As the night went on, I’d noticed the ladies were getting closer and closer, moving around near the center of the room, swaying to the music. There were a few times I’d looked in their direction and made eye contact with Sadie. I’d say it had everything to do with the alcohol that she’d consumed, because she was getting braver as the hours passed. She’d hold my gaze and if I’m not mistaken once she even smirked, before tucking her chin toward her chest to hide it.
“You feeling brave?” Beau nudged my shoulder. “Maybe this is your chance.”
“My chance to what, talk to an inebriated woman who won’t remember a thing I said tomorrow?” I was however going to ensure that no other guy tried to use her current state as an opportunity to get close to her either.
Passing off the pool stick I found an empty space near the dance floor and leaned back against the wall, watching her close. She wasn’t mine, I knew that, but I felt like she needed someone to watch over her anyway.
I climbed up onto the ATV and backed it out of the shed. Keeping the light on the front turned off, I followed the same path I had taken so many times before. The light from the moon above gave me what I needed to find my way through the tall trees into the clearing up ahead.
I continued to move across the land, hidden in the taller grass until I got closer to the place on Grady’s property that tends to draw in the younger kids. His were the only hot springs in our town and the perfect place for horny teens to sneak off to when they were hoping to find a little alone time.
I did a sweep of the area as often as I could, running off the trespassers.
The silence of the night, the peacefulness, was something I enjoyed.
I rounded the trees, parked the ATV and climbed off, killing the engine. Walking the rest of the way to the springs, so not to warn anyone that may be out there, I crept along the path.
The springs were quiet, no laughing or talking. I walked around the area a little more before I turned back toward where I’d left the four-wheeler.
Taking the long way around, I looked over Grady’s property and my own before I placed the four-wheeler back into the shed and locked it up. Gus was waiting for me, laying at the backdoor as soon as I stepped inside. He darted passed me, running out to relieve himself before rushing back and jumping at my legs.
“Come on crazy.” I roughed him up and his playful nature came out even more as he stomped his feet and woofed at me.
Hearing my phone ringing in the next room I hurried to grab it, finding that it was the station calling. I answered it before it got to voicemail, a knot already forming in my stomach. It was always the same, rarely did I get a call while I was off duty unless it was related to one specific person.
“Murphy,” I said, taking in a deep breath and bracing myself for what I already knew was coming.
“Yo, man, I hate to bother you on your night off, but we’ve got Will down here and I didn’t want to call your mom.” I ran my hand over my face in frustration and scratched at the stubble along my jaw. “He’s pretty wasted and kinda busted up.”
“Where’d you pick him up?” I wished my younger brother would grow the fuck up.
“Outside of Pony Up,” Sam said with his voice low. I knew calling me wasn’t something he’d wanted to do either, but the alternative was something my mother didn’t need. Losing my father only seven months ago was hard enough on her. I’d deal with Will if it meant keeping the stress off of her.
“I’ll be there in ten.”
Ending the call, I let out a frustrated breath before I dialed my mother’s number. When she answered I tried my best to hide the irritation in my voice. “Hey, pretty lady.”
“Oh, Wyatt,” she laughed off my words. I could almost imagine her swatting her hand out and blushing the way she always does when I call her that.
“I just wanted to let you know that Will is here and passed out on my couch.” I hated lying to her but technically he would be soon. “I didn’t want you to worry. He stopped by, had a few beers and I didn’t want him driving.”
“Oh, well that’s nice. You boys don’t spend enough time together.”
That’s because half the time all I wanted to do was beat him half to death for being such an idiot. I didn’t know what he’s thinking half the time, but what I do know is one of these days his bullshit was going to get him into trouble that I wouldn’t be able to get him out of.
“How about I pick you up early tomorrow morning and we go have breakfast?”
“I have church at nine.”
“Then after.” I won’t make her feel bad for denying me, church and the women there were a great distraction for my mother. After my father passed, she find comfort in them. She’d stepped up volunteering and found every way she could to involve herself in the town and its activities. My father was her best friend, the two of them were rarely seen apart. Losing him was like losing a part of herself and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t worry about her constantly.
“I heard about your run in with the Michaels girl.” Her words aught me a little off guard, I was expecting her to mention it. But then again, she was spending more time with the gossipy woman of this town so I shouldn’t be surprised. “What’s her name again?”
“Sadie.” I say nothing more. I wasn’t sure if my mother knew what took place all those years ago between her and I. But I had to think if she did, she’d be disappointed that I’d hurt her the way I had and then allowed the so-called friends I’d had to torture her.
“I think maybe you should take her out to breakfast to apologize for making her wear her coffee.” I almost laughed. “She seems like a sweet girl, came back to town so she could run the flower shop while her momma is down with a broken hip.”
I’d been on scene when the EMT’s were moving Ms. Michaels out after her fall.
“From what Aunt Mabel says, she’s single.”
I chuckled, “All right, Ma, but dinner soon.” My mother never liked Karlie, not when we were dating when I was in high school and she hated we were engaged. I knew secretly she was happy it was over.
I ended the call after she pushed a little more for me to ask out the pretty girl and grabbed my keys.
Twenty minutes later I was shuffling my younger brother in the door telling him I was done saving his sorry ass and next time I’d let him sleep it off in a cell. Little shit thought since I was on the police force he’d do what he wanted and I’d keep him out of trouble. If it wasn’t for my mother and her stress, I’d have watched his pathetic ass rot.
After a shower and another beer, I passed out with my mother’s words ringing in my mind.
If only asking Sadie out was that easy.
Chapter Eight
Sadie
* * *
“This property was once a larger home turned into four separate units. Two upstairs and two downstairs.” The agent held out his hand for me to accept as he helped me out of his large SUV. Cole Jackson was sweet, a little flirty, but tolerable. We’d been together for less than thirty minutes and I’d already caught him looking at me three times when he’d thought I wasn’t paying attention. It was more a slow perusal than an extended glance.