Page 62 of Metal & Mud

“I’d like that,” Adams said. “Truth is, I’m sure Sabby’s told you a little bit about our family.”

“Just that your parents were fucking wrong to treat you and Sabby the way they did,” Logan said.

When Adams gave him a surprised look, he chuckled.

“I told Sabby that already. And I won’t bullshit you when I’m going to be joining the family.”

“Yeah well, about that,” Adams said, “I don’t know what the future holds for my parents, my sister, and I. I do know I’m glad to have you join us. It’s been a two woman party for too long now, and having a third person… feels like a real family again.”

“More than that,” Logan reminded her. “I’ve got my family in Fort Myers too. So why not have a family meet-up? Thanksgiving’s coming up, right? So you, me, and Sabby go down, meet my parents. They do the whole classic Thanksgiving thing. Turkey, stuffing, candied yams, all that sort of stuff. Enough food to put even you in a food coma. They’re not rich, but what they don’t have in a big bank account… there’s going to be a lot of love there.”

“Even for a muscle mommy butch-ish lesbian?” Adams asked softly.

Logan could see the vulnerability here. He wanted to put an arm around her, to tell her that she was now his sister too and he could love her like a taller brother, but he resisted the urge. She wouldn’t like that in uniform.

“Even for a muscle mommy and her two toned goth rock little sister,” Logan assured her. “Besides, the drive from here to there goes right through Columbia, South Carolina. And I justhappento know that one of your bucket list gyms is in Columbia. Spud?”

Adams gawked at him. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

Logan nodded, grinning. “I was thinking we sign out on leave a day or two early. I’d make a pit stop for you if you wanted. Might have to coordinate it though, being Thanksgiving and all.”

“Smart man,” Adams said. “Okay. Let’s get your ass transferred, and when we’re off duty, I’m just Jess, okay? We can be family.”

“Okay,” Logan said. “Still going to respect you though. You’re my older sister now.”

“You better,” Jess growled playfully, adjusting her patrol cap. “Or else.”

“You’re wrong about one thing,” Logan said, and Jess paused. “On duty, we’re still family. Just a different kind.”

Jess offered him a fist, and they bumped knuckles. Even though she had relatively small hands compared to his, her knuckles were tough and hard, a clear reminder that she was a warrior and a woman all in one.

“So if I come over tonight, we can have a nice family dinner of… what do you eat for dinner?” Logan asked. “And what time?”

“Seven, and we tend to eat healthy.” Jess started walking down the sidewalk towards the motor pool. “But not always. Why?”

“Just curious,” Logan said. “Uh, what happens if Sabby and I want to… celebrate? You know what I mean?”

Jess sighed, then laughed. “Can’t keep kicking you two out to a motel, can I?”

“Nope.”

“Fuck it, I’ll go for a walk then, maybe go meditate or something,” Jess replied. “Just make sure of one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“You make sure my sister’s happy?”

Logan grinned. “I always do. Want details?”

“Hell no.”

* * *

EPILOGUE

The house was small, a mid-century clapboard that had at various times throughout its existence been alternatively painted and vinyl sided. According to Logan, he'd personally replaced at least half of the wooden boards along the sides of the house, or at least helped in it.

Out front was a huge magnolia. In the back Sabby could see a pair of willows that looked like they provided plenty of shade. A warm breeze carried the scent of salt water from the nearby coast, reminding her how far they were from Virginia.

---