Chapter 5 In-laws and Outlaws

J illian was humming as she left the bedroom. She adjusted one of her silver hoop earrings as she made her way across the great room to the kitchen. Unsure if her mother-in-law would be dressed up for church, she’d kept her own outfit simple — a long red plaid shirt over maternity jeans and cowgirl boots. Dave would seriously adore seeing her like this. He rarely wore anything other than boots, not even when he had on a business suit.

Eloise glanced up from the bar, where she was seated, cupping a mug of coffee. “You’re awfully cheerful this morning,” she observed sourly. The lines at the edges of her eyes were deeper than usual, indicating she hadn’t slept any better than Jillian had.

Despite her obvious exhaustion, a blue velvet sheath dress encased her slender figure. She’d paired it with knee-high designer black boots with pointy toes. Silver bangle bracelets lined her left wrist, jingling as she took another sip. She looked like a picture out of a magazine, making Jillian feel underdressed in comparison.

“I’m in an insanely good mood.” Her voice rose with elation. “Because Dave made it to Dallas!” She couldn’t resist doing a brief celebratory dance as she entered the kitchen.

“Oh?” Eloise nearly dropped her mug as she hastily set it down. “Did Gil call with another update?”

“No, it was the man of the hour himself. I just got off the phone with him.” Jillian’s heart fluttered at the memory. She pressed her hands to her chest. “He’ll probably call you next.” She was kind of surprised he hadn’t already reached out to his mom via a text or something.

“I highly doubt it.” Eloise’s lips dipped down even further at the corners. “He and I only talk a couple of times a year, usually on Mother’s Day and Christmas. Otherwise, we stay out of each other’s hair.” The wistful look in her gaze, however, told Jillian she’d welcome more details about his current whereabouts and well-being.

She hurriedly shared what she knew. “He said he ran into some really bad weather. Wind sheers and stuff. At one point, the plane he was on was practically flying sideways.”

Eloise’s eyes grew damp. “Is he alright?” She blinked rapidly, waving both hands at her eyes.

“In his own words, he’s very glad to be back on the ground.” Jillian figured it would be best to focus on the good news while easing into the bad news.

“I can only imagine.” Eloise made a humming sound of sympathy. “In all my years of flying, I’ve never experienced turbulence that severe.”

“I’ve never been in any turbulence at all.” Jillian was in no hurry to experience it, either.

“What?” Her mother-in-law’s eyes widened. “Is that your way of saying you’ve never been on an airplane before?”

“Not one that’s in the air.” Jillian walked to the fridge to take out a carton of organic milk. “During junior high, we took a field trip to one of the local farms and got to take turns climbing into the cockpit of their crop duster.” She poured a bowl of milk and reached for a box of her favorite granola cereal. Carrying them to the bar, she took a seat across from her mother-in-law.

Eloise watched her pour her cereal and twirl her spoon through it. “You should come visit me in Italy. There’s so much to see and do there. So many incredible shops and boutiques to putter through.”

“Thanks for inviting me.” To a small-town girl like Jillian, Italy sounded galaxies away. “Maybe we can visit you after the baby’s born.” She’d have to apply for a passport first, and that could take weeks. Maybe months. But no doctor would recommend her traveling that far from home until after her delivery.

She bowed her head over her cereal and sent up a whispered prayer of thanks.

When she opened her eyes, Eloise snorted. “Dave’s tale about flying sideways has you wigged out about flying, eh?”

“A little.” Jillian wrinkled her nose as she took a bite. “In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m a bit of a homebody. I love it here in Heart Lake and never had any burning desire to leave.” She’d always been content to see the world through books and television. And now that she and Dave were being hounded by the elusive Prophet, she was even less inclined to leave the haven of her hometown.

As if reading her thoughts, Eloise nodded in understanding. “Good, because Gil made it clear he doesn’t want us going past the driveway right now without a military escort. I’m surprised he didn’t pitch a bigger fit about us going to church this morning.”

Jillian smiled. “Dave said the same thing over the phone about me staying put.”

“No big surprise there.” Eloise’s voice was dry. “The two of them have always been as thick as thieves.”

“They have their reasons for being extra cautious right now.” Jillian debated how much she should share with her mother-in-law and ultimately decided to come clean with the whole story. “After Dave’s plane got rerouted last night, he was ambushed by three men at gunpoint.”

Her mother-in-law gasped so loudly that Jillian reached for her hand. “He gave them the famous D-Dave Invasion treatment and escaped with nothing more than a scratch.”

