I turn down into town with sweat dripping down my back. The sun is rising, casting a soft golden glow over the town of Green Ridge. I see stores starting to open, and once Bear and I make it to the small diner called Chevy’s, I tell him to sit outside, and he does. I open the door, the air conditioner instantly cooling me off. Sliding onto a barstool, I grab the menu and look it over.
“What’ll you have, Cash?” the waitress, Piper, asks me.
“The usual, please.”
She nods, and I turn back to look at my dog who is sitting at the window looking in at me. I’ve been coming in here a lot lately after my run, so I’ve become a regular and so has Bear. Turning around, I see Piper has placed a bowl of water in front of me.
“He looks thirsty.”
“I’m sure he is. Thank you,” I say, grabbing it and walking it out to him. I open the door and place the water in front of him.
“Here you go, boy. Piper says you look thirsty.” I pat his head as he laps up the water, and then I make my way back inside. A few minutes later, my food is placed in front of me, and I gulp it down before I throw some cash onto the counter.
“Thanks,” I say before I head out.
Piper waves bye as she grabs my plates.
“Come on, boy. Let’s get home so I can get ready for work.” We walk back, and I see Anne opening up the office so we jog over to her. “Hey, Anne,” I call out. She turns around.
“Cash, I tried to call you. I was hoping you were here. It’s Drew. I’ve had to take him to the hospital.”
“God, is he okay?” I ask.
“He was having problems breathing. The doctor said it’s pneumonia. Oh, Cash, I’m worried sick about him,” she says, resting her face in her hands. I reach over and hug her.
“He is going to be all right, Anne.”
*
But Chief Rogers was not okay, and only a few days later, pneumonia took him. We held his funeral the following weekend. The town of Green Ridge was devastated and so was poor Anne. It all happened too quickly. Even though he had been sick for a while, we thought he would get better. They say things work out the way they’re meant to even if it’s wrong. Well, I tell you this one was wrong. This place just isn’t the same without that old man.
The roofers will be finished with the roof today, and after my morning run with Bear and my breakfast at Chevy’s, I head back home to get changed for work.
Sara drives herself this morning, and I take my work truck. I park it and hop out, seeing that Anne has already opened the office door. The bell rings above me like it always does, and Anne looks up. She’s been crying.
“Anne, you don’t have to be here. Ben and I can handle things.”
“It doesn’t matter where I go, Cash. He’s everywhere. I have so many memories with that man.”
I take a seat across from her and remove my hat. “Tell me about when you two first met,” I ask. The town can wait for my rounds today. I’m going to sit here with this sweet woman and let her talk about the love of her life.
Her face lights up, and she grabs a tissue from her box on her desk. “Well, it was back in the sixties…” she begins.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Seven Year Anniversary
Cash
I walk out of the bathroom in a gray button-up shirt with dark jeans. Flipping the light off, I see my wife in a floor-length hunter green dress. I smile because she looks so good in green. She turns to face me as she puts an earring in her ear.
“You sure do clean up nice, Cash Williams.”
“I do, don’t I?” I look down at my outfit. She smiles and walks over to me. Kissing her lips, I wrap my arms around her and breathe in. “You smell pretty.”
“Oh, I smell pretty, do I?” she asks, pulling away and giving me her smile.
“Yes, and you look pretty, too.”
“Thank you,” she says, looking into my eyes.
“Let’s go eat, woman.” I grab her hand and walk us down the stairs. I see Bear lying on the floor, and his tail slaps it with a hard thump when he notices us coming down. “Bear, hold down the fort. I’m taking your mama out for our anniversary.” I pat his side, and we walk out the door.
*
Dinner is nice. We both order steak, but it’s after dinner that I’ve been looking forward to.
We’re driving down an older road, and Sara keeps asking where we are going.
“Just wait,” I tell her.
She wiggles in her seat and looks out the window. It’s dark, so she won’t see what we are doing until we get there. A few minutes later, I’m pulling off the road and onto dirt. I look over at Sara.
“Cash, what could we possibly be doing way out here? I hope you aren’t taking me camping. You know I hate bugs, baby.” She looks out the back window into the bed of the truck, obviously looking for a tent. There are blankets and pillows back there, but no tent. “Why are there blankets back there?”
“Will you just wait and see, Mrs. Impatient?”
She huffs, but grins. Anne told me about this place. She said not a lot of people know it’s back here. It’s mainly for the people who just want to step back in time for a bit, and maybe relive their teenage years. The owners don’t run it for the money; they have plenty from what I’ve been told. They do it for the memories. We round a curve and pull onto another small road before a huge field comes into view. I look over at Sara as she takes in the scene. I’ve never seen it either, but it’s her expression I care about. Her eyes are wide with slight wonder, and her mouth is hanging open. Her fingers go to her lips, and she smiles.
“Cash.” She looks over at me as I drive Old Blue forward and then back him up beside an old speaker.
“This is amazing. How did you find this place?”
“Anne. She said she and the chief used to come here all the time. They only play older movies.”
“This is so cool. Like black and white movies?” she asks.
“No, I think newer than that, but they play those, too.” I put the truck in park and open my door.
