The Search The Secrets of Crittenden Cou - By Shelley Shepard Gray Page 0,75
and realize that he was exactly right. “So Micah is the one?”
Holding up a hand warning her to be quiet, her father continued. “Though Micah has many mighty fine qualities . . . I do not feel that he is the man for you, Frannie. And once more, I believe you know that.”
Her heart stopped for a second, then started beating again as pure adrenaline coursed through her. “Daed? Truly?”
He nodded. “Take it from me, daughter. Mourning a spouse ain’t easy. But it would be far harder if I didn’t feel that my marriage to your mamm was one of the best things that had ever happened to me. I have mountains of memories to hold close and keep me warm on frosty nights.” He paused. “Frannie, you do not want to marry a man who doesn’t make you think that. And I don’t believe that Micah makes you feel that way. Perhaps Luke isn’t the man for you, right now, either. But one day he might be. Or, one day you will meet someone new who is your perfect fit.”
While she sat, stunned by his sudden willingness to reminisce, he continued. “Don’t give in just because you are anxious to be in love. You have to let things happen in their own time.”
“What should I do?”
“I’ve said enough, child. Now it’s your turn to make decisions.” With a grunt, he got to his feet and stretched. “I think I’ll head on home now. You have your hands full here, and I have a need for some peace and quiet.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “You mean you want to sit somewhere without a girl asking you to figure out her love life?”
“Oh, I didn’t say that now, did I?” Tenderly, he ran a hand down her jaw. “You are not doing as poorly as you seem to think, Frannie. Believe in yourself and God will take care of the rest.”
As she watched her daed walk out to his buggy, she realized the challenge of the last few days had taken its toll. Even though it wasn’t much past eight o’clock, she walked up the stairs and knocked softly on Jack’s door.
He opened immediately. “Anything wrong?”
“Not at all. I just wanted to tell you that I am going to go to sleep now. But I know it’s early. There’s some turkey and ham in the icebox, and fruit and other things on the counter. Please feel free to eat whatever you’d like.”
“I’ll do that. Thanks.”
She smiled over her shoulder, then made her way to her room. She barely remembered closing and locking her door before lying down on the bed and shutting her eyes.
Chapter 25
“A good aim in life isn’t enough. You have to pull the trigger.”
SHERIFF MOSE KRAMER
The buzz in the police station was both grating and completely familiar.
Luke walked through the maze of desks and cubicles slowly, stopping often to shake hands and catch up on news.
“Hey, Detective Reynolds!” Teresa in records called out. “Long time, no see. How’s your bum leg?”
“Better.”
“Good to hear. It’s been quiet without you.”
As he smiled his thanks, Scotty, one of the sergeants who’d been with the CPD forever, clapped him on the back.
“So, you back for good now?”
“I don’t know. I’ve got to go check in with the captain.” He glanced at Captain Sullivan’s closed door and wished he could delay the inevitable. Within the hour, Sullivan would be handing over his orders and Luke would be back in the thick of things.
His trip to Crittenden County would turn into just a memory.
Scotty turned his head to one side, looking him over like he was a suspicious dish at a potluck. “You seem different.”
He felt different, too. “Must be because I’ve been used to just sitting around all day.”
“In front of the soaps again, huh, Reynolds?” another coworker said with a smirk.
Luke waved off the jab, as well as most of the trash talk that was happening around him as he continued his way to the captain’s office. It felt good to be back. The energy in the room invigorated him, made him feel more alive, like all of his senses were now on high alert.
It struck him that while he was enjoying seeing all the guys, he really hadn’t missed the frenetic grind that was the heart and soul of a big city police force.
When he got to his captain’s office, he knocked once and stuck his head in.
Greg Sullivan saw him and grunted. Putting his hand over the phone’s receiver, he