Eloise looked horrified. “By scratch, you mean…?”

“One of the bullets grazed his upper arm,” she explained gently. “He reported it to the police, and they called an ambulance to bandage him up. Naturally, he refused to go to the hospital afterward.”

“Naturally,” her mother-in-law echoed, sounding pretty shaken up.

Jillian squeezed her hand. “It’s obvious that someone doesn’t want him taking the case in Dallas.”

“Several someones,” her mother-in-law corrected sharply.

“It’s also starting to feel like the Prophet is tied into all of this somehow.” She waved vaguely. “The two threats I’ve received, the one addressed to Dave, and now the ambush against Dave.” The timing of the threat to his life and the timing of the ambush didn’t feel like a coincidence.

Eloise appeared to be lost in thought for a few moments. Then she withdrew her hand from Jillian’s. “We’d better get going. Otherwise, we’re going to be late for church. ”

“Right.” While Jillian finished her cereal and washed her bowl out in the sink, she overheard Eloise making a phone call.

“Gil? This is Eloise. We’re about ready for you to send our limo.” Whatever he said in return made her red-painted lips twitch. “Me? Milking my daughter-in-law’s pregnancy to score a favor? I’m genuinely hurt that you think so little of me.” She disconnected the call and broke into a loud cackle. “Men!” Though she rolled her eyes, Jillian sensed an undercurrent of affection on her part toward Gil.

Interesting. Eloise Phillips was turning out to be full of surprises.

Jillian hurried to the master bedroom to fetch her purse and coat. When she returned to the great room, her mother-in-law was waiting by the front door, bundled in a knee-length faux fur coat.

“You are not going to believe the monstrosity that’s waiting for us in the driveway.” She twisted the door handle and flung open the door dramatically. “See for yourself.” She pointed one gloved finger.

Jillian stepped outside onto the porch and stared at the boxy, slate gray vehicle resting on oversized tires in the driveway. The front seat and backseat windows were narrower than the typical SUV. “Is it a Jeep?” A special edition, maybe? It looked like a cross between a Jeep and a Humvee. She moved down the stairs to the sidewalk, eager to get a closer look at it.

Gil, who was climbing out of the driver’s seat and hopping to the ground, must have heard what she’d said. “Good guess,” he called cheerfully. “It’s got a lot of Jeep Wrangler’s mechanical components, but it’s so much more than that.” He rattled off a laundry list of features that swirled like spaghetti noodles inside her head. She caught snatches of words like ballistic armor, bullet-proof glass, and run-flat tires. The rest of what he said went in one ear and out the other. Her knowledge about cars didn’t extend much past car colors.

Eloise clip-clopped at a slower pace down the porch steps in her spiky-heeled boots. “I can tell you what it’s not. It’s not the limo I requested.”

“It’s better than a limo. Trust me.” Gil opened the back passenger door for Jillian and assisted her onto a surprisingly luxurious leather seat. Then he hurried to Eloise’s side to offer her a hand.

“It looks like something out of a superhero movie.” She wrapped both hands around his arm. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

“I wouldn’t dare.” He grinned down at her. “I’m already in trouble for failing to deliver a limo.”

“Not yet.” She patted his arm. “I can be reasonable. You claim it’s better than a limo, so convince me.”

He delivered her onto the captain’s seat beside Jillian with the gallantry one might show a queen. “Prepare to have your minds blown,” he announced in a voice worthy of going on stage, then shut her door.

While he slid behind the wheel, his wife, Bliss, twisted around to peer at them over the console. “Big toys for big boys. That’s what this is really about, isn’t it, sweetie?” Her hair fanned like dark silk around the shoulders of her white puff jacket. Like Jillian, she was in maternity jeans. An emerald green tunic ruffled out from beneath her jacket.

“We-e-ell,” Gil drawled, reaching for her hand to draw it to his mouth. He kissed her gloved fingers. “Okay, you can tell ‘em. Now that Dave and Jillian have agreed to be the godparents of our children, they’re practically family.”

“Children?” Eloise sat forward in her seat. “As in plural? ”

Gil made a choking sound that he tried to cover with a cough as he started the motor.

Bliss’s musical laugh filled the interior of the vehicle. “Retired only a few months from the sheriff’s department, and already my husband has lost his ability to keep a secret.”

“How many?” Eloise demanded, forcing them back on topic like a hungry dog with a juicy bone.

