I’d call my summer a good one if my worst calls were shoplifting and missing cats. Unfortunately, we got our share of car accidents and near-drownings. But, thankfully, things stayed fairly mellow with a community as tightknit as Wolf Gap. “I’m asking the officers and deputies to make their rounds on foot. They’ll be stopping by the shops and will be a visible presence on the street.”
“I hope that helps. You know it’s a fine line to stay in the black.”
Charlene wasn’t wrong. When your town relied on tourists, a rough winter or summer with bad forest fires could mean businesses closing and people hurting. I patted her shoulder. “We’ll do everything we can. And you just call the non-emergency line if you see anything suspicious.”
“I’ll do that. You’re a good boy. Always were.”
I waved her off, doing my best to hold in my laughter. It didn’t matter that I’d turned thirty this year. I’d forever be a good boy in her eyes. I picked up my pace, hoping to avoid people stopping me at every shop along the path. I nodded at tourists and waved at familiar locals. By the time I reached the Wolf Gap Bar & Grill, I wished I’d taken my damn SUV.
Pulling open the door, the air conditioning hit me in a refreshing wave. “Hey, Cam.”
The hostess’s smile turned up a few notches. “Hey, Hayes. Calder’s already here.” She gave a little pout as she led me towards a table where Calder was already seated. “Ignoring me as usual.”
I swallowed back a chuckle. “How are your parents?”
“Everyone’s good. We’re taking the boat out on the lake this weekend…” She shot Calder a grin that spoke of things beyond her years. “Maybe you wanna come with?”
He rubbed at the back of his neck. “I’ve gotta work. But thanks.”
“You know what they say about all work and no play…”
“That it makes Calder boring as hell?” I cut in.
Cammie laughed and waved me off. “He’s not boring. Calder just needs someone to show him how to have a little fun.” And with that, she sauntered off with a sway to her hips.
I let out a low whistle. “She’s not messing around trying to get your attention.”
“It’s bizarre. I feel like Hadley was babysitting her just yesterday.”
“When my little sister has been someone’s babysitter, I feel like it’s an automatic no-go.”
He gave an exaggerated shiver. “Let’s make that one a rule.”
“Adding it to the book.” I picked up the menu and set it at the edge of the table. I’d memorized its contents decades ago, and it barely changed. Even the specials on the chalkboard were predictable. Thursdays would always be chicken-fried steak, and Saturdays some sort of pasta. “Everything quiet at the fire station?”
Calder nodded to his radio on the table. “So far. We had to grab Tommy Bixley off his parents’ roof yesterday. He’d made himself Batman wings that he wanted to try out.”
“Sounds like something we would’ve done.”
His mouth pressed into a thin line. “Maybe, but he could’ve been hurt.”
My friend of thirty years had lost his desire for mischief when his ex-wife, Jackie, had almost cost him his girls. Now, he saw the world through a much more serious lens, and as much as I tried to get him to let loose, I understood. He had sole custody of the girls now, and that came with a weight I hoped I never had to shoulder. “How are Birdie and Sage?”
“Giving me a head of gray hair.”
“Wouldn’t be doing their job if they weren’t. Why don’t you bring them over for dinner on Sunday?”
“Sounds good to me. Ask your mom if I can bring anything.”
I grunted. “You know what she’ll say.”
“Just bring you and those two angels.” Calder grinned. “She doesn’t live with them when they’re about to tear each other’s hair out.”
“Maybe not, but Hadley and Shiloh could get into it pretty good growing up.” My two sisters had fought like cats and dogs, and they could still dip into it now and again.
Calder adjusted the silverware at the side of his paper placemat. “That’s true enough.”
“What?”