail, made to very specific order, it was clear he needed to get out of the house for the night, and fast.
Once the games started the women told him to be quiet and he made his escape. He texted Wes, but he said he was working late, then he texted Levi to find out about the house his little brother had in town but he got no response. So he found himself parking at the diner, and opted to sit at the old-fashioned counter instead of a booth. But within a minute he realized he was in earshot of Miles Banks, there having dinner with Brooke’s son. Miles was talking to Max about baseball and some of the great players in history.
“Maybe I’ll be a famous baseball player one day, or maybe I’ll be a ninja,” Max said.
“Either option is probably super fun, but I’m not sure who needs a ninja these days.”
“Our military has ninjas. They go on secret missions and protect America. My mom said I’d have to live far away from home, though, so I’m not so sure she’d sign that permission slip,” Max said.
Dalton couldn’t help but smile, but he kept to himself and ate his sandwich while scrolling the news on his phone. Since Brooke never appeared, he realized that, as Max’s uncle, Miles was just out with the boy having dinner. Dalton couldn’t find any fault with that. He wanted to know where Max’s dad fit in, but he doubted Miles or Brooke were going to be very forthcoming with that info.
“Hey, mister, are you a ninja? You got that tattoo like they get,” Max said. The boy’s head was at the level of the counter where Dalton was holding his phone to read the news and his forearm displayed his team’s trident in black ink.
“Sort of. My team are called SEALs. But we’re not ninjas.”
“SEALs,” Max tested saying the name. “Like big black animals that swim in the water and do secret missions?”
Miles stood behind Max with a smile.
“That’s a good description. They do go on secret missions, and we all had to be great swimmers.”
“I’m a great swimmer, and I can keep a secret.”
“What kind of secrets are you keeping from your mom, Max? I don’t recommend it,” Miles interjected.
“Oh, I’d have to keep the secrets from Mom too? Geez.”
Dalton and Miles both laughed.
“Are you on a secret mission now?” Max asked.
“No, I’m not in the military anymore.”
“But you’re always one of them, right? That’s why you have that tattoo. In case they ever need you, they could find you.” Max’s eyes were wide with interest.
“That’s true. I’ll always be one of them.”
“So cool.”
Miles sighed. “You know what else is cool, Max? Mr. Dalton is a doctor.”
Max groaned. “Uncle Miles, being a doctor is not as cool as being a ninja SEAL.”
Dalton leaned forward and made sure he had Max’s attention. “I can tell you that it is just as cool being a doctor, and far less dangerous.”
“A doctor and a SEAL? You’re awesome, mister,” Max said.
Dalton held out his hand. “Dalton Hart, nice to meet you.”
“Max Banks, third grader and second baseman, it’s super cool to meet you. Will you come to my school for career day?”
“Max, you can’t just ask a stranger to come to your school,” Miles said, putting his hand on the boy’s shoulder.
“Aww, come on, we’ve never had a SEAL for career day.”
“I’ll ask your mom for the details and see if I can fit it in my busy schedule.” Dalton could use another reason to talk to Brooke.
“Epic. You can come to my game tomorrow night too, if you want. We’re playing at six at the ballfield. Uncle Miles is going to get us all pizza after and then the ice cream truck to celebrate.”
“That’s really cool. I’ll be there,” Dalton said. Brooke’s son was giving him every lead he needed to see her again.
“Great, you can ask my mom about career day then too.”
“Alright, Max, we gotta go or your mom will start to worry,” Miles said. “Good night, Dalton.”
He could hear the warning in Miles’s tone, but he didn’t care.
“Bye, Dr. Dalton, super ninja SEAL.”
“Bye, Max.”