“Twins,” Bliss sighed in a dazed voice as her husband backed the vehicle out of the driveway. “You’re the only ones we’ve told besides Dave. We’re still absorbing the news ourselves and…” she paused to bite her lower lip, “coming to grips with the extra risks posed by carrying twins.”

“You’ll be fine.” Eloise’s tone was so matter-of-fact that Jillian blinked at her. “You and Jillian both.” She settled back in her seat, folding her arms over her coat. “You’re two of the strongest women I’ve ever met, who happen to be married to the two stubbornest, most formidable men in Heart Lake. They’ve had blood dripping from their fangs ever since they won the state football championship in high school.”

The vehicle erupted into laugher.

“Fangs,” Gil chortled, waggling his eyebrows playfully at his wife. “That’s Eloise for you. Wrapping a compliment in a slap upside the head.”

Bliss reached over and gently swiped her gloved fingers beneath his chin. “Careful, sweetie. Can’t have you getting blood all over the vehicle before you decide whether or not you’re keeping it.”

“Good point.” Gil caught her hand, threading his fingers through hers, and lowered them to his thigh.

They cruised slowly around Heart Lake, making their way to a white church building overlooking the water. It had been there all of Jillian’s life, mostly serving those who lived on the lake. Though it had undergone a number of renovations in the past, it was currently receiving its first significant expansion. Gil drove them into the crowded parking lot, claiming what appeared to be the last parking spot. The closest spots against the church building had been blocked off with construction cones. Metal scaffolding covered one whole side of the building where a bigger sanctuary was being constructed.

“Really?” Eloise sniped as he set the emergency brake and reached for the button to turn off the motor. “You’re gonna just drop a bomb about owning this contraption, then leave us hanging?”

Gil twisted around in his seat, leaving the motor idling. “How’d you enjoy the drive here, Eloise? Were you comfortable enough?” He tapped a few buttons on the dashboard, making the ceiling light up like a constellation. Dozens of tiny white lights studded the upholstery overhead.

“Show off,” she muttered.

He cupped a hand around one ear, leaning closer. “Was that a yes?”

She ignored his question. “What is this thing, anyway?”

“A Rezvani Tank. Military edition.”

“Why in the world would a retired sheriff need a tank?” she countered.

“Why, indeed?” Bliss echoed in a bemused voice.

He raised her hand to his lips to kiss her fingers again. “Already said you could tell ‘em.”

“It’s basically a gift,” Bliss explained in a wry voice, “to sweeten the deal on a job offer.”

Jillian frowned in surprise. “I thought you were working part time for Lonestar Security. ”

“Turns out they’d rather have him full time.” Bliss exchanged a long, speaking look with her husband. “As a business partner.”

“Wow!” That was news to Jillian. She wondered if Dave knew, since he hadn’t mentioned it to her. She glanced around the vehicle, noting the upgraded leather, chrome, and e-device charging stations. It might be military grade, but it was also a serious statement in luxury. “And this thing is yours if you say yes?”

“He’s going to say yes,” Bliss assured them softly. “Eventually.”

Eloise made a scoffing sound. “You sure you’re going to have time for a second career, sheriff, now that you have twins on the way?”

Gil let out a gusty breath instead of answering.

“We’ll make time.” Bliss squeezed her husband’s hand. “After what happened to Dave last night, how could we not?”

For once, Eloise seemed to be at a loss for words. Though Jillian didn’t think she was intended to overhear their conversation, she watched her mother-in-law step closer to Gil as he assisted her out of the vehicle.

“How long do you need for me to stay in town?” she hissed to him.

He studied her gravely. “As long as you can, please.”

Eloise gave him a rigid up-down nod and returned to Jillian’s side. She stuck to her like a cocklebur while they followed Gil and his wife across the parking lot to the entrance of the church.

They stepped inside the foyer, and Jillian could immediately feel the stares being aimed in their direction. As much as she’d been looking forward to attending church, this was the one part she hadn’t been looking forward to .

Eloise stepped closer to her. “Ignore them,” she ordered beneath her breath.

“They’re curious.” Jillian kept her voice down for her mother-in-law’s ears alone. “It’s a small town, and your son married a woman who’s five-and-a-half months pregnant.” A certain amount of speculation was understandable.

“Whatever.” Eloise’s tone was withering. “It’s none of their business.”

Easy for you to say. Jillian’s eyes widened. Clearly, Dave’s mother had been overseas for so long that she’d forgotten what it was like to live in Heart Lake. Everybody knew everything about their neighbors here. Anyone attempting to keep secrets inevitably stirred a hotbed of gossip.

