Page 111 of Christmas in Chestnut Ridge
Something clattered out on the front porch.
“What was that?” Doris asked.
Tucker waved it off. “Has to be one of Mrs. Coleman’s cats again. Ever since I bought those new rocking chairs, they will not stay off my front porch. The other day, one of them left me a mouse.”
“That means they’re trying to please you,” Doris said. “Maybe they are trying to tell you they like those rocking chairs.”
“They ought to be apologizing, clanging around at all hours of the night,” Tucker said.
“And you ought to be apologizing to Sheila for not letting her know that you’re okay,” Doris said. “I know it’s not my business, but you’ve seemed so happy the last couple of weeks. You deserve that in your life, and you aren’t getting any younger.”
“I’m not that old either. I screwed up not checking in with her, though. I really didn’t mean to worry her. I called her this morning. She sounded pretty mad.”
“Nothing a little heart-to-heart can’t fix,” Doris said.
Sully said, “You shouldn’t have made her worry. She’s a good one.”
“I know she is,” Tucker said. It came out defensive, and regret was beginning to outweigh the pain from the burn. “She’s the best thing that’s come into my life. I’ll miss her when she leaves.”
“Richmond isn’t that far to go for the right person,” Sully said. “You don’t meet the right person without some effort.”
“Spoken like a newlywed,” Jonathan teased.
“You guys need to mind your own business,” Doris said. “Seriously. If you like her, and I think you do, make it right.” She gotup. “Come on, you gooberheads. Let’s let Tucker get some rest.” She looked over her shoulder. “Or make phone calls.”
She shuffled the guys out, and Tucker sat there wondering why he hadn’t called her last night from the hospital. He’d thought about it. More than once. But he didn’t want her to worry, and he really didn’t think she’d stay up at the fire station all that time.
Truth was, he didn’t want to look like a lovesick fool in front of the others, either.
When the alarm sounded and he left, he’d figured they’d be out and back quickly. It didn’t seem like the kind of call that would take multiple trucks, but it was a bigger deal than that.
He sat there in the recliner until he heard the guys drive off in Sully’s truck.
I need to set this straight.
Tucker picked up his phone to call, then tucked it back into his pocket. He walked out of his house.Some things are better done in person.
He headed for Orene’s house, his strides long and the words playing in his mind.
He’d just stepped off the sidewalk into Orene’s driveway when he saw the back of her.
Sheila was just a few steps from the porch.
“Hey. Sheila?” Tucker waved his arm in the air. “I’m so sorry about last night.”
“Sorry?”
“Yeah, I should’ve called.”
“You should have. I was worried.”
She seemed upset—not just worried, but a little mad. “I’m not going to tell you not to worry. I work in a dangerous occupation. A little concern is expected, but I promise you I’m very goodat my job. I keep myself out of harm’s way, and keeping my men and women safe is my priority.”
Her gaze went to the big cotton bandage over his ear.
“It doesn’t appear you did so good at that last night.”
He nodded, even that small motion making the injury throb. “I’m sorry. I really wanted last night to be special.”
