Genesis: A Harte's Peak Prequel (21 page)

 

One year later

Jack pulled up to Tim Whitman's driveway, and knocked on the front door. The new sheriff's badge pinned to his shirt gleamed in the sun. He'd come back to the force at a higher rank, but it was still difficult to believe Calhoun had appointed him as interim sheriff until the election. After an old knee injury had permanently sidelined Calhoun from the force just months from his official retirement, he'd asked Jack to take over. He still wasn't sure he deserved the vote of confidence.

One thing was certain: he didn't relish coming face to face with Tim Whitman again. The local newspaper had recently announced that he and his wife were now divorced, and that she'd taken Anton and the other children out of the state. Any man in his position might be unhinged, and it meant that Tim might be especially intoxicated.

The neighbors had phoned again, this time complaining of incessant banging at all hours of the night.

Tim opened the door. “What do you want?” He held a hammer in his hands, and an acrid smell of alcohol clung to his clothes. Great.

“We got a call from your neighbors. Apparently you're working on a construction project?”

“Is that against the law now?”

Jack sighed. “It's not against the law, and you of all people know it, but your neighbors would appreciate it if you would keep to the ten o'clock curfew.”

“I'll just bet you would appreciate that. Maybe make your nice new sheriff job a little easier on you. I have no wife and kids for you to rescue anymore. Do you have a hero complex, officer?”

He was goading him, but Jack was not about to take the bait. There were no longer any brittle edges left. Just a simple, but solid, peace. He had Maggie and his new found faith to thank for that. “I know it must be lonely.”

Tim Whitman's eyes narrowed. “What?”

“Lonely. I said it must be lonely without your kids around.”

Tim raised his brows. “Are you kidding? Not that it's any of your business, but I'm finally getting some work done around here. What my wonderful neighbors are whining about is the new gazebo I'm building.”

Jack briefly considered what a gazebo built by a drunk might look like. “If you need help, I know a bit about construction.”

Tim Whitman burst into laughter. “I'd hire a carpenter if I wanted some help.”

Tim certainly had enough money to do it. It made Jack wonder why Tim was spending the small amount of time he had off between high profile cases on a construction project he would very likely not ever finish.

“I'm sure you would. Well, the offer is there.” Jack turned around to head back to his cruiser.

Tim Whitman stared. “Sometimes a man just has to work with his hands. Know what I mean?”

“If that man could do it before ten o'clock at night, it would be appreciated.” Jack smiled and touched the brim of his hat.

Jack got into the cruiser and reported in to the dispatcher. He glanced at the clock, noting his shift was over. The thought of going home to Maggie was enough reason for him to glance at the clock several times a day even though he did love his new job.

He smiled, wondering how he could have ever doubted that he and Lexi could get along. She'd made him proud this year, trying out for the basketball team and becoming a decent point guard.

Maggie and Lexi grew especially close planning the wedding. Lexi was the maid of honor, pretty in a pink and white dress, but no one was ever more beautiful than his bride on that day almost three months ago.

One year ago, he'd had trouble sleeping more than three hours a night if he was lucky. These days, his bride had to rouse him every morning from a sound sleep so he wouldn't be late for work.

Even the Bradshaws were now content with Jack and Maggie's marriage, although they feigned shock when they first found out about Jack's proposal. In the end, they realized they would get to spend even more time with Lexi. She'd stayed with her grandparents while Jack and Maggie honeymooned in Hawaii and now Lexi visited her grandparents almost every weekend.

He and Maggie decided to allow Lexi to choose whether she would go back with them to Virginia when they visited Kimberly this summer. Kimberly and the girls attended the wedding, with Kimberly tactfully touting the great public schools back in Virginia. Still, he'd decided to keep their new family in Harte's Peak for now. Lexi was doing well in school and didn't need the upheaval.

Ryan teased him about his ready-made family. But when Jack saw men like Tim, he shook his head in wonder. He didn't know what he would do without Maggie and Lexi. He kissed the silver cross on the chain around his neck that Maggie gave him on the day he was baptized in front of the congregation six months ago.

There was no doubt about it. He was the most blessed man alive. Jack rolled down the long and curving driveway and headed home.

 

 

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AMDG