“That’s not necessary, I can handle that myself.”
“Really, Amy, all of this feels extreme for a fender bender.”
“I agree with Bob.”
The Bobs put up an instant fuss and started backpedaling and she held up her hand again and they reluctantly quieted down. “How about this then. You can both stop by the sheriff’s office to pick up a copy of the report, which you will then file with your insurance companies yourselves.”
I lifted my hand and Amy looked to me. “Or, they could contact the auto department at Pop High and talk to the instructor, Dan Hayes. The students often take on projects, and you might be able to get both bumpers cleaned up before school lets out for the summer.” I reached for my phone, retrieved his contact info, and texted it to both Bobs. “I sent you his details. School’s getting out soon, so you best hurry if you want to see if the students have time to help.”
“In the meantime,” Amy said, “it’s already been a long day. You can ring Mr. Hayes on the way to Doc Murphy and I don’t want to see either of you back here until you’ve gotten a release from the doc. Got it?”
The Bobs mumbled their agreement and left the office faster than I’d ever seen them move.
I tipped my hat to Amy and got up to leave. Stopping in the doorway, I said, “You missed your calling, sis. You would’ve made a great high school principal.”
“Ugh.” She waved her hand at me and reached for the ibuprofen on her desk. “Don’t you have a crime to go solve or something?”
I laughed and left the cool interior to head back out onto the street. The Bobs had both left in their vehicles, since neither vehicle was undrivable. I shook my head at the absolute waste of time that had been—time which I could’ve been spending with Caitlin.
I headed back to the station, my mind churning with ways to make Caitlin feel more settled and welcome in town. I’d come up with one idea that I liked, but I’d need my mom’s help.
I checked in on Caitlin, who she said she was tired and going to take a nap for a few hours. So when I wrapped up at the station, I drove out to the family ranch instead of heading back to the house. I’d enlist my mom’s help and be home before Caitlin woke up.
When I became sheriff, I’d bought a house in town to be close to the station. While the ranch was only about a twenty-minute drive, that commute could stretch out much longer if the weather was bad or the snowplow couldn’t get through, and in an emergency, those extra minutes could be a matter of life or death.
The ranch was Jake’s responsibility now. I knew my brother felt pressure about being the one to carry on the legacy that both of us still associated with our dad and older brother, but Jakealso loved the land and the horses, which made up the family’s primary income. It was the right place for him, just as being sheriff was the right place for me.
“Mom?” I called as I opened the door to the sprawling ranch house.
“Brian, is that you?” she responded. “I’m in the kitchen.”
I could have guessed that by the smell of something spicy cooking, so I made my way to the large kitchen that had always been the heart of the home.
“I wasn’t expecting you. Do you want to join us for dinner?” She poured a glass of sweet tea and put it on the counter for me.
“Thanks, but I can’t stay long,” I said and reached for the tea. “I needed to talk to you, and then I want to get back to town.”
“That place keeps you busy.” My mom put cookies on a plate and placed them next to my drink.
“I don’t mind.” Nothing had come between me and Poplar Springs until Caitlin came back into my life. Now, I felt curiously divided. I owed allegiance to both the town and to the family Caitlin and I were building. I didn’t doubt my ability to handle both—I just needed to figure out the balance. “I drove out to tell you that you’re going to be a grandma again. Caitlin’s pregnant.”
Six-year-old Henry was her only grandchild so far, and she loved the boy, but I could tell by the instant excitement on her face that my own child would be just as loved.
“That’s wonderful.” Mom stepped toward me to give me a hug. “I’m so pleased for you both,” she said, swiping tears from her eyes. “Oh, look at me. I don’t mean to cry, but they’re happy tears. It’s just that our family shrunk after the accident, and nowthat Cal and Amy are getting married and you and Caitlin and a baby…well…I’m just joyful. I hope you are, too.”
“I’m thrilled about the baby,” I said honestly. I was counting down the days until I could hold our child. “Caitlin’s happy, too.” I’d been worried about that at first, but I wasn’t any longer.
“Is she doing all right?” Mom asked. “The beginning can be rough. It sure was for me, especially with you and Jake.”
“So far,” I said. I’d read up on the first trimester, so I was well versed in what symptoms to look out for. Luckily, Caitlin hadn’t had most of the typical problems—not yet, anyway. “And we’re working it out. I could use your help, though. I’d like you to throw Caitlin a baby shower. Poplar Springs hasn’t always been the happiest place for her, and I want to make her feel included and welcome here.”
“I’d love to. I’ll get Amy to help me. She’s so good at organizing things. And I saw the cutest party favors on Pinterest. I can make those, and the food is no problem.” She gestured around her kitchen. “We’ll host it here on the ranch, but I’ll need a list of people to invite from Caitlin. I can guess some. Aurora and Carly and?—”
“Just not Caitlin’s mother,” I interrupted her.
“Are you sure about that?” she questioned after a few seconds of silence. “Not inviting the baby’s other grandmother will look odd.”
“I don’t care how it looks.” I wanted to be clear on this. “Hailey makes Caitlin uncomfortable and causes her stress. Caitlin doesn’t need that right now, and I want this to be a good experience for her.”
