Gabriel’s comment got a grunt out of Frank. “Damned shame. You would think soon as Doc sees that Clint Koehler sniffing around Keelee he might just remember. That damn cowboy has been way too persistent lately. Don’t know why, but that one sends my antenna to twitchin’. Something’s off about that boy. God help us, he may just wear that Keelee down before Doc remembers us and comes home.”
Frank watched his daughter as she puttered around outside the barn. She avoided the crowd as usual but stopped to talk with Danny, who was riding in from fixing fence line in the south pasture. “My girl and Doc? They had something. It was strong whether they admitted it or not. She knows he doesn’t remember anything that happened here. Hit her hard, harder than she let on.”
“I know Chief would be happier if Doc stayed. He feels responsible for Doc’s injuries. Shouldn’t, but he does. Anyway, he’s already committed to running the program and facilities whether or not Doc signs on. Did you know Chief has his master’s degree in organizational management?”
Amanda blinked rapidly. “Chief? Our Chief? Goodness I didn’t know he spoke more than two words at a time let alone had an advanced degree!”
“Did Jason talk to you about his plans?” Gabriel leaned forward over the railing and smiled at another roll of laughter from under the tent. Jade obviously took offense at something Jared said and chased him around several tables before catching him and hitting him solidly in the shoulder several times. Jared broke free and ran behind Jasmine using her as a human shield. Jason reached in and lifted Jasmine over his head, giving Jade access to Jared and they ran among the tables laughing like children.
Amanda smiled at the antics before she answered. “We’ve talked about it for weeks. He’s still working through a lot of things. He won’t tell me what happened overseas, but I know it was bad. He thinks opening a law office in our hometown is the best move for him now and I agree with his decision. His support network is there. Of all my children, he is the one I fear for the most. He has gone through so much in his life: the airplane crash, back injury, drug addiction, changing careers, and whatever happened abroad. I know there are things he deals with he will never tell me. My boy is in pain, physically and mentally, and it kills me that I can’t help.”
“Sometimes it takes something outside our power to put things right. Jason is trying to find that. Being the selfish bastard I am, I still want him to be my lawyer. God knows I need him and trust him entirely. He did agree to it, so at least he still works for Guardian in a roundabout way.”
“We can’t protect the kids forever, Gabriel.” Frank’s comment sounded melancholy.
Gabriel shook his head. The ruckus under the tent drew everyone’s attention. They all watched an animated Joseph tell a story using Jacob and Justin as props. When Joseph tackled an unsuspecting Justin, Jacob climbed on top of Joseph, which led to a massive pile-on by Jason and Jared. Jade gave a war cry and fell on top of the pile lifting her arms in victory.
Gabriel’s attention turned back to the couple on the porch. “Those men and women are our nation’s future and Guardian’s leadership. Without them…God, I couldn’t imagine how the world would look. The sharp end of the spear is under that tent. Together they represent hope for a brighter future both here and abroad, and I’ll be damned if I won’t do everything in my power to ensure they are taken care of so they can continue to protect the rest of us.”
~ End ~
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Jacob Page 23