“It isn’t,” Eloise reiterated with a determined nod as they slid into the first pew they found that had enough space remaining to seat four people.

Two chattering women, whom Jillian had never laid eyes on before, glanced over their shoulders at her. Their gazes settled pointedly on her blooming midsection, resting there for an uncomfortable moment before flitting to Dave’s mother.

Whatever they saw in her expression made them hastily face forward again.

Gil leaned around Jillian to rasp, “I’m not the only one with fangs.”

Bliss elbowed him playfully. “Which are entirely unnecessary to use in church.”

“Ha!” Eloise pursed her lips as she settled more comfortably back in the pew. “Sometimes it’s where they’re needed the most!”

Jillian had bigger fish to fry, so she kept her thoughts on the subject to herself. She really just wanted to forget all the bad stuff happening in the world for one straight hour. Maybe something the minister said this morning would give her a glimmer of hope that her and Bliss’s babies were going to be born healthy. That Dave was going to be surrounded by Divine protection during the rest of his stay in Dallas. That the elusive Prophet would soon be caught and brought to justice.

The choir filed onto the platform, beckoned for the congregation to stand, and led them in a moving rendition of Holy, Holy, Holy. Emotion welled inside Jillian as she absorbed the lyrics. The words embodied a deep, soul-stirring reverence. No requests for favors. No begging to be rescued from the endless tide of trouble that constantly plagued humanity. They were simply an outpouring of praise for God’s awesomeness.

Because He’s worth it.

The heaviness in Jillian’s heart lifted and was replaced by the peace she’d been looking for. The message in the song was a reminder that God was bigger than everything she and Dave were going through — from her late maternal pregnancy to the string of threats issued by the coward or group of cowards hiding in the shadows of digital anonymity.

When the song ended, Eloise ducked her head closer to Jillian. “You have a lovely voice.”

“Thank you.” To Jillian’s surprise, there were tears glinting in her mother-in-law’s eyes. She impulsively slipped an arm around the woman and gave her a gentle hug.

Eloise leaned into it a little. Then they wordlessly took their seats again.

The message that followed was shorter than Jillian had been expecting. And simpler. It was about trust. The aging minister opened his Bible and read from the Book of Proverbs. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Then he turned to the Book of Philippians and continued reading, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”

He closed his Bible, sweeping the room with a gaze full of compassion. “That’s a tough one, isn’t it? We’re free-spirited Americans. Ambitious. Proud. Hardworking do-it-your-selfers. But there comes a time in our lives…in all of our lives…if you haven’t reached that point yet, you will…when we come face to face with things that are bigger than ourselves. Unexpected tragedies. Complicated relationships. Serious medical diagnoses. The kind of stuff we can’t fix on our own, no matter how educated or experienced we are. Or how much we have in our bank accounts. It’s in these moments that the Word of God instructs us to wait on the One who made us. The One who goes before us to fight our battles. The One who never fails.”

He stepped away from the pulpit. “If you’re floundering your way through a difficult situation this morning that feels bigger than you, I want you to leave the building with one thought. You don’t have to do it alone. Say it with me.”

In unison, the congregation repeated, “I don’t have to do it alone.”

“That’s right.” He spread his hands. “It’s that simple. There’s hope for those of us willing to wait on the Lord and trust that He will keep His promises. And He will.” He pointed upward. “Let’s pray.”

On their way out of the church, Eloise sniffed. “That was nice. Not what I was expecting, but nice.”

Gil drew alongside her in the parking lot and nudged her with his shoulder. “You miss us Heart Lakers. Just admit it already.”

She gave him a dark look. “Unless you’re pressing charges for something, sheriff, this interrogation is over.” She stomped ahead of him to the Rezvani.

A group of teenage boys were walking around it, whistling in admiration.

“Cool wheels, sir.” One of the boys reached out to give Gil a fist bump. Then he jumped out of the way so Gil could open the front and back passenger doors for Bliss and Jillian.

Eloise cackled with humor as he made his way around the car to open her door next. “You’re not going to be able to give up this superhero-mobile, are you?” She dug her elbow into his side. “It’s starting to feel like I should ask for your autograph.”

He curled his upper lip at her as he assisted her into her seat. “Unless you’re pressing charges, Eloise, this interrogation is over.”

She pretended to converse with Jillian as he slid behind the wheel. In truth, she was still needling him. “Next stop is the furniture store,” she sang out. She cast a critical eye around the backseat. “If we lay the seats down, do you think we can fit a china cabinet in here?”

