Page 16 of Surprised By Love

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right. I guess I got used to not wearing anything. Derek never liked me wearing makeup. He said, by wearing makeup, I was trying to attract other men, which was complete bullshit, but I just wanted him to be attracted to me. He was my husband, after all.”

Chapter Six

Josh

Ilayinbedtossing and turning, my mom’s voice in my head telling me to be more open, not to be so picky, how there’s nothing wrong with a girl next door type.

My mind automatically shifts to Samantha on the side of the road, soaking wet with her hair plastered to her face. I thought she was pretty, then. But today, at the diner, with her hair up in a ponytail, shiny gloss on her lips, she was actually very pretty. Beautiful, in fact.

My late wife Christine was gorgeous, tall and blonde with sky-blue eyes. She wore makeup, not overdone but subtle, but she was a beauty with or without makeup. I guess the times she had no makeup she looked like the girl next door. Maybe I ‌have a thing for the girl next door after all.

My phone ringing jostles me awake. I must have fallen asleep with Samantha on my mind. I turn and look at my bedside clock. One in the morning. “What the hell is going on?” I say out loud as I pick up my phone.

“Prescott, here.”

“Hey Josh, it’s Roger. There was an accident on 73.”

“Please tell me it’s not on the bend.”

“Yeah, I’m afraid so.”

That damn road. We have multiple accidents on the stretch of road between here and Pineridge Falls every year. I wish there was something we could do about it.

“Any casualties?” I ask, getting out of bed, slipping on a pair of pants and a shirt.

“No, but there are injuries. Ambo is on its way. Are you coming?”

“Yeah, I’ll be there soon. I gotta call Ma and see if she can come watch the kids.”

“Alright.”

“Keep me informed.” I hang up the phone and dial my mom.

“Hey Ma, sorry to wake ya.”

“No worries. What’s going on?”

“There’s an accident out on the bend. I’m gonna need to ‌check it out. Can you come watch the kids?”

“Of course I can. Be there in less than ten.”

I hang up the phone and check on the kids to make sure they’re still asleep.

I make a pot of coffee. While it’s brewing, I put on my shoes. When it’s done, I pour it into my travel mug, and before I know it, my mom’s walking into my house.

“OK, I’m here. Go, go. Drive safe and call me. Let me know everything’s okay,” she says as she’s pushing me out the door.

I pull up to the scene as the ambulance is driving away. I see my second in command, Mac. Mac Richards is one of the three police officers in Sunset Creek. He’s also one of my best friends. When my father John retired four years ago, I moved home to take over as Sergeant. Mac and I hit it off right away and became friends.

Mac sees me and excuses himself from the witnesses and makes his way to me. “Sorry Roger called you in. He got his days mixed up and didn’t realize it was my night to be on call. We got this. You should head home. You have the morning shift. Go get your beauty sleep,” he jokes, and I punch him in the shoulder.

I nod. “Call me if you need me.” I take in the scene as I get back to my SUV. There’s one car with its front end crushed against the guardrail.

I hate this turn on the road. We get accidents here all year round, but in the winter it’s the worst. Once the snow and ice start, there’s no stopping cars coming around this bend. If it wasn’t for the guardrail, the car would’ve been over the hill and down into the ravine. The people in the car would be dead.

I take the side roads home, along the farms on the outskirts of town, when I see a woman walking on the side of the road. Who in the world is walking this far out of town at this time of night?

As I get closer, I notice something familiar about this woman. She’s petite and curvy, with dark hair up in a ponytail. She’s wearing black yoga pants and a teal hoodie. I’m pulling up behind her when I realize. It’s Sam. She must see the headlights shining on her, but she doesn’t turn around. I roll down the passenger side window and holler. “Sam.”

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