Page 49 of Rules

"You did," Tim agreed, no sugar-coating. "But fuck-ups can be fixed. Apologize. Sober. In person. With flowers. From her own shop, which might be awkward, but I bet she'd appreciate the gesture."

Despite everything, I found myself smiling. "When did you get so knowledgeable about women?"

"Dianna's been training me for years." Tim grinned.

The moment of levity faded as my phone buzzed on the counter. Holly's name appeared on the screen.

"It's Holly," I said, reaching for it.

Tim nodded, beginning to clear the breakfast dishes. "Go ahead. We can finish this conversation later."

Ending the quick call with Holly, I went to the kitchen. "I have to go. Leave the dishes, I'll do them tonight. Thank you for everything." As I hugged my son, I thought to myself that maybe, just maybe there was room in my life for someone else.

Breaking apart, Tim smiled. "Go save the town, Dad. But promise me you'll think about what I said."

"I will," I promised, meaning it. "I will."

Chapter 18

Tobias

Holly's call earlier wasn't a crisis situation that required me to leave like I did. I'll admit I used the call as a reason to get out of the house. Yes, I'm grateful Tim came over and I know he cares about my happiness. But right now my happiness isn't even on the back burner, it's still on ice. Which I'm sure he will say is my fault, but he doesn't understand my situation.

Sang and I have the mid-shift, so he grabbed us burgers around six thirty. I'm halfway through my cheeseburger when we hear footsteps running down the hall as Sang's and my radios crack to life.

"Charlie - Charlie, all units, ten - sixty two - Good's Sporting Goods - shots fired - officer onsite - ambulance en route."

Sang and I lock eyes and bolt upright.

"Charlie - Charlie, one Alpha and three Gamma en route from headquarters. Which unit is onsite?" Sang communicates running behind me.

"Ten Four - three Gamma, and one Alpha responding - two beta onsite. Requesting all responding units change to channel four."

I instinctively switch my radio to channel four. Holly yells out her window as Sang and I burst through the door to the parking lot in a full run.

"Let me know she's alright."

I wave my hand over my shoulder. Opening my pickup door, I flip my siren and lights on. Sang's right behind me in his vehicle.

Stepping on the gas, I call, "One Alpha - two Beta." I hold my breath waiting for Deputy Rogers to answer. I know the risks of this job, same as my deputies do, but a call like this rattles me to my bones. One of my own gets hurt…

"Two Beta here. The situation is under control. I'm alright, I got one of them. I shot one of the four."

Shit!

"Wait, they tried to break in after closing?" Sang asks.

"Yes, I came to pick up my order, and they walked in while I was here."

"Is the suspect dead?" Deputy Edwards asks. "I'm just about there. The ambulance is right behind me."

"No, but he's not going anywhere."

"Sang and I are around the corner," I tell everyone as we pull around the corner, park and jump from our vehicles. I'd be lying if I said we weren't excited. Not for the situation, but that we finally had a break in the case.

"Holly," I radio, knowing full well she would be at her desk monitoring the channel four conversation.

"Yes, Sheriff?" She answers back quickly.

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