Page 31 of Valor (Long Hot Summer: Christian Romantic Suspense #2)

GIBSON

“Mom?” I call out as I step into the home I grew up in. I’d been on the way to the office this morning when I decided to make a quick stop and check in.

“In here, honey!” she calls back.

I follow the sound of her voice down the hall and step into the brightly lit sunroom that has now become her art studio. As she almost always is, my mom is wearing paint-splattered clothes as she stands in front of a canvas, a brush in her hand.

“You look happy,” I tell her.

She beams at me, her curly hair pulled back from her face. “I am, kiddo. How are you?”

“Good. Had dinner with the Hunts last night.”

“Oh, did you?” She arches a brow. “Was a special Lani Hunt there?”

“She was. But as I’ve told you, we’re just friends.”

“Such a shame. She’s a good one, Lani.” Debra Lawson runs her paint-tipped brush over the canvas. “Kind, beautiful, God-fearing.”

Lani is a good one. The best, in fact. But I’m pretty sure I ruined any chance I had with her when I rushed into a marriage without thinking. It’s a regret I still carry to this day, despite having been divorced for nearly a decade already.

Kleo was not who I thought she was. And frankly, I didn’t seek the adventure she’d hoped for. Instead, I’d opted for a quiet life here at home, where I could be present for my mom after my dad passed away. My close relationship with my mom drove Kleo crazy. It took me a while to realize that I’d stopped even seeing my mom outside of church on Sundays because Kleo was so frustrated.

She had a poor relationship with her own mother, so mine somehow also ended up on the enemy list.

“There. I think it’s done. Come take a look.” She reaches out for me, so I wrap an arm around her shoulders and study the painting she just finished.

“It’s gorgeous,” I tell her, surveying the landscape of stunning bluebell flowers, a woman’s silhouette standing in the center of them, her head tilted toward the sky.

“It really is,” she replies.

“Who ordered this one?” For the past five years, she’s run a highly successful paint-on-demand company completely online. People from all over the world order paintings from her, and she ships out often enough that the post office calls to check on her if it’s been a day without them seeing her.

“No one. This one’s for me.” She tilts her face up and smiles. “Coffee?”

“I’d love some, thanks.”

“Then come on, honey. I’ll put a fresh pot on.” After dipping her brushes in the wash cup, she heads toward the small kitchen my dad renovated for her about three years before he passed. I’d helped him lay each white subway tile, then watched as my mom painted a stunning assortment of flowers on them before sealing the paint.

They look completely new, even now.

“So how is Lani doing? Her mom said she’s not eating and sleeping enough these days. She’s worried about her.”

“She’s definitely stressed, but she’s doing good.” I take a seat at the small round table still prepared for three. It makes my heart ache to know my mom lives here alone. She and my dad were married thirty-two years before he passed.

I couldn’t even make it three.

And that adds a whole new level of sting to my pride.

“Just good? I saw her the other day. She’s stunning.” As the coffee begins to drip into the pot, my mom takes a seat at the table, her full attention on me. Bright green eyes that have always been able to force the truth from me. Even when I’m trying hard to hide it.

“She’s always been stunning.”

“Then what’s taking you so long?” She gently smacks me on the arm. “Your father and I did not raise you to be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone.”

I laugh, recalling my eighteenth birthday when they took me skydiving. I’d been terrified, but even though neither of them had ever done it either, my mom told me that God blessed us with such a beautiful life, it would be a shame to miss experiences. “No, you didn’t.”

“Then why haven’t you asked her on a date yet? Not dinner at her house, or with other people, but an actual date?”

“It’s complicated.” I run a hand over the back of my hair.

“Do share, darling.” She crosses her arms and arches a brow.

“I already couldn’t make a marriage work. What if this relationship fails too? Then I not only lose my chance with her, I also lose the friendship I’ve had for my entire life.”

“I’m not even going to go into the fact that Kleo’s the one who cheated. You tried to make it work. Even after you told me that you thought you’d made a mistake. You treated that girl like a princess—I would have told you if you didn’t—and she left anyway. That is not on you. ”

“Not going to get into it, huh?” I ask, amused.

My mom rolls her eyes and gets to her feet to retrieve two mugs and fill them with coffee. After adding some cream and honey in hers, she returns to the table and sets my mug in front of me before sitting down with hers. “There’s a whole lot more I could say, but I won’t.” She takes a sip of coffee. “But what chance do you have if you don’t take it? Honey, you wait much longer and she’s going to end up with someone else, and you’ll have a lifetime of kicking yourself.”

“It’s a bigger risk than I think I can take.”

“No, it’s not.” She leans in and covers my hand with hers. “I want to see my boy happy. Lani Hunt makes you happy. Just like you make her happy. Don’t you think there’s a reason she hasn’t settled down herself? All of her brothers have, and the good Lord knows there’s been men who’ve tried to get her to settle down.”

“There have? Who?” Jealousy snakes through my thoughts.

My mom grins. “Got you.”

“Mom.” I groan. “You’re killing me.”

“All I’m saying is ask. It can’t hurt. If things don’t work out, or she doesn’t feel the same—which would be crazy, you’re a catch—then no harm done. Go back to friends.”

“Can we talk about something—anything—else?”

“If you agree to take a chance, then maybe.” She smiles before taking another drink of coffee.

“Fine. I agree. Good?”

“Good.”

“Now. How are things around here? You haven’t asked me to fix anything in a while.”

