Page 82 of Chasing Fireflies

“Come on. Let’s get in the back before the movie starts.”

“What’s playing?” she asks as she gets out, too.

“Twister.” I smile.

“Twister?” She looks amused, but goes with it.

“Yep.” I let the tailgate down, climb up, and reach my hand out for her to take it. She gathers her dress and takes my hand. I lift her up and tell her to get the blankets and pillows situated so I can go get drinks and popcorn. There are hardly any people here, and I think that’s one of the best parts. You see, I’ve watchedTwistera thousand times, but I haven’t yet fooled around in the back of Old Blue. So if plans go the way I want them to, that’s exactly what we’ll be doing.

*

The movie is good, like it always is, and we’ve eaten all of our popcorn and put our drinks aside. I brought enough pillows to make us comfortable, and Sara is cozied up next to me as I draw small circles on her arm. We are the only vehicle on this side, and we’re parked in the very back. I turn and surprise Sara as I move her dress up.

“What are you doing?” she asks me.

“It’s our anniversary, baby,” I say as I slip her panties to the side. She starts to protest, but my fingers enter her, and she can’t help but moan. This makes my dick hard, and I scoot down more and put the covers over us. I make her feel good until she grips my arms and lets out a soft groan as she comes around my fingers. I climb on top of her while she is in a daze, and in one movement, my jeans are unbuttoned, and I’m slipping inside her.

Her head falls back, and I kiss her neck as I start to move, loving her in the back of Old Blue at a drive-in. I’d say it is bucket list worthy.

*

A few weeks have passed since our anniversary and I’m walking into the office with Ben, who is asking me what size ring Sara wears.

“Don’t you think it’s kinda quick to ask Shelby to marry you?”

“No, man. When you know, you know. You know?” he says, looking over at Anne.

“Boys, sit down. I have some news,” Anne tells us. I look at her curiously before I take my seat. “The mayor has sent us a letter, and it seems as though you will be our new chief, Cash.”

“What?” I ask, shocked.

“Yes, you will be our new chief. I’ve put in a good word for you and so did Drew before he passed. We spoke about it a while back, and he said that when he retired he was going to see if you wanted the job. The mayor and Drew were good buddies, went fishing together on the weekends more times than I can count, so the mayor said if you want it, the job is yours.”

I look over at Ben who has a grin on his face.

“Dude, take it. I can’t think of a better boss man than you.”

I look back at Anne, who has a smile on her face, too, but hers is one of pride. This means a lot to her.

“That’s some big shoes to fill,” I say, looking down. “I don’t want to disappoint anyone.”

“You’re the man to fill them. It’s what Drew wanted,” she says as her eyes glisten with unshed tears.

“Anne, I don’t—”

“Think about it, Cash,” she interrupts me. “Don’t give an answer now. Go home, and talk about it with Sara.”

I nod and look out the window.

“I’m going to go check on…something,” I say just so I can get out of here. I get up and push the door open, hearing that bell ring above me just as it always does. I hop into my truck and head to I have no idea. I just drive.

When you’re a kid, you have certain dreams. Some children want to be firemen, astronauts, teachers—hell, some even want to own a bar like their father. Me, I never had a clue, but I didn’t want to be the sheriff or the chief of police. I worked with my dad to make money, so I could move away from that town one day and out from under Jack Williams’ shadow. I accomplished my goal, and taking on the job as deputy here was just a way to hurry and earn some money for Sara and me. Now, I’ve got this big position thrown onto my lap and some pretty enormous shoes to fill. Drew was a legend around here. I’m no legend. I’m just a small-town boy who’s in love with a wild girl. That’s all I’ve ever been, and that’s all I’ll ever be.

*

“If you don’t want to do it, then don’t,” Sara says to me as we walk out in the field behind our house. I’ve just cut the grass with a tractor I borrowed from Mark, and the wind keeps picking up chunks of wheat and tumbling them up into the air. Bear chases the windblown grass, but they only break apart when he sticks his nose in them.

“I just don’t want to let anyone down.”

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