“Come on. Let’s get in the back before the movie starts.”
“What’s playing?” she asks as she gets out, too.
“Twister.” I smile.
“Twister?” She looks amused, but goes with it.
“Yep.” I let the tailgate down, climb up, and reach my hand out for her to take it. She gathers her dress and takes my hand. I lift her up and tell her to get the blankets and pillows situated so I can go get drinks and popcorn. There are hardly any people here, and I think that’s one of the best parts. You see, I’ve watched Twister a thousand times, but I haven’t yet fooled around in the back of Old Blue. So if plans go the way I want them to, that’s exactly what we’ll be doing.
*
The movie is good, like it always is, and we’ve eaten all of our popcorn and put our drinks aside. I brought enough pillows to make us comfortable, and Sara is cozied up next to me as I draw small circles on her arm. We are the only vehicle on this side, and we’re parked in the very back. I turn and surprise Sara as I move her dress up.
“What are you doing?” she asks me.
“It’s our anniversary, baby,” I say as I slip her panties to the side. She starts to protest, but my fingers enter her, and she can’t help but moan. This makes my dick hard, and I scoot down more and put the covers over us. I make her feel good until she grips my arms and lets out a soft groan as she comes around my fingers. I climb on top of her while she is in a daze, and in one movement, my jeans are unbuttoned, and I’m slipping inside her.
Her head falls back, and I kiss her neck as I start to move, loving her in the back of Old Blue at a drive-in. I’d say it is bucket list worthy.
*
A few weeks have passed since our anniversary and I’m walking into the office with Ben, who is asking me what size ring Sara wears.
“Don’t you think it’s kinda quick to ask Shelby to marry you?”
“No, man. When you know, you know. You know
?” he says, looking over at Anne.
“Boys, sit down. I have some news,” Anne tells us. I look at her curiously before I take my seat. “The mayor has sent us a letter, and it seems as though you will be our new chief, Cash.”
“What?” I ask, shocked.
“Yes, you will be our new chief. I’ve put in a good word for you and so did Drew before he passed. We spoke about it a while back, and he said that when he retired he was going to see if you wanted the job. The mayor and Drew were good buddies, went fishing together on the weekends more times than I can count, so the mayor said if you want it, the job is yours.”
I look over at Ben who has a grin on his face.
“Dude, take it. I can’t think of a better boss man than you.”
I look back at Anne, who has a smile on her face, too, but hers is one of pride. This means a lot to her.
“That’s some big shoes to fill,” I say, looking down. “I don’t want to disappoint anyone.”
“You’re the man to fill them. It’s what Drew wanted,” she says as her eyes glisten with unshed tears.
“Anne, I don’t—”
“Think about it, Cash,” she interrupts me. “Don’t give an answer now. Go home, and talk about it with Sara.”
I nod and look out the window.
“I’m going to go check on…something,” I say just so I can get out of here. I get up and push the door open, hearing that bell ring above me just as it always does. I hop into my truck and head to I have no idea. I just drive.
When you’re a kid, you have certain dreams. Some children want to be firemen, astronauts, teachers—hell, some even want to own a bar like their father. Me, I never had a clue, but I didn’t want to be the sheriff or the chief of police. I worked with my dad to make money, so I could move away from that town one day and out from under Jack Williams’ shadow. I accomplished my goal, and taking on the job as deputy here was just a way to hurry and earn some money for Sara and me. Now, I’ve got this big position thrown onto my lap and some pretty enormous shoes to fill. Drew was a legend around here. I’m no legend. I’m just a small-town boy who’s in love with a wild girl. That’s all I’ve ever been, and that’s all I’ll ever be.
*
“If you don’t want to do it, then don’t,” Sara says to me as we walk out in the field behind our house. I’ve just cut the grass with a tractor I borrowed from Mark, and the wind keeps picking up chunks of wheat and tumbling them up into the air. Bear chases the windblown grass, but they only break apart when he sticks his nose in them.
“I just don’t want to let anyone down.”
“How could you possibly do that?”
I shrug. “If there’s a way, I’ll find it.”
“Cash Williams, you stop this self-doubt mess. If the chief thought you could do it, then you can.” She grabs my arm and turns me to face her. “You deserve this opportunity. You work hard, and everyone respects you around here. Make a name for yourself. I think you should do this. Grab life by the balls, baby cakes.”
I laugh. “Lord, woman, you sure know how to talk someone into something,” I say as I put my arm around her shoulders, and we start walking again. I reach down and grab a piece of wheat. Sticking it into my mouth, I look out at our land.
“I’ve been talking you into things almost our whole lives, baby. Why should I stop now?”
“I can’t find a reason,” I reply. “Guess I’m going to go for it. I’m going to grab this thing called life right by the balls.” I look down as she laughs. “Give me a kiss, baby cakes,” I say as I lean down and capture her sweet lips.
*
A Few Months Later
Cash
“Jesus, there’s enough food here to feed a small army,” I say to Ben.
“Well, it’s not every day the mayor announces a new chief.” He nudges my side and sticks a piece of ham into his mouth. I roll my eyes.
“Did you buy that ring?”
“Yes.”