“The next stop,” Gil corrected, “is actually lunch. We have two lovely ladies present who are eating for more than one.” His gaze softened as it landed on his pregnant wife.

He drove them to the Longhorn Grill, which was located just inside the gates of the Comanche reservation that butted up to Heart Lake.

Eloise’s eyes were practically popping out of her head by the time they were seated at their booth. “A new steakhouse?” She sounded amazed. “Heart Lake is really moving up in the world.” The tables and padded benches were thick and rustic. Candles flickered from pine bough centerpieces, and muted country western music wafted from a jukebox against the wall.

“Glad the queen of Italy approves of at least one thing I’ve done today.” Gil’s voice floated above the enormous trifold menu he and Bliss were huddled behind with their heads together.

“You had one task,” Eloise retorted. “One measly task — to pick us up for church in a limo. Was that really asking too much?”

He lowered his menu to scowl at her. “For a guy who’s operating on sleep fumes? Yes. There’s only one thing keeping me awake right now.” He belligerently parked his menu back in front of Eloise, shielding his wife mostly from view as he captured her lips in a fortifying kiss that tugged at Jillian’s lonely heartstrings.

As far as she was concerned, the only thing missing from the warm and cozy setting was her own husband. The Longhorn Grill had been too pricey for her modest income as an ER receptionist, but Dave had brought her here a few times after they started dating. She cast a wistful look across the room at the booth they’d sat in during their last date at the restaurant.

Eloise, who was seated next to her, reached over to pat her hand. Her expression indicated she understood that her daughter-in-law was drowning in melancholy. “You heard what the Bible-banging reverend said this morning.” Her voice was mildly scoffing. “Wait and trust.”

“I just wish it wasn’t so hard to live out.” Jillian blew out a frustrated breath. “Thanks for coming with me, by the way. I know it wasn’t your first choice of places to spend your Sunday morning.”

“Hobnobbing with a stuffy sheriff isn’t my idea of a hot date, either,” Eloise retorted with a twinkle in her eyes, “but you don’t hear me complaining.”

“That’s it!” Gil lowered his menu again. “You’re paying for lunch.”

They continued to trade verbal barbs after their food arrived. Jillian and Bliss pretended not to notice while they discussed nursery decorations. When it came time to pay, Gil and Eloise took their squabbling to a new low by getting into an impromptu wrestling match over who was covering the ticket.

He won, brandishing the ticket over her head like an Olympic runner with a gold medal.

“He’s always been a brat,” Eloise complained to his wife while he handed his credit card to their waitress with a gallant flourish. “I should know, after powdering his bottom and changing his diaper a few times.”

“Consider it my way of saying thanks,” Gil informed her dryly. When he thought no one was looking, he muffled a yawn.

Jillian had pity on him and faked a headache to give him a reason that Eloise wouldn’t dispute for driving them straight home.

Since none of them had gotten much sleep last night, she preferred the idea of taking a nap herself. Furniture shopping could wait. The day wore on without any further word from Dave. Jillian tried calling his burner phone midafternoon, but he didn’t pick up.

With a sigh of resignation, she dug out some yarn and a crochet hook from a bin in the closet. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d carved out time for her favorite hobby. Now that her husband was out of town and she was jobless, however, she suddenly had more time on her hands than she knew what to do with.

I should make a baby blanket.

It would pass the time while she waited for Dave’s next call.

And waited.

And waited some more.

And kept waiting.

The afternoon faded into evening and darkness fell, but her phone remained silent.

Two days later

Gil restlessly paced the living room of the cozy cottage on the lake he shared with Bliss. She was in a virtual meeting in the office they shared. He could hear her chatting animatedly with her staff of the future Heart Lake Anthropology and National History Museum. They were still in the architectural planning stages of the project. However, she’d already purchased the few acres of land where the old south side high school had once stood.

A string of tornadoes had reduced it to rubble. From its ashes, however, she was determined to build a center that would celebrate the rich history of all the brave pioneers who’d settled in the Christmas Mountains surrounding Heart Lake.

Since Gil was only working part time at Lonestar Security, he was off work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On days like today, though, he felt guilty about not having more to do. Retirement was great and all, but a guy could only do so much fishing, boating, working out at the gym, and reading. His wife, an internationally renowned archeologist, worked longer hours than him — while pregnant with twins, no less.

It wasn’t right.

The phone in his back pocket vibrated with an incoming call, interrupting his boredom. He eagerly reached for it, hoping like crazy it was Dave.

It wasn’t, but hearing from the woman who probably had heard from his best friend was the next best thing.

