Page 63 of Under the Radar

“You’re too busy.”

“Hannah and Cherry are doing a craft fair on Saturday. I can come in and catch up.”

He lifted his eyebrows, a smile playing on his mouth. “Cherry’s coming for a visit?”

I grinned. “We’re going to Zeke’s to listen to the band Saturday.”

“Isn’t that interesting. I was planning on going myself.”

“Oh? You like the Broken Owls, do you?”

“One of my favorites.”

“Too bad it’s the Frozen Tundra playing, then.”

He threw back his head in laughter. “You got me. I don’t give a care who is playing. It’s who will be listening I’m interested in.”

I laughed with him. “I never had this conversation with you.”

“Nope.”

“I’ll go talk to Charly as soon as I finish my burger.”

“I owe you.”

“Yep.”

* * *

I had the windows down as I drove back from Townshead. The sun was shining, and the breeze felt good. Charly was covering the office, and Mary was looking after the kids while I was gone. The trip up had been easy, the back roads I drove down mostly deserted. It felt like old times, driving to pick up a part. I thought about how my life had changed since the day I showed up at the garage, only planning on asking for one thing: forgiveness.

I got way more than I bargained for. I got a new life, a family, and that all led to this moment. A job I loved, a home, and a girl who made me feel as if I could do anything. Be anything.

The sudden sound of a siren and the flash of a red light in my rearview mirror startled me. I glanced at the speedometer and cursed. I had been so deep into my thoughts I hadn’t noticed I’d gotten a little heavy-footed on the gas. But I was only ten kilometers over the limit and the road was empty, so I was surprised I was being pulled over. Regardless, I put on my blinker and slowed down, rolling to a stop and waiting as the officer climbed out of his cruiser. I hoped he’d lecture me, give me a warning, and let me go.

The hope ended when the officer appeared at my window.

“Going a little fast, Mr. Donner. Got somewhere important to be that you felt it was all right to break the law?”

I met the baleful stare of Dan Meyers, and I bit back my sarcastic retort.

“Sorry, Officer. I guess I didn’t realize. Nice day out for a drive and all.”

“Sunshine doesn’t give you permission to speed.”

“I was barely breaking the limit.”

“I clocked you at over twenty.”

I gaped at him. “It was hardly ten.”

“You slowed down.”

“But not enough for you.”

“Not enough for the lawful limit.”

I shook my head and narrowed my eyes. “What are you doing so far away from town? Are you following me?”