“There hasn’t been anything to fix,” she says. “Everything is in tip-top shape.”

“Your greenhouse? Did the glass hold up during the storm yesterday?”

She nods. “Everything is fine, honey. I promise.”

“I just want to make sure you’re taken care of, Mom.”

“I know you do, and I love you for it. But maybe it’s time you start taking care of yourself.”

“By asking Lani out.”

“By doing something that will make you happy.”

“Being sheriff makes me happy.”

She smiles. “I know it does, honey. But I also know you’re lonely.”

I arch a brow. “And just how do you know that?”

“A mother knows,” she replies simply.

Laughing, I take another drink of coffee. “I’ll think about it.”

She grips my arm in excitement. “Really?”

“I said I’d think about it. Don’t start planning to go buy a mother-of-the-groom dress.”

My mom throws her head back and laughs, a joyful sound that was always the center of our happy home. “I won’t,” she replies with a wink. “Besides, you know I make all my own dresses anyway. No buying needed.”

* * *

The sheriff’s department is small here in our Texas town of Pine Creek. There are two deputies and myself, as well as a receptionist and a three-person crime scene team called in whenever necessary.

As I refill my coffee for the third time this morning, I’m honestly wishing I had more to do. Not because I want the crime, but because ever since I got here three hours ago, I’ve had time to talk myself into—and out of—asking Lani out half a dozen times.

If I knew what she was going to say, it would be a no-brainer. But I don’t. She could laugh in my face. Tell me how ridiculous the idea of a date with me really is.

Oh, who am I kidding. Lani would never do either of those things. She’s too kind. And somehow, that makes me even more terrified.

I take a drink of stale coffee. I’m going to do it. It’s time. Right?

“Afternoon, Sheriff,” Deputy Amy Brown greets as she steps into the break room wearing leggings and a workout tank. Her skin is slick with sweat, her cheeks red.

“Afternoon. Good workout?”

She smiles at me. “Always is. Anything happen while I was at the gym?”

“Nope. Been a quiet day. I’m even nearly all caught up on paperwork.”

She laughs. “That’s good to hear.” After adding two scoops of protein to a shaker bottle full of water, she turns to fully face me. “One of these days, I’m going to get you in the gym with me. See if you can hang.”

I chuckle. “Appreciate that, but I’ve got my routine.” I’d spent an hour and a half at the gym of my apartment building first thing this morning. There, Lani had also been on my mind. Not that I should be surprised. I literally cannot escape the thought of her. The way her dark almond eyes stare at me with such openness that it almost makes me forget the pain of a failed marriage that I’ve spent years trying to work through.

“Chicken,” she replies. “I’m going to go get cleaned up for the day, then head out on patrol. Let me know if you need me anywhere in particular.”

“Sounds good.”

She offers me a wave as she leaves the room. Deputy Brown is a relatively new hire, coming to us from Dallas about a year ago. She had a relationship that went up in flames and wanted a fresh start. One I’d been happy to grant since up until then it was me and Peter Lenson running things all by ourselves after two of the other deputies retired.

We have Jenny Wilson, of course, our secretary who keeps everything nice and organized. I glance over at Jenny and note her setting a new floral arrangement on the edge of her desk. She also happens to keep the place looking—and smelling—nice. If it weren’t for her, the entire office would probably fall into disarray.

She sees me watching and offers me a wave as she smiles. I return it, then head back down toward my office.

These days, it’s me, Deputy Lenson, and Deputy Brown, plus another new hire—Deputy Brad Poland—and we have two more going through the onboarding process. I take a deep breath. Like the small hospital in our town, the sheriff’s station is also understaffed. Not a terrible thing when we have a relatively peaceful town, but it would be nice to have a few more boots on the ground for the days when things get especially crazy.

Not that we don’t have backup when we need it. Lani’s brothers are all former Special Forces and run a search and rescue team off their ranch. They’re always more than willing to step up and lend a hand if needed.

My phone buzzes, so I pull it out and grin like an idiot when I see Lani’s name pop up on the screen.

Lani: I hope your morning has been better than mine. There’s a stomach bug going around and it seems like all of Pine Creek Elementary is patient zero.

She followed it up with a green nauseous emoji.

Me: I can safely say I’m not dealing with any projectile stomach issues. However, I did go see my mom this morning.

Lani: Your mom is amazing. There is no comparing our mornings. You lose, Sheriff.

I laugh.

Me: Fair enough. Want me to bring you some lunch later? Looks like it’ll be a slow day. I can pick up a couple burgers and head that way about 11:00.

It’s silly given that it’s such a simple offer, and one I’ve made many times before, but I practically hold my breath as I wait for her to respond.

Lani: Don’t tease me, Sheriff.

Me: No teasing involved. I’ll see you at 11:00.

Lani: Have I told you that you’re amazing? Because if I haven’t, then consider me saying it now. You, Sheriff Gibson Lawson, are one of my favorite people. See you then. Another patient just came into the ER. Have to run.

Me: See you then. Be safe, soldier. Try to avoid being puked on.

She responds with some laughing emojis that pretty much send my mood soaring. I sit here, grinning like an idiot, as I stare at her message. You, Sheriff Gibson Lawson, are one of my favorite people. Favorite as in friend zone for life? Or favorite as in she could see something else between us?

My mom’s words come back to haunt me. What chance do you have if you don’t take it? She’s not wrong. And maybe it’s time. Maybe I should finally take that leap and see where it leads me.

After all, what could it hurt?