“Moore!” a gruff voice calls.
I look up and find Sheriff McCall standing a few feet away from me.
“Yes, sir.” I stand, pausing the workshop.
“Come into my office, please.”
I follow behind him and take a seat at his desk, looking at him expectantly. He steeples his hands and leans back in his chair, leveling his gaze.
“I’ve been working with our county to implement a school resource deputy program called Keeping Our Children Safe, acronym K.O.C.S.”
I cough to hide my chuckle and look at the Sheriff. “I don’t think that’s a great nickname, sir.”
He pauses and says, “KOCS.” Then, he chuckles, and nods. “You’re right. I hadn’t realized it until I said it out loud. Well, we can still change the name. The point of the program is to have one of our members as a safety point on campus while leading a program about safety, anti-bullying, drug education, etcetera.”
I nod, wondering what he’s getting at, although I have a sinking feeling.
“It will be offered as a pilot program in our elementary, middle, and high schools. With your experience in Dallas working as a mentor, I thought you’d be the perfect candidate. However, you’d have to take a four-day course to learn about the school system and working with youth. It’d be a ten-week program, so you’ll be at the school for the rest of the school year as the security officer as well.” He looks at me with raised eyebrows, gaging my reaction.
“How will it work? Will I be on campus every day?”
“Yes. You’ll alternate between the kindergarten through eighth grade campus and the high school. I’ll have a schedule set with clear days you’ll be at each school. I know your experience is with adolescents, but it’s important to work with the younger children as well as a preventative measure.”
“I understand. How about the name,Training Our Students Against Crime?”
“That’s good.” He nods, jotting it down on a piece of paper.
In Dallas, I helped with a group of kids that would end up in jail if it weren’t for us. It’s something I was passionate about, and I often find myself wishing I didn’t have to leave that behind. This is different, though. If the kids are anything like Walker, they aren’t on the path to destruction.
“The training course will begin in two weeks, and you’ll be introduced to the staff the Friday before,” he explains. I guess I’m stuck with more workshops.
“Sounds good.”
“This pilot program has to go off without a hitch. If it’s successful, we’ll be able to implement it throughout the county.” Sheriff McCall gives me a stern look.
“Noted.” Basically, don’t screw this up.
I move to stand, thanking the sheriff, though I’m not sure if I’m grateful right now. I guess this beats getting called down to someone’s house because their neighbor is planting petunias on the edge of their property and the person has a petunia allergy.
At least these kids will act their age instead of adults bickering like ten-year-old children.
“Honey, I’m home!” I call out as I walk into the house and toe off my shoes.
Walker’s racing footsteps echo through the house. I love that kid as if he were my own.
“Uncle Nate! Guess what!” He slides to a stop in front of me.
“What’s up, bud?”
“Mom said we can eat at a restaurant.”
“Really?” I lift my brows. “I brought stuff to make a pizza.” I hold up the bag in my hand.
“We can do that tomorrow.” He jumps around.
“Hey.” Brooke smiles as she walks into the kitchen. It’s good to see a grin on her face.
“I hear we’re going out?” I arch a brow.