Page 33 of Psycho

"I was hoping you'd say that."

Then the door opened, and I expected another biker or two to file in, looking for a drink and a bite to eat. Instead, Fire Chief Barrett Kent crossed the threshold, wearing a standard dark blue uniform. Bobbie waved him over.

"Hey! I thought you were too busy to drop by."

She stood on tiptoe to hug him, and he patted her back.

"I can only stay for a few minutes. I'm still on call. But I appreciated the invitation, so I thought I'd say hi."

"You two know each other?" I asked, glancing between them.

Bobbie delivered a playful right hook to Barrett's shoulder.

"Chief has been looking out for me ever since my first winter in Juniper Creek. He makes the best hot cocoa."

Barrett crossed his arms, fixing her with a stern look.

"I've also pulled more than a few strings for her when she goes snooping around town for information."

Bobbie tugged at her earlobe self-consciously. She slid an arm around my shoulders, leaning against me.

"Chief, this is Arrow, the friend I told you about. Better known around here as Psycho."

Suddenly, I found myself the target of Barrett's assessing gaze. I'd met some intimidating men during my lifetime, but half of them were bullies, and the other half were just blowing smoke. Few men know how to handle authority responsibly, leading with a level head.

Barrett had that quiet, calm presence about him. I respected him for that. And I respected him even more knowing that he had been watching over Bobbie as much as he could.

He held out his hand to me. I shook it, surprised at the strength of his grip. But he didn't let go when I expected him to.

"Bobbie has been through a lot," Barrett said. "She's tough and she's smart and she needs someone who can protect that fragile heart she's carrying around."

I nodded.

"Yes, sir. That's exactly what I intend to do."

Barrett eyed me for another moment longer before finally releasing my hand.

"I told him not to grill you," Bobbie said sympathetically. "I'm about the same age as his daughter, so he gets stuck in Overprotective Dad Mode sometimes and he can't seem to turn it off."

I said nothing, but secretly, I was grateful to Barrett for stepping in and being a father figure to her. She needed that. And I didn't mind if he wanted to grill me. I would gladly spell out every detail of the future I dreamed of building with Bobbie.

Barrett's radio crackled to life with a call for a grease fire three blocks away.

"That's my cue. I'm heading out. It was good meeting you, Arrow. I'd like to buy you a beer sometime when I'm off the clock. Bobbie, try to stay out of trouble, will you?"

"Sorry, Chief, I'm not making any promises," she said, blowing him a kiss.

Barrett chuckled and shook his head, ducking out the door.

"Are you going to let me in on these plans to stir up trouble?" I asked Bobbie. "Or are you going to keep me guessing?"

She selected a chocolate pumpkin from my bucket with a grin.

"Of course I'll keep you guessing. It's entertaining to make you wonder what my next move will be."

An ear-splitting shriek split the air and all heads turned toward the sound. Jenny stood there with an utterly horrified expression, staring at her son. Casey cackled with delight as he held up a jiggly green thing.

“It’s a gummy spider, Mama!” he said. “Uncle Psycho gave it to me!”