Truly, Madly, Deeply (The Baxters #31) - Karen Kingsbury Page 0,65

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Raul was in the middle of telling a story about a year-old foot chase. “The guy’s got a gun in his hand and he finally stops running. I tell him to drop the gun and he looks at me—straight at me—and tells me, ‘Hey man, I never had a gun in my life.’ ”

One of the officers sitting closest to him laughed. “My toddler can lie better than some of these guys.”

“But that takedown last week—” One of the officers nodded to a female cop in uniform. “Guy was twice your size, Debbie. How’d you do that?”

Officer Debbie grinned. “I train with the best. What can I say?”

Reagan made eye contact with her husband. “They love this.”

“They do.” He leaned close. “For a lot of reasons.”

Reagan already understood their desire to keep streets safe. Their calling to help people and get criminals behind bars. But she hadn’t seen or considered this part of being an officer. Not until right here, witnessing it for herself.

Police officers were a family all their own.

Even Tommy joined in. “Tell them about the man stopped in the middle of the road. From my first ride-along with you.” He laughed. “That was my first time to see something like that in person.”

Raul seemed to be gaining energy. He chuckled. “Guy parks his car in the middle of Forty-second. Smack in the center.” He shook his head. “I park next to him and approach the driver’s side. ‘Hey, mister. You know you’re parked in the middle of the road?’ ”

A few of the officers chuckled and nodded. As if they’d all been there one way or another.

“So he looks right at me—sort of—and he says, ‘I’m not in the middle of the road, Officer. I’m driving… down the highway.’ ” Raul’s eyes got wide. “I mean his car is in park. Traffic backing up behind us.”

“Not for long,” Raul’s mother clapped her hands. “Not with my boy out there!”

“Amen.” Raul’s dad gave him a thumbs-up. “Love you, Son.”

“Love you, Pops.” Raul winked. Then he turned to the rest of the room. “Guy had an empty bottle of vodka on the seat beside him.”

“But he hadn’t been drinking.” Tommy cut in. “Never touched the stuff.”

“Poor guy.” Raul shook his head. “Connected him with a rehab center for alcoholics. I have to check in on him when I get back to work.”

Story after story the hour played out until Raul announced he was hungry.

Malin looked at Reagan and Luke. “Me, too!”

“Yeah.” Johnny nodded. “I’m starved.”

They all laughed, and Reagan realized something. She hadn’t expected to have a good time tonight. The officers were funny and sharp, kind and witty. She wasn’t naïve to the fact that scattered amidst the nation’s cops, some were corrupt. Some were worn out and jaded and prone to bad decisions on the force.

But here—in this room—were some of the nicest people Reagan had ever spent an evening with. And Tommy already fit right in.

They filled their plates with spaghetti and meat loaf, homemade sweet potato fries and salad, and Reagan and Luke and the younger kids took a spot at the kitchen table. Tommy joined the officers in the living room, balancing plates on their laps.

Before he sat down to eat, Raul made his way closer. He walked with slow, careful steps, and he wore a wide band around his midsection. But otherwise he looked fantastic. He introduced himself to Luke and then Reagan. “I’ve heard so much about you.” He cast a look at Tommy, who was in a conversation in the other room. “Your boy’s special. When he’s old enough, he’s going to make a great addition to the force.”

Reagan nodded, but a rush of emotion stopped her from saying anything. Tommy… in a police uniform. The idea still terrified her.

“Thank you.” Luke shook the officer’s hand. “He sure loves working with you.”

“Well…” Raul chuckled. “He’ll have to ride along with one of the other LEOs for a few more weeks. But then we’ll be back at it.”

“Leo?” Reagan blinked.

“Sorry.” Raul grinned. “Law enforcement officers. LEOs.”

“Of course.” Reagan laughed. “I should’ve learned that from watching Cops.” It was one more part of the code, part of the camaraderie this group shared not just with each other.

But with everyone who wore a badge.

“Ma’am.” Raul looked straight at her. He was a handsome guy, but his eyes shone with new concern. “Tommy told me… you’re afraid of him being an officer.”

“Yes.” Tears stung at the corners of Reagan’s eyes. “I… I’m working through it.”

“She is.” Luke put