by Paula Mowery
He smoothed a stray lock of her dark hair away from her face. “I’m happy neither of us had anything to take us away today.”
“Me, too. I needed to sleep a little later, though I’ve been awake for a couple of hours.” Her forehead crinkled.
He was sure she was brooding over this police case. He wasn’t crazy about the tasks coming up. He knew more than normal because Captain Parrott had asked for him and Marshall to possibly fly to a later disclosed location to retrieve an endangered witness. The doctor, whose plane they flew, was generous in allowing them to use it for police business like this. He shuddered, imagining Charlie face to face with this drug trafficker. The man whose brother had been responsible for Charlie’s parents’ deaths. His wife needed to bow out of this one.
Colton clutched the hand she held curled under her chin, and she smiled. “Babe, have you talked to Captain Parrott about our hopes to start a family?”
Charlie closed her eyes for a moment then looked at him. “Colt, I just can’t go on desk duty any time soon with this recent case.”
“Charlie, there’ll always be a case. If we want children, you’ll have to take the plunge. Isn’t it worth it?”
She pushed herself to a sitting position, crossing her legs. “I don’t know. I mean, I know a baby would be worth it. It’s just…”
“Is it even fair to return to the drug detail if we have a child? I’m not that crazy about you putting yourself in danger the way you do, but a baby would deserve to know mommy was coming home.”
Charlie’s lip quivered. “I understand what you’re saying. But this is my calling. Besides, with your reasoning, you’re at risk each time you fly off somewhere.”
Colton sat up, bumping his knees against hers. “Come on. My job is way safer than yours.” He shook his head and waved a hand. “But we’re not getting into an argument over that.” He grasped her hands. “I’m not getting any younger.”
She grinned. “Nope, you aren’t.”
“I don’t want us to miss out on having a child if it’s what we’re supposed to do. Never thought I’d say that to anyone.” He chuckled.
Charlie stroked his cheek. “I promise I’ll pray about it.”
Colton leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Now, we can snuggle a little longer and go for brunch or get up and make a doughnut run?”
She shot him a devious smirk and pushed him back down onto his pillow.
“Brunch it is.”
5
Charlie climbed up the bleachers and joined Emma and Alyssa at Hayden’s basketball game.
“Hey. Come join the crazy corner. I may have to take these two to the playground soon. They’ve lost interest in the game.” Emma juggled one of the twins.
Charlie glanced at her watch. “Are we really late?”
“Nope. The game just started.” Alyssa bounced the other twin on her lap. “But it isn’t quite exciting enough for a one-year-old.” She chuckled.
“And Daddy deserted us for the coaching bench.” Emma nodded toward the sideline.
“Yeah, Mr. Colton strolled off down there, too.” Charlie studied her husband. He was talking with Hayden.
“Charlie, what’s the matter?” Alyssa said, leaning forward slightly.
Charlie met her gaze and shrugged. “I don’t know. We’ve been having a discussion about kids.”
Emma nodded. “Discussion or disagreement?”
Charlie sighed. “A little of both. It’s just that he wants me to give up my career to have children. I don’t think I’m supposed to do that. Can’t I have both? Or am I being selfish and ridiculous?”
Alyssa let the toddler slide down her leg and stand in front of her, handing him a toy. “No, you aren’t being selfish or ridiculous. I think it doesn’t matter what job you have. We women end up having a real dilemma when it comes to wanting a family and also feeling we must honor our calling to our career. There’s no right or wrong answer. Though others will make you feel they know what’s better for you.”
“Sounds like you’ve been there.” Charlie looked Alyssa in the eyes.
Alyssa grinned and nodded. “Yep. I had the opposite problem yet still equally as hard. When I decided to stay home, my family and friends went crazy. All I heard was how I was wasting my college education and all of that preparation.” She rolled her eyes. “None of it was a waste. I simply chose to use it at home. I like that I can be there for Jordan when he comes home from his stress-filled job. I like being the room mother at school. It was what was right for me.”
“For me, I dreaded going back to the Pre-K job at first. I was pressured about staying home with the twins. But this is right for me.” Emma shook her head. “Others will always make you feel like you didn’t make the right decision. You pray about it and make the right one for you.”
Charlie’s eyes welled with tears. “Thanks. Y’all are the best.” She turned her attention to the basketball game, though her mind whirred with the words from her friends.
~*~
Colton slapped Hayden with a high-five. “Man, you played a good game.”
The boy still panted from running. “Thanks for coming to watch, Mr. Colton.”
Jordan patted Colton’s back. “Yeah, thanks for coming. I really appreciate it. And that spot is still open for an assistant coach.” His brows rose.
“I’ll check on that. I might be able to swing it.” He glanced toward the stands.
“Colton, I sense some tension. Is something going on?”
“Well, Charlie and I have been discussing having children. I’ve told her that it would be best for her to ask for a desk job at the station or better yet, just quit altogether.”
Jordan’s brow wrinkled. “Why would she have to do that?”
“Really? You would ask that? Come on, man. She can’t be a mom and a police officer, especially not one with that special drug detail.”
