Bullet Country by Robert Swartwood

Author:Robert Swartwood [Swartwood, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: RMS Press

TWENTY-SIX

The sky was cloudless and bright, the temperature edging just over seventy degrees, when Nova pulled into the driveway at nine o’clock that Thursday morning.

Mandy Schaffer must have been watching for him. Before he could even put his truck in park, the front door opened and she hurried down the steps, her dark blonde hair bouncing in the breeze.

He met her on the walkway and asked if something had happened to her husband.

“No changes,” she said. “I spoke to one of Ed’s doctors this morning. They said he’s still unresponsive. But my work—they just told me I have to come in. Only for an hour or two, but still. I didn’t have your number; otherwise, I would have called.”

She glanced over her shoulder at Alex standing behind the storm door, peering out. She sucked in a breath and spoke in a quiet tone.

“He was really looking forward to it too. So was I. He needs a good distraction that isn’t on a screen.”

Something changed in her face as she paused, staring up at him.

“You … you wouldn’t be open to taking him anyway, would you?”

Nova started to open his mouth, but she kept going, cutting him off.

“I know, I know. A crazy question. It’s just … I heard him crying in his room last night. He really misses his dad. And I hate that he can’t go fishing because of my stupid job.”

Nova wasn’t sure Mandy had ever told him what it was she did for work. Last night when he’d asked all she said was that she was a mother and a wife.

He said, “I don’t feel comfortable taking him, just the two of us.”

Mandy’s face dipped as she sniffed back what were presumably tears.

“I get it. I do. But, I mean, it wouldn’t be for the entire time. Like I said, I only have to go into work for an hour or two. I could meet you there!”

Her tone had ticked up with hope, her green eyes now searching his for any slight trace of compassion.

He let the silence stretch for a moment before he said, “Only an hour or two.”

Nodding her head adamantly, her eyes bright: “Yes, absolutely, only an hour or two. I’ll meet you there and take him home when you’re done.”

Nova glanced back up at the boy standing behind the storm door.

“Okay.”

A small gasp escaped Mandy’s throat.

“Really? Are you serious?”

“An hour or two. No more than that.”

“Yes, of course. I promise. Do you know where you’ll be?”

“We’ll park down at the end of Patterson Road.”

“Great! I’ll go get his fishing rod from the garage. Oh, and can you call my phone? That way I’ll have your number.”

She’d given him her number at the diner yesterday and she read off the number again, and Nova dialed it so it went through.

Beaming, Mandy turned and motioned for Alex to come outside.

“Baby, I have great news! You’re going fishing!”

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