Sheriff’s Pregnant Ex by Leslie North

20

Brian glanced at his watch. Almost five. He’d declared that hour quitting time two weeks ago when he and Caitlin had returned to Darby Crossing together. That day he’d had to go ask the mayor for his job back. She’d laughed at him and pulled his resignation out of a drawer with an “I-knew-you-weren’t-serious” look.

Since then, he’d been serious about two things. Making sure his deputies could manage without his constant supervision and assuring that he spent as much time with Caitlin as he could.

He left his office, putting his hat on as he moved toward the station door. Sofia was on the phone, and she held up a finger for him to stop.

“What is it?” he asked when she hung up, knowing that something must be going on.

“The town council members are at it again,” Sofia said. “McCall has blocked Jackson in his parking space. They’re apparently fighting about something that happened during a meeting. Mack’s already there, but they’re insisting you come personally. Sorry.”

“Not happening,” Brian declared without hesitation. “I’m not going. You can de-escalate that situation as easily as I can. Take Nelson with you so he sees how it’s done.” Brian had hired Nelson as a new part-time officer to fill in for some of the hours that Brian was no longer working.

“Ready to roll,” Nelson said, getting up from behind his desk. Brian liked the young deputy’s attitude. He was always ready to jump in as needed, but he also had sense and judgement.

“Do you want me to call you later with the outcome?” Sofia asked, shooting him a questioning look.

“Nope, I’ve got a date,” Brian said and walked out the door, feeling confident that he’d made the right call. Sofia could handle the situation and a whole lot more.

He was whistling when he turned down Main Street, headed for the storefront that would soon be Caitlin and Maggie’s tattoo parlor. They’d gotten the keys the day before and were jumping right into readying the space. He’d put the brakes on that a bit. He didn’t want Caitlin overdoing it. She’d argued that she was fine, capable of doing the labor, but he hadn’t budged on that issue. To ensure she didn’t lug, tug, or climb ladders, he’d gotten Jake and Cal to help out for a few days to do the heavy lifting.

He could see his plan was working when he opened the door and stepped in. Cal was carrying a box toward the dumpster in back of the store, and Jake was up on a ladder storing some items on high shelves. Brian caught his brother’s eye and nodded.

“Thanks for being here,” Brian said. He could always call on family to help him, and he was hoping Caitlin felt that she had the same family support herself now.

“Just making sure my new niece or nephew stays safe,” Jake said as he came down from the ladder.

“Uncle Brian!” Henry ran into the room and skidded to a stop in front of him. “I’ve been helping.” Brian’s nephew wore patched jeans and a t-shirt that proclaimed him a “Ranch Kid.” He was dusty and had grime streaked across his cheek, but he also had a huge smile on his face.

“Cal brought him along,” Jake said, rubbing his hand over Henry’s head. “And he’s been darn useful.”

“I carried a ginormous box.” Henry gestured with his arms showing the size. “And I killed a really big spider,” Henry lowered his voice, “but Uncle Jake said that we shouldn’t mention that to the women.”

“Good call,” Brian said, making a mental note to contact an exterminator. Since the building had sat empty for over a year, that spider probably had friends. The front door opened, and Amy came in. This was getting to be a true family affair.

“Mom, can I ask him?” Henry rushed over to his mother. “Please.”

“Yes, you can.” Amy caught Brian’s eye and flashed him a smile. “Henry has questions for you. He’s been waiting for a good time to ask.”

“Uncle Brian, when the baby gets here, it’ll be really little, right?” Henry asked.

“I expect so,” Brian responded. Brian was plenty anxious for the baby to arrive, too, but he wondered where this line of questioning was going.

Henry hooked his thumbs in his belt loops and rocked back on his heels in the same fashion as Jake often stood. “What I want to know is how long do I have to wait until he can ride a pony?” The kid was obviously looking for a playmate.

“Or she,” Jake corrected. “Could be a girl.”

“That’s okay. Girls can ride, too,” Henry said.

“I’m no expert on the subject. We’ll have to wait and see, but I think you started riding when you were two. Is that right, Amy?” Brian looked to Henry’s mother for confirmation.

“That’s what I told him,” Amy said, eyeing her son, “but he wanted to hear it from you. Satisfied?” She addressed the question to Henry.

“Yep, but it’s a long time to wait,” Henry said, though he seemed to accept it.

“I thought I heard your voice.” Caitlin came down the hall, followed by Maggie. Caitlin wore a kerchief over her hair and her clothes were dusty, but she had a smile just for him.

He went to her immediately and pulled her in for a kiss. “What have you been doing?” He wanted to make sure she hadn’t overexerted herself.

“Stripping wallpaper in what’ll be our tattoo rooms,” she said. “There was hideous textured purple paper in one room, and bright shiny yellow in the other. Maggie did the high parts and I did the low. We got a lot done.” She seemed satisfied with her work for the day. “Tomorrow, we’ll take a trip to the paint store. With this much help, we’ll be open before you know it.”

“Here,” Amy said. “I’ve got some information about business programs in town that I thought you’d be interested in.” Amy took some papers from her bag and handed them to Maggie and Caitlin. “We like to encourage small businesses.”

Cal came in from outside then and went to Amy and kissed her.

“More kissing,” Henry commented with a sigh, making them all laugh.

“Knock, knock.” Aurora stepped in the front door. She carried several bags. “You’ve all been working so hard over here that I thought you might like some dinner. I had Marc whip up something special for you after we closed for the day.”

Caitlin looked up at Brian, a happy smile on her face. He understood her expression. Everyone was coming together to help her dream become a reality. It was just as wonderful as the way that everything was coming together for them. And he had plans to celebrate that, which didn’t involve a room full of family and friends.

“We appreciate it, Aurora,” Brian said, “but I think you all should eat that food someplace else. We’re locking the door on this joint for the night. Caitlin and I have a date.”

“We do?” she asked, blinking in surprise. “But there’s so much to get done.”

He leaned closer to whisper in her ear. “Three months ago tonight I met up with a beautiful woman from my past at a country swing bar and she changed my life. Call me sentimental, but I want to take you there tonight.”

“Oh, in that case…” She turned to address everyone. “Thanks so much for all your help today.”

“Come over to the diner and eat,” Aurora offered. Jake and Maggie took some of the bags from her and they went out together.

“I’ll send my boys back to help you tomorrow,” Amy told Caitlin as she headed out with Cal and Henry. “Have fun tonight!”

When the door closed, Brian pulled Caitlin against him. Her arms went around him, and they stood there for a moment looking at each other.

“Are you happy to be home?” Brian asked. He felt sure she was, but he wanted to hear her say it.

“How can you even ask that? Everyone has been so kind.” She paused. “And I have you.”

“And I have you,” he said and kissed her. He knew then and there that he’d love her forever. He’d been lucky enough to find complete happiness.

After another long kiss, they linked hands and headed out for their date.