Jillian’s anxious voice sounded across the line. “Please tell me you’ve heard from Dave!”

His heart sank. “Nope.” So much for that theory! He scrubbed a hand through his hair. “We know he made it to Dallas. That’s a good thing.”

“Is it?” She sounded as dejected as he felt. “If anything bad happens to him, Gil, this is sort of my fault, you know.”

Not even! He snorted. “How so?”

“Because we were supposed to be on our honeymoon,” she sighed. “A better wife would’ve begged him not to take the case, right?”

“Baloney,” he said flatly. “You and Dave are a perfect match. You understand him in ways nobody has ever?—”

“Nobody except you,” she cut in remorsefully. “I want you to be flat out honest with me. If I wasn’t in the picture, would you have encouraged him to take the case?”

He gave a dry bark of laughter. “Dave and I have never made a habit of telling each other what to do. We just have each other’s backs, no matter what.”

“And now he can’t be reached.” She sounded like she was still blaming herself for it, which made him feel guilty. Unfortunately, he was powerless to do anything about it while he was stuck sitting on the sidelines. Before he’d retired from the police department, he’d had access to networks and resources he could’ve used to help ensure Jillian’s safety. Instead, he was standing here, exercising his wishful thinking skills.

All he really had to offer her at the moment were empty assurances, but she was too smart for that. “Listen, Jillian.” He drew a deep breath. “I’m gonna find a way to get in touch with him.” Because Bliss was also pregnant, he genuinely understood how badly Jillian needed to hear her husband’s voice again.

“Thank you, Gil.” There was a sobbing catch to her words. “I hate to keep bothering you like this, but?—”

“You’re not.” No way was he going to let her continue beating herself up over that. “I’m gonna go out on a limb and say Dave probably told you to call me if you couldn’t reach him.”

“He did,” she admitted. “But y’all are pregnant with twins, and I know you have a lot on your plate, too.”

“Bliss is fine,” he growled. “She’s busy designing a museum, and I’m bored out of my mind.” He was ready to put his gloves back on and dig into the trenches. “Tell you what, I’m gonna reach out to Lonestar Security today and use every resource they have available to get in touch with Dave. I’ll call you back as soon as I know anything.”

“Thank you,” she sighed. “For everything.” As she disconnected the line, he got the distinct impression that she was about to dissolve into a fit of weeping.

Her gratitude toward him made him feel guiltier than ever, since all he’d done was drive a few circles around her place, plus chauffeur her and Eloise to church on Sunday. He could offer her and Dave so much more support if he upped his game.

And he knew the perfect way to do it. He mashed the speed dial button for Josh Hawling, one of his higher-ups at Lonestar Security. Josh and his business partner, Decker Kingston, ran the entire operation. They were honest, hardworking guys who’d initially met on the rodeo circuit. They’d quickly become friends and eventually hatched a plan for starting a business together before their bodies were beaten to pieces by bull riding. They had brains, and they had muscle. What they didn’t have were backgrounds in law enforcement.

But I do. That’s why they needed him.

Josh picked up the call. “Hey, Gil! How’s it going?”

“Jillian and I can’t reach Dave.” He’d never been one to beat around the bush. “I know you and Decker have access to resources I probably only dreamed about while serving as a small-town sheriff. I want in,” he confessed. “I want every tool and gadget available to help my friend stay alive while he’s working on his case in Dallas. In return, I’ll do whatever you guys need me to do to grow your company into whatever you want it to be.”

Josh gave a cowboy whoop of victory. “When can you come in and sign the paperwork?”

Gil drew a heavy breath, glancing toward the open office door. “How does right now sound?” Bliss was still chatting away on her video conference call. She didn’t need him breathing down her neck while she was working. Shoot! She’d probably all but forgotten he was still in the house.

“Gil…wow! Thanks!” Josh sounded completely floored. “Now is good. It’s great, actually. I’m ready. We’ve been ready.”

“I know.” Gil was well aware he was the one who’d been dragging his heels on their offer to bring him on as a partner. “I’m sorry it took me so long to make up my mind.”

“I’m not.” Josh’s voice grew serious. “This is a big deal. The fact that you didn’t rush into it makes us respect you all the more. Oh, and Gil?”

“Yep?”

“I like your reason for changing your mind. My hat’s off to you. Dave’s lucky to have a friend like you.”

A smile tugged at Gil’s mouth. “I fully intend to remind him of that the next time I see him.” Or hear from him.

Please, God, let it be soon.