“Actually, she can.”
“Do you have female officers who are out there who have children?”
“Yes, we do.”
Colton massaged the back of his neck. “I just don’t see it. Too much danger.”
“Is this about having kids or you not wanting her to be a police officer?” Jordan propped a hand on one hip.
Colton had a hard time answering that question. “I don’t know. Her job scares me. She has a bullet scar.”
“Yep, only a scar because she’s good at what she does.” Jordan patted Colton’s back again. “Thanks again for coming.” He smiled and wandered off toward their wives.
~*~
Charlie picked up one of the diaper bags and slung it over her shoulder. “Here, let me help you get to the car.”
Emma giggled. “What an entourage we are when we go anywhere.”
Jordan walked up behind Alyssa and kissed her head. “So, what did you think, Charlie?”
“I think you’re doing pretty good with them, coach.”
He looked her directly in the eyes. “May I suggest you talk with Cristi at work? She’s an officer and a mom.” He winked.
Charlie nodded. “Thanks.”
6
Nathan arrived early to the police station Monday morning. He didn’t want to risk missing out on any of the information on this case or the next steps they would need to make.
He entered the conference room. Two men sat with the captain, one older than the other one. The two resembled each other, maybe father and son.
Captain Parrott turned toward him and nodded. “Officer Greene, let me introduce Robert and Bobby Russell.”
Nathan extended a hand in their direction and shook with each.
Charlie and Jordan sauntered in and sat down across from the Russell men.
Captain Parrott rose. “I believe that Officer Thomas and Officer Wynn already know the Russells.”
Charlie nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Then we’ll get right down to business.” The captain plunked into a chair. “In light of what’s happened with Rusty Smith, we will ne
ed to retrieve Miss Russell. I’m worried about her safety.”
Robert Russell leaned forward, propping his elbow on the table. “I can’t lose my daughter, too.” He paused. “Please keep her safe.”
“Can you get word to her discreetly?” Jordan said.
“Yes, we can,” the son said. “What do we need to tell her?”
Jordan stroked his chin. “Please tell her. She really needs to stay out of sight until we contact her within the next week.” He glanced at Robert. “We won’t wait long.”
The captain shuffled through the papers in front of him. “At least we have an idea from what Rusty told us that we’re probably looking for a man named Raul.”
Nathan stifled a gasp. Could it be the same Raul he knew?
“Do you have something of Sydney’s that we can send in with the officer who retrieves her?” Captain Parrott asked. “Something that would signal to her that she is safe to go with that person.”
“Yeah, I have the perfect thing,” Mr. Russell said.
“Great. Put it into a bag and drop it by here.” The captain’s eyes widened. “And please include the most recent photo of Sydney, so my officer can properly identify her.”
Bobby nodded. “That’s no problem. We’ll get it to you this afternoon.”
Captain Parrott closed the folder on the table and stood, extending his hand. “Thank you. I’ll see you later.” He held to the father’s hand. “We’ll do everything in our power to insure your daughter’s safety.”
“Thank you.” Mr. Russell met the captain’s stare and gave a brief nod. “Thank you.” He cleared his throat. “Thank you,” he repeated.
The two Russell men exited. The captain turned back and his gaze passed from officer to officer. “We will do our best to make sure this operation goes without a hitch.” His voice was low and firm.
“Of course, Captain.” Jordan straightened in his seat. “Let’s make our plan. We’ve got to think about every last detail because we’re dealing with guys who mean business.”
Charlie shifted forward in her chair. “Obviously, we’ll have to go in undercover. We definitely don’t want to alert any of these guys as to what we’re up to.”
The captain steepled his fingers, elbows propped on the table. “We run the risk of these drug traffickers recognizing you and maybe even Jordan.” He gazed directly at Nathan. “Officer Greene will probably be our best bet to actually retrieve the girl. He isn’t known.”
A chill ran down Nathan’s back. Should he tell them about Raul? No, then he would have to admit how he knew him. That wouldn’t look good on his part. “Sir, I’m ready to do whatever you need me to do.”
~*~
Charlie rushed into the little diner and scanned the room. Cristi waved her back to a table she already had procured.
Charlie plunked into a chair across from the fellow officer. “Sorry. Meeting with the captain.”
“No problem. I haven’t been here long myself.”
Charlie sighed. “Good. Thanks for meeting me for lunch.”
“I’m glad you asked.”
“I think I’m going with the very delicious and equally as unhealthy burger.”
Cristi chuckled. “Just what I was thinking.”
After giving the waitress their order, Charlie jumped right to the point. “Cristi, I wanted to talk about being a mom and an officer. I know you manage it and I’m struggling with this. My husband would prefer for me to give up my job altogether, but I don’t think I can do that.”
Cristi nodded. “I know exactly what you’re going through. My husband, Joe, put me through the same ringer. Told me I shouldn’t continue my dangerous job. It wasn’t fair to any children we might have.”
Charlie nodded. “Yes, that’s what Colton says to me. I’ve told him that his job could be considered dangerous too but he disputes that.”