“When are you gonna ask her?”
“I don’t have a clue.”
I laugh. “Nervous?”
“Well, shit yeah, I’m nervous. Weren’t you when you asked Sara?”
“No,” I say in all honesty. “It wasn’t planned.” I look over at her laughing with Leigh and Maci. She’s in a short brown dress with a black floppy hat over her pretty curls.
“Why did you two wait so long?” he asks me as he pops another piece of food into his mouth.
I shrug. “Just wasn’t something we thought about or talked about. Thought maybe we’d be one of those couples who never got married, but just was always together. But married or not, I knew she was mine. Neither of us needed a ring or a piece of paper to prove that.” I look back at Sara, and my mind takes me back to almost eight years ago.
I knock on Sara’s parents’ door before I slide my hands into my pockets. I hear heavy footsteps, the door flies open, and there’s my girl.
“I heard you coming.” I laugh as she jumps into my arms.
“Come on. Mama’s driving me crazy,” she says, grabbing my hand and nearly dragging me to my truck. I open the door, and she slides in first. Debbie runs out the front door.
“Sara! You put your seat belt on! Cash, don’t keep her out too late.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say as I shut the door and start the truck. Once we are out of her sight, Sara slides over and puts her feet on my lap.
“Good grief, that woman. She’s been on my ass all day.”
“Why?” I ask her as I drive toward the lake.
She laughs. “Because I snuck out last night and left muddy footprints on the carpet.”
“You snuck out?” I look over at her with narrowed eyes.
“Yeah, I went to the water tower. Couldn’t sleep,” she says, wiggling her toes and yawning.
“Are you tired now?” I ask her as I grip her moving toes.
“Never too tired to hang out with you.”
“Good.”
I turn the radio up and roll my window down. The ride’s only about twenty minutes, and as I turn onto the road, I look over at Sara who is sleeping. I don’t wake her, because I know when she says she couldn’t sleep last night, it means she probably didn’t sleep at all. I drive on down and park the truck in the shade in front of the water. I gently move her feet off my lap, open my door, and step out. I grab my tackle box and fishing pole from the back and walk down to the water. After I put my bait on, I toss the line and wait for a bite. I watch the horseflies buzz above the water and the sun start to sink in the sky. I didn’t plan to fish today, but with Sara I’ve learned you don’t make plans because you never know what her mood will be. I’m okay with that, and really it’s a good evening for fishing.
An hour later, the sun has completely set, and I’ve caught a few fish but threw them back. I hear the truck door open and look behind me.
“Baby, why didn’t you wake me?” Sara says, stretching.
“You didn’t sleep last night.”
“But I wanted to spend time with you.” She walks over to where I’m sitting on the grass and takes a seat on my lap. I wrap my arms around her and rest my back against the tree behind me. The oil lamp I bring with me for night fishing sits in the grass beside us and lights up her sleepy face. I look into her eyes, and it’s as if the world stops spinning and nothing and no one but us matters. Her eyes are a pretty blue, her hair messy from sleep, and in this moment my heart feels completely full. She is all I’ll ever need, all I’ll ever want, and without any thought, I say something I had no intention of saying today.
“Marry me.”
She smiles and leans back to search my face. After a moment, she says, “You don’t want to marry me.”
“I’ve loved you almost my whole life, Sara. If there is one thing I want to do, this is it.” I tuck a stray curl behind her ear. “Marry me,” I say in a rough whisper, almost pleading. She looks from my eyes to my lips, pulling her lips between her teeth before she looks back into my eyes.
“Okay,” she whispers back.
“Okay?” I ask, unsure if I heard her.
“Yes, I’ll marry you.”
*
I step onto the stage after the mayor recites a long, nice speech in remembrance of Chief Drew Rogers and calls my name. The town cheers, and like my wife, I don’t care for the attention, but I take a breath and look for her in the crowd. I find her and feel more at ease when she gives me a small smile and a little thumbs-up. I give her a wink and look back to the mayor as he says some more things about the town of Green Ridge and me. He then turns to me.
“Please, everyone welcome our new chief of police, Chief Cash Williams.” I shake his hand, and he places the badge on my shirt. As the crowd cheers, I give a small awkward wave. He looks to me to say something, and I clear my throat as the crowd grows quiet.
“Hello, I’m Cash Williams. I’m honored…”
“Speak up, son,” the mayor says, grinning at me. “They can’t hear you.”
I nod and clear my throat again, leaning into the microphone.
“Hello,” I say louder. “I’m Cash Williams. I’m honored to be the new chief, and I’m proud that Chief Rogers picked me to follow in his footsteps. Thank you,” I finish and hear one single person start to clap. I look and see it’s my wife. Everyone soon follows, and I’m shocked Sara even singled herself out like that. I’m sure I’m grinning like an idiot, so I nod to the mayor and make my way off the stage, trying to get to her through the crowd. I spot her as she’s making her way toward me. The mayor starts speaking again, and the town forgets about little ol’ me. When Sara gets to me, she jumps into my arms and I kiss her hard, like no one is around. Pulling away, I smile at her. “You clapped first.”
Chasing Fireflies Page 18