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“By the way, thank Edwyn for the idea to call dispatch and leave the line open so they could hear what was going on. They radioed me right away and I was able to head back. I thought you had followed me out.”

“That was my plan. It didn’t work out so well.”

Officer Daniels pulled a flashlight from his duty belt, and they slowly crept up the rickety staircase. In the far corner, near a single pane window, lay Randy. He was unconscious, but Connor could see the rise and fall of his body.

“Praise God. He’s alive.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Aweek later

Connor sat in his office with Lacy, Ferd, and Brendon on New Years Eve. Snow swirled outside the window and the scent of the wood fire from the fireplace in the living room carried to his office. He glanced quickly at the documents Dad had drawn up with his lawyer the day before, and hoped Brendon wouldn’t feel cheated.

Ferd took a deep breath. “Is this about my brothers?”

She was far too knowing for her own good, but that would make her great working for Wayside if she chose to. “Yes. My brothers appreciated what we have going on here and would like to join in and help the cause. We had a really good talk, and they now know Mom was wrong in her assumptions about me. They’re still unsure about Dad. They know I don’t have any children to pass this on to.”

“Yet,” Lacy said with confidence.

He grinned, unable to help himself. “Right. I may, at some point in the future have a child but for now, the shares of Wayside are split into fifths with each of Theodore, also known as Teddy, Kincade’s children getting equal portions. I feel thisis fair and we can discuss any change to that if any of us have children.”

Brendon cleared his throat and Connor held up his hand. “I don’t want to leave you out. You’ve been at my side since the beginning. I wish I could make you an honorary brother and give you a portion, but Dad’s trust goes into effect when he passes. As of right now, nothing has changed with the working of Wayside.”

“I know,” Brendon said. “Once Ferd came back, I assumed the way the trust was written would be changed. Unless we adopt, Dee and I will not be able to have children, I won’t have anyone to give a portion of Wayside to. It’s better to rely on Ferd or Hunter for the next generation.”

Lacy waved her hands. “Or us. I mean. I’m not exactly old yet.” She crossed her arms.

“You two aren’t married yet, either,” Brendon joked.

Connor bowed his head slightly. He hadn’t told the guys, but he’d already asked Lacy to pick a date. They would be married in May, in the spring. He only had to wait through one more winter before his bride would be legally part of his family again.

Lacy looked at him, prodding him to answer.

“Lacy and I will be getting married in May. You all are, of course, invited.”

Brendon snorted. “Took you both long enough.”

“Thanks,” Connor deadpanned.

Now that dividing up the land or at least telling everyone about the division was complete, he let them go off to their other duties. Lacy stayed in place and tucked her feet up on the chair as she had done every day in the morning when they talked about work or life. She was a beautiful fixture in his life that he never wanted to lose again.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked.

“You. Always you.” He grinned. “Sorry you asked?”

“Never.” She stood and held out her hand. “I heard you get the whole day off.”

“Who told you that?” He laughed.

“The boss.” She grinned.

“I thought I was the boss?” He took hold of her hand and kissed it.

“How about I be the boss today and give you the whole day off?” She pulled him closer.

“I like that idea. What should I do with my day off?” He wrapped his arms around her waist.

“I think we should make popcorn and watch crime documentaries. All day long.”

“Hmm, that’s very dark for a day off. Any other ideas?” He was kidding, he’d spend the day doing anything.

She tilted her head back slightly and he zeroed in on a particularly soft looking spot right by her ear. He kissed her there and she squirmed in his arms, giggling.

“That tickles.” She pushed him away playfully.

“That makes me want to do it even more.” He chased her around his office for a minute until she let him catch her and in the next heartbeat, he lifted her off her feet and into his arms. “If my boss says we watch documentaries, then that’s what we’ll do.”

She hugged his neck as he carried her up the stairs, thankful for a year of second chances.