Home to Stay (The Long Road Home #2) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,68

let someone give her cash to deposit and take it back out for them when they needed it?” Walker asked.

Mace turned to Josh. “Dig deeper into her accounts.” Looking at John, he added, “Keep Lucy safe. You can let her know we’re still investigating Paula, but you can’t discuss this with her. I know it’s hard, but we don’t want her unwittingly getting in harm’s way.”

He nodded, wondering how he was going to be involved while investigating. The sound of chuckles met his ears, and his gaze shot to the others at the table.

“Most of us met our significant others while investigating. It’s not easy, but we’ve been where you are.” Mace’s lips quirked upward. “You make it to the other side, you’ll know you’ve got someone worth keeping.”

As the others left their chairs at the table to move to their stations, he sat for a moment, taking it all in. His mind filled with Lucy, and he knew one thing for sure—she was worth everything.

On his way to her house after work, he dialed a number he’d programmed into his phone but hadn’t used yet. As soon as the line connected, he wondered if the person would even remember him.

“Um… Cam? This is John Roster. I’m not sure if you’ll remember, but we met and talked at the—”

“John! Yes, of course, I remember you. We met at the USO in Atlanta. How are you?”

“I’m doing good, really good. I have a new job and wanted to thank you for your encouragement. It turns out my grandfather has a friend who works for a security company. I wasn’t too sure they’d want me, but I took the chance and got the job.”

“John, that’s amazing. I’m really happy for you, man.”

“So, how are things with you?”

“Couldn’t be better. Made it to Hope City and got a job as an investigator for the Hope City District Attorney. I’m finally out from behind a desk every day.”

“Congratulations, Cam. That’s wonderful.” He hesitated for a few seconds, then added, “Believe it or not, I’m dating someone. Lucy. She’s a teacher.”

“A teacher? Is it the teacher? The one with the kids’ letters?”

Now it was John’s turn to laugh. “Yeah. I followed your and Blessing’s advice and visited them. It was great, and I’ll help out with their field day coming up soon. And best of all, I fell for the teacher.”

“I couldn’t be happier for you, John. I’m glad you called.”

As they said their goodbyes with promises to keep in touch, John's mind wandered back to the hurricane and the USO. He hoped the others were doing well also, but worried in particular about Jaxson. I need to call him, too. But what if my life is coming together and his is crap? Blowing out a breath, he decided he’d check in with him soon. Maybe that’s what he needs, to hear that there can be life after the service is jerked away. And maybe, just maybe, there’ll be someone for him like Lucy.

“Mighty fine eating, Linda.” Gramps had just finished swallowing a bite of his corn-on-the-cob and smiled over at Lucy’s mom.

“Thank you, Rupert. Mitchell and I are just so glad to finally meet you and John.”

John sat at the wooden table under a large tree in Lucy’s parents’ backyard. As soon as Lucy had invited him and Gramps to their family’s picnic, Gramps had talked about nothing else. He’s been alone, and I’d never realized how alone until I came home. Gramps had a few old buddies but many of them had died or moved to be with family in their older years. His grandfather would meet some, like Horace, for a beer, but most of the time, his arthritis made getting around harder, and his weakening eyesight made him more afraid to drive.

So, with the invitation extended, Gramps had marked the date on the calendar and looked forward to the simple event. When John came downstairs, ready to leave, he’d grinned at the sight of his grandfather already sitting at the kitchen table, a large watermelon he’d taken out of the refrigerator sitting in front of him, impatiently hurrying John along.

John, on the other hand, had been nervous. He wanted to make a good impression and for her family to like him because if he had his way, he and Lucy would be spending many years together.

By the time they swung by Lucy’s house to pick her up, he was a bundle of nerves and wishing he’d brought an extra shirt since