Page 59 of Mine

“You assume correctly. But that won’t stop me from checking on you.” He smiled and scooted his chair back. “Ready, Zoey?”

“Yup. Give me two minutes to brush my teeth.” The girl placed her dish in the sink and raced to the bathroom.

David ran a hand down Jennie’s arm. “Take it easy today. Promise me you’ll rest and not go out of the house.”

Pink rushed up her cheeks. “I promise.”

He studied her a moment. That seemed too easy for the independent, stubborn woman he’d come to know. As he was about to ask her about the change in attitude, Zoey came screeching to a halt beside him.

“I’m ready.” Backpack over her shoulder, Zoey took his hand and yanked him toward the front door. “Come on. I can’t be late.”

He chuckled and threw a smile over his shoulder at Jennie then turned his attention on Zoey. “You chariot awaits, princess.”

Zoey giggled. “Can we run the lights and sirens?”

“I don’t think so.”

The corners of her mouth drooped.

“Maybe we can hit the lights once when we get to the school.”

“Yay!”

Chapter 16

Friday 1:00 p.m.

What a day. He and Brandon reported to a domestic disturbance. His second-most hated call behind anything that dealt with children. The resulting release of the husband continued to baffle him. How did a woman put up with being hit and then scream at them not to arrest her husband? Now, he was late for lunch with Jennie. David pulled up to the curb in front of Mrs. Hanover’s house and killed the engine.

He dropped from his new truck and waltzed over to Officer Hanes’s car.

“Has it been quiet around here?”

Randy dusted crumbs off his shirt and peered up at David with a sheepish grin. “Yes, sir.”

David swiped his hand over his mouth to hide a smirk. “Miss Emily makes amazing cookies, doesn’t she?”

The officer exhaled. “She sure does.”

“Relax, Randy. No one’s going to grump at you.”

“Thanks, detective. I had to use the facilities, and Mrs. Hanover handed me a bag of treats on the way out.”

David nodded. “I get it. No worries, man. I’ll be here for about an hour or so. Take a break and get some real food in your belly.”

“Will do. See you in an hour, sir.”

David waved at the officer as he backed out of the driveway. The weight of the day draped over his shoulders like a blanket. He clomped up the steps and knocked on the front door.

Miss Emily swung the door open and greeted him with a hug. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

His pulse galloped out of control. “Why? What happened?”

“Stop it, young man. Nothing happened. I’m just glad to see you.” She studied him for a moment. “Looks like you could use some comfort food.”

“I wouldn’t turn it down.” He followed Miss Emily through the living room and toward the kitchen. “Where’s Jennie?” He glanced down the hall hoping to catch a glimpse of her.

“She ate earlier and went to take a nap.” The woman checked her watch. “She should be making an appearance pretty soon.”