Cristi sipped her soft drink. “Let’s face it. Nowadays, everybody’s job is dangerous. No one knows what they’ll face day to day.”
“That’s true. So, you’re saying it is possible to be a mom and a police officer.”
“I’m not going to tell you that it’s easy, but being a mom and wife while also having any full-time career is challenging.”
“How do you do it? How did you do it—the whole pregnancy thing and all?”
“While I was pregnant I went on lighter duty, a desk job.” She rolled her eyes. “Trust me when I say I couldn’t move around very well. You couldn’t tell if I was walking or rolling.” She indicated how far her pregnant belly had extended from her body.
They both laughed.
Cristi cleared her throat. “Look, I’ve always felt I was supposed to be a police officer. I won’t lie to you. I’m human like every other woman. I had a hard time leaving that little bundle when I came back to work. But I would’ve gone plum crazy staying home. Probably would’ve stomped the life right out of my daughter. We butt heads. We’re too much alike.” She leaned in. “You gotta do what you know to be right. There will always be somebody telling you that you’re doing it wrong.”
“That’s what Jordan’s wife said.”
“Now let’s finish this greasy burger that certainly won’t help my figure one bit.”
~*~
Sydney rocked gently back and forth in the cane rocker on the big front porch. One of the many barn cats sprawled on her lap, purring. She squinted against the late day sun, making out Rebecca’s father strolling up the lane toward the house. Jacob was such a good man. He and her father had been good friends, though unusual for an Amish man and an Englischer.
Sydney smiled, recalling the scolding from both fathers when she and Rebecca were caught polishing off a whole bush of raspberries. Rebecca’s mama had planned to make preserves to sell at the market but couldn’t get quite as many pints after their indulgence.
She sat up straighter. Jacob’s expression was serious. More serious than usual. He approached the porch and she rose.
He swept his black felt hat off his head and nodded her way. “Sydney.”
“Sir. Is there something wrong?”
“Please sit down. There’s news from your father.” Jacob eased into the rocking chair next to her.
She followed suit. Her insides knotted.
“Sister, you need not be out in public much right now. From what your father says, there have been developments, and they will need to take you back to Tennessee soon. Someone will come for you as soon as next week.”
Tears welled in Sydney’s eyes. She pressed her lips together and nodded. Oh, God, please don’t let the wrong person find me first. “I hope my being here won’t put your family in danger.” Her hands trembled.
Jacob covered her hands with one of his large ones. “Sydney, do not think that way. God will protect us all. But I have to wonder if it would not be safer for you to just stay here.”
As tempting as staying here with her good friends was, she couldn’t hide out in fear forever. She possessed a calling to her work with the deaf. This was the very place she had found that calling. “You are so sweet to offer that. But I know I need to go on, even if fear tries to stop me.”
Jacob slid his hat back on his head and stood up. “God will be with you.” He turned and entered the house, the old screen door slamming behind him.
~*~
Colton eased onto the couch beside Charlie. She nestled up close. He aimed the remote at the TV, but she stopped him.
She turned toward him. “I had lunch with Cristi.”
“Yeah, how did that go?”
“Really well. You know she is a mom and a police officer.”
Colton nodded. “OK. Does she do your job?”
“Nope, but she doesn’t sit behind a desk either.” Charlie pulled her legs under her and looked him directly in the eyes. “She feels that she’s supposed to be an officer and a mom and a wife.”
Colton grasped her hand. “Honey, that’s great for her, but I don’t know that the same is true for you.”
&n
bsp; Charlie straightened. “That’s just it, Colt. It’s what you think is right for me. You can’t decide that.”
“It’s a mutual decision to have children and the decision should be the same with your job if our children are part of that decision.”
“I agree with that. But you don’t want a mutual decision. You want your way.”
Colton rubbed his chin. “Babe, you don’t need that job. For heaven’s sake, find something else.”
“Now we’re getting to the real issue. I don’t think this has as much to do with having children as it does with me not being in law enforcement.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Am I right?”
Colton massaged his temple. “Maybe.” He pulled her crossed arms apart and held her hands. “This case and Rusty’s death—it’s serious.” He stroked her cheek. “I don’t want you hurt…or worse.”
“Colt, this is where faith comes in. Even if I did quit, it wouldn’t be a guarantee that nothing would happen to me.” She lifted his hand to her lips and brushed it with a kiss. “One reason I do this job is to make it a safer place for our children and everyone else’s.” She squeezed his hand. “There was a time when this job was more about vengeance. I wanted revenge on punks who’d taken the lives of people I loved. That was a dangerous perspective. And in light of this new case and the drug trafficker’s connection, I’m struggling a bit. But I strive to do this job out of a pure motive—protect and defend for all my loved ones’ sakes.”
Colton shook his head. “You’re amazing. How did I land you?”
Charlie grinned. “It was the hot pilot uniform.”
“So that was it.” He chuckled.
“Partly.” She looped her arms around his neck. “We can do this. After this case, we’ll get serious about it. And when the time comes, I’ll go on desk duty.” She pinched his cheek. “I don’t think I can resist a Colton, Jr.”
“Or a little Charlie.”